Kickstart My Heart Read online

  Kickstart My Heart

  Hollywood Demons #1

  Autumn Jones Lake

  Hollywood Demons #1

  Copyright © 2020 Autumn Jones Lake

  All rights reserved.

  Digital ISBN # 978-1-943950-45-4

  Print ISBN # 978-1-943950-46-1

  Large Print Paperback ISBN # 978-1-943950-51-5

  Audiobook ISBN # 978-1-943950-52-2

  * * *

  Cover Model: Zack Bradford

  Cover Designer: Lori Jackson Design

  Photographer: Wander Aguiar Photography

  Edited by: Angela James

  Proofread by: Fairest Reviews Editing Services

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a review.

  * * *

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely by coincidence. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction. The publication/use of these trademarks is not associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  * * *

  Please respect and support this author’s hard work by purchasing a copy from a legitimate retailer.

  Visit the author’s website at autumnjoneslake.com

  Contents

  Also By Autumn Jones Lake

  NEWSLETTER

  ABOUT KICKSTART MY HEART

  Note From The Author

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Join us!

  Social Media

  All Things Kickstart

  Also by Autumn Jones Lake

  About the Author

  THE END

  Also By Autumn Jones Lake

  THE LOST KINGS MC SERIES

  Slow Burn (Lost Kings MC #1)– Free at all retailers!

  Corrupting Cinderella (Lost Kings MC #2)

  Three Kings, One Night (Lost Kings MC #2.5)

  Strength From Loyalty (Lost Kings MC #3)

  Tattered on My Sleeve (Lost Kings MC #4)

  White Heat (Lost Kings MC #5)

  Between Embers (Lost Kings MC #5.5)

  More Than Miles (Lost Kings MC #6)

  White Knuckles (Lost Kings MC #7)

  Beyond Reckless (Lost Kings MC #8)

  Beyond Reason (Lost Kings MC #9)

  One Empire Night (Lost Kings MC #9.5)

  After Burn (Lost Kings MC #10)

  After Glow (Lost Kings MC #11)

  Zero Hour (Lost Kings MC #11.5) - Free at all retailers!

  Zero Tolerance (Lost Kings MC #12)

  Zero Regret (Lost Kings MC #13)

  Zero Apologies (Lost Kings MC #14)

  White Lies (Lost Kings MC #15)

  Swagger and Sass (A Lost Kings MC Novella)

  Rhythm of the Road (Lost Kings MC #16)

  * * *

  The Lost Kings MC World

  Hollywood Demons Series

  Kickstart My Heart

  Blow My Fuse

  Wheels of Fire

  * * *

  Standalones

  Bullets & Bonfires

  Warnings & Wildfires

  Cards of Love: Knight of Swords

  Paranormal Romance

  Catnip & Cauldrons

  Onyx Night

  Onyx Shadows

  Feral Escape

  NEWSLETTER

  Sign-Up here for updates about what I’m working on, alerts for sales and new releases, bonus scenes, and stuff I don’t share elsewhere! Delivered straight to your inbox!

  ABOUT KICKSTART MY HEART

  A rock star on the rise.

  I might have been born and raised in a motorcycle club, but until my father and MC prez calls me home, the guitar is my mistress, my band is my temporary family and fame is my drug of choice. I wasn’t expecting Mallory. She provokes every one of my protective instincts. Anyone who tries to extinguish her spark will answer to my fists. Unfortunately, this is Hollywood where sleazeballs are crawling over each other to tarnish girls like Mallory.

  * * *

  An actress on the run.

  With my father behind bars, I’m in control of my life for the first time. In search of stardom and a connection to my past, I escape across the country to the one place I can make my dreams come true. I wasn’t looking for love. Or even lust. But Chaser helps make me feel safe. And thanks to the dangerous secret I’m keeping, I need his protection even more than he knows.

  * * *

  Off-the-charts chemistry.

  Hollywood, fame, and love don’t always mix, but we were made for each other. We’ll defy the odds—and the people trying to tear us apart.

  * * *

  Travel all the way back to 1989 in Kickstart My Heart, the first book of the utterly swoon-worthy Kickstart Trilogy from USA Today bestselling author Autumn Jones Lake.

  Kickstart My Heart is also available in audio.

  Note From The Author

  Dear Reader,

  * * *

  Thank you so much for purchasing Kickstart My Heart! If you don’t mind, I’d love to share a little bit with you about how this story came to life.

  * * *

  A much, much shorter version of Kickstart My Heart originally appeared in the ‘80s Mixed Tape Anthology which was published in February 2016 and only available for a limited time. Our mission for the anthology was to write a New Adult romance novella set in the 80’s (I chose 1989) with an HFN or HEA ending. Each story was to be named after a song from our chosen year. The original version was approximately 18,000 words. This version in your hands is over 70,000 words. Two more books will follow: Blow My Fuse and Wheels of Fire.

  * * *

  Some of you know about my deep love of 80’s metal music. While at the time, I was too young to experience the magic of the Sunset Strip in its heyday, I spent many Saturday nights staying up late watching Headbangers Ball, making mixtapes, and faithfully reading Metal Edge magazine. Because I write romance and am known for my MC series, Motley Crue’s Kickstart My Heart was an obvious choice for my title.

  * * *

  Let me be upfront with you—Kickstart My Heart is, like all of my books, a romantic fantasy.

  * * *

  While I thoroughly enjoyed doing my research and reliving the time period through articles, interviews, and non-fiction books, my book is in no way intended to be an exact representation of the time period/setting or anything else. The characters and events described in this book, like all of my books, are products of my own vivid imaginatio n. The world I have created (using a blend of real and imaginary locations) is mine.

  * * *

  While the Mix Tape Anthology was a great experience and I was honored to be included, I also felt a bit constrained when I originally wrote Kickstart. Knowing it would be published with other, more “standard” contemporary romances made me feel like I should hold back.

  * * *

  With that in mind, I struggled not to make Chaser seem too crude or too criminal in the original version.

  * * *

  Here, in this updated and expanded version, I decided to let Chaser be himself. He is my favorite kind of romance hero—a romantic alpha male with a filthy mouth, heart of gold, and deep respect for the woman who tames his wild heart.

  * * *

  Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy this fun ride back in time!

  * * *

  Love,

  Autumn

  p.s. You can find my Kickstart playlist here.

  Prologue

  Manhattan, NY

  February 1989

  How do you prepare for justice to flip your world upside down?

  “Guilty.”

  Not even my father’s overpriced army of attorneys can save him from his fate.

  My destiny is still unwritten, and for the first time in my life, in my hands.

  Acid churns in my stomach as my gaze darts around the courtroom. The satisfied expressions on each juror’s face wouldn’t be so smug if they knew the true extent of my father’s crimes.

  Throughout the trial, I played my part of the adoring, naive daughter raised by her overprotective, but loving father. The naive part wasn’t a stretch.

  There’s nothing more I can do for him.

  It’s time to escape.

  Without listening to the rest of the judge’s instructions or the last-ditch pleas to set aside the verdict by my father’s lead attorney, I slip through the swinging wooden gate, careful to guide it closed, so it doesn’t bang against the railing and draw attention my way.

  I keep walking, my rubber heeled shoes whisper-soft over the hardwood floor.

  Head up, eyes focused anywhere but on the gawking members of the press, law enforcement, and spectators filling the courtroom.

  I push open the heavy wooden door and quicken my steps.

  Freedom.

  It’s within my grasp if I don’t hesitate. Don’t wait. Don’t get caught.

  Last night in a final meeting with my father and his attorneys in a cramped, jail conference room, my father made me promise him two things if he was convicted: first, I’d put myself under my uncle’s protection—which meant obeying all his orders. Second, I’d never come visit him in prison.

  The second one hurt, but I understood his reasoning.

  To my father’s face, I agreed to both. Deep down, with every fiber of my soul, my resolve is strong—I’m done with this life.

  For once, I want to pursue my dreams. Not be told what to do or what is expected of me. Put my safety and security in the hands of my uncle? No way. I don’t trust him. I don’t need a crystal ball to know he’ll hand me over to the man who has asked my father several times for my hand in marriage.

  “Mallory, where are you going?” my uncle calls out, stopping me at the bottom of the marble stairway.

  So close to my getaway.

  You want to be an actress? Here’s your chance.

  I manufacture a few fake tears. “I can’t believe it,” I whisper, yanking out a tissue to dab at my eyes. “I have to go home.”

  If my uncle were capable of sympathy, that might be what I see shining in his eyes. “It’s late. You shouldn’t be alone. Come home with me.”

  What’s a polite way to say, nope, not happening?

  I’m saved from inventing an excuse by a man in a black suit, gripping my uncle’s arm. “Sir, you need to come with us.”

  Oh God. The government has their conviction. My father’s headed to prison. They’re still hunting down the whole family.

  I meet my uncle’s eyes, and he subtly lifts his chin, telling me to escape.

  While two men in suits handcuff my uncle and recite the Miranda warning I now know by heart, I back away.

  Slowly, I slip into the crowd of reporters, keeping my head down, until I push through the courthouse door. Fresh, cold air is a welcome slap in the face.

  Running down the street, I search for a cab. One stops ahead of me and a man climbs out. Before he can shut the door, I grab it and throw myself inside, ignoring the broken pieces of vinyl that snag my pantyhose.

  “Times Square, please.” The government seized my father’s Manhattan penthouse months ago. But our family home in Bright Point remains untouched. For now.

  The cab jerks to a stop at the curb, and I toss some money at the driver. He thanks me profusely as I scoot out of the car.

  It’s almost dark now. Neon lights cast by the myriad of signs shimmer against the wet pavement.

  Frigid air stings my cheeks as I trudge through the crush of tourists and jostle my way into the subway, a system I familiarized myself with during the trial. Twenty-one stops later, I exit, find my car and drive home.

  No one’s waiting outside the gate, so I drive right up to the house.

  Last night, I’d packed a bag, just in case.

  Had the verdict gone the other way, I didn’t want my father to know my plans, so my bag remains hidden upstairs in my closet.

  The house greets me with cold silence as I enter the foyer and kick off my heels.

  I jog down the hallway to my father’s office, my feet sliding over marble tiles. Inside, I shut the heavy wooden door behind me and lean against it, closing my eyes and allowing my toes to sink into the thick carpet for a few seconds.

  To finance this new chapter of my life and keep myself safe, I’ll need money. Fortunately, I’d memorized the combination to my father’s safe years ago.

  I’d just never dared to take anything from it until now.

  The family portrait that hides the wall safe seems sadder than ever as I move it aside.

  After several deep breaths to calm my shaky hands, I dial the combination with painfully slow turns of the knob.

  My breathing stops as the lock clicks and I swing open the door, praying there’s as much money as I remember inside.

  Jackpot!

  I scoop up everything in sight and dump as much as I can in my oversized purse. The rest, I carry in my arms upstairs. I drag a small suitcase from my closet and line the inside with stacks of cash. The bag I’d already packed has to be rearranged. I divide the money and clothes between the two.

  On the way downstairs, I hesitate. My mother’s portrait hangs in the foyer, and I wish I could take it with me. In my purse, I have a smaller framed photo of the two of us from when I was little.

  “Please watch over me,” I whisper as I stare up at the painting. “Let me escape this life. I want to make you proud.”

  If I stay, there will be no future for me that doesn’t include being married off to one of my father’s men. Something I don’t think my mother would have wanted for me.

  Something I definitely don’t want for myself.

  I sweep one last glance over the house, before hurrying out the front door.

  Life as I know it, is over.

  “California, here I come.”

  Chapter One

  Los Angeles

  One month later…

  * * *

  “Can I at least have a pair of shorts that cover my butt cheeks?”

  My request is met with an are you serious stare from the director.

  I’ve been in Los Angeles for a month and already landed my first job. I rock!

  Although, while dreaming of my new life, I did not envision this would be the first part I’d play.

  Wiggling my ass in tiny denim cutoff shorts. Seductively licking a lollipop. Shaking my boobs in a thin red halter top. Tossing my fully blown out and puffed up, crispy blond hair from side to side. All while str utting across a cement stage in shiny red fuck-me heels.

  This isn’t why I came to Hollywood.

  Embarrassment has no room in my heart any longer—not if I want to make it in this town.

  At least it’s a job, right?

  And there’s a hot guy on set. One of the band members. He’s the only one who doesn’t have long, shaggy hair teased sky-high. Although, he is wearing what seems to be the standard-issue glam metal uniform of skin-tight leather pants and a faded black T-shirt. But it’s his eyes that capture my attention. Serious. Predatory. They seem to follow me everywhere.