Shade

by Jamie Begley

  “Yes, we can pick which tattoo we want and put the date on it,” Evie explained. “Some, like me, just have the date tatted.”

  “I see.”

  Shade noticed Beth shoot Razer a concerned look from the other table as she took another sip of her beer. Even she was beginning to realize her friend was up to something.

  “Does everyone have the same date?”

  There it is, Shade thought, figuring out exactly what had the high school principal so upset.

  “No,” Evie spoke cautiously, beginning to suspect the trap.

  Viper stiffened in surprise at the turn of the conversation, turning toward Winter. He was no fool; he knew where the question was leading.

  “What determines the date that goes on the tattoo?” Winter asked, her breathing unconsciously deepening.

  “It’s the date we became a member of The Last Riders,” Evie explained slowly.

  “I see. How do the women become members?” Winter asked.

  Evie looked around the table, willing someone to jump in and take over the discussion, which Shade wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole.

  Being president of the club and Winter’s old man, Viper managed to step in with a grim look.

  “Ask what you want to know, Winter.”

  “I just did. What’s the big secret?”

  “No secret, it’s just club business. Only the members or potential members need to know, but I will tell you. The women become members by fucking or causing six of the eight members to have an orgasm.”

  As her hands tightened on the beer bottle, Shade expected her to throw it at Viper. She let him have her sharp tongue, instead.

  “Well, doesn’t that make it nice for the male members? How do they become members? By fucking a certain number of women? What is it, a hundred?” she said snidely.

  “No, the recruit who wants to become a member and join us must pick four of the original members.”

  “Male members to fuck?”

  Shade almost laughed out loud at the angry glares Winter was receiving from the brothers.

  “No, they pick four of the eight members to beat the hell out of them. Then, if they fight well and aren’t hurt too bad, they become members.”

  It was a harsh initiation none of the brothers would apologize for. When they were fighting, they needed to know each of the brothers could carry their own weight. A weak link during a life and death battle could get several men killed. If anyone who wanted to join The Last Riders wanted to be babied, they needed to stay home with Mama.

  “You guys have a thing for numbers, don’t you?” Winter asked.

  “We have to know that a man we are making our brother can handle himself and have our back. Going on beer runs and dumb shit like that won’t be of any help to us when another club wants our cut.”

  “Well, your club has worked out all the details. So, the women get the tattoo after they fuck their sixth original member?”

  “Basically, yes.” Viper’s firm voice held no apology.

  “I can see by the women’s tattoos that they are very proud of their accomplishment.”

  The women at the table stiffened, as did Shade and the other brothers.

  Evie was the first to break the stunned silence. “We don’t deserve that attitude. You might think that is a large number of men to sleep with, but we happen to think we are very selective. I have girlfriends who aren’t in The Last Riders who go out to party every weekend and fuck a couple of different guys a month, knowing shit about them. I know everything about these men, who, I might add, have lugged your ass around for the last few months and been nothing except polite to you.”

  “I agree. I apologize for any affront I may have caused. All of you have been more than kind to me, and I shouldn’t repay your kindness by being a bitch.”

  After a few moments of silence everyone started to relax, but Winter ruined it by asking, “I don’t see your tattoo, Bliss? May I see it?”

  Bliss stiffened in her seat, looking toward Viper and silently asking what she should do.

  “Show her,” Viper ordered.

  Bliss reached out and pulled her top back, leaving the curve of her breast bare and giving a clear view of the tattoo. The date she had earned her vote was tatted, which also happened to be the day Winter had been attacked.

  “Who gave you the last vote you needed?” Winter asked, not moving her eyes away from the glaring proof of what Viper had been doing while she was being attacked.

  “I did,” Viper admitted.

  “Now I understand why you said what you did to Bliss today, Rider.”

  Everyone looked at the two members who sat in confusion, not understanding what she was referring to, but Winter was about to remind them.

  “I heard you tell Bliss that you guys could get back to normal after I leave, like Viper told you. If that is any example”—she pointed to Bliss’s tattoo—“I bet you can hardly wait until I am gone. Viper told you two weeks; I am not going to cramp your style. I am leaving tonight. My bags are packed, and my ride should be here any minute. I would like to thank each of you for your help this last month.”

  She turned to Viper, who stared back at her impassively except for the burning fury in his eyes. “You put yourself out for nothing. They said you were still playing me, hoping Vincent would tell me something about the baby. You were way off-base. Sorry I couldn’t have been more help, but at least this time you didn’t have to waste two years of your life.”

  “I see that Rider and Bliss were a fountain of information for you.”

  Both of them sat as still as statues, while Bliss had fear on her face.

  “They didn’t know I was even there. I was in the hallway, and they were in the hot tub.”

  “But they were discussing my business?”

  Winter wisely didn’t answer his question. “Bliss and Rider didn’t do anything wrong; I was the one eavesdropping.”

  Viper ignored her defense of the members. “So, who did you call to come get you this time?”

  “The sheriff.”

  Viper motioned to Shade, who immediately stood, pulling his phone out of his pocket before going inside the kitchen to call his dad.

  He answered on the second ring. “What do you want?”

  Shade gritted his teeth, knowing his father was still angry he hadn’t showed for Christmas. “Where are you?”

  “Headed toward the clubhouse. Isn’t that why you called?” he mocked.

  Shade knew his dad was getting tired of only getting called when it involved The Last Rider’s business. “As a matter of fact, yes. Don’t bother. Winter was angry at Viper. She’s over it now.”

  “You think I’ll take your word for it without checking for myself? I’ll be there in five.”

  Shade had ten minutes. It would take his dad another five to make it up the long flight of steps at the front of the clubhouse.

  He put his cell phone back in his pocket as he went outside again, easily finding Viper stalking Winter toward the gazebo.

  He stealthily moved to the other side of it so Viper could see him, motioning for Viper to take her upstairs. Viper shook his head, though.

  Shade leaned against the tree as the yard darkened, letting the shadows hide him as he listened to Viper and Winter’s argument.

  “I could have fucked you silly as Loker James, but I wanted you to know who I really was before I put my dick in you. I won’t always be so nice. I am not a nice person. Never was, don’t want to be. Nice people get fucked over. My brother was an example of that.”

  Winter started to interrupt, but Viper talked over her. “You’re a nice person. I fucked you over, but deal with it because I am done trying to make amends. I never led you to believe there was more to us than there actually was, and until you come to grips with that, you are going to stay pissed at me. But I can deal with pissed; actually, it makes me want to fuck.”

  His hand went to her chest, pulling down her sweater and bra, leaving her breasts bare. When W
inter looked around to see if anyone was watching and ended up dropping her cane as she tugged her shirt back up, Shade backed farther into the shadows. Viper’s back blocked her from everyone’s view except his.

  Viper brought her hands upward, knotting soft cords around her wrists that Shade had nailed there himself. He used the gazebo often when Beth was around. Razer would keep her in the club room while he partied outside or in his bedroom.

  “You guys are prepared for everything.” Winter struggled against the restraints.

  Viper laughed. “We try.” Viper lowered his head, capturing her mouth in a kiss that made her quit struggling briefly before tearing her mouth away from him. Ignoring her obvious protests, he tugged her top back down and took her nipple in his mouth,

  Shade saw the flash of Viper’s teeth as he teased her flesh while Viper’s other hand once again uncovered her breasts completely, squeezing one from bottom to top. Winter’s head fell back against the gazebo.

  “Do you know how many times I imagined you like this? With your breasts just waiting for my mouth, your nipples for me to suck them until you scream for mercy? I fucked every woman here the last two years pretending it was your pussy I was inside.”

  “You fucking liar. I bet you didn’t think of me that night with Bliss once. There were four daisies. Does that mean she fucked four members that night?”

  “Yes; Cash, Evie, and me. We fucked all night long.” Viper unbuckled her jeans, spreading them open before sliding his hand inside. Winter kicked out at him but he stepped between her legs, making her attempt useless.

  “Careful, I don’t want you to hurt your back. More importantly, I don’t want you hurting something of mine I plan to be using in a few minutes.”

  “You go to Hell. If you think tying me up—”

  “You don’t like it? That’s all you had to say.” With a twist of his hand, the cord around her wrist was loosened before giving away. “We don’t need safe words—a simple no will do—but your wet pussy is telling me no isn’t on your mind.”

  When Shade saw his father come outside with Evie, he moved sideways noiselessly until he could leave the trees without the couple seeing him.

  “I want to see Winter,” the sheriff demanded.

  Beth stood up from the picnic table, throwing Razer an angry glare.

  “I don’t think they want to be interrupted,” Shade told him as he approached.

  “Now, Shade.”

  Shade shrugged, leading the sheriff to within a few feet of the gazebo.

  Beth, who was following along despite Razer trying to stop her, came to an abrupt stop herself, giving a low gasp.

  Viper’s head was lowered over Winter’s breasts, and his hand was moving underneath her jeans as she arched against him.

  “Still want to talk to her?” Shade asked in a low voice.

  His father turned bright red and started backing away at the low whimper of desire coming from the gazebo. “That’s okay. Tell Winter I don’t have time to be running back and forth from town when she and Viper get in a fight,” he snapped.

  “I’ll make her aware you weren’t pleased with having your time wasted,” Shade smoothly lied.

  “You do that.” Giving a sharp nod, he turned on his polished heels and left.

  Beth gave Razer an embarrassed smile before tugging him away from his interest in the couple being intimate only a few feet away.

  Shade snagged a beer from Evie’s hand as they both unashamedly listened.

  “There was someone else, but he doesn’t like his business talked about any more than I do.”

  No, he didn’t. Shade was glad Viper knew when to keep silent.

  “I never told Rider fuck about when you were leaving because you are staying right where you are, in my fucking bed.” With that, Viper lifted her into his arms, packing her into the house, and she didn’t even notice Shade had to move before he was knocked over.

  “Want to dance?” Shade stiffened as Bliss’s arms slid around his waist, sliding her hands to sit intimately against the zipper of his jeans.

  Shade tipped the beer to his mouth, finishing it and then tossing the bottle into a trashcan. He took one of Bliss’s hands, pulling her around until she was pressed against his chest.

  “When was the last time we played in the gazebo?”

  “Last summer,” she breathlessly reminded him. “I don’t exactly remember which night it was.”

  “Let me refresh your memory.”

  Chapter 20

  Viper and Winter were in the kitchen eating as the rest of The Last Riders came in to fix breakfast. Shade microwaved the already-cooked bacon, heating it up as Beth scrambled some eggs and Razer made himself useful making toast. Jewell nudged everyone out of the way as she made coffee and poured glasses of orange juice. The members quickly made breakfast as a synchronized unit, having become used to the routine.

  “Couldn’t manage to fix yourselves something decent?” Jewell asked, sitting down with a glass of juice.

  Winter looked embarrassed, but Viper just casually slung his arm around her shoulders.

  Razer and Shade sat down at the table as Beth served Razer his breakfast.

  When Winter eyed his plate of food in longing, smiling, Beth slid one just like it in front of her.

  “I love you,” Winter said fervently.

  Beth smiled before taking a seat with her own plate. Viper eyed hers before getting up to fix his own plate.

  “How is Lily doing?” Winter asked.

  Shade sat chewing a piece of bacon, waiting for Beth’s answer.

  “Good. She goes back to school in two weeks. She and her friend are planning on going on spring break together.”

  “Where are they going?” Winter asked.

  “They’re having trouble making their minds up. Penni wants to go on a mini cruise, says it’s the perfect place to meet guys without the party atmosphere of the beaches on spring break.”

  Shade frowned. Razer had neglected to give him that piece of information.

  “Does Lily want to go?” Winter asked the question that was on his own mind.

  “Actually, she wants to go to Arizona.”

  Shade’s frown changed to a smile, much happier with that answer. The Grand Canyon was in Arizona. He could see Lily enjoying the rugged canyon.

  “To see the Grand Canyon?” Winter asked.

  “I asked the same thing.” Beth laughed.

  “What did she say?”

  “She said Arizona has cowboys. Seems she has this thing for them; has the impression they are all macho, protective, and are gentlemen. She thinks they are sexy.”

  Shade’s smile disappeared once more. What the fuck did Lily know about men? Hell, if a man came within ten inches of her, she panicked.

  The women laughed good-naturedly at the young girl’s fantasy. Shade didn’t think it was funny, though. His fork viciously stabbed his eggs.

  “Doesn’t Arizona have tornados?” Winter asked casually.

  Shade actually thought of high-fiving Winter.

  Beth’s laughter stopped. “Really?”

  Shade and all his brothers nodded.

  “Spring break is right in the middle of tornado season,” Winter confirmed.

  Hell fucking yeah. He was unaware he was still nodding his agreement.

  “I’ll have to tell them. Maybe a cruise would be better.”

  Shade wasn’t any happier. He was going to have to bribe Penni, and it was going to cost him a fortune.

  He was trying to think of the states which had the lowest male population when Winter came up with an idea.

  “Perhaps you might convince them to stay a few days in Lexington—spring meet will be on at Keeneland. Then you could bring Lily back with you, and we could have your bachelorette party on that Friday.”

  Beth seemed to consider it for several minutes. “I think that’s a great idea. Thanks, Winter.”

  Winter smiled at Beth, ignoring the narrowed stare of Shade.

 
; It was better than a fucking cruise with the girls running around in bikinis, but Lily would still be around men and horses. Shade wondered if Lily found short men attractive.

  “I’m looking forward to the bachelorette party. Evie talked to Mick; he said to let him know the date, and we could have the bar for the night. It’s going to be nice with just us, no men,” Jewell said, lying through her teeth.

  “Well, us and a few of my other friends,” Beth clarified, hesitantly.

  “Like who?” Evie asked suspiciously, sitting down at the table with her food.

  “Crazy Bitch, Sex Piston, Killyama…”

  Shade was instantly glad he wouldn’t be there. He might ride his bike to Lexington and keep an eye on Lily and Penni then stay on a few days until it was safe to return to Treepoint.

  Evie raised her hand. “You have got to be shitting me. Tell me you’re not seriously considering inviting them to your party.”

  “I have to invite them. It will hurt their feelings if I don’t.”

  “Those bitches don’t have any feelings. Not normal ones, anyway,” Shade butted into the conversation.

  Beth sent Shade a reproachful look, which he ignored. The woman was blind where her friends were concerned.

  “There is a problem with them coming,” Evie reminded Beth. All eyes turned to Bliss who was unashamedly listening from the kitchen counter.

  Beth shook her head. “No, that is all forgotten. They’ll be cool, they promised.”

  Shade wasn’t the only one in the room looking at her doubtfully.

  “May I make a suggestion?” Winter put in. “Suppose we have the party at eight until two. Tell your biker friends it starts at eleven. If Bliss wouldn’t mind, she could leave a few minutes earlier than when they would arrive.”

  Bliss smiled in relief. “That works for me.”

  Beth didn’t seem as happy as Bliss, and if Beth wasn’t happy, Razer wasn’t.

  “Okay, if that makes everyone more comfortable,” Beth conceded.

  Winter and Viper left the room before the rest were finished.

  Jewell smirked in Shade’s direction before leaning forward in her chair.

  “Lily found any young college boys to date?”