Shade

by Jamie Begley

  As Beth wiped a lone tear trailing down her cheek, Razer placed an arm around her shoulders, leading her back out the door and closing it quietly behind them, leaving the two on the couch alone. Tomorrow would come soon enough.

  Chapter 43

  Shade crossed his arms over his chest as he watched Beth and Razer eat their hotdog.

  “Hurry up.” They were taking their sweet time, which was irritating the fuck out of him.

  “We’re almost finished. Lily is just up ahead, looking at the blown glass,” Beth told him, getting to her feet to throw away the trash. “You could have gone ahead and met her,” she said, giving him a sly smile.

  Shade almost rolled his eyes. Lily’s sister could be a pain in the ass. Lily might have been adopted, but she and Beth were a lot alike.

  He had already spent an aggravating day riding around town, trying to find Gaige. However, the fucking coward was hiding from him, so being irritated further by Beth trying to be funny was not what he needed.

  Beth took her cell phone out of her pocket, frowning when she pulled up her messages.

  “What?” Both Razer and Shade asked at the same time.

  “Lily bought a piece of glass and took it to her car.”

  The sky was rapidly getting darker.

  “Did she say where she parked?”

  “No. She sent the message ten minutes ago. It shouldn’t have taken that long. She should have texted me she was on her way back by now.”

  Shade took off, The Last Riders who were sitting at the picnic tables following behind him. When they heard a loud crash of glass breaking, Shade felt his stomach sink.

  “Spread out!” Shade ordered the brothers.

  He recognized Gaige who reached out, taking Lily’s arm in his hand when she tried to take a step back. Shade and the brothers were able to see what Lily couldn’t as three bikers about to become part of the action stepped up from behind her.

  Shade walked hurriedly to the scene, watching the bikers exchanging words with Gaige as the obviously frightened man started to step back. He ran an experienced eye over the other three bikers. The blond one was the leader; the one with a scar running down his cheek the enforcer. Shade hadn’t missed the subtle signal the blond one had given his men, and the lethal look of the other one spoke for itself.

  The largest biker slung an arm around Gaige’s shoulder as he said something to him, turning him toward a group of trees. Shade didn’t feel any sympathy for Gaige, who looked scared enough to piss himself.

  “Wait, he just lost his temper,” he heard Lily plead as he moved along the side of a pickup truck, getting nearer.

  Viper and Train were on the opposite side of the parking lot, stealthily moving through the shadows of the trees to get closer, while Cash and Rider were trying to sneak in behind them.

  “That’s okay, sweet thing. I’m going to help him find it.” The large biker had no problem maneuvering a struggling Gaige away.

  Lily took a step forward, but the blond biker slid an arm around her waist. “Let Max deal with him. He can’t look much worse than he does now.”

  Shade was going to rip the bastard’s head off. He was proud of Lily, though, for not having one of her panic attacks.

  “Lily!” Beth yelled out, unable to wait for the brothers to move in.

  Shade wanted to shake her as she rushed across the parking lot. Razer caught up with her. He had been left behind to watch her, not let her place herself in danger.

  As Shade gave the signal for The Last Riders to come out, appearing in a circle around the three bikers, Razer handed Beth over to Evie and Jewell. The rest of the brothers were moving in as back-up.

  “Want to take a bet on which one she belongs to?” the one with his arm around her waist spoke to his friends.

  “Don’t have to. I know,” the dark-haired one said in amusement, moving in front of Lily and blocking her from view.

  Shade’s eyes narrowed. They didn’t give a shit who she belonged to; they wanted to find out the strength of the club, identify The Last Riders’ president and enforcer.

  “Let me go.” Lily tried to wiggle from the grasp the blond biker had around her waist.

  “Calm down. I’m going to let you go.”

  Viper’s harsh voice was low and filled with menace. “Let her go.”

  The blond one sent a critical eye over Viper. There you go, Shade thought. Strength can never take a backseat, and Viper wanted the situation over quickly with the women members and wives near.

  The one with Gaige in a stranglehold turned back, moving closer to his friends.

  “I have every intention of letting this sweet thing go. We’re not out for trouble; just passing through.” The leader nodded at Gaige and the one he had called Max. “Found him giving her some trouble.” Nodding again toward Lily’s car, he then said, “Decided to step in. Seeing she’s yours, we’ll step back.” His arm slid away from Lily, releasing her.

  While Lily took a step forward toward Razer, Shade didn’t break eye contact with the scarred one who stepped to the side to let her pass. Shade didn’t miss the gun tucked into his waistband under his jacket as Lily brushed past him.

  “He’s telling the truth, Viper. Gaige was angry that he got fired, and they made him leave me alone.”

  “Lily, go to your sister,” Shade spoke.

  She took off toward her sister and as soon as she was out of earshot, Shade gave his ultimatum.

  “He’s mine. Give him to me, and you can leave in peace.”

  “Peace is good.” The leader spoke with a mocking twist to his lips. “But I’m just as willing for a good fight. Unfortunately, this fucker isn’t worth it.”

  Max handed Gaige over to him, pleading with Shade that he hadn’t been going to hurt Lily.

  “Shut the fuck up, you pussy. You’re brave enough when a woman has her back to you. Didn’t you want her to see your small dick?” Shade mocked while his expression turned deadly.

  Just then, Knox pulled his deputy car into the parking lot close to the men before getting out. “Beth called and said someone was giving Lily trouble?”

  “He broke her windshield,” Shade answered, indicating the asshole he was holding.

  Knox took Gaige from Shade, putting him in handcuffs before placing him into the backseat of the cruiser. Shade didn’t mind, though. When the deputy who was taking statements went home that night, Shade would be making a visit to Gaige’s jail cell.

  “They with him?” Knox nodded toward the out-of-town bikers.

  “Fuck no. We’re just passing through, stopped for some fun, and found him giving sweet thing a hard time,” the blond biker said.

  “Quit calling her that!” Shade couldn’t hold back his anger.

  “No offense.” An insincere smile from the leader had Shade’s hands clenching at his sides.

  “Well, fun’s over. You men need to be leaving town since you were passing through,” Knox drawled sarcastically.

  “You telling us to leave town?”

  “That about sums it up,” Knox agreed.

  “Seems we don’t have much of a choice, do we?”

  “No,” Shade answered.

  The leader nodded. “Let’s go, brothers.”

  The three bikers turned, going to their bikes.

  “I’ll make sure they leave,” Knox said, going to the cruiser with Gaige inside.

  As Shade and the rest of the men returned to where the women were waiting, Shade ran his eyes over Lily, making sure Gaige hadn’t bruised her when he grabbed her.

  “You okay?” Razer asked Lily.

  “I’m fine,” Lily assured her brother-in-law while her eyes avoided Shade’s.

  She began walking with her sister, looping their arms together. Shade had witnessed them walking that way before. Both women were very expressive with their love, and although Beth would take Razer’s hand often, Shade couldn’t imagine the day Lily would reach out to touch him voluntarily.

  “Do you want to go back to
the booth and get another figurine?” Beth asked.

  “No,” Lily said, changing the subject. “Let’s play some games.”

  She walked up to one of the booths where you had to throw a ring around a milk jug, handed the worker some money, and he gave her several rings. Aiming, she missed pathetically. She tried again with the other two rings, throwing each one carefully, and missed them all. Shade wanted to help her yet hung back at the edge of the group, watching the members as they walked through the fairgrounds.

  The members began splitting up, going to different games and playing. The brothers went to the shooting game, while Lily and the women moved on to another game, shooting water into a clown’s mouth. She won and began jumping up and down, laughing.

  After two more races, Lily earned a prize, picking a purple monkey, and the man behind the counter handed it to Lily.

  “Here you go.” Lily handed it to Beth.

  “Don’t you want it?” Beth protested.

  “You’re the one who likes stuffed animals.”

  Beth’s face was confused as she took it from Lily. Shade had to walk away from the group, returning to watch the men shoot while staying close enough to keep an eye on the women.

  Gaige had destroyed something Lily had let herself want; as a result, she was giving the stuffed animal away before it was taken from her. Shade knew it was what she was used to happening.

  With the game over, the women came back to watch the men. While Train and Rider were shooting at the targets, Shade stood next to Viper, both watching.

  “Why don’t you take a turn, Shade?” Bliss asked loudly.

  Shade shot her a look, which the small woman had no trouble understanding. Bliss was walking a fine line with him. She had been with the club long enough to have heard what job he had held in the military. She was trying to expose club secrets. He was growing tired of her attempts to draw his attention.

  He felt Lily’s angry stare at him and knew she didn’t like that he wasn’t friendlier with Bliss. Fuck, if she knew the truth about their past, she would understand Bliss was playing games she had no chance of winning.

  “Let’s go ride the bumper cars,” Bliss suggested.

  The Last Riders made their way through the fair, stopping and riding a few rides and playing several more games. Then they all came to a stop at the ride where they would get on a seat and go to the top and then be released to swing in a large circle.

  “I’m going to go get something to drink,” Lily told Beth, who was standing in line with Razer.

  Shade, in line behind them, wasn’t surprised Lily wasn’t going to ride. He stood in line, keeping watch as she went to a food truck where she bought a drink and cotton candy then took a seat at one of the tables.

  Shade got out of line.

  “You want me to hold your place?” Razer asked with a snicker.

  “Fuck you.” Shade moved away.

  He saw Beth burry her face in Razer’s chest, her shoulders shaking. Those two had a warped sense of humor.

  As he approached, Lily was delicately licking the sugar crystals from her lips.

  Shade sat down on the bench next to her. “You don’t want to ride?”

  “Not that one, I don’t,” Lily replied, smiling.

  Shade surmised the cotton candy had put her in a better mood. It sure as fuck was doing things to him.

  She sat, eating her candy as The Last Riders got on their ride. Lily watched them while he watched her eat the sticky confection with his cock steadfastly reminding him it hadn’t had a woman’s mouth on it in three months.

  She looked at him inquiringly when he shifted closer to her. His eyes dropped to her tiny pink tongue as it swept the sugar crystals from her bottom lip. He was about to take the job over for her when she turned away, taking a drink of her soda.

  A smile came to her lips.

  “What are you thinking?” Shade asked.

  She turned to him with a start, giving him a sweet smile. “I was just thinking how happy everyone looked, like they belong together. I can see you all care about each other.”

  Shade turned to where she was staring. The Last Riders had gotten off the ride and were approaching, laughing and having a good time. He faced her again. He would rather watch her eat the cotton candy.

  She tore another piece of the spun candy off. “You shouldn’t be so hard on Bliss. I think she has a thing for you,” Lily said, raising the confection to her lips.

  Unable to take the temptation any longer, Shade’s hand snapped out, catching her wrist in a hard grasp.

  “What did I tell you about me not being your BFF? Bliss knows exactly what I feel for her.” Shade brought her hand to his mouth where his tongue licked her fingers, taking the sugar off, and Lily shuddered, her eyes darkening.

  Jerking her hand from his, she avoided his eyes. Then she got to her feet and dumped the cotton candy as well as the drink into the trashcan before making a beeline straight for Beth’s side.

  Shade watched her run to Beth for safety with a small smile on his lips, the taste of her still in his mouth. Her attraction to him was growing, and he planned on fanning that particular fire until it became all she could think about. Until her desire became stronger than her fear.

  He rose to follow behind the group, keeping a watchful eye on his club members. Lily didn’t stray from Beth’s side for the rest of the evening.

  He had thought Beth would be his biggest opposition, but surprisingly, Razer was playing the big brother. Shade was willing to go along with it, for a while anyway.

  He watched as she looked back over her shoulder then moved closer to Beth. His gut twisted as he wondered if she would ever turn to him over Beth, if he would be the one she looked to for protection.

  They managed to hit all the rides and most of the food trucks before heading to the parking lot. On the way out, Shade caught Viper’s attention.

  “I’ll catch up with you later.”

  Once Viper sent him a curious look while he nodded, Shade went in search of one particular vendor, easily finding out there was only one which sold blown glass. The old man behind the table was polite yet wary. Shade was used to his appearance frightening some people, though.

  “There was a young woman with long, dark hair and purple eyes here earlier tonight. She bought one of your pieces; which one was it?” Shade questioned, scanning the small figurines.

  “It was one of a kind. I have something similar…” The old man began to reach across the table.

  Shade shook his head, taking out his wallet.

  “You make these?”

  “Yes … but I only make one of a kind—” Again, he attempted to explain, but Shade cut him off.

  “It was accidently broken.” Shade handed him several bills and a card. “Make me another just like it and mail it to the address on the card. When you do, I’ll send another hundred.”

  “But this is more than enough.” The vendor counted the cash in his hand.

  “Then it will give you the motivation to get it done before I change my mind, won’t it?”

  Shade walked away when he nodded. Lily was never going to lose what she wanted ever again.

  * * *

  Shade walked nonchalantly into the jail cell Knox had opened. He leaned against the wall as Gaige jumped to his feet.

  “I’m going to make it simple for you. Get your ass out of town and don’t come back.”

  “I have a wife and kids!”

  “This the same wife and kids you had when you were sticking your hand up Lily’s dress?”

  “I was just playing around. If Lily told you any diff—”

  Shade was on him in the next second, his fist punching him in the stomach. When he would have fallen to the floor, Shade jerked him up with his hands on his neck, throwing him to the wall then pinning him against it.

  “You fucking coward, I will take your ass out if you say her name one more time. I don’t give a rat’s ass about your family any more than you do. When you get
out of here today, Knox will give you an envelope with some cash in it, and you will sign an agreement to keep your mouth shut. Do you understand me?”

  Gaige’s face was turning purple, but he managed to nod his acknowledgement.

  Shade finally released his throat. “Take your family and leave town, Gaige. If I ever hear or see you again, it will be the last time. I’m giving you enough money for you and your family to start over somewhere else. Do not make me regret my generosity.”

  Gaige bent over, trying to catch his breath. “I won’t.”

  “Good.” As Shade reached into his pockets, taking out his leather gloves, Gaige watched him with fear in his eyes.

  “You really didn’t think I was done, did you?” Shade mocked. “You destroyed something of hers then left a bruise on her arm. I drove that truck you’re so proud of off Pine Mountain. Now, I’m going to break your fucking arm. Then we’ll be even.”

  Chapter 44

  Shade sipped his coffee, watching Lily and Beth cross the street in front of the diner. If Lily had turned to walk home again, he would have worried she was trying to avoid him after his move the night before.

  “What has you so quiet?” Rider asked, sitting next to him at the table inside the diner.

  Train and Cash quit talking to listen to his answer.

  “Just wondering how many beers Razer and Viper drank before Lucky’s service so they wouldn’t laugh out loud during it.”

  “You going to start going to church every Sunday when you and Lily get together?” Train questioned.

  “What do you think?” Shade answered.

  The table burst out laughing yet quieted when the women and Razer and Viper came in with their wives.

  “Was the sermon good?” Shade asked sardonically.

  Both men looked suspiciously at the brothers while they tried to hide their smiles. Shade noticed Lily took a seat between Razer and Winter at the end farthest away from him.