by Jamie Begley
Penni moved to get out, yet was forestalled by Jackal, who was blocking her exit.
“Who did you go out with?” Jackal’s question took the smile off Penni’s lips.
“No one you would know. He’s a gentleman and a law-abiding citizen, something you would know nothing about,” she snapped.
Jackal gave a menacing glare. “Why would I want to be either one? The only pussy a gentleman sees is when he’s staring in a mirror. Are you throwing up my record when your own brother—”
“Don’t you dare say anything about my brother!” She leaned forward, putting her face in his. “He’s a better man than you could ever be, you goon!”
Jackal’s face darkened with fury. “Did you just call me a goon?”
“Something wrong with your hearing? Yeah, I called you a goon. Do you do everything Ice tells you to?” Penni blasted Ice with a furious glare. “Do me a favor and tell Jackal to go fuck himself.”
“How about I stick my—” Jackal snarled, getting back in Penni’s face.
“Jackal!” King gave him a warning look. “Perhaps you and Ice should go have a drink on me.”
For a minute, King thought Jackal would ignore him, yet when Ice took his arm, Jackal got up, moving away. To add insult to injury, Penni wiggled her fingers “bye” at his being forced to retreat by Ice.
“I wouldn’t antagonize him,” King advised.
“I can handle Jackal,” she said, gripping her keys tighter in her hand and then shrugging, letting the tension leave her face. “And if I can’t, there’s always Shade to back me up.”
“He’s in Kentucky,” he reminded Penni. “Jackal is here in Texas.”
“Don’t worry, King. I plan on staying away from him.” She stood up. He was startled when she reached over the table, giving him a brief hug. “Talk to Lily. Maybe she’s just as nervous as you are.”
“I doubt that,” he said wryly.
Her bubbly laughter filled the dark club, bringing smiles to several faces.
“Take her some Chinese food. She loves it.”
“Thanks for the tip.”
“No problem.” With that, Penni left him with the first smile he’d had on his face since before Evie had left Queen City.
Glancing over, he saw the predatory look on Jackal’s face as the blonde weaved her way out of his club. The experienced biker and womanizer had no idea who he was stalking. King briefly thought about giving him a heads-up, but Sheena hadn’t listened when he had warned her about that crazy chimp she had pampered and spoiled until it was too late. Therefore, if Jackal thought he was man enough to take on that woman, King could only hope he had 911 on speed dial.
“Sure you don’t want to stay?” Henry asked from his side.
“I’m sure. Keep an eye on that situation.” He nodded at Penni as she went out the door. “If it gets out of hand, call me.”
“She’ll be fine,” Henry assured him.
“It’s not Penni I’m worried about. Jackal has a temper, and she’s used to dealing with a brother who doesn’t have emotions. Jackal is a hot-head, so when she pushes him, she’ll get more than she bargained for.”
“I’ll keep an eye on them,” Henri promised. “You packed?”
“Yes, I was ready to leave a week ago.” King sighed. He had one last piece of business to finish. He nodded to Ice and Jackal who took a seat across from him.
“You talk to Deacon?” King asked the president of the Predators.
“I did; I warned him to back off Desmond.” Desmond had angered Deacon when he had bought a building Deacon wanted. While the two had been business enemies for the last three years, King had always managed to maintain the peace between them. However, now he was leaving, he worried Deacon would make a strike against Desmond.
“Did he listen?”
“He pretended to, even shook my hand and told me he would leave Desmond alone,” Ice stated. “Do I trust his word? Fuck no. I’ve placed a couple of my men on him, so if he tries anything, we’ll be on him like Max on Sherri.” The bikers laughed while Henry stiffened next to him.
King rubbed his temple. It was essential for Henry and the Predators to get along or Queen City would be out of control ten minutes after he left town.
“Max has four kids, all accidents. Desmond better not get hurt because of lack of precautions,” Henry said drily.
King watched Ice and Jackal’s reaction as the men gave Henry a respectful nod. His final doubt over whether Henry would be able to retain control evaporated. The bikers were aware that, with Henry and Desmond, they could keep Queen City in a stranglehold that would be lucrative to all of them.
He had chosen Henry as his bodyguard for a reason—he was able to spot trouble before it could do any damage. If the Predators and Desmond listened to Henry, he would be able to provide them with all the information they needed. The strip club catered to all walks of life, and men would let secrets drop when a beautiful woman was flashing her tits in their face.
He sat back, relaxing. He would miss his club and Queen City, but neither compared to being nearer to Evie and Lily. He was going to have to find a new challenge to keep him occupied.
Chapter 23
As King drove through town, he saw that church service was beginning with the congregation entering the front of the Church. He didn’t see Lily or Evie, so he continued on to the house he had purchased years ago.
It didn’t take long to get situated. He had unpacked his suitcase before he’d tackled the job of opening the windows to let the house freshen out. He was turning from the window after opening it when movement in the house behind his caught his eye. Looking out the window, he saw Evie come out of Lily’s house wearing a bikini and carrying a glass in her hand. He watched as she walked across the yard, sitting down on a lounge chair.
Why was she there? He had expected her to be at church.
Turning from the window, he went out the back door; there was no time like the present to let her know he was in town. It had been three months since he had seen her last. Three months of being away from her had taught him a valuable lesson—he didn’t want to spend another day without her.
He was finally free to pursue the woman who had left him without a backward glance. He had asked Lily about Evie, but the only information she had given him had been vague and incomplete, other than she no longer worked at the factory after accepting a job at a local doctor’s office as a NP.
He walked around the fence, seeing the opening between the two yards that a tree blocked.
She was lying down on the lounger on her back.
“Are you wearing any sunscreen?”
“That would defeat the purpose of lying out for a tan, wouldn’t it?” Her stiff voice showed she wasn’t happy to see him.
King ignored her smart-ass remark, pulling a chair from the patio table to move closer to her. Taking a seat, he lazily let his eyes rove over her glistening body.
“What are you wearing?” She sat up partially, leaning back on her elbows.
His eyes dropped to her breasts displayed by the bikini top she was wearing. The emerald green suit clung to her breasts, leaving her cleavage bare. The sight of her tattoo on her breast no longer aroused his jealousy, though. He had learned too late that, while she had shared her body with certain members of The Last Riders, she hadn’t given her heart to any of them. That had been reserved for a fiancé she had grown up with and now him, if he could get her back.
The only thought that made the months he had been separated from her bearable was the fact that Evie didn’t love lightly, and loyalty meant everything to her, even when it wasn’t deserved. He didn’t deserve it, but he was going to prove to her he was willing to earn it.
“Jeans. Why?”
“Since when do you wear jeans?”
“I’ve worn jeans around you before.”
“Yeah, designer jeans. Those are blue jeans and a t-shirt.”
“I’m retired. I can relax.”
Evie stared up a
t him doubtfully.
“It’s the truth. I’ve turned my legal businesses over to Desmond. Those that aren’t, the Predators took over. I even sold the club to Henry.”
“What about your penthouse?”
“I leased it out for the next six months until you decide where you want to live.”
She sat up straighter, swinging her legs off the side of the lounge chair. “What does it matter what I want? If you cared about what I wanted, your ass wouldn’t be sitting in my backyard.”
“I would have been here sooner, but I wanted to make sure I could leave cleanly. I took care of anything that could lead back to you and Lily.”
“Good, I’m glad for Lily’s sake.” She avoided his eyes.
“Evie, I admitted I fucked up with you. I know you don’t believe me, but I care about you, and I want us to spend some time getting to know each other better without my business and The Last Riders placing a wall between us.”
“You want me to believe you’ve accepted Shade as Lily’s husband?”
“Evie, you have to place yourself in my shoes. You turn a blind eye to what he does, but you have to admit he’s not the average man.”
“I wouldn’t describe him as average, no.” King smiled at her mutinous response.
“I had him checked out, Evie; we both know what he is capable of. I couldn’t stand the thought of her getting hurt again and just standing back, doing nothing. I should have done better by Lily, but I waited until I had no choice other than to change the path I was walking. It took her almost getting killed to realize I was going to have to leave that life behind.
“I don’t only want a future with Lily, though; I want you, too, Evie. If it means accepting Shade as her husband, then I’m willing to accept your opinion that they’re right for each other. I don’t see it, but she does and so do you. What’s important to me now is you. I’ve made my mind up; I’m going to let Lily live her life while I make a new one for me. One that I can be proud of; one that includes you.”
“I don’t know, King.”
“Come out to dinner with me tonight?”
“I’ll think about it,” she hedged.
King stood up. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“I didn’t say yes!”
“You didn’t say no, either.” He bent down, brushing her mouth with his then swiftly moving away before she could voice her protest. “We’ll go to the Pink Slipper. See you at seven.”
King left the same way he’d come, whistling softly as he crossed the yard, relieved she was at least talking to him. He was satisfied he had made a start in repairing the damage he had done, repairing the fledgling relationship that had been building in Queen City.
* * *
Evie sat staring at the opening in the fence King had disappeared through. She had lost her ever-freaking mind to even consider going out with him that evening.
Lying back down on the lounger, she closed her eyes against the bright sunlight. Sighing, she admitted to herself she had missed his overwhelming presence; therefore, she could keep being angry at him or accept his apology and move on. One tiny voice in her head muttered to stay angry while another, more insidious voice undermined her resolve, whispering to forgive the man she had fallen in love with. There really wasn’t a choice; she could take another chance or keep missing him.
As she rolled to her stomach, letting the sun bake her back, she heard cars coming down the street outside her house. Church must have been over. No one but Lily and Shade understands why she no longer went; she wanted to avoid everyone’s questions. However, she missed going. The Sunday practice had become a ritual. Next week, she would drive to Jamestown to the Baptist church there.
She wasn’t the only one who had quit going since Lucky had quit being a pastor, though. Willa no longer went, either. Evie would have to ask her if she wanted to ride to the other church with her.
She had been able to avoid Brooke since she had been back because working for Dr. Jones had kept her busy. She felt content and happy with the changes she had made in her life. She still hung out some days at the clubhouse, but it was no longer the focus of her life. She had finally learned to sleep through the night without having to exhaust herself with sex and liquor to numb the pain of losing Levi. She no longer used sex as a way to prove to herself those men who had raped her hadn’t damaged her. She hadn’t had sex with anyone since she had been back, yet the surprising part was she hadn’t been tempted.
The memory of King had been holding her back. She couldn’t forget the times she had spent in his bed. She also couldn’t remember who she had fucked last when she had left the clubhouse before heading out for Queen City. The stark reality of the situation was, she didn’t need The Last Riders to keep being her crutch; she had learned to stand alone.
When Levi had died, she had needed them to heal her to make her feel safe and give her back her sexuality. King had accomplished the rest of her healing—he had taught her to love again.
She wanted more now. She wanted what Lily and Shade had, what Knox and Diamond had. When she saw Beth’s pregnancy becoming more and more noticeable, she ached inside; she wanted a baby most of all.
When she and Levi had planned their marriage, they had talked of children. They had planned two, but secretly, she had wanted four. She wasn’t going to have children if she held on to her anger. She had to forgive King or move on, and tonight would help her make up her mind.
Beginning to feel like she was getting sunburned, she went inside to make herself some lunch. She ate until she heard the doorbell ring, only opening the door when she saw it was Lily outside.
“I wanted to stop by and see you since you weren’t in church today.”
Evie opened the door wider, letting her in. She didn’t make up false reasons why she hadn’t gone. “I think the best way for me and Brooke to get along is to stay away from each other. Would you like a glass of tea?”
“Thank you.” Lily sat down on the sofa while Evie went into the kitchen to pour them some tea.
She placed it on the coffee table in front of Lily before dropping down next to her. “So, what are you really doing here?”
“I wanted to see if you would throw Beth a baby shower.” She rushed on, “I know as her sister I should, but Shade and baby showers don’t mix, and I promised him after Sex Piston’s I wouldn’t throw another one. Of course, when I promised, I didn’t know Beth would be pregnant a few months later.”
“I would love to. When?”
Lily shrugged happily. “That’s up to you. She’s due the last of August.”
“I’ll get right on it then.” Evie smiled.
“Good. I wasn’t looking forward to trying to convince Shade.”
“I don’t think you would have too big a battle; he’s the happiest I’ve ever seen him. I saw him riding home from taking you to the church store on Friday, and he had an actual smile on his face.”
Lily’s violet eyes were so much like her father’s that Evie paused, staring at her.
“What?”
“You resemble your dad.”
“I noticed.” Tentatively, she probed, “When you were in Queen City with Penni, did you see King?” Neither Lily nor Evie had ever broached the subject of her stay in Texas.
“Yes, we went out a few times.”
“I’m glad. I worried about you being lonely while you were there because I’ve noticed Penni can stay busy, getting wrapped up in her own world. I’m happy you and King kept each other company.”
Evie licked her lips. “Would it bother you if I started seeing your dad, now that he’s back in town?”
“King’s in Treepoint?”
“Yes, you didn’t know?”
“No, I guess he made his presence known to the most important one,” she teased.
“I’m sure he knew you were in church.” Evie began to explain in case Lily’s feelings were hurt.
Lily laughed, shaking her head. “He didn’t have any problem finding you, did he?
Don’t worry, Evie; I’m not upset. Why wouldn’t I want you to see King?”
“Because of The Last Riders.”
“Evie, I’m not going to judge your behavior with the men and women at the clubhouse, if that’s what you’re expecting. Do I seem selfish to you?”
“No, why?”
“Because I want you to be as happy as I am.” Lily took her hand.
Evie stared back at the most unselfish person she had ever known. Lily truly was a kindhearted woman. Brooke would make mincemeat out of her if given half a chance, and Evie couldn’t let that happen.
“Lily, Shade told you about Brooke, right?”
“That she’s your sister, and you had a falling out. He said she’s had a thing for him, and he thinks she’s mentally disturbed.” From the blush on Lily’s cheeks, Evie was certain those weren’t the exact words Shade had used.
“Don’t trust her, Lily. She would hurt you and not blink twice.” Evie’s hand curled around Lily’s, trying to make her understand how seriously she should take the warning.
“I’ll be careful. Shade’s already made me promise not to be alone with her. It’s not easy with me working at the church, though. And I really like Pastor Patterson. I can’t imagine going to another church, and I love my job. Do you think it’s possible she’s changed?”
“Not a chance in hell.”
Chapter 24
Evie was waiting when King rang the doorbell, frustrated at herself for being so anxious. She had dressed early and much dressier than the occasion called for. Nervously, she answered the door, waiting for his reaction.
“Evie, you look beautiful.” He took her hands, pulling her forward until she felt herself pressed against him. His ruthless mouth took hers, kissing all her misgivings away while giving her new ones to worry about.
“Want to forget dinner?” His eyes slid appreciatively over her body.
She pressed her hands against his chest, giving herself some breathing room. “No, I haven’t decided if I’m going to forgive you today or tomorrow or ever.”
