Shade's Fall

by Jamie Begley

  Lily sat back down at the table, facing the couple, doing what she hadn’t been capable of doing a couple of weeks ago. Her buried emotions allowed her to discuss the situation detachedly.

  “Beth, you enjoy being a member of The Last Riders and their lifestyle. That’s your personal business. That’s what I tried to tell Miranda about Kaley. You should never take what I think or feel into consideration when it’s something you want to do.”

  “Lily—” Beth protested.

  “I am not a child any longer. I have to become more self-sufficient without you, as you are without me.” Her fingertips went to the rubber band on her wrist.

  The couple didn’t say anything this time, listening.

  “I think it’s best, after your house is built, we sell this house and you keep the money. I have several job applications in and enough money saved up from working this summer that I can rent an apartment.”

  “Sweetheart, I’m not selling your home,” Beth said firmly.

  “It’s not my home; it’s your home. You worked and paid off our parents’ debt. You’ve paid for this house. It’s yours.”

  “It’s ours.”

  Lily shook her head, getting to her feet. “I don’t have a home.”

  “Are you deliberately trying to hurt her?” Razer snapped.

  “I’m not trying to hurt Beth, Razer. I’m trying to set her free.”

  Lily went upstairs, leaving the couple staring at each other.

  When she came back down later to study, Beth and Razer were still home despite Lily’s protests. She made herself stay downstairs, studying at the kitchen table. She didn’t want them to feel like she was avoiding them.

  She had trouble concentrating, thinking about Shade at the clubhouse. She was constantly flipping the band on her wrist when her thoughts would inadvertently go to him.

  Finally giving up, she said goodnight and went to bed.

  The next morning she was dressed and gone before Razer and Beth could wake. She left a note that said she was going to the church.

  She got there early enough that Rachel hadn’t arrived yet. Lily felt guilty seeing that Rachel had made good progress on sorting through the donations without her.

  She started going through several boxes, managing to empty several before she heard Rachel coming in the door.

  “Well, hello, Lily.”

  “Hi, Rachel.” Lily smiled without her usual warmth.

  “I’m glad you’re here. I don’t mind the work, but it’s not fun talking to myself.”

  “I’m sorry I left you in a lurch. I should have told Pastor Dean and made arrangements for someone to replace me.”

  Rachel looked at her curiously. “Beth said you went back to school and she offered to help, but I told her no. She keeps busy enough. Pastor Dean offered to find someone else, but I was too afraid of who he would replace you with.” Rachel shuddered in mock horror.

  Lily couldn’t blame her; some of the women from the church would be hard to be around for several hours at a time.

  “Well, I’m here today,” Lily said, trying to infuse enthusiasm in her voice.

  They worked steadily for the next few hours before going to the diner for lunch. They returned to work again after the short break.

  “How’s school going?”

  “Good,” Lily replied, opening a box of clothing.

  “I thought you had decided to stay home your last semester?”

  “I changed my mind,” Lily replied.

  “Did you and Beth get in a fight?” Rachel asked in surprise.

  “Not exactly.”

  “I’m sorry. It seems I’m always prying. I need to learn to mind my own business.”

  “You’re not prying. I just decided to stay at school and give Razer and Beth the alone time they need. I’m sure it gets old having me around all the time.” Sometimes the truth was the hardest thing to take when it involved oneself.

  “I don’t think Beth feels that way at all. She misses you when you’re gone. I saw her last week and she looked terrible, and you don’t look much better. I can tell you’ve lost weight.” Rachel’s concern for both sisters was evident.

  “I’ll adjust.” Lily shrugged off her own feelings.

  Beth had a whole clubhouse of friends and a husband. She was better off without Lily being so dependent on her time and finances.

  “I’m sure you will,” Rachel said doubtfully then went on to talk about how she could use some space from her brothers. “I want to get an apartment in town, but they keep putting me off.”

  Rachel’s brothers were very protective of her.

  “I don’t suppose you would take one off my hands,” Rachel pleaded. “All three are still single,” she reminded Lily.

  Lily laughed, shaking her head.

  “Oh, well, I like Holly. Maybe I can convince her.”

  They spent the rest of the afternoon plotting matches for her three brothers as they steadily sorted through the boxes.

  Lily was taking a drink of water when Rachel came up with a surprising choice.

  “Miranda’s sister’s divorce became final. I can see her with Greer.”

  Lily choked on her water and Rachel patted her on the back.

  “I think Kaley is seeing someone,” Lily told her.

  “Darn. Who’s she seeing?”

  “One of The Last Riders,” Lily answered, wishing Rachel would drop the conversation.

  “Really? Which one?”

  It was everything Lily could do not to say all of them; instead, she said the ladylike thing. “I’m not sure which one.”

  “Maybe it’s not serious?”

  “I think it’s pretty serious,” Lily said between gritted teeth.

  “Oh, well. How about…”

  Lily zoned out, losing track of the conversation as her mind played out visions of Shade and Kaley together.

  “Lily, are you all right? You just went as white as a ghost,” Rachel asked, stretching out to touch her arm.

  “I’m fine.” Reaching down, she picked up a box, moving away before Rachel could touch her.

  At the end of the day, Lily told Rachel she would see her next week then walked home, refusing Rachel’s offer of a ride.

  She had just begun to cross the street to get to her block when a loud screech of tires sounded and Lily froze as a black car sped toward her. The next second, she went flying when a person pushed her out of the way. She lay on the pavement with the wind knocked out of her, her palms and knees burning. She turned to see the car speeding down the street then turning another corner.

  “Motherfucker.” Lily looked up in shock at the profanity coming from the man who had saved her life.

  “Are you all right, Lily?” Pastor Dean’s voice didn’t sound like it did on Sundays in church, nor was the harsh expression the same affable one that she was used to seeing.

  “I think so.” Lily took his hand, getting shakily to her feet. He then helped her to the sidewalk after picking up her purse from the middle of the road.

  “Whoever was in that car was going so fast I didn’t even see them when I started to cross the street,” Lily said, brushing her messed-up hair out of her face.

  “That’s because they were parked,” Pastor Dean replied grimly. “I was coming out of Mr. Isaac’s house when I saw the car wasn’t going to stop.”

  “Maybe their brakes malfunctioned?”

  “No. I saw the brake lights come on when they slowed down to make the corner.”

  “I’m sure it was just someone out joy-riding then. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. It’s over now and no one’s hurt.”

  “Your hands and knees look pretty busted up,” Pastor Dean refuted her claim.

  “I’ll go home and put some antiseptic on them,” Lily promised, reaching out to touch his jacket with her fingertips, not wanting to get blood on him.

  “Thank you. If you hadn’t reacted so fast, it could have been much worse.”

  “That’s what I’m worried about,�
� Pastor Dean said, his eyes still searching the empty street.

  “Don’t be. Accidents happen, and they always manage to find me,” Lily said ruefully.

  “Keep an eye out, Lily,” Pastor Dean warned.

  “I’m sure it’s nothing,” Lily said casually. “I’ll see you in church tomorrow.”

  “Good evening, Lily.”

  Lily walked to her house, ignoring the burning pain from her knees and palms. As she unlocked the door, she looked back up the street to see Pastor Dean still watching. She waved her hand just before she went in, locking the door behind her.

  She went upstairs to her room, carefully washing the dirt and grime from her palms and knees. She then put antiseptic on her knees before wrapping gauze around them. Her hands she left uncovered, not wanting to draw attention to them. She dressed in sweats and a loose sweatshirt, feeling chilled. Brushing her hair, she braided it, wanting the weight off her for a while. She was getting another migraine.

  Deciding to fix a light dinner, she went downstairs where she dug her cell phone out of her purse. Beth had texted her that Mrs. Langley was ill and that she and Razer were driving her to the hospital. She didn’t know what time she would be home.

  Lily shrugged it off. She hadn’t really wanted to spend another awkward night with Beth and Razer anyway. She went into the kitchen, making herself some soup and a grilled cheese sandwich.

  She was pouring the soup into a bowl when she felt as if someone was staring at her. It was the same feeling she’d had a couple of times before, and it unnerved her.

  Going to the back door, she checked to make sure it was locked before lowering and closing the blinds.

  Thinking she was overreacting, she started walking away from the door when she saw the handle silently turn. If she hadn’t been standing there, she would never have noticed.

  Lily let out a small scream, running out of the kitchen to get her cell phone, about to call Knox when the doorbell rang.

  “Who is it?” she asked, going to the door. Would a burglar answer? she thought uselessly.

  “Shade.”

  Anger had her hastily opening the door. “Next time, come to the front door first. You scared me half to death.”

  “What are you talking about?” Shade asked, coming through the doorway.

  “Weren’t you just at the back door?” Lily asked, her fear beginning to return at the look that came over his face. It hadn’t been him at the back door.

  “Stay here.” Shade went to the back door, opening it and going out.

  Lily stayed where she was, frightened for Shade. Should she turn the lights on outside for him or not? She stood there indecisively for several minutes, debating whether to call Knox, yet before she could decide, Shade came back with an even grimmer expression.

  “Someone was out there; they must have taken off when they heard my bike pull in the driveway.”

  Lily sat down on the couch before her shaking knees gave out. “Should I call Knox?”

  “I will.” Shade took out his cell phone and called, talking to him for several minutes before hanging up. “He’s on his way.”

  “Who would try to break in the house?” Lily asked.

  “I don’t know, but I plan to find out.”

  It didn’t take long for Knox to arrive. Minutes later, Cash knocked on the door as well, coming inside to listen silently as Lily told how she was fixing herself something to eat and had felt someone watching, deciding to lock the door.

  “Are you sure you saw the handle move?”

  “Yes. At least, I think so. Maybe I was just tense. I don’t know.” Could it have been just the night playing tricks with her eyes? Lily brushed her hair away from her eyes.

  “What happened to your hand?” Shade asked sharply.

  “I fell this afternoon when I was coming home from the church.”

  “How?”

  “I was crossing the street and a car was speeding. Pastor Dean pushed me out of the way, and I fell and skinned my hands and knees.” Lily shrugged.

  The men looked silently at each other before Cash left, going out the back door.

  “Where’s he going?” Lily asked.

  “To check things out,” Knox told her. “I’m going to make a report then look around myself before going back to the station. I’ll call Razer and let Beth and him know what’s going on.”

  “Okay,” Lily said.

  “Shade?” Knox turned to the grim-faced man. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to leave her alone.”

  “I’ll stay until they get home,” Shade agreed.

  “Sounds good. Later.” Knox went out the door.

  “Do you think they’ll be able to find anything?”

  “Probably not, but Cash is good. If there’s anything to be found, he’ll find it.”

  Lily nodded before going into the kitchen where she put the soup into the fridge. She then forced herself to eat the cold grilled cheese when she saw Shade about to make a remark.

  She sat the dirty dishes in the sink, too tired to deal with them now. She would do them in the morning.

  “Go to bed. You look exhausted.”

  Lily turned to the steps.

  “Don’t you get tired of ordering me around?” Lily snapped.

  “No.”

  Lily started to make another comment when he raised his brow and crossed his arms against his chest, waiting.

  “I can’t believe I ever thought you were a gentleman.”

  Shade burst out laughing. “I’m no gentleman.”

  “No shit.” Lily clapped her hand over her mouth. “You’ve driven me to cussing.”

  “Lily, cussing isn’t going to be the worst thing I teach you.”

  She fled up the steps, hearing his mocking laughter following behind.

  Chapter 13

  Lily came downstairs the next day to Beth and Razer’s concern. Assuring them that nothing had happened other than a minor scare, she picked up her purse, ready for church.

  She saw Beth looking at her dress without saying anything. Lily smoothed the dark navy dress down, wondering what was wrong.

  “I thought we would drive the car to church this morning. I can take you back to the college after lunch at the diner.”

  “I’ll get my backpack.” Lily went back upstairs to get the bag while Razer and Beth waited outside in the car.

  Church was packed that Sunday. Lily nodded her head toward Rachel and other parishioners in the congregation as they went to take their seats.

  Afterward, she talked to Pastor Dean briefly, moving on before he could mention the incident from the day before. She didn’t feel there was a need to rehash it.

  Lily dreaded going to the diner after the service. If there had been a way out of it, she would have gladly taken it. Seeing the women she had come to know with their clothes off and Cash and Train, whose privates had been exposed, had been deeply embarrassing to her. It would be a long time before she would be comfortable around them again.

  She squared her shoulders, walking across the street after making sure she looked both ways several times.

  The others were already there when Lily sat down beside Diamond with Beth on her other side. She was facing the door of the busy restaurant, seeing that several families were having lunch. Pastor Dean came in, snagging a chair with Rachel’s family.

  Lily ordered her food, listening to the conversation as she tried not to meet any of The Last Riders’ eyes, which was hard to do with Bliss and Evie seated across from her.

  “How’s school?” Diamond asked sympathetically.

  “Good. How’s Knox liking his new job?”

  “I don’t think he can tell yet. He loves breaking up the fights, but he’s not so fond of getting dragged out of bed at three a.m.”

  As Lily listened to Diamond, her eyes were momentarily caught by Shade’s until she managed to tear her gaze away, landing on a small family a couple of tables away.

  The little girl had dark brown hair and was sitting w
ith her mother and father as the waitress set their plates in front of them. It was the epitome of the perfect family gathering on a Sunday afternoon.

  “We miss having you at the factory. No one likes to fill the big orders,” Evie complained.

  Lily hadn’t minded filling those orders; she had considered them challenging while others considered them a pain.

  “I miss it, too,” Lily confessed, truthfully. The job had kept her busy.

  Her eyes drifted back to the table with the small family. The little girl was lifting her drink to her mouth when the person sitting behind her jarred her, forcing her to spill some of the juice from her glass onto her dress. The look of terror that came across her face had Lily freezing and her heartbeat soaring when the mother’s lips tightened. Picking up a napkin, she wiped the girl’s dress with rough movements. The entire time the mother kept up her brisk movements, the little girl’s eyes watered and she kept apologizing to her mother.

  “Lily?” Evie’s voice had her eyes leaving the table momentarily.

  “Diamond. Please call Knox.” Lily’s hoarse voice had everyone sitting at the table going silent as they looked at her. Lily’s hand went to the rubber band on her wrist, snapping it furiously as a dull headache began to pound at her temples.

  Diamond took out her phone, calling Knox and asking him to come to the diner while Beth’s voice asking her what was wrong was drowned out by the loud pumping of her heart.

  The little girl’s lips trembled when her mother’s hand disappeared under the table. Her obvious pain had Lily moving to the end of her seat, about to rise when the girl’s father spoke sharply to the mother, and he reached out to soothe the little girl. That simple movement brought a flash of pain that had Lily gripping her head, screaming in agony. She bent over in excruciating pain, her head in her hands. The pain felt like it was crushing her skull.

  “Lily!” Beth’s voice yelled her name, but there was no going back; Lily had placed a barrier between them. She couldn’t reach for Beth this time like she had always done before.

  Lily blindly rose from the table, trying to escape the pain, when a hand around her waist tried to hold her, but Lily fought free. She needed somewhere to hide and there was no place available. She screamed at the agony that was storming through her mind.