Shade's Fall

by Jamie Begley

  “Do you know who John Hunter is?” Diamond asked, looking up from the paperwork.

  “Shade.”

  “Well, that’s a relief. I was worried for a moment.” Diamond turned away to freshen her coffee.

  “Why?”

  “Because if the house is built on his property, then technically it’s his home. As are all the buildings on the property. They’re pretty smart. If there was a lawsuit, it could tie whoever is suing them in court years to separate the two.”

  “I see,” Lily murmured.

  “Is there anything else?”

  “No, that’s what I needed to know,” Lily said, standing up.

  “Lily, are you sure? You don’t look like you’re happy right now. Is there anything you’re not telling me?”

  “No, I was just worried about Razer and Beth. Sometimes even best friends get in arguments and I was worried they might lose their home if there was ever one in the future.”

  “To be honest, Razer and Beth should have thought about that before they decided to build their house where they did, but if Razer isn’t worried about it, then you shouldn’t be, Lily. Let Razer and Shade deal with it.”

  “That’s easier said than done.”

  “That’s why I’m such a good lawyer; I can give plenty of advice.” She walked Lily to the door. “If you need anything else, let me know. If you’re really worried about it, talk to Shade.”

  “I will. Thanks,” Lily said, going out the door. She felt Shade’s eyes on her the minute she walked outside.

  “Can we go get my car now?” Lily put on the helmet, getting on behind Shade.

  “Yes.”

  Lily held on tightly as they drove toward her home. She had ridden with Shade several times and had never worried about her safety. If anything, she felt that Shade was overly-cautious when she rode on his bike. She wished that sometimes he would crank up the speed and let her ride without the helmet to feel the wind through her hair. Instead, he pulled up behind her car and cut the motor.

  “You need to pick anything up while you’re here?”

  “No.” Lily took her car keys from his hand before going to her car and sliding inside. She was afraid if she went inside, she wouldn’t come out again. She wanted to run and hide from whoever was watching her… and Shade. She wasn’t sure which one to be more afraid of at the moment.

  Shade followed her back to the club. As she drove, the sky darkened with storm clouds. Lily hated storms. Her hands tightened on the car wheel as the strong winds buffeted the vehicle. She pulled into The Last Riders’ parking lot, driving toward the back of the lot where Shade motioned for her to park as he parked his bike toward the front with the rest of them.

  Shade walked over to her car when she got out, carrying a car cover. He pulled it over the car and Lily had to question, “Why cover my car?”

  “Just being careful. If someone is looking to find out where you’re staying, they’ll either have to follow you or come onto the property to see if this is your car.”

  “If they do?”

  “Then we’ll see them.” Shade pointed to the cameras.

  It was a relief to see they could possibly catch whoever was watching her. That way, Knox could handle it without anyone getting hurt.

  “We placed a few in your home, too, so if they try to break in again, an alarm will go off at the sheriff’s office and here, also.

  “Maybe they gave up and moved on?”

  “Possibly, but I don’t believe so. Whoever’s been watching you has been doing so for a while.” Lily tried to hide how worried she was becoming, but she wasn’t successful. Shade tried to ease her fears. “Don’t worry; we’ll find out who it is and deal with it.”

  “You’ll turn them over to Knox?”

  “Maybe. Let’s get some dinner.” His evasive answer renewed her fears. Lily didn’t want Shade to get into trouble trying to protect her, no matter how infuriating he could be.

  They walked up the pathway to the kitchen door. She could see that most of the large crowd had already been served. Lily took a plate before handing one to Shade and getting into the buffet line. When she finished, she saw Winter and Viper sitting at a table with Bliss and Raci. Going to their table, she took a seat next to Winter and Shade sat down across from her, next to Bliss.

  Lily ate while she listened to Winter and Viper argue over him donating money, so she could buy her students at the alternate high school where she was principal, the computers they needed.

  “It’s not fair, Viper. They deserve the computers as much as the high school students do.”

  “If they had kept their asses out of trouble, then they wouldn’t have gotten thrown out of the school district.”

  “That’s unfair. Both schools should have the same standards,” Winter argued.

  Viper shrugged. “I gave you two large chunks of money already this year. You’ve reached your limit with my generosity, but that doesn’t mean you can’t hit the other members up for donations. Their pockets are deeper than mine since you’ve already robbed me twice.”

  Winter turned her eyes to the members sitting across from her. Lily wanted to laugh at their deer-caught-in-the-headlights looks.

  “Raci?”

  “Don’t ask me. I’m not an original member; I earn a paycheck like everyone else.”

  Lily was convinced Raci didn’t have any money from her pathetic expression. She was about to offer her a loan when Winter’s words had her changing her mind.

  “I do the payroll; I know what you make.” Winter gave the woman a narrow-eyed stare. Lily could have told her it would be a waste of time to out-maneuver Winter.

  “I can buy a couple,” Raci conceded reluctantly. Since Lily had been around the club, she had learned Raci loved clothes and shoes. Expensive purses were said to be her greatest weakness. Lily didn’t know why; she had never seen her carry one in all the time she had known her.

  “Bliss?”

  “Put me down for two.” Bliss wasn’t even going to fight the inevitable.

  “Thanks. Shade?”

  Shade paused with the fork halfway to his mouth. “No.”

  Lily shot him a reproachful look.

  “Don’t look at me that way, Lily. I’ve already bought that school two pieces of expensive equipment for their auto shop, a confection oven for the cooking class and paid the salary of the auto shop teacher, so no computer from me. Maybe next year, if you don’t hit me up for something else before then.” Shade had no problem returning Winter’s stare, giving her one of his own.

  “Have you asked Razer?” Lily broke into the staring contest.

  “No,” Winter said.

  “Why not?” Lily was sure Razer would be willing to donate.

  “Because he coughed up the money to pay for the afterschool tutors. Her chances of getting any money out of Razer are nil,” Shade answered, taking a drink of his beer. Lily sent him another reproachful look.

  “Rider and Train?” Lily asked.

  Winter remained silent.

  “New bus to drive the kids, and lab equipment,” Shade replied after Winter’s continued silence.

  “Knox?” Lily asked hesitantly.

  “Media library.”

  “Ouch. I could buy two. I have some money saved up,” Lily offered, finally understanding that Winter had tapped her money well dry for the time being.

  As everyone at the table looked at her, she felt self-conscious.

  “No, Lily. I couldn’t take your money. I have one other member I haven’t hit up yet.”

  “Who?” Lily asked.

  “Lucky.”

  “I haven’t met him yet,” Lily said, glancing across the table to see that Bliss was giving Shade a furtive look from under her lashes. She glanced back down at her plate, her hand going to the stinging pain in her chest.

  “Are you all right?” Shade asked, looking across the table at her with a frown.

  “Yes, I must have eaten something that gave me indigestion,” Lily sa
id, getting up from the table.

  “Yeah, I feel a little nauseous myself,” Winter commented with a warning look at Bliss, sitting across from her.

  “You’re probably stressed out, worrying about coming up with the money for the computers. Let me know how much they cost and I’ll write you a check for two of them. I wish I could do more,” Lily said, not looking at the people sitting at the table.

  “I’ll ask Lucky. If he doesn’t, then I’ll pay for them,” Viper conceded, taking Lily’s hand as she reached for his plate. “We’ll take care of it. Keep your money, Lily.” Lily gave his hand a squeeze before letting it go and picking up his plate then Winter’s.

  “Okay, but if you decide you need it, let me know. I’m going to bed. I’m tired tonight. Goodnight, everyone.” Lily left everyone sitting at the table, carrying the dirty dishes to the sink.

  Jewell was rinsing and stacking the dirty dishes into the dishwasher. Lily quietly helped her finish the dishes until Nickel showed up to help.

  Wishing them goodnight, Lily went downstairs to Shade’s bedroom where she carried her pajamas to the bathroom, took a quick shower, and then took her time blow-drying her hair.

  For once, she was glad she was downstairs as the wind howled from outside. She hated storms. She had noticed the storm was moving closer when she had been upstairs. The rain was beginning, and from the sounds of rumbling coming through the house, there was thunder starting.

  She turned off the blow dryer and then went to the bedroom door where she paused at seeing Shade removing his t-shirt, having already taken his boots off.

  Lily started to go to the corner.

  “Bed, Lily.”

  “But—”

  “You agreed when you chose your punishment last night,” Shade reminded her.

  “I thought that was just for last night,” she protested.

  “No. Go to bed. I’m going to take a shower.”

  Lily was feeling too tired to argue tonight. She climbed into the bed and attempted not to play back the image of the expression on Bliss’s face when she thought she wasn’t looking.

  Bliss was a very attractive woman with a sexuality that even she couldn’t help noticing. The men’s eyes were constantly on her and she wasn’t shy about returning their gaze.

  Lily did what she always did; she locked it away where it wouldn’t bother her anymore, moving her mind toward the fantasy of traveling the many places she wanted to explore instead. Gradually, she fell asleep to the sound of the water from Shade’s shower.

  Lily awoke later, surrounded in warmth with the blankets pulled snugly around her. She could hear the wind howling, sounding like screams in the night. Her eyes lifted open to complete darkness and she jerked straight up in the bed, screaming in terror.

  “Lily.” She heard Shade’s voice next to her in the darkness. “The power went off. The generator will kick on in a minute. Just take a deep breath with me and let’s count.”

  She couldn’t concentrate enough to count; the door was trying to open.

  “Lily! Concentrate. Count with me. One… two… three…”

  “Four… five...” Lily focused on the sound of Shade’s reassuring voice as she counted. She took a sobbing breath and resumed counting. “Six… seven…”

  As the lights flickered briefly then came on, she turned to Shade, who was also sitting up, and lay her head on his shoulder, crying in relief.

  “I have you, Sweetheart. Shh… I have you.”

  The rocking motions of his body soothed her as her arms circled his neck and she burrowed closer to him, trying to get warm. She was always so cold. So cold.

  Fine tremors shook her body while his firm hand stroked her back as he continued to rock her with his soothing words, repeating over and over that it was a storm. She gradually relaxed, exhausted, lying limply against him and falling back asleep.

  A man stronger than the shadows of her memories had held her demons at bay.

  Chapter 20

  Lily woke the next day, feeling like she hadn’t slept. She glanced over at the clock, realizing it was going to be a rush getting ready for church. As she started to slide out of bed, she noticed Shade was lying on his stomach, where she could see his bare back covered in a large tattoo.

  In the middle of his back was the Navy Seal emblem with a large snake coiled around it from top to bottom with the head actually appearing as if it was about to strike. At the base of the tattoo were two revolvers that had a chain wrapped around both barrels. To the side and higher up was a pair of brass knuckles. Lily also saw a hand of cards and a long-handled razor. The entire tattoo had a shaded appearance.

  While the tats on the rest of his body were clustered together, he only had that single large one on his back. Lily had a sense of its importance to him.

  Pulling her attention away from the tattoo, she got off the bed, rushing around the room to get ready for church. Sliding on a navy dress and flats, she brushed her hair, ready to leave.

  “Ride in with Evie and Winter.” Shade didn’t rise, merely rolled over in the bed with his arm over his eyes.

  It was then that Lily realized that not only had the overhead light been on but the two lamps on each bedside table and the bathroom light. She took the time to turn off the lights before leaving the room.

  Pulling out her phone on the way upstairs, Lily saw that Evie had texted her that they were in the car with Bliss, Jewell and Raci all waiting for her. She rushed out and climbed into the backseat next to Bliss.

  “The storm was terrible last night,” Evie remarked as she turned onto the road. Lily thought she must have slept through the storm.

  “I didn’t notice,” Bliss said. “Train and Cash kept me too busy.” Lily saw Evie throw Bliss a warning glance in the rearview mirror.

  The car grew uncomfortably quiet. When Winter looked over her shoulder at her, Lily turned to look out the window as they drove down the mountain. Gradually, conversation resumed with Raci breaking the silence, discussing the Halloween party for next week.

  Lily tuned out the discussion, trying to remember back to the night before. Her head started aching, and she wished she had thought to put some ibuprofen in her purse.

  The church was already filled when they walked through the door. Looking around, Lily saw Beth and Razer had saved her a spot next to them, so she slid onto their bench.

  Beth searched her face, reaching for her hand. Lily—forgetting her resentments for a while—held her hand throughout the service, listening as Pastor Dean presented an eloquent sermon on giving to the community. He ended the service and went to the doorway as usual.

  As everyone filed out the doors, Willa was in front of Lily, and she was glad to have the opportunity to speak with her.

  “Thank you for the cupcakes yesterday.”

  Willa smiled back as the line moved forward. “I enjoy baking.”

  “Obviously,” Georgia said from behind Beth, making no effort to lower her voice.

  Lily rushed to talk so that Willa wouldn’t overhear the rude woman, but she didn’t need to worry as the sound of several motorcycles coming from outside was loud.

  “I hear your friends arriving at the diner. It’s nice to always have them save a table for you before church lets out,” Willa teased.

  Lily laughed. “They usually beat us and get the biggest table. Would you like to join us? We could give you a ride home afterward.” The line moved forward and Willa reached out to shake Pastor Dean’s hand.

  “Like her fat ass would fit on the back of a bike,” Georgia snidely commented.

  When Willa’s face turned bright red, Lily had to give the embarrassed woman credit for not losing her composure. Pastor Dean started to speak to her, but with a quick word, Willa moved away, not letting him finish.

  Lily bypassed her Pastor, quickly going after the humiliated woman. “Willa.”

  She stopped, turning back to Lily. “I’m sorry, Lily. I didn’t mean to ignore your invitation, but I have an order to get out
. See you later.”

  “That’s all right. Stop by the store next weekend if you get time.”

  “I will.” With that, the woman rushed down the sidewalk toward her home.

  Lily spun around, furious. Beth and Razer were waiting for her, but Lily walked back toward Georgia and her friends from work, who were just then leaving the church. She could tell that Pastor Dean had already said something from the expression on both of their faces. She had known he would. She admired and respected Pastor Dean for just that reason; he didn’t let acts of unkindness go by unnoticed.

  “That was terrible.” Lily stepped in front of Georgia, blocking her path.

  “What business is it of yours?”

  “We were in God’s church, Georgia. Why do you go if not to be a better person?”

  “I wouldn’t talk about people being in church who shouldn’t be there. Hell, half of the congregation is headed for God’s judgment and your sister is one of them.”

  As soon as the words were out of Georgia’s mouth, Lily could see she realized she had gone too far. It was one thing to insult an acquaintance, but not the hand that pays the bills and puts food on the table. Razer was one of the owners of the factory who gave her a paycheck every week, and she had just insulted his wife.

  “I’m sorry, Beth. I let my mouth run away with me,” Georgia said as Beth came up to stand next to Lily.

  Beth nodded her head but refused to respond. On the other hand, Lily was happy to see Razer had no problem voicing his own displeasure.

  “Georgia, no one cares about your bullshit apology. I would fire you here and now, but despite your ignorant belief that we’re all going to Hell, I’ll give you one more chance. If I hear your ugly-assed comments again, you’ll be on the unemployment line.” Razer’s harsh expression left no doubt he was delivering her a promise.

  As Razer took Beth and Lily’s arms, leading them across the street, Lily was still simmering with anger at the woman. Willa hadn’t deserved her ugly comments. Georgia had wanted to humiliate her and she had succeeded; it had been completely uncalled for.

  Lily took a seat next to Beth, avoiding Shade’s sharp gaze as the others talked about Lily confronting Georgia. His expression remained passive as he let Razer grumble about firing her.