Shade (The Last Riders 6)

His fingers found her clit, rubbing her as he slid his cock in and out. By the time he ground a second orgasm out of her, she was crying his name.

When she lay too spent to move, he lifted her off the chair, carrying her upstairs to the shower and turning on the water.

“I love this shower,” she said as he pushed her down onto the bench.

He pulled her ass to the edge of the seat then delved his fingers inside her, pulling both balls out. He placed them in a small, plastic, red container, snapping it closed.

He then pulled her off the bench, washing her off. They took their time before getting out and drying off.

Lily was asleep before her head hit the pillow.

Shade slid into bed next to her, pulling the covers over them. He rolled over to turn the lamp off on his bedside table when a swatch of color caught his attention.

Sitting up in bed, he reached out, picking up the object. In his hand lay a red rubber band.

Chapter 70

Shade came out of his office, motioning to Evie who had been heading back to her workstation.

“What’s up?” she questioned as she walked up to him.

Shade opened his office door wider and Evie walked in, taking a seat on the corner of his desk. He closed the door as he came back inside.

“I need you to do something for me.”

“What do you need me to do?” Evie asked curiously, taking a sip of her hot coffee.

“Beth has been changing King’s bandages, but she’s tied up with Mrs. Langley and a new patient. She wanted to know if you would be able to stop by and take care of it for her.”

“No problem. I’ll stop by after lunch.” She paused. “I thought he would head back to his home,” she said as an afterthought.

“He wants to stay and spend some time with Lily before he goes back.”

“How’s that working out for you?” She didn’t try to hide her amused grin.

As Shade sat down behind his desk, staring at her, Evie lost her expression and was about to get up.

“He nearly got Lily killed. The stupid bastard couldn’t protect her when she was a kid, but he thinks he can make up for it now.” He leaned back in his chair, his deadly gaze pinning Evie in place. “He’s supposed to go back to Queens City in a few weeks, though, so I can tolerate him that long. I’m planning on taking Lily to Alaska the first of the month anyway, and we’re going to be gone for a few weeks, so there won’t be any need for him to stay.”

“Lily will love it.”

“I haven’t told her yet.”

“I won’t say anything.” And she wouldn’t.

He and Evie had shared many confidences over the years, many they had never shared with the rest of The Last Riders.

Shade nodded. “Penni has decided to go back to work for Kaden Cross. I’m not happy about it, but I can’t change her mind. The only stipulation I was able to get out of her was that The Predators have to stay away from her. I want you to drive back with her and spend some time with her.”

“To make sure she’s safe?”

“Partially. Penni has always managed to watch out for herself, but I have another reason.”

“Which is?”

“King. I want you to find out exactly what shit he’s involved in and if it could touch Lily.”

“And if it can?”

Shade remained quiet.

“All right. Let me know when she plans to head back, and I’ll get packed. What reason did you give her for why I’m going back with her?”

“Brotherly concern.”

Shade didn’t feel emotions the way everyone else did; however, Penni was his half-sister, and she had earned her own place with him. He would protect her, although there were easier ways to accomplish it instead of sending Evie. With a phone call to his stepmother, Penni’s ass would be sitting at home with the parents.

Evie snorted. “That works for me. I could use a vacation. Besides, Lily said her dad runs a strip club; I can always pick up a few new pointers.”

“I doubt that. You could probably teach them a thing or two.”

“I do try.” Evie grinned, sashaying her ass to the door.

“Evie?”

She turned her head back to him. “Yeah?”

“Anything, one little piece of dirt that can get Lily hurt, and I want to know.”

She lost her smile, seeing the grim resolution on his face. “Sure thing.”

* * *

The next day, Evie was again sitting in his office. Beth had asked her to change King’s bandages for her again, which had worked out well for Shade. Beth wouldn’t share any information on King with him. She wasn’t stupid; she knew Shade wouldn’t tolerate anyone being a threat to Lily or The Last Riders.

“That was all he said?” Shade’s enigmatic gaze rested on her, waiting for her response.

King had mentioned Friday nights to her, like he knew what the club did those nights. It had made Evie nervous, and she had immediately called Shade the minute she left King with a message that they needed to talk. He had also asked Evie to join them Friday night for a dinner Lily and Beth had set up with King. Shade had suspicions King was up to something with the invite.

“Yes, I think he knows about the club.”

“Perhaps. It wouldn’t be difficult with Kaley telling everyone in town.”

“You think that’s all?”

“No, I think he’s checked us out. I’m sure he has the resources to find out what he wants.”

“It doesn’t bother you?”

“No, Lily knows the truth about the club. He’s not going to tell her anything I haven’t.”

“You’ve told her everything?” Evie asked in shock.

“Not everything, no. Just the parts King can use against me. The rest about my jobs with the military, no.”

“Did you tell her about me?” Evie licked her dry lips.

“No.”

He didn’t know how much longer he would be able to keep that part out, thanks to Lucky. Shade was going to talk to him, though. Maybe another pastor could be found before Evie learned who was taking over for him.

“Thank you. So, what are you going to do?”

“Nothing. I’m going to let him make his move.”

“You don’t think he can come between you and Lily?” she asked hesitantly.

“No. I’m really not worried about some bullshit he thinks he's going to pull out of the closet. If he does, Lily and I will deal with it.”

“Cool. I could just picture you beating the shit out of him with Lily watching. That’s why I accepted his dinner invitation.”

“When I deal with King, Lily won’t be around. I can deal with him, man to man, whatever he pulls. It’s the garbage which could get Lily killed that concerns me.”

“When is Penni going back to Queens City?”

“The week after next. The same week Lily and I leave for Alaska. I told her last night.”

“Is she excited?”

“That’s putting it mildly.” A smile lit his face briefly as he thought about Lily’s excitement the previous night before it disappeared.

It actually benefited Evie that they were leaving. King would return to his hometown, and Evie would follow along with Penni. When she found out who Merrick Patterson had married, she would be thankful for the excuse to leave Treepoint for a while.

“You finished for the day?” Evie asked, breaking into his thoughts.

“Yeah, I just have to lock up.”

When they walked out of the office, Evie stood by his side as he locked the factory door before going up to the clubhouse together.

Dinner was already starting when she turned to go upstairs. Shade paused.

“You're not going to eat?” Shade asked.

“No, I’m not hungry. I’m going to have an early night. See you in the morning.”

“Night.” Shade watched Evie going upstairs.

He had seen the growing discontent the past few months. A few wee

ks away would give her time to think. She wouldn’t be the first woman who had eventually left the club. Evie would always remain a Last Rider, her loyalty without question, but she had healed enough to begin searching for a lifestyle she couldn’t find there, something to call her own. Whether that was a man or a different life away from The Last Riders, it was a choice only she could make.

* * *

The next day, Shade was going around his desk to leave his office when he looked out the window. Lucky was in the parking lot, unloading his things from a car. He would probably sell his “pastor wear” or donate them to the church store as soon as he could.

The brother had waited a long time to ride again.

He watched as Evie and Jewell came out of the factory. Evie ran forward, throwing herself into Lucky’s arms.

Shade left his office, going outside to greet the brother.

He crossed the parking lot to stand beside them. “I see you’re not wasting any time.”