Shade's Fall
Page 43

“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.