“Evie will stay with them. She’s not going to let anything happen,” Shade consoled, leaning back as Jewell’s hands slid down his chest.
“He’s gotta go,” Viper stated.
“Yes, he does,” Razer agreed.
“Damn, you two quit being pussies. Evie will give a heads-up if she feels Winter wants more than his skills as a therapist. Jesus, never thought I’d see the day my brothers would be jealous of another man.” Shade shook his head at his brothers’ downfall.#p#分页标题#e#
“This comes from the man it took practically the whole club to hold back when a man put an arm around Lily,” Viper barked back snidely.
Shade grinned. “I haven’t fucked her yet. When I do, she won’t be looking elsewhere when I can give her what she needs,” Shade bragged.
“Think so? Brother, you’re headed for a fall,” Razer warned.
Shade ignored him, standing up. “You all need to get to work if we’re going to get that order out.”
The members then all filed out, but when Jewell started to go through, Shade placed an arm around her shoulder.
“You can be late. Viper owes me.” Viper’s lips tightened at Shade’s words.
“You have an hour,” he reluctantly told Jewell.
Shade’s hand went to Jewell’s ass. “Make it two. You know I like to take my time.”
He felt Jewell tremble under his arm.
After Viper paused before giving his permission, Shade gave him a grin as he guided Jewell out the door, not able to resist his parting shot. “Razer, Beth give you any after she interviewed her new employee?”
He left before Razer could reply, but he could still hear him from behind the door.
“I want to kick his ass.”
“I’m in,” Viper agreed.
Chapter 16
Shade sat at the kitchen table with Winter sitting across from him. He and the brothers were watching the television in the back room, which could be seen easily from the table. Winter was watching Rider and Evie argue over the best way to make sweet potatoes. When Evie made gagging noises after Rider mentioned marshmallows, Winter’s responding laughter brought a smile to Viper’s lips.
The brother has it bad, Shade thought.
Winter had gradually accepted staying at the clubhouse. Rider had told him of her escape attempt after Viper had yelled at her, but she had settled down and was growing stronger every day from the physical therapy with Conner. She was actually progressing much faster than anyone had expected.
On the downside, the news of her progression put Viper in a bad mood.
“They are like this every holiday,” Bliss explained the argument.
Razer and Beth came in as they were about to eat.
“I thought you would have dinner with Lily?” Winter asked.
Beth smiled. “This is the first Thanksgiving we have spent apart, but a friend from college invited her to spend the holiday with them, and she accepted.”
Shade already knew that, which was why his ass was sitting there instead of at his family’s table.
Winter raised a brow. “As overprotective as you are, I am surprised you let her go.”
Beth laughed, turning red. “Lily is old enough to make her own decisions now—that was the whole point of her going away to college—but I did ask Razer to check them out for me. He assured me it was safe,” Beth confessed.
Winter caught the unguarded look on Razer’s face as he stared at Shade across the table. Shade kept his face expressionless, aware Winter was watching. That woman could see through anything.
“How long has she known this girl?” Winter questioned Beth.
“They met at the first of the school year. Next year, they are thinking about being roommates. It’s great for Lily. I was about to break and let her come home, but I didn’t want her driving back and forth to the nearest college. This girl has made college life bearable for her. We’ll have to invite her one weekend.”
As expected, Lily had become good friends with Penni. Hell, a rabid dog wouldn’t be able to resist Penni. He had been relieved when Penni and Lily had become friends, because there was no way he could have stayed away if she had returned to Treepoint.#p#分页标题#e#
Razer’s face twitched at Beth’s words. The brother didn’t like misleading his woman. However, Shade remained expressionless, continuing to eat his meal under Winter’s scrutiny.
“I would wait a while. Finals will be coming up then Christmas. Besides, you have a wedding to plan after Christmas. I’m sure Lily can explain that it will be several months before you can return the favor.” Her response drew his eyes, having no doubt Winter knew something wasn’t as it seemed with Lily’s new friendship. She somehow knew Razer and Shade were involved, proving the woman saw entirely too much.