Shade slowly walked toward Lily, hunching down in front of her rocking form. “Lily.” That time, his voice was more forceful, commanding her attention, and the rocking stopped.
Coming to a decision, Shade reached out, lifting her into his arms. It wasn’t the smartest choice, however, as he found himself with a wildcat in his arms. The unexpected fury of the woman had him forcing her against the wall to gain control of the nails going for his eyes. Pinning her there with his body, he didn’t try to grab her hands, merely blocking her moves.
“Lily, stop it now!” he said in a firm voice. “Aren’t you worried about Winter? She’s worried about you. She was crying she was so worried, Lily. Beth is probably scared out of her fucking mind.” Shade kept her pinned against the wall as he kept repeating Beth’s and Winter’s names.
Finally, he saw a light of reality break through her blank expression.
“Shade?” her voice whimpered.
“Yes, baby.”
As Lily sucked in deep breaths as if her chest was going to explode, her hand wiped at the tears on her face. “Is Winter safe?”
“Yes. Beth’s friends stopped and helped. Winter is waiting with Beth. They are both waiting to hear from us. You okay?” Shade asked, worried about the blood he had found on her clothes. His eyes searched her body, finding a scratch with drying blood on the underside of her forearm.
Lily nodded, still trying to catch her breath.
“Lily, breathe slowly,” Shade ordered in a hard voice.
Lily jumped, but her breaths gradually slowed and he took a step back, giving her some room.
“Can we go now?” Lily asked, her soft voice gaining strength.
“Yes.” Shade backed away more, allowing her to slide by him. Then he opened the bedroom door, letting Lily go ahead of him before following her outside.#p#分页标题#e#
Lily walked out the door and came to a sudden stop when she found the yard filled with The Last Riders.
When Beth jumped off Razer’s bike, running to her sister and nearly knocking her down, Shade placed his hand on Lily’s back, holding her steady.
“Are you all right?” Beth asked.
“I’m fine. I’m sorry I couldn’t help Winter. I shouldn’t have pan—”
“Don’t you dare apologize. You were smart enough to run. Winter said he shot at you twice. I would have run, too. Anyone would.”
Lily shook her head. “Even when Rachel found me, I couldn’t tell her what happened. Her brothers could have helped.”
Beth smiled softly at her sister. “Winter had plenty of help. Sex Piston and her crew showed up. They took a baseball bat to the bastard.”
“Really?” Lily asked as they walked toward Razer’s motorcycle.
“Yes.”
“Winter’s okay?”
“She’s on the back of Viper’s bike.”
Shade saw her finally relax, knowing Winter was safe.
Shade got on his own bike, starting it as he saw Knox sitting uncomfortably behind Rider. He owed the brother a favor for bringing his bike.
Once Viper also fired his engine, The Last Riders waited as one for their brother to leave. Razer’s new family was now their own.
Shade rode his bike up next to Lily.
“Lily.” He used the same tone of voice he had used with her inside.
Lily didn’t appear to want to be parted from Beth. He didn’t think she truly would feel safe until she was home.
“Razer, could you call and ask Mick if he would drive my SUV here?” Beth asked.
“Get on, Lily. I’m taking you home.” Shade’s firm voice had Lily moving reluctantly toward him.
Beth paused.
“Get on, Beth. She’s safe with Shade.” Razer and Shade’s eyes met as Lily climbed on behind Shade, holding his sides with her legs, her trembling hands taking his helmet.
As soon as it was on, Shade throttled his engine, and Viper pulled out in the lead with the others following down the winding road. Shade saw Beth turn around, checking to make sure Lily was okay. Beth had a long way to go with learning to trust him with Lily, but Shade had seen that night what Razer had been trying to tell him. It wasn’t about what anyone wanted to do for Lily; it would always be about what was best for her, and Shade could live with that.
Chapter 24
Shade was sprawled in one of the chairs at Rosie’s, enjoying a lap dance from the stripper Knox had hired for Razer’s bachelor party. He was wearing blue jeans and had pulled off his T-shirt in the hot bar.
She seductively ran her hands down his naked chest, grinding her pussy down onto his cock which was about to burst his zipper. “God, please. Shade, please.” Chastity’s face was a tortured mask of desire.