Shade(68)

“What have you women been doing?” Viper asked Winter.

“Nothing. I finished what I needed for tomorrow. Sure you’re not going to change your mind and leave me at the altar?” Winter teased.

“I’m sure,” he replied, putting his arm around Winter’s shoulders.

The men ordered their lunches, and Diamond’s lips twisted in amusement at Knox and Rider’s big orders.

“What’s so funny?” Knox asked.

“I think you guys are as hungry as I was. I bet you could have eaten two more pizzas last night.”

“Make it three, and you’ll be more on target,” Knox said, sliding her a sideways grin.

“I need to get back to my office.” Diamond stood abruptly before leaving the diner.

“She find a roach in her food?” Viper asked as the women smiled to themselves at her quick exit.

“I think she found something scarier than a bug.” Beth and Winter laughed as they stared at Knox.

Shade turned his attention to Lily. The blue dress she was wearing made her look too young for his taste.

He slid her half-eaten plate closer to her. “You need to eat all your vegetables if you’re going to grow up strong and tall.” He used the voice he had heard adults use when they talked to children, and Lily’s eyes flashed purple fire at him.

Shade ignored it, though. If she wanted to dress younger than she was to protect herself, she didn’t know men, and he wasn’t going to let her hide from the fact that she was a desirable woman.

“I’m finished,” she told him.#p#分页标题#e#

“You sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Shade slid the plate in front of him, eating the rest. It was an intimate gesture, which Lily turned away from, concentrating on Winter discussing her wedding at the clubhouse the following day.

It wasn’t much longer before he saw the sheriff come into the diner and head toward their table.

“Viper,” he greeted, nodding his head at the rest of the table.

“Want to join us for lunch?” Beth offered.

“I wish I could, Beth, but I’m busy. I called my order in.”

“What has you so busy?” Shade asked, sensing his dad hadn’t stopped by for a friendly visit.

“I was at Diamond Richards’s office just now. Someone broke in and trashed the place. From the looks of it, I’d say more than one person is responsible.”

The women and the other Last Riders were up and heading out the door while Shade threw down some cash on the table.

“Call me later,” Shade told the sheriff as he quickly caught up with the others.

It was a short walk to Diamond’s office.

“Do you think it has something to do with a client?” Shade heard Diamond’s secretary ask as they walked down the hallway. Diamond had left her office door open.

“I don’t know, although whoever wanted me distracted succeeded.”

Diamond’s voice sounded upset, and Shade couldn’t blame her. The office was a mess.

“No, they didn’t,” Knox said, entering her office.

Diamond and Holly both turned as the office filled with The Last Riders, followed by Winter, Lily, and Beth, who were staring in shock at the vandalized surroundings.

“I’ll help,” Lily offered as she went down on her hands and knees to pick up the papers.

“We all will,” Winter said, taking out her cell phone. “Evie, could you and a couple of the women come down to Diamond Richards’s office? Someone broke into it, and she needs help cleaning up. Thanks.”

“That’s unnecessary; both Holly and I can handle this,” Diamond protested.

“Really? I think I’d be interested to see you try to lift those filing cabinets and desk,” Knox said, moving forward with Rider to lift the heavy cabinets back into place while Shade, Train, and Viper went into her office to lift the heavy desk.

“It took a couple of people to create this damage. The sheriff came into the diner after you left. He told us your office had been vandalized. He thinks more than one person was responsible for the damage, also,” Knox said, righting the end tables while the others restored order to the rest of the furniture.

Winter, Beth, and Holly joined Lily on the floor.

“When the others get here, we can get them back in order,” Beth said.

“Please stop, Winter. You’re getting married tomorrow; I’m sure you have things you need to take care of. I can handle—”

A sharp gasp from Lily had everyone’s attention going to her. She raised her hand with blood dripping from a wound.

“Beth…” Lily whispered, turning toward her sister and giving another gasp of pain, reaching for her knees. Blood seeped onto the papers she was kneeling on.