by Jamie Begley
“I couldn’t understand how you wrecked your bike on such a little road with barely any traffic. I saw by the skid marks you obviously crashed to avoid hitting something.”
Knox shrugged. “So, a car pulled out in front of me.”
“Nope. There was no parking where you wrecked, and it’s a one-lane road. As I sat, trying to think how such an experienced rider had wrecked, I saw several interesting things.”
Knox stiffened, throwing Rider a dirty look. “Don’t you have something better to do?”
“Not right now. This sounds too good to miss. You never did tell me how you busted up your bike.”
“Fuck off,” Knox said, taking a drink of his beer while glaring at Diamond.
Rider’s grin widened as he took a seat on the stool next to her. Shade was suppressing his own grin, interested to know what had gotten Knox so uncomfortable.
“I saw a beautiful neighborhood filled with older homes that had an abundance of trees. The yards also had several squirrels. I think you swerved to miss a squirrel. You couldn’t kill Sam if you wrecked your bike to prevent killing a squirrel.”
“I didn’t wreck my bike to keep from hitting a fucking squirrel.”
Shade choked on his drink because Knox’s red face showed he was lying.
Diamond burst out laughing. “You’re a marshmallow.”
“You actually wrecked your bike to keep from killing a squirrel?” Rider said in disbelief.
“No, I didn’t,” Knox barked back sharply.
“You fucking did.” Rider burst into laughter.
“Marshmallow.” Diamond nodded at Rider.
“I am not a fucking marshmallow!” Knox yelled as he slammed his beer down on the bar.
“You better go; the marshmallow is about to explode,” Rider joked.
Shade set his drink down on the bar, prepared to hold Knox back.
Diamond grinned back at Knox. “I’m going.” Sliding off the stool, she left as Rider continued antagonizing Knox.
“You’re a fucking marshmallow, na, naa, na,” Rider crowed in a brutal attempt at a sing-song voice.
“Shut up, Rider. I’m warning you!” Knox threatened.
“So, Knox, did you miss the squirrel?” Rider slapped his hand down on the bar, bursting into laughter.
Shade’s drink was knocked out of his hand when Knox reared his arm back to punch Rider, knocking him to the floor. Knox reached down, pulling Rider to his feet, ready to pummel him when Shade grabbed his arm, pulling him away. Cash and Train then wisely helped Rider get away.
“Mick, get Knox another beer.” Shade slapped Knox on the back. “Don’t worry, brother; no one’s going to mistake you for a marshmallow.”
Knox picked up his beer, taking a long drink.
“By the way, brother, did the squirrel live?”
Chapter 29
Shade rolled over in his empty bed to pick up his ringing cell phone.
“Get upstairs now!” Viper ordered.
Instantly alert, Shade didn’t ask questions. He hurriedly dressed before running upstairs.
The living room was filled with The Last Riders. Winter and Viper were the only ones dressed, standing next to Knox who only had on a pair of jeans he hadn’t bothered to button all the way up. Rider was wearing only jeans, too, as were most of the other brothers. Evie was wrapped in a blanket, and Bliss was in a sheet.
Shade heard a racket coming from upstairs. It sounded like the house was being torn apart.
“What’s going on?” Shade asked.
“The sheriff and the state police are searching Knox’s room. They have a search warrant.”
The sheriff came down the steps. “Knox, you’re under arrest. They found what they were searching for.”
He placed the handcuffs around Knox’s wrists while Shade stood there silently. It was Viper who argued they were unnecessary. With the state police watching, Shade knew the sheriff had no choice other than to put the cuffs on him and lead him out the door.
Diamond came downstairs, packing Knox’s clothes and boots.
“Diamond? Why are they arresting Knox again?” Viper yelled angrily.
“Someone called in a tip last night. They found what they were looking for. That’s why they’re taking him back in. Don’t worry; the court is just going to raise his bail. The quicker you let me get out of here, the sooner I can get him out.”
“Go,” Viper answered begrudgingly. “When you’re done, I expect to see you.”
Shade and all The Last Riders went out on the porch to watch Knox be taken away.
Bliss wrapped her arm around Shade’s waist, sniffling. “Is he going to be okay?”
“Yes,” Shade replied between gritted teeth. He would make sure of it.
Jerking away from Bliss’s arm, he went to his bike, not waiting for Viper’s order. He rode to town, waiting outside the sheriff’s office in a spot he knew he wouldn’t be seen.
It was almost two hours before he saw all the troopers leave, and then the sheriff headed to his car. His father spotted him, coming to stand next to him under a tree. No one looking outside would see them.
“What the fuck?” Shade asked as soon as he drew close.
“I didn’t have time to warn you. David Thurman, the Commonwealth’s Attorney, showed up with the state police, and they stayed by my side the whole time. Your fucking lucky they let me call Diamond. The only reason they did was so she wouldn’t be able to get any of the evidence obtained thrown out of court.”
“What were they searching for?”
“Jewelry. Mrs. Langley had given Sam a necklace and two rings, and they were missing from her room when her body was found.”
“They found it in Knox’s room?”
“All three pieces,” the sheriff confirmed.
“Fuck.” It was beginning to look bad for Knox.
“Any idea why they were in his room?”
“No, but I know he didn’t take them.”
Knox didn’t need the money from the jewelry; he was rich enough to buy a jewelry store if he wanted. Someone in the house had hidden them in his room, but none of The Last Riders would have done it. Shade had no doubts about any of their loyalty. That meant whoever had done it had managed to breach the clubhouse.
Shade rode back to the clubhouse and told Viper and Cash what he had found out from the sheriff.
“One of the hangers-on could have hidden them,” Cash suggested.
“Possibly,” Shade agreed yet didn’t think so.
Even though the hangers-on weren’t checked out until they decided to become a member, they weren’t supposed to be left upstairs alone.
“The sheriff said someone called the tip in to the state police. Whoever did it must have known the layout of the house and where the jewelry was hidden. They also didn’t call it into the sheriff’s office so he could warn us.”
“Fuck.” Viper ran his hand through his hair. He looked exhausted.
“What’s our next move?” Cash asked.
“Diamond will get Knox out of jail. Shade, have the women straighten up Knox’s room. I don’t want him coming home to that mess.”
Shade nodded, turning to get the women started.
“Shade, should we get a better lawyer? Is she capable of saving him?”
Shade remembered the look on Diamond’s face at the bar as well as her packing his boots and socks down the stairs.
“She may be his only hope,” he said cryptically.
Chapter 30
Shade followed Razer into the diner with the rest of the brothers behind him.
Beth smiled as soon as she saw Razer. “Diamond, this is my husband, Razer. Razer, this is Diamond. She’s representing Knox.”
Razer gave her a smile before taking a seat next to Beth, placing an arm over her shoulder while the empty seats on her side of the table were taken by Rider and Knox. Viper took a seat on Winter’s side of the table.
“Diamond, I think you know everyone here except Shade and Tr
ain.”
Shade and Train both gave her a nod before sitting down. As Shade sat next to Lily, he interpreted Winter’s leery look as the same one she gave every time she caught sight of him.
“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.
“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.
Winter and Beth immediately moved toward the young woman, but before either could reach her, Shade was lifting Lily from the floor into his arms. Lily tried to struggle free with her eyes on her bloody hand.
“Where’s the bathroom?” Shade snapped at Diamond.
When she pointed to the door outside her office, Shade strode from the room with a still-struggling Lily.
“Beth…”
Shade didn’t slow down at Lily’s whimper.
“Stop it, Lily,” Shade said, sitting her down on the closed toilet seat.
Her eyes remained on her bloody hand as her eyes started to roll back into her head. A sudden shake had her eyes traveling back to Shade.
“Eyes to me, Lily,” he snapped. “Don’t look at your hand again.”
“It hurts.”
Shade’s lips tightened. He had almost protested when Lily had gone to her knees to pick up the messed-up office, yet he hadn’t wanted to interfere. He was angry at himself for not following his instincts. He was getting fucking tired of the fine line he was walking to keep everybody happy, especially since Lily was invariably the one getting hurt because he was unable to protect the accident prone woman.
“I’ll get the glass out and get it cleaned up, and then the sting will stop.”
“Beth is a nurse; she can do it, Shade. I want Beth,” Lily replied stubbornly, refusing his help. Shade knew she was reacting to being in the close confinement of the room with him.
“I’m sure you do. Do you think Beth can pull out that glass with you crying and acting like a baby?” he said, hoping her anger would arouse her fighting instincts.
While Lily stiffened, Shade could see her trying to gather her composure as her eyes tried to sneak a peek at her still-oozing injury.
“Eyes on me,” Shade snapped again, wetting paper towels and gently picking out the fine shards of glass.
He could instantly feel her gaze on his face. She hadn’t argued against his commands, even though he had been a bit harsh. The same nearness of the restroom, which was unnerving her, was straining his control.
As he finished her hand, he heard a knock on the door and Razer telling him he had a first-aid kit. When he opened the door, a silent message passed between the two men before the door closed once more.
Shade opened the box, finding sterile gauze for cleaning her knees. One particular shard had become imbedded there, so he took great care in removing it; however, Lily’s dress had ridden up her silky thighs, rattling his concentration. Shade’s hands shook as he finished cleaning her knees, wiping them with an antiseptic and starting to wrap them with bandages. He felt her tremble as his hands touched the soft skin behind her knees, trying to clench her thighs together.
“Open your legs. I need to wrap your other knee.”
He felt her legs open a scant amount so he wrapped it softly, stroking the sensitive flesh behind her knee. When she would have pulled away, Shade rose to his feet, letting his hand slide across the top of her thighs with a delicate touch the innocent girl would think was accidental.
Tak
ing her hand, he applied the antiseptic to it then wrapped it, taking his time once more, enjoying her eyes watching his every move. Unable to prolong the inevitable any longer, he took a step away.
“You’re done.”
Her eyes immediately broke from him, and she practically ran from the restroom.
Shade picked up the first-aid kit, meticulously replacing the items he had taken out. Going to the sink basin, he washed his hands and sprayed cold water on his face, wondering how much longer he could resist reaching out and taking what he was determined would be his.
The glass had been swept up by the time Lily reentered the room with wild eyes. Shade watched from the bathroom as she immediately went to Beth. Her sister rubbed her back, easing her tension until Lily calmed and sat on a chair to begin organizing the papers The Last Riders were picking up.
Shade’s eyes remained on Lily when he came back into the room. He started gathering the papers while taking in Lily ignoring him. He didn’t like being ignored by her. She hadn’t even bothered to thank him before running out of the room, either. He could still feel her soft skin under his fingertips.
Shade was unaware the brothers had formed a circle around him until he looked up and saw himself surrounded.
Evie, Dawn, Jewell, and Raci arrived then, lessening the tension in the room. All of them brushed aside Diamond’s protests and began organizing her paperwork. Holly put them back in the cabinets when each folder was completed.
What would have taken a week to reorganize took just one afternoon with everyone’s help.
“Damn, any idea who did this?” Evie asked, handing Diamond the last sheath of papers.
“No, but I think it involved Knox’s case. It’s too much of a coincidence with the search warrant for the jewelry and now this. Someone wants me to stop.”
“I agree; they’re escalating. This is becoming more dangerous than I anticipated. I don’t want you going anywhere without back-up, Diamond,” Viper ordered.
“I’ll be careful, Viper,” Diamond said.
“You better be,” Knox stated sternly.
Evie and the other women paused at Knox’s words, looking stunned while Diamond turned away and busied herself by putting the rest of the folders back in the cabinet.