SHADES: An Evil Dead MC Story (The Outlaw Series Book 3)

by James, Nicole

  “Cole? What does he care?”

  “Cole looks after that one like she was his own little sister, and since he’s your fucking sponsor, you had best just fucking steer clear.”

  “All right, old man. All right.”

  All through the party, he kept track of her, though. She was definitely not at all like the type that usually caught his eye, bleach-bottle-blondes who dressed in trashy clothes with piercings, tattoos and a hard edge. This girl couldn’t be further from that. She was dark haired, long and lean. Her skin was perfection with not a mark on it as far as he could see. Everything about her said clean, fresh and soft. And damned if it didn’t call to him.

  And then finally she turned and met his gaze. He watched a shy smile form on her face that told him she knew he’d been tracking her movements. In return, he let a smile tug at the corner of his mouth, and he lifted his chin to her.

  Once they’d made that initial connection, he kept catching her glances, and each time he’d smile at her, she’d return a shy smile back. Eventually, she walked toward him, and he couldn’t stop the need that filled his gut as he watched her approach.

  “Hey.” She gave him another one of those cute as hell shy little smiles.

  “Hey, darlin’. How’s it goin?” he answered, figuring a little small talk wouldn’t get his ass in trouble, but still he glanced around the crowd, looking to see who was paying them any attention.

  “Good party.” Her eyes moved over the crowd as well.

  “Yeah. Dead throw a good party.” Taking a hit off his cigarette, he studied her. “You havin’ a good time?”

  She shrugged. “Parties aren’t really my thing. I kind of got dragged here by my friend.”

  He flicked his cigarette, sending it sailing into the alley.

  She looked him up and down. “Don’t you like parties either? You’re standing over here all alone.”

  Her voice did things to him. It was low and sexy and kind of shy. He couldn’t keep his eyes from dropping to her breasts, and as he watched, her nipples pebbled in response. Wrenching his gaze back to her face, he stood in the entrance, fighting the overwhelming need to reach out and touch her, or if he was being honest, haul her into his arms. He shoved his hands in his pockets before he did something stupid in front of a yard full of club members. And touching her would definitely be a stupid move, especially when he’d been warned.

  “Gate duty. Gotta make sure the uninvited stay out.” He grinned and gave her a wink.

  “Do you have to do this for the whole party?”

  He nodded. “Yeah. Been here since about 8am this morning and I’ll probably be here till 2 or 3am tonight.”

  “Wow. That’s a long time.”

  “Life of a prospect, darlin’. Eighteen hours on your feet, standing at a gate wishing for something to eat or just some fucking water. One or two hours of sleep a night. Surviving on Red Bulls, cigarettes, Starbucks and ephedrine.”

  “Ephedrine? Like in diet pills?”

  “Yeah, I know, but amphetamines give me headaches so,” he shrugged, “I stick with the cheap substitutes.”

  “That sounds rough. Don’t they let you have a break?”

  “Nope.”

  “Can I get you a beer or something?”

  “Darlin’, if I drank a beer right now, I’d fall asleep standing up. But I’d kill for a bottle of water.”

  She smiled. “Coming right up.”

  When she returned, he grinned. “Thanks, sweetheart. You’re a lifesaver. I’m in your debt.” He guzzled it down and watched as she pulled two more from her shoulder bag and set them on the ground by the wooden privacy fence.

  “For later.”

  “What’s your name, my beautiful angel of mercy?”

  “Skylar. And you are?”

  “Shades.”

  “Hi.”

  “Gotta tell you, Skylar, I’ve been warned off you.”

  “Why?” she asked with a frown, her eyes glancing around the back lot.

  “Not just you. You and your friend. She’s a brother’s little sister, so…respect, you know?”

  She nodded. “I see.” Chuckling, she glanced over to where her outgoing friend, Letty was hitting on one of the brothers. “Not sure that’s going to stop Letty, though.”

  A grin pulled at the corner of Shades’ mouth. “Maybe not. But he’s a full patched member. I’m just a prospect. They’d take my crossing that line a little more seriously I think.”

  “Am I going to get you in trouble by standing here talking to you?” Just then, Letty called to her and waved her over. Skylar turned to look, and then looked back at Shades as she began backing away. “Gotta go. It was nice spending time with you, Shades.”

  The soft way she said the last bit had his cock responding. He cleared his throat. What the hell was wrong with him? He held his own with some of the baddest of the bad every fucking day, and this little girl had him on the ropes. Fuck.

  “Take care, Skylar. Thanks for the water.”

  He couldn’t stop himself from watching the mesmerizing sway of her ass as she moved back toward her friend. And damned if she didn’t turn and wink at him before she disappeared into the crowd.

  Late that night, as the party was dying down, Shades was finally told he could knock off and go home. He made his way inside to say some goodbyes, and if he was being honest, to look for that little babe, Skylar, telling himself he just wanted to make sure she was okay.

  About twenty minutes later, unable to find her, he fired his bike up, headed out the gate and down the street. He didn’t get half a block when he spotted her. She was walking down the street. Alone. At 3am. What the fuck? He let off on the throttle and coasted up beside her.

  “Skylar. What the hell are you doing out here?” She turned, almost jumping out of her skin. And then he could see her relax when she realized who it was.

  “Oh, Shades. Hey.”

  “Babe, this is not a nice side of town. Why’d you leave the clubhouse?”

  She shrugged. “Letty was my ride, and she hooked up with someone. And I couldn’t find Cole or Crash.”

  “Climb on,” he ordered, hoping she’d be quick so they could get out of there before someone from the club came along and spotted him with her. She didn’t hesitate. He liked that. And he really liked the way her arms came around him, holding tight. He took off down the street, riding a couple of blocks away from the clubhouse before pulling over and asking her, “Where to, darlin’? Where do you live?”

  “I was supposed to be spending the night at Letty’s house.”

  “I guess that’s out. I can take you to your house,” he offered as he pulled his helmet off and handed it to her.

  She took it and quickly strapped it on. “I can’t show up now. It’s 3am. My foster dad will kill me.”

  “Foster dad?” he asked, frowning.

  “I live in a foster home,” she admitted softly.

  “Really?” He twisted on the seat to get a better look at her, kind of shocked by her response. He’d never have guessed that. Not in a million years.

  “Yeah.” Her eyes looked away, and her chin came up, and he realized it was a touchy subject for her. He wondered why she’d admitted something so personal to him. They barely knew each other. A fact he’d love to remedy.

  “Ok, home’s out. Guess that just leaves my place. You can stay tonight and hook up with Letty in the morning. That work for you?” At the nervous look on her face, he added, “No strings, sweetheart. Just a place to crash. I promise. Besides, I owe you for the water.” He grinned.

  She nodded, and he hit the throttle.

  He took Interstate 65 over the mountain and south of town, exiting on Route 31 he continued south. It was late, and the streets were deserted. When they neared Shelby hospital, he turned off into a parking lot next to what looked like an auto repair shop. It was a cement block building that sat close to the road. It was painted gray with two bay doors. The parking area to the side and behind the building wa
s gravel and surrounded by a privacy fence and gate. There were about four parking spots out front. He unlocked the gate and they rolled into the lot.

  As they dismounted, a dog trotted over to them. “Hey, boy. How you doing?” Shades squatted down, taking the dog’s head in both his hands to scratch the dog’s ears. Skylar, who seemed a little uneasy around the large white pit bull, froze. Sensing her fear, Shades turned to her. “Hey, don’t be afraid. He looks tough, but he’s just a softy. Aren’t you, Toby?”

  She hesitantly held her hand out for the dog to sniff, and then she looked up at the building, asking, “Where are we? What is this place?”

  Straightening, Shades replied, “This is my shop. I have a small apartment upstairs. Come on.”

  “Shop?”

  “Auto-body shop,” he explained. “I also do a little mechanic work. Bikes mostly.”

  He led the way inside, unlocking the glass shop door. The ceiling above them in the garage area was open. There was an office area ahead and a metal staircase that led to the second floor apartment that was situated over the office area.

  She followed him up the stairs, Toby trotting beside them. When they got to the second level, he watched her reaction as she looked around, taking in the space. It was indeed as he’d said, small. There was a bed over by the windows that overlooked the main drag through town. A low dresser sat across from it. On the other side of the room was a small table with two chairs. A tiny kitchenette with a sink, mini fridge and microwave. A door led to a small bathroom with a shower stall. The apartment was open to the level below in a loft style.

  True to his word, he didn’t touch her that night. They’d both crashed on the lone bed out of necessity, but they’d just lain and talked mostly.

  “So, Skylar, how old are you?”

  “Eighteen.”

  His head swiveled on his pillow, and he looked at her, his brows raised. “Damn, babe. Didn’t think you were that young.”

  “How old did you think I was?”

  “Twenty-one, at least.”

  She grinned, turning her head on the pillow. “Really? I look twenty-one?”

  Instead of answering her, he stared at the ceiling and mumbled, “Fuck, this is wrong. Big time wrong. You’re just a kid.”

  “I am not. Relax.” She laughed at the worried look on his face.

  “Jesus Christ, if the club finds out about this, I’m done for.”

  She reached up and made an X over her heart. “I won’t tell anyone. Cross my heart.”

  “You do, and I’m a dead man, Skylar.”

  “And how old are you, Shades?”

  “Twenty-three.”

  “So, you got an ol’ lady, Shades?”

  “Nope. And I ain’t lookin’ for one either.”

  “I see.”

  He went up on an elbow, turning to face her, his head resting on his hand. “Tell me about the foster thing.” Her eyes went to him, and then looked away. The curtains were open, letting in the moonlight, and he studied her face.

  “There’s not much to tell.” Her voice was soft in the dim light.

  “How did you end up in the system?”

  “My mother died when I was three, and I never knew my father.” She shrugged. “I guess there was no one else to take me. I don’t know. I was so little. I’ve never known anything else.”

  “So, you’ve been with this foster family your whole life?”

  She let out a soft snort. “Hardly. I’ve been in six different homes.”

  “Six? You’re shitting me.” His eyebrows shot up with her stunning announcement.

  “Nope. Not shitting you.”

  “Why so many? Did they abuse you?” He frowned down at her, wanting an answer, but realizing he was being an insensitive ass to blurt out a question like that the way he had. If her answer was yes, he didn’t know how he was going to take it.

  She shook her head slightly. “No, they just never worked out. I would act out or do something else that would make them give up on me, I guess.” She let out a slight laugh. “I was kind of like the puppy that got returned to the pound. Over and over and over.”

  Shades listened to her try to make a joke out of it, and it broke his heart. “Babe…”

  Her eyes came to his, and she interrupted sharply, “Don’t.” She shook her head. “Don’t say how sorry you are. Okay? Anyway, it’s over now. I’m eighteen. And now that the Fullers won’t be getting anymore government checks for my support, I guess I should count myself lucky that they didn’t kick me out the door the day I turned eighteen.”

  “They can do that?”

  She nodded. “They told me I had till the end of the summer to find a place.”

  “Christ, you’ve had a tough road. Amazes me how sweet and shy you seem to me.” Hearing her story and everything she’d been through touched something inside of him, something he’d never felt before.

  “Starting over a bunch of times will do that, I guess.” She smiled, her eyes connecting with his. “But don’t let it fool you, I can be tough when I’m backed into a corner.”

  He grinned and picked up her hand. Bringing it to his mouth, he brushed her fingers with a kiss. “The kitten turns into a tigress, huh?”

  “Exactly.”

  “So, when the summer’s up, you got a plan, tiger-girl?” he asked softly and watched her bite her lip.

  “Not yet. But I’ll get one.”

  “Can’t you stay with your friend, Letty?”

  She looked away, tugging her hand free. “I don’t really want to talk about this, okay?”

  He reached up and brushed a strand of hair back from her face. “Okay, sweetheart. You tired?”

  She nodded. “You?”

  He smiled at her, admitting wearily, “I’m beat.” Then he pressed a kiss to her forehead and whispered, “Go to sleep, darlin’.” He dropped to his back and within minutes they were both asleep.

  The next morning he dropped her off down the street from her house.

  Skylar stepped off the bike. Shades stayed seated, his booted feet holding up the bike, the motor still rumbling. He watched as she pulled off the helmet he’d lent her and handed it back to him.

  “Thanks for the ride and for last night.”

  Taking the helmet, he set it between his legs and pushed his sunglasses up on his head. “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

  “Will I see you again?”

  “Club keeps me pretty busy.” They stared at each other for a moment, and then he added, “You comin’ to the BBQ next weekend?”

  She smiled. “Maybe.”

  He nodded. “Then maybe I’ll see you then.”

  “Well, thanks again.” She started to back away, but he reached out, his finger hooking in one of her belt loops, stopping her. Her eyes came to his and got big as he pulled her towards him. Her hands landed on his chest, and he leaned in for a kiss, his mouth coming down on hers. Softly at first, and then she opened to him, and he deepened the kiss, delving in for a taste. When he lifted his head, her eyes were on his mouth, a look of wonder on her face, and he couldn’t stop the grin that pulled at the corner of his mouth. What she said next surprised him.

  “Your beard is soft,” she murmured as if she hadn’t expected that.

  His grin deepened. “I see you’ve been wonderin’.”

  She smiled back, admitting, “Yeah, I guess I have.”

  He took her hand and brought it to his face, sliding her palm to his jaw, letting her touch him and feel the soft close-cut beard that ran along it. Shades’ hand slid to cup her nape and his eyes sank into the blue depths of hers as she followed the movement of her hand as it stroked his face.

  Goddamn, he could get lost in those eyes.

  And then all thought slid from his head as her thumb moved to brush gently over his mouth. Without conscious thought, he found his mouth parting and his teeth capturing the pad of her thumb in a soft nip.

  Her eyes lifted to his, and he heard the quick intake of her breath. In that mom
ent, when her eyes locked with his, he felt like a mule had just kicked him in the chest. Something zinged between them. He didn’t know what it was, but he’d never experienced it with any other woman. It was like that soul-mate shit he’d heard people talk about. Shit he’d never believed in.

  Until now. Until right this moment.

  Something was happening between them, and it was freaking the shit out of him. He dropped his hand from her neck, breaking the spell, and she stepped back, somehow sensing the sudden change in him.

  “I, um, guess I should go,” she whispered, embarrassed now.

  “Yeah, okay.” He nodded.

  “Thanks, again, Shades.”

  He winked at her. “See ya ‘round, Sky.” As he watched, a smile formed on her face, and he knew she liked the way he’d shortened her name. Pulling his sunglasses down over his eyes and buckling the helmet on, he twisted the throttle, roaring away from the curb. Looking in his side mirror, he saw her standing where he’d left her, watching him ride away, and he smiled.

  They saw each other over several parties that summer, and Skylar always made a point of coming over and talking with him. They’d talk and laugh. He could always get her laughing. And when she did, her face lit up. Fucking lit up. Absolutely fucking beautiful.

  Usually, they were under the watchful eyes of his brothers, but occasionally, late at night, when it got dark and his brothers got drunk, they would find themselves alone for a few minutes. Sometimes he’d steal a kiss, but he wanted more. Much more. And he was finding that it was becoming more and more difficult to keep his hands off her. In fact, abiding by the hands-off orders he’d been given where she was concerned was becoming damn near impossible.

  He found himself thinking about her often, even when he hadn’t seen her for days or weeks.

  He was completely captivated by her, he could admit it. Fuck, he hadn’t felt this way about a chick ever. But he knew he needed to rein his feelings in and leave her alone. Nothing was going to come of this, nothing could ever come of this, no matter how bad he wanted her.

  And that was exactly what he told himself every week, until the next time she’d show up, and all his good intentions would go right out the fucking window.