“I don’t owe Cash any favors,” she responded stubbornly.

“Don’t act like you don’t care, or you wouldn’t have come back to town. No one says you have to move back into your brothers’ house.”

“Where would I stay?”

“You could stay with Cash’s grandmother. No one goes near that old bitch’s house.”

A slight smile touched her lips. “She’s not that bad.”

“Yes, she is. Well?”

“All right.” Rachel agreed to what they both knew she wanted to do, anyway.

“Good. She’s expecting you.”

Rachel rolled her eyes.

“I owe you, Rachel.”

“That’s the same thing you said when you asked me to go to work in the church store to help Lily. I would have helped Lily regardless, but it would have been nice if you would have broken up that fight before Cash opened his big mouth.”

Shade climbed on his bike, turning on the motor. “I paid you back when I helped Viper hold Cash back when Tate dragged you away. If he had gotten near Tate, he would have killed him. Welcome back, Rachel.”

Shade felt Rachel glaring at him as he rode away. She could hate him as much as she wanted as long as she stayed and healed Cash.

* * *

Rachel stayed by Cash’s side, although Shade would see her slip out the door whenever any of The Last Riders visited, avoiding talking to them.

Cash’s doctor gave them regular updates on his condition, and each time, he was less optimistic about Cash’s recovery.

“We decreased his medication, so he’s in more of a deep sleep versus a coma.”

Shade stood next to Lily as they listened to Cash’s doctor explain his condition.

“His spinal injury is quite severe, and we’re going to begin to wean him off the ventilator.” The doctor paused. “I do not anticipate him walking again.”

At his proclamation, several of the women began crying. Viper put his arms around Winter, Knox pulled Diamond closer, Shade pulled Lily into his side, and Evie turned to King. Everyone there stood stupefied at the doctor’s prognosis that the consequences of the wreck would be life-changing for Cash.

The Last Riders began making plans as soon as the doctor left.

“We can put him downstairs. It’s accessible with a wheelchair and has the exercise equipment and hot tub,” Viper stated.

“I’ll call Donna as soon as he’s out of the rehab center,” Winter said.

Each and every one of them discussing how they would help Cash heal and adjust to his new life was why Shade was loyal to The Last Riders. They stood together to face any challenge thrown their way.

“I need to go talk to Rachel.” Lily wiped her tears away as he released her.

“I’ll go with you,” Beth said.

Both women walked to Rachel who was standing at the edge of the group. Shade went to get a bottled water, waiting for Viper to come out of Cash’s room so he could go inside for a few moments.

Viper walked out, and then Shade motioned to Lily that he was going to go see Cash.

He went into Cash’s room, staring down at the brother fighting for his life.

“Brother, your woman is here, but if you want her, you’re going to have to wake up.” Shade continued talking to Cash as if he was awake until the door opened and Pastor Patterson came into the room.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but Cash’s grandmother asked me to stop by and pray for him. I’m Pastor Merrick Patterson.” He reached out to shake Shade’s hand, which he didn’t take. The pastor dropped his hand to his side.

“Have we met before? You look familiar?”

“We met once in the service briefly. I served with Dean.”

“Ah … That explains it. My wife tells me I have a terrible memory, and I have to agree with her.”

“Your wife is a fucking lunatic. While everyone in town believes she has the wool pulled over your eyes, I just don’t believe anyone can be that clueless unless they want to be.”

Pastor Merrick paled.

Shade didn’t feel the least bit of sympathy for the man. He was the one who had brought Brooke back into his and Evie’s lives.

Merrick gave a nervous laugh. “I know Brooke is a little high-maintenance for a pastor’s wife, and she hasn’t learned to fit into small town life yet, but she will adjust. The church congregation will learn to love her as I do.”

With that, Shade knew he had been right. Merrick Patterson was a man who loved his wife. He wasn’t blind to her evil; he tolerated it and turned a blind eye to keep her.

Shade stared at him coldly before he walked toward the door. “You need to pray for yourself more than Cash. When Brooke no longer needs you, neither you nor that kid of yours will be safe. I’d pray hard if I were you.”

He went out the door, closing it behind him. One of the two men in that room was facing death, and it wasn’t the one lying on the bed.

Chapter 83

“Could you come to the hospital and pick me up?” Lily asked.

“Give me ten minutes.” Shade disconnected the call.

He tracked Rider down, finding him in his room with the bedroom door open. Rider was lying on his back on the bed with Jewell and Stori. The brother was watching the women have a clit fight while he jerked himself off.

“Can I borrow your truck?”

“Keys are on the nightstand,” Rider grunted.

Shade walked into the room, picking up the keys, then turned to leave.

“Sure you don’t want to join?” he asked.

“I’ll pass. Have to go pick up Lily.”

Stori gave a small scream, twisting on the bed.

“I won,” Jewell gloated, sitting up and running her hand down Stori’s thigh.

“Come here.” Rider motioned for Jewell.

She crawled across the mattress to Rider who was putting on a condom. Jewell threw one leg over Rider’s hips, plunging herself down onto his cock.

Shade was going out the bedroom door as Winter came out of Viper’s bedroom. As she passed Rider’s bedroom, she heard Jewell’s moans, automatically looking inside, and her eyes met his.

Shade dangled the keys. “Just borrowing his truck,” he said mockingly.

“Did I say anything?” Winter shook her head. “I don’t doubt your devotion to Lily.”

They walked down the steps together.

“How’s Cash?”

“The doctor called Viper. He crashed again this morning. That makes twice that we’ve almost lost him. If he crashes again, the chances are slimmer that he’ll pull through.”

Winter blinked back tears, “I’m going to start dinner. Viper is on the way to the hospital. When I’m done, I’m going to join him.”

“Lily went there after work. She wants me to pick her up. After dinner, I’m going back and staying with him until Train comes.”

“Cash is lucky to have you all.” Winter reached up and kissed his cheek.

Shade frowned.

Winter laughed. “I won’t tell Viper if you won’t.” She turned toward the kitchen.

“Winter, I don’t understand…”

She turned back. “Why I kissed you?”