“You’ll turn them over to Knox?”

“Maybe. Let’s get some dinner.” His answer was purposely evasive, because whoever had tried to run her down wouldn’t be getting any protection from Knox.

By the time they walked up the pathway to the kitchen door and stepped in, most of the members had already been served. Lily took a plate before handing one to him, both of them getting into the buffet line. When she finished filling her plate, Shade followed her to the table Winter and Viper were sitting at with Bliss and Raci. She took a seat next to Winter, and Shade sat down across from her, next to Bliss.

They ate while listening to Winter and Viper argue over him donating money so she could buy computers for her students at the alternate high school where she was principal.

“It’s not fair, Viper. They deserve the computers as much as the high school students do.”

“If they had kept their asses out of trouble, then they wouldn’t have gotten thrown out of the school district.”

“That’s unfair. Both schools should have the same standards,” Winter argued.

Viper shrugged. “I gave you two large chunks of money already this year. You’ve reached your limit with my generosity, but that doesn’t mean you can’t hit the other members up for donations. Their pockets are deeper than mine since you’ve already robbed me twice.”

Winter turned her eyes to the members sitting across from her.

“Raci?”

“Don’t ask me. I’m not an original member; I earn a paycheck like everyone else.”

Shade almost snorted. The woman worked more hours than almost anyone at the table and earned more bonuses for completed orders than any of them combined.

“I do the payroll; I know what you make.” Winter gave the woman a narrow-eyed stare.

“I can buy a couple,” Raci conceded reluctantly.

“Bliss?”

“Put me down for two.” Bliss wasn’t even going to fight Winter. She didn’t want her paycheck up for discussion, either. She was paid for many hours she hadn’t put in, constantly telling Viper she would make them up.

“Thanks. Shade?” Winter turned her greedy gaze on him.

Shade paused with the fork halfway to his mouth. “No.”

Lily shot him a reproachful look.

“Don’t look at me that way, Lily. I’ve already bought that school two pieces of expensive equipment for their auto shop, a confection oven for the cooking class, and paid the salary of the auto shop teacher, so no computer from me. Maybe next year, if you don’t hit me up for something else before then.” Shade had no problem returning Winter’s stare.

“Have you asked Razer?” Lily broke into their staring contest.

“No,” Winter said.

“Why not?”

Because Razer is the biggest donator of all with Beth adding her own pleas to Winter’s, Shade thought to himself, seeing Winter would play that card with him, too, as soon as she managed to get Lily alone.

“Because he coughed up the money to pay for the afterschool tutors. Her chances of getting any money out of Razer are nil,” Shade answered, taking a drink of his beer. Lily sent him another reproachful look.

“Rider and Train?” Lily asked.

“New bus to drive the kids and lab equipment,” Shade replied after Winter’s continued silence.

“Knox?” Lily asked hesitantly.

“Media library.”

“Ouch. I could buy two. I have some money saved up,” Lily offered.

Everyone at the table looked at her. The woman had less than anyone in the club, yet she had made a generous offer.

“No, Lily. I couldn’t take your money. I have one other member I haven’t hit up yet.”

“Who?” Lily asked.

“Lucky.”

When Bliss looked at him from under her lashes, Shade wanted to snap at the woman, but it was too late—both Lily and Winter had noticed her behavior.

“I haven’t met him yet,” Lily said, glancing across the table at Bliss and him.

Shade kept his face impassive. However, as her hand went to her chest, resting on top of her heart, Shade wanted to jerk Bliss up from the table.

He was going to have another talk with her, and that time, he was going to be firmer. He hadn’t wanted to get too hateful with her, because they had shared a sexual relationship for several years, and she was a member of The Last Riders. Lily was the newcomer and was taking the place Bliss had wanted. Shade had kept to the rules of the club, but it was Bliss who had hoped for something more from him.

“Are you all right?” Shade asked, looking across the table at Lily with a frown.

“Yes, I must have eaten something that gave me indigestion,” Lily said, getting up from the table.

“Yeah, I feel a little nauseous myself,” Winter commented with a warning look at Bliss.

“You’re probably stressed out, worrying about coming up with the money for the computers. Let me know how much they cost, and I’ll write you a check for two of them. I wish I could do more,” Lily said, not looking at the people sitting at the table.

“I’ll ask Lucky. If he doesn’t, then I’ll pay for them,” Viper conceded, taking Lily’s hand as she reached for his plate. “We’ll take care of it. Keep your money, Lily.”

Lily gave his hand a squeeze before letting it go and picking up his plate then Winter’s.

“Okay, but if you decide you need it, let me know. I’m going to bed. I’m tired tonight. Goodnight, everyone.” Lily left everyone sitting at the table, carrying the dirty dishes to the sink.

Shade turned to Bliss. “Next time you act like that in front of her, I’ll drag your ass out of the club and throw your clothes out in the yard.”

Bliss gasped. “You’re not serious?”

“Try me, Bliss,” Shade snarled. “The brothers would miss your pussy, but not enough to fight me to keep it.” Bliss paled. “See that woman standing there washing dishes?” Shade nodded at Lily doing dishes with Jewell until Nickel took over for her.

Lily left, telling them goodnight, and again, Shade waited until she was out of hearing. “Lily would never intentionally hurt another soul—she’s incapable of it—while you didn’t give a fuck who you were hurting with your behavior.”

Shade stood up, picking up his dirty dishes. “Now ask me why I care about her and not you,” he said sarcastically, leaving the table to take his dishes to the sink.

Shade heard Lily in the bathroom blow-drying her hair when he walked into the bedroom. He was removing his T-shirt, having already taken his boots off, when she came out of the bathroom.

Lily started to go to the corner.

“Bed, Lily.”

“But—”

“You agreed when you chose your punishment last night,” Shade reminded her.

“I thought that was just for last night,” she protested.

“No. Go to bed. I’m going to take a shower.” He didn’t want to argue with her tonight.

The storm was getting closer—he had listened to the warnings before coming downstairs—and he wanted her asleep before the worst of it hit Treepoint.

He showered then changed before going back to the bedroom to see Lily was already asleep. He turned off the bedside lamp, leaving the bathroom light on, then laid down next to her, propping his back against the headboard.