That time, Train remained quiet.
The shocked silence had Train lifting the beer to his mouth, finishing it in a long swallow.
Lily’s giggle had Shade hiding his own smile. He was smart enough not to goad Train when he was simmering to a boiling point.
“Did you manage to tame the bitch?” Rider asked with a smirk.
At that, all Hell broke loose. Train’s fist flew out, hitting Rider in the jaw and knocking him backward, toppling the chair and him over. Lily screamed, standing up from the table, about to go to Rider’s aid, but Shade took her arm and pulled her away.
Train threw himself on Rider when he attempted to stand up. Then the two fought on the floor, throwing their fists viciously at each other, striking whatever body part they could reach while Viper and Nickel tried to pull them apart.
“Stop!” Winter yelled. “You two are scaring Lily.”
Everyone except Winter froze, looking at Lily in trepidation, waiting for her to have one of her panic attacks.
Shade stared down at her, frowning. She didn’t seem upset.
Beth relaxed first, familiar with Winter’s machinations. Lily’s twinkling violet eyes had the other members turning to Winter suspiciously. She shrugged, sitting back down at the table then continued to eat. Lily joined her. Shade sat down next with the others gradually retaking their seats, as well. Finally, Train held his hand out to Rider, helping him to his feet. Both returned to their seats to finish their own dinners. Eventually, the atmosphere relaxed, and no one else dared to ask about either of Train’s rides.
After dinner, Shade, Train, and Rider began a game of cards while several others played pool in the corner of the room. Lily and Beth cleared the table as Winter and Ember started the dishes.
The brothers were behaving themselves, so Lily couldn’t make an excuse to disappear upstairs. However, when Raci and Jewell came back downstairs after changing, Shade read her intent to leave.
As she passed the card table, Shade reached up then pulled her down to sit on his lap while he continued to play cards. He made sure to seat her so Lily’s back was to the room, unable to see what was going on behind her.
She relaxed against him, looking down at his cards. Nickel put some music on as Crash moved the furniture so they could dance.
When Shade won, she clapped for him, and Shade motioned for Rider to begin another game.
“Do you want to play?” Shade asked.
“I don’t know how,” Lily said regretfully, her eyes filled with disappointment.
“I’ll teach you,” Shade offered. True to his word, he spent the next hour teaching her how to play.
Rider got up from the table, going into the kitchen and then coming back with beers for the men, placing a soda in front of Lily.
“Unless you want a beer?” he joked.
“No, thanks.” Lily opened the soda, taking a drink.
Raci’s moan sounded behind their backs, and Lily started to get up. Shade didn’t have to turn to see who had moaned; he was familiar with all the sounds each woman made when they fucked.
“It’s your turn,” Shade reminded her, trying to distract her.
Lily took her turn, and he watched as she tried to concentrate.
Shade wished Raci would hurry and climax before Lily couldn’t take it anymore and darted from the room. Nickel liked to play around with the women before they came. Shade was going to beat his ass if he ruined his plans.
Lily was winning steadily with a pile of cash sitting in front of her. Shade could see the little wheels turning in her brain on how many people she could help at the church store with that wad of cash. She had already sweet-talked him out of two large donations at Thanksgiving.
She scooted her latest winnings into the pile sitting in front of her.
“Sucker.” She grinned at Train across the table.
Shade smiled at her gloating.
“Beginner’s luck,” Train mumbled, dealing another hand.
Shade was going to give him an extra IOU for his performance. He knew it was killing the brother to deliberately lose.
Lily looked down at her cards, unsuccessful at stifling the grin which threatened to break loose.
Shade rolled his eyes. The woman was a lousy poker player.
“Can I join?” Jewell came up behind Train, circling his neck. He reached around to pull her down onto his lap, and then he dealt her a hand.
“Ante up,” Rider said. His own acting job wasn’t going so well.
Shade threw him a threatening glare at his lackluster performance.
“I don’t have any money. How about we play for favors?” Jewell’s hand went to Train’s lap.
“Okay with me. I need my room cleaned,” Train teased, pulling at her top.
Jewell playfully hit his shoulder.
“Okay with you, Lily?” Shade asked, his arm circling Lily’s waist, using the movement to kick Train under the table. He changed his mind; the brother wasn’t getting the extra IOU. He wasn’t going to get any at all if Lily left before the game was over.