Lily’s only response was to slam the door.
Shade grinned at the closed door. He might need to call Viper and tell him to hold off on buying a new coffee pot.
Chapter 63
Shade took a drink of coffee, ignoring the others sitting at the table as he waited for Lily. She had stayed after church to ask Lucky if she could run the church store. She had been talking excitably about it that morning as she dressed, confiding she was nervous about asking the pastor.
Shade had turned onto his stomach on the bed to keep her from seeing him roll his eyes. Lucky was going to accept her offer so fast she would be fortunate if she didn’t get whiplash.
He was able to see clearly out of the diner window. He hadn’t liked the thought of her alone with Lucky. He didn’t worry that Lucky would try anything with Lily, though; his principles were too strong for that.
They had served in the military together when Lucky was a chaplain and Shade had seen firsthand the commitment Lucky had for what he had said he had been called to do.
The change in Lucky had started slowly, beginning with Knox’s first wife Sunshine’s death. By the time his service had ended, Lucky had been replaced by another man in the same body.
No, Lucky wouldn’t violate the trust others placed in him. However, women tended to think of Lucky as a sheep—mild-mannered and easy-going—when, in reality, he was a wolf biding his time. Shade recognized it because he was a wolf, too; he just didn’t pretend.
Lucky and he were alike yet different. Lucky would attack you and leave you staring at a missing hand with nothing except a bloody stump remaining while you wondered what in the fuck just happened. Shade would simply rip it off while you screamed for mercy.
Lily came out, taking Lucky’s arm as they crossed the street. Shade unconsciously stood as she laughed happily up at the man, making Shade’s hands clench at his sides.
Viper and Razer broke off their conversation, turning to see what he was staring at out the window.
“Fuck!” Viper yelled, getting to his feet and taking Shade’s arm.
“Shade, she’s coming inside. Do you want her to see you acting this way?” Razer asked.
“I don’t give a fuck. I’m going to tie his dick around his balls,” Shade snarled, trying to break Viper’s hold.
“Shade! For Christ’s sake, it’s only Pastor Dean!” Beth snapped.
Shade started to snap back at her then caught the warning looks from Viper and Razer. Gathering his control, he blasted a threatening glare at Lucky as he came inside the diner.
Lily looked up at Lucky with happiness shining in her eyes before reaching up and hugging him. Shade tried to knock Viper away, but he pulled him back.
“Cool it. You’re going to scare the shit out of her. Look, Dean’s running for his life. Calm down and paste a smile on your fucking face before she realizes you’re a crazy motherfucker.”
Viper kept his restraining hand on Shade’s shoulder as Lily approached.
“What happened?” Lily immediately went to Shade’s side, her hand going to his forehead.
“He’s fine now. He choked on his breakfast,” Viper said, resuming his seat by Winter.
“Thanks, Viper. I’m glad you were here,” Lily said with concern.
“Me, too,” he said grimly.
Lily told everyone the good news about “Pastor Dean” letting her run the church store and received their congratulations. Shade listened as he took out his cell phone, texting Lucky, “Later.” It was only one word, but Lucky would get his message.
“Are you sure that’s what you want to do?” Beth asked, leaning closer to Lily’s side.
“Yes, I do. I’m happy we settled it before Christmas. Do you think we have enough time to push for another toy drive? The store is already running low.”
“I’m sure we do,” Beth said above the groans at the table.
“I’m going home and hiding my wallet. Not only do we have Winter constantly after our money, now we have Lily after it for toys. Jeez,” Rider moaned.
“It could be worse,” Lily suggested.
“How?”
“If I don’t get enough toys, I was going to ask Killyama if she could help take donations,” Lily said, taking a drink of her hot chocolate.
“How much do you need?” Razer asked, reaching for his wallet.
Shade felt his tension slowly easing. Lily had steadily become more comfortable with the men, able to talk and joke with the brothers where before she would only talk with the women.
After lunch, Shade asked Lily to go furniture shopping with him while the others went back to the clubhouse.