Shade (Shade #1)

“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?”

Shade nodded.

“Because I know you’re responsible for Rachel staying, and you’ve made sure one of the men is always at the hospital. You’re a nice guy, Shade.”

“No, I’m not.”

Shade’s sharp reply had her shaking her head at him, turning back to the kitchen. “Yes, you are.”

“No, I’m fucking not!” Shade went out the door, slamming the door to prove it.

The drive to the hospital didn’t take long. Shade pulled up to the hospital door, expecting Lily to come out. When she did, he threw the truck in park and jumped out.

“What the fuck is wrong with her.”

“Help me get her in the truck.” Lily struggled to push the wheelchair Rachel was sitting in, looking deathly pale.

Shade took the handles of the wheelchair, pushing it toward the truck, then lifted her inside. Lily climbed inside the driver’s side, scooting over toward Rachel.

Shade took the wheelchair back inside the lobby, angrily coming back to the truck and climbing in.

He pulled out, driving to Cash’s grandmother Mag’s house, where Rachel was staying.

“What’s wrong with her?” Shade snapped out.

“She saved Cash,” Lily spoke breathlessly. “I still don’t believe it. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes … Her blood pressure dropped too low.”

Lily went on to explain Cash was awake, and his vital signs were better. Her jumbled words were filled with excitement, relief, and worry over Rachel.

Shade packed her inside Mag’s house with the old woman staring at him from her wheelchair as he carried Rachel to the room she was staying in.

Lily took off Rachel’s shoes. “I’m going to stay with her for a while. I’ll call when I need you to pick me up.”

“All right. I’ll go back to the hospital and stay with Cash until you call.” Shade kissed Lily briefly.

Rachel caught his hand as he was about to leave. “I want your promise not to tell him I was there.”

“Why?” he asked curiously.

“Because,” she said stubbornly, unwilling to explain.

“I’m not going to make a promise I can’t keep.” Shade raised his hand when she would have interrupted. “I won’t say anything unless he asks, but that’s the best I can do.”

Rachel reluctantly nodded as she began shaking so hard Lily had to cover her with a blanket.

Shade left the two women alone, going through the house and outside to the porch where Mag was sitting in her wheelchair.

“I want to go see Cash.”

Shade stared silently at the old woman then went down to the truck and opened the passenger door before walking back up to the porch. Leaning down, he lifted her, carrying her to the truck then gently placing her into the seat. Reaching up, he buckled her in.

“I could have done that,” she snapped.

He didn’t respond, closing the truck door before going back to get her wheelchair. Shade expertly folded it before placing it in the back of the truck.

Once behind the steering wheel, he drove out of her driveway and then turned toward town.