When Beth would have gone to Winter, Shade stopped her with a hand on her arm.
“I wouldn’t lay a hand on you, but you would get my message.” Viper carried her up the long flight of steps without stopping, and the brothers packed Winter’s belongings while Shade followed along with Beth.
Evie opened the door as they approached. “Hi, do you remember me from church? Believe it or not, I’m a nurse. I also worked with Beth for a while, so you’ll be in good hands while you’re here.”
When Winter didn’t return her greeting, Viper continued through the entry, going to the stairs not far from the door and then carrying her up another flight of steps. Shade watched as Winter stared toward the club room until Viper turned down the long hallway.
Shade tried to keep Beth from following, but she gave him a look which dared him to stop her. Shade gave her a mocking smile in return, pulling back enough to let her go upstairs. He would keep an eye on her, though. If she tried to interfere between Viper and Winter, he would remove her. Shade let her get as far as the doorway before motioning for her to stop.
They watched as Viper gently lay Winter down on his king-sized bed. The room of the president of the Last Riders was the largest in the house, with a couch and two chairs in a small sitting area. A desk and chair took up space along one wall with a dresser and chest on another.
“I am not staying here, Viper…”
Viper ignored her, walking out of the room and leaving her alone with Evie, who began opening Winter’s suitcases which Razer and Knox had set on the floor.
“Thanks, guys,” Evie thanked the men before both left without a word, closing the door behind them.
The group stood in the hallway, easily listening to what was going on behind the thin door, until the room went silent. Then Beth stared at the men surrounding her with anger.
“I’m not going to just leave her in your care. I’m going to check on her every day, and if I feel she really needs to leave, I’ll carry her out of here myself.”
“Beth, I only want to help her. She has to have constant care, and there’s no way you can provide it unless you let your other patients suffer,” Viper tried to sooth Beth’s fears.
Shade had seen a change in his president since Winter had been attacked. He had stayed at the hospital, sitting in the waiting room until she had awakened, and only leaving then because the sheriff had forced him to see reason. He had gone back, though, every day until she had been discharged to the rehabilitation center. He had gone missing several times after that, asking Shade to keep supervising the factory during his absences. The business credit card statement had showed he was buying gas on the road to and from where she was recovering.
Shade went downstairs with Knox and Rider, leaving Viper talking with Beth and Razer. One thing was for sure—with Winter in the house, things were going to change even more. The brothers were just getting used to having Beth around during the time Lily was in school, and from that point on Winter would be there, as well. It was going to be interesting to see how Winter adjusted. He was just happy he could hand the reins of the factory back over to Viper.
The next morning, Shade was enjoying his first breakfast in a long time, hanging out in the kitchen with the members, when Viper came in carrying Winter. She was tiny against Viper’s muscular body, her frailness evident in the fine lines of her face.
He sat her down at the round table.
“I’ll fix you a plate,” Viper offered.
Shade ignored her stare while Knox and Razer returned it with one of their own.
“Hello,” Winter muttered.
They merely gave nods. None of the brothers talked much before noon.
Viper set a plate down in front of Winter before sitting next to her as Evie sat next to him with her own plate.
“I need a plate like hers. I can’t eat all this,” Winter protested.
“Eat,” Viper told her before addressing Razer. “Razer, you get Becker’s order finished?”
“Yeah, I checked the area it’s from and pulled a couple of things. The humidity would have affected them, so I replaced them with similar items that would hold up better. I also included a couple of freebies for his organization to try out. Figured, if they liked them, they would order more.”
“Good idea.”
Shade went on to give him a rundown on an order which was only half completed. Their survival business was booming, and it was becoming harder to keep up with the demands.
“They are talking about a big order going out tomorrow. That’s why everyone is up today, working an extra shift at the factory next door,” Evie explained to a listening Winter.
When Winter pushed her barely touched plate away, Viper pulled the plate to him, finishing what remained.
“You need to use the restroom?” Shade felt a tinge of compassion when Evie asked Winter the personal question, and Winter blushed bright red and shook her head.