Her eyes immediately broke from him, and she practically ran from the restroom.
Shade picked up the first-aid kit, meticulously replacing the items he had taken out. Going to the sink basin, he washed his hands and sprayed cold water on his face, wondering how much longer he could resist reaching out and taking what he was determined would be his.
The glass had been swept up by the time Lily reentered the room with wild eyes. Shade watched from the bathroom as she immediately went to Beth. Her sister rubbed her back, easing her tension until Lily calmed and sat on a chair to begin organizing the papers The Last Riders were picking up.
Shade’s eyes remained on Lily when he came back into the room. He started gathering the papers while taking in Lily ignoring him. He didn’t like being ignored by her. She hadn’t even bothered to thank him before running out of the room, either. He could still feel her soft skin under his fingertips.
Shade was unaware the brothers had formed a circle around him until he looked up and saw himself surrounded.
Evie, Dawn, Jewell, and Raci arrived then, lessening the tension in the room. All of them brushed aside Diamond’s protests and began organizing her paperwork. Holly put them back in the cabinets when each folder was completed.
What would have taken a week to reorganize took just one afternoon with everyone’s help.
“Damn, any idea who did this?” Evie asked, handing Diamond the last sheath of papers.
“No, but I think it involved Knox’s case. It’s too much of a coincidence with the search warrant for the jewelry and now this. Someone wants me to stop.”
“I agree; they’re escalating. This is becoming more dangerous than I anticipated. I don’t want you going anywhere without back-up, Diamond,” Viper ordered.
“I’ll be careful, Viper,” Diamond said.
“You better be,” Knox stated sternly.
Evie and the other women paused at Knox’s words, looking stunned while Diamond turned away and busied herself by putting the rest of the folders back in the cabinet.
“We’re done here. Holly can replace the sofa for me Monday. Thanks, everyone. It would have taken several days for us straighten this mess out,” Diamond said gratefully.
“No problem. We’re glad we could help,” Winter said with a smile.
She, Lily, and Beth stood.
“I’m sorry about the cuts, Lily,” Diamond apologized.
“I shouldn’t have overreacted; it was just a few scratches. We’ll see you tomorrow.” Lily shook off her apology with a smile.
Beth took her hand, leading her out of the office while Razer and Shade followed.
“I left my SUV at the diner,” Beth said as they stepped outside.
“You two stay here with Razer. Give me your keys, and I’ll go get it.” Shade held his hand out for the keys.
“I can walk,” Lily protested but snapped her mouth closed at his cold glance, taking a step closer to Beth.
Beth handed the keys to Shade.
“You can walk with Shade and get your bike, Razer. I’ll stay here with Lily until Shade brings my car.”
Razer and Shade both shook their heads.
“An office in this building was just broken into a few hours ago, and they haven’t been caught; it’s not safe to leave you alone. I’ll be right back.” Shade strode away, taking deep breaths, easily identifying Lily’s perfume in the air.
Being confined in the small space for hours had gotten to him. He had seen her darting, fearful glances whenever any of the brothers had come too close, especially him. He had hoped, with the few times she had been around him, she would begin to feel safe. Instead, he was seeing the same fear in her eyes as when she had first seen him at the lake. She just managed to hide it better.
He opened the door to Beth’s vehicle and climbed in. Then he put it in reverse to pull out, and as he did, he saw a blue ribbon which must have fallen out of Lily’s hair. He straightened the wheels and put the car in drive before his hand went to the seat, picking up the silky ribbon and touching it to the side of his face. He wished it was her fingers on him, instead. He slid the ribbon into his jean’s pocket before pulling out onto the road, driving to Diamond’s office where he stopped the SUV in front of them, getting out to hold the passenger door open for Lily as she said her goodbyes to Razer.
Beth kissed her husband before getting behind the steering wheel.
Lily hesitated before climbing in, giving him a shy smile. “Thanks, Shade. I’m sorry I was such a baby.”
Shade had to swallow the lump in his throat, glad his sunglasses hid his eyes. He managed a brief nod before closing the door. As he stepped back, Razer came to stand next to him.