Shade put two slices on his own plate and began devouring his. They ate quietly as Lily put a movie on for them to watch.
When he opened a beer, he felt her stiffen next to him, and the hand holding her pizza trembled as she lifted it to her mouth. Shade began to talk about the movie she had put on and the two others in the series. Eventually, she relaxed back into the cushions after taking another slice of pizza. He thought she must have worked up an appetite with the dancing.
Shade opened himself another beer as he took another piece of pizza, seeing Lily crowd herself closer to the side of the couch, pinning her gaze on the television.
Her mother had used alcohol against her like a weapon, yet Shade wanted her to realize she could be around it and nothing would happen. The brothers were constantly drinking at the clubhouse, and he had every intention of her being there more often, so that was one fear she needed to overcome.
When he finished, he cleaned the table and put the beer in the fridge before relaxing back on the couch. The movie ended, and they argued about what to watch next.
Lily was through half of the second movie when she dozed off, her head on the side of the couch. Shade lifted her, laying her next to him. He kept his touch impersonal while, at the same time, wanting to hold her close as she drifted toward a deeper sleep.
“Go back to sleep,” he said with her stirring movements.
As her taut body relaxed against his with her bottom against his thighs, Shade held his breath, expecting her to wake up fully. He made sure to keep some distance, giving her personal space so he didn’t overwhelm her. He was giving her the illusion of safety while the wolf held her in his arms.
Her back fell against his chest as she sank into an exhausted sleep, the shadows under her eyes all the evidence he needed to know she hadn’t been sleeping well. His arm circled her waist as he pressed her closer.
He couldn’t remember the last time he had slept deeply. For the past three years, he would go to bed tired and aching for Lily, and then he would wake up tired and aching for her.
*
The couple sleeping on the couch didn’t move when the key opened the front door. Beth and Razer came to a stop in the doorway with the early morning sun just coming up behind them. The Last Riders were going to the diner for breakfast and they had stopped by, thinking Shade would be awake and might want to go with them; instead, they found them sleeping.
Razer silently closed the door, expecting Shade to wake. They took a step closer to the couch to see Shade was holding Lily clutched to him as if she was a precious treasure. His usually fierce expression was softened in sleep, and his face was turned toward Lily. She was lying, facing Shade, with her head on his shoulder, her hands on his chest, and her leg thrown over his.
As Beth wiped a lone tear trailing down her cheek, Razer placed an arm around her shoulders, leading her back out the door and closing it quietly behind them, leaving the two on the couch alone. Tomorrow would come soon enough.
Chapter 43
Shade crossed his arms over his chest as he watched Beth and Razer eat their hotdog.
“Hurry up.” They were taking their sweet time, which was irritating the fuck out of him.
“We’re almost finished. Lily is just up ahead, looking at the blown glass,” Beth told him, getting to her feet to throw away the trash. “You could have gone ahead and met her,” she said, giving him a sly smile.
Shade almost rolled his eyes. Lily’s sister could be a pain in the ass. Lily might have been adopted, but she and Beth were a lot alike.
He had already spent an aggravating day riding around town, trying to find Gaige. However, the fucking coward was hiding from him, so being irritated further by Beth trying to be funny was not what he needed.
Beth took her cell phone out of her pocket, frowning when she pulled up her messages.
“What?” Both Razer and Shade asked at the same time.
“Lily bought a piece of glass and took it to her car.”
The sky was rapidly getting darker.
“Did she say where she parked?”
“No. She sent the message ten minutes ago. It shouldn’t have taken that long. She should have texted me she was on her way back by now.”
Shade took off, The Last Riders who were sitting at the picnic tables following behind him. When they heard a loud crash of glass breaking, Shade felt his stomach sink.
“Spread out!” Shade ordered the brothers.
He recognized Gaige who reached out, taking Lily’s arm in his hand when she tried to take a step back. Shade and the brothers were able to see what Lily couldn’t as three bikers about to become part of the action stepped up from behind her.