Shade walked hurriedly to the scene, watching the bikers exchanging words with Gaige as the obviously frightened man started to step back. He ran an experienced eye over the other three bikers. The blond one was the leader; the one with a scar running down his cheek the enforcer. Shade hadn’t missed the subtle signal the blond one had given his men, and the lethal look of the other one spoke for itself.
The largest biker slung an arm around Gaige’s shoulder as he said something to him, turning him toward a group of trees. Shade didn’t feel any sympathy for Gaige, who looked scared enough to piss himself.
“Wait, he just lost his temper,” he heard Lily plead as he moved along the side of a pickup truck, getting nearer.
Viper and Train were on the opposite side of the parking lot, stealthily moving through the shadows of the trees to get closer, while Cash and Rider were trying to sneak in behind them.
“That’s okay, sweet thing. I’m going to help him find it.” The large biker had no problem maneuvering a struggling Gaige away.
Lily took a step forward, but the blond biker slid an arm around her waist. “Let Max deal with him. He can’t look much worse than he does now.”
Shade was going to rip the bastard’s head off. He was proud of Lily, though, for not having one of her panic attacks.
“Lily!” Beth yelled out, unable to wait for the brothers to move in.
Shade wanted to shake her as she rushed across the parking lot. Razer caught up with her. He had been left behind to watch her, not let her place herself in danger.
As Shade gave the signal for The Last Riders to come out, appearing in a circle around the three bikers, Razer handed Beth over to Evie and Jewell. The rest of the brothers were moving in as back-up.
“Want to take a bet on which one she belongs to?” the one with his arm around her waist spoke to his friends.
“Don’t have to. I know,” the dark-haired one said in amusement, moving in front of Lily and blocking her from view.
Shade’s eyes narrowed. They didn’t give a shit who she belonged to; they wanted to find out the strength of the club, identify The Last Riders’ president and enforcer.
“Let me go.” Lily tried to wiggle from the grasp the blond biker had around her waist.
“Calm down. I’m going to let you go.”
Viper’s harsh voice was low and filled with menace. “Let her go.”
The blond one sent a critical eye over Viper. There you go, Shade thought. Strength can never take a backseat, and Viper wanted the situation over quickly with the women members and wives near.
The one with Gaige in a stranglehold turned back, moving closer to his friends.
“I have every intention of letting this sweet thing go. We’re not out for trouble; just passing through.” The leader nodded at Gaige and the one he had called Max. “Found him giving her some trouble.” Nodding again toward Lily’s car, he then said, “Decided to step in. Seeing she’s yours, we’ll step back.” His arm slid away from Lily, releasing her.
While Lily took a step forward toward Razer, Shade didn’t break eye contact with the scarred one who stepped to the side to let her pass. Shade didn’t miss the gun tucked into his waistband under his jacket as Lily brushed past him.
“He’s telling the truth, Viper. Gaige was angry that he got fired, and they made him leave me alone.”
“Lily, go to your sister,” Shade spoke.
She took off toward her sister and as soon as she was out of earshot, Shade gave his ultimatum.
“He’s mine. Give him to me, and you can leave in peace.”
“Peace is good.” The leader spoke with a mocking twist to his lips. “But I’m just as willing for a good fight. Unfortunately, this fucker isn’t worth it.”
Max handed Gaige over to him, pleading with Shade that he hadn’t been going to hurt Lily.
“Shut the fuck up, you pussy. You’re brave enough when a woman has her back to you. Didn’t you want her to see your small dick?” Shade mocked while his expression turned deadly.
Just then, Knox pulled his deputy car into the parking lot close to the men before getting out. “Beth called and said someone was giving Lily trouble?”
“He broke her windshield,” Shade answered, indicating the asshole he was holding.
Knox took Gaige from Shade, putting him in handcuffs before placing him into the backseat of the cruiser. Shade didn’t mind, though. When the deputy who was taking statements went home that night, Shade would be making a visit to Gaige’s jail cell.
“They with him?” Knox nodded toward the out-of-town bikers.
“Fuck no. We’re just passing through, stopped for some fun, and found him giving sweet thing a hard time,” the blond biker said.
“Quit calling her that!” Shade couldn’t hold back his anger.
“No offense.” An insincere smile from the leader had Shade’s hands clenching at his sides.
“Well, fun’s over. You men need to be leaving town since you were passing through,” Knox drawled sarcastically.
“You telling us to leave town?”
“That about sums it up,” Knox agreed.
“Seems we don’t have much of a choice, do we?”
“No,” Shade answered.
The leader nodded. “Let’s go, brothers.”
The three bikers turned, going to their bikes.