“Trust me; I know what I’m doing.”
“All right. She’s your responsibility. If shit goes down, it will be on you.”
Train nodded. “I can handle Killyama.”
Viper shook his head. “If you can do that, all the brothers will be amazed. Me included.”
“She’s not that bad.”
Viper stared at him in bewilderment. “We talking about the same woman? Did you forget the night we all spent in jail because of those bitches?”
“She was only taking up for Beth. I can respect loyalty.”
Viper shook his head. “Brother, you got it bad. Do I need to start picking another replacement if something happens to me?”
“Good luck. Winter hasn’t let me back in your bed since she found out.”
“She says I’m going to outlive everyone.”
“From her lips to God’s ear,” Train said in all seriousness.
He was close to all the brothers, but Viper went beyond that. Gavin had been like the brother Train never had, and he had grown close to Viper through Gavin. They had spent a lot of time together in the military, and when they had been discharged, it was the three of them who had come up with the idea for The Last Riders.
Train couldn’t prevent the twist of pain that hit his chest when he thought of Gavin.
“Something wrong?”
“I was just thinking about Gavin.”
Viper’s face echoed his own pain. “He’d be proud of what we’ve built.”
“Yeah, he would. I still miss him. It’s as if it were just yesterday when we planned out the clubhouse.”
“I miss him, too.” Viper brought his eyes back to Train after looking lost in thought out at the trees surrounding the property. “I wish you’d take my old room.”
Train gripped the handlebar of Rider’s bike, looking away from Viper. “I can’t. It was the room Gavin planned to take.”
“It made me feel closer to him.”
“It just reminds me that he’s not here.”
“If you change your mind, let me know.”
Train nodded. “I will.”
“I better go. Winter has supper ready. You sure you don’t need some help with the bike?”
“I’m sure. And, Viper, I’ll make sure that Killyama behaves. You have my word.”
Viper nodded. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
A little while later, he had finished working on Rider’s bike and was closing his toolbox when Beth pulled into the parking lot.
Taking a cloth, he wiped his hands off as she got out of her SUV.
“Hi, Train.” She smiled as she went toward the steps to the clubhouse.
“Beth, how’s it going?”
“Good. It’s been a long day.”
As they walked up the steps together, Beth gave him a curious look. “Did you have fun at the party?”
Train snapped curtly, “Why? Did Killyama ask?”
Beth frowned. “No. I was just making idle chitchat. Should I have not asked?”
“I overreacted. I’m sorry. I’m just being paranoid. Viper’s worried about Killyama spreading gossip about the club.”
Beth paused on one of the steps. “I’m afraid that’s my fault. When I broke up with Razer, I confided in them. They haven’t told anyone about the parties, and that was years ago. I know they haven’t ever told anyone else. They might comment about it around you guys, but it’s not like you all don’t know what’s going on in the club. They would never tell anyone what happens here.”
Train could tell she regretted confiding in the women she had grown close to. He could also understand how they had provided comfort when The Last Riders hadn’t.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.” He continued to climb the stairs with her, feeling bad he had upset her. “The brothers and I just don’t want the life we have going on here screwed up.”
“Killyama comes across as a hard-ass, but she wouldn’t do anything to hurt Lily or me.”
Train looked at Beth from the corner of his eye. “You’re not going to give me the same assurance if she gets mad at me?”
Beth laughed. “If you hurt her, Killyama won’t be the only one you’ll have to worry about. Sex Piston and her whole crew will come after you like a pack of ravaging wolves.” Beth patted him on his arm as they went into the club.
“I wonder if they still make silver bullets?” Train joked as he left her to go upstairs to his room. He didn’t hear her retort as she went into the kitchen. He probably didn’t want to hear it anyway. He had no intention of hurting Killyama. As long as they kept everything casual, both of them could have a good time, and then walk away unscathed when it was over.
He made a pit stop in the bathroom to shower. Then, wrapping a towel around his hips, he headed to his bedroom. Leaving the door open, he dressed and was putting his boots back on when Stori came into the room.
“What are you doing?” she asked as she plopped down on the bed.
“About to go down to eat dinner.”
Train rose from off the side of the bed, but Stori caught his hand, yanking him back down.