“I know. Every time I start to do it, I just can’t bring myself to. How do I tell her she’s broke? That Vincent stole her money? He worked in a bank. If he hadn’t let Beth handle her bills, we wouldn’t have known until the bank put a foreclosure notice on the door. The son of a bitch did such a good job of doctoring her accounts that we didn’t find the discrepancies until Beth couldn’t find the money to fix the roof and let us know.” Vincent was Aunt Shay’s son-in-law. Because he was so highly respected in town, and a president of the largest bank, no one suspected he had been stealing from accounts that his mother-in-law and Viper’s brother had trusted him with. Gavin had figured it out, and had lost his life for trusting Vincent. Aunt Shay still didn’t know. Beth, Winter, and Viper had protected her from the truth, but now had the dilemma of continuing to spare her feelings or telling her the truth.
“We’ve been paying all her bills for years, and I’m not complaining. I only want to tell her, because she wants to put the money from the sale of her house in a trust for our baby. If you don’t want to tell her, we won’t. I’ll buy the house and give her the money she thinks she’s getting from the sale.”
Winter shook her head. “You’d be paying for the house twice. You already bought it from the bank three years ago.”
Viper reached out, cupping her cheek. “It’ll make her think she’s still independent. I don’t want her to think she needs to stay with us because she has nowhere else to go. Besides, she wants to leave the majority of the money to our baby, and I’m planning a trust for him anyway, so it will all work out in the end.”
“Lucky isn’t the only Last Rider who is lucky. How in the world did I luck out when you fell in love with me?”
Viper gave her a lingering kiss before getting out of the car and opening the door for her. He put one hand on the roof of the car, leaning down to give her his other hand. “I guess it was just your lucky day.”
“Yes, it was.” Taking his hand, she maneuvered to the side so he could help lift her slowly to her feet.
Locking the car, he escorted her into King’s restaurant, which had been closed for the night to other customers.
Winter was in awe of how King decked out the restaurant to celebrate Drake’s victory. The restaurant had been transformed into an elegant gathering, with expensive linens, candlelight, and music playing in the background.
Drake and Bliss were standing at the door to greet their friends as they arrived.
“You look amazing, Bliss.” Marriage was definitely agreeing with the petite woman.
“You do, too. I’m jealous of that dress.” Bliss hugged her then hugged Viper before taking the wine he carried inside.
Winter smoothed her hands over the chiffon, loving the feel of it against her skin. “Sex Piston picked it out.”
“Mine, too! I’ve been keeping her busy since Drake decided to run for mayor.”
The town had elected Drake after a special election was called for after Knox had found enough evidence to remove the former mayor due to embezzlement. He had pocketed the town’s money for his personal use.
Bliss had always been the sexiest of the Last Riders’ women, but Sex Piston had toned it down to make her look more sophisticated, giving her a chic style that drew everyone’s gaze even more than before. Her elegant black gown was demure until she moved to place the wine on the bar, showing a slit that came up to just above her knees.
Winter and Viper sat down at one of the tables with Lily, Shade, Beth, and Razer. Willa, Sex Piston, and her friends were sitting at the table next to theirs. The conversation flowed back and forth between the tables as Viper and Shade talked to Stud and Cade, while Sex Piston nitpicked every woman who hadn’t taken her advice on what to wear.
When a familiar face came to fill her water glass, Winter was stunned by Megan’s appearance. The girl had put on thirty pounds since she became pregnant, and her once curly hair was lank and listless.
“Megan, I didn’t know you worked here.”
Her former student gave her an overly bright smile. “Hello, Winter, Willa. I started last week.” She filled the water glasses before taking everyone’s drink order then disappearing into the kitchen.
Winter turned to Willa, who was sitting at the table next to her. “I thought she was working for you?”
“She quit,” Willa said grimly. “Curt must have talked her into leaving. Apparently, I was asking too many questions.”
Winter lowered her voice, watching for Megan’s return. “She looks terrible. Her hair looks like it hasn’t been washed in two weeks.”
“I know, and I’m shocked by how much weight she has gained. The Lord knows I have been eating one too many cupcakes since I found out I was pregnant, but it’s her attitude. I think she keeps hoping Curt is going to make good on all the promises he made when she married him.”
“Hell will freeze over first,” Viper spoke up from her other side. “He’s been earning enough money from the factory to put a down payment on two cars.”
“What’s he doing with his money, then?”
“I’m guessing it’s going up his nose,” he said bluntly.
“That poor woman.” Willa and Winter shared an upset glance as Megan returned with a small tray and another waitress carried two additional ones filled with drinks.
After Megan set the drinks down at their table, she took their food orders before returning to the kitchen.
“She’s still a girl. She believes Curt is right in everything he tells her to do. Maybe I should talk to her.”
“You can try. I don’t think it will do much good though.”