Shade's Fall Read Free

feelings that she had never been invited. She knew it was because of her reaction to being around men who drank alcohol, but it still hurt that she was excluded from that part of her sister’s life.
    Her roommate, Penni, had even attempted to help her overcome her fear by taking her to a few parties in college, but those where alcohol had been served had become a failure. She had always let the fear overcome her, sinking into a paralyzing panic that would inevitably result in her friend practically carrying her back to her car.
    Lily was ashamed to admit to herself that she was a coward. She was afraid of everything, and the one person that inspired the most fear was Shade.
    When he stared at her with his piercing blue eyes, her mind went into panic mode every single time. Her fears had lessened, however, over the last few years since they had met and her sister had married Razer, his best friend.
    “Hot damn. Let the good times roll,” Rider said, jumping off the table he had been sitting on.
    Lily tried to hide her feelings, yet from the sharp look Shade threw Rider at his insensitive comment, she knew she had been unsuccessful.
    Lily picked up the scraps of paper lying on her table, throwing them in the trashcan before going back to the table and picking up her purse.
    “See you guys Monday.” Lily was going out the door as Bliss was coming in.
    “Finished for the day?” The pretty member of The Last Riders was extremely feminine and petite, making Lily feel like a gauche fifteen-year-old. She gave her an open smile until her eyes went behind her back and a frown replaced it on her face.
    “Yes, have a good weekend, Bliss.”
    Lily turned her head and saw Rider and Shade staring back at her with cool smiles. Thinking she had mistaken the worried frown, she started out the door then paused, staring down at the outfit Bliss was wearing. The blue jean shorts were tiny as well as the swimsuit top that tied between her breasts. The tat on her breast drew her attention until Bliss hurried past her into the factory.
    Lily waved her hand goodbye, closing the door behind her.
    She climbed into her car, whistling, relieved to be away from Shade, who managed the factory and its workers. Being in his presence every day the past summer was getting on her nerves. She couldn’t believe she was looking forward to school starting back in a month. She had thought she would dread it with Penni graduating in May, but now it couldn’t come soon enough.
    Beth and Razer, The Last Riders, and even Sex Piston’s crew believed she was a walking, talking disaster waiting to happen, regardless of how many times she reminded them that none of the incidents she invariably became involved in were her fault. She simply always managed to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. It wasn’t her fault that it happened a lot.
    One incident, three months ago, resulted in her almost dying. Ever since then, Shade had watched over her like she was Typhoid Mary and he was just waiting to see what catastrophe would strike next.
    Lily didn’t want to hurt Beth’s feelings; however, Razer’s friend was a real jerk. She felt guilty as soon as the word crossed her mind. She tried to find the best in people, but Shade made it really hard.
    The familiar strain of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” sounded from her purse right as Lily was about to pull out of the parking lot. She put the car in park before she reached inside her purse for the ringing cell phone.
    “What’s up?” Lily asked, seeing her sister’s name on the caller I.D.
    “Lily, are you still at the factory?” Beth asked.
    “Yes.” Lily didn’t tell her she was sitting in the parking lot, ready to pull out.
    “Is Rider there?”
    “Yes, he’s talking to Shade and Bliss.”
    “Oh.” Beth paused. “That’s probably why he’s not answering his phone.”
    “Yes,” Lily said without hesitation.
    “Can you do me a favor?” Beth’s sister sounded tired and frustrated. “My car