“Figured you were kind of busy,” Evie said with a hesitant smile.

“Where was Bliss?”

“We didn’t call her. Beth’s new bff’s were waiting outside the Sheriff’s office to jump her,” Shade said in a voice promising retribution.

“Sheriff thought it would be better for everyone’s safety if she stayed here,” Viper cut in.

“She could have relayed the message to me.” Razer didn’t even know where his phone was currently. Probably buried in the pile of clothes on the floor of his room.

“They wanted you too, weren’t very happy with the way you packed Beth out of the Pink Slipper.”

“Why didn’t the Sheriff just arrest them?”

“He only has two cells. He put us in one and the Destructors in the other. Neither was a viable option without another fight starting.”

“So who posted bail?”

“An impartial party.”

“An impartial party? Who?”

“Pastor Dean. The Sheriff figured they wouldn’t attack a man of the cloth.” Shade took another beer from Bliss with a shaking hand. “The crazy one asked for his number.”

“Crazy Bitch?” Beth asked, pleased.

The bottle Shade was lifting to his busted mouth froze. “That her name?”

“Yes.” Beth nodded.

“And you made frien…” Razer cut him off.

“Don’t go there, you won’t like the answer.”

Shade took a long drink of his beer before putting the bottle down carefully on the counter with a still shaking hand. All eyes were on him tensely waiting, except Beth, who was handing Train a paper towel to wipe the blood away from his dripping nose.

“I am going to bed.”

Beth nodded. “I am sure you’ll feel much better after getting some sleep.”

Shade’s lips tightened into a thin line. Limping slowly to the doorway, he stopped by Beth, who looked up from holding pressure on Train’s nose. Razer, Cash, and Knox shifted unobtrusively closer to Beth.

“Is your sister like you?” Shade asked.

Confused by his question, Beth answered honestly. “No, were the complete opposite of each other.”

“Good.” He continued to the doorway.

“That’s right, how did you know? Everyone always assumed I was the troublemaker, but I was the one always having to get Lily out of some trouble she managed to get herself involved in before she went to college. Actually her being away is giving me a break, of course I would never admit it to her.”

Shade’s shoulders slumped; stopping by the counter full of liquor bottles that were used to restock the bar, he grabbed a bottle of whiskey before leaving.

Beth went to Evie, checking on her bruised knuckles. “I hope it doesn’t hurt too bad.” She handed her a dish towel that she took out of a drawer.

Ruefully, Evie took the towel, wrapping some ice in it to hold in her hand. “In comparison to how much you were hurt, I deserved what happened. Those women stood up for you when we didn’t. I am truly sorry for how we treated you. We all are, because of you, we were able to prove who killed Gavin. Memphis betrayed the club, while you were going to let Bedford shoot you to protect it.”

“We decided the best way to pay you back was to make you a member,” Viper broke into the women’s conversation.

Beth immediately shook her head. “Thanks, but I am not going to have sex to get the votes.”

“You already have the votes. All eight, first time it has happened in the club’s history.”

“How?”

“Well,” Viper said wickedly, “Some of the votes you earned the usual way, Knox, Rider, and Razer. I gave you my marker at the hospital when Lily was hurt, my marker my vote. Cash and Train gave you their marker because they were in the service with Gavin.” Viper took a minute before continuing, “Because of you, we were able to recover his body and give him a proper burial. The last two members expect repayment at their discretion from Razer. Which I believe he will agree to.” Razer nodded, relieved that the club had acknowledged the importance of Beth both to him and The Last Riders.

“Let’s go get your tat,” Natasha said, her smile bright, eagerly wanting to resume their friendship.

Beth shook her head. “Not today, I want you girls to go and I don’t think some of you are up to it.” Turning to Razer, “Can you go? I know you’re not anxious to go to a tattoo shop after you just got a new one, but would you mind?”

“You got a new tat? Why didn’t you show us? Where is it at? Your back? Let us see.” Bliss said.

Beth saw the expectant faces in the room. “No one has seen the tattoo?”

The members not understanding, shook their heads.

“Why not? You get a pussy tattoo?” Rider asked in disbelief. Razer turned bright red, taking a crying Beth in his arms.

“Rider, I can guarantee you will never know,” Razer promised.

Chapter 23

Penni heard the distinctive notes of her cell phone ringing as she lay on her bed reading a book. The caller ID brought a smile to her lips. With a swipe of her finger, she answered.

“Hey bro, what’s up?”

“Why does anything have to be up for me to call? Can’t I call and check on my little sister?”

A snort sounded clearly through the line.

“How is school?”

“Good, would have been better if mom and dad would actually let me go without having to live at home.” Penni hadn’t been able to come up with a valid argument for leaving home when they lived within a few miles of the University of Ohio.

“I could help convince them to let you go to an out of state college.”

“What’s the catch?” Suspicion laced her voice.

“It has to be the college of my choice.”

“What’s the name of the college?” Penni was almost bouncing in excitement.

“Breckinridge College.”

“Don’t recognize the name. Let me check it out on the web. Hang on.”

Before he could protest, the phone was set down. It didn’t take long before she came back on the line.

“No thanks.” All excitement was gone from her voice.

“Come on, give it a chance.”

“No.”

His snort could be heard over the line this time.

“What will it take?”

“Car; a generous allowance, and a vacation of my choice every summer.”

“Ok. Do the paperwork; I’ll talk to the parents.”

“That’s not all.” She wasn’t finished.

“Penni…” He warned.

“A reason?”

Silence for several minutes met her question.

“Someone needs a friend.”

That she could do. “Deal.”

Shade hung up the phone as Beth and Lily approached the picnic table he was sitting at, waiting for everyone to return from the buffet.

“Where’s Razer?” Beth asked.

“Getting the drinks.”

The two women sat down on one side of the table with filled plates. The church picnic was filled with the congregation and The Last Riders; celebrating the Fourth of July. It was a beautiful day with everyone laughing and having fun. Everyone except Lily, who had spent the last hour trying unsuccessfully to convince her sister to let her switch colleges.