The next morning, Shade was enjoying his first breakfast in a long time, hanging out in the kitchen with the members, when Viper came in carrying Winter. She was tiny against Viper’s muscular body, her frailness evident in the fine lines of her face.

He sat her down at the round table.

“I’ll fix you a plate,” Viper offered.

Shade ignored her stare while Knox and Razer returned it with one of their own.

“Hello,” Winter muttered.

They merely gave nods. None of the brothers talked much before noon.

Viper set a plate down in front of Winter before sitting next to her as Evie sat next to him with her own plate.

“I need a plate like hers. I can’t eat all this,” Winter protested.

“Eat,” Viper told her before addressing Razer. “Razer, you get Becker’s order finished?”

“Yeah, I checked the area it’s from and pulled a couple of things. The humidity would have affected them, so I replaced them with similar items that would hold up better. I also included a couple of freebies for his organization to try out. Figured, if they liked them, they would order more.”

“Good idea.”

Shade went on to give him a rundown on an order which was only half completed. Their survival business was booming, and it was becoming harder to keep up with the demands.

“They are talking about a big order going out tomorrow. That’s why everyone is up today, working an extra shift at the factory next door,” Evie explained to a listening Winter.

When Winter pushed her barely touched plate away, Viper pulled the plate to him, finishing what remained.

“You need to use the restroom?” Shade felt a tinge of compassion when Evie asked Winter the personal question, and Winter blushed bright red and shook her head.

The doorbell rang, producing a huge smile from Evie. “That must be your therapist.”

Shade didn’t like the look on Evie’s face and found out why when she returned.

“Winter, this is Conner Stevens, your physical therapist,” Evie introduced.

The women in the room could only stare in awe at the man who had entered, while the brothers weren’t happy with a new male breaching their territory. Shade, on the other hand, didn’t give a shit. Let the pretty boy make them wet; he and the brothers would be putting out the fire. Viper was the most displeased, not trying to hide his jealousy, but Winter didn’t notice, her eyes pinned on her new physical therapist.

“Tell Beth she kept her promise. I forgive her,” Shade heard her whisper to Evie.

What the fuck did she mean by that? Shade thought.

“Are you ready to get started?”

“Yes,” Winter answered, lifting her arms.

Conner laughed, coming to her side and lifting her easily.

“I’ll show you the way.” Evie guided them through the doorway which led to the basement.

“Wow,” Dawn breathed.

“Holy moly.” Jewell moved behind his back, rubbing his shoulders.

Shade took a drink of his coffee, already enjoying the benefits of the women wanting what they couldn’t have.

“Beth was alone with him for two hours when she interviewed him. I thought it was taking too long when she kept me waiting at the diner for her,” Razer complained. “I see why now.”

Viper was still staring at the closed door until his chair suddenly scraped back and he stood. Shade could read his intention.

“Evie will stay with them. She’s not going to let anything happen,” Shade consoled, leaning back as Jewell’s hands slid down his chest.

“He’s gotta go,” Viper stated.

“Yes, he does,” Razer agreed.

“Damn, you two quit being pussies. Evie will give a heads-up if she feels Winter wants more than his skills as a therapist. Jesus, never thought I’d see the day my brothers would be jealous of another man.” Shade shook his head at his brothers’ downfall.

“This comes from the man it took practically the whole club to hold back when a man put an arm around Lily,” Viper barked back snidely.

Shade grinned. “I haven’t fucked her yet. When I do, she won’t be looking elsewhere when I can give her what she needs,” Shade bragged.

“Think so? Brother, you’re headed for a fall,” Razer warned.

Shade ignored him, standing up. “You all need to get to work if we’re going to get that order out.”

The members then all filed out, but when Jewell started to go through, Shade placed an arm around her shoulder.

“You can be late. Viper owes me.” Viper’s lips tightened at Shade’s words.

“You have an hour,” he reluctantly told Jewell.

Shade’s hand went to Jewell’s ass. “Make it two. You know I like to take my time.”

He felt Jewell tremble under his arm.

After Viper paused before giving his permission, Shade gave him a grin as he guided Jewell out the door, not able to resist his parting shot. “Razer, Beth give you any after she interviewed her new employee?”

He left before Razer could reply, but he could still hear him from behind the door.

“I want to kick his ass.”

“I’m in,” Viper agreed.

Chapter 16

Shade sat at the kitchen table with Winter sitting across from him. He and the brothers were watching the television in the back room, which could be seen easily from the table. Winter was watching Rider and Evie argue over the best way to make sweet potatoes. When Evie made gagging noises after Rider mentioned marshmallows, Winter’s responding laughter brought a smile to Viper’s lips.

The brother has it bad, Shade thought.

Winter had gradually accepted staying at the clubhouse. Rider had told him of her escape attempt after Viper had yelled at her, but she had settled down and was growing stronger every day from the physical therapy with Conner. She was actually progressing much faster than anyone had expected.

On the downside, the news of her progression put Viper in a bad mood.

“They are like this every holiday,” Bliss explained the argument.

Razer and Beth came in as they were about to eat.

“I thought you would have dinner with Lily?” Winter asked.

Beth smiled. “This is the first Thanksgiving we have spent apart, but a friend from college invited her to spend the holiday with them, and she accepted.”

Shade already knew that, which was why his ass was sitting there instead of at his family’s table.

Winter raised a brow. “As overprotective as you are, I am surprised you let her go.”

Beth laughed, turning red. “Lily is old enough to make her own decisions now—that was the whole point of her going away to college—but I did ask Razer to check them out for me. He assured me it was safe,” Beth confessed.

Winter caught the unguarded look on Razer’s face as he stared at Shade across the table. Shade kept his face expressionless, aware Winter was watching. That woman could see through anything.

“How long has she known this girl?” Winter questioned Beth.

“They met at the first of the school year. Next year, they are thinking about being roommates. It’s great for Lily. I was about to break and let her come home, but I didn’t want her driving back and forth to the nearest college. This girl has made college life bearable for her. We’ll have to invite her one weekend.”