“That isn’t what your sister said. She said you’re having a hard time finding clients, and that was why you moved to Treepoint from Jamestown. Please, can we just go somewhere to talk for a few minutes?” Winter pleaded.

The stuck-up lawyer didn’t like being reminded of her relationship with Sex Piston. Shade wouldn’t claim her, either, if she was his sister.

Diamond grudgingly gave in, though. “My office is just around the corner.

The Last Riders entered her office behind her. A young woman was filing papers in the cabinet when she turned to see who had come in. Her mouth fell open when she saw the bikers.

“Holly, I’ll be in my office if you need me.”

Her secretary nodded while clearly begging silently not to be left alone.

Rider and Train took seats in the lobby as Shade, Viper, and Winter went inside her private office, leaving the door open. It made Shade wonder if she was afraid to be left alone with them or if she wanted to keep an eye on her secretary.

Ms. Richards went behind her desk, placing her briefcase on the neat surface before taking a seat.

“What’s going on, Winter?”

“One of our members has been arrested in the murder of Samantha Bedford,” Viper answered her question.

“I am going to save us both some time. I don’t have the experience to defend a murder case.” She started to rise to her feet.

“The best criminal defense lawyer in the state of Kentucky just walked out on us. That asshole will defend anyone for the right amount of money. Knox pisses everyone off. There’s not a lawyer who won’t become angry and quit with his attitude. I don’t want to be looking for a new lawyer every day. We need someone who isn’t going to run away the first time Knox gets angry and scares the shit out of them.”

“I’m sorry.”

The stuck-up bitch doesn’t look sorry, Shade thought.

“I’ll pay whatever fee you want,” Viper stated, looking around her inexpensive office.

“If money is no object, then you can afford any lawyer you want,” Diamond protested.

“Money didn’t prevent Harris from walking out on us,” Viper said in disgust.

“How much money are we talking about?” Diamond asked, a gleam she couldn’t hide appearing in her eyes.

They had her. Money always made The Last Riders more palatable.

“Let’s cut to the chase. You prove Knox is innocent, I’ll give you five hundred thousand dollars.”

Shade cocked a brow at Viper offering such an exorbitant price yet then reminded himself it was Knox she would be defending. The woman would be demanding more before it was over.

“I take it you believe Knox is innocent?” Diamond queried.

“I know he is,” Viper stated without pausing.

“You can’t be so sure. Everyone has a breaking point, and from what you’re telling me, Knox isn’t the sweetest man in the county. Perhaps they got in an argument—”

“If he had killed her, Ms. Richards, no one would have found the body.”

Diamond’s eyes widened at Viper’s calm reply while Winter winced.

Shade saw Diamond studying them, watching for their reactions. All the brothers believed in Knox’s innocence, not because he wasn’t capable of killing her, but because he would have told them and the mess would never have happened.

Viper stated, “Of course, if you quit on us, I won’t pay you one fucking dime.”

Her mouth turned down in disappointment.

“All right, you have a deal.” Her eyes went to the front lobby.

Shade watched Rider get up from his chair and go to the secretary’s desk, leaning against it as he tried to sweet-talk the curvy woman. The whole club knew Rider was a man who could appreciate good tits, and the secretary had a set which would make any man’s dick stand up.

The sound of a chair hitting the wall sounded from the outside room right before the flustered woman came rushing into Ms. Richards’s office to stand behind her boss’s chair with her face flaming red.

Rider came to stand in the doorway, watching with a predatory gleam in his eyes.

“Ms. Richards, your next appointment is due in ten minutes.”

“Stop it, Rider. Go on outside,” Winter snapped at the man who then turned and walked away with a final wink at Holly.

The rest of the brothers laughed at Rider’s failed attempt. Not many women turned Rider down.

“Thanks, Holly.” Ms. Richards stared hard at Viper. “After I’m finished with my next client, I’ll go down to the sheriff’s office and see what they have on him. I’ll keep in touch. Get a bail bondsman ready for a call. I’ll see what I can do about getting him out. Is he going to be a flight risk?”

“Knox wouldn’t run if you pointed a gun at him. It’s not in him; he’s a soldier. He stands and fights.”

“Good to know because, if he takes off, I’ll still expect my money, and you can find yourself another lawyer.”

“Deal,” Viper said, leaving the office with Winter, Shade, Rider, and Train trailing behind.

”That was a fail,” Rider complained, giving the secretary a wink, which she ignored as they closed the door.

“You came on too strong,” Shade enlightened.

“It’s the only way I know,” Rider bragged. “It always worked before.”

Shade agreed; not many women refused to at least flirt with Rider. He was easily the best-looking in the group, the easiest going, and the most liked. The only thing that grated on the brothers’ nerves was his arrogant attitude toward women. He believed no woman could resist him, and up until then, he had been right.

Holly was young and obviously shy. She should’ve been ripe for Rider’s plucking; instead, she had rushed from him as if he was about to have her for lunch. Something about the woman didn’t add up, but as long as it didn’t affect The Last Riders, Shade didn’t give a shit.

* * *

The Last Riders were waiting for Knox’s release when he came out of the courthouse with his lawyer. Bliss was the first one to greet him, throwing herself into his arms.

“Keep him out of sight and whatever you do, don’t let him get into any trouble. The Commonwealth’s Attorney won’t hesitate to throw him back in jail,” she told Viper and Winter.

Her caustic comment grated on Shade.

“I’ll make him stay at the clubhouse,” Viper promised.

“What’s next?” Winter asked Ms. Richards.

“A trial date will be set. I’m going to look into the case and hopefully find something to prove his innocence before then. It’s our best hope.”

“Is that safe?” Winter asked.

“Yes. If Knox didn’t kill her, then we have to cast some doubt. The best way to do that is to prove someone else had a motive. I’m mainly going to be talking to Sam’s friends.”

“Good luck with that; she didn’t have any,” Evie spoke out. She and Sam had hated each other on sight.

“There has to be someone in town who knew Sam well. I’ll find them. I need to get back to my office. Like I said, keep him out of sight.” She cast a last look at Knox, who had Jewell locked to his side.

“No problem.”