Lily continued packing the order, listening to Raci describe a movie she had watched the previous evening. She saw Jewell sitting on the corner of Shade’s desk, talking while leaning toward him. The expression on her face was very explicit. When her hand glided up his arm, Lily tore her gaze away, concentrating on Raci’s words.

“Are you going to come to your first party tonight?” Raci asked eagerly.

“What?” Lily asked in shock.

Raci shrugged her shoulder. “Well, since it’s not a secret anymore, and you’ve been at the house all week, I just assumed you would be at the party tonight. I have an outfit you could borrow, but you have to promise to give it back.”

“No, thanks. I’m not going to the party.” She might have been upstairs several times during mealtimes and during the evenings when most of the members mainly had done nothing more than drink a few drinks, yet none had become drunk. Several of the members had even gone upstairs together, leaving no doubt what was about to happen, but Lily was sure their Friday party wouldn’t be so restrained.

Raci grinned infectiously. “I remember the first time Beth and Winter came to our parties. They were shell-shocked. Don’t worry; once you’ve seen it and get over the newness of seeing everyone, it’s hot. It’s my favorite day of the week, but I enjoy the rest of the week, too.”

Raci was open and nice and she liked to keep everyone happy. She would constantly jump in and volunteer when the orders backed up. During the week, Lily had also noticed the men around her a lot.

“Can I ask you a question, Raci?” Lily hesitated. Raci nodded. “Do you have a room to yourself or do you share others’?”

“I have a room to myself now since Knox moved out. Why?”

“I know this is an imposition, but would you mind if I shared?”

“You’re giving up Shade’s bed? Are you crazy? He’s the only member who doesn’t let anyone sleep with him. Ever. Do you know how many women have tried to spend the night with him?”

“Um, no. Shh… everyone will hear you.”

Raci didn’t lower her big mouth. “A lot, including me. He might fuck you all night, but no one sleeps beside him. Damn.” Raci shook her head, staring at her in disbelief.

“I don’t mind you sharing my room. It’ll be fun. Of course, Train and Rider will love it. One of them always spends the night; they love to show off.”

“Never mind. I’ll stick to Shade.”

When Raci looked disappointed, Lily drew the conclusion that the men weren’t the only ones who liked to show off. Lily looked toward Shade’s office; the door was now closed. Lily began to become agitated and wasn’t sure why. Her hand went to her wrist, snapping the band before she went back to taping the package closed.

Raci was describing the new outfit she had purchased for tonight. “I broke down and bought a few new clothes. The women are notorious for swiping the best ones. They steal them out of the laundry baskets.” Her eyes traveled down Lily’s cream dress. “Of course, you don’t have to worry about your clothes,” she finished lamely.

Lily realized her taste in clothes had just been insulted. She looked down at herself. She had intended to purchase more clothes. The next time she went into town she would, but she doubted they would be any that they would consider borrowing.

Her eyes went back to Shade’s office door to see it opening and both of them coming out. Both of them seemed in a good mood, which was rare for Shade. Lily’s teeth clenched.

She began cleaning her workstation with jerky movements.

“Ready?” Shade asked, coming to her side and touching her arm. Lily jerked away from his touch.

“Yes.” Lily turned to the door, ignoring his inquiring blue gaze. Opening the door, she blinked briefly as her eyes became adjusted to the light, her temper simmering without cause.

She went to the path which led to the house where Train and Kaley were arguing, making no attempt to lower their voices.

“Please, Train, talk to them.” Her voice was pleading against his stony face.

Lily felt sorry for her when she heard Train’s negative reply.

She had to pass Kaley on the way to the path, and Kaley’s reaction at seeing her wasn’t pleasant.

“This is all your fault,” she said hatefully.

“Excuse me?” Lily asked, coming to a stop.

“Shut up, Kaley. It’s not Lily’s fault you didn’t keep your mouth shut,” Train said.

“No one would have cared if she hadn’t been nosing in, like my sister.”

“Miranda was worried about you,” Lily protested.

“Miranda was just jealous. I was getting plenty of sex and she wasn’t.”

Her harsh words had Lily taking a step back, coming into contact with Shade. As his arm slipped around her waist, Lily tried to move away, but he held her still.

“That’s not true,” Lily tried to reason with the angry woman.

“It is true. Neither one of you would know how to have sex other than lying on your back and spreading your legs. And I doubt if you would even lower yourself enough to do that, Lily.” She nodded her head at Shade. “He’s fucking wasted on you, but he’ll get tired of your shit, and when he does, he’ll go back to fucking anything with a cunt.”

“Lily, go on up to the house,” Shade said calmly, his arm leaving her waist.

She took a step forward, going up the path with Jewell and Raci beside her.

“What set her off so bad?” Lily asked the other women.

“They told her she’s not allowed to come to the clubhouse anymore. She broke the rules when she told her sister about the votes.”

Lily went in the doorway to the basement while the other two continued on to the kitchen door.

Lily headed to Shade’s room to get changed into her workout clothes, though she wasn’t really in the mood to work out. Winter had given her an extra pair of black leggings and a new t-shirt to wear so she didn’t have to keep washing the other one every day.

Her mind was still on the closed office door and Kaley’s words, trying to drive them out of her mind.

She went back to the gym and began stretching, not saying anything when Shade came in, telling her he would get changed and be back.

She felt like pounding something.

When Shade returned, she got into position. They always did a set of maneuvers, switching it up occasionally when she became bored. Shade made one of his practiced moves, and Lily responded with more force than usual, almost managing to knee him in his privates.

“You’re getting better. You almost got them that time,” Shade complimented her. Lily gritted her teeth. He never really expected her to succeed in getting the better of him.

Lily circled the mat. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”

Shade lifted his brow at her assertion. This time, when he came for her, Lily responded unexpectedly, using both of her fists to hit him between the shoulder blades when she wiggled away from his hold.

“What the hell?”

“I’m supposed to pretend you’re attacking me, aren’t I?”

“Yes, but I want you to learn to stop an attacker, not piss them off.”

“As long as it works and I get away, that’s all that counts,” Lily said smugly.