“It’s not only men. You met all the female members. You would be right next door to me and Beth and her children,” Winter encouraged. “And you’re the least grumpy woman I know.”

Aunt Shay looked away, saying, “I’ll think about it.”

It was always the same answer, but Winter thought she saw indecision in her eyes this time.

“It would be hard to leave your home behind, especially with all the memories it holds, but you can make new memories,” Winter encouraged.

“They all are good.”

The sadness that was apparent had Winter coming to a sudden decision. “How about we finish dinner and then watch your favorite movie, Pride and Prejudice?”

“That would be great. Are you sure your husband won’t mind?”

“Viper won’t mind at all,” she assured her, looking down at her own uneaten plate of food. According to Sasha’s text, Viper wanted to get rid of her, anyway.

Her aunt’s face brightened, as she said, “Except, instead of the older version, I want to watch the new one.”

“Which one?”

“The one with the zombies. I’ve been too afraid to watch it by myself.”

“Sure. I’ll even stay the night to make sure you don’t have nightmares.”

“No, no. I couldn’t ask—”

“I insist. I don’t have to work tomorrow. It’ll be like when I was little and I came to spend the night.”

Shay smiled. “I remember. Okay, then, if you don’t mind?”

“It was my suggestion, so of course I don’t mind.”

Winter was happy when Aunt Shay began eating her food, talking about Ton, Viper’s father, and how he was planting a garden and had promised to give her the first tomatoes when they grew big enough. Then Winter carried the dishes inside when they finished eating.

“I’m going to get showered and change into a nightgown. We can watch the movie on my bed. I even have an extra nightgown you can wear,” her aunt offered.

“I’ll do the dishes and be right in. Do you need any help?”

“No, I’ll be fine. I won’t be long.”

“All right. Just yell if you need anything.”

“I will,” her aunt said, as she walked toward her room.

Winter loaded the dishwasher then called Viper.

“Hey. You ready?” Viper answered. “I’ll be there in a minute—”

“Not yet. I decided to spend the night with Aunt Shay. She’s lonely, and I want to spend some time with her.” She was taking the coward’s way out, but she needed the night away from him to ready herself for his answers about Sasha’s texts.

“Is she sick?” His concern only increased her guilt.

“No, I think she’s just feeling lonely. She wants to watch the zombie version of Pride and Prejudice, but she’s been too afraid to watch it by herself.”

“I bet Diamond’s been visiting her.” Viper’s laughter sounded across the line, making her wish she could reach out and touch him.

“I think Beth was the culprit this time.”

Viper sighed. “I guess I can spare you for a night. I have some contracts to look over before I email them to Moon. That’ll keep me busy tonight.” Viper was silently telling her that he wouldn’t stay downstairs for the Friday night party. “I saw you left your briefcase. I tried to call to see if you needed it. I could have it brought to you.”

“I don’t need it.”

“Pretty girl, is something wrong? Rider said he thought you didn’t look good this morning.”

“Just tired. You kept me up late last night.” Her voice sounded hollow to her own ears.

“Let me finish up my paperwork, and I’ll come and watch the movie with you.”

“Don’t. Aunt Shay will fall asleep during the movie, and I’ll just go to bed. I’m tired, Viper.” Winter struggled to keep the heartbreak at bay long enough to finish their conversation. “We can talk tomorrow. Aunt Shay is in the shower. I need to go check on her. Good night.” She hung up before he could say anything else.

She would deal with Viper and Sasha’s texts tomorrow. Tonight, she was going to enjoy her time with Aunt Shay.

When Winter went into her aunt’s bedroom, which was on the first floor since Aunt Shay couldn’t manage the stairs, Shay was just getting in bed.

“I’ll only be a minute,” Winter said, before using her bathroom to change into the nightgown her aunt had lent her. Then she climbed into bed with her.

Starting the movie, she was surprised by how gory it was and how her aunt was engrossed in it, while Winter had to turn away during the most gruesome scenes.

Winter dropped her head to her aunt’s shoulder, mumbling, “I’ve missed this.”

“Me, too,” Aunt Shay agreed, not taking her attention away from the television set.

Despite what she had said to Viper, Aunt Shay wasn’t the first to fall asleep.

5

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?” Winter asked. Cash was waiting outside, but her aunt’s sorrowful expression had her hesitating to leave. She had stalled, waiting to leave until after dinner, before going home to confront Viper.

“I’m sure. You need to get home to that good-looking husband of yours.”

Winter nodded. “Aunt Shay, promise me you’ll think about taking Viper up on his offer. I’d feel better if you were closer, in case you needed me. I know you and Beth have grown close, and she does a great job of taking care of you, but I’ll help out more if you want me to.”

“Darling, I know that. I told you when I first hired Beth that I like my independence. I don’t like to be a bother.”

Winter blinked back tears, not wanting to upset her. “You couldn’t be a bother if you tried. I’ll stop by to see you after church tomorrow.” She hugged her goodbye before going outside and getting into her car. She was going to have to talk to Beth. Together, maybe they could convince her to live closer.

As she drove closer to the clubhouse, Winter’s worry switched from Aunt Shay to Viper.

Cash waved as she walked up the hill when he saw Viper waiting at the top of the walkway he had built for her. She stopped when she saw him, and they stared at each other. The walls she had built to protect herself over the night came crumbling down.

“There isn’t one single time you told me you love me that I doubted you. When you told me Sasha was leaving, why didn’t you tell me she would be coming back?” She could easily see inside the window and saw the kitchen was filled with members.

“How did you find out?”

“Does it matter?” She brushed by him, continuing up the walkway. Before she could enter the back door, though, Viper took her elbow.

“Yes, it matters. I was going to tell you.”

“Why didn’t you just tell me when she left that it wouldn’t be for good?”

“To tell you the truth, I thought you would change your mind about her after you cooled down. I had already told Sasha she could switch places with Raci. The members are still mad at her about Genny, even though they don’t want her thrown out of the club. They all trusted her, but she didn’t trust them to help when her cousin was kidnapped.