Evie snorted. “That works for me. I could use a vacation. Besides, Lily said her dad runs a strip club; I can always pick up a few new pointers.”

“I doubt that. You could probably teach them a thing or two.”

“I do try.” Evie grinned, sashaying her ass to the door.

“Evie?”

She turned her head back to him. “Yeah?”

“Anything, one little piece of dirt that can get Lily hurt, and I want to know.”

She lost her smile, seeing the grim resolution on his face. “Sure thing.”

* * *

The next day, Evie was again sitting in his office. Beth had asked her to change King’s bandages for her again, which had worked out well for Shade. Beth wouldn’t share any information on King with him. She wasn’t stupid; she knew Shade wouldn’t tolerate anyone being a threat to Lily or The Last Riders.

“That was all he said?” Shade’s enigmatic gaze rested on her, waiting for her response.

King had mentioned Friday nights to her, like he knew what the club did those nights. It had made Evie nervous, and she had immediately called Shade the minute she left King with a message that they needed to talk. He had also asked Evie to join them Friday night for a dinner Lily and Beth had set up with King. Shade had suspicions King was up to something with the invite.

“Yes, I think he knows about the club.”

“Perhaps. It wouldn’t be difficult with Kaley telling everyone in town.”

“You think that’s all?”

“No, I think he’s checked us out. I’m sure he has the resources to find out what he wants.”

“It doesn’t bother you?”

“No, Lily knows the truth about the club. He’s not going to tell her anything I haven’t.”

“You’ve told her everything?” Evie asked in shock.

“Not everything, no. Just the parts King can use against me. The rest about my jobs with the military, no.”

“Did you tell her about me?” Evie licked her dry lips.

“No.”

He didn’t know how much longer he would be able to keep that part out, thanks to Lucky. Shade was going to talk to him, though. Maybe another pastor could be found before Evie learned who was taking over for him.

“Thank you. So, what are you going to do?”

“Nothing. I’m going to let him make his move.”

“You don’t think he can come between you and Lily?” she asked hesitantly.

“No. I’m really not worried about some bullshit he thinks he's going to pull out of the closet. If he does, Lily and I will deal with it.”

“Cool. I could just picture you beating the shit out of him with Lily watching. That’s why I accepted his dinner invitation.”

“When I deal with King, Lily won’t be around. I can deal with him, man to man, whatever he pulls. It’s the garbage which could get Lily killed that concerns me.”

“When is Penni going back to Queens City?”

“The week after next. The same week Lily and I leave for Alaska. I told her last night.”

“Is she excited?”

“That’s putting it mildly.” A smile lit his face briefly as he thought about Lily’s excitement the previous night before it disappeared.

It actually benefited Evie that they were leaving. King would return to his hometown, and Evie would follow along with Penni. When she found out who Merrick Patterson had married, she would be thankful for the excuse to leave Treepoint for a while.

“You finished for the day?” Evie asked, breaking into his thoughts.

“Yeah, I just have to lock up.”

When they walked out of the office, Evie stood by his side as he locked the factory door before going up to the clubhouse together.

Dinner was already starting when she turned to go upstairs. Shade paused.

“You're not going to eat?” Shade asked.

“No, I’m not hungry. I’m going to have an early night. See you in the morning.”

“Night.” Shade watched Evie going upstairs.

He had seen the growing discontent the past few months. A few weeks away would give her time to think. She wouldn’t be the first woman who had eventually left the club. Evie would always remain a Last Rider, her loyalty without question, but she had healed enough to begin searching for a lifestyle she couldn’t find there, something to call her own. Whether that was a man or a different life away from The Last Riders, it was a choice only she could make.

* * *

The next day, Shade was going around his desk to leave his office when he looked out the window. Lucky was in the parking lot, unloading his things from a car. He would probably sell his “pastor wear” or donate them to the church store as soon as he could.

The brother had waited a long time to ride again.

He watched as Evie and Jewell came out of the factory. Evie ran forward, throwing herself into Lucky’s arms.

Shade left his office, going outside to greet the brother.

He crossed the parking lot to stand beside them. “I see you’re not wasting any time.”

“No. I wanted to make Merrick comfortable. I’ll hand over the church to him Sunday, and then I’ll be free of all my commitments to the church.”

“We need to talk,” Shade said just as Lily pulled into the parking lot. There were a couple of things they needed to discuss.

“Fuck,” Lucky said, his eyes on Lily with a grim expression on his face.

Shade wanted Lucky to enjoy being back at the club, but he didn’t want Lily hurt, either. The brother was going to have to find a happy medium, one which kept Lily happy while also keeping Lucky happy. Shade had kept Beth and Winter out of his business, so Lucky could be circumspect and still have his fun, too.

“Be cool,” Shade warned Lucky.

“Pastor Dean, hi. I was wondering where you were today,” Lily said as she came up to the group.

“I’m outta here,” Jewell said under her breath.

“Coward,” Evie teased.

“I’m a lover, not a fighter. Arguments tense me up.”

Jewell left, but Evie didn’t. The woman loved to sit back and watch drama unfold around her.

“Hi, Lily. I was going to come back and introduce you to the new pastor because you were at lunch with King when I came by the church store earlier.”

“You went to lunch with King?” Shade asked sharply.

“At the diner,” Lily answered.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I wasn’t aware I had to tell you my every move since the danger is over.”

“We’ll talk about this later.”

“No, we won’t. It was lunch, just across the street.”

“Lily, we still don’t know who Digger hired to hurt you. Until we make sure he’s stopped, you’re not completely out of danger.” Shade knew exactly who the guy was, and he had plans for that motherfucker.

“Oh.” She paused. “Next time, I’ll tell you when I leave the church.”

Lily turned back to Lucky expectantly. “Are you staying for dinner?”

“Actually, dinner and breakfast. I’m moving in.”

“That’s great. I was worried you would move away, and I wouldn’t see you anymore.”