Shade's Lady

My world shattered into a spiral of stars and streaks and blessed relief.

Shade leaned down over me, catching my hair and turning my head for his kiss. He was marking me, I realized. I wasn’t sure why or for how long, but until he said otherwise, I belonged to him and there was no going back.

Maybe there never had been.

He’d seen me and he’d wanted me. Ultimately, he found a way to have me. That should’ve pissed me off, but when I thought of Randy and Hannah and the whole horrible situation, I didn’t have any room left for anger.

Shade pushed himself back up, then pulled out of me, leaving my ass on full display. Suddenly self-conscious, I grabbed my jeans, pulling them up.

“I should probably get back to work,” I said.

“That’s fine,” Shade replied. “Just don’t forget who you’re going home with at the end of the night.”

I nodded and turned to the door. Then I stopped.

“Shade?” I asked hesitantly, staring at my feet like a chicken.

“Yeah?”

“Will you tell me what happened last night?”

“Your sister’s dumbass ex left a lit pipe in the trailer,” he said. “Whole damned place burned up because of it. Fuckin’ shame.”

“And Randy?”

He didn’t answer for long seconds. My chest tightened.

“Last I hear, he took off in that little car of his,” Shade said. “Asshole made a big mistake, setting that fire. I’d think a man like that would disappear if he could. Probably won’t see him around again. Him or his friends. You and Hannah don’t need to worry.”

“Okay,” I whispered, wondering why I didn’t feel guilty.

Because he was a drug addict who endangered his family, Wonder Woman reminded me. And his friends were worse. They hurt Hannah and threatened Callie. There’s no room for guilt here.

“Don’t forget—you’re with me tonight,” Shade said quietly. “No more games, Mandy.”

“No more games,” I agreed.

We left the bar half an hour after closing.

Riding with Shade at night felt familiar by now. We were in a pack, surrounded by his fellow Reapers and their women. I wasn’t sure how many of them knew what’d gone down.

What I did know was that they’d given, and given generously.

The girls had kept a running total of their tips and sure enough, Bone had matched it. He’d also handed me the five hundred that’d been sitting there waiting all this time. There was more than enough to get a new apartment, I realized. Assuming Hannah wanted one… Heath seemed to think she should just stay at his place.

We’d figure it out later.

For now, I decided to enjoy the feel of the bike between my legs and the fact that I’d already gotten laid once. Odds were good I’d be getting laid again soon.

In four weeks, I’d be done with probation.

Life was good.

I woke up the next morning to find the bed empty, just like last time. This was a bummer because I’d been hoping for some morning nookie. On the other hand, he’d given me four orgasms total last night, so it wasn’t like I was suffering.

I let myself drift back to sleep, waking when I heard voices out in the corridor. Men talking. Then the door opened and Shade stepped in.

This time he wasn’t holding coffee.

“I have to go,” he said. I frowned because he was in full-on biker badass mode—all leather and patches, with a knife sheathed against his leg and a distracted look on his face.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah,” he replied, walking over to the dresser. He opened the top drawer and dug around, tucking something in his pocket before turning back to me. “I can’t give you a ride home. Pepper will take you.”

Then he started for the door without a second look.

“Wait,” I said, sitting up.

Shade turned back, obviously distracted. “What?”

“Is this it, then?”

He frowned at me. “What do you mean?”

“I guess… Is this good-bye?” I asked, and the words sounded so pathetic that I could’ve kicked myself. I forced a smile, determined not to look disappointed. “Is our one-night stand over now?”

Shade’s expression softened. “Have I taken you to breakfast yet?”

“No,” I whispered.

“Then it’s not over yet,” he replied. “But I really do need to go, babe. Nothing to do with you—club business. I’m the president, which means sometimes I have to handle shit.”

“Okay, then,” I said, my smile genuine. “Go handle shit.”

“I’ll text you later. Let you know what tonight looks like.”

“All right.”

Shade reached for the door again, then turned back. He studied me, and I wondered what was going on in his head. I was still naked, and my hair was so crazy I probably looked like Medusa. I’d tucked the sheet across my chest so at least I wasn’t totally naked. He shook his head slowly.

“What?” I asked.

He didn’t reply for a minute, his face serious. “Babe, you know I’m not a keeper, right?”

“Who says I want to keep you?” I asked, raising a brow. “I’m not looking for a relationship, remember? But I’m liking this one-night stand stuff… I’d be up for more of that. Have some fun together and then some morning you can buy me breakfast. No need to overthink it.”

Shade nodded slowly, then turned and left the room.

You still sure about that not wanting a relationship? Wonder Woman asked. Because if I didn’t know better, I’d say you—

Fuck off, I snapped at her. Me and Shade would have some fun together, and then Future Me would give him a smile and a laugh when it was finally over.

Future Me was tough like that.

Totally.

Chapter Eighteen

Four weeks later

“Are you ready?” Sara shouted through the bathroom door. “Bone just called. He wants us there a couple minutes early. Said he needed to talk.”

“About what?” I shouted back at her, drying off my hands. I gave myself a quick glance in the mirror, just to be sure everything was right. Tight tank with a hint of bra showing? Check. Lipstick was bright and shiny, no smudges on the teeth. Combine that with my low-cut jeans and I’d be rolling in the tips.