SHADES: An Evil Dead MC Story (The Outlaw Series Book 3) (6 page)

As he came down, he released her leg and heard her moan as she dropped it down to the mattress. He lay stretched on top of her, slick with sweat, panting with exertion. With his dick still buried deep inside her, he rose up to look down into her eyes and whispered, “Hello, love.”

She repeated it back with a look of awe. “Hello, love.”

Present day—

The memory drifting through his mind cleared, and Shades watched his Skylar walking toward him, the arm of one of his brothers around her.

The years had been good to her. She’d been eighteen when he’d seen her last. She must be what, twenty-eight, now?

She still wore her dark silky hair long, almost to her waist. Her slender body had always been on the athletic side, but her woman’s body had filled out, the curves more pronounced since he’d last seen her. She looked more womanly than the girlish eighteen year old he remembered. Well, what did he expect? It had been ten years, after all.

His eyes couldn’t help but run over those curves, before returning to her face. He’d forgotten how beautiful her blue eyes were, especially in combination with that gorgeous dark hair of hers.

Jesus Christ, he’d never thought she could get more beautiful, but she had.

She sure as fuck had.

CHAPTER THREE

“Well, look what the cat dragged in.”

Skylar looked at the man who had spoken. He was an older man with shoulder length gray hair, a beard and wire rimmed glasses that had always reminded her of Jerry Garcia. He came forward as they approached the group by the fire. The patch on his cut read President, just like it had ten years ago when Skylar had first visited the clubhouse.

First Cole and then Crash enfolded him in a bear hug, slapping his back. “Butcher, good to see you.”

“Cole. Crash. Wish it could have been under other circumstances.”

“Amen, Brother.”

His eyes moved to Letty, who was standing next to Cole, and he squinted, not quite sure for a moment. Then he turned to Crash. “This your
little sister
?”

The corner of Crash’s mouth pulled up as he fought a grin. “It’s the dreadlocks. Wasn’t too sure, myself.”

She shoved his arm. “As if.”

“Well, shit, darlin’. I haven’t seen you in years. Give me a hug, gal,” Butcher exclaimed, pulling her to him.

She gladly went, laughing. “
You
haven’t changed a bit, still trying to break my bones with your bear hugs.”

He let her go, laughing, his palm patting her cheek. “Just because your big brother took off for that freak-land they call California, doesn’t mean
you’re
still not welcome, girl.”

“Thanks, Butcher. It’s good to see you. I’m so sorry about Bulldog. He was like an uncle to me and Crash.”

Butcher nodded. “He was a good man. We’re all gonna miss him.” His eyes moved to Skylar who was standing back a bit, and he frowned. “Is that the girlfriend you used to always drag with you to our parties? The shy one?”

Letty turned, smiling. “Skylar? Yep, that’s her. She’s been gone for a while. I finally convinced her to come home.”

“Good for you.” His attention returned to Letty. “Don’t be such a stranger, you hear?”

She nodded, grinning. “I won’t.”

Skylar felt Crash’s arm sliding back around her shoulders. She knew she must seem a little off balance around his brothers, and she could tell he wanted her to feel at ease. She’d never been as outgoing as his sister. Skylar had always been more reserved. She felt his protective arm around her tighten, and he looked down at her and winked.

She stood silently as Butcher introduced Crash to a couple of new brothers that had joined up since he and Cole had moved away.

“This is Ghost,” Butcher nodded to a young guy with shoulder length brown hair, the top portion tied back, and the rest left down. He had a beard and golden brown eyes.

Crash’s eyes glinted with humor as he shook his hand. “Ghost, huh?”

Butcher grinned and filled in the details he knew Crash was wondering about. “Yeah, we never hear him coming. He’s a sneaking son-of-a-bitch. Has a habit of appearing and disappearing like a fucking ghost.”

Crash nodded. “I see.”

Butcher stepped back, revealing the man next to him, and Skylar sucked in a sharp breath.

Shades.

She hadn’t seen him standing there. She felt the blood drain from her face as she took him in for the first time in all these years. His light brown hair shot through with gold still fell just past his collar. His strong jaw was covered with a couple of day’s growth of beard, not really a full beard, more like he shaved if and when he felt like it. He had a pair of aviator sunglasses on as he squinted against the glare of the setting sun.

“This is Shades,” Butcher was continuing the introductions. “You remember him? He was prospecting when you left.”

Crash’s eyes narrowed at the reminder, and then his memory must have jogged, because he grinned. “Yeah, sure. Sorry I didn’t get to stick around and vote you in, kid. I do remember giving you hell a time or two.”

Skylar stiffened, and a tremble moved through her. Oh, God, she’d hoped he wouldn’t be here, and now she hoped he wouldn’t recognize her or maybe, not even remember her. She noticed Shades’ sunglasses move from Crash to her. Crash looked down at her, too, and she knew he saw the stricken look on her face. His eyes moved back to Shades, studying him. She could only imagine what he must be wondering, but she couldn’t think about that. All she could focus on was Shades face as he stared at her. A muscle ticked in his jaw, and it was obvious he was pissed.

Crash pulled his arm from around her and extended his hand to Shades.

Shades shook it, dragging his eyes from Skylar. “Good to see you man, it’s been a long time.” At the reference to time passing, his gaze slid meaningfully back to Skylar again.

She swallowed, praying he wouldn’t acknowledge he knew her. It was already apparent that Crash was picking up all kinds of vibes moving between the two. She was sure she reinforced it when she clutched his waist and practically hid up against his side as he released Shades hand, and his arm settled back around her, but she couldn’t help it.

He wasn’t the only one that caught the exchange and was frowning. She noticed the new guy, Ghost’s eyes moving between his brother and her, obviously wondering as well what kind of history they had.

She hoped he never found out.

Butcher nodded toward the keg that sat over by the backdoor and said to Letty, “You and your friend go get yourselves something to drink while I catch up with your brother, okay, darlin’?”

Letty nodded and turned, motioning for Skylar to follow her. Crash’s arm slid from around her, but not before he gave her a questioning look that asked without words if she was okay. She gave him a shaky smile, and the two moved off.

***

Crash turned to catch Shades’ eyes following the girls as they walked away, or more specifically, Skylar. He’d caught the looks that had passed between them and more importantly he’d felt the way Skylar had tensed up under his brother’s scrutiny.

Butcher pulled Crash from his thoughts. “Your sister doin’ okay?”

Crash grinned, knowing he was concerned by the dreads. “She’s doing fine. She’s got a shop down in Southside, and she’s in love with some guy named, Ace.”

“You good with that?”

Crash shrugged. “Just met the dude. He seems like a good guy, but I’ll reserve judgment until I know him better.”

Butcher chuckled. “I seem to remember no guy was good enough for your sister back in the day.”

Crash grinned. “True.”

Butcher turned as two more brothers walked up. He slapped the brother next to him on the shoulder and nodded to the man next to him. “You remember Boot and Tater.”

Cole spoke up. “Hell, yeah. How are you boys?” They embraced, slapping each other’s backs.

Crash did the same.

“Slick’s inside. I know he’s anxious to see you, but he’s taking Bulldog’s death the hardest.”

They nodded.

Butcher lit up a cigar and waved it toward some other members standing off by the picnic tables and near the back door. “Lot of new members since you left. I’ll have to be sure to introduce you both around later.”

They nodded.

“How are things going around here?” Cole asked.

Butcher puffed on his cigar. “Pushing a major membership drive. Gulf Coast Chapter just started up. Lost a couple boys to it. Sent ‘em down there to keep an eye on things.”

“Problems?”

“Some. But that’s a conversation for another time.”

“You short-handed?” Crash asked.

Butcher shrugged with a grin. “Not short-handed, per se, just pushing to be the biggest, baddest dog on the block.”

Cole grinned. “I see.”

Butcher looked between Cole and Crash. “Why don’t you boys come back home? Haven’t you had enough of that slick, West Coast life style?

Boot grinned around his smoke. “At least here you don’t have to deal with earthquakes, landslides and wild fires.”

Crash laughed. “No. You’ve just got heat, humidity and hurricanes.”

Butcher let loose a deep rumble of laughter. “True enough. True enough. But, seriously, give it some thought. We could use you two.” He looked between them. “VP position just came open.”

Cole gave a sad smile. “I know, Butcher. Sad you gotta go through this. Can’t see walking in that door,” he nodded toward the house referring to Bulldog. “And him not being there.”

Crash added, “Between my granddad and that man, they’re the ones that taught me what it means to be a man.”

Butcher nodded and agreed, “He’s gonna leave a big hole.”

****

“Oh my God, I can’t believe he’s still here.” Skylar whispered to Letty, her eyes connecting with Shades across the yard.

“Who?” Letty asked as she picked up the nozzle of the keg and put it to a red plastic cup.

“Shades.” Skylar nodded back to the man by the fire, whose aviator sunglasses were aimed their way.

Letty glanced back over her shoulder. “Oh yeah. I remember him.”

“Let’s go inside. I want to get away from him.”

Letty tossed the nozzle in frustration. “Sure. This keg is empty anyway.” Then she looked up and took in Skylar’s eyes, something clicking. “Wait! You mean you and him…and you never told me?”

Skylar looked away, and Letty suddenly put it all together. “Is that why you ran? It is, isn’t it?”

Skylar nodded.

“All that time, I thought it was something I’d done or that the Fullers had kicked you out.”

Skylar grabbed her by the arm and hustled her toward the back door of the clubhouse. “Come on.”

****

Shades used the excuse of needing another beer and moved off toward the clubhouse, intent on finding Skylar and cornering her while she was separated from Crash. He’d kept track of her out of the corner of his eye, and he knew the two girls had gone inside the clubhouse.

He went through the door and into the big open room, pushing his sunglasses up on his head. There was a bar against the back wall, and he spotted the two girls standing at the far left end of it. There was a hallway just to the left and around the corner from where she stood. That suited his purposes perfectly. Walking up behind Skylar, he surprised her by grabbing her upper arm. Turning to her friend, he snapped, “Excuse us a minute. The lady and I have some unfinished business.”

Then he pulled a shocked Skylar around the corner, into the hall and pushed her up against the wall.

“Remember me, sweetheart?” She stared up at him, and he could tell she was scared to death.

“Y-yes, of course I remember you, Shades.”

Letty stuck her head around the corner. “You okay, Skylar.”

Shades turned his head long enough to snap, “She’s fine. Go back to the bar.” His gaze returned to Skylar to see her turn her head and whisper, “It’s all right, Letty.”

Letty gave another look at Shades, and he took a threatening step towards her, one arm still holding Skylar to the wall. Letty was a fucking guest here in his clubhouse, and he didn’t care whose fucking sister she was, no one questioned a club member in their own fucking clubhouse. He was about ready to growl at her again, when she backed down and went back to the bar.

His attention returned to Skylar, but now his blood was up even more than it had been. “Didn’t expect to see
you
walkin’ back into my life today.”

“I’m not ‘
walking back into your life
’, Shades.”

“Where the fuck have you been all this time?”

“That’s none of your business anymore, is it?”

“Maybe I’m makin’ it my business.” She wouldn’t meet his eyes, and he pressed, “You with
him
now?” When she refused to reply, he shook her. “Answer me, Goddamn it. Are you his ol’ lady?”

She glared up at him. “I’m not
yours
. That’s all
you
need to know.”

He punched a hole in the wall near her head and let out a roar of aggravation. Her body jumped in reaction. He knew the music and boisterous laughter that always accompanied these hell-raising wakes would drown out the sound of their argument. And he was proven right when no one came to investigate.

She stared up at him, fire in her eyes now. “I don’t have to listen to this.”

He took a deep breath, and blew it out, some of the frustration he felt having been released into the crumbling drywall. His voice softened. “You always were a stubborn little thing.”

“Maybe I’ve had to be.”

His eyes took in her face. Fuck. Up close she was even more beautiful, and he felt the pull of attraction he’d always felt for her. It all came rushing back. His eyes moved over her face, down her neck to the cleavage exposed by the scoop of her white tank, and then he saw the chain and beads peeking out from under her hair and disappearing into that cleavage. And he knew right away what they were. Even before he found his hand lifting to pull it slowly out of her shirt.