The Last Riders - First Four Votes (56 page)

She admired the things he had done with his life, but she hated that he belonged to The Last Riders and the lifestyle he made no bones about enjoying. Diamond had no illusions; if he wanted to fuck one of the women at the club, their one night together wouldn’t stop him. Feeling a knife of jealousy plunge into her stomach, Diamond rose from the tub, drying off.

She went to her closet and picked out a purple dress that buttoned up the back. It was pretty and sexy. Diamond had picked it out in the department store in town and hadn’t worn it yet because the deep v in the front wasn’t appropriate for the office or court.

Dressed, she put on heels and brushed her red hair until it fell down her back in curls. When she went to get her car keys, she realized she had forgotten her car was still at the office. Not to mention, her keys were now missing. A knock at the door sounded just as she was going to pick up her phone to call and have it fixed.

. With a sense of déjà vu she opened her door to the grinning Rider and an impassive Knox.

“We brought your car back, all fixed with a new tire,” Rider said, handing her the keys.

“Thanks, Rider.”

“And before you can mention money…—” he continued.

“I know, Viper took care of it.” Diamond finished for him. “The way it’s going I’m going to owe him money.”

“Cheaper to get a new car than fix everything wrong with that piece of junk,” Knox said.

“I told you that I can’t afford to get a new car yet.”

“Then I suggest you get busy getting me off the hook for Sam’s murder so that you can buy one.”

“Why don’t you make it easy on me and just confess,” she snapped.

Rider burst out laughing. “As much as I’m enjoying this bickering, we’re going to be late for Viper’s wedding. Knowing Winter, she’ll make me take a punishment.”

“Take a punishment?” Diamond questioned Rider, but was ignored as Knox took her hand and pulled her out into the hall. Rider locked and closed her door, following behind.

“Slow down Knox; we’re not that late,” Diamond said, trying to keep up. Knox slowed his steps and Diamond walked between the two men.

A truck was parked by her car. Diamond started to go to her car, however Knox opened the truck door. “Get in.”

“But I was going to take my car.”

“Leave it. I’ll bring you back tonight.” Diamond gave in, sliding into the passenger side of the truck then scooting over as Knox got in beside her. Rider climbed in behind the wheel, expertly backing the truck out and onto the road.

“Did Winter invite anymore unexpected guests?” Diamond asked curiously.

“No, just The Last Riders, you and Lily. Mrs. Langley was invited, but under the circumstances, she declined.”

“I know; Winter told me. I feel horrible that she doesn’t have any family left,” Diamond said, knowing the sweet woman had to be lonely.

“She has a great-grandchild if Sam hadn’t decided to keep it a secret with what she had done with it,” Knox said, staring out the window.

“Vincent Bedford refuses to tell?” Diamond asked.

“Yes. The sheriff is looking into the situation,” Rider answered.

Knox placed his arm against the back of the car seat. Diamond was unsure how to act around him. She didn’t want to act like a girlfriend, but she didn’t want to be the cliché one-night stand, either. She was confused as to what exactly she did want.

Rider pulled the truck into the parking lot of the clubhouse. The huge house sat on top of a hill facing the mountain. Diamond noticed a path being dug alongside the long flight of steps leading to the door.

“You’re putting in more steps?” Diamond asked.

“No, we’re trying to level it off so that a winding path will take you to the back door of the house to make it easier on Winter’s back. Viper worries that she will fall.”

Diamond had come to respect the way Viper treated Winter. During her school board case, he had let her take the lead, supporting her in the decisions she made and had backed her up with the wealth he had at his disposal. He saw her through the violent attack that had cost her several months of physical recovery and even now was making sure her safety was taken seriously.

They climbed the steps, and when they reached the front door, Knox opened it, letting her go first into the huge room. Diamond came to a stop, seeing the inside had been redecorated. The furniture had been changed since she had been to see Winter. The mismatched furniture had been replaced with expensive leather couches and recliners in several groupings. Two long sectionals were also along opposite sides of the walls. The bar where she had seen Knox with the two women stood empty with the overhead lights off; the liquor bottles and glasses gone. It looked like the bed and breakfast it was intended to be, not the motorcycle club that had been evident a few months before.

“What happened?” Diamond asked, amazed at the transformation it had gone from a haphazard assortment of furniture into a casually elegant welcoming environment.

“We redecorated,” Rider said in amusement.

“It looks wonderful,” Diamond said, looking at the shiny wooden floors and plants scattered throughout the room.

“Winter and Beth spent the week getting it ready,” Rider said, taking off his jacket and placing it in the closet. The door opened behind them and Beth, Lily and Razer came in behind them.

“Hi,” Beth and Lily spoke in unison.

“Hello,” Diamond returned their greeting. Beth looked gorgeous in a pretty blue dress and Lily was wearing a pink dress that highlighted the darkness of her long black hair, making her look feminine and graceful. Beth hung up their coats as Lily looked around.

“It’s very nice in here, Beth,” Lily told her sister. The look of relief on Beth’s face brought understanding to Diamond. The redecorating had been for Lily’s benefit.

“You haven’t been in here before?” Diamond asked Lily. Everyone surrounding her tensed. Even Knox stiffened, his hand grasped her upper arm, giving a squeeze. Diamond didn’t understand the secrecy about the change, but decided to ask Knox about it later, instead of making an issue of it.

“No. The clubhouse is off limits to me.” Lily lowered her eyes. Sensing her hurt, Diamond took a step toward her. Knox’s hand dropped away from her as she wound her arm through Lily’s.

“I’d make it off limits to you, too, if you were my sister. Too much testosterone.” Diamond gave a mock shudder, making Lily laugh. Turning back to the men, she asked, “So where’s the wedding?” Diamond twined her arm through Lily’s, and Beth gave her a grateful smile.

Diamond and Lily only managed a brief glimpse of the house as they went through into the backyard. The day was sunny with above-average temperatures for the late fall. The backyard was huge with two picnic tables set up with white tablecloths and flowers. A gazebo had flowers decorating it, which a minister was standing in front of, talking to Viper. Diamond had never met the Pastor who was extremely handsome with a sex appeal that made the ministers from her youth seem old-fashioned.

“Grab a seat; it’s about to start.” Knox ushered the women to a grouping of empty chairs toward the front. Beth had already gone to join Winter as her matron of honor.

“Winter didn’t want bridesmaids. She picked Beth to be her matron of honor and Viper picked Cash as his best man,” Lily whispered at her side.

Knox and Rider sat down next on the opposite side of Diamond. Diamond gazed at the guests already seated. All of them, The Last Riders and the female members, were waiting expectantly. Diamond felt terrible she had initially refused Winter’s invitation now that she saw that she had invited no outsiders other than Lily and her. Diamond didn’t understand why she had invited her, though. She hadn’t been friendly to the woman when she had represented her and had made no effort to get to know her since her case had been resolved.

They weren’t waiting long when someone started some light music and the door opened as Winter and an older man walked out. Winter was wearing a white dress that had long sleeves made of lace which wasn’t long, stopping at her calves, fitting her slight body to perfection. She looked beautiful with the smile and love on her face when she caught sight of Viper waiting with the Pastor.

“She looks beautiful,” Lily said beside her, speaking her own thoughts.

“Yes, she does.”

The man handed Winter over to Viper and took a seat in the row in front of Diamond. The ceremony was brief and eloquent with both Winter and Viper speaking their own vows. When the minister pronounced them man and wife, Viper scooped Winter up into his arms, twirling her around. The loud cheer from the crowd had Diamond and Lily smiling at each other.

“Thank God, that’s over,” Knox said, rising to his feet.

Diamond sent him a reproving glance as they went to Winter and Viper to congratulate them. The happy couple greeted her with warmth, making Diamond feel welcome among so many strangers. Viper introduced Diamond to his father, Ton; the older man who had walked Winter down the aisle and now stood grimily at the couple’s side.

“You look beautiful,” Diamond complimented her.

“Thanks.” Winter smiled.

“I was afraid for a few minutes that Ton was going to run off with her,” Viper joked.

“
L
et
’s get the pictures over with, so I can get some food. You already took all the fun out of it by hiding the booze.” Everyone sent the man a quelling look while Lily looked stricken with a faint blush rising to her cheeks.

“Diamond let’s get some food. You can come with us, Lily. Beth will be a few minutes taking pictures.” Knox took both women by the arms, leading them into a huge kitchen where a large amount of food was sitting in warming trays. Evie and Bliss were ahead of them in line, filling their plate. Diamond avoided their eyes after the women greeted her with smiles.

Lily and Diamond filled their plates, watching as Knox and Rider overloaded their own. They took a seat at the large table in the dining room where Lily sat across from her while Knox and Rider sat down next to her, one on each side. When Evie and Bliss joined them at the same table, their friendly demeanor put Diamond at ease despite their history with Knox.

Lily kept her entertained by asking questions about her job and where she had gone to college. She was familiar with Lexington and the University of Kentucky, and they talked for several minutes before a breathless Beth took the seat next to Lily.

“Razer is getting my plate. I didn’t want to fight the line.” As Knox and Rider had gone back for seconds, Diamond could understand. When they returned and they resumed their seats, Beth stared at them for several seconds before giving Razer a concerned look as he handed her a plate of food.

His carefully bland face gave Diamond no clue as to what was upsetting Beth. Knox drew her attention with a hard look at Beth as he asked Diamond if she had heard anything else about his case.

“No, it goes to trial in January, giving me a couple of months to prepare, but I’m basically at a standstill until we get the final results from Frankfort.”

“I’ll be glad when this bullshit is over,” Knox said, picking up his glass of Champaign punch.

“I need all the time I can get. If something new doesn’t turn up, it’s not going to go well for you,” Diamond warned.

“I made the biggest mistake of my life that day,” Knox said, the anger evident on his face.

Diamond squeezed his hand in sympathy as Evie and Bliss got up from the table, excusing themselves to wash dishes. Diamond and Lily started to rise to go help.

“Let them take care of it; it’s their punishment.” Knox stopped her with a hand on her arm.

“Punishment?” Diamond questioned, seeing Lily’s eyes widen.

“They screwed up an order that went out last week. The kitchen is the punishment they drew.”

“You punish them when they make a simple mistake?” Lily questioned.

“It wasn’t a simple mistake; a customer was kept waiting for the supplies they needed. They gave us a bad review and took their order somewhere else,” Shade said, pausing by their table.

“Then write them up,” Lily snapped back. “But punishing them like children is ridiculous.”

“Is it?” Shade said. “Do you think a written paper telling them they made a mistake is as effective as making them wash all the dishes and clean the kitchen for a week?”

“For a week?” Lily asked. “They should report you to OSHA.”

Shades lips twisted into what Diamond thought was his version of a smile. “It was handled as a club punishment, which is different than what we would have done if they had been one of the hired employees.”

“What would you have done to a hired employee? Make them mop the floors for a month?” Lily asked with fight in her eyes.

“No, we would have fired their asses,” Shade answered.

A thought occurred to Lily, who turned to Beth. Diamond would have bet her law degree on the question that was coming next. “Do you have to take punishments like that?”

When Beth didn’t answer immediately, Lily drew taut beside her sister. Diamond almost found herself smiling at the young woman who was like a spitting kitten trying to protect her sister.

“Then you don’t need to belong to the club anymore,” Lily declared.

“She’s Razer’s; she belongs to him and the club,” Shade said bluntly. Lily stared at her sister, wanting her to deny their ownership.

“We’ll talk about this later, Lily,” Beth said, taking Lily’s hand. “But I love Razer and you do, too, and you know it. The Last Riders are a big part of his life; he considers them family. I did know that he was in a motorcycle club when I fell in love with him, and it’s not like it’s an overly harsh punishment. The worst thing that could happen is dish pan hands.”

Lily gave her sister a rueful smile. “I’m sorry I overreacted, I just couldn’t stand the thought of you taking any punishment for any reason.” The women shared a private moment. “Besides, it’s your life and I know for a fact you’re very happy.”

“Yes, I am.” Beth smiled.

Shade once again started to walk on until Lily’s next words stopped him dead in his tracks. “We need to go to Arizona; they have cowboys, Diamond,” Lily said to her mischievously.