Winter's Touch (The Last Riders Book 8) (15 page)

“Pretty girl, how you have lived with Rider and not managed to know him better is a mystery to me. If Rider wants something, he gets it. That’s why he has motorcycles that some collectors would give their eye teeth to own.”

She watched Rider steal the breadbasket from the table next to him. “Unless the woman was made out of food, I think she’d be safe.”

She turned serious when she saw Curt Dawkins come in the door of the restaurant, his eyes looking wild.

The whole room watched as Megan went to the door to talk to him. When he grabbed her arm, Viper and Shade stood up, King and Knox not far behind them. They closed in on the arguing couple, maneuvering them outside.

Anxiously, she waited for them to come back inside, this time without Megan, Curt, and Knox. Winter knew it was bad.

Her husband resumed his seat, covering her hand with his.

“What happened?” she asked.

The table waited for his answer.

“Curt wanted her to come home and fix his dinner. He didn’t want to wait for Megan to get off work.” Disgusted, he picked up the napkin he had dropped on the floor. “We tried to convince her to come back inside, but she refused, taking up for the trash she calls a husband. We tried to get him to calm down, but he’s obviously stoned out of his fucking mind. When he refused to let Megan stay, Knox took his ass to jail for a drug test.”

“I thought the Last Riders have employees drug tested when they’re hired,” Willa ventured shyly, seeing the men were angry.

“We didn’t ask Curt to because we were trying to find out who his supplier is. We want Curt arrested for something that he serves some major time for, not failing a drug test,” Viper explained.

“I wanted to talk to Megan—”

“Stay away from her. I don’t want you anywhere near where Curt could overhear your conversation.”

“I could talk to her parents.”

“She told King her parents disowned her when Curt stole some of her father’s prescription medication. They refused to press charges, and Megan blames her father for miscounting his pills. She told Knox her father was becoming senile.”

Winter could understand a woman wanting to take up for her husband, but Curt Dawkins was without redemption.

“I’ll have Evie talk to her when she comes back to work. I’ll also get King to hire Sasha. Maybe she can talk some sense into her.”

“Sasha?” she questioned.

“Yes. She’s only four years older than Megan, and she has an ex-husband who’s worse than Curt.”

Winter shoved her plate away. “No one’s worse than Curt.”

“Sasha’s ex is. Curt likes to go after defenseless women. Spike was thrown out of the service for breaking a little boy’s arm after he tried to pick his pocket.”

Willa suddenly stood up. “I need to go to the restroom.” She fled the table with her hand over her mouth.

“Maybe we should change the subject when she comes back,” Winter suggested, when Lily and Beth excused themselves to check on her.

“Yes.”

King had opened the bar now, which had been closed off from the dining area. It had a dance floor, where some of the couples had already started dancing.

“Come dance with me. Talking about Curt and Spike has ruined my appetite for dessert.”

“Me, too.” She let Viper help her to her feet.

When they were on the dance floor, she laid her head on her husband’s shoulder as they swayed to the music.

The dimly lit bar quickly began to fill. Sex Piston was dancing with Stud. Train was dancing with Sasha. Drake and Bliss were in their own world, and so were Rachel and Cash, who were probably enjoying the night away from their baby and Mag. Dr. Price led Killyama onto the floor, with Train staring a hole into the back of her head as Dr. Price locked his arms around her.

Her body became boneless as Viper massaged her lower back.

When the music stopped, another slow song started. Killyama and Dr. Price moved toward the bar stools near where she and Viper were dancing.

When Killyama held the bottom of her dress so she could slide onto the barstool, Train came up behind her.

“Dance with me.”

“No.” Killyama gave him a haughty glare.

“Why not?” Train wasn’t backing down, moving so she couldn’t get on the stool without ripping the bottom of her dress.

“No, I don’t want to become a Last Rider just so I can dance with you.”

“You don’t have to become a Last Rider to dance with me.” Train’s gaze flickered to Dr. Price before going back to Killyama.

Winter held her breath, waiting to hear her response, her hand tightening on Viper’s shoulder so he wouldn’t move them away from the confrontation. Viper cast her an amused look, dancing in place so she wouldn’t miss the heated conversation.

“I don’t?” Killyama asked mockingly.

“No.” A muscle in Train’s jaw twitched.

“Maybe you should make that a rule. If you have rules for fucking, you should have rules for dancing. What do you think, doc?”

Dr. Price motioned for the bartender to give him a drink. “Seems reasonable. They both require body contact.”

“Damn, I think smart men are sexy as fuck.” Killyama gave the doctor a sultry smile before glancing at Train. “I guess that means you’re shit out of luck.”

Winter had to bite down on Viper’s shoulder to keep from laughing at Train’s expression. They watched as Sex Piston stopped dancing next to them.

“Dance with him, bitch. Let him know what he’s missing.”

“He knows what he’s missing. That’s why his eyes almost popped out of his head when he saw me naked. I’m going swimming with Winter tomorrow. You should come over to see my new tattoo. I had
fuck you
tattooed on my ass.”

Killyama started to brush past Train, but he blocked her, wrapping his arms around her waist and shouldering her toward the dance floor.

“Shouldn’t you make him stop?” Winter nodded her head toward the couple, who looked more ready to fight than dance.

“Train’s had military training. He can handle himself.” Viper blithely continued dancing.

“My bitch can take him out anytime she wants to,” Sex Piston said when she heard Viper.

Viper and Sex Piston had misunderstood her. Winter hadn’t thought Train would hurt Killyama. She had been referring to the hurt look on her face. Train had hurt the woman’s pride, and she wasn’t a pushover like Megan. He had done some damage. For the first time, she realized how much Killyama liked Train.

Winter dropped her arms from around Viper, squeezing through the dancing couples to pat Train’s back.

“Will you dance with me?” Winter asked.

She thought he would refuse, but squaring his jaw, he released Killyama and turned to take her in his arms.

Train and Winter danced as Killyama escaped the restaurant.

“Why did you do that?”

Winter debated telling him the truth before choosing to be honest. “Because she’s in love with you, and you’re not being fair.”

Train snorted. “She’s not in love with me.”

“Yes, she is, just as much as Penni was, if not more. Don’t treat her any differently than you did Penni unless you’re serious. You were kind to Penni when you didn’t want a relationship with her, so show Killyama the same respect.”

She could never tell what Train was thinking, and now was no exception. He wasn’t much of a talker, releasing her when the music stopped and Viper showed up.

“Thanks for the dance,” Train excused himself, going to sit down at the bar next to Dr. Price.

“Don’t get jealous, but I danced with Sasha to keep an eye on you.”

“I don’t get jealous anymore.” She stared lovingly up at her husband.

He grinned. “I kind of liked it when you were jealous. It kept me on my toes.”

“Aw, give me time. I’ll try to find something else to keep you occupied.” Winter pressed her sensitive breasts against his chest.

Viper stumbled. “If it involves more sex, I’m good.”

“
A
re
you sure you don’t want me to wait?” Viper hesitated before leaving her where she was sitting on the lounge chair next to the pool.

“Go to work. I’ll be fine. Holly and Logan are already getting changed, and Beth and Sex Piston will be here any minute. You left two men watching, and you’re going to be back in two hours.”

He squatted down next to her. “Is the pain getting worse?”

“It’s not bad at all. Quit worrying.”

Viper kissed her lips, pressing another kiss on her bare tummy. “Be nice to Mommy while I’m gone.”

“I find you very sexy right now.”

“I’m going.” Viper stood up, saying hi to Holly and Logan as they came out of the sliding glass doors.

Aunt Shay and her great-grandson played in the water as Holly lay on a floating lounger, watching them. Winter liked the sweet woman. She was more a mom to Logan than her cousin had been. Dustin and Tate had accepted her as his mother, yet Greer had not. If anyone asked who the biggest asshole in Treepoint was, Greer Porter would win the title.

Sex Piston and Killyama came outside, swinging Sex Piston’s little boy between them, and a dainty Star was by their side with a pink noddle.

“I thought Meri and Keri were coming too?” Winter tried to adjust her position on the lounger to make herself more comfortable, but no matter how she moved, she felt a nagging pain in her lower back.

“Stud took the day off so they could practice driving. I’d rather wrestle a chicken leg out of Fat Louise’s hand than teach them how to drive.”

Sex Piston’s humor on teaching her stepdaughters to drive had Winter sympathizing with her. She still remembered her own mother having to drink a glass of wine when they returned home. Winter had to admit she had been a terrible driver.

Sex Piston pulled off her cover-up, exposing a blood red bikini. Killyama had on a blue halter-top and a pair of shorts. She was wearing a pair of flip-flops that smacked the tiles as she walked the little girl to the pool.

Sex Piston slipped into the pool as her stepdaughter paddled around, splashing Sex Piston and Holly with water.

“I put a cooler in the kitchen with drinks and sandwiches,” Sex Piston told her. “We may have come uninvited, but we didn’t come empty-handed.”

“I told Sex Piston you and the crew could come by any Saturday until the house is sold. And if we run out of drinks, I can ask Viper to bring some when he picks me up.”

“You don’t look so good today. You need some help getting in the pool?”

Winter had never experienced this nice side of Killyama. “Would you mind? Beth should be here any minute, but I don’t want to wait any longer. The water eases the pain from sitting too long.” She immediately rose, holding out her arms, and Killyama grabbed them, lifting her.

Killyama was surprisingly strong. Winter could feel the taut muscles in her forearms.

She helped Winter down the steps, and then Winter sunk to the bottom, letting the water relieve her aches and pains.

Winter expected Killyama to get in, too, but she sat down at the edge of the pool, instead.

“You’re not getting in?” Winter asked through gritted teeth. Her pain was escalating. Each day was becoming a trial of endurance.

“No. I want to keep my eyes on the kids.”

“Oh.” She tried to make herself take a few steps on the pool floor.

Beth’s arrival distracted her for a couple of minutes as she called out hellos, laying her towel down. She then slid into the pool, swimming to Winter’s side.

“I’m sorry I’m so late. Chance and Noah wanted to come when they found out Logan was going to be here, and I had to console them.”

“You should have let them come.”

“Razer already planned on taking them with King and Shade to go fishing. How are—”

“Fine.”

Beth laughed. “Getting tired of everyone asking?”

“Yes.” Winter lifted her arm onto the deck to hold herself steady.

“Sorry. It’s just you—”

“Look terrible. I know. Right now, my bladder is fuller than my hips.” Winter gave up waiting and decided to go to the bathroom. If she didn’t feel better then, she would ask Beth to drive her home.

“I’ll go with you.” Beth started to get out of the water.

“Stay. I forgot my suntan lotion in the kitchen.” Leisurely, Killyama rose to her feet.

Killyama helped her step out of the pool. Each step was agony. It wasn’t even a big step, but it felt like she had climbed over a boulder. She couldn’t help leaning on Killyama as they walked across the deck.

“Can’t you take something for the pain?”

“I don’t want to. I’ll feel better after I use the restroom.”

Winter and Killyama went through the kitchen then to the small hallway that led to the downstairs bedroom and bathroom. All the furniture had already been sent to the church store other than the things Aunt Shay wanted to take with her.

Killyama stayed in the bedroom as she used the bathroom. When she was finished, she washed her face, noticing she had worked up a flush just from making it to the bathroom.

“You changed out of your suit?” Killyama studied her face as she offered her arm to lean on.

“I’ve decided to ask Beth to take me home. I want to take a nap.”

They returned to the kitchen, where Winter grabbed a bottle of water she had placed in the freezer. It had frozen solid since she had put it there. Deciding to take it, anyway, she knew it would be icy cold when it melted.

“Why did you get Train away from me last night?”

“Because I know what it’s like to love someone when they don’t love you back.”

Winter was staring up at her when the front door fell open. One man she recognized was bleeding, but the one pointing a gun at Jackal’s head was someone she had never seen before.

“Don’t move.” His Spanish accent left Winter with little doubt of whom she was looking at.

He slammed the front door with his foot, throwing Jackal to the floor when he did so. The movement showed he was holding a second gun in his other hand.

In terror, her hand on her belly froze, as well as every muscle in her body.

Killyama shifted on her feet, the tiny movement barely discernible as Raul kicked Jackal out of his way.

He darted into the room to make sure no one else was inside while Jackal groaned.

Winter tried to move toward him, but Killyama held her back.

“You are Viper’s woman?” Raul asked.

Winter knew her answer was a death sentence for her and their child.

“What’s it to you?” Killyama said.

The gun that had been trained on her swung toward Killyama. His hate-filled face snarled as he shot her, and Killyama’s hand dropped from her arm. Blood poured out of her shoulder, trailing down her arm.

Winter’s apprehensive gaze swung toward the sliding glass door, afraid that Sex Piston or Beth would come into the room.

“Please, there are children outside.”

“I do not give a fuck! I will kill them all. When Viper arrives, he will find his wife and child dead.”

Just as she had feared, the sliding glass door began to open. Raul turned his head, keeping one gun pointed at her and Killyama and the other at the door.

“Throw the water.”

Without thought, Winter obeyed Killyama’s order. As the woman jumped in front of her, another shot rang out. Winter screamed, dropping to her knees and holding her stomach as agony traveled from the tips of her toes through every bone in her body. She continued screaming, unable to bare the pain.

Miserable, she could only watch as Killyama took a running jump, yelling at Sex Piston to run. The woman had been shot twice, but she threw her foot out, kicking and knocking Raul against the door. Blood ran from his forehead as he lifted the guns to point them at her again, and she struck out in a blur. One fell to the floor; the other was twisted out of his grip.

Raul leaned down to pick one of the guns up, but Killyama jerked her knee up, slamming him in his face. He fell back against the door again. Spit dribbled out the corner of his mouth as he attacked her, his face filled with rage.

Winter bit down on her hand, trying to keep herself from crying out again when she saw the blood covering the lower part of her sundress.

“Lay down.” Sex Piston reached her, helping her lower herself to the floor.

“Get out of here,” Winter gasped in agony, squeezing her hand, contradicting her plea.

Killyama was still in a struggle for their lives.

“I’m not fucking going anywhere.” Sex Piston blocked her in case Raul managed to get one of the guns.

Killyama and Raul were rolling on the floor. He managed to stretch out and touch one of the weapons, taking his eyes off Killyama for a second. It cost him his life.

She used her foot to kick the weapon she couldn’t reach in time, kicking it toward Jackal as he tried to sit up. The dazed biker managed to snatch the gun, firing it. Raul’s cold face became one of horror when death came to meet him.

Sirens and yells came from the door where Killyama and Raul sat in a bloody pool. Killyama grabbed one of Raul’s feet to pull him away from the door. Covered in blood from her hair to her bare feet, she managed to open the door with a slippery hand.

“Winter!”

Viper and Knox came running in, sliding in Raul’s blood. Viper managed to catch his balance, falling down to his knees beside her.

“God, no.” Her husband’s face contorted in grief.

Winter started to touch his cheek, but when she saw the blood on her hand, she put it back down. He grabbed it, putting it on his cheek.

“The baby’s coming,” she gasped.

“The ambulance is on its way, and Dr. Price is a minute from here.”

“I love… I love you so very much.”

“Scoot over, Viper. Let me help her! Give me your knife so I can cut her dress!” Beth demanded, as she knelt by her feet.

Beth began shouting orders, telling Knox to move everybody from the doorway so the EMTs could get inside.

“Were you shot, Winter?”

Winter held Viper’s hand as Beth cut away her dress. “No. Killyama was, twice.”

“I shouldn’t have left you.” Viper’s eyes welled up with tears.

“Don’t you dare blame yourself. I told you to go.”

“The ambulance is here, Viper. You’re going to have to move so they can get her loaded onto the gurney,” Beth said before she moved away, trying to take Viper’s arm.

He stood up, moving to the side.

When the paramedics moved her, she screamed, praying that she blacked out to escape the spasms racking her body.

“Give her something for the pain!”

Knox held Viper back as they wheeled her from the house.

Winter was in so much agony that all she wanted to do was twist and turn, trying to find some relief from the pain in her back and abdomen.

“Please, God, help me,” she prayed over and over again.

“Hold on, Winter. They’re putting you in the ambulance. As soon I can, I’ll give you something for the pain.” She recognized Dr. Price’s voice as she felt the gurney being lifted and then heard the sound of the doors being slammed.

“Where’s Viper?” she pleaded.

“I’m here.” She felt his hand on her arm. “I’m not leaving your side.”

“Dr. Price?” she cried out, feeling the welcoming blackness she had been praying for slipping over her.

“Yes, Winter? We’re almost at the hospital,” his steady tone reassured her.

She knew she was losing consciousness, her mind no longer able to handle the misery.

“Is it a boy or girl?” she asked.

She and Viper had wanted the sex of their baby to remain a surprise until the birth. However, she didn’t want to die not knowing if it were a boy or a girl.

“You’re having a girl, Winter… a beautiful baby girl.”