Page 11 of Shine: Sins of the Father (Evil Dead MC: Second Generation #8)

Fiona—

Shine skirts the backroads, and when we crest a hill, I glance behind us and see the orange glow and the rising smoke in the distance. I know we’re far enough away now, and it can’t catch us, but I say a prayer that it doesn’t touch the little cabin on Lake Mary.

Hours later, we’re coming out of the mountains on the western slope. The first town we hit with a gas station is Oakdale. Shine rolls onto the lot and stops at a pump. I slide off, stiff from the long ride. It’s full dark now.

Shine climbs off and unscrews the gas cap, then swipes a card and jams the nozzle in his tank. His eyes shift to me. “Sore?”

“I just need to stretch. It feels good to be off the bike for a minute.”

“Where am I dropping you? You got an apartment?”

I’m prepared with an answer; I’ve had time on the ride to think about it. “No, I need to get straight to work. You can drop me at Sonny’s. You know where it is?”

“I can pull it up on my phone.”

“Okay. I’ve got to pee.” With that, I retreat into the convenience store and head to the bathroom. It’s a single-occupancy john, and I lock the door, then pull out my phone. I dial Janey. She picks up on the second ring.

“Fiona? Why haven’t you called? I’ve been worried sick about you.”

“I’m fine, but I need to ask a favor.”

“What’s that?”

“I need you to pick me up at Sonny’s in about an hour and a half. Can you do that?”

“Sonny’s? Why would I pick you up there?”

“I’ll explain later. Can you do it?”

“Sure, but what’s going on?”

“I’ll explain everything when I see you. And please just wait in your car.”

“Why?”

“Just do it, okay?”

“Are you sure you’re all right? Do I need to call the club or something?”

“No,” I snap quickly. “Don’t call anyone. Promise?”

“Fine, but you owe me.”

“I know I do. Thanks, Janey. I’ve got to go.”

I disconnect, finish business, and hustle out of the store. When I approach the pump, Shine is sitting sideways on his bike, his legs crossed at his boots, munching on a candy bar. He tosses me one.

“Catch.”

I snag it with both hands like a football and look at it. “Reeses. I love these things. How did you know?”

He shrugs. “Lucky guess. Who doesn’t like peanut butter and chocolate?”

Tearing into the wrapper, I shove an entire cup into my mouth and moan around it as it melts. “Mmm. So good.”

Shine chuckles. “Maybe I need to get you something more to eat. I haven’t fed you since the pancake place.

Lake Tahoe. That seems like a million years ago. How can it only be this morning we were eating at Hanzel and Gretel’s?

My joy from the candy bar dies. Since breakfast, I’ve become a murderer. When the happiness drains from my face, Shine tilts his head.

“What is it?”

“I guess we share a big secret now.”

“I won’t tell if you don’t,” he teases, but I don’t laugh. “Don’t worry, sweetness. Dead men tell no tales.”

“Is that a joke? This isn’t funny.”

“Just trying to lighten the mood, babe.”

I stare off down the road.

“Everything’s gonna be okay. What happened today? I don’t want you to think about it again.”

“Are you joking? It’s all I can think about.”

He stands, tosses his wrapper in the trash, and moves to me, grabbing my waist and staring into my eyes. “Don’t. Put it out of your mind. It’s over. It’s done. And I will not let that shit touch you again. If this ever comes out, I’m the one who shot him. Understand?”

“But you didn’t.”

“No, but I’ll take the fall for it, if it comes to it, sweetness.

I’m the one who dragged you into this. Me.

I put you in a situation I never should have put you in.

I’m sorry about that. If I had it to do over again, I never would have made that run to Lake Tahoe today.

I’d have waited for another time. I’m to blame for all of it, and every time I see that worry on your face, it reminds me how badly I fucked this up.

So, you’d be doin’ me a favor if you’d try to put it from your mind and find that beautiful smile again. ”

I believe him. I think he would take the rap for that man’s death. So, I give him what he asks for… at least a small smile.

“There it is.” He turns and passes me my helmet. “You ready to climb back on? Navigation says we should be there in less than two hours.”

“Yes. Let’s go.”

“You really want to work a shift tonight after everything today?”

“Yes. It’s the best way to get my mind off what happened.”

He nods and swings his leg over the seat, and I scramble on behind him. He drops the bike in gear, and we roar out onto the highway.

Hours later, he turns into the lot of Sonny’s Gentleman’s Club.

The neon sign out front glows in the night.

The bike rolls to a stop at the front door, and I spot Janey’s little Miata parked at the corner of the building, engine and lights off.

Thankfully, she’s got the top up, so it’s not obvious she’s sitting in it.

I climb off, and Shine cuts the engine and stands, sending fear spiking through me. He cannot come inside. I can’t let him.

Instead of walking toward the door, he takes my helmet, shoves it in the saddlebag, then grabs my hands, pulling me flush against him.

“It’s been a wild trip, pretty girl. I know some bad shit went down, but it wasn’t all bad. I got to spend some time with you.”

His words make me smile, and I relax because I don’t think he’s going inside with me, after all.

“I’m glad I got to meet you, Shine.”

“You were quite the surprise. Best I’ve ever had.”

I lift a brow, wondering if he’s talking about the best sex he’s ever had or the best surprise he’s ever had.

He reads the question in my eyes and chuckles. “Both, darlin’.”

“Good to know,” I murmur. “I’ve got to get inside.”

He looks beyond me to the door and nods. “Maybe I’ll see you again. Maybe I’ll surprise you this time.”

“Are you heading to the San Jose clubhouse?” I ask.

He looks into the distance. “Yeah. Since I’m here and all. Plus, I’ve got a brother I want to look up.”

Reckless came from the Vegas chapter, and I’m sure that’s who he means.

I take Shine’s face in my hands and stroke my thumbs over his lips. “I’ll think of you often.”

“Same here, angel.”

I lift onto my toes and press my mouth to his. Then I turn and hurry inside, because if I don’t, I’m going to cry for some stupid reason.

Inside the door stands Tiny, the bouncer. He knows who I am, and his eyes move past me to the bike at the curb and the patch on Shine’s back, then his gaze shifts to me.

“Hey, Fiona. What are you doing here? Who was that? Is he comin’ in?”

“He’s leaving. He’s just a ride.”

“Please tell me you girls aren’t having another pole dancing lesson.”

“Nope. I’m just getting picked up here.” We watch through the smoked windows as Shine rides off. I stare after him until the rumble of his tailpipes fades and his taillight gets small. Then I look at Tiny. “You did not see me, understand?”

His eyes shift from me to the disappearing bike. “Yup.”

“Thanks, Tiny. Gotta go.” I kiss him on the cheek, and he blushes, then holds the door for me. I run out to Janey’s car and jump in the passenger seat. “Go. Go, go, go.”

“What the hell is going on? Who was that guy?”

“Just drive before he decides to come back.”

“I saw him drop you off. I saw you kiss him. Now spill the tea.”

“Janey, drive! I’ll tell you everything.”

“You better, missy.” She cranks the engine, and we peel out of there.