Shade pulled a key out of his pocket that only him and Viper had and opened the lock. Train saw the light flip on, and then they waited as Shade went inside.
“What do you think she was looking for?”
Train looked around the large room. “She could have been checking to see if she recognized any of the cars in here. I’ve borrowed most of them when I was watching her.”
“Could be. Hammer and Jonas are experienced enough that they might have seen you tailing them,” Viper agreed thoughtfully.
It took five minutes before Shade returned to their sides. “I don’t think she got in there. Whatever she was looking for must have been in the garage.”
“Okay, so maybe she was just trying to see if you were tailing her, but brother, we still have a problem.”
“I know. I already told her that, if she didn’t hand over the key, I was done with her.”
Viper nodded, satisfied the problem had been dealt with. “I’m sorry. I know you care about her.”
“I love her, Viper, but I can’t deal with her lies.”
“I’m not going to ban her from the club this time. You brought her back to the club, you can deal with the fallout.”
“I will.” Train understood what Viper was telling him. He was going to take the heat for Beth and Lily’s anger because Killyama would never again be allowed to step any part of herself on The Last Riders’ property.
Viper left through the bay so he wouldn’t have to see Killyama again. Meanwhile, Train went through the cars to satisfy himself that Killyama hadn’t been snooping through them.
“You’re being quiet,” Train said to Shade, who had made no move to leave when he had finished.
“I’m thinking.”
“What are you thinking? I’d love to hear it, because I’m so fucking mad I want to bust a wall.”
“I think she was searching for something, but I don’t know what or why.”
Train grimaced. “I should have known something wasn’t right when she showed up this afternoon. She never comes over until I call or text her.”
“You didn’t plan on her being here today?”
“No, she was supposed to be hanging out with Sex Piston. She said Rocky and Star had a virus. I believed her. She lied to me, and it wasn’t the first time. Usually it’s when she’s with Hammer and Jonas. I’ve been telling her I don’t like her bounty hunting.”
“Why not? She’s good at it. Damn good. She earned a reputation she deserves. Other than me, she couldn’t be in better hands than with Hammer and Jonas when she’s not with you.” Shade paused before telling him, “Every month, Lily mismanages our checking account. She gives most of her paychecks to anyone who comes into the church store with a sob story. Every month, when we balance the checkbook, she hates to admit what she’s done, saying she bought a new pair of shoes or a new dress, despite knowing I don’t see any new clothes or shoes. When you’re in a relationship, you get used to it.”
“I don’t have to anymore,” Train said starkly, going to the door. “You coming?”
“You go ahead. I’m going to check around here some more. I don’t need to be there to hear what you’re going to say to her.”
Train went into the other room. Killyama had climbed onto one of the tables that was used for items that had been ordered as presents. She swung her long legs back and forth as Rider stood nearby watching her.
“We’ll walk you to your car.” Train motioned her toward the door, not showing a hint of emotion.
Killyama jumped off the table, and Train and Rider followed her out the back door, Rider lagging behind them. She never looked at Train as they drew closer to her car.
Crash was standing on the club porch, staring down at them. From his face, he had already heard what had happened.
“Killyama, tell me the truth. Why did you do it?”
“How do you say fuck off in French?”
Train had trusted her, given her a part of himself he had never given another woman, and she was telling him to fuck off?
“I hope whatever reason you gave yourself was worth it.”
Killyama’s back was toward him as she opened the car door. Without a word, she got inside and shut the door. She was driving away from their relationship seemingly without a care in the world. Train wished he could say the same.
Then, a brief glance he caught of her reflection in the window stopped his thoughts. A flicker of hope remained lit in his heart. It was flickering, but it was still there.
Hope was a gossamer thread that tied someone to their beliefs. It could be strengthened by faith, or broken when it was stretched too tight. He believed that Killyama had a reason for breaking into the back room, but he was struggling with the faith he had in her that it was a reason that could justify what she had done. The only reason that thread between them hadn’t been broken yet was his love for her. One more twist on it, though, and it would be severed forever.