Shade remained quietly listening, placing a bottle in front of them, while Dalton noticed that he took a bottle of water for himself.
Dalton nodded in answer to Dax’s question. “Maybe.”
Without getting the encouragement he wanted to continue the conversation, Dax turned his attention to Shade. “Your lovely wife isn’t joining us tonight?”
The hair on the back on Dalton’s neck stood up again when the sharp gaze settled on his son.
“No.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I was looking forward to talking to her some more. Grace told me she manages a non-profit thrift store in her church. I was looking for any way to help if I could.”
“Why?” Shade’s reply was short and blunt.
To Dax’s credit, he didn’t become nervous at Shade’s interest in his question. His son held a position in the company they had started together. When he asked Dax to work with him, he had expected to carry the heaviest burden of the work, but he’d been surprised and proud that his son worked hard and long hours to prove him wrong.
While the movies they produced might not have been blockbusters, they were profitable, and their company was beginning to be known worldwide as a force to be reckoned with. Both had taken on the jobs that had suited them the most. Dalton found his strength was being a producer while Dax found his in directing.
Dalton didn’t mind being ruthless. While his age and experience made him less afraid of ruffling feathers, he would rather do it as a last resort. Which was why he had run into trouble with Zeke. The actor thought that Dax had wanted him for the movie; it was he who had pressed Dax to hire him.
If the arrogant prick would just get over his ego and stop looking over the rainbow for a part that DeMour wasn’t going to hire him for anyway, Zeke would realize that No Man Land would propel him to the mega star status he was trying so hard to find.
The sad part was, it would be short-lived. Zeke wouldn’t be able to play the character roles he was determined to play. The audience would see there was no substance behind the good looks and brawn that Zeke had cultivated.
Just as he had.
“Grace told me that your sister Penni discusses what the store needs. I imagine the holidays makes it even harder. Dad and I donate to several charities; we’d like to help the thrift store and wanted to talk to Lily about what would be the most useful.”
Shade’s expression didn’t soften, but Dalton didn’t expect it to. The biker was possessive over his wife. He couldn’t blame him; she was a beautiful woman, and in the small amount of time he spent with her, he realized Lily had a heart of gold. Men protected women like that; they didn’t leave them vulnerable to be stolen or hurt. Dalton could understand because for thirty-three years, he’d had a woman like that too.
“Lucky is the pastor of the church, and he’s here. You can talk to him.”
Dalton’s lips quirked upward. Shade didn’t say if his wife would be coming to the party tonight; he only said that if Dax was interested in helping, who he should talk with to find the information he wanted.
Dalton’s smile broadened. “The town’s pastor is named Lucky?”
“Yes.”
“I might need to give church another go. Never heard of a pastor called Lucky before.”
“If you want to meet him, he just came in the door with T.A.”
Dalton didn’t jerk around like Dax did, but he did turn to look toward the doorway. A tall man came in with a group of four women and four men. Three of the men had their arms over their women’s shoulders. T.A. was the one who didn’t; she was talking to the man Shade indicated was Lucky.
The group of women who entered was high-spirited, their expressions animated as they looked around the large room. Dalton didn’t miss the fact that T.A.’s eyes widened when their eyes met.
The other women with her had honed in on Kaden Cross, who was sitting on one of the couches with his wife, Sawyer, talking to several of the Last Riders. As the group made a line toward where Kaden was sitting, he saw T.A. nudge one red-haired woman as she said something to her. He didn’t have to guess what she was saying when the woman stopped and directed her gaze toward him.
Dalton hid his smile when the group stopped and headed in his direction.
“I guess a movie star outranks the rocker.” Shade’s comment from behind the bar had Dalton grinning. “It must be nice to be so popular.”
“You didn’t seem to be very impressed when you met me,” Dalton wryly stated.
“I was impressed. I just didn’t show it.”
Dalton laughed knowing he was lying. “I don’t believe that. I think it would take a lot to impress you.”