“I told Beth that.” Lily avoided Beth’s glare.
“Then why don’t you go get some, then?” Beth challenged.
“I’m full.”
The women started talking about the church store when the men came back. Killyama noticed that Train had filled another plate with an even bigger helping of the casserole. She then saw Beth, Lily, and Rachel look at their men’s full plates when they sat down.
She saw Stori take a seat at the other end of the table, talking animatedly with Viper. Winter, who was sitting next to him, didn’t seem any happier than the other women at the table.
“I’ll be right back. That looks too good to resist,” she told Train as she got up.
He grinned up at her. “I told you. You’ll be lucky if there is any left.”
“Then I’ll swipe some of yours,” she said as she made her way into the kitchen.
He was right; there wasn’t any left. Dishing the spoonful that was left, she went back to the dining room, stopping by Stori’s chair.
The woman glanced up and saw her standing by her side.
“You make the casserole?”
Stori’s fork paused by her mouth as she nodded.
“It’s delicioso.”
She lowered her fork to her plate. “What …? Thank you?”
“Train is teaching me French. I thought I’d throw that word out there. That casserole is so good it deserves the effort.”
Stori beamed. “Thank you. Next time I make it, I’ll make sure to save you some extra for later, like I do for Train. But, I think delicioso is Spanish.”
“Whatever.” Killyama shrugged. “It’s still good. Do me a favor, text me that recipe. Sex Piston and Stud will love it. I’m going to call her tonight so she can get the ingredients.”
“Uh … I don’t …” She stopped, fear flashing across her face as Killyama’s shrewd gaze captured hers. “I can do that,” she finally said with a nod.
“Thanks. You have your phone handy? I’ll give you my number.”
“Sure.”
Killyama left the defeated bitch after rattling off her number with a last parting shot. “And don’t forget any ingredients. Sex Piston gets pissed when a recipe doesn’t come out the way she expects it to.”
Train shook his head at the minuscule portion on her plate when she sat back down. “I told you there wasn’t much left. Shade always eats as much as I do.”
Lily stood jerkily to her feet. “Are you ready to cut your cake?”
“I’ve been ready.” Train patted his flat belly.
Killyama watched him get up and move to stand by the cake where Willa was waiting. She laughed with the others at the table at the raucous birthday song Viper had started as Train cut into the first slice. Then he let Willa and Lily serve the others.
The loud cheers and claps slowed as Train started opening his presents one at a time, thanking the brothers for the liquor.
The gifts were a mixture of useful, off-the-wall items meant for enjoyment. Jewell had given him new motorcycle gloves, Lily had given him a gift certificate to the diner, and Evie and King had gotten him a gift certificate for a steak dinner.
“I hope those certificates are for two,” Killyama joked to Beth.
Viper had gotten him a card he had printed off the computer for a week off anytime he wanted it. Beth and Razer had gotten him a mini beer pong set. Rachel and Cash had gifted him a fishing knife. And Knox and Diamond had given him a police scanner. She enjoyed watching Train open his gifts. After opening each one, he would thank each brother with a man hug, and a kiss on the cheek for the women.
He then opened the last one, a present that had been obscured from view by cake.
Reading Stori’s name aloud from the small card that was attached to the present, he tore it open. His face said it all. He liked it a lot.
He raised it up so the room could see the silver skull and crossbones belt buckle. The upper teeth were set on top of the metal of the buckle, with the lower jaw missing. From each side of the skull was a metal bone that had engraved words that together said The Last Riders.
Train took off his belt and put it on, and then wrapped the belt around his lean waist again.
The men stared at it enviously. Rider and Razer were both asking Stori where she had bought it from.
“You like it?” Stori got out of her chair as Train approached her.
“I love it. Thank you.” He lifted her off her feet, giving her a bear hug.
Killyama watched as several women glanced her way while she thanked Lily for giving her a slice of cake, eating it without concern.
Train came back to where she was sitting, carrying the large slice he had cut himself. The men sitting around them complimented him on his gifts.