4. Nash
NASH
“You’re shittin’ me?” I say to Duncan, doing a double take at the news. “Diamond’s place?”
This must mean she just got the news about her not-so-friendly neighbors buying up more land and now they want hers.
“Yep,” he says, a slight wince in his tone. “That’s sure to go down a treat.”
Bad news travels fast.
I run a hand over my face. “I’m gonna go see her before she commits bloody murder.”
“Probably a good idea.”
I stand, taking my coffee to-go. “I’ll be back in an hour.”
“Oh, Chief?” He insists on calling me that, even though I’ve corrected him several times.
I turn, grabbing my keys off the hook. “What is it?”
“Better take two guns.” He smirks.
I roll my eyes. “I’m sure I can handle one outlaw biker.”
“Ah, you see, that’s where you’re wrong,” Duncan points out. “They’re not outlaws, they’re legit, so you might wanna keep that lingo to yourself if you don’t want to face the wrath of Diamond.”
“Right, and you arrested them for being law-abiding citizens?”
He shrugs. “Like you said. The Stilettos need taking down a peg or two.” He can’t hide his grin. Clearly, he doesn’t really share that sentiment.
“Is this because she threatened to tell your momma what you did?”
Duncan immediately stops laughing. “She wouldn’t really do that…” He glances at his phone, looking worried. “Would she?”
Jesus Christ.
“The Stilettos won their way into the people’s hearts; that’s why they’ve skated under the radar for way too long, Benson included,” I remind him. “But the law is the law.”
My deputy shrugs. “I like Diamond. She’s tough, sure, but she’s a good woman. Even if she trades low blows every now and again, it’s just her nature, you know, after everything.”
I pique a brow. “Everything?”
The phone rings, saving him from having to answer me.
I head out to my truck, pondering what he was about to say.
It doesn’t take long to get to Diamond’s ranch, Rustic Grove, a.k.a.
, the clubhouse. It’s about a ten-minute drive from town.
The land itself is huge, acres and acres as far as the eye can see.
There are several barns, sheds, and buildings.
It’s fully secured with fencing—no surprise there—but what I don’t expect is somebody guarding the gate when I pull up in my truck.
The young woman on duty is chirpy, giving me a once-over before raising her eyebrows. “Morning, Sheriff Calloway.”
“Hello there…” I glance at her patch, but it reads: Prospect. Of course it does, because like any MC, the Prez has minions. “What’s your name?”
She thinks for a second. “My real name, or my biker name?”
I’m glad I’m wearing shades because I’d hate for her to see my deadpan expression. “Your real name will be fine.”
“Oh, okay, it’s Lisa, I’m new here.”
“Pleased to meet you, Lisa. I need to speak with Diamond.”
Her face falls. “Now’s not really a good time, sir.”
And I bet I know why.
She just got some bad news.
“Unfortunately, the matter is urgent,” I insist.
She shifts on her feet behind the gate. “I’ll have to radio the house. If I let you in unannounced, Diamond will be pissed.”
There goes the element of surprise.
I really don’t feel like amusing Lisa, but I came here waving the white flag, not wanting to barge in like a bull.
I try to keep my tone jovial when I say, “Call ahead, Lisa. I’m here on official business.”
She doesn’t realize this, but I will be getting through this gate whether she allows it or not.
I know what Diamond is capable of. And now she knows what Lanzetti is up to, I’d be surprised if she wasn’t already over at his place, guns blazing like a firing squad. She isn’t—I checked on the way here.
“Do you need a warrant or something?” Lisa asks suddenly.
I level her with a look. She’s young, so I won’t go too hard on her. “No, Lisa, that’s only necessary when we need to raid the property, and as far as I know, I’m not here to do that. Just talk.”
She walks away, making her call, as I tap my fingers on the wheel.
Surprisingly, the gates slide open a few moments later. I give her a chin lift as I pass, and she waves.
The grounds are immaculately kept. It’s rustic, charming. and pristine.
The clubhouse is essentially an old house, completely renovated, with an old-world charm about it. It’s a two-story, and stands grandly as if it holds all the secrets of the world. I park easily, though there are several motorcycles out front.
These women don’t come to play, judging by some of the beasts parked here.
I’m surprised when I make it all the way up the steps without anybody stopping me.
I glance up at the Stilettos emblem on the front double doors, a fierce touch if I’ve ever seen one.
Then I think of the last words she said to me about saying please: The last time I heard that word was when I had a man shackled to my bed.
I shake my head. That memory keeps haunting my dreams. I might be dominant in the bedroom, but I could see myself submitting to her every whim if I let myself. Which I have no intention of doing.
I’m equally stunned when nobody stops me from entering through the doors, either. Inside it’s… pleasant. It has the faint smell of cedar oil and lemons. The place is bright, too, with huge windows letting in the afternoon light.
There are polished oak floors, photos aligning the walls of motorcycles, lightning storms, and horses.
“So, you made it through the gates without getting fired at?” Sapphire eyes me from head to toe as she steps into view. “I’m impressed.”
I remove my Stetson hat. “One can only hope you’re kidding,” I murmur, then add, “I’m here to see Diamond.”
“Right.”
“Is she here?”
“Nope.”
I thumb behind me. “Then how come her motorcycle is right out there?”
I shouldn’t know that. Yet, I familiarized myself with her ride a few days ago.
Her pretty smile and roaming gaze aren’t lost on me, but I only have eyes for one woman. “You’re observant.”
“Just tell me she didn’t head to Lanzetti Farms.”
Sapphire winces. “You know, then?”
“I just found out.”
Lanzetti offered Diamond a lot of money to sell her land, but I know how passionate she is about this property. Heck, the entire town knows it. The one thing I don’t know is what Lanzetti is really planning on doing on her land. A wind farm? My ass.
Sapphire folds her arms over her chest. “You gonna give her any more problems?”
“I’m here to help, not be her enemy. I want what’s best for Saddle, and I’m going to find out what’s going on, once and for all.”
Something flickers in her eyes, an understanding. She sighs. “She’s out riding her horse. I’ll show you the way.”
I know how proud these ladies are, so I don’t argue. I let Sapphire take me through the main clubhouse to a set of double doors that lead to a porch overlooking the expansive property that is Rustic Grove.
“There.” She points across the field.
In the distance, I see her.
I give her a chin lift. “Thanks, appreciate it.”
“Go easy on her,” she calls after me. “She’s more bark than bite, Sheriff.”
I don’t look back because now I’m fixated on Diamond’s silhouette.
This woman has my head in a tailspin, and I’ve only laid eyes on her a handful of times.
I walk into the field toward the stables. When I get there, I watch her circle the ring. Her beast is magnificent; they complement each other. The mare is a dark chestnut, majestic as her gallop slows.
“She’s cool to watch, huh?” a male voice says as he comes to stand next to me. Then he holds out one hand. “Dustin, the stable manager.”
I reach my palm to his. “Nash Calloway.”
He pauses, then opens his mouth, then closes it again. With a laugh he says, “Ah, Sheriff Calloway. Yep, I’ve heard a lot about you.”
He’s blond with shaggy hair, circa Brad Pitt in his early years.
“I’m sure,” I say. “I’ll bet my name is mud around here.”
He holds up both hands. “Not sayin’ shit, but it’s good to have you in Saddle.”
“I appreciate that—” But that’s all I get to say because Diamond is charging toward us on her horse.
As I watch her, my brain short-circuits. She’s wearing black riding pants, a tank top, and full chaps. Fucking chaps.
My dick hardens the way it always does when I see her; it’s like I have zero control.
“What the fuck are you doing on my property?” she demands the second she comes to a screeching halt.
“Outta here,” Dustin mutters. “Got errands to run.” He backs away, disappearing toward the house.
When I look up at Diamond, she has a face like thunder, but I’m not scared. I see what she’s trying to pull off. I know she isn’t used to being vulnerable, and I don’t expect her to be now, but I also can’t explain this feeling in my heart.
“Here to talk,” I offer calmly. “So don’t shoot the messenger.”