8. Diamond
DIAMOND
I can’t believe I let Calloway do that to me. He didn’t even bother to pull my panties or jeans back up, damn asshat. I curse myself for being such a fucking sap.
He just ate me out in the barn, with Gypsy right there, not that she’s fazed, but still.
Princess.
Wildcat.
D.
I can’t.
I hurriedly pull myself together, then say goodbye to Gypsy, apologizing for my bad behavior.
The stuff he told me about his ex-wife… about his daughter? That was personal information, and yet he shared it with me openly. I didn’t give him shit, of course, because I’ve never worn my heart on my sleeve and never indulge in pillow talk, but a part of me wanted to.
That same part also fears what he would think when I tell him my child was physically removed from my custody, and I didn’t get to raise her. My heart died that day, and even though I have her in my life now, it’ll always be something I mourn.
I’ve never cared what people thought of me, even back then. But Nash? I don’t think I could stand his judgment. I know he doesn’t profess to hate women after what his ex-wife did to him, but that must leave a scar on your heart.
The truth is? I don’t think I’ll ever get over what happened and the years I missed out on.
Right on cue, Annalise calls. It’s like she has a sixth sense.
“Mom?”
“Hey, honey, what’s up?”
“Nothing.” She is far too cheerful.
“Okay, are you sure about that?” I prod.
“Don’t be mad okay?”
“I’m not agreeing to anything,” I tell her honestly.
“I’ve been trying to call you forever. I rang Sapphire, and she said you were out riding.”
Yep, I was, then I got thoroughly tongue-fucked by the new sheriff, and I liked it. Oh, lord.
I’ll be having visions of him between my legs forever more.
And to walk out like that, all smug? The extremely large bulge in the front of his pants showed me he was rock hard.
I’m miffed I didn’t get to return the favor.
That orgasm was amazing, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not nearly satisfied.
I love cock, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.
But right now? Nash’s dick is the only one I want.
“She told me what happened, kind of.”
The women know to keep most of the specifics out of conversations with anyone, club business and all that, but realistically, I don’t keep secrets from my daughter.
I sigh. “Good news travels fast.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I say, shutting the pen behind me. “What’s going on?”
“I met someone.”
I chuckle. “And that’s bad?”
“Well, no, it’s not bad, but, uh, well, it’s funny, really.”
“Funny ha-ha, or weird funny?”
There’s a brief silence. “Weird funny, I guess.”
I brace myself. “Spit it out.”
“He… he’s Choker.”
I blink. “Choker? Honey, I know I’m your mom and all, but I really don’t need to know all the specifics—” She’s twenty-three. I’m not a prude, but I don’t want to hear about her kinks or escapades. Hard limit.
“Mom! That isn’t what I meant!” She sounds mortified.
Mom of the year right here. “Okay, you’re gonna have to elaborate because I’m not foll—”
“Choker from the Ridgehaven Hellions, Mom.”
I stop in my tracks. “The Hellions?” I think back, scanning my brain for who the hell Choker is. I know a lot of the members, but I haven’t been there in a long while. He is the second club Enforcer because those asswipes need it with all the shit they get into.
“And I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not like that. He’s really sweet. Looks after me—”
“With a name like Choker?” I shake my head. “Honey, you know how I feel about this subject. Bikers? I mean, isn’t there a nice boy you can find who isn’t involved in that kind of life?”
“You’re involved in that kind of life,” she reminds me.
“That’s different, and you know it.”
“Because of you and Bane?”
I pause, not wanting to get onto this subject. “Bane is my friend, nothing more. I owe him for his help, you know that.”
“Exactly, and he’s a good guy. So is Choker.”
“And you know that for sure?” I don’t let her answer before I ask, “Sweetie, what does he do?”
“Well, he’s the Road Captain—”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. I don’t know why I feel so strongly about this, or maybe I do.
My daughter is the most precious thing in my life.
While I know the Hellions aren’t all bad guys, and they aren’t a 1% club, they’re still as badass as they come, barely skating along the lines of the law.
I know it’s like calling the pot black, but I’m still her mom.
“I meant for a job.”
“Oh, he’s one of the mechanics in the workshop, he fits diesel engines.”
Of course he does.
I make a mental note to call Bane because this Choker asshole is now at the top of my shit list. If he hurts her, I will cut his fucking nuts off.
“Mom?”
“I’m sorry, I’m thinking.”
“About all the ways you’re going to kill him?”
“You must be my child.” I laugh. “It’s like you can read my thoughts.”
“Mom, don’t be weird, okay? I just wanted to give you the heads-up,” she says earnestly. “I know you have a life envisioned for me that may not involve dating a diesel mechanic—”
“A Hellion,” I interject.
“—but we’re dating, and it felt weird not telling you.”
She spends the next five minutes telling me about him as I walk toward the house. When we hang up, I don’t have the mental capacity to call Bane. That can wait.
All I’ve ever wanted is for Annalise to be happy, but I didn’t ever imagine she’d be with a biker.
Have I done this to her? She’s been working in Jackson for a year now, and I was fully supportive of the move.
Heck, I may have even asked Bane to keep an eye on her from time to time, but I’m annoyed he didn’t call me to clue me in.
“D?” Ruby asks as I enter my office. There’s concern in her eyes that instantly makes me try to shake off my impending bad mood. It isn’t their fault I’m about to kill Bane Adler and this fucking Choker dude.
Ruby, not only my VP but also my right-hand woman, has been waiting for me, along with the other committee members.
Ruby runs her own salon in town named Spurs and Sparkle.
Sapphire, a trained mechanic who has her own business, Saddle Up, is also the Enforcer.
Sapphire looks after the prospects and any newbies we might be housing.
Pearl is our Secretary, she ensures the books are up-to-date and keeps an eye on the club’s coffers.
She also runs the local cafe, Saddle Hop.
Onyx is our Road Captain. She organizes every ride we go on, including charity events.
She also runs the clubs’ bar, Rusty Spur.
Then there’s our newest recruit; Jade, also known as Tilly—Star from the NOLA Rebels’ sister.
Jade was one of the casualties from the cartel bust we took down a few years ago.
She had amnesia for months with no idea her sister, a PI, was looking for her.
They reunited, but after a few months, Jade wanted to come back to Saddle, and we welcomed her with open arms.
There are also other members who have a vote, but they aren’t committee members: Emerald, Topaz, and Garnet who work in the various club businesses across town. It was Ruby’s idea that every club member took a gemstone name, which I think is kinda perfect.
“Why are you all still here?” I ask, moving behind my desk.
“We were worried,” Ruby goes on. “When I saw Sheriff Calloway leaving, I assumed the worst.”
Jesus. Have I lost my mind? They were all here when we were out in the barn… At least Dustin made himself scarce. I hide my unease.
“I’m fine. I don’t need a damn babysitter.”
“We need to talk about what happened, and what these assholes might do next,” Pearl—always the most reasonable of the MC—points out. “We’ve all heard the rumors about what happens when you say no to the Lanzetti family. Things might get messy.”
“I’m not scared of them,” I say, sitting back in my chair. “And before any of you ask: no, I’m not selling the ranch. You’ll have to drag me out of here in a body bag before I ever sell my soul. This is my home. Our home.”
“We figured,” Jade says gently. “But we need to put some plans in place for what’s next. You know this won’t be the end of things. They’re a bunch of leeches.”
That, I can’t argue with.
“I vote we protect the ranch at all costs,” Sapphire says. “I’ll make sure the fences are properly secured at first light with Dustin and Topaz. She likes to ride, and it’ll stretch Gizmo’s legs.”
I nod. “Fine.”
“This is fucking crazy.” Onyx sighs, looking anxious. “A resort in Saddle? Are they okay? This will kill small business in town.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if it isn’t a coverup for something more sinister,” Ruby declares. “Either way, they can’t go ahead and do shit if Diamond isn’t selling, so we need to expect retaliation. They need her to cave.”
“This is just the kind of thing the Devilhead Warriors would love to be involved in,” Sapphire says. “Any excuse to get back at us.”
The Devilheads are a rival MC a few hours from here. We’ve had run-ins from time to time. Their female Prez runs guns and drugs along the border. We’ve had more than one fist fight, both times I came out on top because she runs her mouth better than she can throw a punch.
Then there’s the Dirty Crows MC, West Texas, who ride through town every now and again just to cause trouble, but we haven’t seen them in years.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I retort. There’s no need to get crazy. “I’m not so sure Sheriff Calloway is the stick-in-the-mud I thought he was. He could be an ally, but it’s too soon to say. I’m unsure where his allegiance lies.”
They look hopeful. Having the law on our side can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.
“So, we secure the property as Sapphire suggested, and sit tight?” Ruby repeats.
“Exactly,” I say looking at each one of them. “If these assholes think they can push me and this club around, they can think again. I won’t be run out of my hometown, not for money, greed, a fucking resort, not for anything.”
“Well said.” Sapphire grins, placing a hand over her heart. “That is a lot of money, for a second, I thought you might consider it.”
“Never,” I repeat. “The one thing you can all depend on is my loyalty to this club, this land I worked hard for. It’s your home as well as mine. I won’t waver, no matter what they throw at us.”
I make a mental note to call my dad. I’m not close to my mom, they divorced when I was small and she took off, but Dad is my rock. In a way, I can relate to Nash when he said his daughter was unwanted by her mother.
Ruby pumps her fists. “I’ll drink to that.”
I wasn’t kidding about my love for this town. Lanzetti’s not going to get what he wants, and I don’t care what he threatens. I won’t be run off my own land.
Saddle is our home. Our town. And we’re going to fucking protect it.