Page 16 of Diamond

“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.”