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She nods. I thought an event like this might make her panic, but it’s done the opposite. I’m starting to realize her anxiety spikes when she’s either facing an internal dilemma or when she’s alone. Not so much in a life-or-death situation. Tilly is stronger than she gives herself credit for.

We find Jolie’s mom within a few minutes. After frantically hugging her daughter, they take off. Tilly and I spend the next hour helping people as the police secure the area.

“The fuck is happening?” I ask Nash when we head toward them.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” Nash replies. “Diamond told me the Crows haven’t been in Saddle for a few years. No reason for them to have beef. But according to her, they do this from time to time to stir up trouble.”

“Amazing timing when the whole town is in the same area,” I retort. “Please tell me there are no fatalities?”

“Not that I’m aware of, but we have two criticals. We got lucky.”

“All the Stilettos are accounted for,” Diamond tells me. “Sapphire and Sin managed to grab the Crow you took down; He is on his way to the hospital under guard.”

That is some fucked-up shit right there.

“Looks like I owe you,” Nash replies, and I’m sure there’s a hint of pride in his tone.

“I hope he snapped his neck,” I mumble.

I glance at Diamond, but Nash interjects before we can speak, “Don’t even think about it.” He points at me. “We’ve got this handled.”

I arch a brow. “Your ol’ lady know that?”

“Nash,” Diamond says, a fierceness in her tone. “They’re not going to get away with this.”

“I know they’re not, which is why it’s in our hands now,” Nash replies.

“We’ll see about that,” Diamond mutters, and I know she’s cooking up a plan.

Tilly tugs on my sleeve, and I glance at her. “If it’s okay, and we’re not needed here anymore, I’m going to go home.”

Shit. This was supposed to be a date. All right, maybe we had to get the whole ‘fake-dating’ story circulating and all, but those plans were cut short.

“Of course,” I say softly. “You sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine,” she replies, her tone hushed. “You saved me from being squashed. I owe you.”

“That was a close call, fuckin’ rat bastards.”

She places a hand on my shoulder. “They’ll get what’s coming to them.”

We say goodbye to Diamond and Nash, heading toward the pavilion, where I left Tilly’s motorcycle.

“I’ll ride with you,” I start, but then stop in my tracks. She’s staring at me with a look in her eyes I haven’t seen before. It’s as if she’s deliberating over something, but I’ve no clue what. “Tilly?”

“I’d like that,” she says. “I mean, you’re going that way anyway, right?”

I smirk. “I’m parked right over there.”

“Got it.”

She starts her engine, and once I retrieve my Harley, we head back to Rustic Grove.

I half expect an emergency meeting the second we get back, but instead we get a group text.

Diamond

Meeting first thing in the morning. Need to get on top of this Crows shit