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“Sunrise was a beauty this mornin’,” I say. Nature is something we both appreciate, so it’s a safe subject. Lame, perhaps, but safe all the same.

“Oh, I know, the light coming through the window into my room woke me up early,” she replies. “I forgot to close my blinds again.”

I also love the way she smiles. She’s all heart.

Tilly lives above the clubhouse at Rustic Grove, in one of the many rooms that Diamond makes available to members or women in need. I lose track of all the strays D has brought home over the years, but that’s just who she is. Always there to lend a helping hand. When she joined the MC, it was a welcome addition.

I live adjacent to the stables, in a cabin that Diamond let me stay in until I got back on my feet. The deal was I kept an eye on things, and I slowly repaired the cabin in my own time. I’d fallen on hard times, and had one messy break up after another. That was six years ago. I act as security around the property now, as well as maintain all the cameras and security footage. While Sapphire may be the Enforcer and handles security of a different nature, she has enough to do managing conflicts between members and other MCs, and keeping an eye on the Lanzetti situation.

The whole thing has been a shit-show from the start, and things are only gonna get worse because this slimy asshole is a major dick.

“That happens,” I agree I don’t ask her what she’s doing all the way out here alone—that’s not my place. She has every right to ride wherever she wants to go, but I don’t trust our neighbors. I wouldn’t put it past any Lanzetti, or the men who work for him, to try to scare the women. These men have already proved that—they like to intimidate women simply because they can. They clearly don’t know this club very well, because these ladies are some of the toughest, bravest, and smartest I’ve ever met.

One of the reasons I never left was because of the work Diamond and the Stilettos do. I had a cousin who was trafficked a few years back in West Texas—Genevieve; we were close. We never found her.

A part of me wants to try to help save every innocent person I can, and somehow that makes me feel like less of a failure at protecting her.

The Stilettos took down the bus that Tilly was on to the border of Mexico. I can only imagine what fate awaited those girls, but thankfully, we got to them in time. Diamond had to keep a low profile since being implicated in the takedown by authorities, but we pleaded self-defense, so nobody got arrested. The story was, we were at the right place, at the right time. You can’t exactly arrest people for helping others.

“I thought I’d do a quick perimeter check,” she says casually.

I instantly frown. It’s no secret I’m overprotective of her, not that I don’t think she’s safe on Rustic Grove turf, more like I don’t trust Lanzetti.

“By yourself?”

She shrugs. “I’m fine, Dust. You worry too much.”

“I get that,” I reply. “But those assholes cut the fence not long ago. I’m still chasing cattle across Saddle because of them.”

“That was so shitty. You’d think Lanzetti would just get the hint already.”

“Powerful people aren’t put off by little guys like us,” I say, disgusted. “I don’t trust him, or any of the crew he has workin’ for him. It’s clear he gets other people to do his dirty work.”

“Like the snake he is,” she mutters.

“Yep, and he’s becomin’ desperate. I don’t like desperate men.”

“I wish he’d just sit down so we can tell him to his face. He might get the idea that we’re not playing around.”

“Don’t we all, but he’s gutless. Sheriff Calloway is gonna insist, since the mayor is already under scrutiny.” The entire town is in uproar because the mayor knew about Lanzetti’s resort plan and passed it through the council without consulting anybody.

Money talks——that’s one thing I’ve learned in all of this. Loyalty means nothing to some.

Nash Calloway is Diamond’s old man, and he doesn’t stand for any shit, even though he’s new in Saddle. We all smell a rat, but proving it is the harder part.

It’s not like Lanzetti has done anything illegal—that we know of. Hopefully our new snitch, the prospect from Blackstone, will uncover some intel that’ll help run him out of town.

“Urgh, I hate this,” Tilly says, and I can almost feel the tension rolling off her. “I hate him!” She lets go of Puddle’s reins and folds her arms around herself in a hug. I’m unsure if it’s involuntary, but she does this when she’s conflicted or confused. I probably shouldn’t know her every move so well, but when you’re in love with a woman you can’t have, you tend to notice these things.

“Tilly?” I’m soft when I say her name. I rarely call her Jade when we’re alone. “Look at me.”

She blinks, then lifts her head. We’re facing each other, our horses almost nose to nose. Her eyes fill with tears, and I wish I could take them away.

“Stay with me,” I plead. “I’m here. Tell me what’s goin’ on?”

“I-I just… this is my h-home,” she stammers. “I don’t want anyone to take it away.”

“They won’t. Over my dead body will Lanzetti do this to Rustic Grove. Diamond won’t let that happen, either.”