dry lips turning my insides to mush.
“You know what I need?” I leaned in close to him breathing him in, but mustering my strength. “I need a dick. One that has no association with this club, and I’ll get it tonight. After that, I’ll be just fine. Don’t worry your little heart about that.” Hearing Cruz’s breathing pick up, I turned back to the bar smiling.
“Princess?” Turning towards the church doors, Diamond stood there tall and proud. Man, these two years since I had seen him last had aged him. He was still as handsome as always, however, with his short gray hair and green sparkling eyes; it was obvious that time was wearing on him. I could sense the power radiating off of him though.
Before I was able to walk to him, Cruz reached out and gripped my arm. “We’re not done here.”
Nodding and pulling away from Cruz, I leaned into Diamond’s arms. “You all right, Old Man?”
“Never better now that you’re home.” Diamond wrapped his arms around me tightly, kissing me on the cheek. “They let you do that red shit to your hair in the joint?” His own question made him laugh. He has always given me shit about my wild hair ways. Back in the day, I’d have three or four colors at a time. He just liked to give me shit.
“Yep, some bitch named Berta. Made me eat her pussy first.”
His deep laugh was music to my ears. “Glad to know your smart ass mouth came home, too.”
He squeezed me tighter. “Thanks, Di.”
Diamond led me past the large room where the brothers held church, towards his office. Sitting in the large space, he grabbed both my hands. “Princess, I’m so sorry you had to deal with that shithole.”
“I’m good, Diamond. I’m out now.” Ma told me the brothers were chomping at the bit not having any control over my fate. They hired the best lawyers, and we fought, but in the end the evil bitch won. At the time, I didn’t know it was Babs. That bitch did a bang-up job with all the evidence against me. I could feel the tension in my body starting to rise just thinking about her. This wasn’t the time for a blow up.
As he squeezed my hand, I tried to get a grasp on my anger. “First, I wanted to thank you for handling that shit for us. I know we asked quite a bit.”
Looking him right in the eye, all anger left my face. “I’d do anything for this club. You know that. Those bitches deserved what they got.” He smiled, not acknowledging it again. I knew this was his way. The things they’ve had to do were secret, and I couldn’t help the bit of pride I felt that I was privileged to my part. The fact I was let in just a sliver was enough to fuel me to do what needed to be done, which I did. Taking out those bitches that wronged the club was an honor.
“For right now, you’ll have a brother with you at all times.” I looked at him confused, wondering what was going on. I’ve been taking care of myself for years before I got locked up and never needed anyone’s help, not even the brothers.
Fire ran through my body, sending it on a course of explosion, but I controlled it and took a deep, heaving breath. I spoke as calmly as I could. “With all due respect, I don’t need a babysitter. I can take care of myself.”
Diamond’s happy nature disappeared, and I knew I had overstepped my bounds. Shit. His face turned tight, and every muscle in it pulsated. His eyes turned menacing, and no longer belonged to the warm, fun-loving guy that just hugged me a few minutes ago causing a sliver of fear to creep through my body. “This is not up for discussion, young lady. You will have a brother at all times.”
I dropped my head in shame. Disappointing Diamond sent an ache throughout my body that I could spend an eternity not feeling again. “Sorry, Diamond.”
He leaned back in his chair lacing his fingers together and placing them behind his head, reclining. “I hear you had a little run-in with some mechanics.”
Of course, he would know already.