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Chapter 19: Nikki
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Dear Diamond Chapter 20: Ryker
There was no telling just how long I'd lain in bed, staring at the ceiling, before I finally drifted off last night. Now, as the sunlight filtered through the blinds I hadn't bothered to close, I woke with far less urgency than I probably should have. My fingers trailed warm, bare skin and a rare smile tugged at the corners of my lips. I barely knew the girl in my arms with her face buried in my neck, but Jesus, nothing I could remember had ever felt this good. Nikki's shirt-or rather my shirt that Nikki wore-had ridden up, exposing perfect, smooth skin. Sometime during the night, she'd taken up residence over half my body and now clung to me like a monkey on a tree. Thankfully, her thigh was just south of my erection, and I wouldn't have to explain why I'd woken up with a hard-on or her sprawled across my chest. Even with makeup smudged around her eyes and a puffy, bruised cheek, she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. It didn't take a genius to see-hell, even a blind man c
Dear Diamond Chapter 21: Ryker
Once the water started running, I pulled bacon from the fridge and a couple of frying pans from the cabinet. I started a fresh pot of coffee and prayed the caffeine would jolt me out of this sex-crazed fantasy I had building. This girl was more than just pussy, and anything more than pussy was off limits. I didn't do relationships, and I could almost guarantee this chick didn't do one-night stands. Even if I hadn't heard the shower turn off, I would have known the moment she opened the door. The scent of Irish Spring and lemon shampoo overrode the bacon frying on the stove and the coffee in the pot. If I smelled that good every time I washed up, it was no wonder women flocked to me. It was intoxicating. "Something smells amazing," she cooed. I didn't need to turn around to know exactly where she stood. My place was small. If she weren't right next to me, she was right behind me. I didn't own a blow dryer which meant her hair remained wet, and she didn't have any makeup with
Dear Diamond Chapter 22: Ryker
She shook her head. "That's not possible. I've seen you with them. Chase is your best friend. You're connected to them, and you stood up to Sam like Jesse had your number on speed dial." Her teeth snagged her bottom lip again.This time, I reached up and pulled it free. "You're going to have to stop that shit." I didn't give her a chance to ask questions since there was no way in hell I'd give her an honest answer-not about that. "You already know where I grew up. Chase and I have been friends since we were babies. By default, yes, I'm close to his family. I am not, however, a sanctioned Union member.""Then how does Jesse know how to reach you?"I couldn't have stopped the chuckle even if I'd wanted to. "That man's been ratting me out to my parents since I was three. I can't tell you how many times he bent me over his knee and smacked the hell out of me for shit I did as a kid."The skeptical glance Nikki shot my direction told me she didn't buy a word of it. I hadn't planned
Dear Diamond Chapter 23: Nikki
The weight in those two words held more significance than they should. People around here didn't make promises, primarily because they couldn't keep them. Street life left little hope, and everyone I'd known since birth was proof of that. Hard work, dedication...it didn't matter. Those born here tended to die here-victims of the street, the neighborhood, and the life."I hope you know what you're doing." I refused to make eye contact with Ryker when I made that statement. I didn't want to doubt him, but I knew better than to depend on anyone other than myself.He reached out and tilted my chin with his fingers. "As long as you're with me, they won't hurt you.""And when I'm not?" Thinking about that notion made my stomach turn. "I can't be with you twenty-four-seven, Ryker. I have to dance tonight." I also had to figure out how to cover the bruising on my cheek so it didn't affect my tips.He laughed. It was sinister versus funny. "You're not dancing.""I am.""You're not."
Dear Diamond Chapter 24: Nikki
"Nikki, move your ass if you want to have any hope of stopping by your place before you have to be at Swank," he barked from the other side of the bathroom door. I wasn't sure what he expected. I was limited in what I could do here, yet he didn't want me to spend any time at my apartment or at the club. I didn't have any makeup, which presented a real problem since my cheek was a rainbow of blues and greens. Hell, I didn't even have a hairdryer. Putting on the clothes I'd left Swank in repulsed me, but Ryker had pointed out that riding a Harley in boxers and a T-shirt without panties would probably attract attention I didn't want. I didn't bother considering the safety aspect of it all or the fact that it was cold outside.By the time I emerged, Ryker paced the bare floor in the living room. His nerves were starting to get the best of me. He had enough anxiety for both of us. "I really need you to calm down. You asked me to trust you, told me you'd protect me, and your fidgetin
Dear Diamond Chapter 25: Nikki
Ryker jumped in front of me, pushing me to his back. "I take it you keep a bit neater house?"Peering around his shoulder, it was safe to say, everything we owned now sat on the floor. Furniture was overturned, drawers emptied, dishes broken. There wasn't a single thing I could see that hadn't been touched. "That, and we keep the door locked." I glanced around to the other apartments, not that I expected to find anything suspicious because everything was suspicious around here.He took a step over the threshold. "I'd ask if you have any enemies, but I'm fairly certain your mother does even if you don't."I followed behind him as he continued inside. We didn't have much, so there wasn't much lost, but I'd bet if I opened the cabinet there wouldn't be a single plate that remained whole, and we'd only have cups because they're all plastic anyhow. I couldn't even bring myself to be sad. I didn't feel violated. This type of thing was expected around here when someone crossed the gang,
Dear Diamond Chapter 26: Nikki
Ten minutes later, Ryker and I were outside Swank. I dreaded entering. Not knowing what I'd face or when the other shoe would drop was worse than any punishment Jesse could have doled out. There was certainty in punishment; the degree kept me guessing.With my backpack strapped on, I walked a step behind the foreboding figure I'd shown up with. There was no doubt in my mind that Ryker garnered fear and respect wherever he went. If I had to be sidled with a broody alpha, at least he was nice to look at...or swoon over, whichever. I didn't normally come through the front door, not that there was a normal with this place. I hadn't been here long enough to have a routine. Nevertheless, it seemed odd to enter like a customer without being one. The bouncer waved us through without so much as a word. Regardless of how badly I wanted to ask how Ryker got by without paying a cover or even offering a greeting, I kept my mouth shut. Swank wasn't open for business, anyhow. Questioning him wou
Dear Diamond Chapter 27: Nikki
The spotlight hit me as the electronic beat hummed through the speakers. The crowd erupted the second I came into view center stage. As much as I hated anyone having to do this as a career, I had respect for a woman who could work a pole with precision. My muscles ached after one song. It took incredible control, and I only did very elementary tricks. Flexibility was the only thing working in my favor; although, I would never understand what men found sexy about a woman doing the splits. The other girls were helpful in all ways except choreography. I depended on music videos I'd memorized in high school. Luckily, I'd spent more time dancing to slutty music in the privacy of our tiny apartment than I had socializing, and those moves translated into happy customers. Not that drunk men cared once my top came off, and if they had, as soon as I bent over, exposing myself, they wouldn't have anymore. I didn't focus on the men, just one man...and I felt the music. It was easier to lose mys
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