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Chapter 22: Ryker
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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
Dear Diamond Chapter 28: Ryker
I didn't think she'd go through with it, and the deer-in-the-headlights sheen that glistened in her eyes all but confirmed it. Then as quickly as it had arrived, the reluctance disappeared. The fierce demeanor she maintained on stage worked its way from the top of her head, down her spine as she straightened it, and to her toes. Determination set in where hesitation had been. The blue-grey turned to sapphires when she met my stare. I'd swear they were so clear I could see through them. Everything about this woman surprised the hell out of me. She hadn't cowered behind me when she'd seen her apartment, she didn't back down from Sam and Jesse, and when she set her mind to see something through, she did. Maybe she compartmentalized the hell out of her life; I didn't know. All I could be certain of was she faced every challenge head-on. Her standing in front of me now was just further proof.I hadn't planned for her to actually dance; in fact, that had been the only way I'd gotten int
Dear Diamond Chapter 29: Ryker
A knock at the door interrupted my fantasy and Diamond's performance. She stilled in my embrace as the bouncer stuck in his head to give her a warning. She had ten minutes before she had to be on stage for her next performance. Diamond nodded her understanding. The instant she faced me, Diamond disappeared, and Nikki sat perched in my lap. The spell between us had broken, and now we sat in awkward silence as my thumbs still cradled her breasts from the sides.I didn't speak when I slid my hands down her hourglass waist, or as they curved her hips to her round, voluptuous ass. I spread her cheeks as I pulled her tightly against my crotch and rolled my groin between her legs. Her lids drooped with desire, and the beat of her pulse picked up in the vein on her neck. I stood, still holding her against me, desperate to slide my finger beneath the tiny string of her costume and dip into her wetness. But if I had, neither of us would make it out of here any time soon, and I didn't need to d
Dear Diamond Chapter 30: Ryker
I glanced at my phone for the hundredth time tonight. It was late, and I had zero interest in staying here any longer than absolutely necessary. Nikki had just wrapped up her last dance, but the crowd was restless. They wanted her to mingle and had a hard time taking no for an answer. Looking like a mean motherfucker had its advantages at times. I enjoyed staring down each shit stain who dared get close enough to talk to her. I didn't even have to speak; growling accomplished far more than words when you were covered in ink and holes and a known felon. Inside I thoroughly amused myself...outwardly, I appeared pissed. "It's okay to smile." Nikki jabbed me in my side with her elbow. Ever since she'd gone behind the curtain, her attitude had changed. Like that final number relieved her from her duty tonight, and now, she could be herself. My jaw ticced, and I clenched my fists over and over under my folded arms. "Put on your clothes." I shouldn't be so short with her, but not having
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