“I’ll be there in fifteen.”
Diamond ended the call and exhaled slowly, but the tension didn’t ease. She turned to Stix. “I’m meeting with Teller. I’ll call once I have things worked out. Find me a vehicle.”
Stix gave a sharp nod, already scanning the lot.
Diamond rolled her shoulders, trying to shake the uneasy weight settling between them. Something was wrong. Someone had changed the terms of this deal, and she hated the way it felt—like a trap waiting to be sprung.
Her boots hit the pavement with deliberate force as she strode off, each step fueled by frustration and unease. The afternoon air was cool, but it did nothing to soothe the heat prickling under her skin.
She hated walking into a meeting already feeling like she was a step behind. Straddling her bike, Diamond slammed her helmet on, the hard plastic ringing against her skull. Frustration burned in her veins as she fired up the engine. The familiar rumble usually calmed her, but not tonight. Shifting into gear, she rolled out of the parking lot and into traffic, weaving between cars with the precision of someone who had no patience for delays.
Fifteen minutes.
Fifteen minutes to figure out how the hell she’d ended up in this mess.
Bringing Teller and the Montreal Chapter of the Royal Bastards into her business had never been on the agenda. For years, her chapter had been running an underground railroad, smuggling abused women, children—hell, even men—out of dangerous situations and into new lives. But never, not once, had she been blindsided like this?
A mother and two small children wasn’t what she’d been told to expect. Someone had changed things, and she’d get to the bottom of it. She’d get the answers one way or another.
The campground came into view, and she took the winding dirt path toward the Royal Bastards’ campsite. As soon as she spotted the familiar lineup of bikes, she positioned hers next to Sayer’s and killed the engine. Yanking off her helmet, she inhaled sharply. She wanted a cigarette bad. But she’d quit years ago, and now wasn’t the time to start up again.
Climbing off the bike, she moved toward Teller, her boots crunching over dry dirt. She caught the look on Sayer’s face as she passed, but ignored it. This wasn’t about him. This was about her job—about the lives now depending on her.
“Teller, can we speak in private?”
“No,” his voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. He signaled for Vicious, his veep, to step over. The weight of Teller’s gaze pressed down on her, demanding an explanation.
“Alright.”
“What’s going on?”
Diamond shifted, scanning the area, instinctually checking for prying eyes. Her gaze flickered to Sayer again—lingering, then moving away just as fast. With a sigh, she met Teller’s stare.
“My chapter runs an underground railroad for abuse victims,” she said, keeping her voice low. “This weekend was supposed to be a single pickup. But the information was wrong. It’s three. Now, I’m in a pickle.”
She dragged a hand through her hair, the weight of responsibility pressing down on her shoulders. “We didn’t bring a cage. I’m getting a rental to transport them back to the clubhouse before we move them again. But I noticed you brought a cage.”
Teller’s expression didn’t shift. “And?”
“I need someone to ride my sled back to the Harlots’ clubhouse. Do you have a prospect you trust to handle that?”
Teller studied her for a moment before his gaze flicked past her, locking onto someone over her shoulder. “I do, but that’s not how this is going to be handled.”
He jerked his chin at Sayer.
Diamond’s stomach clenched.
Sayer pushed off his bike, eyes sharp as he approached. “What’s going on, Diamond?” His voice cut through the air, ignoring Teller entirely.
She straightened as Teller answered Sayer. “Would you trust Tank to ride your sled back to Quebec City?”
Sayer didn’t look away from her. “Yeah. I trust Tank.”
“Good.” Teller crossed his arms. “Diamond’s got a problem, and we’re stepping in to help her out.”
He watched Sayer. “I’ll leave her to explain the details.”
“What’s going on?” his voice dropped, serious. “And don’t dance around it.”
