Page 11 of Riding Hard

Amber’s ponytail swings behind her as she talks. “No. We’re safe. Trust me. Have you seen the size of all these MC guys? We’re good.”

While I appreciate Amber’s positive attitude, I’d feel a lot better if I heard Diesel’s voice.

“He’s okay.” She smiles. “This happens a lot. I’m sure any second he’ll come wandering through the door and we’ll all laugh.”

“No.” I stand from the bed, my words swelling in my throat. “This is my fault! If anything happens to him, I did it!”

“Nothing is going to happen to my father.” She stands with me, holding me close. “Have you seen him? He’s a big boy. People don’t typically fuck with people like him.”

“Then why isn’t he back yet?”

Amber shrugs off my question and stares toward me. “I appreciate the concern, but why are you so worried about my dad? You guys just met like two days ago, right?”

I glance toward her, unsure of how to answer. On one hand, it’s Diesel’s place to tell her whatever is happening between us. On the other, she’s my friend, and she’s straight up asking me. Also, I’m emotionally frayed, and I want to tell someone I miss him.

I glance down at the ground, practicing my breathing as I reconcile in my mind what the right thing to do is.

Thankfully, Kane interrupts.

“Sorry to bother you girls but we’ve got an issue.” He’s a big man with wide shoulders and a crazy number of tattoos.

Okay,notthankfully. My chest tightens and my stomach starts to hurt.

Amber glances back toward her husband with a smile. “What’s wrong? Are you out of cinnamon?”

Kane huffs out a heavy sigh and readjusts his baseball cap. “Funny, but no. This is a real issue. The Death Rangers have Diesel. Gunner and Tex were let go and sent to tell me. I have to go negotiate a deal with them, or—”

“The Death Rangers? What? Oh my God! That’s why Nico had‘men.’He’s in a gang. Is Diesel okay?” I can’t breathe. I’m talking so fast. “I’m going!” I slide my sweats on without regard for anyone in the room. “Diesel brought me here. He kept me safe, and I can’t,” I glance toward Amber, “I can’t live with myself if anything happens to him.”

“You’re not going.” Kane’s voice is booming and direct. “The Death Rangers are violent and cruel. Our MC made a deal with them a long time back. They were to stay off Rugged Mountain, and we agreed to stay out of whatever trouble they caused in the Springs. Nico broke that deal by coming after you.” Kane sighs. “I’m heading up there now. I’ll figure something out on the way.”

“Wait. They broke your agreement. What happens now? They’re in trouble, right?”

“I hope we can settle this without bloodshed. They most likely will try to renegotiate the terms of our boundaries for Diesel’s release.”

“Why is that so important?” Amber’s voice shakes when she talks.

“A path through Rugged Mountain shortens their travel time to the coast by nearly six hours. I don’t know for a fact, but I’d bet they do some sort of smuggling, and a faster route means more money. Right now, they have to travel up through Wyoming.”

My thoughts won’t stop racing. I’m in Diesel’s arms, his lips are on my head, and he’s holding me close.But that’s not true!He’s in a cell. He’s trapped. He needs me.

I pull my hair up into a loose bun and swing my purse into place over my shoulder. “Okay, well… lets go tell them they can’t do that.”

Kane laughs. “I appreciate the willingness to fight, but really, we’ve got this. You need to stay here with Amber. I’ll call the second—”

“I know this isn’t the right time to talk about this, but… I havevery strongfeelings for Diesel, and I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to him because of me.” The second the words have hit the air, I want to swallow them down again.

“What?” Amber glances toward me. “Really?”

“I know, and I’m sorry. I didn’t see it coming and I don’t know where it’ll go. But right now, the thought of leaving him hurting in any way is killing me. My dad knows these guys, and I’m sure he can help. Please let me do what I can.” There’s an ache in my voice that I hope they both have mercy for. I’m going either way, but if I have them on my side, I have a better chance of success.

Kane and Amber stare toward each other for what seems like forever before finally glancing back.

“Let’s do this,” Kane confirms, his tone rough and uncertain.

I glance toward Amber, trying to reconcile what she might be thinking, but she’s gone into some blank robotic look that I can’t make sense of. I want to hug her, apologize, and convince her what I’m feeling is real, but now isn’t the time. Right now, I have a man to save.

Chapter Eight

---