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The feeling of contentment stirs again, just like it has been doing since we met.

This time? I don’t dare push it away.

CHAPTER 10

DRIFTER

One week later

“Shipment is coming in today,” Larry tells us. “We need all hands on deck.”

The week has been slow. Every time I’ve tried to check out the large sheds at the back of the property, somebody is around. Tomorrow night, though, I’m on my first night shift. That means fewer people. I’ve worked hard this week to gain trust; done everything I’ve been asked, even taking on some maintenance duties in between. Larry growled a lot less, anyway.

“Nelson said we may have some building supplies comin’ in?” I pipe up, which isn’t entirely true, but he isn’t here to dispute that. “Did you need me to make any room in the shed?”

Being the helpful guy I am, I put on my most believable concerned face.

“That won’t be necessary,” Ricky replies. “But the south side may need clearing out. There will be instructions given closer to the weekend. Timothy will be here.”

My ears prick up. This is good news. I’ve been here a week, and I haven’t seen head nor tail of him. If Lanzetti is going to be on the property, instead of hiding out wherever he’s been since the Crows tore up town, then I’m definitely on board to stick around and be as helpful as I can.

Of course, it makes me sick what he’s doing to the Stilettos. We all know it’s his crew who have trespassed, broken the front gate, vandalized the property, and are probably planning their next move.

While I’ve been getting small pieces of information, I’ve nothing ironclad.

I spend the rest of the day listening out, and for the first time, inside the main house. I’ve only passed through there a couple of times, but today I was taken into the main security room where all the cameras are placed, carrying a box of stuff Larry needed.

“Holy shit.” I nod to the TVs. “That’s a solid setup.”

“Gotta be.” Larry sniffs. “With those fuckin’ neighbors of ours.”

“Yeah, about them, I heard they’ve been givin’ y’all grief. They were offered a fair price. Why didn’t they take it?”

“Dumb bitches can’t see past their own noses,” he says, a sneer curling his lips. “If it were up to me, I’d put a fuckin’ missile over that whole damn ranch.”

I bristle as I place the box on the floor. Keep calm. Don’t slip up.

“I guess that’s one way to gain control over the property.” I raise an eyebrow. “I’ve heard from the locals Diamond is tough to crack.”

“Yep, she’s a handful. Now she’s got the sheriff in her bed, he’s sniffin’ around like a fucking pissant. Not what we wanted, but it happens when you put pussy before police work. We thought he’d be corruptible, but clearly Calloway is led by his dick, and that’s not great for Lanzetti Farms.”

I fucking hope he beats the living shit out of you before he lands your ass in jail…

Punching him in the face is just one of the things I’m picturing right now, along with what my club would do to finish him off. It wouldn’t be a pretty sight.

“I guess it’s not. Havin’ the cops breathin’ down your neck in a town as small as Saddle isn’t ideal.”

“Can say that again,” he mutters.

As I follow him out, I take a good look at the setup and the fact the security room is unmanned. I guess they’re not too worried about the neighbors, after all. I don’t know why they’d underestimate the Stilettos because these badass women took down the cartel when they freed trafficking victims from near-certain death. Jade being one of them. To that busload of innocent women and children, the Stilettos are heroes.

It’s just typical of dimwits like Larry to underestimate their enemy.

I’m not seeing Ruby tonight. She’s been busy helping Sapphire try to track down the Crows as well as the Devilheads. I know the MC has a lot going on. Me trying to keep a low profile is proving hard when I want to be with her. But once this is over, we’ll be free to do whatever we want. If she’ll have me.

I stay up late researching, and when my phone chimes at two in the morning, I pick it up quickly, Ruby’s name splayed on the screen.

“Are you okay?” are the first words out of my mouth.