I have read almost all of the books written by Stephie Walls, but after reading DEAR DIAMOND, I must say it is an entirely different book from any of her others. When I first started reading, I actually turned back to the title page to make sure she was the author. I was drawn into the story from the first page, and even stayed up late to finish the book in one day. It really was that good!
On the west side of Dacon, Illinois, the Union 21 was run by the Silvano family and they controlled the entire place. Ryker Davis grew up there, but never wanted any part of Union 21. Unfortunately, his best friend since they were babies, was Chase Silvano. Being a Silvano in this world was like being royalty. Chase's grandfather Jesse was the king of the Silvano clan, making Chase second in the line to the throne. Ryker's affiliation with the Silvanos had not worked well for his future plans of leaving there, or any of the dreams he had worked hard to earn. He had been stuck remaining there and forever tied to the Silvano family.
Ryker was to attend a bachelor party for his best friend Chase. He hated that it was at Club Swank. A strip club run by Union 21, and wasn't his kind of scene. He was at the bar having a drink, when a new girl took the stage. Her name was Diamond and he had not a clue why but she intrigued him. He did know that if she was on Swank's stage that she was in deep trouble with U21. He had never crossed any of the Silvano family, but he knew for this girl he would make a stand at whatever cost. He also knew that no doubt that cost would be very high.
It wasn't long until Ryker had to make a stand to rescue Diamond. And as they rode away with her on the back of his bike, their fate was aligned. Their stars had crossed, and now she had to trust him. What was a girl like her doing in a place like that? Did he rescue every damsel in distress? Her real name was Nikki Wilson and she was young, a bit immature, and in more trouble then she even knew. By helping her, he now was in danger from the very people that he considered family. Their souls touched. Their spirits bonded. She had fallen into the safety net of a man who appeared more dangerous than explosives, but had the heart of a warrior. The cards still seemed permanently stacked against them.
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She wasn’t mine to claim—I knew nothing about her.
But then our eyes met…
She danced on stage, exposed in more ways than just her lack of clothing. I expected to see lust. Instead, I got anger, hatred, resentment. She was in deep with the company I’d escaped, and my presence at Club Swank made me guilty by association.
But I refused to let them have her.
I’d protect her at all costs. After all, they owed me.
But then our eyes met…
She danced on stage, exposed in more ways than just her lack of clothing. I expected to see lust. Instead, I got anger, hatred, resentment. She was in deep with the company I’d escaped, and my presence at Club Swank made me guilty by association.
But I refused to let them have her.
I’d protect her at all costs. After all, they owed me.