Page 4 of Heat
From the corner of her eye, she caught Nova, the chapter’s veep, giving her a steady, supportive nod. It wasn’t much, but it was enough.
“The Dutchess had a sit-down with Jameson, the National P of the Royal Bastards,” Diamond began, her words measured but unflinching. “It’s official. The Royal Harlots are now under the umbrella of the Bastards.”
The room erupted.
Voices rose like a swarm, overlapping in waves of disbelief, frustration, and anger. Chairs scraped against the floor. A few sisters leaned forward, as if ready to lunge into an argument. Diamond stood her ground, hands clasped behind her back, letting the storm roll over her.
She’d known this was coming. She’d argued it out a hundred times in her own head, weighing every pro and con until she couldn’t sleep. The betrayal some would feel. The pride others would have to swallow. She’d felt it all, and she’d made her choice.
When the noise finally died down, she raised a hand—not high, but just enough. It wasn’t a plea for order. It was a command.
“We’re gonna make this work,” she said, her voice cutting through the lingering grumbles like a blade, “or we’re not gonna make it at all.”
The finality of her words hung in the air. No frills. No room for argument.
She let her eyes scan the room again, holding each gaze just long enough to make them feel the weight of her words. “You think I don’t know how this feels? That I haven’t thought about what itmeans for us, for everything we’ve built?” She paused, letting the question linger. “But I’m telling you now—we’ve got one shot at surviving this. And it’s together.”
Nova leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, giving a slight smirk. Supportive, but cool. Diamond knew she’d have her back, but the rest of them. That was still a gamble.
“This isn’t just about us anymore,” Diamond continued, her voice firm. “The Royal Bastards didn’t get where they are by playing it safe. And neither will we.”
She stepped forward, boots clicking once more, and placed her hands on the edge of the table in front of her. “So get it out of your system now. Shout, scream, whatever you need to do. But when we walk out of here, we walk out of this meeting like we always do, as one. Understood?”
One wrong move and she could lose everything. And yet, she didn’t flinch, didn’t hesitate. It proved she was the right one to lead them. She knew what worked for them and what didn’t. The kind of confidence she carried made people want to follow her, even when they’re angry or uncertain.
The room fell silent again. Diamond could see the wheels turning in their heads. Some nodded, others looked away, but none spoke. And for now, that was enough.
The tension in the room crackled, the air thick with the weight of the decision that had just been dropped on them. Diamond’s voice still hung in the air like a challenge, daring anyone to break the silence. It was the type of leadership that didn’t ask for permission—it demanded respect, whether they liked it or not. And Diamond? She knew exactly how to wield it.
Nova smirked; she’d followed Diamond through a multitude of storms. She didn’t back Diamond because of how she played the game, but out of loyalty. Watching the room, she read the reactions just like Diamond was. Nova knew together, they were a force, and that variety of alliance was rare.
Diamond was in a tough spot. The Duchess made the call, and as much as Diamond was leading the room, she was still ultimately towing the line for someone else’s decision. But the way she was handling it, that was where her power came in. She could’ve crumbled under the pressure, tried to play the victim, but instead, Diamond owned it. By standing tall, making the hard decisions and forcing everyone else to face it head-on.
Shit was impressive, even if she wasn’t calling all the shots. She might not have had a choice, but her ability to spin it as ifthe one steering the ship was her. That showed some serious leadership Nova thought. Diamond hammered it home when she made it clear the merger was about survival now, not personal grudges.
Even if some of them were angry or upset about the merger, knowing they had someone like Diamond at the helm gave them a sense of stability. The trust was huge, especially in a situation like this. She was the one who would always shoulder the weight if there was any fallout. The one who would make the hard decisions, even if they don’t agree with every one of them. And that type of leadership? Was earned.
Through all the tough times, she had kept the chapter intact. It took consistency—consistency, reliability, and the strength that Diamond had-handling pressure with calm, getting people to rally when it felt like their foundation was shaking.
Chapter Four
One week later…
Teller picked up the gold embossed black envelope, tapping it against his hand as he walked towards the office. He’d yet to inform the entire chapter of them having a sister club. Letting out a deep sigh, he wondered how it would go over… like a lead balloon, he thought.
Closing the door, he sat down behind the desk. Pulling out his knife, he sliced the through the red wax seal on the back and opened the envelope. Tossing the knife on the desk, he slid the invitation out and stared at the words:
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