“Can I have one of these?”
Knox didn’t bother to look at what she had in her hand. “No.”
“Why not?” Diamond asked. “I really need one of these.” Knox looked sideways at the backpack in her hand.
“No, you don’t. I already bought you one last week. Why do you need another one?”
“I already made my bug-out bag, but I have to make yours now.”
“You can have it. Now let’s finish getting these orders out.” Knox gave her an exasperated look, which she ignored. The Last Riders’ survival business was more than successful, it was booming. He had volunteered for a couple of extra shifts while Viper and Winter interviewed new employees. Diamond had begun sitting with him while he filled the orders over the last month, but she often was more of a distraction than help.
“I have everything we need now except, Knox, I think we need to buy a small island,” she said, picking up a pocketknife.
“A small island?” Knox turned toward her, taking the knife out of her hand.
“Yes.” Diamond nodded enthusiastically. “Did you know that you can buy small islands? They’re kind of expensive, but if we save, we could buy one in a few years.”
“Diamond…” Knox started to say something, but closed his mouth. “Why an island?
“Because zombies can’t swim,” she answered, placing another item in the box.
Knox just stared at her. “They can’t?” Knox tried his hardest not to laugh when he saw she was serious.
“Can they?” she asked, looking at him with a quizzical expression.
“I don’t know, but no more zombie movies for you for a while.” Knox checked the list before taping the packaging closed and then taping the address onto the large box.
“Can I have...?” Diamond began.
Knox took the small tube tent from her hand. His hand going to her hair and tugging her head back for a soft kiss.
“Diamond,” Knox growled.
“What?” she asked, returning his kiss.
“I think Sex Piston isn’t the only nut in your family.”
* * *
Diamond rolled over in the bed, kissing Knox’s shoulder before getting ready for work. He was lying on his stomach, naked among the rumpled covers while her lips traced the tat on the back of his shoulder. She could recall it from memory; he had the Navy Seal insignia of an anchor wrapped along its length by a snake with the head at the top of the tat, giving an unnerving stare. A variety of objects surrounded the insignia; two revolvers pointed at each other with a metal chain linking the two together, a hand of cards, a razor knife and brass knuckles. The whole tat had a dark overlay, giving it a shadowed appearance.
Her lips went over each one, counting the objects. She had already figured out it was the club tattoo and had guessed who most of the symbols belonged to. Razer was the easiest; the razor Knife. Knox and Rider were obviously the Revolvers; Knox kept his near at all times. The lawyer in her was concerned until he had opened his wallet showing the concealed-carry permit. Rider also made no attempt to hide that he carried. Diamond didn’t have to ask to see his; he had volunteered to show her. The chain, and playing cards were still mysteries to her. The snake was obviously Viper and the shading Shade. The Brass knuckles was the last one she had figured out when Cash had gotten in a fight with a drunk at Rosie’s when they had stopped for a beer.
“You want to fuck?” Knox asked sleepily.
“We just did twenty minutes ago.” Diamond laughed against his shoulder, rubbing her cheek against him.
“Keep doing that and you’ll be doing it again in five,” Knox mumbled into the pillow.
Diamond pulled away, laughing as she climbed reluctantly out of bed. “I can’t. I have to go to work. I’m already late. Holly needs to talk to me before court. I think she’s going to ask for a raise. I’m going to give it to her, she’s certainly worth it.”
Diamond showered and dressed, going back into her bedroom and smiling when she saw that Knox was sound asleep. Picking up her briefcase, she left, not wanting to wake him. Going down the short flight of steps, she pushed the unlock button on her new SUV. She still felt weird climbing into the expensive vehicle, but Knox had convinced her to spend the extra money to drive a safer vehicle.
* * *
Diamond smiled when she looked out her window and saw the buds on the trees; the pretty weather had tricked the trees into blooming early. Straightening up, she stretched, yawning. Holly had gone to lunch earlier. When she had opened her mouth to ask for the raise, Diamond had cut her off, giving her a nice raise and benefits, too. The surprised woman hadn’t known what to say, so Diamond had given her a hug and told her to go to lunch.