Don't Dare a Diamond (Must Love Diamonds Book 5)

by Stacey Joy Netzel

  Next, he pointed him toward the vertical Fire had refused three times in a row, and Raine’s entire body went rigid. Her breath shortened as her pulse beat faster.

  Fire sailed right over without a second of hesitation.

  A flash of relief was replaced by fury. She clenched her fists at her sides as Reyes rode up and dismounted. Because she totally expected a smug smile, his solemn expression left her confused.

  “And what do you think that proved?” she accused. “That you’re better than me?”

  “No. That you’re the one who’s afraid, not your horse.”

  Her stomach lurched as if she’d just done a loop-de-loop on a roller coaster immediately after lunch. She wanted to grab the reins from his hand and run, but she forced herself to face him squarely. “I am not afraid.”

  “There’s no shame in it, Raine. That was a tough wreck by anyone’s standards.”

  “How would you know?”

  “I saw the tape.”

  Of course he had. Seemed he’d seen all kinds of tape lately. Her gut clenched at the thought of him watching her fail.

  “It’s going to take some working through,” he added. “Especially if you haven’t even admitted it to yourself yet.”

  “There’s nothing to admit,” she bit out. “We’re fine.”

  “Come on now. You don’t believe that any more than I do.”

  The surprising gentleness in his tone made her eyes sting, and she snatched the reins to lead Fire back to the barn.

  “I didn’t say we were done,” Reyes said behind her.

  She ignored him and kept walking while reaching up to yank at the strap of her helmet. After pulling it off, she transferred it to her left hand with the reins so she could swat away the stray strands of hair tickling her cheeks.

  “Hey.”

  All the gentle was gone from his voice. And the command that had taken its place pissed her off enough to yell over her shoulder, “I say we’re done. In fact, I’m done with all of this.” She reached back to wave her arm in a huge circle to indicate him and the entire arena behind her as she continued toward the barn. “I’m calling my dad, and I’m going home.”

  “Wow. You gave it what? Two hours?”

  “That’s all it took to see you don’t have a clue what you’re doing.”

  “So, you’re not only afraid of the jumps, you’re afraid of me, too.”

  His voice came from right behind her, and she flinched before whirling around. “I’m not afraid of you. I just can’t stand you.”

  Liar.

  He crossed his arms. “Whatever you gotta tell yourself.”

  She practically growled as she leaned forward. “I don’t like you. Sorry if it hurts your fragile little ego, but you were a jerk last summer, and you’ve been a jerk since I got here last night. The truth is, it’s taking everything I have not to smack you right now.”

  His eyebrows shot up as he gave a short laugh of disbelief. “Really?”

  “Yes, really.”

  “Well, by all means then, go ahead.” He bent closer, his green eyes locked with hers as he murmured softly, “I dare you.”

  She narrowed her gaze at the cocky taunt. When his lips twitched into a smirk, she lost it.

  5

  Reyes heard the crack as pain exploded in his cheek. His head snapped to the side, and he froze for a stunned moment. Slowly, he turned his head back to Raine. Fiery red bloomed in her cheeks—likely matching his left one.

  “I can’t believe you just did that.”

  Her chin lifted defensively as she took a wary step back. “You told me to.”

  “Yeah, but I didn’t think you’d actually do it.”

  “Well, word to the wise—don’t dare a Diamond, ‘cuz we don’t back down.” With that parting shot, she pivoted and resumed her trek to the barn.

  He raised his hand to his throbbing cheek as he followed at a distance. Hell, she was a lot stronger than she looked. Then again, he shouldn’t be surprised when she spent her days in a saddle controlling a twelve-hundred pound beast. He’d underestimated her for sure—yet another lesson learned at the hand of a Diamond in less than two days.

  However, he had his answer, didn’t he? Yes, she was afraid, but she wasn’t willing to give up without a fight. Now all she needed to do was come to that realization by herself.

  Reyes went to the office to do paperwork while Raine took care of her horse. A half an hour later, he heard her boots a moment before her slim form shadowed the doorway. He glanced up from an email on the computer from Janine about Morning Glory’s adoption.

  “I’m not leaving,” Raine stated.

  Strong and smart.

  He gave her a mocking smile. “Daddy said you can’t come home?”

  Her jaw clenched, and her hands fisted at her sides. Man, it was so easy to push her buttons. He couldn’t help but wonder how responsive she’d be if he pushed other buttons. More enjoyable buttons.

  His blood warmed, and he had to swallow hard against a wave of want.

  “I didn’t call my dad.”

  He’d already figured that. Her father had been very adamant on the phone yesterday, and if she had called him, Reyes was pretty sure she wouldn’t be all blustery and challenging right now. She’d decided to prove to herself—and him—she wasn’t afraid of anything. He’d like to say good, but first he needed her to face what had happened. Only when she admitted her fear could she confront it and then prove she could get past it.

  In the meantime, a few more buttons couldn’t hurt. “I’m proud of you, Princess. That’s a big step all by yourself.”

  Her nose scrunched up in a scowl. If she knew how cute she looked, she’d be even more pissed than she was right now.

  Defiance glittered in her eyes as she crossed her arms. “I’m only staying to watch you fail.”

  “Then we’re both agreed.” He leaned forward, bracing his forearms on the desk. “We’ll be doing things my way.”

  “Whatever.” She started to turn away, then paused to look back. “My dad must be paying you a lot to make this all worth it.”

  Reyes drew back the slightest bit, surprised not only by her words, but the offense they sparked. “He’s not paying me a dime.”

  Her gaze narrowed, and she hesitated a beat. “He can afford it, you know.”

  “You can all afford it,” he tossed back. “You’re Diamonds.”

  She gave him a sugar-sweet smile. “You should’ve negotiated.”

  “Your uncle asked me to help. It never even crossed my mind to ask for anything above my regular wages.”

  “Hmm. Note to self. Save words to the wise for someone who’s actually wise.”

  She was gone before he could tell her not everything was about money. Granted, he hadn’t taken this assignment willingly, but even if he had, he wouldn’t have expected to get paid more for doing something Mark and Janine already generously compensated him for. And if he was being honest, he wanted to help her get her confidence back so she could once more be the winner he’d seen in earlier tapes.

  He glanced out the window to see Raine crossing the wide expanse of lawn to the guest house. He’d intended to schedule an afternoon session, but he didn’t have her phone number—a fact he’d need to rectify—and he wasn’t about to go chasing after her. Since it was only the first day, he decided tomorrow would be soon enough to set a firm schedule.

  Returning his attention to the computer, he sent a message to Janine agreeing Moring Glory was ready to graduate, and yes, the Hamiltons would be a great fit for the mare. Then he confirmed a Friday morning showing with the couple who’d already adopted two horses from them.

  As for the rest of today, he was going to take his unexpected afternoon off and get out for a ride. Yesterday’s schedule had been thrown off after he’d been ambushed by Mark, and Taz was as anxious for some exercise as he was for some solitude on the trails.

  Though, come to think of it, the heaviness that usually settled in his chest after a
few days of being restrained to the barn was absent. In fact, there was an energy invigorating his body that had him looking forward to tomorrow morning when he should be dreading dealing with the headstrong brunette. But Raine provided a challenge—one he hadn’t realized he’d even wanted until she announced she was staying.

  “I’m only staying to watch you fail.”

  The memory of those words sparked a smirk. He was pretty sure she’d said that just to be contrary. It would make no sense for her to sabotage him on purpose, because if he failed, she failed. And he’d stake his job on that being the last thing she wanted.

  For the rest of the morning and an hour after lunch, he took care of miscellaneous chores until it was time for a ride. In the middle of saddling his thoroughbred, his older brother strode into the barn. “Hey, Rey. You heading out or finishing up?”

  He glanced at Dev over the saddle. “Heading out. Want to come?”

  “Hell yeah. Who you got for me?”

  “Morning Glory or Stimpy. Both could use the exercise.”

  “No offense to Morning Glory, but Stimpy’s my guy.”

  Dev headed to the tack room for a saddle and bridle, and Reyes noted his limp was almost undetectable today. It became more pronounced in damp weather, but even so, his brother had progressed in all areas since January. Thanks to time and therapy—and Shelby.

  It had seemed strange at first, Dev with the youngest of the Diamonds, but she’d been a key part of bringing him back to the man he used to be. Of making him realize he still had a whole hell of a lot to offer the world outside of the military. Their whole family had loved her before, but now, they’d be forever grateful.

  “Shelby working at the clinic?” he asked as they rode out side by side a few minutes later. She’d had the grand opening of her veterinary clinic for low-income families a couple of weeks ago. And Dev had set up a self-defense and tactical training gym right next door.

  “She’s at the guest house visiting her cousin, so I decided to tag along.”

  “Ah. Should’ve guessed that.”

  Dev shot him a sideways look that held a combination wince and grin. “I hear you’re her new trainer.”

  He laughed as he worked at containing Taz’s energy beneath him. “If that came from Raine, I imagine you heard quite the earful.”

  “She’s not a fan,” his brother confirmed with a chuckle. “Shelby sang your praises, but Raine was having none of that.”

  Reyes shrugged. “My job is to get her back to competition level in her jumping, not gain a groupie.”

  “A groupie?” Dev scoffed. “You fancy yourself a rock star?”

  “I was sticking with the ‘fan’ analogy, that’s all.” He made the turn for the trail leading into the forest, and his brother reined Stimpy to follow.

  “Shelby was telling me on the drive over about Raine’s accident last year.”

  “Yeah.” He slowed Taz until they were riding side by side again. The afternoon sunlight slanted through the trees, throwing dappled shade over them and the horses. “As far as I know, she hasn’t been over the jump she wrecked on since the accident. She insists she and her horse are fine, but I saw it this morning—she’s scared spitless when they head for that jump.”

  “And you’re going to fix it?”

  “I’m going to try.”

  “I wasn’t aware you were working with horses and riders now.”

  “I’m doing a favor for Mark.”

  Like Dev had also done a favor for the senator when he’d agreed to be Shelby’s bodyguard back in February.

  After a moment of silence, his brother glanced over. “You know what it sounds like?”

  His solemn, sympathetic tone had Reyes nodding. Neither one of them needed to say post traumatic stress out loud. They both dealt with their own demons enough to recognize someone else’s.

  “Has she talked to a professional yet?”

  “I didn’t ask, but I doubt it.” She couldn’t even admit her fear, so yeah, he highly doubted she’d gone to therapy for it.

  “And how about you?”

  “I’m good.” He felt his brother’s intense gaze and shot him a quick glance while insisting, “Really, I’ve been feeling much better.”

  “I didn’t ask if you were good, I asked if you’ve talked to anyone yet.”

  “I’m talking to you.” At his brother’s rough sigh, he met his gaze. “Listen, man, I’m living my therapy. Working with the horses. Finding them homes with Janine. Riding out here in the woods. It’s been helping more than you know.” And it was mostly true.

  “You still sleeping with the lights on?”

  Reyes tensed, and Taz gave a little lurch forward. He tightened his grip on the reins and brought the thoroughbred back to a walk.

  “I’ll take that as a yes,” Dev said dryly.

  He shrugged, but remained silent. Talking to his brother helped sometimes, and other times, not so much. It left him feeling like a fraud. So what if he had trouble sleeping if it was completely dark? Big whoop if he spent a buck or two more in electricity each month. It wasn’t like he’d nearly lost his leg like Dev. Or lost his life like Cory Neider the day the bomb had exploded.

  The little flicker of resentment that accompanied those thoughts was immediately squashed. While he knew PTSD didn’t have to be extreme to be legitimate, and everyone’s threshold was different, he also wasn’t going to wallow in self-pity when his physical issues had resolved themselves, and his only visible reminder was a thin white scar mostly hidden by the goatee he kept neatly trimmed. He hadn’t been left with years of recovery and endless hours of physical therapy like so many others.

  At times he almost wished he had been.

  Almost.

  Dev reined Stimpy closer, gaining his attention. “So, what’s your plan with Raine?”

  He never thought he’d see the day, but Reyes welcomed the return subject of his new challenge so he could focus on the therapy of the ride.

  To answer his brother’s question, he said, “First I’ve got to get her to talk. Then I’m going to get her over that jump.”

  6

  “It’s still a little unreal to see you and Dev together.” Raine handed Shelby a bottle of iced tea as they stepped out onto the guest house patio. “I’m really happy for you.”

  “Thanks.” She twisted the cap off her drink. “Sometimes I still can’t believe it myself.”

  “Well, you guys seem great together.”

  “We are. Don’t get me wrong, it was bumpy at first, but now things are really good.”

  Shelby’s soft smile was so sappy, Raine’s chest thumped with envy. She smiled as her cousin kicked off her sandals and sat on the edge of the pool. Having changed into a lycra sport tank and yoga capris for her workout, she dropped down beside her, facing the mountains as they swished their feet in the warm water.

  “Remember that summer we were fifteen, and we spent the day at the pool with everyone up by the main house when he was home on leave? We were a couple of giggling idiots.”

  Shelby laughed. “Oh my God, I know. But then again, who could blame us? The Torrez brothers were as hot then as they are now.”

  Ignoring the plural, she gave a dramatic sigh. “No more drooling over Dev for me.”

  Shelby snorted and leaned to nudge her with her shoulder. “You don’t fool me, Cuz.”

  “What?”

  “Don’t what me. You played it cool, but we both know you were teasing the shit out of Reyes back then.”

  Yeah, she’d gone in and out of the house for more lemonade than she could possibly drink. And each time, she made sure her path inside was right past his chair, or wherever he was in the pool. She’d been loud and outgoing while playing volleyball and chicken with her cousins, but the problem was, no matter how much attention she tried to draw to herself, he’d openly ignored her. Same as last July.

  “I didn’t even talk to him,” she protested.

  “But you made sure he couldn’t take his eyes
off you.”

  She rolled her eyes, though her pulse skipped at that revelation. She hadn’t known he’d noticed her. “Reyes has always had a chip on his shoulder with me. Last summer we ran into each other down at the stables and he was a jerk. He’s still a jerk.”

  Except for the luggage.

  She shoved aside the flicker of guilt for purposely overlooking that when she called him a jerk to his face earlier. Why should she feel bad when she’d tried to thank him, only to have him brush her gratitude aside with his flippant comeback about it being part of his job? It so wasn’t.

  Shelby frowned beside her. “That’s so weird. And so unlike Reyes.”

  “Lucky me,” she quipped before changing the subject. “How’s everything going now that your clinic is open? Must Love Paws is an awesome name.”

  “That was all Honor, and yeah, everyone loved the name. And things are going really good so far. The community seems really happy to have us.”

  “That’s cool.”

  “You should come check it out while you’re here,” Shelby suggested.

  “I’d love to. On a slightly different note, do you all still do brunch even when Uncle Mark and Aunt Janine are in Washington? Because I’m having dinner with Grandpa and Grandma tonight, but I want to see everyone—especially the babies.”

  “Oh, my God, they’re the best,” Shelby gushed with a huge grin. “I love being an aunt.”

  “I bet. None of my brothers are even close to getting married,” she pouted.

  “I’ll share, and yes, we still do brunch. Wait until you see the babies. Maverick has caught up on everything after being nearly two months early, and Ava is so precious.”

  Maverick was Merit and Mae’s little boy, born last November. Ava belonged to Asher and Honor, and had been born in January.

  Raine wasn’t sure she could stand to wait until Sunday even if it was only three days away. “What about Celia and Robert? Any talk from them about kids?”

  “They’re trying, but no luck yet.” Her cousin made a sad face. “I pray it happens soon for them, though, because I know Loyal and Rox are already trying.”