Chapter 48 Diego's arrival
Ryder's POV
My phone rang while Sage was still inside the diner talking to Jaxon.
Snake's name flashed on the screen. I swiped right and answered the call immediately.
"We got a problem," Snake said without preamble. "Diego Vasquez just showed up. He's at the clubhouse right now with Elena."
My blood turned to ice. "He's early. He wasn't supposed to come for another week." I rubbed my hand on my beards. “But why not call Jaxon? Why are you telling me about it?”
"Yeah, well, he said he wants to meet his bride. He's making himself comfortable. You need to get Sage back here before this gets ugly."
I hung up and called Sage. It rang three times before she picked up.
"I'm on my way back," she said before I could speak. "Jax told me everything. We need to talk about what my dad said that night."
"We have a bigger problem. Diego's at the clubhouse."
There was silence on the other end. Then her voice came back tight with controlled panic. "I'm leaving now."
She came back to the bike and we rode to the motel together to pick up our stuff.
Jaxon's call came into her phone as soon as we were through the door. “You need to get back immediately,” he said even without exchanging pleasantries.
“I know. I'm on my way.” Was her reply to him and she hung up. We got on my bike and began going back to the clubhouse.
Sage's arms wrapped around my waist so tight I could barely breathe but I didn't tell her to loosen up. She needed the anchor and I needed to feel her close.
The parking lot was full of motorcycles when we arrived. Not just Steel Wolves bikes but custom Harleys with Blood Sisters colors. Elena had brought backup.
Inside, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Club members lined the walls with their hands near their weapons, watching the visitors with barely concealed hostility. And in the center of the main room, holding court like he owned the place, stood Diego Vasquez.
He was handsome in a way that made my teeth grind. He was polished, wearing designer clothes and an expensive watch that caught the light every time he moved. His dark hair was styled perfectly, and he had sharp features, the kind of good looks that came from money and privilege.
He looked nothing like the rough edged bikers Sage grew up around.
Elena sat at the bar looking amused by the whole situation. When we walked in, her smile widened.
"Ah, there she is." Diego's face lit up with what looked like genuine warmth but I saw the plotting underneath. "Mi prometida. Finally, we meet."
He approached Sage with open arms like they were old friends reuniting. His movements were smooth and practiced, every gesture designed to charm and disarm.
Sage stood frozen beside me. I felt her hand grip my arm.
"Sage Romano," Diego said, stopping just close enough to be respectful but not threatening. "You're even more beautiful than your father described. He spoke of you often, always with such pride."
"You and my father were not friends," Sage said. Her voice was steady but I heard the tremor underneath.
"No, but we corresponded extensively about our arrangement. He wanted to ensure you would be well cared for, that the alliance would benefit both our families." Diego's smile was warm and practiced. "I'm sorry for your loss. Vincent was a good man who made difficult choices to protect those he loved."
The words sounded sincere but they felt rehearsed. Like Diego had practiced exactly what to say to appear sympathetic and honorable.
"I appreciate your condolences," Sage said carefully. "But I'm not your bride."
Diego's expression didn't change but something flickered in his eyes. "The contract says otherwise, querida. A legally binding agreement between your father and my sister, witnessed and notarized."
"My father is dead. That contract died with him."
"Actually, according to the terms, the agreement transfers to the current Steel Wolves president." Diego glanced at Jaxon, who stood near the office door looking like he wanted to murder everyone in the room. "Unless President Romano wishes to declare the contract void and face the consequences?"
Jaxon's jaw clenched but he didn't respond.
Diego turned back to Sage and reached for her hand. She wanted to pull back but he was faster, catching her fingers and bringing them to his lips.
"It's an honor to finally meet you," he said, kissing her hand with practiced gallantry.
I saw red.
"She's not your bride," I growled, stepping forward. "Let go of her."
Diego released Sage's hand but his smile turned sharp and predatory. "And you are?"
"The man who's going to break your face if you don't back off."
"Ryder," Sage warned quietly.
But I was past listening to reason. This polished asshole was standing in our clubhouse, kissing my girl's hand, talking about contracts and arrangements like she was property to be traded.
Diego looked me over with the kind of assessment that said he was calculating exactly how much of a threat I posed. His smile never wavered.
"The enforcer," he said. "Yes, my sister Elena mentioned you. She said there might be some complications with the wedding."
"There's no wedding."
"The contract disagrees."
"I don't give a shit about the contract."
Elena laughed from her seat at the bar. "This is entertaining. Jaxon, you didn't tell me the enforcer was so passionate."
"Passion is admirable," Diego said, his eyes never leaving mine. "But it doesn't change reality. Sage and I will be married. It's already decided."
"The hell it is."
The tension in the room ratcheted up. Brothers on both sides shifted, hands moving toward weapons. Elena slid off her barstool, still smiling but alert now.
"Gentlemen, please," she said with mock sweetness. "We're all civilized here. No need for violence when we can settle things with words."
But Diego kept that stupid polished smile on his face as he turned round the room as if he was striking a pose on a fashion runway.
"Sage, querida," he said, turning his attention back to her. "We should talk. Privately. There are things we need to discuss before the wedding."
"There's not going to be a wedding," I said again.
"That's not your decision to make." Diego's voice stayed pleasant but sounded a bit impatient now. "This is between Sage and me. Family business."
"She's not your family."
"And she is yours?" He countered me immediately.
Before I could respond, Jaxon's voice cut through the room. "She's not going anywhere alone with you."
Diego turned to face Jaxon. For the first time since we walked in, his smile disappeared from his face.
"With all respect, President Romano, this is between my bride and me. Surely you can understand the need for privacy in matters of the heart?"
"There's no heart involved here," Jaxon said flatly. "Just a contract my father signed without consulting anyone. And until I decide whether to honor it, Sage doesn't go anywhere alone with you."
Diego's pleasant expression hardened into a cold unpleasant one instantly. "The contract is binding. Remember, there are consequences."
Diego looked around the room, his gaze lingering on each club member. "The Blood Sisters are prepared to honor our agreement. The question is whether the Steel Wolves are willing to honor theirs. Or if you'd prefer to face what happens when sacred contracts are broken."
The threat was clear even wrapped in polite words.
Elena stood up, moving to stand beside her brother. "Diego, perhaps we should give them time to discuss this as a club. Family decisions require family input."
"Of course." Diego smoothed his jacket. "But I would like a few minutes alone with my fiancée before we leave. Just to introduce ourselves properly. Surely that's not too much to ask?"
He looked at Sage with those calculating eyes, and I saw her hand clench into a fist at her side.
"Fine," she said before anyone could object. "We can talk, but not alone. The door stays open, and Ryder stays where I can see him."
Diego's smile returned. "I can accept those terms. For now."