“That you should raise your concerns with Day.” I turn my gaze to the other members of the club. “And so should they.”
Neat nods as he sips his beer. His laugh self-derogatory. “People don’t like change. We have money coming in. What happens when that stops?”
“You make it sound like Day’s taking the club cold turkey. It’ll be awhile before we say goodbye to the old business.” Neat watches me. His light green eyes full of questions and his fingers clench around the neck of his beer bottle as he raises it to his lips. That’s who Neat is. He likes things in order. When he says people don’t like change, he’s talking about himself. The River Demons turned him from a homeless street kid to giving him an instant family. Somewhere where he belongs with no questions asked. “You believe in Day,” Neat said.
My gaze flashes over to Jono and I watch him talking to Clipper, the club’s Secretary. Clipper hadn’t been a member of The River Demons when I left Noir Valley nine years ago. Yet when I returned, he was already an officer.
“Whose idea was it. Jono’s or Clipper’s?” My question isn’t idle curiosity. Since my return, Clipper and I have crossed on several issues regarding the club and my lawyer’s instinct warns me he is untrustworthy.
Sink raises his bottle in a mock salute. “Behind every King is the King Maker.”
Neat nods in agreement. His green gaze on Clipper. “And it’s the King’s Maker you have to watch.”
I watch Jono. His threat about Delaney rings in my brain. “He got something on you two.”
Neat shakes his head. “I just wanted to hear what he has to say.”
Sink smiles. “I just wanted to hear what the man had to say.” Sink’s gaze is on me again, and I know he’s trying to read me. “What about you, Slick? You and Jono have history.”
I drain my beer. The tepid liquid fails to ease the tension riding in me. “That we do.” My gaze narrows as I watch the man I grew up with. “Too much history as it turns out.” Jono works his way across the floor, stopping occasionally to reassure the bikers when they question him. He’s moving closer to me. I ran from Delaney because of my grief over Jo-Leigh’s death. No matter where I am, he will always be a threat to me. My gaze sweeps the room and silently, I acknowledge Jono has the votes he needs. “I’m going for a ride.”
After texting Day, I meet up with him and Bastion several miles out of Noir Valley. Beside me, are Neat and Sink. As the two bikers and the dozen of bikers behind them pull up, Day removes his helmet. His dark hair swinging around his shoulders as he watches me. Bastian dismounts from his Harley to stand next to Day, running his fingers through sandy hair flattened by the bucket brain. Then he turns to his brothers, raises and lowers his hand. As the air falls silent as they switch off engines, Bastian steps forward. “What’s Jono planning.”
Neat dismounts from his bike, nods at Sink and me, and we nod in return. Then he turns back to Bastian. “Jono’s raising a coup. He held a vote and has the men.”
Day’s gaze flickers between Neat, Sink, and me. “Who’s with him.”
“Clipper. Sharpie. Rickety-Lee.” Sink reeled off several names. “You don’t seem surprised.”
Day laughs as he scratches his ear. “He lost last night’s vote.” His eyes swings to Bastian then back to us. “We knew he wouldn’t accept the outcome. What about you three?” Although the question is thrown out casually, Day’s gaze returns to me.
“Jono brought me into the club, Day.” I glance at the men behind him as a murmur filters through the air. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.” Day nods as he slips his helmet on, and I lick my lips. “I like what you’re doing with the club, Day. I like your plans. Shit, I want to be more than a runner.”
“Does that mean you’re throwing your cap in with me?”
I glance at Sink and Neat, both men nod, and I smile at Day. “Looks as though you can’t get rid of us that easy.”
Day smiles as he slips the strap of his brain bucket under his chin. “Shit, Slick. I’m glad you chose right. I sure would have hated killing you.”
My smile is weak as I mount my bike. “Let’s go to the riverboat. Jono’s set up at the old hut.” I’ve just betrayed my best friend and have no remorse over it. My loyalty is to the club.
Just as we hit the outskirts of Noir Valley, we spot bright dancing flames licking against the night skyline above the river and slow our bikes to a halt. The hum of engines deafening as we watch the flames and smoke. Then the air fills with the growl of a dozen engines revving as we ride down to the dock. The riverboat is on fire. Noir Valley is a small town and both firetrucks are dowsing the flames.
“Jono.” Leon Smythe is beside me. His brown eyes searching mine.
I nod. “Maybe I left the meeting too early.”
Day is on my other side and slaps my back. “She’s insured.”
Chapter 1
Alex: Demon’s Lair Noir Valley
Present day
“We’re having a family day.” Day said as he strolls towards the bar.
As I watch him, I reach out and pat the cushions searching for the remote which has slipped to the back of the couch and turn the volume of the television down. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
From the bar, he collects a couple of
