do that?”

“Date her. I’ll move her on to Demon’s Lair. Be seen round Noir Valley with her.”

“And what about that boyfriend of hers?”

Shit, when the brothers get together, they can gossip like a bunch of old hags. I shrug, “he’s a work colleague.”

Oyster hits the stripped eleven ball. it rolls into the far corner pocket. He then hits the stripped 12, and it slips into the middle corner. Then he glances towards me. The gleam is back in his green gaze. “Yeah. You keep telling yourself that.”

“Are you going to be at Scarlett’s for long?”

“Just a couple of days. You think I’m going to miss the fun I see coming.”

Oyster misses his fifth shot, and as I rise from my seat, the saloon door opens and TJ and Teach stroll in. I just made it back in time for her interview, yet, instead of taking part, I sat back and watched TJ fuck the whore. Before visiting Mia, I had been looking forward to some time with Teach. Just one taste of Mia and all the other whores had soured. After Teach agreed to come on board with the new venture, TJ offered to give her a practical, and as I watched him thrust his dick into her ass, I finished my drink, then left the room and found Oyster.

“There’s going to be plenty of fun. Hank will be watching as well.” Although as a child, I often played with Jono, forming a bond ship with him which had lasted until the day of the coup, Hank and I had never been buddies. Shit, it wasn’t that we were sworn enemies, just that we had different values, I guess. Now I was going to hook up with Mia, I wondered if Hank watching the club would have more to do with The River Demons and Jono, than Mia.

“Why the fuck do you think I’m going to see Sinbad,” said Oyster.

I miss my third shot and Oyster walks over to the table and as he studies the balls, Flash strolls into the saloon. Behind her is Mallory Hanover, the club’s new accountant. Her black hair falls forward, not by accident, but by design. Thanks to Mississippi, and the woman’s capability to do her job, Mal moved from the Scarlett’s territory. She’s a beautiful woman and as I watch her, I wonder what her secret is.

“If you’re staying, you could hook up with Mal.” I said.

Oyster misses the stripped ball as he glances over the table and watches the two women as they sit on one of the couches. “I’d rather hook up with that she barracuda than Miss Sissy Pants.”

I pot the eight ball and collect the hundred dollars. “Let me know when you’re on your way back, and I’ll have her gift wrapped for you.”

“You’re all heart, Alex.” As Oyster leaves the saloon, I give the room a swift appraisal, watching the brothers as they start to arrive. I have a meeting and need a clear head. Instead of joining them, I head for my bike.

When I spot the slip road, I pull in and turn right, park the bike and take a swift look around me. I’m several miles out of Noir Valley. The highway may only be a couple of miles from here; however, the seclusion of the copse is ideal for my meeting. The throb of a bike engine drifts into the air and I turn and watch Jono pull up beside me. He smiles and nods as he pulls his brain bucket off. Time has served him well. His hair is as blonde as it had been when he was a teenager, and there are no crow lines around his eyes. I guess that’s what happens when you don’t smile much. As he dismounts from his bike, I step towards him. He hugs and slaps me on the back like a lost brother. His hazel eyes steady as I step back.

“Jono. I wasn’t sure you’d come.”

“You think I’d stand you up, Slick. Shit, after your betrayal, you’re still my brother and there’ll always be a place for you by my side.” I smile at the lie, letting Jono believe I was fooled by his bullshit. “Day and The River Demons. They’re history. The club isn’t going to last much longer.”

“We’re not going anywhere. The only reason I’m here is because of Mia.” I glance up and down the dirt track. There are no sounds. The bayou is quiet. It’s more like a morgue than a place which is supposed to breathe and live life. “You’re on your own.”

“Just as you requested.” Jono pulls out a packet of cigarettes and taps one out. He lights it and through the smoke he watches me. “What’s this about Mia?”

“When was the last time you spoke to her?”

Jono shrugs, “a couple of weeks back.”

His answer surprises me, and I nod, “where?”

The biker chuckles. It has a jeering mimic to it. “Not at the house. If that’s what you’re thinking. Not while those dogs of Day’s are living there. We had lunch at the sheriff’s station. Hank, Mia, and me. A proper little family gathering.” Jono glances around and when he returns his gaze to me, he squints through the dense cigarette smoke as he takes a long drag. “Why are you asking?”

“Did she tell you about her new boyfriend?”

Jono chuckles as he throws the used cigarette butt into the air. When it lands on the ground, he grinds it with his left foot. “Are you telling me this because it’s you?”

My chuckle is low as I shake my head. “It’s some new journalist, Cole Johnson. He arrived in Noir Valley about six months ago.”

Jono’s body relaxes as he leans against his bike. “You want me to run him off for you.”

I smile as I stare into his hazel gaze. “No. Until he

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