Chapter 17
Alex – On the highway Louisiana.
I love riding the roads. The freedom to breathe and think as we hit the highways and country roads. The night is clear, giving us no reason to use a motel. When I spot the small campsite; I signal to pull in. Once the campfire is burning, Bastian and Oyster pull out their bedrolls and settle in front of fire. The crackle of burning wood with its bright flames fill the field with a shimmering amber and gold glow. TJ has taken himself off and is chatting with one of the new prospects. Day and Leon have remained in Noir Valley and Kit has returned to New Orleans to visit one of the brothers. I grab a beer from the cooler and stroll to the edge of the group. Now I was no longer on the road, my fingers itch, and my feet refuse to remain still, and I find myself pacing the perimeter of the makeshift campsite, watching the revelers, but not taking part in the party. My hand slips into my pocket and I pull out the burner. We’re on a run, and the cell I have with me must be twenty years out of date. As simple as it is, it still works. Data had found several of these old models at a garage sale, retrieved them, and managed to get them up and running again. After this run, we’ll dump them. The number I want to ring, I know by heart, but a glance at my watch tells me there’s no use in ringing just yet.
This morning I woke to a semi naked Mia. As she stepped from the veranda back into our suite, the cord on her dressing gown had fallen open, baring that delectable body to me, bringing my cock to life. I sip my beer as I recall the morning, and a smile lingers at the corners of my mouth at the memory of the shared shower. Then my smile slips. It’s the first time I’ve shared a shower with another person in a long time. The club whores have their uses, and once used, I would return to my cabin and shower alone. It would have been nice to have woken with Mia next to me. To have reached over, stroked her flesh until she woke and taken her. However, instead, of lying beneath me as I fucked her, she had taken the time to take to a call from another man. My blood ran cold when she informed me Cole was the caller. I clench the beer bottle as I take a large slug of the cool liquid. Knowing Mia is with Cole right now festers in my blood. I take another mouthful of beer as I stare up at the stars. The way they wink at me, mock me. I should have insisted Mia move onto Demon’s Lair today. Then she wouldn’t have been free to go on the date. Shit, I should have persuaded Leon to come on this run as I remained in Noir Valley. I grimace as I take another swig of beer, only to find the bottle empty. Knowing, standing on the edge of the group, is doing me no favors, I return to the campfire, grab a couple of beers from the cooler and sit in front of the fire and watch the flames as they dance and listen to the brothers as they settle down. The noise of the party is turning into a quiet lull. The crunch of pebbles pushed into the ground has me looking up and I find Bastian watching me.
“You’ll take first watch.” He said.
I nod as I frown. Last night Mia wrapped her body around mine, and I had slept. This morning I woke a little later than usually. Sleep is something which has eluded me since Jo-Leigh’s death. The only other time I had slept while dreaming of Jo-Leigh without drinking myself into a stupor was the night I Mia gave me her virginity.
“Wake Tick in a couple of hours, he’ll take over from you.” I nod as I continue to stare into the fire. “Alex.”
“Yeah.”
“It’s a hell of a road to travel. But it’s worth it,” Bastian said.
My lips pinch as my past torments my memory. “It’s a road I promised myself I’d never travel again.”
Bastian stares at the flames. “When that madman held a gun to Eve’s head. My heart froze as my head pounded as the blood roared through my body. All I could think about was killing him. To get Eve away from him and put her somewhere safe. I have never felt as hopeless as I did in those moments. But you and the brothers were there.” Bastian stare drills into me, “and Eve lived.”
“Jono won’t hurt his own sister.” But Delaney might. I shake my head and slap Bastian on the shoulder. “Get some kip. We’ve a long ride ahead of us.” I watch Bastian as he settles into his bedroll. Then glance around the camp. Silence has descended. A silence I find oppressive and stand. I am sober. The night air is pressing in, and my mind wanders down the path it normally avoids during the day. A path I travel less when I’m with Mia.
Jo-Leigh was nothing more than a child when they killed her. It wasn’t grief which kept me awake or invaded my dreams. It was the guilt. I loved her, Shit, I was secure in the knowledge I could protect her from everything and everyone. I spent my teenage years living with a motorcycle club that ruled Noir Valley with an iron hand. No one touched the brothers or disrespected them. It was this pride and my over confidence which led to her murder. When the threats started, I dismissed them, and my
