“The partying in here never disturbs the casino.”
The under life of River Demons going on as normal as Day and the bikers, work the casino act as though they’ve cleaned up their act. “I’ll have another beer.”
Candy looks at me. Her gaze steady as she watches me, then with a slight nod, she passes me another beer. My head is buzzing. I’m tipsy but not drunk. The party has turned up a notch. A couple of the women have decided to use the tables as a dancefloor as several bikers sit around them, egging them to strip. I’m too frustrated to stay behind tonight and watch and slip off my stool. “Night, Candy.”
The dip of the mattress has me rolling over and I blink as Alex slips off his tee-shirt, and a smile plays at the corners of my lips. The brothers run a lucrative gambling business and they still on wearing their uniform of black tee-shirts and cuts at the casino. “We need to talk.”
Alex leans into me. Damp earth and whisky tease me as his lips touch mine. “We’ll talk later.”
I push Alex away as I swing my legs over the side of the bed. “No. I want to talk now.”
“Shit, Mia. My body is hungry for yours. It’s four days since I last tasted your flesh. Four days since your body trembled beneath me. Four days since I heard your moans as you climaxed around my cock.”
“And another hour or so, isn’t going to make much of a difference.”
Alex leans back on the bed and runs his hand through his hair. “What gives?”
“What gives?” I stand and pull on my jeans and top and leave the cabin. I need to breathe. Shit. My body is clamoring for Alex’s. He’s not the only one unsated. But I’m not a fuck machine to be used for one thing only. A door slams behind me and I watch Alex stroll towards me and the pulse in my pussy comes to life. A reminder of how much I want the man. I turn from him and walk to the stern of the riverboat. It’s dark and as I glance towards the parking lot; I watch the last of the cars leave. Alex is close. I can smell him and if I turn around, I’ll be in his arms. Begging him to kiss me.
“You want to talk,” said Alex.
I nod, “I ran into Jono today.”
Alex’s breath warms the back of my neck and I move to the side and watch as he leans against the railings. His ankles are crossed, and his head is turned to me. “What did he want?”
“What went wrong, Alex? Where does the bitterness come from?”
“You know. I chose Day over Jono. And he’s never forgiven me.”
“Who’s Delaney.”
Alex’s body stills, and he turns his gaze to the water. Then he’s looking at me. “What do you know about Delaney?”
“Nothing. That’s why I’m asking you. Jono mentioned him.”
“What did he say?”
“He just said to tell you The River Demons days are numbered, and Delaney sends his best.”
“Fuck.” Alex glances to the parking lot. Apart from my Corolla, the club’s SUV, which I’ve heard the guys refer to as the cage and the collection of bikes, the yard is empty. “You don’t leave Demon’s Lair unless I or one of the brothers are with you.”
“I’m a grown woman. Alex. I can come and go as I please. Shit, are these the rules Copper was on about?” I glance at the gangplank. At the bottom, sitting on the bench, are two bikers. “I’ve seen the women come and go. Firebird and Eve never have an escort and I’m not Poppy.”
“We need to talk.”
I raise my eyebrow. “Isn’t that what I said.” I’m talking to Alex’s back. He has his cell to his ear as he strolls towards the club’s saloon.
“Alex.”
Chapter 19
Alex: Demon’s Lair Noir Valley
“Alex. What the hell is going on?”
I glance at Mia as she storms into the saloon. Her cheeks flushed red and her eyes blazing. I pass her a beer and after unscrewing the lid off my own bottle, I take a large swallow. As I lower the bottle, Day walks in followed by Kit.
“There had better be a good reason why you’ve called a meeting Alex. I’ve a nice piece of pussy in my cabin waiting for me,” Day said.
“Have a beer. Leon and Bastian will he here shortly. I’m not repeating myself.” I take another swallow of my beer. I need to think. My head is spinning. My stomach is churning, and bile sticks to the back of my throat. I finish the beer and reach for another bottle.
Oyster and TJ walk in. TJ glances around the room as he strolls to the bar and helps himself to a beer. “This is a piss poor party, Alex. Where’s the music and women.”
I glare at the biker. My head is pressing in against my brain. Memories I have fought with for years scramble to the surface. Years of drinking myself into oblivion wasted as images of Jo-Leigh implode on me. The hum of bike engines echo in the early morning air. A sound which normally would go unnoticed. I shake my empty bottle and as I reach for another beer, I change my mind and grab a whisky.
“Shit, Alex. I’ve one very angry lady at home. We are trying for a baby. You do remember that.” Bastian grabs a couple of beers, passing one to Leon as he settles in a vacant chair.
My gaze skims the room. Seven sets of eyes stare at me and not one face is wearing a smile. Only Kit knows the full story of what I am about to tell. I take a large swig of the whisky. The
