“Lucky.”
Alex nods. “Yeah. When he broke away from the club. Taking several of our members with him. When we excommunicated him and the brothers. We could have outlawed them. But we didn’t.” Alex leans back as he releases a mocking laugh. “If I had known he was going to come back, I think I would have voted to outlaw them.”
“What would that mean.”
Alex blinks. When he looks at me, his eyes are bland. His lips set straight. “He would have been banned from coming back to Noir Valley.” He shrugs. “Possibly the entire state.”
“And you think that would have stopped him.”
Alex closes his eyes and I join him on the sofa. His arm slips around my shoulder and I inhale his aroma. “No. I think he would still have come back.” His thumb idly caresses over the flesh of my arm.
“We’ll get through this,” I said
His lips are brief as they flutter against my forehead. “Sure, we will. You do as you’re told. Don’t go anywhere without anyone and we’ll be fine.”
Alex twines his fingers with mine, and I raise them to my lips. “I hear you, Master.”
“I wish you did, Mia.”
“I do, Alex.” The image of Poppy’s burning home burnt into my memory. “Poppy and Firebird had a lucky escape. If Jono will do that. What will Delaney do?” It was a hypothetical question. I already know how dangerous he is. I lean into Alex, nibbling the flesh of his neck. “Let’s go back to the cabin.”
Alex chuckles as he caresses my ass, and I clench my thighs as I think of my gifts. “I would love to. But with Day and Bastion dealing with Poppy, I’m working tonight.”
I glance to the window, I would have liked to have spent more time with Alex, but thanks to Jono, my brother dearest, I am denied what precious time I have left with my lover.
Life in the casino went on. The punters arrive and boarded Demon’s Liar. Roulette wheels spun and cards flipped. Markers and chips passed hands. Glasses clinked and voices chirped like a morning chorus. Mal worked in place of Firebird. Everything was normal and I haven’t seen anything of Alex since he went into the office, closing the door behind him. I drop my cards and collect my chips from the blackjack table. As I step away from the table, a hand grips my arm and I glance up at Cole. “Hi.”
He nods. “Is Poppy okay?”
“Yeah. I think her and Firebird were more in shock than anything else.”
Cole guides me to the window, and I stare out to the river. There are no lights or stars. It is nothing but a black abyss outside “What about you, Mia?”
“I’m fine.”
“Have you spoken to Hank?”
“I called him. He was evasive.” I turn to Cole. His gaze warm. “I guess he wouldn’t tell me anything, anyway.”
Cole nods, then his gaze flickers over my shoulder and I know he is looking at the door to the office. “Did you mention Jono?”
My snort is short, causing several heads to turn in my direction and I smile. “No. If he has the video. And it is him, Hank will recognize him.”
“Do you think he’ll leave Noir Valley?”
I know Cole is a journalist, but I want to ask him why all the questions. I shrug. “Who knows with Jono. He left once but came back.”
Cole nods, and a noise behind me calls his attention. I turn and follow his gaze. A couple of punters are arguing with one of the girl’s working the blackjack table. “I have to go.” Cole steps away, then turns back to me. “Take care. And if you ever need anything, let me know.”
My smile twists, “I’ll be fine, Cole.” Then I step towards the closed door.
When I open it, piercing blue eyes greet me. Alex’s smile is missing, and he nods towards the casino. “Everything okay out there.”
“Yes. Just the usual stuff. Cole’s dealing with it.”
Alex’s frown doesn’t ease as he leans back in the chair and I pause by the door. “What did he want with you?”
I blink, and as I step further into the office, my gaze sweeps over the wall of monitors. “He was concerned about Jono.”
“Just Jono.”
“Yes. Just Jono.” Alex continues to watch me. When I reach the chair in front of the desk, my fingers idly stroke the soft leather. I want to believe he cares for me. Maybe even loves me a little. Yet, I know the possessiveness in his voice means very little. I’m his current lay. The woman who warms his bed. “What’s with you, Alex. I know you usually share the women with other men.”
Alex reaches over and raises a bottle of whiskey. “Want one.” I nod, watching him pour the dark bronze liquid into the tumblers until it reaches halfway. He then looks up at me and smiles as he offers me a glass. I have to walk round the desk to accept it and Alex pulls me on to his knee. The heat of his body warms me, and I inhale his scent.
“Do you want another man in our bed, Mia?” The blue of his eyes darkens, and I gulp back the whiskey, choking at the sharp burning taste as it slides down my back. Alex pats my back and I rock forward as tears gather in my eyes.
“I haven’t thought about it.”
“No. How about if we invite Cole.”
“Cole.”
“Sure. You were dating him before me.”
“Dating.” I take another shot of the whisky to hide my laughter. “Alex. If there is one word I wouldn’t associate with you. It has to be dating.”
Alex frowns. “What are we doing then?”
“Sleeping together.”
“And living together.”
“But not dating.”
“Okay–So we’re past the dating game.” Alex’s finger draws wild
