by Brair Lake
“Firebird and Eve. They say we need a family day,” he repeated.
To hide my smirk, I sip the cold beer. Things are slowly changing on Demon’s Lair, and I’m unsure how aware Day is of this. “You’re the one who hired Firebird as the casino’s manager.”
Day snorts as he sips his beer. Until Eve pointed out the need of someone with better organizational skills, TJ, the club’s secretary, had run the women and the casino. And between them, Eve and Leon roped Firebird in to help. Then, after a vote with church, Day hired the redhead as a full-time manager. I sip my beer, watching my toes wiggle. It’s thanks to Firebird we work three nights at the casino and have four rest days. My smirk deepens. Who would have thought a Davaro would be running things for Day?
“What makes you think it’s Firebird’s idea. Maybe I’ve been playing around with the idea. You know, from a PR point of view,” Day said.
I shake my head, “shit, Day. She’s been manager for what. Two months. And she’s already implemented several changes. This Family Day stunt stinks of Firebird.”
Day chuckles as he leans back against the couch, keeping his gaze on the giant television screen pinned to the wall. “Are you telling me you knew nothing about it?”
“I only see Firebird or Eve, if there’s a legal problem with the club.” I turn to Day. “You know TJ’s still playing around with the idea of opening an escort agency.”
Day nods, “I like the idea. More money for the club. Shit, the whores just pick up any john they fancy from the casino.”
I shake my head. The way Day describes it, you would swear the whores were lined up alongside the dock with prices on stickers on the soles of their shoes, waiting for the punters as they left the casino after a night’s gambling. It isn’t quite like that. TJ is good with the women. He’s the one who hooks the clients up with the right woman.
“Those Smythe boys are smart. I see why you recommended them for club officers,” I said.
Day smiles in self-satisfaction as he nods. “Talk to TJ about this escort business - Now about this ‘Family Day.’”
It’s a long time since I thought about family and the one I lost, and my hands turn clammy as I push back the memories of Jo-Leigh. “It’ll be good for the club.” My lips twist into a semblance of a smile. “We could do with some lighthearted fun. Shit, when was the last time we had any real free time?” My chuckle is genuine, “just don’t expect me to plan it.”
Day smirks as he lowers his bottle. The gleam in his blue eyes sets off the nervous twitch in my stomach. “It’s Firebird’s idea, She and Eve can sort it out.”
I take another sip of my beer, turning my attention back to the movie. “It’ll mean Poppy will be there.”
The couch cushion beside me springs back into shape as Day stands and runs his hand through his dark hair. “I’ve a casino to run. Call Fudge about the next run.” My chuckle follows the biker as he leaves the room, and I pull the burner from my pocket as I shake my head. The man’s been running from the young woman since she turned eighteen, and I wonder how much longer he’ll be able to run. I turn my gaze back to the movie, and my smile slips. He’s not the only one running.
I close my eyes as I lean against the couch and Mia Cartwright invades my thoughts as her lithe, tall frame floats up before me and my frown gathers. Shit, there are so many reasons why the woman is wrong for me. She’s Jono and Hank’s sister for one. She’s Poppy’s best friend. My stomach rumbles as I chuckle. Which would mean more torment for Day. The burner weighs in my fingers and my frown returns. She’s a journalist. Sure, it might only be for The Noir Valley Gazette and some blog she runs. But she’s still a journalist and The River Demons are not a hundred percent kosher. I key in a number and Devil’s Comfort Road Manager answers the call. “Hi. Fudge. How’s it going, Old Man?”
Fudge’s chuckle reaches out. After years of playing the field, he’s settled down with a widow and has a family of his own. “Less of the old man, Alex. How’s life on the river?”
I turn to the window and watch the water. The Mississippi and Demon’s Lair are still, and the sun glistens off the water. “It’s good. And you.”
There is warmth in Fudge’s chuckle. “Hectic. The women have gone away for the weekend.”
I chuckle. “How about we get together for a weekend?”
“Sounds good.” The cell goes quiet, but I hear the flicker of paper. “How about the third weekend of next month?”
“Sounds great. We’ll see you and the boys then.”
With the trip arranged, I hang up on the biker and although I resume watching the film, my attention is elsewhere. When Day took on the presidency of The River Demons. Turning the riverboat into a legal casino and moving our operations from the backwoods of Noir Valley, we had handed a majority of our pipelines over to the Scarlet Runners. But there were one or two lines we had kept. Pipelines Day has no intention of handing over to anyone. Pipelines set up by the founding president of the River Demons, Quaker, Day’s grandfather, back in the early sixties.
Yeah, there are several reasons to keep Mia at bay and not one of them personal. My cock twitches, reminding me in a tormenting way why I need Mia. Five years ago, I tasted that sweet body of hers. I was the one to introduce her to the sweet delights of sex. I scowl into my near empty bottle of beer. Just because I had been her first, it doesn’t mean I was her last. Fuck, eighteen, beautiful and full of life. She left Noir Valley for college without looking back. I know there hasn’t been anyone since her return. I take a swallow of my beer. I’m playing three ring cat and mouse, and between Hank and me. I’m not sure which one of us is the mouse.
“Shit, Alex. Use your room.”
I blink as Oyster strolls in. With the beer he’s grabbed from the bar, he sits in the chair opposite. His usual beaming smile missing. Then I look at my hand and find it resting over my bulging cock. Shit, thinking of Mia has me almost masturbating in the saloon. Thank fuck it was empty.
“How’s the delightful Mallory?” I ask.
“In need of a good spanking. Shit, I only returned to Noir Valley last night, and she was on my back about how much I’ve spent.” Oyster sips his beer. His light brown eyes steady on me. “Who were you thinking about?”
I blink. “What.”
“Just now. When you were playing monkey. Who were you thinking about?”
“I wasn’t playing monkey, and I wasn’t thinking about anyone.”
Oyster’s eyes sparkle as he chuckles. His problem with Mal, the club’s new accountant, forgotten as he watches me. “Sure, you weren’t. Why should you when there’s plenty of pussy about. Fuck, Even Flash is available.”
“The whore’s always been available.” My smile deepens. “Just more since Bastian has hooked up with Eve.”
Oyster sips his beer. His gaze steady on me. “So, you’re not going to talk about the delectable Mia.”
I choke on my beer, making my eyes water. “Mia–What about her?”
“She’s young. Blonde. Fuckable. That’s what about her.”
“She’s also Hank’s sister. Do you really want the Sherriff hanging around Demon’s Lair?”
Oyster turns his gaze to the television. “She’s ripe for plucking. Some other dog will hump her if you don’t.”
I tilt my head and study Oyster. He’s a good-looking man and as the club’s General, he doesn’t spend much time in Noir Valley. A nomad. Although he is affiliated and his fealty is to The River Demons, he rides from charter to charter, MC to MC, keeping the peace for us. His only failure to date is with Jono and the Skull Collectors.
“Are you one of those dogs?” I ask.
Oyster shrugs and I stand. The calm air has grown oppressive and there is a bitter taste in my mouth. Shit, I’ve fucked the whores and the mama’s of the club. I’ve shared most of them with most of my brothers as we fucked them at the same time. Yet the idea of Mia fucking any of my bond brothers leaves my stomach churning. “She’s a journalist, Oyster. She’ll only be using
you.” I grab my bike keys from the low coffee table. “I’m going for a ride.” Oyster’s chuckle follows me out of the saloon.
As I approach the gangplank, I spot Flash and Candy. Both women are tall, both are blond. So is Mia. For all their similarities, all three are polar apart from Jo-Leigh. She was five-four, blond and the girl next door with no connection to the club. When I left Noir Valley for college, she followed me, wooed me and wed me. I don’t need another Jo-Leigh or a Mia to complicate the simple life I have carved out for myself. My gaze flits over Flash. Since losing Bastian to Eve, she’s on the hunt for a new protector, and I wasn’t going to be that sucker. I smile at Candy; my cock still throbs in need of some lovin. The women weren’t due to start work until late tonight. Being a whore at River Demons has its perks. One of those are the hours you’re expected to work. I toss my keys in the air, glance over at my bike, then back at Candy. I can ride later. Thanks to Mia’s taunting image, my body craves a different ride. “Fancy some fun for a couple of hours, Candy?”
Candy peers from beneath lowered lashes, her gaze roves over my body, pumping blood to my cock. Flash’s lips pinch as her smile fades, then she pulls it back into place and slips her hand on to my arm, which I shake free as Candy’s blue gaze darkens with lust and I lick my lips. The whore isn’t about to turn me down. “I’ll catch up with you later, Flash,” Flash’s lips tightened briefly, then she nods and turns away from the gangplank as she stomps to the saloon.
“If she causes you any problems. Let me know.”
Candy slips her arm into the croak of mine as I lead her to my cabin. “She’s a fair boss. If she wasn’t, she wouldn’t last long without the respect of the other women.” Candy chuckles as I open the cabin door. “Besides, Day’s free. Then there’s Oyster, who would suit her better.”
As the door closes, I slip my cut and t-shirt off and watch Candy pull her dress over her head, then she’s naked.
“Oyster,” I said.
The whore nods, “yeah. He’s on the road a lot. With his protection, she can say no to the lower members.”
“Lie on the bed.” I unbuckle my belt, slipping it out of its hoops. “Oyster.” I smile at Candy as she lies spread over my bed. My cock is free and throbbing. The idea of Flash and Oyster in bed teases the devil in me as I lean over Candy.
Chapter 2
Mia: Her home Noir Valley
I read the last sentence of this week’s blog one more time as a smile quirks at the corner of my lips. Then, with a satisfactory nod, I hit send and post it to my page. While at college, instead of keeping a diary, I’d come up with this crazy idea to write a blog about my reeducation. Shit, what a dismal fiasco the first few months turned out to be as it gained zero interest. Shit, why would anyone be interested in my dull life when everyone was writing the same thing. Then I’d spiced it up. Turned my dull college life into a hotter mess of fun than it was. I’d given my professors make-overs and personality transplants. Then the readers had come. Slow to begin with. Now, five years later, I have a healthy following of readers and make a pretty damn good living from it. Which is a good job considering as a freelancer for the Noir Valley Gazette, my pay packet sucks. The bedroom door swings open and clatters shut as Poppy strolls in. Her grin wide, and the amber of her eyes sparkle as she settles on the bed.
“Day’s agreed to it,” she said.
I shake my head as my stomach dips. I know I will regret asking, but anything Day has agreed to where Poppy is involved, is anything but a smart idea. With a deep inhale, I shut the laptop down and turn to look at the younger woman. “Agreed to what?”
“The party.”
My eyebrow rises, “what party?”
“A family day at Demon’s Lair.” Poppy points to herself. “And as family. I get to go.”
“You really want to watch Day flirt with the whores.”
Poppy grabs one of my pillows, hugging it close. “I’m a masochist. Anyway, I’ll flirt with Data or one of the prospects.”
I shake my head. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I sure do. I’ve already picked out my outfit.” Poppy frowns as she sits up. Her amber eyes on me. “We need to get you an outfit. As good as you look in jeans and t-shirt. It’s not enough to grab Alex’s attention.”
My stomach dips at the mention of the blond biker. He’s another reason why my blog is popular. “And what makes you think I’m interested in Alex’s attention.”
“Oh. I don’t know.” Poppy rolls her eyes as she swings her legs over the side of the bed. “Maybe it’s the cow eyes you make at him when you think no one’s watching.”
I roll said eyes at the younger woman. “He’s old news. There’s a new guy at the paper. And he’s taking me out for dinner.”
Poppy stops as she reaches the bedroom door and opens it. Her eyes on me as she studies me. “Are you giving up on Alex?”
“There’s nothing to give up. Alex and I were never a thing and never will be.” I look at Poppy. She’s shorter than me and wears her hair in an array of deep rich greens, blues and purples with the occasional slice of deep red. Since knowing her, she’s had a puppy crush on Day. And Data or no Data, I know Poppy hopes Day will see her as a woman. A grip tightens around my heart as I crush down the familiar sweep of longing for a biker forbidden to me. One day, like me, Poppy will come to find out a crush gets you nothing.
“If that’s what you think.” Poppy shrugs as she leaves the room, closing the door behind her and I listen to her footsteps creak down the stairs.
From the bottom drawer of the chest of drawers, I pull out a scrap book, carrying it over to the bed. I open the scrapbook and glance at the photographs. The oldest is five years old. The year I noticed Alex. The year I willingly gave him my virginity. As I turn the pages, most of the photos of Alex are without his tee-shirt on. My fingers linger over the images and I lick my lips. His stomach is flat, well-toned. His blond hair curls at his shoulders. Although he smiles, there is no responding gleam in his blue gaze. His jeans ride low at his hips and my pussy grows wet. The book is full of photographs of Alex. This is not my only collection; I have two more books. Soon I’ll need another one. Shit, if the River Demons saw these, they’d think I was a stalker and Alex would have me locked up. I shake my head. No, I’d never hurt him. If I could, I would take his pain away, but I doubt I’m the woman who will heal him.
When I told Poppy there was a new guy at the paper, it was true. He’s new to Noir Valley, several years older than me, and most importantly, he is not a biker. He’s asked me to show him the sights of Noir Valley. Not that there is much to see. A movie house, a couple of restaurants and the casino. I’ve agreed to show him Noir Valley, but I’ll not take him to the casino where I’ll get to watch Alex with other women. Unlike Poppy, there’s no thrill for me when Alex touches the club whores. I close the scrap book and slip it back into the drawer. As I stand, my gaze lands on the laptop. Next week, I’m breaking up with my virtual boyfriend. I’m over my crush with Alex. I’m ready to go out and taste the real thing. I ignore the twisted ping in my heart as I step into the shower.
When I arrive at the restaurant, Cole Johnson is waiting and has found us a table near the rear of the room, and I wave as I enter. He is tall, and his dark hair is shaved close to his head with a slight tuff on top. His eyes are as gray as the pewter bracelet I wear. A gift from Hank when I graduated. As I walk towards him, he rises and smiles. A smile matched by the sparkle in his eyes, and although there is a slight flutter in my stomach. There is no pulsing throb in my pussy. I promised myself; I wouldn’t think of Alex tonight. Cole and the date are all about banishing the biker from my thoughts and getting him out of my system. As I lean into Cole to peck his cheek, his aftershave of spice and lemon teases my nose.
“You found the place okay.”
Cole chuckles as he pulls out my chair and I sit down, then he sits in the chair next to mine. His body is close, yet I have no yearning desire to reach out and touch him. To di
scover if his flesh is as soft as it looks. To find that one spot that will have him begging for mercy. I know Alex’s secret spot, I found it by accident and it’s one secret part of him, I hope I am the only one aware of.
“It wasn’t hard considering I only have a pick of two. Besides, what kind of journalist would I be if I hadn’t found it?”
I blink as Cole’s voice drags me out of my fantasies. “I still can’t believe you chose Noir Valley Gazette to work for. Hell, the gazette is an independent. Why not work at one of the syndicated media groups?”
Cole raises a bottle of house red, and I nod, watching the wine slosh and twirl in a glass as he pours it. “I’m a coward and hate competition. Something which Noir Valley doesn’t have.” He raises the wine bottle at me and winks, “Apart from you, that is.”
“Well, I hope you’re not too bored and don’t leave too soon. After all, we are a sleepy provincial town.”
Cole’s eyebrow rises as his lips twist. “A provincial town with a riverboat casino run by a biker gang,”
My lips tighten as my fingers clench the stem of my wine glass. “They’re a club. Not a gang. Who turned an old riverboat into a good business.” I look at Cole and smile. “And may have just saved this town from drowning. We’re getting visitors who are curious about Demon’s Lair. Shit, we’re even building new houses.” This time my shudder has nothing to do with Alex or Cole, but at the changes going on in Noir Valley.
“I bet they are.”
Cole’s gray eyes glitter as his lips pinch, and I blink as I lean back in my chair and watch him. He’s a journalist, hungry for a story. I have one I could tell him. But I won’t. Poppy is my friend. I’ll not betray her, or the club I’m not part of.
“They’re having a family day. Come with me and you’ll find out how harmless they are.” Shit, there are times when my mouth runs away from me and after promising myself no more Alex, I was arranging a trip to Demon’s Lair. Albeit with a man.