Crush: The River Demons MC of Louisiana

by Brair Lake

  “I see you have CCTV.”

  The woman looks at her camera and nods. “Yeah. Hank’s already been over for it.”

  I scan the road and find Hank talking to Firebird. “And you gave it to him.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Did you see anything?”

  “Just the biker. I thought it was one of you. He went to the door, then left.”

  “You read what was on his back.”

  The woman shakes her head, “sorry. I know it sounds stupid. But…”

  I nod. “Yeah. I hear you. We all look the same.” I turn from the woman and make my way to Mia, noticing Day has sidled up to Poppy.

  Day watches my approach, “did you find anything?”

  I shake my head, “you okay, Poppy?”

  She nods, “shook up. That’s about it.”

  “Alex. The women are fine. What did the neighbor see?” Day is pacing and only stops when he reaches me, and I relay what little information I have obtained.

  “And she couldn’t read his cut?”

  I shake my head, “whoever it was, has inside info.”

  Day nods and turns from me as we watch Bastion and Eve approach. “Sorry about the house,” I said.

  He shrugs. “The house doesn’t matter. At least the women are okay.”

  Mia’s hand slips in mine and I squeeze it. Delaney has had our attention diverted and an icy shiver runs through me. Why would Jono tell Delaney where I was, putting his sister in harm’s way? Bile rises in my throat as I battle with my inner thoughts. I thought Jono’s beef was with me and the club. But I think I am nothing more than a pawn in a long game of chess.

  “Do you think Poppy’s stalker has upped his game?” Day looks at the house. Bastion’s gaze is on me, and I lick my lips as I play my cards. “I think Jono might be Poppy’s stalker.”

  Bastion turns to look at Poppy and Firebird. “She was going to visit Sugar-Jay over the summer break. It might be a good for her to stay in Burntwood Creek until we get to the bottom of this mess,” Bastion said.

  Day nods. “Data goes

  with her.”

  Chapter 30

  Mia: Demon’s Lair Noir Valley

  “Shit. I wish I was a fly on the wall.” The saloon on Demon’s Lair is quiet. Day, Bastion and Leon have returned to Firebird’s home, taking Poppy with them. Oyster and Kit have gone with several bikers on a ride. I’m not supposed to know its code for ‘we’ve gone hunting for Jono and the other Skull Collectors.’ On our return, Alex hustled me in here and is now on a call with TJ, who rode back into town after the fire. Alex frowns as he glances over to me and I raise my beer to him. “The fire at Bastion’s will be nothing compared to the one between Poppy and Day.”

  Alex finishes his call, slips his cell into his pocket, then taps his thigh and I shake my head. “I’m more interested in the fire I want to light with you.”

  “That fire can wait.” I pull at a non-existent thread off my jeans. “Do you think Jono is behind Poppy’s stalking?” I know Jono’s not a good man. That he is a rough man who lives outside the normal rules of society. But to mess with Poppy didn’t fit in with the man who looked after me when I was a child. He was the one who sat with me at night when I had nightmares. Used to cheer me on at sports day when I ran in the sack race. Shit, when he joined The River Demons, he was still caring towards me. I rub a little harder at the denim. Although Jono has been mean to me over the last couple of months. I don’t believe he would be so cruel or stoop so low to put me in danger with Delaney. “Do you really think Jono is the one behind the attacks?”

  “Mia.”

  I look up at Alex, he’s sitting on the edge of the sofa holding his hands out to me and I accept the warmth he offers me. “Yeah.”

  “I have to accept I’ve lost my best friend. That the Jono I grew up with is gone. The one I did my prospect days with, is not the man he is today.” Alex’s grip tightens, then he releases one of my hands and brushes at his hair. “Shit, I never realized how deep his hatred for Day ran.”

  I turn Alex’s hand in mine. His flesh is warm, and I trace his lifeline. “It’s hard to think of that boy gone.” I look at Alex. The years and his way of life etched on his face. The baby face of his youth, long gone. His blue eyes always shadowed with the haunts of his past. I love this man and I know he is no innocent. “Would you have done the same?”

  Alex frowns and I have this need to reach out. To stroke away the creases. “I’ll never put a woman in that kind of danger, Mia.”

  “I know.”

  Alex smiles and my heart clenches as the coils in my stomach tighten. One day I’ll not have these feelings. But for now, I’m going to treasure every one of them, and when I’m old and sat on my rocking chair, I’m going to remember every one of them and the man responsible for sending my world upside down.

  “But you had to ask?” he said.

  I nod. “you’ve been through a lot, Alex.” I stroke my thumb over his flesh. “Jono only lost the club.”

  Alex’s fingers squeeze my hand. His smile lopsided, “he lost his family, Mia. We’re more than blood.”

  “He has his new club.”

  Alex’s thumb strokes the top of my hand and I look at it instead of the biker. I don’t think I want to hear his answer. “He does, Mia. And if he had any sense. He would realize how lucky he is.”

  “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 patterns on my back and I clench my thighs as the heat in my pussy grows. “What about, Cole? Do you want to invite him into our bed?”

  I turn to Alex and cup his face. His flesh is smooth, and I embrace the silkiness of his cheek. “I’m happy with you. We don’t need anyone else to satisfy me.”

  Alex turns his head slightly. His lips warm as they brush against the flesh of my palm. His gaze bores into me and I shuffle. A mistake as I rub against the shaft of his cock and my clit pluses in response. “What is your darkest fantasy, Mia. We all have them.”

  I think of my gifts back in the cabin. We still haven’t used them, and I lick my lips. “You.”

  “Me.”

  I nod. “I used to fantasize about you.” I stare at Alex. He is quiet as he watches me. “After that night at the club, I’d masturbate. Play with myself and pretend it was you.”

  Alex shuffles me around, enabling me to sit across his lap, and places one of my legs over the arm of the chair as he shuffles my dress up to my hips. His fingers swift as he snaps my panties off, and I glance towards the door. Alex’s chuckle has me looking at him. “You’re safe. TJ is in Noir Valley.” His lips brush against my throat. “And we already know I won’t share you. That when it comes to you and your delightfully sweet body, I am very selfish, wanting to keep it for myself.” Alex’s warm lips press against mine. His tongue slips into my mouth and our tongues duel, and I grow wet as I squirm against his thighs. When he breaks the kiss, a moan escapes me. “Now, show me just how you pleasured yourself at my expense.”

  “Alex.”

  Alex spreads my legs a little further. One of his eyebrows rising as he watches me, and I slip my finger between my swollen pussy lips. My fingers glide easily thanks to the wetness instigated by Alex’s proximity. “Talk to me, Mia.”

  I blink as I open my eyes and lick my lips. “I’d lie in bed and stare at the ceiling. I often thought about Noir Valley. My family and how I missed everyone.” I look at Alex. My clit throbs as I press against the tiny nub. My stomach dips when I discover Alex’s gaze on my pussy, and fingers, watching as I tease the sensitive flesh. The pulse in his throat is prominent and his hand curls into my thigh and a sigh escapes me. “Then my thoughts would drift to you. Bringing back memories of the things you did to me that night.” I rub a little harder, closing my eyes. My fingers are slick, and I thrust into them. “I’ll never forget that night, Alex.” As I rub and flick my clit, Alex slips his finger into me. The tension in my body grows as he finger-fucks me. I go to pull my fingers away and it’s Alex’s soft no which stops me, and I continue to stroke my flesh as he slips a second finger into me. The coils in my stomach tighten, and my thighs clench.

  “That’s it, Mia. Relax. You can take it. You know you can.” His fingers are relentless as he thrusts harder and deeper into me. The tips pressing against the muscles in my pussy has me squirming and as I press harder against my clit, my other hand squeezes Alex’s thigh. My eyes closing as I arche my neck back. Biting back my moan as my body shudders around our fingers.

  “Shit, Alex. My legs are too wobbly to support me. Never mind walk back into the casino.”

  Alex chuckles as he lifts me and lays me on the couch in the office. His body covering mine as his lips sweep over mine. “You’re not going anywhere for a while, Mia. If I was you, I wouldn’t worry about returning to our cabin, never mind the casino.”

  Alex pulls the bike into the parking lot of the local garage and Sam, the owner, saunters over. As he approaches, he wipes his hands on an old oil cloth. When he smiles, the sun light flashes against his gold and diamond tooth. He’s a burly man of five-eight, with dark wild curly hair. Like Alex, he wears the club’s cut. He’s a long-standing member of The River Demons, who rode with Yellow Bellie, Day’s father, who earned his moniker after the Yellow Bellie snake. but you’ll rarely find him on the riverboat. As Alex and Sam greet each other, I glance down the street and my gaze clashes with Delaney’s and a cold shudder withers through me and I hug my arms as I glanced away. When I glance back, he is no longer in view. This is our first ride into Noir Valley since the fight and I continue to watch his office, wondering what the man was up to in Noir Valley.

  “Ready.”

  I turn to Alex and offer him a half smile as I nod, and he slips his hand into mine, then leads me down the street. “I can’t believe you’re letting someone else check out your bike.”

  Alex blinks, “Sam’s the best.” He grins as he leers at me. “The chain needs replacing, and I don’t want to get my fingers covered in oil.” He pulls me closer. “Especially when I would rather be handling you.” Alex frees my hand, slipping his hand into the back of my jean’s waistband, and my flesh tingles from the slight stroking of his thumb. “Don’t let him bother you.”

  “Who?”

  “Don’t play dumb. I saw you watching him.”

  “He really creeps me out.” I shiver again, which has nothing to do with Alex’s touch. “It felt as though he was stripping me. And he was nowhere near me.”

/>   “He’s good at that. Getting under your flesh.”

  “Shit. I’m sorry.” I break out of Alex’s hold, missing his touch. “Fuck, all I seem to do is drag up memories.”

  Alex pulls me in close. The scent of his aroma has me yearning to reach out and kiss him. “It’s not you. It’s Jono and Delaney. If they could move on. We’ll all be fine.” Alex brushes a stray strand of hair from my face and I give into temptation and kiss him. He tastes of coffee and soft garlic cheese and my stomach rumbles. Alex breaks the kiss with a chuckle.

  “Want to get lunch before we do the shop.”

  I laugh as I slip my hand into his as we continue to walk. “If you let me eat this morning. I wouldn’t be hungry now.”

  “I had breakfast.”

  “No, Alex. You had me. And no man can live on the juice of woman. No matter how good I taste.”

  “And you taste pretty good, Mia.” Alex’s fingers stroke my spine. Circling the soft material of my top until he reaches the hem, then he slips his fingers underneath and goosebumps rise over my flesh. “We don’t need to return to Demon’s Lair straight away. How about we go for a ride once we’re done in town?”

  The hunger in Alex’s gaze ignites my own. The sun was rising when Alex woke me with a kiss and breakfast had long been served and was over by the time he was done sating my body. As he devoured me with his gaze, I was ready to take him again. “Carry on like this Alex, and I’ll not be able to walk, never mind ride.”

  “What if I promise to talk once we’re done?”

  My heart clamps against my breath. Trapping the air in my throat. There have been nights where Alex and I talked until the sun rose. Me, sitting on the cabin bed, him sitting on the floor as he flicked through an old photo album. I know he still has his wedding album, but he’s never shown it to me and I’ve never asked to see it. The gentle hum in his voice offers me hope, or I was grasping at straws. His blue eyes are serious as he watches me, and I lick my lip. “I like that.”

  Alex nods. “Good.” We stop in front of another office building and he opens the door.