Banished Souls MC by Winter Hayles Page B

said. He had cooled down over Grunt's insult.
     
    "Odin was always the guy to make things happen. Got a knack for it. But this guy," Uncle nodded in the direction Grunt left. "He's pure dead weight. Always has been."
     
    Caine was aware of Grunt's low stock within the Club. Apparently, Grunt was aware, too, and was trying to change that.
     
    Which would not be a good thing for me, Caine thought.
     
    "Enough of that," Uncle said. "Go get ready. You got a meet to get to."
     
    As Caine drove to his apartment he felt stoked. This was a great chance for him. Being tapped to win a client over was not a small matter within the Club and he was going to do everything he could make it happen.
     
    He felt like sharing this good news with Cherish. The thought stunned him a little. He wasn't the type to share anything with anyone, particularly a lady friend.
     
    Where did that come from? He thought. But it felt right. He considered swinging by her motel room, see what she was up to. The thought of just holding her for a while had a really strong appeal at that moment.
     
    He checked the time. Nope, he thought. Not enough of it. He would see Cherish later anyway at the audition.
     
    Caine found himself smiling all the way home.
     
    Later, he met up with Jay at Booty Bumps. The Dark One was not blessed with anything that could be described as good looks, but that meant nothing to Caine. It was the Biker's wallet that Caine was interested in.
     
    "Yeah, we may be interested," Jay said, as the two of them sat at a table, overlooking the auditions in progress. Caine expected this level of non-committal. It was all part of the negotiations. "What sort of stock can you get your hands on?"
     
    How about some crappy video games? Caine thought, but kept that to himself.
     
    "Whatever you need," Caine said. "Won't be an issue. We got fingers in all sorts of pies."
     
    Jay sipped his beer, eyeing the stripper on the stage. The music was loud and full of base. He kept a good poker face, Caine would give him that.
     
    Suddenly, Caine saw Cherish saunter by. She was wearing the damned sexist little secretary outfit he had ever seen. Caine had to do a double take.
     
    "That's a pretty big claim. I know your club's rep. Real solid," the Dark One said.
     
    Cherish looked over at Caine and smiled. Caine smiled back.
     
    "But what's this about a missed shipment from a few days ago?" Jay said.
     
    Caine now gave the Dark One his full attention. Ah, crap, he thought. Then said, "It was a one off. A rogue element. Nothing to worry about anymore."
     
    Jay looked at him quizzically, "It's been taken care of?"
     
    Caine nodded emphatically. "No longer an issue." He hoped it wasn't but Jay didn't need to know any details, just that deliveries would be protected.
     
    Jay nodded. "The Banished Souls are not afraid to take care of business?"
     
    Normally such a question would be considered an insult. But given the circumstances Caine could understand. This guy represented a lot of potential money for the Club. He let it slide.
     
    "We take care of business. No problems. The trash needs to be taken out? We take it out." Caine had his business face on, which could scare a lot of people.
     
    The other Biker nodded, then smiled. "Okay, then. Let's do a trial run and see what happens. If all is good, maybe we can talk long term."
     
    Caine was elated, but kept his face straight. "Sounds good." Both men shook hands. It was only then that he noticed Cherish was now on the stage, dancing up a storm.
     
    Both men watched her, transfixed. Her moves, her flesh, her everything was incredible to watch.
     
    "Damn," Jay said. "That's hot."
     
    Caine felt a flare of jealousy grow inside him. He quickly tempered it down do a dull heat.
     
    Jesus. I just about lost my temper with a client. Over a woman?
     
    He looked at Cherish, who at that moment finished her dance routine. She was one hell of a woman. He just had to keep his feelings in check at the