Cain motioned for Lou to follow her out, and the band started up again as the squeal of tires faded outside. The ache in her face matched the one in her chest, but she stayed at the table alone until her drink was done. When she stood, she stopped when the guys at the next table made a few jokes and laughed at her expense. It didn’t last long when she glared at all three of them. In the mood she was in, a good bar fight would take the edge off.

“So much for a fun night.” She headed toward the office and shook her head at Josh when he went to follow her. The men she’d stationed around the room followed her to another ride waiting in the alley behind the pub, and the waitress was still sitting in the stockroom where she’d run off to.

“Home, boss?”

“Let’s make one stop and then home.” She glanced in the side mirror to see if they had a tail, but so far, the street behind them was empty of traffic. “Pull into the parking garage on the right.”

The old hollowed-out building was a private parking structure not good for anything else without major renovation. She spotted the car close to the back and told her guy to stop. The older model Impala was tricked out with everything you’d expect from a young punk who spent more on his ride than anything else in his life. The airbrushed bullet holes, along with his initials, were a nice touch that went with the pistol door handles.

“Ms. Casey,” the young man said through the open window. “I cleaned the back seat out for you, so if you want, lie down and relax.”

“Thanks,” she said, getting in and doing as he said. The owner of the lot had a back way out, and that’s how they were leaving. “Did Jasper give you the address I need?”

“Yes, ma’am, and I can’t wait to see it. I thought he was fucking with me when he told me where we’re going,” he said, then shook his head. “Sorry about the language, Ms. Casey. Jasper told me to not act like an asshole, and I didn’t mean no disrespect.”

“Don’t worry about it, and I think Brandi is enough of a legend that everyone thinks she’s too good to be true. She runs a good business, though, and her girls are world class.” She laughed at the memory of the first time she’d visited the famous red door. “They don’t come cheap, so if you’re interested, save your money.”

“Jasper don’t pay me enough to try peaches like that.” He laughed. “You mind if I turn the music up? We’re about to hit the street and we want to fit in.”

“Crank it.”