“No, ma’am. Jasper told me to make sure nothing happened to you, and I’m trying to keep my ass in one piece. If something happens to you, Jasper promised to chop me into little pieces.”

She laughed as an older African American gentleman opened the gate and gave her an embrace when they stepped into the yard. Wilson had been with Brandi from the time she was sixteen, and they were the only family each claimed. He took care of Brandi and the girls, and he was the one she’d called for this appointment. He was an excellent gatekeeper, buffering Brandi from anything and anyone she didn’t want to deal with.

“Thanks for carving out some time for me, Wilson. I’d ask how you are, but you don’t ever age, my friend.” She smiled when he didn’t drop her hand as they started for the bright candy-apple red door. That color was like a neon sign announcing who owned the house, but Brandi wasn’t one to hide.

“You’re a good liar. It feels like I get older by the day, but I can’t complain when I’m living such a good life. You come to talk to my girl about that place on Poydras?” He led them inside and the velvet couches in the foyer appeared new. “That’s been bad for business.” Wilson’s slow drawl was relaxing to listen to.

“That’s exactly what I want to talk about, so could you keep an eye on my escort for the evening? Actually, if anyone is around to keep him company, I wouldn’t mind if you joined us.”

“You one of Jasper’s boys?” Wilson asked Skeeter and the young man nodded. “Wait here and mind your manners.” A few girls came down after Wilson made a short call upstairs, and then he led her to the office.

Brandi stood and smiled when Wilson opened the door. The jeans and sweater, much like what Emma had been wearing, didn’t fit the role of infamous madame, but Brandi seemed to be relaxing for the evening. Brandi was a beautiful woman no matter what she was wearing, and her smile made Cain believe she was hiding a secret. Considering Brandi’s client list, it was more than likely quite a few secrets.

“Why is it that all the tall handsome butches in my life are taken? You’ve been a stranger for too long, Cain.” Brandi stood on her toes and kissed her cheek. “But from what I hear from our mutual friend Sept Savoie, you’ve got a houseful of cute kids and a beautiful wife. I guess even the wildest of beasts can be tamed.”

“They keep me busy, and all it took to civilize me was a farm girl from Wisconsin.” She sat next to Wilson as Brandi moved behind her desk. “Wilson tells me you’ve heard of the Hell Fire Club.”