Part 5 (1/2)

having all of your troop in there. This is between Brian and me.”

Johnno grinned at her. ”You always did your best work in the bed room,

didn't you, luy?” Their eyes held for a moment, the disgust they had

always felt for each other clear. ”Bri, she was a first-rate wh.o.r.e once

upon a time, but she's second-rate now. Can we get on?”

”You b.l.o.o.d.y queer.” Jane leaped at him before Brian caught her around

the waist. ”You wouldn't know what to do with a real woman if she bit

you on the d.i.c.k.”

He continued to grin, but his eyes frosted over. ”Care to give it a

shot, dearie?”

”Always could count on you to keep things running smoothly, Johnno,”

Brian muttered as he twisted Jane around in his arms. ”You said this

business was with me, then keep it with me. I'll have a look at the

girl.”

”Not them two.” She snarled at Johnno as he shrugged and pulled out

another cigarette. ”Just you. I want to keep it private.”

”Fine. Wait here.” He kept his hand on Jane's arm as she walked to the

bedroom. It was empty. ”I'm tired of the game, Jane.”

”She's hiding. All these people put her off, that's all. Emma! Come

here to your mam right now.” Jane dropped to her knees beside the bed,

then scrambled up to search through the narrow closet. ”She's probably

in the loo.” Rus.h.i.+ng out, she pulled open a door off the hallway.

”Brian.” Johnno signaled from the kitchen doorway. ”Something here you

might want to see.” He held up a gla.s.s, toasting Jane. ”You don't mind

if I have a drink, do you, luy? The bottle was open.” He jerked the

thumb of his free hand toward the cabinet under the sink.