Marsh’s cheeks have gone red. “Drum, it’s just that she reminds me of my younger sister.”
Now Drum stands up, leaning over the table. “She isn’t your fuckin’ sister! You keep your fuckin’ hands off her, you hear me?”
Marsh has taken a step back, bringing him up against the wall. His mouth is opening and closing as he seems to realise there’s nowhere left for him to go.
“You. Hear. Me?” Drum roars again.
“I hear you, Prez, I hear you!”
The prospect is visibly shaking. Drum stays where he is, then slowly sits back down. Lines gradually smoothing away from his forehead, one side of his mouth turning up. “Sounds like you’re her fuckin’ hero, though fuck knows why. All you did was carry her fuckin’ out into the truck.” He points his forefinger toward Marsh. “While she’s here you stick with her. Help her adjust. But one whiff that you’re taking it further and you’ll fuckin’ pay. Got four years to wait, man, before you can go there.”
Marsh starts to stammer, Drum shuts him up. “You’re her fuckin’ champion? Let’s go with that. Her knight in armour, her fuckin’ Paladin.”
“I’ve had gone for Babysitter.” Peg shrugs. Although we’re all trying to keep straight faces, a few sniggers escape.
“Paladin is good, Prez,” Wraith agrees. I think it’s a fuck of a handle, but maybe better than how I got mine. At least he didn’t damage his bike.
Marsh wipes sweat off his brow, his eyes are wide open and he’s totally confused. Wraith passes what he’s got hold of to Drum.
Instead of taking it, Drum just slides it down the table. “Get sewing, Brother.”
Marsh rears back. Seems it was totally unexpected. Then walking forward, he reaches out a shaking hand and picks up the patches, his knuckles turning white as he holds them so tight, as if worried someone will snatch them away.
Then, slowly, his lips start to curl up. He stares down at what’s he’s holding, a full grin appearing on his face. He shakes his head, his confusion displaying his complete surprise.
“Meeting fuckin’ over.” Drum bangs the gavel, but then holds up his hand. “Paladin, tell the prospect to get another chair in here, will you?”
Chapter Eighteen
Ella…
Jayden’s story had been so heartbreaking. Since getting everything off her chest, she’s been quietly crying, clutching onto my body as though she doesn’t want to let me go. Sam left a while ago to update Drum, and I’m weeping myself, unable to comprehend people who could target such a young girl, put her through the things they did, and keep her in line with credible threats to her family, leaving her no choice but to go with their demands, believing it was the only way to keep her family safe. Marsh is still sitting at the end of the bed, his face in his hands. It was hard even for a hardened man like him to hear. From time to time he reaches out and pats Jayden’s leg—she seems to take some comfort from his touch.
As he notices me watching, he shakes his head. His eyes water as he says softly, “Fuck, Ella, she’s the same age as my sister.”
Shortly afterwards, he gets a summons by text and slips out of the room with a promise he’ll be back as soon as he can. Immediately, Road enters and gives me a nod but stands at the wall without speaking. His expression softens as he looks at the girl on the bed.
I’m grateful for his silence, not knowing what to say either to him, or to Jayden. My guilt lies so heavily; if I hadn’t been so wrapped up in my own head, I might have been able to save her before it went as far as it did. I’m devastated on her behalf and by the unknowing part that I’d played.
My arm’s gone dead and I need to move. Noticing Jayden has cried herself to sleep, I ease myself out from under her and stand up to stretch. When there’s a knock on the door, Road goes to open it. My hands tremble as he cracks it open just an inch, but I am reassured that he’s checking who it is rather than just letting them in, then relieved when I see who it is.
“Shush, Jayden’s sleeping,” I tell Slick and Sam, who stand just outside.
“Can I talk to you a moment?” Slick asks.
As I throw a concerned look over my shoulder Sam offers, “I’ll stay with her.”
“Won’t keep you long,” Slick encourages.
I nod and walk out into the hallway. Loud raucous sounds are coming from the clubroom, making me flinch. Slick’s hand touches mine and he squeezes my fingers. “Marsh, or rather Paladin, seeing as he’s picked up a new handle, has just been patched in,” he explains. “Boys will be partying later.”
My eyes shoot to him in horror.
He turns me to face him. “You’ve got nothing to worry about, Ella. They’ll be letting their hair down, that’s for sure, but no one’s gonna lay a finger on you or your sister. No woman ever gets forced here, you understand?”
I don’t fully believe him. I don’t want to remember the last time I saw a biker’s party. But I can trust Slick, can’t I? Or will he be partying along with the rest, fucking a club whore? I couldn’t blame him, he’ll get nothing from me. But he promised he wouldn’t. Do I know him enough to believe he’s a man of his word?
With thoughts and worries tumbling through my head, I’m only vaguely aware he’s still holding my hand, and my feet are moving automatically until he stops in front of another door.
“Drum said we can use his office, so you’re not far from your sister. Okay?”
Having been worried he was taking me to where loud voices are getting rowdier, I let go of some of my tension as I follow him into an office. If it weren’t for the large flag behind a massive desk, a larger version of the picture they have on their cuts, it could be a manager’s office anywhere.
I slide into a seat in front of the desk. Declining to take his prez’s seat, Slick pulls up another chair and sits next to me, his body angled so he can take hold of my hands. His fingers caress me. “You doing okay?”
I breathe a deep breath. “It’s so hard, Slick. Listening to her describe what they did to her. How they trapped her.”
He nods. “It must have been, darlin’. It was bad enough hearing it secondhand. But it ain’t on her, she was groomed by experts.” He breaks off and squeezes my fingers. “Doubt it was easy listening, babe. All that coming on top of what happened to you.”
“Two broken sisters—”
“Never that.” He looks fierce as he interrupts me. “Damaged, maybe. But you’re both going to be fine.”
“You can’t promise me that.” Right now, I’m at the lowest point I’ve ever been in my life.
“I can,” he says firmly. “I’m gonna be there for you, El. Both of you.” As I glance at him, wondering how he’s going to make good on such a pledge, it’s his turn to fill his lungs with air and then to explain some of what’s going on. Well, the parts I need to know, the rest falling under that dreaded term, club business.
When he finishes I voice my objections. “We can’t stay at the club.” It’s bad enough that I’ve got to be here. But Jayden is far too young. “Jayden’s underage for a start. We can’t live with bikers.”
He looks down, then back at me again. “Darlin’, I don’t know what I can do to convince you we’re not like that other club.” He winces as a particularly loud roar comes to our ears. “Yeah, we’re bikers, we drink and we fuck. But Satan’s Devils respect women, sweetheart. You stick around and you’ll see every man here has your best interests at heart.”
Words won’t work to convince me. Already I’m a bag of nerves. As I go to refute what he’s saying he stops me.
“We’re well aware Jayden’s underage, and my brothers know what she’s been through. Fuck, they’ll be walking on egg shells around her. But when all’s said and done, you’ve got no fuckin’ choice, babe. Your sister’s got to stay out of sight. El, no one must know she’s still breathing. If you try to go back home, she’ll be taken, and…” As his voice trails off, and I see his serious expression, I begin to accept the idea that the alternative might be worse.
&nbs
p; “Ella, the brothers and I, well, we’ll all do what we can to treat you both right.”
My eyes harden. “You’re bikers.”
“Aware of that, darlin’. But we ain’t the Rock Demons. We’ve got ol’ ladies here, and you’re one of them now. Brothers fight to protect anyone wearing a property patch. Fuck, we’ve got Heart’s little daughter always running around getting under our feet. Way we work is the brothers behave themselves until the ol’ ladies leave for the night. If you stay after, then you might want to close your eyes, but up until then there’s not much that’s X-rated.” He laughs softly. “Pushing an R, maybe.” He looks at me earnestly. “Even if you stayed when the party gets going, there’s not one brother here who’d look at you, let alone touch you. They’d have me to answer to if they do.”
I bite my lip. If we’re staying in the room they put us in, we’ll still hear enough for it to be disturbing, for me and for Jayden.
As if he can read my mind, Slick puts his finger under my chin. “You’ll be staying with me.” As I go to open my mouth, he moves his finger to cover my lips. “You know the setup from before. There are two suites in each of the blocs. Wraith used to have the one adjoining mine, but he doesn’t use it anymore. You and Jayden can stay there, and I’ll be close by if you need me.”
My brow creases as I think. If we have to stay on the compound, and Slick’s been quite persuasive about the reasons why, at least we’ll be some distance from the clubhouse and the worst of the raucousness that goes on.
“For how long, Slick?”
His eyes close as he gives a brief shake of his head. When he opens them again, it’s to tell me, “I can’t say, Ella. It could be just days, but more likely weeks, I expect.”
Recognising his expression as one of pain, I touch my fingers to his face—one of the first times I’ve touched him voluntarily as I suddenly realise how selfish I’m being. I’m not stupid. The only way of removing the threat is for the Satan’s Devils to take on the men who got Jayden into the position she was in. They’ll be fighting to give my sister her life back. And here I am, refusing to believe anything but the worst about them. Instead, I owe them my thanks, and my concern.
Now it’s not just the fears for myself that are troubling me. “Are you going to be in any danger, Slick?”
His hand covers mine and he pushes his cheek into my touch, turning slightly and inhaling, then moving my fingers down and placing a kiss to the tips. “Not gonna lie to ya, darlin’.”
Which I take to mean yes. This man who’s been so gentle and caring since he’d learned what had happened to me, never doing anything but trying to reassure and support me. Suddenly I realise he’s not the enemy, he’s not someone I should be fighting. He’s on my side. Having allowed myself to acknowledge that, it feels good to have him in my corner. “I don’t want you hurt, Slick. Or anyone else in the club.”
“You just leave that to us.” He looks at me intently. “Know I’ll being doing what it takes to keep both of you protected.”
Hesitantly he stands, looking down at me. “Come, let’s go and see if Jayden’s awake, get something for you to eat, and then get you sorted up in your suite.”
I get to my feet but pause. My eyes drawn to this six-foot-three muscular biker, Although, I’m still not convinced I’d ever be able to be the woman he needs. I’m completely drained from giving comfort to Jayden all morning, now I need some solace for myself. Suddenly I’m not afraid to ask him, no longer scared he’ll push for more than I’m prepared to give.
“Slick?”
Having half turned toward the door, he now swings back around. “Yeah?”
“Can you… Can you give me a hug?”
“Fuck, Ella. I’d give you anything you fuckin’ need. Come ‘ere.” He pulls me into his arms, cradling my head against his muscular chest. I breathe in his smell of leather and cigarette smoke, feeling at peace for the first time in months. Though clothes separate us, I feel the warmth from his skin and hear the beat of his heart. Running his hand up and down my back, he’s careful not to hold me too tight. Having allowed myself a selfish moment, I pull away.
“Everything will be alright, Ella. I promise. I’m gonna take care of you both.”
With his vow echoing in my head, I walk by his side, returning to Jayden. It suddenly hits me that a man like Slick would die trying to keep his promise. The thought makes me stumble, and it’s his hand that stops me from falling. He gives me a sharp look, but neither of us speak.
Jayden’s awake and dressed in the clothes Sam had brought her. The sight that greets me as I walk in through the door brings my first smile of the day. Marsh—Paladin now, I must remember—is sitting on the bed and the pair are playing cards. Goodness knows what he’s teaching her to play. Sam’s sitting, watching the youngsters, an amused expression on her face. As we step inside, they both turn around.
“Shouldn’t you be out of here, Paladin?” Slick asks, with a smile. “Thought you had some celebrating to do. You’re the guest of honour after all.”
The Satan’s Devils newest member looks sheepish. “Just thought I’d pop in and see how Jayden’s doing. The brothers are organising some shit for later. They won’t miss me for now.”
“Can I come?”
At Jayden’s innocent enquiry, I realise I’m going to have to explain just exactly how things work here, and how she really doesn’t need to be at a biker club’s party. But before I can open my mouth Slick answers for me, “Sure you can, sweetheart, for a while at least. The ol’ ladies will be putting on food and will be hanging around for a while. But when they leave, you’ll have to as well.”
Jayden pouts, and what she says next breaks my heart. “I’m not a child, Slick. Surely, I can stay?”
This is where big bad sister has to step in. “You’re underage, sweetie. If you want, I’m sure we can visit with Sam or the other old ladies, but we won’t be allowed here. That’s just how it works.” I’m uncomfortable at the thought of being in the clubroom while the old ladies are still there, let alone stay when they go.
Sam gets to her feet. “Slick told you about where you’ll be staying?” I nod, she continues, “Sophie and Carmen have been sorting it out. Sandy’s gone in to town with Road, they’re going to pick you up some clothing and shit.”
Damn, I hadn’t considered I wouldn’t be able to go home to pack.
Jayden is looking puzzled. “But I’ve got clothes at home. Why are we staying here? I want to see Mom.”
Again, Slick takes the lead, giving it to her straight. “Jayden, not going to kid you. The people you got away from last night are gonna be looking for you. You can’t get anything from your home, or contact your mom, okay?”
“They might burn down her house.” Jayden’s gone white. “They might hurt her anyway.”
I hadn’t thought of that. Now my eyes find Slick’s.
“Don’t think you need to worry about that. She’s going to report you missing to the police, and we think that should satisfy them that she doesn’t have a clue where you are. But you can’t have anything to do with her, okay? If you do, then she might be in danger.”
“Jayden, I’ll be with you. I’ll be right by your side, all the time. It’s really important that you don’t speak to anyone. No one must know you’re still alive.” I pause, knowing what I’m going to say next is going to devastate a teenager. “You can’t use a phone, iPad, or anything to contact your friends.”
To give her credit, she doesn’t argue. Those threats must have hit hard. Her doe-like eyes look at me and she gives a small nod. I hate seeing her like this. A girl her age shouldn’t have to go through the things she has, is. Once we’re free to leave, I’ll need to get her some counselling. I can’t see how she can come through this without expert help. One moment she seems normal and more resilient than I’d given her credit for, like when she was playing cards, the next she looks like the weight of the world is going to crush her.
“Come on, let’s get you settled.”
As Slick opens the door and waits for us to leave the sanctuary of the room we’d spent the night in, I take in a deep breath. The rowdy noises from outside reminding me too much of the time I entered the Rock Demons’ clubhouse. It’s going to take a long time, if ever, before I’m able to relax around these type of men.
Seeing my hesitation, Slick offers me his hand. As I take it, he leans down and whispers in my ear, “I won’t let anything happen to you, Ella. I’ve promised you that.”
Looking up into serious, caring eyes, I know he means every word. Taking hold of Jayden with my free hand, the three of us venture out, followed by the young biker.
“Hey, there’s the fuckin’ man of the hour! Paladin, come over ’ere.”
Slick holds his arm across us, keeping us to the side so Paladin can pass. It’s his party after all. We wait for a moment as men throng around him, slapping him so hard on his back I see him stumble. Jayden steps forward, her eyes widening as she takes in the leather-clad men, seeing the club members for the first time. Worrying my sister will be scared, I open my mouth to reassure her, but no words come out. They’re not individuals, they’re bikers, all dressed in cuts similar to those worn by the ones who’d hurt me so badly.
It’s me that’s afraid. Jayden’s just looking curious. Then to my surprise, she smiles and touches my arm. “No one’s going to take this lot on, are they Ella? Not unless they’re stupid. They’ll be able to protect us.”
That she’s looking at it in such a different and positive way astounds me. But then she didn’t go through what I did. It’s best to keep her in the dark.
“Slick!” Wraith, the VP comes over, his hands holding onto the collars of two men he’s pushing in front of him. “Before you go, thought you’d like to meet our two new prospects. This here’s Hyde, and this one here’s Spindle.”
I notice the second man is quite young and looks as skinny as a rake.
Slick cocks his head to the side, examining the pair.
An older biker comes up, interrupting, “Nah, not Spindle. If we’ve got a Hyde, we might as well have a Jekyll to go with it.”
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