Paladin's Hell

by Manda Mellett

  Chapter 20

  Jayden

  I’m beginning to think yet another day will pass with no news from Paladin. A dozen times I’ve picked up my phone, only to put it back down. I’m still angry at him and don’t see why I should be the one to make the first contact. It’s him who keeps putting me off.

  It’s hard to accept I’m not his priority any more. I’d got used to having him at my beck and call. Slick, too, at my back, often stepping in to make sure Paladin could drop whatever the club had wanted him to do, to take me where I needed to go. Biting my lip, looking at it through older eyes, I suspect the kindness I received from all the men in Tucson was because everyone knew how I’d come to be there. Some even witnessed my abuse first hand. I hate thinking about that. But it did mean I felt loved and supported, as if they were all my real family. Even the gruff sergeant-at-arms, Peg.

  I wonder what this club’s like. Now Moira’s explained the set-up, I won’t, as I’d previously thought, be just changing location, but meeting a completely new and very different group of men. At this rate, though, I’m not sure I’ll ever see the clubhouse. I’m also not certain that’s a bad thing. I know the reputation they’ve got, and that not all bikers are good people.

  I’d offered to help Moira with dinner, but she ordered in. Just pizza, but that was fine with me. I rinsed and put the plates in the dishwasher afterwards, then escaped to my room. I like Moira, but don’t feel comfortable being around her all the time, still feeling an intruder in her space.

  I’ve just finished FaceTiming with Ella, when a message comes through on my phone.

  Pal: Can I come over?

  I might not be feeling the tingling Moira spoke about, but I’m excited all the same as I tap out my response telling him he can. Now that I’ve had to wait for what seems like ages, I’m looking forward to seeing him again.

  I’m downstairs ready when his bike pulls onto the drive, and opening the door ready and waiting.

  He’s standing there, his eyes raking me over from head to toe, before saying, “Fuck, I’ve missed you.”

  “Me too,” I respond breathlessly. That’s the truth. Then, “Are you coming in?”

  He nods as a voice calls out from behind me. “Beer’s in the fridge.”

  I cock my brow at him. “Want one?”

  “Yeah. Love one.”

  Standing aside, I let him pass, then my eyes catch Moira standing outside the family room. Suddenly I’m embarrassed letting my friend into another woman’s house, unsure of the formalities.

  “I’ll be in here,” she informs us. I might be mistaken, but her words seem to convey a warning.

  Interpreting she probably wouldn’t be on board with the idea if I took Pal up to my room, I nod at her. Message received and understood. Then lead Paladin through to the kitchen area.

  “How are you settling in, Doll?”

  “Good. Moira’s okay.” Or is when she’s not criticising Pal. “Haven’t seen much of Hellfire.” I go to the fridge and take out a beer. Handing it to him, he pops the tab. There’s so much I want to say to him, but I’m feeling tongue-tied. It’s also hard knowing Moira’s in the next room, probably listening to every word.

  “You won’t see a lot of him. He takes his role of prez pretty seriously.”

  “Like Drummer.”

  “Yeah. Like Drum.”

  There’s something about the way he says it, a wistful tone that makes me wonder whether he’s missing Tucson. I’ve been selfish, thinking about myself. It must be equally strange for him. My fault he’s been uprooted.

  “What’s the compound like? How’s your room?”

  He huffs a mirthless laugh. “Different from Tucson that’s for sure. Hey, you won’t guess what happened last night.” As I raise my eyebrow, he continues. “Yeah, was warned to keep my door locked. I forgot. Went to bed to find Bitch already there.”

  My hands go to my hips. “A bitch?” I squeal.

  “Not a bitch. Bitch.”

  “There’s a club girl called Bitch?” And why is he telling me this? Is he listing all the conveniences on offer? And just how far did it go with Bitch?

  “I’ll tell you this. Bitch has got sharp claws.”

  My palm starts to itch. The type which can only be relieved by slapping it hard against a person’s face.

  I’m just starting to raise my arm, when he adds with a smirk, “Fuck knows why someone would call a cat, Bitch. Though it suits her. Was about what I called her when I tried to carry her out of the room.” He pulls up his sleeve to expose deep scratches.

  “Pal!” I admonish him, giving a snort of highly relieved laughter.

  He bumps his hip against mine. “Yeah, if your door’s not locked, Bitch jumps on the handle and opens it apparently.”

  A cat called Bitch. I’ve heard it all now.

  Paladin raises his beer to his mouth, I watch as he chugs it down, muscles rippling in his throat as he swallows. A sight I’ve seen a million times before. The familiarity of it touches something inside me. I’ve been with strangers a couple of days, now I feel more relaxed than I have since I arrived in this strange town. I wave over to the stools either side of the counter.

  Watching him carefully, I lower my voice and ask, “How you really doing, Pal?”

  He gazes at me just as intently, then slowly shakes his head. “Harder here than I expected. Nowhere near learning the dynamics yet. They might be Satan’s Devils, but there’s a world of difference between the men here, and the brothers we left in Tucson.”

  I’m no psychologist, but I pick up on the words ‘men’ and ‘brothers’. It betrays he doesn’t think of them as family yet. That’s what I’ve caused him to leave behind. His two hands are placed on the counter; I reach over and cover one with my own. “I’m sorry, Pal.”

  His eyes flare, “What are you sorry for?”

  “Tearing you away from the one family you’ve known.” Over the years we’ve spent time talking. I know he was brought up in a foster home, just another body so his foster parents could get the money. He says there was no abuse, but there was. I know as well as him how hard it is for a kid with no one to support them. But it was different for me, while Mom had been distant, I’d always had Ella. Pal had had no one, until he joined the Devils.

  “Babe. It’s not your fault, and,” he looks so earnest, I have to believe him, “wherever you are is where I want to be.”

  With that statement, he washes away my resentment that he hadn’t made time for me before now. It hadn’t been his fault. “Hate that I can’t see so much of you.”

  “Me too, Doll. Me too.” He looks down at where my hand still lies, turning his over and squeezing his fingers around mine. “At the moment I’m finding my place, got no routine to talk of. I’ve got to pull my weight here, still hard discovering how best to do that. But I’ll get something sorted.” His lips press together, then his whole expression changes and he gives me a sneaky smile. “Got something on order. Should be arriving tomorrow. Think it’s something you’ll like.”

  I tilt my head.

  He doesn’t disappoint me. “A double seat with a sissy bar.”

  My eyes gleam. “You going to take someone on the back of your bike?”

  “Didn’t get it for anything else.” He smirks.

  “Got anyone in mind?”

  My stomach churns with excitement when he answers, “Sure have. And stop playing games, Jay. You know there’s only ever going to be one girl on the back of my bike.”

  I have to remember that means something to him. Now it’s my turn to look down at our joined hands. “Pal, I…”

  “Jay. Not asking you to commit to anything. Told you that before. But I know I want you riding up behind me. Not going to push you for anything more.”

  I’ve got butterflies in my stomach, but my internal analysis doesn’t help me understand why. Is it the thought of riding on his bike? Or, the realisation of how significant that is to a biker.

  “Pal, you won’t take a
nyone else, will you?”

  “Thought I just told you that.” He looks exasperated. “You can trust me Jay. I know it was easier back in Tucson. Here, apart, it’s harder. But there’s never going to be anyone else riding behind me. And I won’t be going with the whores. I promise you that, babe.”

  As he stares at me so earnestly, I have to believe him. Perversely, I begin to feel guilty. “But is that fair, Pal? I’m making you wait, when I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready.”

  “Haven’t I told you before? I don’t care how long it takes, and if it never happens, I’ll deal with it.” His brow scrunches. “Seeing you with another man wouldn’t be easy, but I’d step away, Jay. I just want you to be happy. Fuck knows, you deserve that.”

  What I don’t deserve is him. “Pal, I might never be ready for you or any other.”

  He stretches out his hand across the counter, laying it gently against my cheek. I lean into his touch. “I think you will, Doll. But we’ll take things slowly. No need to twist the throttle just because we’ve got more freedom now.”

  I don’t disillusion him, but with Moira as my babysitter, I’ve doubts I’ve got much more liberty than I had in Tucson. As I watch him drain his beer, a thought comes to me. We’d started off as teenagers having fun, him nineteen, me five years younger. We joked, laughed, played pool. Swam in the pool back in Tucson. Gradually he became my confidant. Without me noticing, our relationship has been gradually changing. Perhaps if I just let it run its natural course, we’ll either end up together or, he’ll give up waiting. But either way he’s right. No reason to speed up now. We don’t need to take advantage of our new situation.

  “So nothing needs to change?”

  “Your pace, your needs, Doll. I’ll be here and will be whatever you want.”

  But for how long?

  “You looking forward to starting school? Getting back to normal?”

  It’s Paladin, no reason to put on a brave face. “Not really. I won’t know anyone, and I’ll be a new girl. I’ll be in a lower grade than others my age, and I won’t want to tell anyone why.”

  “Hey, Doll. You’re beautiful and intelligent. Might have fallen back on some of your schooling, but you’ve a good fuckin’ head on those shoulders of yours. They’re going to love you.”

  I have no illusions about how cruel teenagers my age can be. Find a weakness and pick up on it.

  “Hey, first day of semester, how about I take you there on the back of my Harley? Make a grand entrance and a point that you’re under the Devils’ protection.”

  I grin. “And, a point that I’m taken? My boyfriend dropping me off?”

  He chuckles, “Doll, you see right through me. Thought I was hiding it better than that.”

  I don’t mind. I don’t want to fend off unwanted male attention. Showing that I’m spoken for would make it easier.

  “Thanks Pal.” I smile. “It would be like old times. And, if something comes up and you can’t make it, I’ll understand, okay?” He won’t be able to drop everything here like he was able to do back home. I need to grow up and understand that. I’ve said the right thing, his face relaxes.

  As if on cue, his phone pings. He takes it out, reads the message, and shakes his head.

  “You got to go?”

  “Dynamics babe. Said I don’t know what they are. Cad’s asking to see me.”

  I interpret what he’s saying. In Tucson, he knew which brothers he had to jump and respond to. Here, he hasn’t yet figured that out. “You have to go then.” I paste the most genuine look I can on my face. “It’s okay, Pal. I really do understand.”

  His crooked smile is both of appreciation, and of regret he’s having to leave. He softens it by asking, “Want to go for a ride, when I get my new seat fitted?”

  Do I? Of course I freaking do. Trying not to bounce up and down in anticipation, showing my eagerness like a young child, I keep my voice as even as I can when I reply to his question, “Sure. Why not? Sounds fun.”

  He stands, leans over and plants a gentle kiss to my forehead, then picks up the empty beer bottle and looks around for the trash can. I already know where it’s hidden away, so I stand and take it from him. Being so close to him, I take advantage, driven to do something I’ve never done. Going up on tiptoe, I press my lips against his cheek.

  His smile is worth it. “Thank Moira for the beer for me, will you?” Then, after one last lingering look, he’s gone.

  “So that’s your young man?”

  Abruptly turning, I see Moira standing in the door way. I nod at her question which doesn’t need an answer. Her speedy appearance proving what I thought all along. She’s been listening to every word.

  Chapter 21

  Hellfire

  Walking into church I take my place at the head of the table. I’m the last in. While the brothers settle, I use the moment for myself. Glancing around, I don’t miss that Paladin’s sitting quietly at the end of the table. Other brothers are talking, sharing a joke, but ignoring him. Takes time to find your place in a new club. He’s wearing a pensive expression. I hope he’s not considering he’s made a mistake in coming here.

  I pick up the gavel and knock it against the wood, then wait for the boys to quiet down. It’s not my way to shout or growl at them, except when it matters. When Taser and Lizard continue their conversation a little too long, it’s Demon who stares down the table. Catching his eye, they stop talking, sheepish looks on their faces.

  “Sorry, Prez.”

  I raise my chin at Lizard. “Ain’t no problem if you’re discussing a solution to bring to the table.”

  The guilty look he gives back suggests they hadn’t been.

  “The detective in charge of the case has updated me on the man in the dumpster at Tits Up.” Paladin’s eyes shoot to mine as soon as I start speaking. Of course he’d be worried. Cops would love to pin something on one of us. I put him out of his misery fast. “Body was that of a vagrant, died forty-eight hours before. Which puts you in the clear, Pal, as you weren’t even in Pueblo then.”

  As I expected, a visible wave of relief comes over him and some of the tension leaves his face.

  “Still say it was stupid puttin’ his hands on the body.”

  “What if he hadn’t been dead?” I’m pleased to see Pal’s not letting Taser get away with the implied criticism. “What if he’d been alive?”

  Taser shrugs. “Probably have been dying in any event.”

  I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “If he’d have been alive we wouldn’t have had a dead body on our hands and fingers pointing at us. Cops still trying to determine if that’s where he died, initial signs from the forensic evidence suggest the body might have been moved.” Gazing at them one by one, I add, “While the heat’s off Paladin, it’s on the rest of us now. Tase—do you know when it could have been placed there?”

  Taser looks up sharply as though he’s just coming to the realisation fingers could be pointing at him. I watch as he starts to take it seriously. “I’ll ask the cleaners. They’d have been the last to throw the bags in. But it’s high, Prez. They might have just chucked the trash over, and not looked inside.”

  “No bags on top of the body,” Pal puts in. “If we know when the trash was last discarded then that sets the start of the timeframe.”

  Taser scowls as though he’s wishing he’d made that point.

  “If I can, Prez?” I nod at Pal. “What was the cause of death?”

  “Seems like natural causes. Sent some samples off, waiting for them to come back.” I confirm.

  “Then the most likely scenario is someone found him dead and moved him to fuck with us,” Paladin continues.

  The sergeant-at-arms is nodding. “Agree with Pal.”

  “But why?” asks Pyro. “What’s the point of going to the trouble of leaving a body behind one of our businesses?”

  Cad’s shaking his head. “If I hadn’t seen movement on the cameras, we wouldn’t have gone looking. Dumpster could have been collect
ed before the body had been found, and it might have been discovered when the contents were tipped out. Would have taken more investigating, but would still have been linked back to us. More heat then, too, as it would have looked like we’d hidden it.”

  “Fuckin’ sloppy way to dispose of a body. We’ve got the desert for that.” A few smirks go Mace’s way.

  “If it was natural causes, surely they’d just have thought he’d climbed in and died there?”

  “We’ll never know Lizard. I agree with Cad though. I’d rather know it was there and face the implications head-on, than have it come up and blindside us when we’re involved in other shit.”

  “What do we tell the cops if they come prying?”

  “Same as last time, Taser. The fuckin’ truth. Or will that be too hard for you to remember?” Demon snaps.

  “Er, Prez? Can we get on to the auto-shop?” Taser sends his friend a quick look as if to thank him for taking the attention away.

  “Sure, Pyro. Anything new?”

  “Just those few hundred dollars of parts stolen as you already know. I’ve explained to the customer they’re going to have to wait an extra few days. Had to pay express delivery for replacements. Oh, yeah, Pal, ordered your new seat in with that.”

  Pal nods his thanks.

  “Any idea who we’re dealing with?” Who is fucking with us? One thing I know, I don’t like it.

  “Cad took fingerprints.”

  “I can’t get into AFIS, Prez. I’m working with Mouse, Keys and Token to see if one of us can break in. But we’ve got the prints there as something to refer to when anyone gets in our sights.” As he mentions his counterparts in the other Satan’s Devils Chapters, I realise he’s missed one. “No one from Utah helping?”

  “Don’t think they’ve got someone like me.” They’re losing out then. Couldn’t do without our computer and technology expert.

  “Lizard?”

  “Nothing new at the tattoo parlour, Prez. Just want to know who these fuckers are.”

  “What we all want, Ink. What we all want.”