Page 102 of Paladin's Hell

“You’re a fuckin’ little genius, that’s what.”

My grin widens. “So I’m not just a pretty face?”

Seriously, he replies. “No, you’re definitely not.” He caresses my cheek. “But now, Doll, I’ve got to head for that shower else I’m never going to get out of here.”

I chuckle as he goes to the bathroom, understanding exactly what he means. Sex, it seems, is addictive.

While he’s gone, I take the opportunity to grab some clothes from the bag the prospect had brought from the house. I’m going to run out of clean things soon. But I’ve one more clean tee I can use, and my jeans will do for another day. When Pal comes out, I take my turn in the bathroom, which unfortunately means, washing away the scent of him from my skin.

He’s waiting for me when I come out, tapping his phone against his chin. I nod at it. “You ring Mouse?”

He stares at me for a second, then his mouth widens. “Club business, babe.”

I dry my hair quickly, tying it back into a ponytail to keep it out of my face. When I finish, he’s standing behind me.

“You alright, Jay?”

“I’m worried about facing Moira,” I admit. “She really went off on one last night.” I’m certain she’ll be able to read that we’ve taken the step she’d warned me against taking. I’m sure it will be written all over my face. Our new easiness together, our new relationship, is going to be difficult to hide.

“She says anything to you? Leave her to me,” he replies, gritting his teeth. “Not lettin’ anyone spoil this for us, babe.”

I am feeling nervous as we descend the stairs. It doesn’t help when Mace shouts out. “Hey, the lovebirds have decided to put in an appearance. Heard you had a good night.” He waggles his eyebrows and I know my face has gone bright red.

Pal shows him his middle finger, then with his hand on the small of my back, encourages me into the kitchen. When I smell bacon, I realise how hungry I am. Hmm, guess I worked up an appetite. My face flushes again as I remember just how, and that from the enforcer’s comment, probably everyone else knows as well.

The kitchen is normally a hubbub of conversation, but today, while it’s still crowded, the atmosphere is subdued. Hellfire’s sitting at the big table, Moira by his side. Both seem to have finished eating, just have coffees in front of them now. Hell’s hand is on the table, covering that of his wife. At least there appears to be no awkwardness between them.

As soon as I walk in, Mo catches my eye. She leans over and says something to Hellfire and then stands. Hellfire gets to his feet alongside her. I’m hoping they’ll just walk past us, but they don’t.

“Jay, Pal, can I have a word?” I’ve never known Moira to sound so timid.

Pal looks at me, concern in his eyes. He’s leaving it up to me to decide whether we’ll hear her out or not. “Sure.” I reply for the both of us.

“Hey, take these with you.” Jeannie has hastily assembled a couple of plates. I can’t refuse, but right now, my appetite has left me. I walk out into the clubroom with my plate and utensils in hand and then follow the prez and his old lady into his office.

Uncomfortably, Pal and I place our plates on the worn wood of his desk.

“Eat, before it gets cold,” Moira suggests. “I’ll do the talking.”

Pal’s not so affected as me, and he’s soon taking a loaded fork to his mouth.

Moira nods in satisfaction. “I have to apologise for last night. I was out of order.” She glances at Hell who nods encouragingly. “Haven’t got an excuse, except, there are things that happened to me in my past that’s been affecting how I look at things. Jay, I only wanted to stop you from making a mistake.”

Pal chews, swallows, then looks her in the eye. “We’re not making a mistake, Moira. And you didn’t stop anything.”

For the third time this morning, I blush.

Moira resumes. “I don’t regret having my first son, but I do regret having him so young. I saw myself in you, Jayden, and wanted you to have the life I couldn’t.”

Pal swallows again, then lays down his fork. “Jay can have any life she wants, Moira. Just I’ll be there to support her. Agree with you, kids are a long way in our future. We’ll be taking care they don’t come along before time,” he breaks off to wink at me, a reference to our lack of condoms. “Whatever Jay wants, she’ll have.”

“I spoke out of turn,” she repeats. “I’m sorry.”

“Moira, I’m just happy you care.” My eyes soften as I smile at her. Her reasons might be fucked up, her way of going about it wrong, but she is someone in my corner. I reckon I can live with that.

Hellfire? Well he just looks relieved as I pick up my fork and proceed to demonstrate that my appetite has returned.

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