Page 104 of Paladin's Hell

“Well, think on it. If there’s anything you come up with that’s made you look at him twice, let me know.”

He’s got Runt in his sights?Interesting. But I say nothing more, just nod. “I will. Right now, apart from makin’ an unwanted move on my woman, nothing stands out. If he hadn’t been injured, I’d have taken him on last night.”

“No one would have blamed you, Brother. Hey, you makin’ Jay your ol’ lady?”

“That’s the way I’m thinkin’. Need to ask her first. She’s still young.” Moira’s words had got me considering. Jay deserves to have the best in her life. I just hope I can be that for her.

“Jay’s mentally older than a lot of women her age. She’s been through a lot.”

He’s got that right. My phone rings. Looking down at the screen, I see it’s a call I’m expecting. I wave the device in the VP’s direction, he nods and concentrates on what he’s doing as I go around the corner to answer.

“Mouse. Whatcha got?” I’m hoping I’m wrong and he’ll say nothing.

I’m to be disappointed. “Fuck,” I exclaim, half to myself, half to him. Wondering what I’m going to do now. In fact, that’s the next question Mouse asks me.

“Even with this, I haven’t got enough.” I’m thinking out loud.

“Thought you’d have a problem.” Mouse clears his throat, “Look, Brother, I know you didn’t want him involved, but I’m fuckin’ worried about you. I’ve spoken to Drummer. He agrees you shouldn’t tackle this by yourself.”

“I don’t know who to trust…”

“Taken that into account. You’re going to have a visitor.”

“Yeah?”

“Uh huh.” When he tells me the name, my face splits into a grin. Be good to have backup from someone I can trust.

I must still be beaming as Demon stops what he’s doing. “Good news?”

I haven’t thought this part through. “Uh, well. Yeah. I know we’re on lockdown, but one of my Tucson brothers is passing this way and wanted to come for a visit. You okay with that?”

“He handy with a gun?” Demon seems interested.

“Very,” I smirk remembering how he got his handle. “His name’s Shooter.”

“He know we’ve got trouble?”

“That’s hardly likely to put a Tucson brother off,” I scoff.

“True that.” The VP gives a quick grin, then he looks thoughtful. “We don’t know what we’re up against. Not going to turn away an extra pair of hands that could help. Only problem, space is tight, as you know. He’ll have to be on the couch or in your room.”

I’ll sort out the logistics later. After the info Mouse had dug up, it will be good having someone at my back as I dig deeper. Someone I definitely can trust.

After Demon and I meet up with Cad and Pyro to discuss the fine tuning of the new security system, the VP goes to his bike.

There’s an important stop I need to make before returning to the compound. “VP, I’ve got to make a slight detour. I’ll meet you back at the club.”

His eyes narrow. “You’re not riding alone, Brother. You know the rules.”

My face starts burning. “Er, I need to visit a pharmacy. There’s some shit I need to pick up.”

“Some shit, eh?” Instead of mounting up, he leans against his bike with his arms folded. My reddening cheeks must betray me. “This have anything to do with last night? Need the morning-after pill?”

“No.” I reply fast, not wanting that rumour to get about. “I need fuckin’ condoms, satisfied?”

He chuckles. “Why didn’t you just come straight out and say so?” Now he does throw his leg over the bike. “I know just the place. Follow me.”

When he pulls up, it’s not the type of store I was expecting. It’s a place with the windows blacked out. I park alongside him, raising my eyebrows. “Really?”

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