Page 131 of Paladin's Hell

I’m here, I might as well… I open my eyes. Oh shit. I feel dizzy, it’s too high, too open, but he’s right, it’s beautiful as well. I try to focus on Lizard riding in front of us, his bike’s in the middle, not wobbling at all. Pal’s a good rider, he’ll keep me safe. At last, we’re over the other side. Pal pulls up next to Ink, reaching over they give each other high fives.

A short break to take in the views, then we’re making our way back across. It was a great experience, but I’m more than pleased to be back on solid ground once again. Paladin doesn’t stop, doesn’t pause at the entertainments, just drives on. Looking back I see more bikers following us, and wonder if we’re going to a bike parking lot. It’s far more than just our chapter. Oh, and there’s Wills with the crash truck.

Hmm. This does seem like a place where bikes park. I jump off, Pal backs into a space, then takes my hand with a grin. Something is going on.

Saddlebags and panniers are being opened, all manner of stuff taken out. Pal’s got a carrier in his hands as we walk to an area with picnic tables set up. As the bags start being opened, I belatedly realise everyone else seems to have brought food.

Wills passes me carrying a big cardboard box. When he places it on one of the tables, I’m amazed to see a birthday cake brought out. I step closer, ‘Happy 17th Birthday’ it says on the top. I freeze, just staring at it. I hadn’t anticipated anything like this. I look across to Pal who’s gazing at me, a smile forming on his face.

“Happy birthday, lil’ sis.” A voice booms at my side. A voice so unexpected, it makes me jump.

“Slick!” I squeal, jumping around and into his arms. “What on earth are you doing here? Ella! Oh my God. Ella!”

Ella’s eight months pregnant. Her belly’s enormous. I can’t believe she’s travelled all this way. “You’re here? How? Oh my God!”

“Couldn’t let you celebrate alone, could I?” Then we’re hugging tightly, well, I’m getting as close as I can with her large bump in between us.

The bottom of my tee is being tugged. As I look down, someone else has appeared. Quite a small someone, but I swear bigger than when I last saw her. “Amy! You’ve grown tall.”

“That she has.” Heart leans over and kisses my cheek. Marcia’s coming along slower, a twin hanging onto each of her arms.

“Jayden!!” Olivia and Eli are stumbling over.

I don’t know who to greet first as Sam and Sophie step up. Sophie’s carrying Zoey, her second daughter, and Sam’s got her new boy, Zane, in a sling. Drummer and Wraith hovering close by. As far as I can tell, all the Tucson club are here, including Joker and Lady with Maya.

There’s even Mouse, Mariana and Drew. Drew can’t resist giving me a hug, and asking, “How you doing, Jayden?” I think my sparkling eyes give him his answer.

Tables start to become laden with drinks and food. I greet Rock, Beef, Peg, Darcy and Dollar. Wraith, Jekyll and Hyde too. Having greeted everyone it seems I haven’t seen for so long, I look around for Pal.

He’s up at the top table with my birthday cake, having a word with Demon. The prez puts his hands to his mouth and whistles for quiet. Like the others, I start moving forward.

Impatiently, Paladin comes over, holds out his hand, takes mine, and drags me up laughing to my birthday cake, then he turns around to face the crowd.

“As you know,” he begins. “This is Jayden’s seventeenth birthday.”

“Yeah, you can fuck her now,” Lizard shouts out.

“Like he hasn’t already,” yells Mace.

“It’s better when you’re legal.” Pyro joins in. “When you don’t have to watch out for the cops to barge in halfway through.”

Ink nudges him. “Can be a turn on.”

Pyro’s eyes grow large. “Now you’re just fuckin’ weird.”

I started off embarrassed, now I’m laughing so hard I’ve got tears in my eyes. My merriment comes to an abrupt halt when I see Beef making a rude gesture at Pal, some manly advice I suspect. It’s not Beef’s actions, but the glare on Slick’s face that pulls me up. He takes a step forward, luckily Peg’s there to hold him back. Don’t want bloodshed at my surprise party.

Turning quickly to Pal, I ask, “Are you going to light the candles now?”

Sussing the mood could be turning, Pal winks at me. “Yeah. Liz?” Lizard puts a lighter into his outstretched hand and he touches the flame to the wicks.

As Happy Birthday rings out, I blow them out. Jumping childishly on the spot as I get them all in one breath.

“Close your eyes and wish,” Pal reminds me.

I do, squeezing my eyes tight. While I’m doing so, I feel something placed in my hands. Quickly opening them, I see a paper bag. The one Paladin had carried up. Tearing it, inside I find a beautiful butter soft leather jacket. I’m clearly too slow for Pal, as he takes it away from me and turns it over, enabling me to see what’s written on the back. Under the Satan’s Devils logo are the words,Property of Paladin. I literally can’t speak. Instead I leap into his arms.

After swinging me around, he puts me back down. “Just one more thing, Jay.” I watch, my brow creasing, as he goes down on one knee, then places his hand in his cut and pulls a small box out. Now my hands cover my mouth. He’s not, is he?

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