Page 38 of Paladin's Hell

I don’t. So I hold onto that key tight. The room’s not bad. A window looks out onto the rear of the compound and the desert beyond. No mountains or saguaro in sight, and the vegetation’s different to that which I’m used to. A feeling of homesickness washes over me, but I brush that aside. No looking back. This is my home now. I’m pleasantly surprised there’s a small but serviceable bathroom off to the side. I hadn’t expected such luxury. A bed dominates the room even though it’s pushed up against the wall, a small wall-mounted flat screen TV can be viewed from the bed, and there’s a chest of drawers and suitable closet to hang up my clothes, such as they are. I haven’t brought a load of stuff with me. I couldn’t carry much on the bike.

The bed looks like it’s been freshly made, and if I’m not mistaken, the bedding looks new.

“Jeannie, she’s Bomber’s old lady, she likes to make sure things are set up for visitors. Or, in your case, new members. Not that we’ve had someone transfer in before, not that I can remember. Of course, that should be Moira’s job, she’s Prez’s woman, but she doesn’t come to the clubhouse much nowadays.”

Moira. I know the name. She’s who’s going to be giving a room to my girl. Idly I wonder why she’s become a stranger to the club. Bad feeling? Hope that doesn’t influence my woman. Hell, can’t think of her like that. Not yet.

“How many members are there in all?” I need to start learning about this new chapter.

Ink leans back against the door while I throw my duffle and saddlebags on the bed. “Thirteen if you count Prez, fourteen now including you. At least you got us away from the unlucky number.” He chuckles. “Three prospects. You met Runt, he’s the kid let you in the gate.”

“I didn’t notice any old ladies…?”

“Bomber’s got Jeannie, as I said. Buzzard, our Treasurer is married to Sindy, but that’s all of them. Then there’s Bella, Titsy, Breezy, Tulia and Sheila, they’re our club girls.”

Only a couple of old ladies, and no kids by the sound of it. This seems to be a very different club to the one that I left. My immediate reaction is that I’m not going to like it, but know I’ve got to give it a chance. “Hellfire’s the Prez, Demon’s the VP,” I’ve met them in Tucson. “Thunder’s the SAA. You got an enforcer?”

“Sure have. That’s Mace’s job, not that he’s been doing it long, but he seems to have settled into it.” He pauses, frowns, his expression suggesting there might be a story there, but it’s obviously not something he’s going into now. “Sparky you might have met as well. He’s the road captain, we supported your run a year or so back, when you were raising funds for that kid with sickle cell disease.”

I nod. I do remember him now. Sparky had been helping Joker along with the other chapters’ road captains.

“Probably better if you meet everyone else in person. Helps to put a face to the handle. Talkin’ of which. Where d’you get yours from? Sounds like you’re a knight in fuckin’ shinin’ armour.”

I grin, he’s closer than he knows. “In black leather on a shinin’ bike, more like. But yeah, that’s the way of it. Young girl thought I saved her.”

“Yeah? I’ll look forward to hearin’ about it.”

He’ll wait a long time. I frown. I want Jay to have a fresh start here, not be burdened by everyone knowing her past.

Pushing away from the door, Ink suggests, “Why don’t you freshen up, then come down and find me? I’ll introduce you around.” He breaks off, tossing me a sympathetic look. “Can’t be easy startin’ off in a new chapter. Word is you came up with a bitch. Not your choice to transfer, Brother?”

I shrug. “Circumstances are what they are.” I straighten my back as I turn and give him a chin lift. “Gonna do my best to fit in, make a home here, throw in with my new club. You won’t find me wanting.”

He takes a step forward and slaps me on the back. “Sure we won’t, Brother. But you might want to get that bottom rocker changed. Wearing the Tucson patch makes you look like a visitor.”

“As soon as I get one, I will,” I agree.

“Think Prez wants to hand it to you in church. A formal sort of welcome.”

“When is church?” I ask, knowing how ignorant I sound. It was always Fridays in Tucson.

“Tomorrow, Wednesday.”

Middle of the week church. That’s a new one on me. Still, when in Rome and all that. I’m in no position to complain. “I won’t be a minute.”

He waves his hand dismissively. “Take your time. We won’t be going anywhere, and the bar won’t run dry,” another pause, then a wide grin, “if it does, you won’t be the only one complainin’.”

Dutifully I laugh. He exits the room closing the door behind him, and I’m left alone in my new home. Feeling completely disorientated, I start putting the shit I brought with me away. Opening the closet I find there are blankets on the top shelf, things we had little need for in Tucson, I shiver just looking at them. At least I’ve arrived in the spring. Got a few months to find my feet before I start having to cope with snow.

My tablet goes into my bedside table, a photo Sam had given me, of me standing with the Tucson crew, every brother, old ladies and children, and even fucking Grunt in prime position in the front goes by the side of my bed. Huh. I never thought I’d miss a dog. I look at the various expressions. Sam had put her camera on a timer, Mouse is clearly staring as though it should have gone off already, Joker’s laughing at something Lady had said. Sam’s half turning, trying to get them to be serious. Wraith’s standing looking stoic. Fuck, I miss them already. Pushing that wave of longing for things familiar back down, I go to the bathroom and take a long piss, noticing towels have been hung ready for me. Which is good, I didn’t have room to bring any of that type of shit.

I walk back to the bedroom while zipping my fly, thinking it’s time to take the plunge and go down. These first meetings are going to make a lasting impression on everyone. Can’t put it off.

Descending the stairs, feeling like an exotic new exhibit in a zoo, I notice Ink waving at me from the bar. I start making my way across the clubroom when a large man stands in front of me. “Buzzard, or Buzz,” he informs me. “Treasurer. Keep on my right side, pay your dues and we’ll be right.”

I grin, as I’m meant to. “Pay me my cut and we’ll be square.”

“You’ll do,” he tells me. “What’s your line of expertise, Brother?”

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