Page 65 of Paladin's Hell

His face has darkened. “What happened to you was bad, Mom. But you can’t dislike Pal because of what happened to you.”

I can’t explain my thoughts to him, he wouldn’t understand. If I hadn’t gone to the clubhouse when I was seventeen… I wouldn’t have him and maybe not Hell. Christ, my thoughts don’t make sense even to myself. I settle for telling him, “Just want her to know she’s got options.”

“I think Pal already knows that. Kid’s having a hard-enough time adjusting. He needs his friend.”

“As long as he knows that’s all she’ll be. While she’s sixteen.” And while she’s under my roof if I’ve got anything to do with it.

Demon opens the fridge and pulls out a pack of bacon. “Okay?”

I nod. He busies himself opening the pack. He’s thirty-five, but still always as hungry as any teenager.

“Club barbeque on Sunday. Family one. You coming? We’re all expecting to see Jay. Introduce her to the club.”

“Family?” It’s obviously the one Jeannie had mentioned.

“You know what I mean. Daytime, no live porn shows.”

“Knowing your lot that would surprise me.” I mumble.

“What was that?” Bacon cooked and enclosed in bread, he speaks through a mouthful.

It’s not the first time I’ve shaken my head at him for the very same thing. I content myself with saying, drily, “No need to worry about you getting into a relationship with a woman.”

He stops. His hand in mid-air. “Whatcha talking about? You saying I’m gay? I can assure you I’m fuckin’ not.”

“I’m saying no woman in their right mind would go out with a Neanderthal like you.”

Grabbing the dish towel he goes to swat me. I jump out of his reach.

When another motorbike approaches the house, no one needs to tell either Demon or I who it is. As my old man parks up, Demon asks quickly, his brow creased in concern. “Got things straight with Hell?”

I feel myself blushing. I had. But I doubt Hell would want the reason explained to his son. I settle for telling him, “We’re getting there.”

Hell comes in, Demon finishes the late breakfast he’d helped himself to and leaves. Shortly after, Jayden comes down from her room and joins us.

She’s excited to hear about the barbeque. I wouldn’t have said anything, preferring to keep her away, but Hellfire invites her himself. She’s clearly looking forward to meeting all of Paladin’s new brothers. I stand, my lips pressed tight together. Already feeling responsible for her, the fact she’s going means I have to too. I know all too well the dangers of a young girl walking into the compound. It’s not where I’d be if I had my choice, but there’s no way on earth Jayden will be at that place unsupervised.

Club business is obviously keeping Paladin busy and away from her, so when Sunday arrives, she can’t wait to get going and see him again.

Hellfire takes the SUV; I’m pleased not to be riding behind him on his bike. Things between us are still strained, neither of us knowing how to move forward. We’ve lost something, and while my new knowledge means the obstacles have been identified, I’m not sure how we proceed from here. I can’t stop the menopause continuing its course, and I don’t have a cure for Hell’s problem.

At least there’s something I can do. Despite getting headaches, I’ve started medicating myself again, to be prepared. But even with that, how does this work? Do I ask Hell to take one of those pills? What if he takes one and I’m not in the mood? Do we have to arrange a time and place? Coordinate our schedules? Whatever happened to spontaneity? Seems we need to have another discussion; I just suspect neither of us knows how to approach it. One thing for certain, for us to have the heart-to-heart talk we need, he has to be with me, not at the club.

Jay’s quiet on the short journey. Another thing I lay at Hell’s door. He’s not been around enough for her to get comfortable with him. When we arrive and park, she hangs back, her eyes wide as she takes in the compound. I’ve been to Tucson before, and this is an old converted industrial building, miles removed from the only other clubhouse she knows. I see the brick building through her eyes. It’s bound to look a little foreboding. A far cry from the ex-vacation resort in Arizona. She’d been spoiled there. Though, I suspect, once she gets inside, it won’t be all that different.

Paladin’s clearly been waiting for her. He comes out of the clubhouse as soon as we’re parked, his enthusiastic welcome slightly ruined by the fact a scantily clad Tulia, the youngest club girl, is tearing after him.

“Pal! Wait up. Aren’t you coming to the barbeque? Thought you and I could…”

Pal turns and glares at her. His long strides, her short but more speedy ones, mean they’re both near the car when Jayden steps out. “Tulia,” he says sharply. “Get back inside.”

“But Pal…”

“Pal?” Jayden’s stepped out. Her eyes wide, her nostrils flaring as though sensing a rival. “Who’s this?”

“No one,” he replies sharply. “Just a club whore who doesn’t know what’s good for her.”

The two girls stand, their eyes shooting daggers at each other. I wait, interested to see how this plays out. Jayden’s going to have to find some backbone if the club girls see her as competition, especially if it’s a man they’ve already had.

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