Page 71 of Paladin's Hell

“So,” the man called Sparky asks, “you up for the ride out?”

I glance at Paladin. He hasn’t yet asked me. He makes up for that now. “We’ll have to make sure first that you’re comfortable on the bike, but assumin’ you are, would you like to come?”

“Where to?”

It’s Sparky, who’s apparently the road captain, who gives me the details. “Royal Gorge Bridge. We’re going to ride our bikes over it.” Remembering I’m new to the area and that the information hasn’t told me much, he expands, “It’s a high-suspension bridge nearly a thousand feet above the Arkansas River. Cars aren’t allowed, but our motorcycles will be. I’ve arranged it with the park management. It’s about an hour and fifteen-minute ride from here.”

My eyes light up. “Sounds fun. I’d love to.” I can’t wait to be out on the bike behind Pal knowing it would be amazing. The bridge sounds exciting too.

Pal’s watching me closely, then he smiles, his whole face brightening. “Looks like you better count us both in, Sparky.”

Sparky winks at me before walking off. “I hope you’re okay with heights,” he throws over his shoulder ominously.

“Are you?” Paladin asks, curious.

I have absolutely no idea and tell him so. He laughs. “Guess we’re both going to find out.”

Music is playing, but not overly loudly. A couple of the club girls are dancing, their moves clearly aimed at enticing the men. I notice two brothers I was introduced to as Ink and Mace eyeing them up. As I watch, Ink moves closer, moving in behind one of the girls, thrusting his hips behind her. As they pivot I see he’s got his hands over her boobs.

Hmm.

Quickly I turn away from the X-rated display, noticing Paladin frowning. “Thought this was a family affair,” he grumbles, while taking my hand and leading me back over to where Moira, Jeannie and Sindy are sitting.

“You enjoying yourself?” Moira asks.

“Yes, thank you,” I reply politely. It has been interesting meeting the men, and seeing where Paladin’s living. If I’m honest though, it makes me homesick for Tucson, and the people I knew there, emphasising how very far away I am.

I seem to have interrupted a conversation which resumes when Sindy asks Moira. “You coming along on the ride?”

Moira doesn’t look very enthusiastic. “I don’t think so. Been a long time since I went on the back of Hell’s bike.”

“Oh, come on, darlin’. It will be fun. If it gets too much, you can ride back in the crash truck.” Hellfire tries to persuade his wife.

“We’ll talk about this later,” she tells him in a voice that allows no argument. I notice he just raises his eyebrows in response.

“Well I’m up for it,” says Jeannie, leaning back into her man. As Bomber puts his arms around her, she continues, “It sounds fun.”

“Yeah. Riding over a suspension bridge a thousand feet above the ground?” Sindy shudders. “I’ll come along, but whether I go across or not I’ll decide on the day.”

As Sindy puts it so starkly, Jeannie’s eyes widen as though she’s reconsidering.

“I’ll look after you, sweetheart,” Bomber, noticing, says into her ear. I love seeing their relationship. I’ve picked up that they’ve been married almost as long as Hellfire and Moira, yet seem so much more at ease with each other. He’s still protective after all this time. That’s the type of relationship I’d like to have one day.

Demon comes over. Two bottles of beer in his hand, one he passes to Hellfire. Hellfire is just in the process of taking it when shots ring out.

For a second, everyone’s stunned. Then controlled panic. The men start shouting and gesticulating. Pal’s already got his arm around me and is pushing me in front of him toward the clubhouse. Bomber’s herding Jeannie and Moira, and Buzzard has run over and is dragging Sindy.

“Stay with them, Pal, Bomber.” Hell yells, then disappears.

“What’s going on, Pal?” I ask, panicked. “Is anyone hurt?” Why I’m querying him I don’t know. He’ll know nothing more than I do. Could it be the Herreras? Could they have found out where I am?

The club girls have also come in. Titsy looks white, the others a combination of animated and perplexed.

“This happened before?” Pal asks Bomber in a low voice.

Bomber’s reply is a shake of his head.

The place seems to be in confusion. Brothers are rushing in and out. I can’t make sense of the things I’m hearing. I tug Pal’s arm. “What’s going on? Who shot at us?”

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