Page 74 of Paladin's Hell

All of them start looking at each other. There are shrugs, shakes of heads. I’m determined to find out if anyone’s stepped on anyone’s toes.

Pal’s frowning. He raises his hand. “I’ll get in touch with Drummer and Mouse back in Tucson. See if the Herreras might have found out where Jayden’s gone. A long shot, but we can’t rule out it’s her that’s the target.”

A murmuring starts to grow but I shut that down fast. “Unless anyone here has a loose mouth, can’t see how anyone could know. But thanks Pal, doesn’t hurt asking the question.”

Taser’s glaring at Pal, but then he normally does. “What about the girl herself? Could she have given away where she was going? Seems mighty suspicious you and her turn up, and all hell breaks loose here.”

Pal puts his hands to where he’d have a beard if he was able to grow one. Slowly he shakes his head. When he leans forward to speak, it’s in a measured voice, but carries the weight of scorn with it. “Let me think about that. Girl threatened with being taken and raped, sold on as a sex slave. Her life made intolerable as revenge on the Satan’s Devils. Yeah, quite possible she’d be loose-mouthed and tell everyone where she was going. You might have a point there, Taser.”

Eyes go from Pal to the man he’s addressed. Taser looks sheepish, but doesn’t give up. “Can’t hurt to ask.”

Demon’s fingers are drumming on the table. I glance at him; he’s got something to say. “While I think Taser’s barkin’ up a blind alley, I think we ought to talk to the women too. See if they’ve been fuckin’ someone they shouldn’t.”

“See, we’re not sexist at all,” Mace grins broadly. “Equal suspicions here.”

“Jeannie’s not stepped out on me,” Bomber snarls.

I jump in as Buzzard’s face grows dark. “I think the VP means the club girls, not the old ladies.” When that’s appeased the married men, I start to sum up. “We look at the club as an entity, consider who might have a beef with the Satan’s Devils. At the same time we look at each of us individually and that includes the women. We get eyes and ears on the ground. We keep our businesses running with maximum security.” I break off, looking between Cad and Pal. “How long until the new cameras are up and running?”

“Got it on order,” it’s Pal who responds. “Installation is easy. By the end of the week?”

I nod, then resume. “Everyone not out investigatin’ stays on the compound. Women to be protected at all times. Two men out front on the gate.” I glance at Demon, sending him a silent message, have I forgotten anything?

Demon steps in. “No brother to be ridin’ alone, that goes without sayin’.” His glare, a copy of my own, lands on each of the brothers. “If you’ve got something you’re hidin’, you need to come clean to the prez or me. We won’t share shit that has no bearin’. You been dippin’ your wick where it shouldn’t have been? I want to know it.”

Fuck me. There are several of them who look guilty. Well, bikers attract tail. Always have, always will.

“I’ll look into any names you give me,” Cad offers.

“You really want a list of people I’ve fucked?” Ink’s eyes look wild. “What if I didn’t know their names?”

Demon’s forehead crashes down on the table. Turning sideways, he gives me a look. And a sly grin. Seems like he’ll be giving me a list too.

“Cad, you might have your work cut out.” I’m shaking my head as I tell him. “Might be easier to ask who hasn’t fucked someone they shouldn’t.”

It’s pure accident, but my eyes fall on the newest member sitting at the end of the table. Everyone else’s do too. It’s Lizard who puts a label on him. He points straight at Pal, “Not him, he’s a fuckin’ virgin.”

It was a figure of speech. But instead of giving us the finger or some other gesture, the lad goes bright red. It’s the fact he says nothing that gets us incredulously laughing.

“Fuck me, you fuckin’ are, aren’t you? You’re waiting for that bitch.” Thunder roars with laughter.

“Hey, come to me if you want some pointers, Brother,” Mace offers.

“Have you even got a dick? It work?” That’s from Ink. “Probably fallen off by now if you haven’t used it.”

Poor Pal looks like he wants to slide under the table.

I take pity on him. “Well the rest of you assholes who overwork your dicks, I’ll see you in alphabetical order.” I raise the gavel. “Meeting fuckin’ dismissed. Bomber you’re up first.”

“Haven’t got anything to say, Prez,” Bomber protests.

I glare at him. “Everyone, Bomb. That includes men with old ladies.”

Demon holds up his hand. “One last thing, Prez?” I nod. “Jeannie and Mo will hopefully have got together that list you asked them to of supplies we’re going to need. Volunteers to go get them?”

“I’ll go,” Pyro offers. “With Taser. Will take you some time to go through the brothers by the expressions around this table.”

He’s right. I’m just wondering how long this list of people they’ve fucked is going to be.

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