Page 85 of Paladin's Hell

His question is greeted with wide-eyed stares as brothers look at each other. I notice everyone puffing themselves up and trying to look manly.

Before he moves toward the door, Hellfire looks around evilly. “Mostly,” he replies.

Well, fuck me. Then everyone’s looking around wondering who might like to play for the other team. Lady and Joker were great guys back in Tucson. I’d stand up for any man if that’s his preference. Doesn’t matter none to me.

Prez is making his way past. “Pal, a word.”

Well, he said at the start of the meeting he needed to speak with me. I’ve nothing to hide, nothing to worry about, so I follow him into his office.

I take the seat he waves me to. Before he can speak, I let him know. “Can’t say I’m particularly happy it coming out in front of the brothers, but yeah. I’ve had no woman. Got no one hiding in my closet. And I can’t believe the Herreras are behind this. The trouble we’re having seems almost juvenile to me.”

“Feel you there, Pal. That’s my gut instinct too.”

Okay. So can I go now? But I wait for my official dismissal. It seems Prez hasn’t finished though. “You okay to go to the strip club again tonight? The night shift?”

“Taser going?”

His eyes sharpen. “You got a problem if he is?”

Quickly I shake my head. “Not at all. Just wanting to know I’m not the only fucker being deliberately kept away from his bed.”

He rolls his head around on his neck, lifting a hand and rubbing the back of his skull. “You’re not slow on the uptake, are you, Brother?”

I knew I was right. “Keepin’ me and Jayden apart won’t stop anything happening. In fact, it’s more likely to start if there are obstacles put between us.”

Hellfire stands. “My wife,” he begins, then pauses as though not knowing how to proceed. “Well, Moira’s taken a liking to Jayden. Sees a lot of herself in her. Doesn’t want her to make a mistake.”

“Everyone makes mistakes, Prez. Don’t do it knowingly, but they happen all the same. Jay trusted the wrong person when she’d just turned a teenager, that was her error. And one she’s still fuckin’ payin’ for. Anyone got Jay’s best interest at heart? Well that’s me. Jay knows where she stands. She wants me? She’s got me. She doesn’t? Fuck, that would tear me apart, but I’d stand aside. Here in the clubhouse, where I haven’t got the measure of all the men yet, I want her by my fuckin’ side. I need to be there with her, so I know she’s safe.”

“You’re still protecting her?”

“Fuckin’ right I am. And I always will. Whether we’re together or not.” I try to wipe the glare off my face. “Look, Prez. Demon’s, what, thirty-five? Moira can’t have been far off Jayden’s age when you got together. You telling me you didn’t know what you wanted then? That your relationship’s been wrong all this time?”

“Watch your tone, Brother,” Hell snarls. But he returns to his chair and sits down, putting his elbows on the desk. “I’m not saying that. Best fuckin’ thing that ever happened to me, never wished it any other way. You got the same feelin’s I had for Moira, and your girl feels the same way? Then I hope you’ll be half as happy. And no, it wasn’t a fuckin’ mistake.”

“I know how I feel, Prez. I hope Jay feels the same, but ain’t gonna pressure her. But I need space. Yeah, she’s sharing my room, and I feel better for knowing she’s there. Under my protection. But to do that job properly? I need to be with her. Send someone else tonight, please?”

I watch his face, hoping my pleading tone gets through to him. I don’t want to beg, but I’m getting close to it now. Time seems to pass slowly until he lets out a deep sigh.

“Mo’s gonna kill me,” he mumbles under his breath, then to me, “I trust you, Pal. Just don’t hurt her. You do? I’ll let Mo at you first then finish what’s left of you off.”

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