Page 92 of Paladin's Hell

Chapter 30

Paladin

This evening has been like old times. Jayden and I playing pool. Already the brothers here seem wary of taking her on, but I don’t mind being beaten by a woman. Teaching her pool had been my way of getting her out of her room, back when she first arrived at the Tucson club, giving her something to focus on rather than feeling everyone was looking at her, wondering how she was doing. It had also been a way of me being able to keep close to her, without attracting criticism. I’m proud as fuck when she beats me.

“Yay!” She’s jumping up and down. “Ready to concede, Pal? That’s three times in a row.”

I lean down, speaking into her ear, “You just got lucky tonight. Ouch.” I jump back as the minx bats at my arm, pretending to rub a sore spot that doesn’t hurt at all.

“Lucky? You have to admit I’m the better player.”

That she might be. But wild horses wouldn’t pull that fact from me. “Nah, that’s me, Doll.”

During the evening Jay’s talked to a lot of my new brothers. Pyro vowing he’ll never play against her again, making me laugh. I got a few slaps on my back for being brave enough to take her on, and was cheered when I did beat her—before her final winning streak. She seems comfortable here, more animated and like her old self, than she’d been at Moira and Hell’s, it’s almost as if being on lockdown gives her a sense of security. Watching her talking to Runt who’s sitting on the sofa, checking he’s comfortable, I frown. I haven’t considered it before, but maybe her independence and freedom will be more of a challenge for her. For more than two years she’s lived with the fear of being taken again. Something I’ll need to work on. After the lockdown is lifted I’ll need to buy her that car, teach her to drive, and help her get to the place where she can enjoy her new freedom.

Fact remains, though it’s a strange club to her, she’s relaxed here. She’d make a great old lady.

Slow, Pal, slow.

She’s sitting beside Runt now, laughing at something he’s said. A kernel of jealously starts to burn inside me. I’ve always said if she ends up not wanting me, I’ll accept it. I lied. Seeing her with another brother? Nah, couldn’t take it. Perhaps it’s time to stop pussying around. Step up and show her what I’ve got to offer. This morning had certainly been a start in the right direction.

When I’d first seen her, when she’d put her trust in me, I knew she was going to be mine. My feelings have only become stronger as she’s grown into a woman. She’s it for me. If I’m not the one for her, I need to know.

Fuck it.Runt’s got his hand on her knee as he leans forward to whisper into her ear. Throwing the cue stick on the table, I march over. “Ready for bed, Jay?” If there’s a double entendre in my words, it’s meant to be there. A strong message for the prospect.

Runt catches my eye. Grinning, he leaves his hand exactly where it is. His eyes find mine in challenge. “We were talking.” A definite message that I was interrupting.

I eye the prospect. Runt was obviously named as he’s a scrawny kid, probably around my age. He’s tall, but built more like a runner than a fighter. Though I’ve not got much more when it comes to muscles, I still think I could take him on, even if he weren’t injured. In Tucson, it would have been easy. He’s a prospect, I’m a fully patched member. But here, for some reason, prospects are allowed to claim women.

He’s not claiming mine.

Jay’s looking between us. I’m sure she’s totally innocent, and unaware of the undertones between Runt and myself. She’s only showing concern for somebody injured. While his interest is clearly deeper.

“Jay.” I hold out my hand.

“If you want to talk to Runt, you stay where you are, Jay.” I swing around, glaring at Moira who’s come up behind me.

Jay’s starting to look confused.

Runt smirks and pats her fucking leg again with the hand he’s about to lose. “That’s right. You stay where you are, Jay.” Then to me, “You haven’t claimed her.”

He’s right. I haven’t. But everyone knows that she’s off limits. Don’t they? Just in case, I make it clear to him. “She’s mine, Runt.”

“She’s not yours, Pal. She’s her own woman with her own mind.” It’s Moira again. Why can’t she butt out? Why is she pushing the prospect and Jay together? “Mo, I know you mean well, but this is between Jay and me.”

“I’m looking out for her. Just like I promised her sister,” she explains. Her eyes challenging.

I hadn’t noticed, but the room’s gone quiet as our voices have got louder. Jay’s looking confused. She starts to stand; Runt pulls her back down. That’s enough for me. I start to move forward; my progress is halted by a strong grip on my arm.

“What the fuck is going on here?” It’s the VP. As Runt opens his mouth, Demon shuts him down. “Not you, Prospect. Pal, explain.”

“Prospect’s got his hand on my woman.”

“Your woman? You’re claiming her?”

Jay’s eyes are wide open. She looks at me, then at Runt. Then at the hand that’s still on her fucking knee.

“I’m claimin’ her.” There’s no doubt in my mind. The sight of another man touching her has brought all my possessive instincts to the fore.

---