Page 51 of The Silence of Hell

“Yup, what a surprise!” I said, and Callie and Phoe laughed.

Chatter

“Jinxy!” he called as he saw the candidate heading out.

Jinx stopped moving towards his piece of shit bike. “Yeah?” he shouted back.

“Get your ass here,” Chatter yelled. Jinx looked worried as he walked towards Chatter.

“Did I do something wrong?” he asked.

“You tell me, kid. Lavender mentioned something, and I’ve not been able to get you alone. You pull in one point five k a week and now Lavender’s paying you for working there. You got gambling debts?” Chatter questioned.

“No! Lavender shouldn’t have said anything,” Jinx answered defensively, and Chatter knew the candidate had a secret.

“Be lucky it was me because she was ready to tear us a new asshole. If she’d got hold of Chance… it would be a different story,” Chatter explained, and Jinx blanched. “Yeah, exactly. Now I wanna know where your money is going because you wear the same damn clothes every week and have a piece of crap bike. We pay you better than that.”

Jinx’s chin jutted out, and Chatter almost laughed. The boy was going to defy him. “It’s private.”

“Then pack your shit,” Chatter threatened. It was an idle threat, but Jinx didn’t know that. Chatter had an inkling the kid was in way over his head.

Jinx paled. “You can’t do that!” he exclaimed.

“Any brother can get rid of a candidate if you’re a fuckup or hiding stuff from us. Trying to help you here. If you ever want to be a brother, this is where it starts, reaching out for help when you need it,” Chatter stated.

“It’s my mom. She’s badly ill, and medical bills have piled up. They’re taking four thou a month and Mom can’t afford to live. She only gets disability. She can barely pay rent on a one-bed shithole. I’ve been buying her food, paying her utilities, and the bills,” Jinx blurted.

“How much are the med bills?” Chatter asked. Jinx was twenty and had been shouldering this alone. Fuck him.

“Three hundred thousand. I’ve paid forty off,” Jinx replied.

“No probs. The money will be in your bank by the end of today. You’ll pay me back two k a month until you hit prospect. Then we’ll re-discuss this. This ain’t a club loan. It’s private, and nobody needs to know. Up to you if you tell anyone, but I’ll keep your faith. If you need anything else, speak to Fanatic or Sunny. Or come back to me, but I am telling you as a brother, Fanatic and Sunny need to know, kid. They’ll help you with shifts and time off for appointments and stuff.”

“But I’m only a candidate.”

“And? You are a Hellfire candidate, which means unless we boot you, you’re not alone. Got a big family around you. Lean on it,” Chatter said.

“I’ll pay the money back Chatter, any bonus or overtime I get, I will pass your way,” Jinx promised.

“No. You’ll pay the two k a month, and you’ll take your mom out for a couple of decent meals. Or treat her to a shopping trip or spa day. And you will get a better bike. I’ve got a ten-year-old Fatboy sitting in storage. You can have that. Get it over to Jett at Rage to customise it for you. I’ll give him a call.”

“I can’t thank you enough,” Jinx said, and Chatter noted how close to tears he was. “Swear I won’t let you or the club down.”

“Believe ya, Jinxy. I will transfer the money now and you pay those bills off,” Chatter replied.

“I’ll do it in front of you,” Jinx promised and whipped his phone out.

Chatter moved the money, and Jinx checked his account. His eyes widened as he saw the balance, and he swallowed hard. Chatter noted how Jinx’s voice cracked when he dialled the medical billing department and cleared the amount.

Chatter made a mental note to remind Sunny and Fanatic to keep a better eye on the candidates. One of them should have noted the piece of shit bike and the kid wearing the same clothing. But it had taken a woman on the outside to do their jobs for them.

Chatter waited until Jinx got off the line. “There’s five k left over. I’ll move it back to you.”

“Nope. What you’re gonna do is head out tomorrow morning and hit the shops. Take Momma with you and use that five k to buy you both some new clothes. If yours are rags, I’m betting hers ain’t much different. Get her lunch and dinner. Be at Lavender’s tomorrow night for seven. I’ll have Sailor do your duties there until then.”

Chatter almost squirmed as Jinx stared at him and then flung his arms around Chatter. Chatter stiffened as Jinx hugged him and slapped his back before stepping away and heading towards his bike.

“What was that about?” Chance asked from behind, looking a little shocked.

---