Paladin's Hell

by Manda Mellett

  I chew, swallow, then pick up my soda and take a sip, trying to analyse my feelings when I’d first seen Pal today being chased by that whore. She’s around here, somewhere. While Pal had been getting the drinks, I’d seen her glaring at me. She, and the other club girls, are immediately recognisable due to their lack of clothes. The sun is shining, but it’s nowhere near warm enough to be prancing around almost naked. I suspect they’re on the lookout for a male body to keep them warm. As long as they’re not expecting to get their hands on my man.

  My man? Since when have I felt possessive about Pal? I suppose I’ve never been challenged. Have always accepted he was mine. Yet, once Tulia had been sent on her way, and Pal had taken me up to his room, the green-eyed beast inside had fully woken up when it appeared someone had got in there first. The sense of relief that I’d felt on seeing that clever cat had surprised me. But it had also brought home, this is where Pal lives. He could be getting up to anything, and I’d never know. He could tell me whatever he thought I wanted to hear, as for what really goes on, I’d be none the wiser.

  A nudge to my ribs. “You’re quiet. You okay?”

  I nod, smile, and don’t let him into my thoughts.

  “Mo said come and join us.” I glance up. A woman, Mo’s age, is standing beside us. Pal’s smiling at her. “Jeannie, this is Jayden. Jay, Jeannie. She’s Bomber’s old lady, and looks after us like a mother.”

  Jeannie’s wide smile suggests she’s flattered, rather than upset by his description of her. She waves to where two or three picnic tables have been pushed together. Along with Mo, there’s another woman sitting there, properly dressed for the cool day, so I assume she’s another old lady and not a whore.

  When she sees who I’ve spied, Jeannie explains. “That’s Sindy, she’s Buzzard’s woman.” From here I’d guess she’s about forty. Suddenly Jeannie’s body stiffens. “Oh no, you fucking don’t,” she snarls, then turns and stomps off.

  My eyes follow her to see her heading toward an older man who currently has one of the scantily clad women’s arms looped around his neck. To be honest, he seems to be ignoring her, but that doesn’t stop Jeannie storming up and ripping the club whore away.

  Looking up it’s to see Paladin grinning. “Bomber, I presume?” I ask.

  “Yeah. Whores love to fuck with Jeannie. Come on then. I’ll introduce you.”

  Making a mental note not to look too friendly with Bomber, I let Pal take my plate.

  When we arrive at the table, it’s another round of introductions. I already know Hellfire and Mo, of course, but now I meet Jeannie’s man, Bomber, Sindy, Buzzard who’s the money man apparently, and a man called Rusty who runs the bowling alley. I smile broadly at the latter.

  “Free entry for brothers and family,” he tells me, when he sees my interest. “You any good?”

  “I’ve never tried,” I say, surprising him.

  “It wasn’t exactly safe for Jay to do normal teenage things in Tucson,” Pal explains.

  “Well, fuck me. Bout time you learned, isn’t it?”

  “She plays pool though,” Pal lets him know I’m not entirely pathetic.

  Rusty’s eyes sharpen. “Any good?”

  As Pal goes to speak, I place my hand on his arm and lean over him. “How about you judge for yourself?”

  He laughs heartily. “I’ve got a suspicion I might end up playin’ against a ringer. But I’ll take you up on that. Anytime you want, kid.”

  Like Bomber, he seems older than Hellfire, so I don’t get upset when he calls me that.

  “You finished?” Pal points at my empty plate. “Want anything else?”

  Rubbing my stomach, I shake my head. “I’ve had plenty.” When he stands and holds out his hand, I take it. I pause a moment, looking around at the men. Even the older guys seem to keep themselves fit. Satan’s Devils all over seem to be a good-looking bunch. Remembering my thoughts about Pal, disloyally I look around seeing if any of the younger men here would cause my heart to race, and then glance back at the man by my side, realising he comes out on top. There’s just something about him. I wonder again what it would have been like had our kiss not been interrupted.

  As he walks around and introduces me to more of the men, I realise I have never done this before. Oh, back in Tucson, Paladin was never far from my side, but we never gave off the vibes that we were a couple. It’s comforting in a security blanket way to have people assume we’re together.

  “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 wh
en 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?”

  But he knows nothing more than I do, until Hellfire and the men all flood back through the main door. “Women to stay here. Prospects keep an eye on them. Everyone else, church now.” Two prospects jump to attention, guns ready in their hands. I’m sure there was a third one, maybe he’s still outside.

  As Hellfire storms past, Moira puts herself in front of him, her hands on her hips. “What the fuck is happening, Hell?”

  “Drive-by,” he says quickly. “We’re going on lockdown, Mo.”

  “No, Hell…”

  He grabs her by the shoulders. “Yes, Mo. We don’t know who or what they’ll be targeting next. Until we do, everyone is to stay here. You got me?” Having told his wife, he makes his voice louder, and repeats. “Lockdown. All old ladies, whores and brothers will be staying in the club.”

  Jeannie gasps beside me. “Hell, we haven’t been on lockdown for years.”

  Bomber speaks up, his tone firm. “Well it seems like we’re going to be now. We’re staying here, Jeannie.” Like Hellfire, he sounds adamant.

  As the brothers are walking past into church, Pal seems reluctant to leave me. I want to stay close to him too. I know what lockdown is, it means I’ll be staying here for the duration. I was supposed to live with Hell and Moira, now I’ll be here at the compound instead. I’m too used to that, I’m disappointed. I had been looking forward to having some independence. My eyes flick to Pal’s, I can see he’s torn.

  I need to step up here. “Go,” I tell him, prodding him in the direction of his brothers. Part of the reason is selfish. If he finds out what’s going on, maybe he’ll tell me too.

  He places his lips to my forehead, nods, then steps away.

  Hellfire’s still here, I overhear him. “Mo,” he hisses, “You need to step up. You’re the prez’s ol’ lady.”

  She’s looking horrified, but at last straightens her back and nods.

  Hell raises his voice slightly. “Jeannie. I want you and Mo to make a list of what we’re going to need.”

  Jeannie says drily, “It’s been a long time, but I can remember how this goes, Hell. If you think it’s really necessary.”

  Hell stares at her. “I’m hoping we’re overreacting, but I want everyone here. Safe.”

  Chapter 25

  Hellfire

  We haven’t been on lockdown for fifteen years. No wonder Mo was so shocked. I could be making too much of this, but I’m going on gut feel here. Won’t take any chance of anyone else becoming hurt. I haven’t told the women, but the prospect, Runt, had taken a bullet. He’ll live, but this shit is serious. He could have been killed.

  I’m out of practice at this. Since we got out of the drug and gun running business, and have been earning our money clean, the club’s had no real enemies. Or at least none that brought trouble right to our front door. Then we have a dead body turn up, planted outside our premises. Other odd things happening, our shop broken into. Now a drive-by shooting.

  Mo’s going to hate being here. She didn’t want to come today; I’d had to persuade her. Jeannie will be fine, as will Sindy, but Mo? Christ, keeping her here is going to be hard.

  But she, the other old ladies and the club girls are all my responsibility. It’s my decision they stay here to be safe, while I have to send men out to try to hunt down an enemy we currently can’t identify.

  Who is fucking with us? That’s what I don’t know, and what we’ve got to find out.

  Everyone’s already in church. Mace lights up and slides the pack toward me. I toss him a grateful nod and take out a smoke. For once, everyone quiets as I flick the lighter. While they’re not talking, their body language shows how agitated everyone is.

  Not bothering to bang the gavel, I open the meeting. “Don’t want to waste time lookin’ for answers we already know we don’t have. What I want is ideas on how to find out who these motherfuckers are.”

  “Runt didn’t get the license plate.”

  I’m not surprised Cad’s already asked. “Everyone else was out back I presume?” Yes. Of course we were. Our only witness, and casualty, was the prospect who was out front taking his turn watching the gate, and who, as a result, had been shot.

  “Runt going to be okay?”

  “Yeah, Thunder. It was just a scratch even though it bled a lot. I just cleaned it, put a couple of stitches in.” Rusty’s medical skills come in handy at times.

  “What’s the plan, Hell?”

  I glance around. Everyone’s looking to me. Christ, I’m tired, and they’re all expecting me to have answers. “Demon, Thunder and Mace. Get out on the streets. Keep your eyes and ears open and start tracking down those gangs. I want to know if anyone’s heard any whispers of people moving in, looking to take us down.”

  “Take what down?” Mace asks, incredulously. “Who’s got anything to gain from closing our businesses? Shooting up our club and takin’ us out? It’s not like we’ve got a gun trade to take over anymore. We don’t even deal in fucking drugs.”

  “Someone’s got a beef with the club. It feels personal,” Demon proposes. My eyes shoot to him. “What if we’re not looking for a gang, but one person?”

  “Could one person fuck us up like they’ve done? All the activity on the security cameras had the same time stamp that night.” Pyro, like the rest, is looking worried.

  “Two,” says Cad, adamantly. “I went back over them. Checked the timings again. Two people would have been all that was needed.”

  Lizard’s looking thoughtful. “Been trying to think of who might have a grudge against us. What about Smithy?”

  “Nah,” Demon says quickly. “Good suggestion, but word is he went to LA.”

  I raise my eyebrows. Demon shrugs. Man didn’t cut it here, maybe he learned from how he’d fucked up. We’d let the prospect go some months back.

  “It’s worth following up,” Cad proposes. “I’ll dig deeper, check he actually left and see if I can find what he’s doing now.”

  “Thanks, Brother. Probably a dead end, but we can’t rule anything out.”

  “Any progress by the cops on the dead man?” Taser asks.

  “We haven’t been told…” I break off, raising my eyebrow, again putting Cad in the spotlight.

  “I’ll hack into the police database. See if there’s anything that’s not being passed to us.”

  “I want half of us here at all times. We keep the businesses running, but women and club girls are to stay at the compound until we’ve got more info.”

  “You think they’ll come after us in our homes?”

  “Can’t rule it out, Buzzard.” I wipe my brow. “While we remain ignorant as to who or why, I don’t want to take the risk that they might.” After pausing for a breath, I lay it on them. “I’ll want to talk to all of you individually.” I glance around the table. “Any shit you don’t want to discuss openly, you can fuckin’ tell me in private. I want to know if anyone’s pissed someone off. Slept with the wrong wife, for example. I’ll be speakin’ to everyone. If it doesn’t affect the club, that shit
stays with me. But for the sake of your brothers’ lives, don’t keep anything to yourselves.”

  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.