Page 103 of Priest

We’ve worked too long and hard to ever go back. When Cash established BADVA — Bikers Against Domestic Violence Association — it was to protect women and children when they go to court to testify. It’s something the entire club is now heavily involved in. So to think these assholes came back to New Orleans to try and turn our streets back into cesspits where the underworld rules, just ain’t gonna sit with any of us. The underworld may have its place, but not for trafficking. That’s something even Big Daddy and the Irish draw a line in the sand at.

“Your minds doin’ overtime,” Harlem says after a long bout of silence. “This girl mean that much to you?”

I look out the window. There’s no point in hiding it. “I love her.”

I feel his glance in my direction, though I keep looking at the traffic. “She got you.”

I swallow hard. “She did. It came out of left field. One day I was celibate and abstaining to help reaffirm my goals and commitment to God, and the next I’m falling in love with a mafia princess who I’d walk through the pits of Hell to protect.”

“I guess we all have a breaking point.”

I shake my head. “When you fell for Indigo… You just knew, right?”

Harlem chuckles. “Oh, fuck yeah. It was like a lightning bolt to the chest. I not only knew she was the one, but I also couldn’t imagine takin’ another breath without her by my side. It wasn’t gravity holdin’ me to the earth anymore, it was Indi.”

I nod. That’s exactly how I feel. “If anythin’ happens to her…”

“You gotta believe that you’ll see her again.” He says it like it’s obvious. “You’ll be reunited because it’s part of the plan.”

“God’s plan?” I snort.

“Now don’t go gettin’ all pissy and blamin’ the big guy,” he laughs. “She’s strong, despite what you think. She’s had to be if she’s part of that family.”

I know he’s right and it gives me some comfort. Even though Bella was like a frightened deer when I first laid eyes on her, I know deep down she has a fire inside her belly that is yet to be really set free.

I need her to use that power right now. I will it to happen… For her to make it out alive… For us to be in each other's arms once more.

“She is strong.” My voice is low. “She can survive this.”

I just want her back. I want her back in my arms, where she belongs.

Harlem mutters my name under his breath as I pull back from punching Rueben over and over. Of course, he’s a pissant and spills his guts immediately.

The rage I feel inside isn’t comparable. I’ve never felt this way before. Well, I’ve felt anger, of course. But the idea that I could kill a man with my bare hands… That hasn’t affected me since I got out of jail. Now I don’t give a shit if I go down for murdering this petty little asshole.

“I told you!” He spits, blood narrowly missing my boot. “It was after the incident at the park…”

“The incident where you tried to rape her?” I clutch him by the throat and his eyes go wide.

“Keep him talkin’,” Harlem mutters, but I barely hear his words.

“I never—” He trails off. “It was after that. He’d been followin’ her and that’s when he approached me and wanted to know what I knew; which wasn’t much.”

“Who?” I know who it is, like I’ve always known this guy would be a problem for us. Ever since I heard his name and how badly he treated Bella.

“Campaldi.”

I shake my head. “And what did he want you to do?”

“Keep followin’ her, which I did, but then you showed up at the parish that night before I could?—.”

I swallow hard, my hand tightening around his throat. What the fuck? “You went back after her that night? After you already attacked her?”

He shakes his head. I’m sure he’d wave his arms around too, if they weren’t tied behind his back. “You’ve gotta understand, he paid me a lot of money. I’d suck his dick if he wanted me to. I’m broke. I’m a nobody.”

Why do I fucking care if he’s a nobody? I shake my head. “Sometimes souls are not for sale.” Squeeze. “Sometimes money doesn’t buy you jack shit except a one way ticket to Hell.” Squeeze. He starts to pale as no oxygen gets to his lungs. “Sometimes sufferin’ long and hard is all you deserve, and trust me, I can keep this shit up for days.”

He tries to talk but no sounds comes out. As I want him exhausted and scared, I ease off. He starts to gasp for air, coughing and spluttering.

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