Page 68 of Priest

“I wish we had a Jax Teller,” Stella sighs. “Now that would be something.”

“I saw you’ve already met Nevada,” Summer chuckles. “And don’t worry, he’s harmless. But guys like him are gonna try with new chicks. Whether you’re with Priest or not, it’s their nature. They act like dogs in heat, I swear to God.”

I can’t help but chuckle, and Summer does too. They’re easy company, and I like that.

Spending most of my life around men, it comes harder for me to talk to women or know what to say, but these girls make it easy. I relax a little.

Priest was right. He was right to bring me here, even if I know the dangers.

These people won’t hurt me. They have my back.

A few moments later, a tiny blonde-haired woman strolls up and takes the other stool next to me with a sigh. “Please tell me it’s the weekend.”

Stella laughs and Summer gives her shoulders a rub. “It’s the weekend,” they chime in unison.

Then her eyes switch to mine. “Who are you?”She frowns, and at first I’m not sure if she’s friend or foe.

My eyes go slightly round at her curtness. “Uh, I’m Bella, Rock’s friend.”

“Oh.” She waves a hand at me. “I’m Jas, the club’s accountant and the Road Captain’s ol’ lady.”

I’ve no idea what that is so I just smile. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. So where is Rock?”

“He went into a meeting,” Stella pipes up. “Some dude from the Soup Kitchen attacked Bella, and Priest is gonna take care of it.” She says it so nonchalantly, like it’s nothing.

“Oh,” Jas says, her eyes assessing my face. “Damn asshole deserves all he gets. He won’t feel so brave when they’re done with him.”

“So I keep hearing,” I say. “He’s a snake, so he’s probably already left town. He knows I was hanging out with you guys.”

“Best to not tempt fate,” Jas replies. “If he knows you’re an easy target, he might try again.”

That’s what I’m afraid of. I don’t like being an easy target, but she isn’t wrong. I’m by myself and homeless. You couldn’t get more easy than that.

It makes me want to get to Texas even more. This is my lifeline. And now Priest is going to take me — he promised.

“She’s staying with Priest,” Summer chimes.

I feel Jas’ eyes on me. “Well. I never thought I’d see the day.”

“I had nowhere else to go,” I say. “Priest took me in. I ran away from home a month ago, I can’t go back.”

It isn’t like I’m keeping it a secret — well, the part where I’m supposed to be dead, perhaps.

Jas looks at me with a sympathetic face.

“Hey, did you think any more on the job at the bakery?” Stella asks. I try not to wince. Not because I’m not grateful, and the fact that I do need money, but I can’t be seen in the busiest bakery in New Orleans.

“I have to go to Texas,” I say, which isn’t a lie. “But I’ll be back after that, so I’m definitely interested.” I can’t make it seem like I don’t want to help myself, either.

“Okay, sounds good.” She smiles and I feel bad for partly lying.

A few moments later, two large men make a beeline toward us as Stella yells out, “Hey, Dad!”

Dad?

Which one of them is Dad?

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