Page 8 of Priest

“Plenty of someone’s look after me, sweetheart. Don’t worry your pretty little head over it.” Enough already. I’m done explaining, but I know she’s coming from a place of friendship and sincerity.

“Priest!” Stella runs out of the kitchen and almost bowls into me. “How’s it hanging? Dan didn’t say you’d be here.” She gives me a big hug which I reciprocate.

“I guess Dan left out a lot of things about tonight.” I smile. “How are you? I haven’t seen you around the clubhouse for a while.”

She shrugs. “I’ve been pulling some crazy hours at the bakery. Hey, Luna.”

“Hey, babe,” Luna says, stocking up the napkins.

I turn and give her a knowing look. I know she’s been making a nuisance of herself over at Tag and Hawk’s mechanic shop, but she’s a feisty young woman and I personally don’t see the wrong in any of it. But I do have a soft spot since I’ve been her godfather since she was twelve. Harlem asked me a few years back if anything should happen to him, would I look out for her. It was one of the biggest honors of my life since I respect Harlem so much, plus he loves his kids more than anything in the world.

“What?” Stella feigns innocence. Okay, she’s technically almost nineteen years old. She’s old enough to do what she wants, but I know right away she’s up to something.

And she knows better than to lie to me.

“Who is he?”

“He’s nobody.” She blows me a kiss.

“You know better than to look him in the eyes,” Luna laughs. “He’s like Medusa, except instead of turning to stone, you blab all your secrets instead.”

“There are no secrets to tell,” Stella maintains. “Sorry to disappoint.”

“Long as you’re bein’ careful,” I say.

“Ew, please no sex lecture tonight, Priest. I’m not in the mood.”

Stella is an attractive girl, and while she has a good head on her shoulders, I would hate to see anything bad happen to her. Harlem is fiercely protective of her and Indigo’s kid, Cami, who’s only thirteen. He also has a son Declan who’s fifteen, but he keeps a low profile and prefers to play online video games rather than hang out with any of us.

But Stella is at that age where it’s all or nothing. She’s impulsive and a little reckless.

“I’m not giving you a lecture. I’m just makin’ sure you’ll all good.”

She flutters her eyelashes at me. “It seems wrong that you’re this handsome and I get to call you my uncle. In another life, we could’ve been so much more.”

I shake my head. She says things like that to annoy me. I’d never go there, and I don’t even see her in that way, even if I acknowledge she’s pretty. She’s one of my best friend’s kids. I saw her grow up from the age of twelve. Just, no.

“Very funny. Get an apron on and shut that smart mouth for five seconds and let’s get the doors open.”

She pouts, giggling as she runs off to do what I asked. There’s a line forming outside and it’s almost time.

Manny and Shanice bring out the smaller containers that fit into the warmer and Luna goes to grab the large salad bowls.

I glance out toward the window at the faces looking in and my heart swells. I know what it feels like to have nothing and to go hungry. I can relate more than they’ll ever know.

Ever since I got out of prison, I changed. I didn’t think it was possible, but I managed to slowly lose all the anger I had and channeled it into something else. Something more positive.

Without Cash and club’s help, I never would’ve been able to be where I am now. That I know for sure.

I head toward the doors and unlock the latch. It’s getting cold out here already. Even though the winters here are fairly mild, I don’t like the idea of anyone sleeping rough at any time, but when winter is almost upon, it feels that much worse. Not that it gets that cold here, but it bothers me. Which is why I do want I do; give back.

It’s my duty. My calling. I made the commitment.

And no matter what happens, I won’t sway from that.

2

ISABELLA

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