Page 46 of Fire Meets Fire

It seems Legit does and Slugger raps his knife on the wood again. Once he’s got his attention, he points to the joint-smoking man. “Betrayal of loyalty to the Soulz, yeah. That’s what we’re talking about. Most serious fuckin’ crime.”

I keep my mouth shut, having nothing with which to defend myself. If things were the other way round and I was in the top seat questioning the behaviour of a brother who’d made the choice I had, I’d have gone for the toughest penalty.

StoryTeller sits forward. “There once was a man who couldn’t understand how a brother would want an ol’ lady in his life.” There’s a slight quirk to his lips reminding me of the times I’ve yanked his chain about his relationship with Sheri. “Then, one stormy night—well, it was probably clear and dry, but hell, my way makes a better story—” He breaks off to allow people to laugh. “A damsel in distress entered his life and it was like a bullet shot straight to his jaded heart.”

Helo jerks beside me, but I place my hand on her arm. It’s best not to interrupt StoryTeller when he’s in the middle of a story, and I want to hear how this plays out. It at least sounds like he’s on my side.

StoryTeller resumes, “The fearless, ferocious leader was cut off at the knees when the damsel cast her magic spell over him. From that moment on she weaved her magic, and he was gone, becoming a slave to her beauty, and unable to think of anything else. All previous loyalties fled as she’d stolen his soul and his heart.”

“What the fuck?”

“Shush,” I chide Helo.

Iron rubs a hand over his bald head as he sits forward. “So you’re saying Prez is bewitched and not in control of his actions? Maybe what he needs is an exorcism.”

“So now it looks like we’ve four options,” Weasel says seriously, while Slugger lets out a weary sigh.

Giving one of his customary sniffs, Skunk wipes his nose with the back of his hand, then states, “Can’t fault a man for falling in love.”

“Nah. Just like I’m in love with the idea of a new bike,” Fire retorts.

Helo pushes away from my side, goes to the table and plants her hands there palms down. “And you’ll get your new fucking bike. Instead of moaning like old ladies and discussing Chaz, why don’t we get on with planning how we’re going to accomplish that?”

“Lady’s got a point.” Bull nods appreciatingly.

“So you’re going to let Chaz’s behaviour stand?” Slugger asks.

“Yeah.” StoryTeller looks me straight in the eye. “Can’t fault a man in love.”

I’m not in love.Am I? Oh fuck it, he’s right. Else why would I want her as my old lady, or explain my desire to keep her breathing. Maybe StoryTeller’s right and she’s cast a spell on me.

Helo stays in position, but slowly casts her eyes around. “What would have happened had he not taken me away? Would any of you assholes have given me up?”

Claw shrugs. “Thought about it.”

“We don’t know you, lady,” Legit says. “We don’t know if you might deserve what you’ve got coming to you.”

Helo shakes her head and gives an incredulous huff. “No, you don’t know me. But it seems Chaz knows you. If he hadn’t taken me away, someone could have acted impetuously and betrayed where I was without giving us a chance to look through the options.”

“Still don’t know you,” the redheaded Fire insists.

“But your prez does.” She fixes him with a stare that I’m sure has made many a man crap his pants. “Seems trust and loyaltywork both ways. Chaz knows my story, and has decided the rights and wrongs of it for himself. Seems like you, his brothers, ought to give him some credit for that.”

“Oh for fuck’s sake.” Slugger kicks back his chair and turns to me with a glare. “Come sit the fuck down, Brother.”

“What?” Skunk’s eyes open wide. “We’re not going to kick him out?”

Walking over to take the offered seat next to Slugger, I take the opportunity to slap Skunk around the head. “Not getting rid of me that fuckin’ easily.” I say the words, but inside, I’m full of relief that I’ve still got my place.

Helo pushes away from the table and starts to return to her previous place against the wall. As I sit my ass down, it’s to Iron’s roar of, “What the hell?” and I helplessly watch him leap from his chair, but he’s too late to catch her before she hits the ground.

It’s pandemonium for a few seconds. I’m on my feet again, then drop to my knees, pulling her into my arms, checking whether she might have any injuries. From what I can see, she’s sound. Skunk vacates the couch, allowing me to lay her down, and Slugger stands, shaking his head in bewilderment.

“She just went out like a fuckin’ light,” Slugger observes. He pinches the brow of his nose, then asks, “What was the fucking trigger?”

That’s something I’d like to know, but unless it was the release of tension when my club didn’t show me the door, I’ll be fucked if I know. All I can tell him is, “PTSD. She can have these attacks out of the blue which bring her down.”

“Poof!” Legend demonstrates with his hand crashing to the floor, having seen it happen before. “She goes out like a fuckin’ light.”

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