Page 3 of Chaplain

Pushing those nagging doubts aside, I opened the chaplain's logbook. I might as well get the boring stuff out of the way first. I start noting last week's issues and disputes that need discussion at church, skimming past the usual fines for drunken disorderlies and misuse of property, which sends my mind racing back our conversation with the hacker. My mind fumes at her disregard for her own safety as my pen scratches steadily, and I catch myself writing her name. Eden.

I stop, staring at the curve of the E, the loop of the d and wondering if her body is as curvy under that modest dress. Man, I can't get that woman out of my head tonight.

From the moment I first saw her in that alley, something about her drew me in. Maybe it was the fierce determination in her eyes or the way she held herself with such confidence despite being outnumbered by a group of bikers.

No. I know exactly why I can't get our new little hacker out of my head. I've known grown-ass men twice her size who wouldn't have stood up to me like she did. Unmoved by size or rank or fear. And that sharp tongue she fires off when riled up… I've never met someone so bold and fierce in how they carry themselves. She seems near instructable, and the way I go through people, she'd have to be to survive me.

Fuck. Who am I kidding? That woman could own me. She'd never be one of the sweetbutts crawling along the floor, begging for a damn handout and attention. She'd sit on my lap like it was her fucking throne, and she was the queen of everything. She'd rule me, and I can't help the smile that forms at the thought of worshiping at her altar.

Glass breaks somewhere out in the lounge, and the yells and laughter kick up a notch, reminding me this clubhouse is no castle. I scratch out her name and keep working, but even as I try to focus on the task at hand, I can't completely ignore the nagging thoughts of Eden that keep creeping into my mind. This is no place for a woman like Eden, and Luca did a piss poor job of teaching her about our lifestyle if she thinks any of what she said today was safe. I should teach her that lesson. Save us both the trouble.

I toss out that dangerous thought and decide I need some air. Grabbing my smokes, I head outside, hoping the night breeze will clear my fevered mind.

The thud of the closing door muffles the ongoing party within. Out here, the parking lot is quiet, with only a few brothers shooting the shit by a row of bikes. I lean against the wall and light up, drawing the smoke deep into my lungs as I look at the hazy night sky.

My solitude lasts all of a minute before a familiar voice calls out, "Chap! You hiding out?" I look over to see Luca Vitale headed my way, arms spread wide. Though he never wore a patch, Luca's been affiliated with the Angels for years. He and Ronnie ran the streets as kids back in the day, and the relationship never faded. Luca gives me a hearty slap on the back as he joins me against the wall.

"You're a hard man to track down tonight, Diesel," Luca says, grinning. "Been wanting to chat since I sent my niece your way yesterday."

At the mention of Eden, I shift my stance, unable to fully hide my interest. "Yeah? What about?" I ask, trying to sound casual. Too casual, judging by the knowing glint in Luca's eyes.

"Just wanted to touch base, brother. Make sure you understand what you've got on your hands with Eden." He leans in conspiratorially. "Now, I may be biased, her being blood andall, but that girl's skills are something else. A wizard with code and tech. I taught her everything I know, but she's got some natural knack for this shit that goes beyond my skills."

I nod along. "No doubts there. That brain of hers seems sharp as a blade."

"You better believe it," Luca laughs. "And stubborn as all hell, too. Learned young to rely on no one but herself." His face softens a bit then. "Lost her parents early on, bounced around foster care for years. But she's a fighter - clawed her way to the top, same as me."

I stay silent, letting this new glimpse into Eden's past sink in. A bubble of anger rises in me, imagining her fending for herself as a kid. But stronger is a sense of kinship. We've traveled different paths, but I recognize that dogged determination never to be at the mercy of fate again. I can't deny my growing respect for her.

"Point is," Luca continues, "you couldn't ask for someone better qualified to dig up intel on those Iron Demon bastards. My niece will get you what you need and then some."

"I don't doubt that either," I reply. And I mean it - "Eden left one hell of an impression yesterday. Once she sunk her teeth into this, I have a feeling she'll be a force to reckon with." However, this complicated attraction plays out, and having her work this job is a stroke of brilliance. Though I'll never tell Luca, his bragging is warranted.

We chat some more about club politics and business opportunities. Luca mentions the big job taking him out to California for the month, which is why he offered up Eden in his stead.

****

After a while, I part ways with Luca and head back inside just as Ronnie returns from wherever he disappeared to earlier. It's evident from his loose swagger and glazed eyes that drinking, not church duties, has occupied his time tonight.

"Chaplain!" Ronnie booms, throwing an arm around my shoulders. "There you are. Come do a shot."

I let him steer me to the bar, where I oblige his request, hoping the liquor would numb the buzz Eden put in my head. The others have really cut loose tonight. Music blares as an impromptu dance party occupies the common area. Ronnie scans the revelry with a smile.

"Quite a crew we've built, ain't it?" He remarks. "Never seen the club running so smooth."

I follow his gaze, a swell of pride rising through the haze of a second shot. He isn't wrong - since Ronnie stepped up as president, the Dark Angels have expanded operations and boosted morale club-wide. We're stronger than ever. But that growth came with its own share of headaches I've had to navigate these past months.

"Smoothest it's been since the Leeds Park incident," I reply pointedly. Ronnie tenses at the mention of the clash with a rival crew last spring that left three wounded. Not our finest hour. And it's mostly my fault.

"Hey now, we came out on top of that rat-infested bunch," Ronnie says defensively. But I can tell my weighted words hit their mark as intended. He scrubs a hand over his beard, regarding me seriously now.

"Point taken though, brother. Keeping tensions from boiling over again is priority one. S'why we need this Eden situation handled smartly. By the code, not emotions." His stare bores into me, and I brace myself against the warning there. Ronnie sees more than he lets on.

I tip back another burning shot, buying time to collect myself. "Trust me, Prez, I got no trouble keeping work and feelings separate," I reply evenly. "We need what she can do for the club. That's all this arrangement is."

Ronnie searches my face a moment longer before breaking into a grin and punching my shoulder. "No matter the sacrifice. The job gets done." His attention drifts back to the party as a drunk brother leaps onto a table, kicking drinks onto a group of ol'ladies, including his Arya. Ronnie shakes his head, chuckling.

"Alright, I better go handle that before a brawl erupts. You take it easy tonight, Chaplain." He heads off, diffusing the situation with booming laughter and friendly threats. No one can whip even the unruliest member into line like Ronnie can. Nagging insecurity rides up again, watching him work the room so effortlessly.

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