Page 2 of Chaplain

I don't look away from the brooding man who matches my gaze with his heated one. "You'd be surprised how big of a digital footprint one person leaves behind."

Ronnie leans forward, intrigued. "And you can do all that without the trail leading back to us?"

"I know how to cover my tracks," I reply with a flicker of a smile to Ronnie.

"So, do we have a deal?" Ronnie asks.

I'm about to say yes when Diesel stands. He looms over me, a towering figure in a leather jacket branded with patches and stitched symbols. His strong jaw is set in a stern expression, and a quiet storm lurks behind his brooding moss-green eyes, barely restrained.

I make the mistake of looking at him, and my breath catches as we stare at one another, electricity arcing between us.

"I don't think this is a good idea," Diesel says gruffly, ignoring my presence. "This is club business - we shouldn't involve an outsider."

Ronnie rubs his chin. "Then what's your plan?"

Diesel's fist slams into the table so hard I rock back on instinct. "We wait for Luca."

His words make my hackles rise. Despite being shocked by his sudden outburst, I stand and face him. "Why, because you don't think a woman can handle it?" I shoot back.

Diesel's jaw ticks. He avoids eye contact. "This has nothing to do with you being a woman. Getting mixed up with the Iron Demons is dangerous, no matter who you are."

"I'm not afraid of a little danger," I say defiantly.

Diesel leans forward, his piercing eyes fixed on mine. If we were alone, I'd swear the sudden parting of his lips wasn't so he could speak. "Maybe you should be. I've seen what Iron Demons do to their belongings." He takes a step closer, and all the air in the room evaporates as he takes my chin between his fingers. "What you couldn't stand to watch outside that door is a fucking amusement park ride compared to how they'd take a sweet ass like you."

A shiver goes through me at his proximity and words, but I hold my ground. "Is that concern I hear? If it is, I'll just remind you who my uncle is. Anyone fool enough to mess with me will have Luca Vitale up their ass."

He steps back, looking none too pleased by my observation.

"She makes a good point," Ronnie chimes in.

I watch Diesel's jaw tighten before he answers. "It's your call to make, prez."

He trails off pointedly. I keep my chin up and turn to Ronnie. "I can handle the Iron Demons."

A flicker of what might have been admiration passes through Diesel's gaze. It gives me a little thrill, as does our charged back-and-forth. As dangerous as this situation is, I have to admit I like seeing this commanding, intense man back down from me.

"Alright then," Ronnie breaks in. "We're trusting you on this, Eden. Don't fuck it up, or it'll be your ass on the line."

I tear my eyes away from Diesel with some reluctance. "I won't," I promise.

Ronnie exchanges a look with Diesel, whose subtle nod approves, but the rest of his rigid body screams no. Ronnie turnsback to me and extends his hand once more. "Deal. Let's take down those Iron Demon bastards."

I shake firmly, sealing the deal. My heart quickens as I catch Diesel's gaze again from across the table.

This is going to be an interesting job.

2

Diesel

The roar of engines and raucous laughter filter through the clubhouse walls as I make my way to the chapel office. It's just another rowdy Saturday night for the Dark Angels, but I have church business to handle before I kick back with the others. The perks of being Chaplain - always more responsibilities to juggle to keep everyone in line.

I flip on the light and get settled behind my heavy oak desk, mismatched with the faded posters and dingy metal filing cabinets lining the walls. It's not much to look at, but it's my own private space to handle club affairs, and the roughness of it suits me.

As always, my initiation picture hanging above my head demands my attention, and I grimace at it. Ten years ago, I was just another grunt prospect working to earn my top rocker. A retired army vet, just looking for a way to reacclimatize to civilian life, the Dark Angels took me in, and I settled into the easy life of being a patched member.

That was until Ronnie took over as Prez and demanded I be his Chaplain. If he'd only known the fuck-up I'd become, he could have saved us both a lot of trouble and left me the hell alone.

---