For maybe killing a person.
Sinner starts towards the church. He looks over his shoulder. “Coming? Or are you going to stand out here and gawk?”
I hurry after him.
Inside the church stops me in my tracks. Sunlight filters through the stained glass windows, scattering splashes of color over the massive space. Most of the pews are gone, aside from afew pushed along the walls. They’ve been replaced with couch groups and a pool table where a couple of big guys are hanging out with bottles of beer resting on the edge.
They give me a once over when we walk by, more curious than hostile. I stick close to Sinner, who puts his arm over my shoulder, and they go back to their game, clearly not bothered so long as I’m with him.
The altar is still in place, and sitting on it like a king on his throne is a massive biker with long, black hair. He’s leaning on one arm and talking to a scowling biker with muscular arms crossed over his chest.
Behind them, where the crucifix generally hangs, is a solitary leather vest bearing the name “General”, with a banner underneath displaying the logo of the Outlaw Sons. The walls on either side are also dotted with motorcycle vests, hanging to proudly display the names of the bikers who wore them.
Memorials maybe?
A handful of condom packets litter the bottom of the marble baptismal font.
The long-haired guy sounds agitated. “I don’t give a shit, Grimm. We got plenty of space in the barracks. Youleft, asshole. It was fine when it was temporary, but you can’t just move back and get your own fucking apartment.”
“I saved your damn life,” the other guy grumbles.
“You and half the men in here. Pack your shit.”
“Are we interrupting something, ladies?” Sinner calls out.
The man on the altar flips him off. “Who’s your friend?”
“Hellfire, meet Quinn. She and Priest go way back.”
Hellfire hops down from the altar and strides over. His dark eyes flick over me, assessing. “The actress.”
Sinner nods. “Yup.”
“Interesting. Do you know who I am?” He says it like it means more than just ‘have we met’.
I shake my head.
“I’m the president of The Outlaw Sons. These boys? They’re mine. This place? Mine.”
The hairs stand up on the back of my arms. My initial impression of this place as a kingdom seems to be true, and this is the man on the throne. I step closer to Sinner who angles himself so he’s slightly between me and Hellfire.
Hellfire huffs, like an amused dragon. “Relax, I’m not going to hurt your little kitten. I just want us to be clear. This club and the lives of the men inside are my responsibility. We aren’t toys for the media. If you’re looking for something to spice up your image, you’re in over your fucking head, girl.”
“That’s not what this is.” Sinner’s head is up, his back straight as an arrow.
“No? Good.” And with that, Hellfire flicks a lazy salute and walks away like he didn’t just imply that I’m the one that’s a danger to Priest and the others.
“Oh! Prez? I might’ve shot a guy about twenty minutes ago.”
Hellfire stops and I can see him take a breath before turning back around. “Might?”
“Well, I definitely shot him. I’m just not sure how he’s doing right this moment.”
“Is it going to be a problem?”
Sinner shrugs. “We didn’t exactly stop to talk about it. He was trying to kidnap Quinn at the time.”
“Hold up, who the fuck was trying to kidnap you?” Priest walks in from the back of the church, with Colt right behind him.
