“Aww, shit. I got our Enforcer to talk to them. Rodriguez.”
“Talk?” I pressed my finger into the table and widened my eyes. “Talk? That’s all you did?”
“Yeah, I know. I know. I should have been tougher. I didn’t want any more bloodshed.”
“So now they’re still here and you’re willing to let something happen to me? All because you didn’t settle the score with these guys. Both of them are straight-up, low-level criminals,” I spat at him. I was laying it on thick but I didn’t care. I needed the point to get across.
He paused and read the distress on my face. He put his hands up in defense. “All right. You think Rodriguez might be in on it?”
“I don’t fucking know, but I do know they have a black pick-up truck and I’m pretty sure they’ve been tailing me. That teardrop fatty had was a gang symbol. Maybe he got that in jail or something. Where did they used to live?”
“Back behind the airport, close by the chapter. Bear Creek Road or something like that. Doubt if they'll stay there now.”
I slapped my brother on the leg. “You’re shit! You're trying to rebuild a crime, sex-ridden motorcycle gang and make it fucking wholesome! That shit ain’t for you! You’re not built for it! You needed to handle this shit firsthand. Make them pay. Rodriguez punked you. He did nothing. Now, these guys are making a mockery of the chapter,” I fired back and I knew my face was red. I let him have it. I watched as his face grew redder and redder, because all that I said was true. He hadn’t followed the protocol.
“Shut up! I need to think. Get out of here. I need to get Rodriguez on the phone.” His smoldering anger was evident, but he couldn’t dispute what I said.
“You better.” I folded my arms over my chest while I waited for him to make the call.
“Get out. I need some privacy.” He waved me off.
I rose up from my seat. “I’ll be in my room. Let me know what you’re going to do,” I said. Not one mention of Diego. Good. He was more focused on protecting me. Okay, so they were last seen near the chapter grounds. It was a long shot, but maybe it would help Diego.
I texted him with quick fingers as I closed my bedroom door behind me.
“Off your case for now. Bear Creek Road for Jimmy and Blaze.”
Ten seconds later...
“Thanks baby.”
“Are your crew staying with you?”
“No. Close by. Hotel. Why?”
“Just wanted to know. Bye.”
“Ok. Call you in the morning. Dream of me.”
“I will. Look forward to being in your bed soon.”
What had I become? A gang member's girlfriend? Again? I sat at my study table and looked at my anatomy books. I was crisscrossed between two worlds. My heart was beating out of my chest. His biker friends were at a hotel. I wanted to go to him. I had to see him. I wanted to taste his lips. I knew it was crazy dangerous. My brain wouldn’t let me think too hard. I scooted back from my chair and pulled out my night bag. I packed a few clothes in it recklessly.
I slipped out to the bathroom and grabbed my toothbrush. I washed my face and looked long and hard in the mirror. I had to fight for my man. I heard Palo yelling from the other room.
“Rodriguez! I told you to fucking handle it! I don’t want smut on our name. We’re not doing this anymore. My family is in danger. Fix it! Tail them and get them the fuck outta here! Especially Jimmy! That fucker is on his last year of parole. If he gets busted for a minor traffic infraction he goes back to jail. Do it and do it now!”
I held my hand to my chest. I ran out of the bathroom and back to my room. Palo would be coming down here. As soon as he left I was going to Diego. Come hell or high water.
“Misty!” Palo called out.
I stepped out of my bedroom door. I shouted back. “What you got, Palo?”
“It’s done. Rodriguez is going there now. He knows now. I promise you it’s done. No more bullshit.”
“It better be.”
Palo cracked his knuckles and rubbed his head. “‘Kay. I’m going to bed. Don’t disturb me. I’ve had enough for one day.”
