“Yeah, something like that,” I mumbled. I couldn’t quite work him out.
“So look, both of these clowns weren’t taken care of as I asked. I got my man Rodriguez looking for them, but they must be hiding out. They used to live right around the corner. They are low-level crim’s. But that doesn’t mean they should be underestimated. I don’t know who they roll with now, but I do know Jimmy has some heavies from his crim’ days in his camp. I’m sure they will come with a crew. Let’s team up and take care of them. Can we put our differences aside to do this, fellas?”
“We can do that. Having a chapter war was not on the agenda for Outlaw Souls either. We didn’t come here looking for trouble,” Ryder replied in a gruff voice.
“Okay. Then let’s get it done. What plans you got? We will roll in with backup.” Palo said.
From there, the conversation flowed with the next steps. Palo and Ryder mapped out the plan and arrangements. The whole experience was surreal, two rival gangs coming together to squash two scumbags. After two hours of deliberation and a step closer to the endpoint, we rode out.
THE NAVY MIDNIGHT sky had taken over from the cobalt-blue and the cool chill of Merced rushed past my face just like the adrenaline in my heart. Ten p.m and time for the show to begin. A phone call received earlier and a whole lot of heavy breathing confirmed things. I put them on speakerphone at the warehouse.
“You better be coming alone, otherwise there will be hell to pay.”
“I’ll be alone. Don’t worry.”
“Good, and make sure it’s all there. We counting.” The phone clicked dead before I could say anything else. Palo and his Las Balas crew were with us at the warehouse.
“That’s him. I’d know the sound of Jimmy’s voice anywhere.”
Now we were thirty deep and I was the only one riding in. If I saw any sign of Jimmy or Blaze I was to hit the radio and cough. From there the party would start. By the time everyone locked in position, it was eleven p.m. I rode my bike into Fahrens Park and came to a stop in the parking lot. One lone light pole provided the light to the whole park. The same black pick-up that had been parked outside the warehouse was there. The trash can they’d told me to drop the money in was to my left. I had two garbage bags full of money. I shivered from the cold air, dropping the bags of fake money in the trash.
I pushed the radio button and coughed. Vlad and Moves were coming on foot. Looked like there was only one vehicle in the park. That didn’t mean there weren’t more somewhere else. My eyes shifted and I stepped back from the trash can, ready to get back on my bike. An ugly shadow of a man stepped out of the black vehicle with the end of a pistol pointing at my face. He was about fifteen paces away. I felt the rage bubble up. I knew if I pulled for my gun, the guy would shoot out of fear. I put my hands up instead.
“So you’re the guy, huh? Stay right there. Didn’t expect to see us, huh? Thought we would pick it up in the morning, right?” I still had my hand on the radio button so the other guys could hear it. Now the other side of the car door opened and the fat guy got out, cracking his knuckles.
“I don’t want any trouble, guys. I dropped off the money, so that’s it.”
I saw the outline of his square jaw. “Oh, you think that’s it, huh? No, no. That’s not how this works. You’re getting in the car with us. We got some treats for you. You’re going to come in useful for us.”
I watched the weasel go to the trash can. He picked the bags out and headed back to the truck with them. I sat on my bike quietly, not moving. I kept my eyes on the trash but behind the tree in front of the trash can was Vlad. Couldn’t miss his shadow. I didn’t want to draw attention to him so I sat still and watched the weasel’s eyes in the moonlight.
The other one spoke. “You can either come easily or we can make this a situation for you.”
“You’re going to wish you didn’t do this. You might not live to regret it,” I said with an eerie quietness.
“What the fuck you say?” the weasel – Blaze – said as he raised his gun. Vlad, in one large stride, grabbed him around the neck and put him in a sleeper hold. He turned his neck and snapped it. The fat guy, scared out of his wits, started moving back to the vehicle and pointed his gun, ready to shoot, but he fumbled. By the time he did, Rick had a gun at the back of his head.
Vlad signaled to me. “Go now, Diego. Your job is done, we got it from here. Go. Move.” I mounted my bike and left the scene. All the guys were waiting on standby.
“Let’s roll,” I said. The mighty roar of the engines picked up as everyone rode out their respective ways. That was how it worked. No questions, no information disclosed. Once the enforcers took over you got the hell out of the way. You never spoke of the incident again. That’s biker code. It doesn’t happen in case of police interrogation. Bikers don’t do snitching. We all split at various points on the highway, Ryder saluting me as he headed home on the freeway.
I was headed home to my girl. After all the hype, it turned out to be an anticlimactic ending and a quick clean-up for Outlaw Souls.
TWENTY-SIX
MISTY
I found the key just like he said. I had to get my nails dirty a little but I didn’t care. I fitted the key in the lock, slotting in perfectly. I walked into Diego’s apartment. The heating was on and helped me thaw out from the chilly night air. I slid my hands across the table, remembering our first date. The candlelit dinner. The way our lips came together so seamlessly as if they belonged. I walked around to the sink, the place where Diego had stood barefoot with his low-slung jeans. Every time he was in the kitchen, I wanted him to take me on the countertop. I loved watching the way he moved so gracefully around the kitchen.
A bottle of red wine was tucked away near the stove. I needed something to calm my overwhelmed senses. I opened the cabinet, got out a glass, and let the chug of the red wine splash into it. I closed my eyes and begged for the tension in my shoulders to subside. I sipped the red and let it hit my system, mellowing me out a little. I looked at my phone. Twelve p.m. and he still wasn’t here. I put the glass down on the kitchen bench as a vision flashed in my mind of Diego dead with a bullet in his chest. I closed my eyes again and took another sip. I found my eyes drooping after a few minutes; all the energy expended from worrying and running around had taken its toll. I brought my things into Diego’s room. I slipped into his shower and let the hot water kiss my skin and warm me up. The buzz from the red had worn off and I was sleepy. I slipped under the covers naked while I waited for Diego. My eyes drifted in and out. I wanted to keep them open but they wouldn’t comply. The next thing I felt was a warm hand reach to cup my breast and knead my nipple. I felt the size of the palm and the ridges on the inside of his hand. I knew for certain it was Diego.
“Diego!” I turned in the dark to feel for his chest and he wrapped me up, bringing me into him.
“Baby. We made it. I’m here.” He sounded relieved. He roamed all over my face with light kisses and I giggled.
“I’m so happy you’re here. Are you okay? Are you hurt?” I saw the smile in the darkness as I stroked his chin.
“Relax. Everything is okay. It’s all been done. Those bitches will never bother you or me ever again. I’m just glad you’re in my bed. Mmm.” Diego nuzzled his head into the crevice of my neck and I stroked his hair.
