by Sarah Cole
“I’m pretty sure we’re on the same page.” I say pressing the heels of my hands into my eyes until stars dot my vision.
“We need to find Leni, now.” Charlie says, marching off towards the gate with purpose. The swarm of people part for her, and I actually laugh out loud at how fast she switched gears from being mushy and overly emotional to all business.
“Hey!” I call to Aaron, before chasing after her.
“We are going to find Leni at the buses. Make sure this gets taken care of and meet us there in fifteen.”
He gives me a salute then turns back to one of the crew members, handing him his guitar, and I jog to catch up to the spitfire that is Charlie Montgomery. I hope she has a plan to put an end to this shit because I’m at my wits end.
My feet kick up tiny clouds of dust in the red dirt and gravel lot as I chase after Charlie. She’s about fifty feet in front of me when I see her stop dead in her tracks and turn to me, her eyes wide. My mind immediately goes to her baby and thinking something is wrong. That is always were my mind goes… that something is wrong, someone is hurt, or there’s an emergency. I run to her as fast as I can, but then I see where she keeps glancing, and I, myself, come to an abrupt stop.
Across the lot, I see the blue and red of flashing police lights. A grouping of squad cars sits around our buses, and around them are a group of reporters with cameras waiting to attack.
“What in the actual fuck?” I ask her, throwing my arms up in the air, pacing in a circle.
She looks at me, exhaustion and exasperation evident in the expression written on her face. I feel terrible for putting her in this situation. I know the stress isn’t good for her or her baby, and my God, if Andrew was here, my ass would be grass. Dude is scary protective of his wife, which I’m all for except when it’s from me… then it’s scary because he could bench press me.
“Seriously this day just keeps getting more and more interesting.” She says, and we walk side by side towards the madness.
“Jay, if they are here for the reasons I think they are, as your attorney, I advise you to keep your mouth firmly shut until we have time to ascertain what exactly is going on and who knows what.” She says, giving me a severe look.
“Jesus, Charlie! I’m not an idiot. You don’t have to give me the mom look.”
“At least I didn’t snap my fingers and point.” She snaps back, and I shake my head. Only the two of us can have this kind of back and forth at a time like this.
As we approach the crowd, flashbulbs start to fire like lightning. An older officer approaches me, eyeing my tattoos and appearance with a look of distaste. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been judged based on how I look, but the fact that this man made no attempt to hide it grinds my gears.
“Jameson Collins?” he asks me.
“Yes, sir.” I say, holding out my hand for him to shake it. His eyes flicker briefly to my still outstretched hand before he continues, ignoring my friendly gesture.
“We have received information from what we believe to be a reliable source hat you have a large quantity of narcotics in your possession, with the intent to distribute. We have a search warrant to search this dwelling.” He says, looking towards the bus and producing a folded piece of paper from the inside of his vest. Charlie holds out her hand and he sneers at her. I immediately want to punch him.
“I’m his attorney.” She says, letting out a breath she’d clearly been holding, and he reluctantly passes her the papers.
She unfolds them, her eyes scanning quickly, flipping through the papers before landing on the signature on the last page. She gives a nod to the officer and looks to me with worried eyes. The officer let’s out a whistle and the few officers standing around open up the backs of the large SUV’s to let out the dogs, and the flash bulbs from the photographers start snapping away. You have got to be kidding me.
“Is that entirely necessary?” I ask, stepping forward so I’m next to the officer that was just speaking with us.
Clearly Officer Mustache thinks I’m a threat; even though he has a few inches on me in height and definitely outweighs me by a good amount. Before I even see it coming, I receive a blow to the side of my head and I have a two hundred and fifty-pound man standing over me.
“Excuse me!” I hear Charlie call to him, her voice mingling with the ringing in my ears. I try to catch her eyes and shake my head at her to keep her at bay because I see the rage burning in her as she steps towards us, but she’s paying zero attention to me.
“That was completely unnecessary. You just attacked him for no reason!” She scolds, her hands landing on her hips.
“Ma’am, just sit there and look pretty.” He holds out his hand for her to halt with a sneer on his face.
Oh, shit.
“I beg your pardon?” She asks, taking another step and a younger looking officer that was standing off to the side, steps up and grabs her arm roughly twisting it behind her back and presses her into the side of our bus. I see red, and shoot up from my position on the ground, throwing the asshole that was hovering over me off balance.
“Get off her, you asshole!” I shout, reaching to pry his hands from Charlie’s arm. “She’s pregnant!”
Once again I’m taken down unnecessarily hard, my mouth grinding into the earth, and I feel the cold metal of handcuffs being snapped into place around my wrists as I’m jerked up into a sitting position. Meanwhile, the flashing of cameras hasn’t eased a single bit. I turn my head, spitting into the red dirt, just in time to see them place handcuffs on Charlie as well before sitting her roughly, with a heavy thud in the dirt next to me. I’m beyond pissed at this point. Not only because of what is happening, but for the unnecessary roughness and how they are treating a tiny pregnant woman. I know plenty of good cops, but these guys are clearly just assholes on a power trip and I cannot figure out for the life of me what the heck is really going on. Maybe if I could have five fucking seconds to think before the next time the shit hit the fan, it would help me piece this all together and find a solution.
“I fucking pray to God that what we found was the only shit that was stashed.” Charlie whispers quietly in my ear, and my body turns to ice with that thought. We never even thought to check anywhere else.
I’m not really sure how to respond, other than my typical way to diffuse the tension. Humor.
“Language, Mrs. Montgomery!” I reprimand.
“Oh, shove it up your ass, Jay. I’ve had enough of this shit. This is ridiculous, and I’m not even sure if they are completely within their rights on this whole handcuffing thing.” She says, rolling her eyes.
“Well they don’t seem like the clean sort of cops we’re used to, that’s for sure. But hey, look on the bright side. If they do find stuff in there. Maybe they’d be more easily persuaded to look the other way if we promise to give them a cut of our profits from dealin’ all that coke.” I joke.
“Shhh! Would you seriously shut your stupid mouth and keep your voice down? I don’t really want to go to jail or sit here all night.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m just trying to lighten the mood, but seriously Charlie. Are you ok? Did they hurt you?” I ask. I swear to everything, if they hurt my family I will rain down fury; cops or not.
“I’m fine, really. Just tweaked my bad arm. That shoulder is still pretty sensitive, even now. Mainly I’m just exhausted and miss Fallon and Andrew.” She sighs, leaning her head on my shoulder. I grind my teeth, thinking about the accident that ruined so many lives.
Andrew had to get back to work, and they decided it would be best for Fallon to go home with him to be in her own room, and get back into a good routine. While Andrew works his shifts, and performs his surgeries at the hospital, his sister, Cami, and our good friend Laney was going to babysit the little one. I know it is wearing heavily on her, since she hasn’t spent more than a couple days away from her daughter since she was born, and even less time away from her husband.
Chapter 13
Leni:
I’m half in and half out of a dream, just on the edge of deep sleep with my headphones on when a commotion breaks through the spacey beats of Starset. My heavy eyelids crack open, and I see the blue and red strobes from between the slats in the blinds. Yanking off, the headphones, I propel myself out of bed and to the window where I yank the cord so hard the whole cheap mechanism comes down with a crash. Shit. Fuck. Damn it!
My bus is parked a few spots over in the lot, but even from where I am, I can see the figures of Jay and Charlie handcuffed and in the dirt side by side. There are a couple dogs sniffing around the two busses and semi-trailer that the band uses. I searched the guys’ bus high and low, but I didn’t even think to check anywhere else. Why didn’t I think to check anywhere else?
I don’t hesitate before I unlock the door and let myself out, running on bare feet as the dirt and gravel bite into them. It isn’t until I’m caught around the waist by Aaron that I realize I’m just in a tiny set of shorts and a tank top with no bra on, my legs and arms fully exposed for everyone to see. That proves to me how much I care, because never do I let this much of my body show for everyone to see, for fear of my most vulnerable secrets being exposed.
“Whoa. I don’t think you want the world to see you in your pajamas.” He says into my ear, putting me behind him, shielding me protectively from the flashing cameras.
He smiles sympathetically as his eyes briefly flicker across the rows of scars that are quite apparent on my thighs. I cross my arms, to cover myself the best I can, trying to stay in the shadows. Jay and Charlie have already seen my scars, but everyone else doesn’t need to know.
“It’s ok Leni, I’m not looking. Not in that way, but maybe you should go grab a hoodie or something. Jay wouldn’t like people looking at your… your umm, lady bits.” Aaron says kindly, finally finding words that sounded good to him, and a warmth spreads through my chest that’s unfamiliar to me. I feel like I belong to someone.
Knowing he’s right, I run back to my bus as quickly as possible and pull on a pair of yoga pants, a zip up pullover and flip flops and run back to where the rest of the band has joined Aaron, standing off to the side.
I thankfully had the forethought of grabbing my phone this time, and I shoot a text off to Gordon, informing him of the situation although I’m ninety-nine percent sure he’s probably already aware.
“Ok, two questions.” I say.
“Shoot.” Chase responds.
“Dude probably not the best choice of words given the current situation.” Brenden says, nodding his head towards the scene and pulling on his Mohawk nervously.
“Why are those two in handcuffs? And have they found anything?” I ask, running my questions together.
“Well I walked up just as they were slapping some cuffs on Charlie, but I have no idea what happened. I do know they were rough as fuck with her. If it wouldn’t make things worse, I’d be over there beatin’ some ass.” He says, angrily.
“Oh and no, not yet.” He says answering my second question.
“I found two more bags stashed in there.” I whisper.
“Are you kidding me?” Chase asks, putting his hands on his head, pacing.
“This shit is getting unreal, and its apparent someone is fucking with us now.” Brenden says.
“Yeah, and I’m pretty sure I have an idea of who. I just have to figure out how to prove it.” I say.
“Who?” they say in unison.
“Bleeding Vengeance. Not sure if it’s their manager Warren, or if Cash has something to do with it. They are pissed they got bumped, and I know they’ve done some shady shit in the past and have connections, but as soon as we can prove it, they are off completely. Gordon doesn’t like working with them as it is, so he’s just begging for a reason to give them the boot that doesn’t break contract.” I say.
“Nothing like living up to your namesake.” Aaron huffs.
“Huh?” Brenden asks.
“Bleeding Vengeance.” I say, prompting him to think about it.
“Oh! Vengeance. Got it.” Brenden chuckles.
“Derp.” Chase says, swatting the back of his head.
Jay must see the commotion his friends are making because he looks our way, and his eyes lock on mine and they soften a touch. He looks so tired and defeated, and all I want to do is wrap him in a big hug. Charlie looks my way, and if I thought Jay was looking rough, she looks worse. I decide to go ask if she needs some water or something when several officers emerge from the bus.
“All clear!” one shouts, and then says something into the radio on his vest.
One of the officers makes his way to where Charlie and Jay are sitting in the dirt and says something, gesturing to calm down with his hands, then reaches for keys to unlock the cuffs.
The band and I begin to walk towards them, and finally I can hear what is being said.
“Ma’am, we really do apologize for any inconvenience, but I don’t think legal action is necessary. It was a misunderstanding.” The large, mustached officer remarks.
“A misunderstanding is when someone gives you pickles on your cheeseburger when you asked them not to! This…” Charlie gestures wildly to the scene around them. “This is a fucking nightmare!”
Jay rests his hand on her shoulder to calm her down, but I pipe in.
“He’s right Charlie, no formal legal action on your part is necessary.” I say, and everyone besides the officers look at me like I’ve grown horns.
“These cameras have been here the whole time, right?” I ask, and I can see the dawning realization on her face. She’s quick.
“Yep!” she smirks.
“Well, all we have to do is sell our story. Unnecessary police force against two innocent people. One a tiny, pregnant, attorney, and the other a charitable musician. By noon tomorrow, the world will know exactly how inept this police department really is.” I say, and the officer blanches.
***
Just as I warned everyone, the busses were completely trashed. I had seen similar scenes play out a couple times while living with my Uncle so I knew what to expect in the aftermath. Upholstery ripped, panels taken off walls, floor boards dismantled. No stone was left unturned. Luckily, Charlie’s bus wasn’t terrible so the guys decided to take her smaller bus, and she and Jay would stay with me until everything could be repaired for them. She’s leaving in a few days to go back home for doctor’s appointments and prenatal care, so it really isn’t too much of an inconvenience.
I got Charlie settled in one of the bigger bunks and made it up with extra pillows and blankets, and gave her some chamomile tea and a sandwich. She was out like a light five seconds later.
“She fell asleep with a turkey sandwich in her hand.” I giggle, as I tiptoe into the back room, and slide under the covers next to Jay. He pulls me close and laces our fingers together, sending warm shivers through my body.
He laughs, “She must really be exhausted. That girl never gives up a sandwich willingly.”
“Thanks for taking care of us.” He says.
“You’re welcome. It feels good.” I brush some of the hair from his face with my free hand.
“Charlie and I think that BV is behind all this. Something Gordon said earlier, just got the wheels turning.”
“I think so too. Actually, I was just telling the guys that a bit ago. If we can just catch them, or find a way to prove it they’d be gone completely.” I sigh.
“I know there are only a few weeks left, but this isn’t just juvenile shit we’re talking about. They’re fucking with our lives and good names here.” He grinds out.
“I know. Gordon wants them gone too. He can’t stand them. We just can’t break contracts, but if we can catch them, maybe we can get some real justice and not just kicking them off a tour.”
“But how?” he asks, fingers trailing up and down my arm. I’d be lying right now if I said it didn’t’ turn me on.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while because honestly, fro
m the start I suspected them, but didn’t want to say anything. Anyways, I think I may have an idea.”
Jay:
“You’re seriously something else.” I say after Leni finishes telling me her plan.
She explained to me that Cash, Bleeding Vengeance’s lead singer, has been trying to hook up with her for the past few months. Just the thought of him laying a hand on her has me on edge, but I see her point. We can exploit that to our advantage, but we both agreed that it has to be subtle and not an abrupt change. She mentioned to me, the conversation she had with Charlie about when she accidentally recorded her ex’s confession when he went bat shit crazy on her and Andrew, and Leni thinks she can rig something up to catch Cash in the same way. As much as I hate the idea of her getting close to a douche like Cash, I’ll admit it is our best option; as long as she lets me know when she’s planning something. She needs to be safe, because if there’s one thing I will not risk, it’s Leni.
“I think I’m going to run everything by Gordon before we do anything.” She says, absently running her fingers up and down my chest. It tickles like hell, but I can’t tell her to stop because I need her to touch me. It has been too damn long since I’ve wanted this, and now that I have a small taste, I don’t want for it to end.
“You think that’s a good idea?” I ask, pulling her so her body is flush against mine under the pale pink sheets.
“Well, I don’t think it’s a bad idea. He seems to want them gone just as much as I do, but at this point the tour is almost over.” She sighs, patting my chest lightly before continuing, “I just want some sort of retribution, but I don’t want Gordon thinking we’re up to something else just in case this gets twisted around.”
“I get it, babe. I do, but are you one hundred percent sure you can trust him? If BV is as shady as the shit they’ve been pulling, you could get hurt, and I can’t let that happen.”