Minus

by Jack Davenport

  Clutch nodded to Cutter and tears began to form in his eyes. They had grown close over the past years. Perhaps they’d even formed the type of father and son bond I’d hoped to. I’m not sure if I didn’t have Nicky’s full confidence as the club’s new President, or if he just wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the only President he’d ever known. Hell, I could ask the same of myself.

  I sat up as straight as possible and extended a hand to both men, which they each took.

  “Long live the Burning Saints,” Cutter said.

  “Long live King Minus,” Clutch said.

  Minus

  Cricket wasn’t lying when she said Booker was good at what he did. The information he was able to dig up on Viper was invaluable. As it turns out, he and the Dogs of Fire were more than happy to lend a hand in any effort to rid Portland of the growing scourge of Los Psychos. Within hours, he’d given us Viper’s real name, full criminal record, and most importantly, the current residence of his baby mama, and little Viper Jr. in Old Town.

  Clutch and two of the club’s most trusted officers, Wolf and Goldie, currently stood with me outside of said residence, along with Hatch (acting as an official presence from the Dogs of Fire). I’d sworn an oath to them that we were not here to execute anyone. We were armed and prepared to defend ourselves, but my goal was to avoid bloodshed at all costs.

  We’d staked out the apartment all last night and through this morning. Viper’s old lady and kid had just left the building for the first time, so we’d taken the opportunity to move in while they were safely out of the way. Clutch had insisted on taking point, and I trusted my Sargent, so we awaited his signal, guns drawn, vests on. He stood outside Viper’s door and nodded, so we joined him, hitting the portal with the ram we’d brought, causing both the deadbolt and chains to fail immediately. Goldie tossed a flash grenade and we hugged the hallway, shutting our eyes and ears in preparation for the bang.

  The room’s occupants, unprepared for our little surprise party, were stunned, to say the least. The grenade’s blast sent Viper, Crush, and the other guests to their knees. They had no time to react when we began our barrage of gunfire, hitting each of our targets, one by one with relative ease.

  * * *

  “It’s disorienting isn’t it?” I asked, leaning over Viper.

  “What? Where am I?” he asked, blinking back to consciousness.

  “Being tranquilized and concussed kinda sucks, doesn’t it?”

  Viper looked up at me, seething. It had taken a little longer than I expected for him to come out of his tranq induced daze.

  Figures, he’d be a lightweight pussy.

  “So is being tied to a chair, I know,” I continued. “But, please notice that you’re tied, and not fucking zip-tied, because at least I’m a better man than you and your trained gorilla.”

  “You’re a dead man is what you are,” he said.

  “Nope. You tried that, and as you can see, I’m still alive.”

  “Not so pretty now, though, are you?” Viper said, smiling.

  “Yeah, but I’ll heal, and your face is stuck like that forever.”

  “I’ll gut you like a pig, right after I choke the life out your whore of a woman... right in front of you.”

  I smiled. “Who? Her?” I asked, pointing to Cricket who was sitting six feet behind him.

  Viper’s head spun around as far as it could go.

  Cricket smiled and gave him a perky little finger wave. “Hi-yee.”

  “Her brother here might have something to say about that,” I said, and Viper’s head snapped back around just in time for Hatch to clock him right in the mouth. Hatch hit Viper hard enough to send his back flat to the oil-stained concrete floor of Phil’s Garage.

  “Sorry,” Hatch said, looking at me as he set Viper back upright. “Got a little carried away.”

  I shrugged.

  “See, I told you they weren’t angels,” Cricket said, and I turned my attention back to Viper.

  “Here’s how this goes down, amigo. I told you that you only get one shot, and you went for a second try. Now that plan has failed, and I’m done playing around with you. A week ago, you and your crew would be filled with .45 bullet holes instead of puncture wounds from tranquilizer darts. Actually, I suppose you can thank your mercenary friend for the inspiration. Fortunately for you, there’s a new sheriff in town, and he’s trying some new shit out.”

  “You’ve picked a poor time to turn pacifist, let me assure you of that,” Viper said.

  “I never said I wouldn’t put a bullet through your worthless skull, just that I didn’t want to. I’ve lived most of my life convincing people to do things via the stick and am simply ready to start trying the carrot.”

  “You can take your carrot and shove it up your ass,” he said.

  “Thanks for the suggestion, but I’m good. Whatever you want to do with yours once we let you go is fine.”

  Vipers eye’s darted to mine.

  “That’s right,” I said. “We’re gonna let you, and your crew live and walk out of here.”

  “You can’t possibly be that stupid,” he said.

  “Oh, ask anyone here. I am, but that’s not why I’m going to let you go.”

  “Then, why?” he asked.

  “Because, I know for a fact that you’re going to leave Portland, convince Los Psychos to do the same, and never come back,” I replied.

  “And what would stop me from leaving here, rounding up a crew and mowing your ass down?”

  “Three reasons. The first is that carrot we talked about. You have a lovely family, Gus.”

  Viper stiffened.

  “Don’t worry, I’m not threatening them. I’m going to help them. Well, my girlfriend’s charitable foundation is. I mean, let’s face it, Gus... that is your real name isn’t it? Gustavo Reyes.”

  He seethed.

  “Not a very tough name, is it? I guess Viper’s better. Anyway, Gus, let’s face it, you’re a shitty father. That rathole apartment that your child and his mother were staying in was unacceptable, amigo, but we’re gonna take care of that. We’ll move them into a nice place and take care of their rent and basic expenses every month. We know Carla dropped out of school when you knocked her up, so we’re going to make sure she goes back to college as well.”

  “I can take care of my family,” Viper said.

  “Yes, but you won’t, or else you would have already done so by now. You’re a piece of shit, wannabe thug, and they deserve better, so you’re gonna get outta town and stay gone.”

  “Sure thing, I’ll just be on my way, then,” he said.

  “Not so fast. That’s just the first reason for you to leave. My second reason. My Sargent at Arms, Clutch, and our new associate from the Dogs of Fire, Hatch, also have reasons of their own.”

  Clutch got directly in Viper’s face. “I’m the fuckin’ stick. I wasn’t invited to your little party in Savannah, but believe me when I tell you I would have loved the chance to dance with your little Mercenary bitch. I can assure you things would have ended very differently for him had I been watchin’ my prez’s back.”

  Viper looked at me.

  “Another surprise. I’m the new president of the Burning Saints, and I have the full backing of my club and its resources to destroy you and your club should I feel the need to do so. We’re also riding alongside the Dogs of Fire here in Portland, so you can tell your bosses that.”

  “Fuck you all. I could just go to the cops. If I cooperate, and give up information about your clubs, I’ll get out in a few years, and be protected by my people while I’m on the inside.

  “Wrong again, Dildo Supremo,” I said.

  “I’m reason number three,” Hatch said, stepping forward. “The Dogs of Fire don’t want you or your club in our town anymore, so from now on, whenever one of your club members gets arrested, which is gonna be a lot considering three of our new patches are in law enforcement—”

  “Fuck you! You can’t—”

 
“Try me. I don’t bluff,” Hatch said. “We’ve got people in corrections as well, so when you or your people get arrested, whether they’re in county lockup, or sent up to Wapato or River, we’ll make sure Los Psychos boys are housed in Northwest Peckerwood territory. You’d be lucky to last three to five days, let alone three to five years.”

  “Not to mention, if you did make it out, your left leg would be three to five inches shorter, and your asshole three to five inches wider,” Clutch added with a grin.

  Viper spit at the ground, but said nothing.

  “We clear?” I asked. “You’re to go back to Los Psychos and tell them to get out of Portland or it’s war with the Saints, the Dogs, and everyone who’s made a friend of either club. Plus, if you do this, your family gets to live in peace without you, and you get to live, prolapsed anus free.”

  “My crew?”

  I snapped my fingers and Wolf rolled up a metal door, revealing Crush, the other member that was at the apartment, and Grover. They were standing with Goldie, all bound at the wrist.

  I crossed my arms. “As promised you can all walk away today, but if they try anything, it’s on your head, and the same rules apply.”

  “He’s not with us,” Viper said, motioning to Grover.

  “According to him he is.” I looked at Grover. “That’s right isn’t it?”

  “Come on, Minus. Don’t do this, man,” Grover said.

  I raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t do anything, Grover, you did!”

  “You’d better listen to your guy,” Viper said. “If I bring him back with me...” he let his words trail off.

  I shrugged. “Grover made his decision. He made his allegiance with you when he decided to take your money in trade for his club’s blood.”

  “Come on, Minus. Please, brother. Don’t do this to me,” Grover pleaded.

  “Do what, Grover? What did I do other than love and protect you all these years?”

  “What the fuck are you talking about, man? You weren’t even here! You were off in Savannah. You just split and left us all here, and now you just ride back into town and everybody sucks your dick, just like always. You’re the fucking President now, and everyone knows it should be Clutch or Wolf, or someone that’s not a fucking runner!” Tears streamed down Grover’s face.

  “You thought I ran out on you, Grover? Is that why you betrayed me? Why you betrayed your brothers? Why you put the woman I love at risk? Because I hurt your fucking feelings? Because you’re jealous? I would have died for you Grover. I wouldn’t have given it a second’s thought.”

  “Then let me come back with you to the Sanctuary, Minus. C’mon man, get me outta here will ya?”

  “Sorry, Grover. The Sanctuary is for Saints, and you wear the LP brand now. It’s what you chose.”

  “You know what’s gonna happen if I go back with them,” he said, quietly, sadly.

  Clutch cut Viper from the chair but left everyone’s wrists bound. He then loaded them into a cargo van to be dropped off in Los Psycho’s territory. Grover was sobbing and begging the entire time and I knew Clutch was dying inside just like me. Goldie drove the van away and Cutter, Clutch, Wolf, Cricket, and I stood in silence where this had all started for me.

  We would soon turn Phil’s Garage into our mechanic’s program teaching facility; the first of three actually. Los Psychos decided immediately that war with us wasn’t profitable, and moved the Portland chapter to Vegas, where Viper was promptly knifed to death by a stripper, who turned out to be Lorro’s little sister.

  I swear to God, you can’t make this shit up.

  * * *

  Cricket

  One week later...

  A strong arm slid around my waist as soft lips kissed the back of my neck, and I awakened with a smile. “Sir, if my man finds you in this bed with me, you’re gonna be in a world of hurt.”

  His arm moved from my waist, his hand pushing my panties down my thighs and slipping between my legs. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”

  “You make it worth my while, and I won’t say a word.”

  I lost his hand briefly so he could guide his dick inside of me, then he reached back around and fingered my clit while he thrust slowly into me. I arched against him, sliding my hand under my cami and rolling a nipple into tight bud.

  “Love it when you work your tits, baby,” he rasped, pushing deeper into me.

  “Love it when your dick’s buried inside of me, baby,” I retorted, and he pressed his palm harder against my pussy, slamming into me.

  My clit hit the roughness of his palm and I felt an orgasm threaten to hit, but I wanted this to last, so I gripped his thigh and moved with him. “Get there, honey,” I begged.

  He moved faster, and I relished the feeling of him deep inside of me, but then he fingered my clit and I exploded around him. He wasn’t far behind, and he gave me a gentle squeeze before pulling out of me and climbing off the bed.

  “Got a call this morning,” he said, walking back into the room with a warm washcloth and cleaning me up.

  I pulled my panties back up and rolled to face him. “What kind of call?”

  He slid back into bed and pulled me onto his chest. “Potential piece of property in Ridgefield.”

  I sat up and met his eyes. “What kind of property?”

  “Dumpy house on four acres we’d need to fix up, but there’s a brand new barn, plus they left the old barn, so it has potential to be converted into bunks and shit. Covered arena means we can ride when it’s raining, but it’s close to public trails, so that’s an option when it’s clear.”

  “Sounds too good to be true.”

  “Which is why we’re gonna go look at it,” he said. “It’s less than three miles from your brother, so I’m hopin’ it’s a shit hole.”

  I smiled slowly. “You found a place close to Hatch and Maisie.”

  “Don’t get excited. I’m doin’ this because I love you, but I’m secretly hopin’ it doesn’t work out.”

  I giggled, clambering off the bed. “Can we go now?”

  He slid his hand behind his head. “Now, now?”

  I clapped my hands with a nod. “Now, now.”

  Waving a finger toward me, he crossed his legs at his ankles. “Strip, then we’ll talk about it.”

  I licked my lips and slipped my cami slowly over my head, then hooked my fingers under the waistband of my panties and pushed them down my legs. Unfortunately, this delayed the leaving for a good thirty minutes, but Minus was in charge, so the fucking was quick and dirty.

  After cleaning up (again) and getting dressed, we headed up I-5 to the property (which was actually less than two miles from my brother’s place), and the second I stepped out of my car I knew it was our forever home.

  It was in rough shape (except the barn, which was to die for), but it was something we could make our own and that made it even more perfect.

  I wrapped my arms around Jase’s waist and smiled up at him. “I want it.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah. But I want it for at least twenty percent less than what it’s listed for.”

  “I’m gonna let you negotiate, then.”

  I patted his chest. “Smart man.”

  As the realtor showed us the property, I could barely contain my excitement. I began to design the epic home from floor to ceiling, and don’t even get me started on the abandoned barn. It was perfect.

  Two weeks later, we were in escrow (at the negotiated deal of thirty percent off list), and I was in love with the most amazing man on the planet.

  I couldn’t have asked for more.

  Christina

  Four years later...

  I awoke with a groan, then made a mad dash for the bathroom and puked... again. This had been going on for a week, and I was totally over it.

  “Babe?” Jase called. He’d forced me to take a nap (which I never did), because I’d been feeling like shit since we got up.

  “In here,” I said into the toilet.

  “You s
till sick?” he asked, hunkering down beside me.

  “What gave it away?” I retorted.

  “I’m callin’ Eldie.”

  “Don’t bother her, honey. She’s busy. It’s just a stomach bug. It’ll be over in a few days.”

  I glanced up when he didn’t respond, but he was gone. I pushed myself up and washed my face and brushed my teeth, then went looking for him. He was in the kitchen, setting saltines and a lemon-lime pop on the island. “It’ll calm your stomach.”

  “Thanks, honey.” I sat up at the island and nibbled at a cracker. “You can go, I’m good.”

  Jase had a meeting at the club, plus it was Wednesday, which meant Church was only a few hours away.

  He slid his hand to my neck and stroked my pulse. “I’m not leavin’, Cricket. Clutch can run the meetings.”

  I dropped my head to his chest. “We’re so busy, Jase. I don’t have time to be sick.”

  “Baby, nothing’s more important than you, got it? We’ll figure out what’s goin’ on, then adjust, but I’m not leavin’ you until we do.”

  “What about this weekend?”

  It was two days before my birthday, which meant Jase would propose (again). He’d planned a romantic trip this time around, so I knew it was coming. I’d been putting him off for years, and I honestly didn’t know why. We were good. Perfect, actually, and I guess I just didn’t want to fuck that up.

  Cutter had passed away two years ago, and we’d sent him off with a real-live Viking funeral. It had been happy, and sad, and awesome all at the same time.

  Since our barn was the newest part of our property, I’d surprised Jase our first Christmas together by having Boston and Hank moved out to us, which had taken some negotiation on my part. Not so much for Boston, since he was Jase’s, but Hank was another story. Pearl wasn’t quite ready to let him go, but when Duke pointed out she didn’t ride him anymore, then promised to buy her anything her heart desired, she relented.

  We’d finished the remodel on our house two years ago (which we’d named Triple H Ranch, with still no idea what it stood for), the “bunkhouse” for at-risk kids had been completed six months later and we now had three young men working the land, learning a trade, and quickly cementing themselves into our hearts.