by Bry Ann
I pulled up to the street, not giving a shit if these people were armed, dangerous or whatever. I wanted answers. I wanted someone who could help me. Someone who was tough enough to deal with this, but not totally heartless.
I interviewed loads of people. I got spit on, hit, punched, nearly shot once, but I took it all, and it was worth it. I got one name from nearly everybody. Some guy named Gunner. Fitting name. They said he was on the younger said, seemingly heartless, but if I could get him to agree he was the guy who’d get the job done. That was all I needed to know. I wouldn’t take no for an answer. He’d have to kill me. I thought of going to the cops, but if the cops would work against this guy, Alex would have gone to them years ago. I pretty much knew this Peter, Russian guy, was powerful and probably had a lot of connections, too many. Enough to make going to the police virtually ineffective. I’d have to find that perfectly good cop willing to risk it all for the job and that was too risky.
“Where do I find Gunner?” I asked some guy who looked to weak too even attempt to fight me off. I told myself if he spoke I’d buy him some food. I felt like an ass for threatening this guy with my fist, but it was my mom and sisters lives on the line.
“I…I don’t know,” the old man stuttered. I had him by this shirt. He was shaking like a leaf. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t pick on the weak guy. I’m not that man. I dropped him and let out a frustrated sigh before running my hands through my hair.
“Please sir. My sister and mother’s lives are on the line. I’ll pay you. Just please, I need to find this Gunner guy.”
“You don’t want to find him,” the old man whispered. “He’s a heartless bastard.”
“That may be the case, but he’s the one I need.”
The old man looked unsure and scared, but he shrugged his shoulders. I mean it's not like he really gave a shit about my life anyway. He needed the money. I got it. It was the right thing to do.
“See that guy over there,” I looked over to where the guy was pointing. In the corner was this big brawny dude. Of course. “That’s TJ. He scores us the drugs here. He’s the only one with Gunner’s actual contact info. The dude doesn’t give out his business number to a lot of people. He’s a mystery. You never see him unless he wants you too. The dude’s smart and has the skill to pull off his anonymity.”
“Thank you.” I pulled out a wad of cash. I had no idea how much. I didn’t care about the money. The dude led me in the direction of my family. I wasn’t counting. I just stuffed cash in his hand. His eyes went wide and started to water. “Spend it smart,” I warned. “Get food.”
The old man nodded profusely and thanked me a million times as I walked away. I wish I could have done more, but there was only so much I could do.
I walked right up to TJ. I tapped him on the shoulder. The man was intimidating. Probably about 6’3, 220lbs. I didn’t let him phase me.
“I need to speak with Gunner.”
The guy cocked an eyebrow and looked me up and down. “And you are?”
“Rex.”
“King, huh?”
“Yes, my name means king. It’s irrelevant,” I said trying not to act phased.
“Why should I listen to you? You think I take fucking orders.”
“I didn’t give a fucker order. I asked.”
The guy continued to inspect me. He didn’t seem angry, he seemed intrigued. “Why do you want to speak with Gunner? You’re not using.”
“No, I’m not. I need his help.”
The guy busted out laughing. “You need Gunner’s help!” He laughed again. “Rex, because I like you and admire that you are ballsy as all hell, I’ll tell you this. Turn around. Gunner helps no one. He does his job, gets a paycheck, goes home. All business. No pleasure. No personal attachments. Leave.”
“I can’t, and I won’t until I speak with him.”
The guy narrowed his eyes and smirked.
“Okay,” he pulled out his cell phone. “Only because this will be amusing as shit. Gunner’s going to be pissed.”
“I could care less. Will he kill me?”
“No.” TJ answered so quickly I was a little surprised. “Not unless you give him a reason too. The guys a bastard, an asshole and gives no mercy, but he’s still got something of a conscious up there. He won’t do shit unless it’s part of the job or he’s threatened.”
Perfect.
I hid my excitement with a curt nod. The guy whipped out his cell phone and hit one of his contacts.
“Gunner. It’s TJ,” TJ said with a much lower tone than the one he spoke to me with. “You’re needed.” There was a pause and then TJ clicked the phone off. “He’ll be here in twenty. I warned you.”
“That was a fast call?” I said brushing off his last comment.
“I told you. No pleasure. No personal connections. Get to the point. All business.”
“Okay, okay. I got it. I won’t try and befriend the guy. Geez. Thanks TJ.”
I extended my hand and the dude did some weird slapping handshake with it before walking away. I leaned against a wall with my arms crossed over my chest, waiting for Gunner to show up. This would get interesting. I pulled out my phone and looked at the picture again. I built up my fire. Reminded myself why I was doing this.
After fifteen or so minutes, I heard the unmistakable sound of a fist hitting someone’s face. I sprinted off in the direction of the noise to break up what was probably a scuffle between two very drunk, very high people. I reached a break in the sidewalk and there was a large man, with tan skin and black cargo pants beating up on some guy who looked high out of his mind. I stood in shock watching the brute force this guy used on the druggie. I intended to break it up, but it took me a second to get my wits together.
“I told you to fucking pay. Now you will.”
The larger man landed one more punch, grabbed what little cash and belongings the druggie had and stuck it in his side pocket. I thought he was done, but then he raised his fist again. Oh hell.
“Hey!” I called out. The man with the cargo pants and tan skin turned to me with a cold expression. “You Gunner?”
The man raised his eyebrows and turned away from the bleeding guy on the floor. He wiped his bloody knuckles on his shirt. I reminded myself of the picture, so I didn’t fucking shit myself.
“What’s it to you?”
The man stood right in front of me, trying to seem bigger than me, to intimidate me. Hell no. I stepped right up in his face.
“I need your help.”
“You the reason TJ fucked up my day?”
“Yes.” Wait ‘til you see how fucked up it gets.
“What the hell do you want? You don’t use.”
That’s exactly what TJ said. Are these guys walking drug detectors?
“Some took my sister and mother. I have an idea of who it is. I need you to help me get them back. I’ll give you whatever you want.”
Gunner didn’t laugh. Didn’t get angry. Didn’t even flinch. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he didn’t hear me. “I don’t save people,” he said through clenched teeth. “Get the fuck out of my face.”
“No.”
Gunner spat in my face, but I didn’t care. I had taken a lot that that day.
“I don’t save people. Read my lips you idiot.” He started to walk away but I followed him.
“I can’t go to the cops. You’re the name I got. You need to…”
Gunner whirled around and punched me square across the face. I’d been punched loads of times in my life, but I’d never felt a punch like that. It took every bit of my ego to stay on my feet. I could feel my face pulsing, eyes watering and blood running down my face.
“I’m not leaving.”
“I don’t need to do shit. Take no for a fucking answer!”
Gunner seemed truly upset, but desperation took over. I’d never even let it occur to me that he may not help. I couldn’t let myself before, but now that’s the feeling that was seeping into my bones. What if I cou
ldn’t save them? What if they died because of a friend I made. I tear slipped down my cheek and I tried to wipe it away before Gunner saw it, but it was too late. His eyes were on me. Gunner froze. He stopped walking away from me. He didn’t look as pissed. Just frozen.
“What’s the story?” he asked with no inflection in his voice.
“Russian pimp has them. Long story, with details you don’t need to know about,” I remembered what TJ said about getting to the point. I could tell I made a smart move by the impressed look on Gunner’s face. “I got this picture.”
I pulled out my phone and showed it to him, making sure to leave out the texts. I prepared myself to speak more, but Gunner held up a hand and cut me off as soon as he saw the picture. I mean instantly. It was weird.
“What do you need from me? Why me? Why chose me for this?” he seemed almost nervous. I cleared my voice.
“You’re the name I got. Simple as that. Everyone said you’re the man who could get the job done.”
“True,” he muttered.
“Okay, the guy’s name is Peter or something like that. Like the Russian version of Peter. I don’t remember the exact name. He’s holding them somewhere based on this picture. I need to get them back. I’ll do what you want. Give you want you want, but I need them back.”
“You,” he jabbed a finger in my chest. “Will stay out of my way. I have enough to go on here. I’ll get that them back, and I only want one thing in my return. You owe me a favor. Anything I want. When I want. I don’t give a shit if it risks your life. To be fair though, I’ll never ask anything that will risk your family’s life. Just yours. That would make this whole deal pointless if I ended up getting your family killed.”
There’s the little bit of conscious TJ mentioned I guess.
“I can’t just stand around and…”
“You fucking will if you want my help. Listen dude, I don’t need some punk who has no clue what they are doing and is emotionally invested in my way. You came to me. Said I can get the job done. Did you mean that or not?”
This dude was intense and very to the point.
“Fine.” I gritted my teeth. I swore to God if this got them killed while I was standing around, I’d find a way to kill Gunner myself. There was a look on his face that told me he knew this already though. He wasn’t fucking around, so I trusted him with the two people who meant the most to me because, honestly, I had no better options. I certainly wasn’t a better option.
“Describe them to me. It’s hard to, uh, tell from the picture.” He cleared his throat, seemingly aware of the sensitivity of the subject.
“Mia’s my sister, about 24. Engaged. Never takes her ring off. Straight black hair. Thin. Pale. My mom is older, looks similar. Has a very Betty Crocker vibe to her.”
“Got it. That’s enough.”
“Your mom has a wedding ring? They are good identifiers if it’s necessary.”
I swallowed but stayed in control. “No.”
“Okay.” Gunner shoved his phone in my hand. “Put your number in. If I call, answer. I will only call you again when I have them. I’m not giving fucking updates while I’m on the job. After I get them you keep this number in your head. If I need you, I expect you to be there in a flash or I will make you pay me back in a way you’ll like a lot less. Trust me.”
I trusted him on that. I think I just witnessed it earlier.
“Last thing,” he said before he walked away, “you tell anyone I did this. You are a dead man. Got it?”
“Understood.” And it was well understood.
“Good. Watch your phone. I’ll contact you when I have something.”
Then he disappeared, and I was left just having to wait for him to contact me. I had to leave the fate of my family with some criminal. Honestly, the next twelve hours were hell. I ripped my hair out. I cried. I yelled. I punched things. I stared at the picture insensately. I fought every instinct I had to go after them. I put my trust in this Gunner fellow. I didn’t want to screw that up. At the twelve hour mark I couldn’t sit around anymore. I was losing it. I tried calling Alex a few more times, no answer. Finally, my phone rang.
“Gunner?”
“Meet me off West and Carlyle Street.”
Click. That was it. No answers. No nothing.
It was nearly four in the morning and I still hadn’t changed. I had my bag packed and ready to go. I bolted out the door, grateful the street was all but empty. I sped down the street until I got to West and Carlyle. Sweat was pouring down my forehead. The anxiety and fear I felt was all consuming. I saw Gunner with his arms crossed over his chest across from a pub. I didn’t see anyone with him. My heart pounded in my chest. Hard.
THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.
The guy looked tired. He was human after all, and it seemed as if he hadn’t stopped working since we talked, which I appreciated. Why wasn’t anyone with him? I ran out of my car and approached him. Gunner sighed when he saw me. I was endlessly grateful I wouldn’t have to deal with small talk bullshit. I knew he’d get to the point.
“The job is done,” he said slowly. I could feel my heart beating out of my chest. “Your mother is at the hospital. Fairly minor injuries. A few stitches, the like.”
“Mia?” I asked, barely breathing.
Gunner studied me for a long second before speaking. “She was dead upon arrival.”
Just like that my legs gave out from underneath me. Gunner stopped the fall before I could smack down on the pavement. “Dead?” I choked out.
He nodded. He seemed unphased, but I knew better. He was bothered too. I had become an expert at reading people who dedicated their life to hiding their feelings. Once I was able to get back on my feet Gunner turned back to me, seemingly uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” he said slowly. I could feel my eyes puffy from unshed tears and pain. “Whether or not it seems like it, this is a pain I know all too well. You have my number if you know...” he stopped himself before he could offer help, because, well, that would go against his immoral code. “You still me owe that favor.”
Both of us knew he had no intention of holding me to that. He looked entirely unconvinced as he said it.
“Yeah, right,” I said, sounding empty.
Gunner nodded and turned to leave. He threw me one last unreadable expression before walking off.
Now I had to go to help my mom, and deal with the fact that I’d never see my strong, bright eyed sister again.
Chapter 25:
I’d never felt more breakable as I scrambled to get to the hospital. I couldn’t cry, not when my mom so desperately needed my strength. What if my mom saw Mia die? Shit. Fuck. This hurt in a way I’d never be able to recover from. It wasn’t fair. I got to the hospital in less than five minutes. I ran to the front desk.
“I need to see my mom. Last name Carter,” I shouted at the lady running the front desk.
“Oh,” she said with a shaky voice. “You must be Rex. We were told to expect you. She’s on the fourth floor, room 4121.”
Damn, Gunner thought of everything.
“Thank you,” I rushed out before bolting up the stairs. My adrenaline was on high. I couldn’t think of anything but seeing my mom. That was until I reached her door. It was like led settled in my stomach. The reality of everything just hit me. Hard. I didn’t protect them. I ran to the bathroom and puked. Mia was gone. How?
It was an all-consuming pain I had to push aside. I had to keep it together for my mom, the last living family member that loved me. I’d do anything to protect her, keep her safe. Like I should have done Mia. With a heavy heart and a queasy stomach, I opened the door to my mom’s room, not really sure what I was going to find. The second I opened the door and my mom laid eyes on me, she sat up.
“My baby boy!” she cried, extending her arms. “Come here right now.”
Be strong. Be strong. Be a man.
But shit, I could barely look at her.
I made my way to her bedside and she
grabbed my shirt and pulled me into her arms. I tried to keep it together, I really tried, but the second my mom had her arms around me, I lost it. I cried. I apologized over and over, and when the tears died down my mom pulled me away, so I could look at her. She had a stern expression on her face, something she didn’t wear often.
“Now you listen to me right now Rex Carter. Do not apologize. This is not your fault!” There were tears in her eyes as well, but she didn’t let them fall.
“But… Mia?”
The strong, determined expression my mom wore wavered a minute before she put her mask back on, hiding the all-consuming pain. I know the mask didn’t take away the pain, but she was a mom. A warrior. It hid the pain. For me. She loved her kids more than anything in the world, and Mia was her baby girl.
“Mia understood. Mia made peace with what happened. We…” my mom’s voice wavered, but she cleared her throat. “Had time to talk before she… passed. She said some things. I will tell you when you are ready.”
“I’m ready now. I…”
My mom held up a hand. “When I say you are ready.”
“I deserve to know my sister’s last words!” I yelled, cringing because I never yelled at my mom.
My mom sighed. “I don’t have the strength to fight you right now Rex.” I leaned forward, and my mom studied me. She knew this would break me. I knew it would break me, but I had to know. “She knew why we were there, better than me I think. She explained it all. About Alex, her dad, her job, how you guys have spent time with her, how she ran away. We were informed why were there, and do you know why Mia cried Rex?”
I nodded, swallowing the anger mixed with hate swirling in my stomach.
“Because she felt so bad for Alex. She felt terrible knowing they found her again. That she couldn’t be with you. Her last words were all about your happiness Rex. She loved you and protected you like the amazing big sister she is. She protected and loved you until her very last breath. She wanted me to tell you,” mom was crying now, “that she loved you and to not harbor on this. Celebrate her life and live it in a way she would be proud. She said to not, and I quote, piss it away because she will be pissed. Then she said,” mom studied me again, “to forgive Alex for whatever mistakes she made to get us tangled up in all this. She said to help her. Mia told me how much she loves Alex, and how bad she’s always felt we didn’t help her more. Then she was… then she passed.”