NOMADS The Box Set

by Erin Trejo

  “Get your shorts on. We’ve got an asshole to deal with,” I tell her as I stick my fingers into my mouth and suck everything off of them.

  Skye watches me panting for air as she pulls her shorts back up. Once she’s standing I reach for her. I jerk her into my side and head toward the door.

  “They thought I was in the car didn’t they?” she asks.

  “They were probably just waitin’ for you to go out,” I admit, even as I’m thinking that it that it detonated at a very inconvenient time which makes me believe this was just a warning. “It was probably a warnin’ from whoever is after you.”

  “They want me dead,” she whispers.

  I step in front of her and grab her face roughly in my hands.

  “You told me that you trust me. Do you?”

  Her eyes tell a story that her lips won’t. She doesn’t know if she really trusts me and that kind of stings. I’ve done nothing more than try to keep her safe from whoever the hell it is out there and she still can’t see that.

  I nod my head slowly before I press my lips to hers. I guess that old saying is true. You have to show and prove. I will show her that I’m worthy of her trust and I will prove to her that I can keep her safe. As much as I want to say those words to her I don’t. I don’t know what or who I’m up against, but I do know that I am the man for the job. I work well under pressure and when it comes to something I care about I don’t back down.

  Too fucking bad for Skye that I don’t plan on backing down from her either. I’ll take what I want from her and she will give it. I’ll do whatever I need to do to keep her ass safe even if it means my life for hers. That’s what a job means.

  60

  Skye

  The Sheriff came out and ripped my ass. He made sure to tell me how much he’s disliked me since I came to town. Keaton reminded him that no one actually gave a fuck about what he did and didn’t like and that it was his job to take care of shit like this. He claimed to be investigating it, but after nearly six hours and the sun slowly rising he hasn’t done much of anything.

  Keaton, Brick, and Davis have been carefully sifting through what’s left of my smoldering car. I stand to the side with my arms wrapped around myself when Ruby comes rushing toward me.

  “Are you okay?” she asks as she pulls me into her arms.

  “How did you know?” I ask her confused.

  She glances at Davis before she smiles at me.

  “He thought you might need me,” she says under her breath.

  “They’ve been looking for hours. I don’t even know what they’re looking for,” I grumble.

  Ruby and I stand in silence for a few minutes just watching them.

  She clears her throat, “So Billy said to take all of the time you need and that your job isn’t going anywhere. I called him after Davis called me.”

  I nod my head slowly.

  “Thanks.”

  “Let’s go make them boys some breakfast. It doesn’t look like they’re going to be done any time soon,” Ruby says as she nudges me with her hip.

  I nod my head, smile, and follow her inside. We head into the kitchen and begin to cook when a thought strikes me.

  “So you and Davis huh?”

  What? I’m nosey. I can’t help it.

  “He’s a nice guy. I don’t know how long he’ll be around though. He did say that I was more than welcome to go with him when he left though,” she says as her cheeks turn pink.

  “Are you?”

  “What? Going with him? I doubt it. My life is here. My work.”

  “You can be a waitress anywhere Ruby.”

  “I know, but I barely know him.”

  “So take a chance. You never know what might happen. What are you going to do here anyway?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Girl. This town is so small that the phonebook only has one page. If you were going to take a chance now would be the time,” I tell her.

  I nearly choke listening to myself, but I grew up in a big city and I didn’t like it. In fact, I pretty much hated it most of the time. There were too many people that knew you and hated you. It was always a fear of mine.

  “Look who’s talking. You’re over here all shacked up with three hot guys. What’s going on with you?” she giggles as she flips the bacon.

  I flip the omelets that I’ve been working on before I turn to glance at her.

  “Our pasts have always been a secret Ruby. Mine is coming back for me at full force. I don’t know where to run that they wouldn’t be able to find me. If yours is better than mine, then you should go. Live, be free, and enjoy your life. Nothing is worth dying for. You get me?”

  “I agree,” Keaton’s voice echoes through the room.

  Ruby and I both turn to see the guys standing there with the burnt remains in their hands.

  “What’s that?” I ask nodding toward it.

  Keaton shrugs and ignores my question. The guys drop onto the couch and start talking in hushed tones as Ruby and I finish breakfast. We each carry plates into the living room and hand one to each of the guys before we sit on the floor in front of them. The three of them stare at us like we’re insane.

  “Thanks for this,” Brick is the first to break the silence looking between the two of us, but mainly at me.

  “Eat before it gets cold,” I tell them.

  Keaton shoves off of the couch and heads into the kitchen to grab a few beers. I watch him closely.

  “Isn’t it a little early for that?” Ruby asks with a giggle and much to my surprise Keaton smiles.

  “No. Not with what we’re workin’ with. I might need somethin’ stronger actually,” he tells her as he passes each of the guys a beer.

  Beer and eggs? Who the hell would have thought?

  “What is all of this?” I ask nodding toward the pile of charred remains on my table.

  The guys share a glance when Keaton looks back at me.

  “Pieces of a car bomb,” he says like he’s seen it before.

  “Parts of a timer too,” Davis adds.

  I look between them waiting for more information, but it isn’t looking good.

  “A car bomb? How would someone put a bomb on her car?” Ruby says as her voice catches in her throat.

  “It had a timer. Could have been put there anytime and just set to go off at a certain time,” Brick says around a mouthful of eggs.

  “So they don’t know if I was in it or not?” I ask looking between the three, but it’s Keaton that answers.

  He shrugs his shoulder, takes a drink, and sets the bottle on the table before he looks at me.

  “No. They were either hopin’ you were, that you were close enough, or they just wanted to scare you.”

  The way he says it like it’s no big deal. My stomach turns and the thought of eating flees my mind. If it goes into my mouth, I’ll probably just barf it back up. Someone wants me dead. Just the thought of that makes me sick. I’ve never even made an enemy. I’ve never involved myself with anything my family did. This was the reason I didn’t. I hated it. All of it. I never wanted to be in the middle of it.

  “Well it worked,” I say softly as Ruby’s hand comes up to rest on mine.

  “She’s coming to stay with me. This is bullshit. She doesn’t need to be here,” Ruby snaps and Keaton chuckles.

  “You think you can keep her safe darlin’?” he asks condescendingly.

  Ruby gasps, but it’s Davis that speaks up, “Calm that shit Keaton.”

  “It’s calm. I’m just asking the lady a question. So, do you?”

  “They don’t know where I live,” she says strongly and this time Keaton laughs.

  “You’ve been her friend for a while yeah?” he asks as Ruby nods. “Then they know where you live. They know every route you take in this tiny fuckin’ town to get to work. They know you lived in Kentucky before,” he snaps at her.

  Ruby’s grip on my hand tightens to an almost painful level.

  “How do you know that?
” she squeaks.

  “You think that if I can find that shit out that they can’t? Open your pretty little eyes sweetheart. We’re playin’ with monsters here. We ain’t playin’ a game of checkers with the elderly. This is a fuckin’ warzone that you’re about to step into.”

  Keaton’s voice is high and his level of aggravation is visible. He shoves up off of the couch, grabs his beer, and goes outside. I make a move to get up, but Davis shakes his head at me.

  “Let the man cool off. There’s a storm comin’ and he needs to prepare himself for it.”

  My heart leaps in my chest. I don’t know what he means by that and I’m afraid to ask. My stomach lurches and I squeeze my eyes closed trying to keep myself calm.

  “Shit’s gonna start happenin’ now whether we like it or not. The threat’s been made Skye. You have to be prepared to move when we say and do what we tell you to do.”

  My eyes pop back open and I lock them on Brick as he waits to see if I understood him.

  “I never wanted any of this,” I tell him.

  He nods solemnly, “This is life. We never ask for the shit, but it gets handed to us anyway. We just have to roll with the waves and see where the ocean carries us.”

  My throat feels like it’s closing up on me. I can’t do this. I ran from this.

  Ruby sits silently next to me. She’s not saying a word now. She probably hates me.

  The door flies open and Keaton stalks back in. His eyes are wild with anger.

  “I’ve made two decisions. First, Ruby, you’re packin’ up shop and goin’ with Davis and Brick back to their clubhouse until this shit is over,” he says glaring at her as if to dare her to defy him.

  “What the hell Keaton? We’re on a job,” Brick roars as he shoves up from the couch.

  “You were on a job. Money’s in your accounts.”

  “What the fuck are you thinkin’ brother?” Davis asks as he watches him intently.

  His eyes move to mine and that’s where they stay.

  “There’s too much here that doesn’t make sense. We’re goin’ underground.”

  61

  Keaton

  The decision is mine. It always has been. Since the beginning of this job, I’ve been the one in control. I talked to Riley and he agreed for me to proceed as I saw fit. The threat was a small one by them blowing up her car, but I know how things can escalate in this world.

  “You worked this out?” Davis asks as he leans back against the couch.

  “Yeah. I called your Prez. He’s good with her ridin’ back with you. I appreciate you both takin’ the time to help me on this, but don’t think I won’t call if shit gets out of hand,” I tell them both.

  Davis nods, but Brick just looks pissed. I don’t give two shits. This is my call.

  “What does that mean?” Skye asks with wide eyes looking for answers.

  “What does what mean?”

  “That we’re going underground?”

  Her eyes are wide as she stares up at me. This wasn’t my first choice, but knowing who we are dealing with this is our best choice.

  “It means that shit is gonna get bad for you,” Brick says looking at Skye before dragging his gaze back to mine. “You think about this shit?”

  “Yeah. It makes more sense than runnin’ out in the open. Her family knows too much as it is. We go under, we figure out who it is, and we handle it.”

  The room grows silent when Skye shoves off of the floor and eyes me.

  “What the hell does he mean it’s going to be bad for me? What the hell is happening?”

  I close the space between us, grab her shoulders, and force her to look at me.

  “I need you to trust me on this. I know what I’m doin’,” I tell her honestly.

  “Oh just fuckin’ kill me,” Brick mutters.

  I snap my gaze to his, “I can arrange that.”

  Brick huffs. When I look back at Skye I can tell she’s worried.

  “I won’t let anything happen to you. This isn’t gonna be easy, but I’ve been under before. We just need to watch our asses.”

  “I don’t like this Keaton,” Davis finally speaks up.

  I release the hold I have on Skye, turn to face him, and cross my arms over my chest.

  “What do you think we should do then? Should we just leave her out in the open?”

  “You know you’re gonna have to fight if you go underground. No one is gonna hide you for free,” Davis reminds me.

  I nod my head and swallow hard. I know what I’ll have to do to keep us alive. It just might get me killed.

  “I know. I’m ready for it. It’s not my first time brother.”

  Davis nods his head before he looks to Ruby. He motions for her to come to him and it almost surprises me that she does so with ease. She walks straight toward him and climbs in his lap like she’s always been there. They talk softly more likely than not about what’s going to happen with her during all of this shit.

  It pisses me off that it has to go down like this, but I need to get information. We can’t just walk up to the DeLuca’s and ask for answers.

  “I’m scared Keaton. I’ve never been scared like this in my life.”

  Her admission hits me like a punch to the chest. I reach up and caress her cheek.

  “I know you are, but I’ll do anything I can to keep you safe. I just need for you to trust me Skye.”

  Her eyes burn with unshed tears when Brick snaps, “Fuck this shit. You have a choice Skye.”

  He comes to stand next to us as Skye looks between the two of us.

  “What do you mean?” she asks softly.

  “You can come with us. I’ll get the okay and you can be under our protection. No one will fuck with you at our clubhouse,” Brick states as if I’d let him take her. He’s fucking insane.

  “What does that mean?” she asks confused.

  “Yeah Brick. What the fuck does that mean?” I ask.

  “It means that you don’t have to hide out like Keaton plans. You can come with us, stay at our clubhouse, and have some freedom. We’ll protect you,” he says watching her for any signs that she is going to take what he’s offering to heart.

  Skye’s body trembles slightly. No doubt she’s trying to figure this all out. I take a step back and head toward the bathroom letting her have a minute so that she can decide on her own. I close the door behind me, flip on the water, and let it run as I lean against the counter. My mind runs a million miles a minute piecing this all together. I glance at myself in the mirror and wonder what the hell I’m doing.

  I’m a fucking nomad. I don’t need this shit in my life, yet being with Skye over the last few months has changed something in me. I find myself wondering what it is I really want in this life. What the fuck is all of this for? At thirty-two years old I should have some kind of fucking plan, but I don’t.

  I reach to turn the water off when I hear it. It’s the unmistakable sound of gunfire. The girls’ scream blasts through the room. I throw open the bathroom door, grab the gun from the back of my jeans, and run back into the living room.

  Davis is in front of the window with Brick standing next to him. The girls are huddled in the corner of the room holding tightly to each other. I run over, wrap my arms around them both, and usher them out of the room.

  “Get down on the bedroom floor,” I roar.

  Ruby moves, but Skye doesn’t. She clings to my shirt. The fabric is crumpled in her hands.

  “What do they want?” she cries when even more shots can be heard.

  Plaster crumbles near our heads before I feel the burn. I shove her to the floor and cover her with my body. The pain is nearly unbearable, but lucky for me this isn’t the first time I’ve been shot. I know what to expect, but something inside of me breaks when I look down and see my blood on Skye’s perfect skin. My heart breaks a little faster as I try to think this through. Is she hit too or is all of this blood mine? Panic wracks me when the shooting stops.

  “Are you hit?”
I ask her as I brush the hair away from her face.

  She shakes her head slowly. Her eyes are wide.

  “You saved me,” she whispers.

  “Everybody good?” Brick calls out before I pull myself up and then pull Skye up.

  “Yeah. Get Ruby and get the fuck outta here,” I roar as I drag Skye toward her room.

  “Pack lightly. Grab only what you need.”

  “Where am I going?” she asks looking up at me with those big, doe eyes and my heart melts a little bit more.

  “It’s your choice.”

  Her eyes flick across my face before she brings them down to my arm.

  “You’re shot,” her words aren’t exactly what I wanted to hear.

  I ignore her and grab the small bag from her closet. I start tossing random shit into it.

  “Come on princess. We don’t have time for this shit,” I growl in frustration.

  I wanted her to automatically choose me. I wanted her to say that she was going with me, but she didn’t. That thought alone pisses me off. I take a step back as she tosses some clothes in her bag.

  “Put some jean on and a long sleeve shirt,” I tell her.

  Skye nods as I lean against the wall. I still have my gun in my hand. Brick and Davis walk in as their eyes flick around the room.

  “You hit?”

  I nod once at Davis. He moves closer to me. He lifts my arm to check out my wound.

  “Went straight through. You gonna be okay to ride?” he asks seeming slightly concerned.

  “Yeah. I’m good.”

  My eyes stay on Brick as his eyes stay on Skye. I can’t force her to go with me. In all honesty I probably could force her, but that isn’t the way I want her. I want her to want me and if she doesn’t then it’s just as well that I find out now.

  “I think that’s it,” Skye says as she zips her bag up and tosses it over her shoulder.

  Her eyes move around the room taking all of us in. My nerves are firing off waiting for her to say or do something. When she walks toward me and wraps her arm around my waist I nearly lose it. She’s choosing me. She’s choosing to let me protect her.