“Afraid not.”
He looked at me. “I saved your ass, and you know it. All I need is five minutes.”
“What’s he talking about? Smokey asked.
“He uhhm. He’s the one that got me the attorney.”
“Sounds like a cop move,” Smokey said. “Save the girl to get to the Ol’ Man?”
Watson shook his head, and then rolled up the edge of his shirt sleeve. He turned his muscular bicep toward us and revealed a tattoo.
He cocked an eyebrow. “Look familiar?”
Smokey studied the tattoo, and then nodded. “Might have seen one like that before.”
“What is it?” I asked.
“Navy SEAL,” Smokey said. He looked at Watson. “You want a fucking cookie?”
“Sorry, just had a donut. I’m full.” Watson said, stone-faced. He cocked his head to the side. “Let’s say I’m looking out for your President’s best interest.”
“Go talk to him,” Smokey said. “Time for me to shut the door.”
Watson chuckled a dry laugh. “He’s a prick. And it’s not him I’m worried about right now, it’s you.”
“Afraid I can’t help you,” Smokey said.
Watson shrugged. “Guess you won’t mind doing a twenty-year bit in club fed? By the time you get out, your daughter will be five years older than you are now.”
Smokey spit out a laugh. “Haven’t done anything. And, I don’t scare easy. Go pull someone else’s cock, cop.”
“At the hamburger joint off Highway 8.” Watson cleared his throat and then widened his eyes a little. “The guy at your bike? The fight that special agent Brickman got into? It was a set-up. Your prospect, Tank? He’s a special agent with the ATF. Name’s Brickman. The other guy was an ATF underling.”
Smokey’s face went stark white.
He pulled the door open. “Come on in.”
Chapter One Hundred Fifty-Five
Smokey
I paced back and forth in P-Nut’s garage, debating on exactly what I needed to say. I was convinced I needed to say nothing, but I knew resolving the situation on my own was impossible.
“What in the fuck, Brother?” P-Nut asked. “When was the last time you came by at 1:00 in the fucking morning? Hell, you never come here.”
“Just give me a minute.”
Sitting on the steps that led to his house, he took a drag off his cigarette. “Ed’s okay, ain’t she?”
I paused and turned toward him. “Yeah.”
He blew the smoke down at his feet and then looked up. “Sandy okay?”
“Yep.”
I started pacing again.
“New baby healthy?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“Smoke, you’re making me itch.” He stood, scratched his forearm, and let out a half-assed growl. “What the fuck’s going on?”
I stopped, took a long breath, and then looked up at the ceiling. “Shut the garage door.”
Concern covered his face. He stood, pushed the wall-mounted button, and the garage door closed.
I looked at him and let out a sigh. “Tank. The prospect?”
He nodded. “What about him?”
“He’s a federal agent. ATF. His name’s Special Agent Brickman. He was investigating Meathead for a felon in possession tip that the ATF got from one of the Savages, and after he busted Meat, he just kind of fell into my lap.”
He started scratching his head. “I fucking knew it. Cocksucker.” He looked at me with crazy eyes. “How you want me to take care of it?”
“We need to think. Make a plan.”
He pressed his hands to his hops and shot me a glare. After a long pause, he shook his head. “You’re fucking scared.”
“That’s not it.”
“Face your fears,” he said. “You say that shit all the time. Face your fears. If you’re scared, just say it.”
“That’s not the case.”
“The Smoke I been knowin’ would be on the road right now, ready to whack this cat into pieces with a hatchet. Something’s stoppin’ you.”
I stood and stared, not quite sure if he was right, or if I simply needed to make a plan.
He looked at me with narrow eyes. “How’d you find out?”
“Got a tip from an outsider. Checks out, though. Even saw pictures of him from the academy and all his credentials. It’s legit.”
He nodded. “All I need to know.”
I considered what he said. Taking care of the situation without a plan would be a recipe for disaster. “We can’t just do it. We’ve gotta watch our backs. And, we need to give it some thought. Serious thought. If we just kill this prick, they’ll come for us. We need to make it look like something else. Fuck, I don’t know. Set it up and make it look like an accident.”
“We ain’t doing shit, Smoke. I’ll take care of that cocksucker.”
I shook my head. “He’s not your problem,” I said. “He’s mine.”
“Beg to differ with you, Brother. Your problems are my problems.”
“Not this time.”
He crossed his arms, and looked me up and down. “This time more than any other time, motherfucker.”
“Just take it easy. We need to think about this. Last thing I need is this prick setting me up on a crime.”
“That’s what I’m talking about. You got Eddie, Sandy, a new baby coming. Shit, Brother. Last thing you need is some rotten fed planting a hot piece in your bags or putting a kilo of crank in your house. Rotten pricks. I’ll take care of this.”
“We’ll take care of it.”
“Okay. Sounds great. Draft up a plan, and have your people get with my people. We’ll do lunch and decide when we can get it scheduled,” he said, his voice thick with sarcasm.
“What are you saying?”
“Nothing.” He shrugged. “We’ll figure something out.”
“I’m serious, Nut. I came here to get your opinion. The last thing I need is you going solo on this deal, and end up doing something stupid.”
He shot me a look. “Now I’m a dumbass, huh?”
“Didn’t say that.”
“You think all I do is dumb shit?”
“Didn’t say that, either.”
“I’m smarter than you give me credit.”
“You’re the most solid fucker I know, Nut.” I let out a heavy sigh and looked right at him. “But you’re fucking nuts.”
“No shit,” he said with a laugh. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
“We need to give this some serious thought.”
“Go home and get some rest,” he said. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
I was exhausted. He was right. I needed to get some rest, wake up fresh, and think about it. “My mind’s going a hundred miles an hour right now.”
“Mine too. Get some rest, Brother. Think about it. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
I nodded. “Nervous as fuck, Brother.”
“Makes two of us. Glad you found out, though.”
“Makes two of us.”
“I’m gonna hit the rack,” he said. “Too much for one night. I’m itching all over.”
“I’ll head out.”
“Shiny side up,” he said.
“I’ll do my best.” I turned toward the door. “Open the door?”
He pressed the button. “Give them gals a hug for me, would ya?”
I glanced over my shoulder. “Will do.”
I tossed and turned all night, getting very little sleep at all. It bothered me that Nut thought I was scared.
By the time morning arrived, I decided he was right. Not completely, but partially.
I feared losing everything that I had spent a lifetime unknowingly searching for.
Chapter One Hundred Fifty-Six
Sandy
Eddie finished chewing her food and set her hamburger down. “So, what did the doctor say? You went to the doctor today, right?”
“Oh, yeah.” I alternated glances between her and Smokey. “Ev
erything looks good. It’s a kumquat baby. That’s what she said. Bigger than a grape, but not as big as a little bitty lime. It’s got lungs and a brain and everything. It’s just hard to believe. It’s exciting.”
“The baby’s healthy? You’re healthy?” Smokey asked.
“Yep. Good for another four weeks. She said no more stress, though.”
“Hopefully all that’s behind us.”
It had been two weeks since detective Watson stopped by, and not one word had been mentioned about the matter since. The one time I had asked, his response was that it was nothing to worry about.
I had no idea if it was nothing to worry about, or something I simply needed to try and forget. Either way, I wasn’t concerned. I trusted Smokey to keep Eddie and me safe from all the things that threatened to split us apart.
“I’m sure it is,” I said.
“That’s exciting,” Eddie said. “It’s weird to think about, though. A kumquat. That’s crazy.”
I took the last bite of my hamburger. “Mmhhmm.”
“Damn,” Smoky said. “You’re done already?”
“I was starving.”
Eddie slid the platter across the table. “Eat. You’ve got to feed the baby.” She pointed toward the hamburgers. “Maybe it’s twins.”
“Oh, don’t say that,” I said. “I can’t even…”
“That would be awesome,” Smokey said. “Twins?”
“I know, right?” Eddie chimed.
“Wait.” I looked at them both. “Neither of you are carrying them, giving birth to them, or breastfeeding them. Twins would be insane.”
Eddie shot Smokey an excited look. “Insane and freaking awesome.”
I grabbed another burger and shook my head. “No twins.”
“Did you tell her?” Eddie asked.
Smokey shook his head lightly, as if trying to dismiss her question.
“What?”
He raised both eyebrows and shook his head.
I looked at Eddie. “What?”
She looked at Smokey.
I scowled at each of them. “What?”
“I had a dream,” Smokey said.
I took a bite of my new burger. “And?”
He shrugged. “Twins.”
I took another bite. “So.”
“Sometimes his dreams come true,” Eddie said.
“What?” My eyes shot to Smokey. “Really?”
“I don’t know. There’s been a few that were questionable. Nothing to worry about.”
I took another bite of my burger, swallowed it, and then studied him. “Are you serious?”
“About the dream, or about worrying about it?”
“About the dream.”
He nodded. “I had a dream the other day. A boy, and a girl. Twins.”
I sighed. “I sure hope not.”
“I sure hope so,” Eddie said.
“So do I,” Smokey agreed.
He motioned toward my plate and laughed. “Want another?”
I looked down.
My plate was void of any food.
I hadn’t realized it, but I’d eaten the other burger already. “Holy crap,” I gasped. “I can’t believe it.”
They looked at each other and chuckled.
“It’s not twins,” I said.
“Still hungry?” Smokey asked.
I shrugged. “Not really.”
I was, though.
“Are you sure?” Eddie asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “I’m okay.”
She picked up her burger, and took a bite. “This is so good,” she said over her mouthful of food. “Better than In-N-Out.”
Smokey took a bite. “It’s cooked just right, too. Great job, Ed.”
“Thanks.” She took another bite and then looked at me, and shook her head in disbelief. “Mmmm.”
I looked at the platter.
There were four left.
I reached for one. “Maybe half.”
I took a bite.
It tasted so good.
Smokey stood, opened the refrigerator door, and pulled out the horseradish sauce. “Here.”
I pulled the top half of the bun off, covered the top with sauce, and took a bite.
Oh my God.
I was in heaven.
I took a bite, and then another. Before I knew it, the burger was gone and I was licking my fingers.
“Three down.” Eddie nodded her head toward the platter. “Three to go.”
I shook my head. “I’m done.” I patted my stomach. “I’m stuffed.”
“When we get done with dinner, I’ve got ice cream and brownies,” Eddie said. “But you’re probably not hungry, are you?”
“You got ice cream?”
She nodded. “Neapolitan, and Rocky Road.”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe a little brownie, and like a tiny scoop. Not much, though.”
Smokey and Eddie looked at each other and did the high-five thing.
I rolled my eyes.
Twins.
The thought of it was the most ridiculous thing ever.
That night at midnight, when I was sneaking another burger and eating ice cream with a fork, I began to wonder.
As I sat on the floor with a burger in one hand, and the tub of ice cream between my legs, Eddie snuck in behind me.
“Boo!” she whispered.
I all but jumped out of my pajamas.
She sat down beside me and took the fork from my hand. “Still thinking it’s only one?”
With a mouthful of burger, I looked at her and nodded.
She poked the fork into the ice cream and then looked at me. “You’ve almost killed this.”
With my mouth still full, I responded. “I know.”
She shook her head and laughed. “Either way, I’m really excited.”
I took another bite. “Me, too.”
After digging around in the tub for a minute, she managed to excavate another bite from the matter stuck to the edges.
She poked the fork in her mouth and placed the empty container between my legs. She nodded toward my burger. “I won’t tell if you won’t tell.”
I raised my hand. “Girl power.”
She slapped her hand against mine. “Girl Power.”
I poked the last part of the burger in my mouth and savored every morsel of it, closing my eyes as I chewed.
“What in the fuck are you two doing?” Smokey snarled from behind us.
We both jumped, me so high, the cardboard ice cream container shot from between my legs and slid across the tile floor.
I spun around, swallowed my food, and shrugged one shoulder.
He glanced at the empty platter, and then looked at the ice cream tub. “Well?”
There was no sense in lying, so I told him the absolute truth.
“What do you think,” I said with a shrug. “I’m feeding the twins.”
Chapter One Hundred Fifty-Seven
Smokey
It had been a month since Tank came up missing, but there were no missing person’s reports, no nosey ATF agents poking around, and no arrests. Convinced the investigation was over, and he simply went to harass someone else, I exhaled and began to live my life the way I saw fit.
P-Nut was right.
I was scared.
Not of Tank, or of the thought of resolving the issue with him.
But I did fear two things.
Snakes, and making the commitment to marry. As easy as it was to come to terms mentally with the thought of doing it, and as much as I wanted a family, I simply couldn’t develop the courage to ask Sandy any more than I could pick up a snake.
So, I decided to do what it was that I spent a lifetime suggesting others do.
Face my fears.
“Be a badass piece when we’re done,” he said.
I looked down at my chest. “Got three solid days in right now. Been tough to hide this fucker.”
The tattoo artist stopped. “Hide it?”
I
nodded. “It’s a surprise.”
“How the fuck you hide a full chest piece?”
“It isn’t easy, believe me.”
He positioned the needle over my stomach. “Ready?”
I clenched my jaw. “Go.”
The needle, a four-pronged shading rig, dug into my flesh.
The blue ink of the snake’s belly was an aqua color, and reminded me of the ocean. It was the one place I could always find solace, regardless of what was going on in my life.
As the needle tore away at my tanned skin, and replaced it with a permanent ink, I felt like I was gaining one thing, and losing another.
The artist drilled into my skin until the needle ran dry of the ink, and then he’d dip it in the well, and start the process again. The pain was almost intolerable, but I wouldn’t give up for any reason, I knew that much.
What I gained from the completed tattoo would last a lifetime.
With each drop of ink, my fear was slowly rising from my soul, leaving me feeling cleansed.
I gained a torso covered with my greatest fear.
A snake.
I would never again fear the most repulsive creature created by God. In fact, it would become part of my very being. I wasn’t facing my fear, I was embracing it.
I was becoming it.
The pain shot through me like an electric shock. Every muscle in my body tensed. The third of three solid days of tattooing, and my skin resembled hamburger.
But, it was the only way.
I closed my eyes, took my mind to thoughts of raising another child, and of Sandy and I walking along the beach with all our children at our side. Playing in the waves, and finding seashells, we’d walk the coastline for hours to find the perfect spot to set up for the day.
If our baby was a boy, he would grow up to love the ocean, respect, it, and probably be a surfer.
If our baby was a girl, she’d grow up to be just like Eddie. Strong, resilient, and bold.
“Have a look, Boss,” he said.
I opened my eyes. “You done.”
He wiped a towel across my stomach. “I think that’s it. Never seen that before.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Fucker falling asleep when he was getting drilled on the chest.”
I shot him a look. “What time is it?”
He glanced at the clock. “4:00.”
Filthy F*ckers: The Complete Series Box Set Page 76