“Holy shit.” I laughed. “I wonder if he’s as hot as you? Do you look anything alike? Then again I can barely handle one of you let alone two... (I put my finger to my lip while he tried to follow along and batted my lashes) two Gunners in my bed?? Hmmm.”
He chased me to the front door where I got thoroughly kissed while he fumbled with unlocking the door. I think I remember him telling me I was bat shit crazy before making love to me with more nibbles and tickles than ever before. He may not appreciate my warped sense of humor all the time, but he’s not going to miss an opportunity to punish me for using it against him.
Gunner stretched forcing me into a roll that almost knocked me off the bed. He’s a bed hog. “What time is it?”
I rolled back and smacked him in the face with my pillow. “Time for you to stop taking up the whole bed! I was asleep! You almost knocked me off the bed!”
He gathered me in his arms and hugged me tight with his big arms and legs. “Oh quit your bitchin’.” He’s trying to bite my neck. He doesn’t bite hard, but if I don’t stop him he’ll leave a mark. “Are you going to nag me the rest of my life?”
“Only if you keep me that long.” I pushed against his chest and sat up on his groin that’s already awake and pinned his hands over his head.
He looked down then back up. “Is this your idea of torturing me?”
“No. Being your wife will be abuse enough for you my dear. What are you guys planning to do about this mess?”
“We’re meeting on that today at ten, if you ever get off me.” He bucked his hips.
I moved forward and slid down on his morning wood. I closed my eyes. “God you feel so perfect every time.”
“That’s because you were made for me.” He changed the control of power and flipped me under him for some fun before we headed off to the meeting.
Slider ran his hand over his face and down his wizard-like beard. Lucifer Rapscallion is trying to decide how best to handle this situation I feel like I created. No matter how many times I tell myself they broke into my place, it seems like my reaction did more harm than good. Then again it’s not like I’m going to let some asshole attack me. Did I need to shoot him in the balls? Well, yeah, kind of.
Joe handed Slider an iPad. “Satellite shows about a hundred and forty heat signatures. Want me to drop a-“
Slider put his hand up stopping Joe short. “No. Sawyer would kill me.” He studied the device then handed it back and looked at Gunner. “We have two choices. Try to broker a peace treaty on neutral ground or wipe them out and sit back to wait while the mother cartel gathers troops and comes after us in retaliation. We both know the real deal here, brother.” Emphasis on the word ‘brother’. Not everyone in this room knows Gunner is a Colson. “What do you suggest?”
“We can’t find the mother ship?” Ginner asked meaning the cartel backing the cartel, backing the gang. That’s kind of how it works. Maybe these guys aren’t much bigger than a cartel, but they’ve got the money of a cartel. That’s how you know a gang from a cartel. Cartels have deep pockets and dig deeper holes to cover their asses. Gangs are reckless and typically just tools to use as a means to an end for said cartels.
Joe shook his head. “Too many tentacles. It could be anyone, no one, or all of them. Either way they need to go. We can handle the fallout.”
“So we hope.” Gunner dug his fingernails into my hip. “A buck thirty?”
Hoe nodded. “There’s a good chance they can pull two hundred out of their ass. If we do this, we need the top four at least.” I have no idea what he’s talking about.
“Call them in.” Gunner checked his watch. “We have one hour to come up with a way to stall Lobos for at least six hours. That gives them time to prepare. Joe, stay on radar. Send some unmarks out to follows any groups larger than five that head out at a time. I want the meeting area cleared of all possible snipers.”
“Already done. They’re doing the same, so far no conflict. Seems they’ve been ordered to stand down until after the meeting.” Joe explained.
Gunner nodded then looked at Salina. “I’m about to give you the hardest job of all.”
Salina raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you give me jobs?”
“Since the idea of losing my old lady made me puke four times this morning. You’re to keep her on lockdown. I don’t want her anywhere near this.”
“HA!!!” I stepped out of his grip and looked up. “Are you fucking nuts?? The one person that can outshoot me here is Joe, and if anyone should have your back it’s your old lady. I absolutely REFUSE to let you go out there and fight my battles without me!!!”
Gunner blatantly ignored me and nodded to Goat. “I taught her to fight. Try not to taser her.”
“Taser- I will kick your fucking ass Gunner.” I threatened as hands tried to gather me and pull me away. I kicked. I screamed. I punched. I heard bones crack before someone stabbed me in the arm with a needle and the world went dark. Assholes. If anything happens to my Guns I’ll kill them all for this shit.
I woke up with a pounding headache in the apartment Gunner and I shared right after my parents were killed. Part of me wants to call it murder, but it wasn’t intentional. The driver was simply negligent of his own health resulting in three deaths and many injuries. The driver lived. I guess that’s good, but he better hope I never run across him in a dark alley.
The door opened and Red walked in with a bottled water and a sandwich on a plate. “Good morning sunshine.”
“Bite me.” I sat up and the pounding increased. “Fuck. How long was I out?”
“A couple hours. The guys are at the meeting now. The club’s on lockdown until they get back. And per Gunners orders you’re on the biggest lockdown of all time. He threatened to kill us if we let you out.” She sat picking up half a sandwich. “Hungry?”
“No. At least now I know why he let me go with him to church this morning.” I complained looking around for my boots. Great, they’re over by the door. “Emilio isn’t going to fall for the whole stalling thing. He’s going to see it as a sign of weakness and try to take a chunk out of Exiles right there on the spot. I need to get out of here.”
“If we let you out Slider will have my patch. Sorry babe, but this is one time us sisters can’t stick together.” She sounded genuinely sorry, but it didn’t make any difference.
“If you think I’m staying here-“ I stopped short as Salina entered the room. “Is it done?”
“No. They’re just now arriving. How are you feeling?”
“Like my head was stepped on by an elephant. I gotta get out of here Sal. Please.”
“Sorry, no can do.” She motioned to Red. “Let’s go. Sitting in here will only make it harder.”
Red shrugged and motioned to the other half of the sandwich as she stood. “In case you change your mind.”
“You both suck ass.” I tried to get up and go out the door with them, but the sedative they gave me slowed me down and I missed. I heard the door lock from the outside and yelled, “I hate you both!!!”
I grabbed my boots and pulled them on before looking around the room. One window. One exit. Bars. Gunner builds houses for a living. Before I went off to college he took me on as a sort of apprentice. It didn’t take me long to find the toolbox Red keeps in the bottom of the closet for minor repairs to both apartments, and around the bar.
I took out a flathead screwdriver and started popping the trim off from around the window. The iron bars are sunk into the two-by-four framing the window itself. I grabbed the hammer and used the nail popping end to pry the boards on either side out making room to pull the entire rack of bars out in one piece. It’s not as easy as it sounds. In fact I think I pulled a shoulder muscle trying to reef the damn thing out, but I got it.
Unfortunately I broke the glass in the process. Hopefully it wasn’t loud enough to draw any attention. I wormed and worked my fat ass through the tiny window and fell hard to the ground below. “Ow fuck.” I dusted myself off and began
my trek towards the front gate. If I can get outside the gate I can call a cab, or faster yet just jog my out of shape ass the two miles to my place.
As soon as I stepped around the guard shack Salina and Red casually walked up to me. Salina spoke while Red laughed. “I do hope you plan to fix my window.”
“I’ll do you one better and fix it right if you help me out right now.” I offered. “Look, Emilio is a gang member, a thug, but he’s not stupid. He’s going to figure out we’re stalling and make the first move before our numbers can get here. Please. I know we can help, you just have to trust me. We have to move fast though if we’re going to make it in time to do any good.” I begged.
“Help how?” Red asked now that she’s finally recovered.
“I’ll show you, but first, do we have any more bodies willing to help? I have an idea, but we’re going to need help.”
Salina put two fingers in her mouth and blew out an ear-piercing whistle that had me and Red holding our ears. “Let’s go ladies!! Time to saddle up!!”
Next thing I know about twenty women, some I know and most I don’t, walked out from the side of Goat’s office, aka the lobby for the shop, and started towards us.
I looked at Salina. “How’d you…? I mean…”
“Honey, when you’ve been queen of this club long enough, you just know. I watched you grow up. I watched my Gunner take you under his wing and show you things he shouldn’t have, and he was damn smart in doing so.”
“He wouldn’t agree.” I laughed as everyone gathered around.
“No shit.” Red’s laughing again.
I took in a deep breath and let it out before starting. “Okay, listen up. No bikes. No pipes. We go in quiet. Follow me to my place. I’m going to set each of you up with a gun of your choice from my inventory. Make sure I get them back or I’ll send my old man after you.” I teased but none of us were really in the mood. The tension is palatable.
“Then what?” Ginger asked. She’s Goat’s favorite hooker, and a trusted friend to many around the club.
“Then we slowly and casually park near the meeting place. Look for anything unusual, like people, especially Mexican men, wandering aimlessly. I’m guessing that meeting they had this morning was to arrange for backup in case we make a wrong move, or any move for that matter. We have to move quickly. Red, can you pull a Joe and set us all up in a group chat. I need to be able to silently communicate with everyone at once.”
“Done.” She’s already on her phone.
“Sal? You want to drive? Or should I steal one of Goat’s many trucks?” I asked as she pulled her keys out of her front jeans pocket.
“Let’s roll.”
12
Our numbers are about even, but something still feels off. They look too relaxed. Too confident. Goat, Joe, and I watched as the group walked towards us. We started towards them at the same pace. Three of their members walked ahead of the rest similar to what we’re doing. Slider is behind us a few bodies deep. He shouldn’t be here, but I couldn’t convince him to stay back.
Violet said once that Emilio walks like he’s waving off a fart. I tried not to smile as I realized she’s right. Goat leaned over so only I can hear, “Those Mexican beans must be a bitch.”
“Shut up, this is serious.” I scolded him like only I or Ginger can. If Joe tries to put him in his place Goat just laughs. He’s not quite right in the head. Joe could pound him into the ground, but of course he never would. Goat is like everyone’s very powerful little brother. You want to punch him in the head more times than not, but you’d take a bullet for him without hesitation.
Emilio’s men stopped a few feet behind him as the trio stepped forward. My men did the same. He looked us all over then lifted his chin. “Whatch you want? Me and da boys here got real jobs and shit. Ain’t got no time for more of you punta drama.”
“You’re taking advantage of her and you know it. Either it stops now or we’re going to have to have a more serious conversation about this.” Goat is VP so he speaks for the club unless instructed by himself or Slider.
Emilio shrugged. “She made a deal. We got a lot of ink amigo. She got a lot more work to do hold up her end of the bargain.”
I felt my fingernails digging into my palms as Goat replied. “Look, let’s lay it all out on the table here. Your cousin started this shit. Violet wasn’t aiming for his crotch, but if she had we’d still support her a hundred percent. She tried to make nice to keep the peace, but amigo? I have to tell you, we don’t want you here. So far you’re keeping worse bad guys off our turf, but if you want to play with the big boys you better be prepared, and I can assure you you’re not.” He motioned to the men standing rigid behind Emilio.
“You threatening us amigo?”
“I’m telling you this ends now or we’re going to end it. Simple as that. Back off our girl and go back to your tacos and fajitas, and what are those things that are deep fried??” Leave it to Goat to try and be fucking funny at a time like this.
The guy to Emilio’s left didn’t skip a beat. “Taquitos?”
“Yeah, that’s them.” Goat pointed at him as if he’d won the grand prize. “I love those damn things.”
“Enough talk about food. Idiots. Your bitch finishes our ink or we finish her. End of story.” He started to walk away.
I pulled my gun and aimed ready to blow the back of his head off. Goat put his hand over mine as everyone else pulled their guns. Shit just got real. “Don’t bro. We got this.”
Emilio walked slowly back to me as I lowered my weapon. “You want to do this now muther fucker?”
I shrugged. “Kicking your ass now or later makes no difference to me.”
Just then someone from his gang asked rather loudly, “What the fuck??”
Everyone turned to see what’s up. At first it just looked like a group of women crossing the dirt lot. Then I noticed rifles. Purple rifles. Violet’s fully dressed in her guns. Two belts, one ankle, and I can see knives strapped to her body in more places than I can count. I don’t know whether to run or make love to her until she begs me to stop.
“What the fuckety-fuck??” Goat stepped around the group of guys. “Violet??”
The women surround the Mexican gang members. Violet gave me a nod before turning her full attention to Emilio. “Shall we dance now punta?” Oh no. Violet stop.
Emilio turned around in a full three-sixty before stopping to look her over. “Very nice chica. I like this look on you.”
“And I like to pay my bills. You’re going to call us even right here in front of everyone.”
“Or what?” He challenged stepping up into her face. Every purple gun around us cocked and aimed themselves right at Emilio.
“Or we end this right now and you go home from this meeting in at least one body bag.” Oh she’s good. I’m getting hard. Down boy. What is wrong with me?? We’re all about to get shot and I’m getting turned on?? I must be losing my mind.
Emilio raised his hand and made a few small circles in the air. “I anticipated you having a backup plan, so I made one of my own.”
Violet’s smile might as well have sealed the deal. I’m marrying the hell out of this bitch, like tonight. Hot damn she’s up to something and my gut can’t wait to find out what. “You might be waiting a while for that backup, amigo.” Wait, did she have ears on us?? I made a mental note to ask about that later.
Emilio is looking around frantically. “What- where are they??” He yelled at one of his men.
Violet chuckled the only evil laugh I never want aimed at me. “I’m guessing they’re on the ten about now headed to Nogales where they’ll be promptly dumped back across the border if you don’t do as I so politely asked.”
Emilio’s jaw tensed. He’s still looking around. As the gravity of his situation fell into place in that tiny little head of his he motioned for his men to put their weapons down. “Alright chica. You win. We’re even.” He turned around fluffing back up like any good leader would and raised h
is hands high in the air. “We’re good with Exiles. From now on you pay for your ink. It’s over. Let’s go home and round up our friends.” He turned back to Violet. “You’re going to make a good leader one day chica. We square for now. For now.” He lifted his chin to her then walked off ignoring the rest of us.
I all but ran over to Violet and threw my arms around her in a protective hug. “You just took ten years off my life.”
“Probably saved at least ten more.” Goat slapped me on the shoulder. “Make sure you call off those vans Violet. Let’s go home.”
Violet peeled back and looked up at me. “The vans are in a parking lot nearby. All I have to do is send a text.”
“Then do it. Hot damn you’re beautiful. And where the hell did all these purple guns come from??”
“Later. Like Goat said, let’s go home.” She pulled the thirty-aught-six off her shoulder and offered me the gun. “Here, be a gentleman and carry this.”
***
Poor Gunner. I thought he was going to piss himself when we walked up. He rode me back to the club on his bike so it wasn’t until we all got back together at the clubs bar that we got to laugh about it. Gunner is not amused, but he’s happy to have his arms around me so he’s letting it go.
Salina is in Slider’s lap, and Joe has Red perched on his thigh. Everyone else is scattered about getting drinks and ordering food while listening to us tell our tale.
Slider started. “How did you subdue the guys in the vans? And how did you know they were even there?”
“We didn’t. Since we were all in different random cars, and trucks, they didn’t think much of what looked like a bunch of soccer moms driving about. We noticed a pattern pretty quick. Thugs don’t usually drive old minivans.” I pointed to Red. “Red found some of Joe’s old smokers in the back of her truck. Evidently you keep a rather creepy arsenal back there.”
Violet's Guns: Book 9 of Colson Brothers Series Page 13