He shrugged. “Never hurts to have the basics on hand.”
“That’s not basic babe, that’s some Red Dawn shit back there.” Red laughed before leaning in to kiss his neck.
“So you smoked them out?”
“Not exactly. We smoked them in. They were so busy watching the meeting they didn’t notice when we plugged up the exhaust pipes with bananas. You can thank Emmy for that one.”
“What?” goat asked looking completely confused.
“Yeah, Red had like three bananas in her diaper bag. One for her, one for Emmy, and one for Joe. Evidently she insists everyone has at least one a day.” I explained.
Red is cracking up. “Don’t ask, my daughter is weird.”
Salina is shaking her head. “Bananas. Okay, so then what?”
“Well, because it’s hot they had the windows up. The exhaust backed up into the vans just enough they started rolling down their windows. We threw the smokers in and one by one picked them off. Oh, and we can thank Jesse for the masks, she had a bunch in her trunk.” Jesse is an ER nurse friend of ours.
“So, you put on the masks, smoked them out of their vans, and then what?” Slider asked wanting to hear more.
“We tied them up and put them back in the vans. When the smoke cleared we drove them to the Walmart parking lot and waited.” Ginger spoke up this time.
“How did you know when to approach us?” Gunner finally chimed in from behind me.
“That would be Joe.” I laughed as Red and I looked at each other. “You’re going to be in deep shit for this one.”
She shrugged. “Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve rightfully earned a spanking.” The look on Joe’s face had us all losing it.
Red finally recovered and explained as he looked at her like he didn’t know her at all. “You know that app you’ve been working on where you can control my phone from yours and vice versa?”
“You sneaky little wench.” He caught on quick. “Stop spying on me.”
“No way.” She grabbed his ears and kissed him full on the lips. He slid his arm under her knees and carried her out of the bar.
“That’s one bitch that won’t sit for a week.” Salina laughed.
“I can think of two more that won’t either.” Slider stood keeping her at his side but looked at me. “Where the hell did you get all those purple guns?”
Oh boy. Long story. I’ll try to keep it short. “Many years ago my dad blew out his shoulder. They gave him pain meds without checking his anxiety scripts for conflicts. Anyway, for about three weeks he was extremely paranoid. It was scary, but thankfully didn’t last long.
“Anyway, he started digging a bomb shelter, but when the meds ran out he realized there was no way he was going to be able to dig through all the caliche and shit, so he dug down far enough to drop a munitions safe on it’s back in the whole. The combination is my birthday. All the guns are from his collection.” There. That was easy enough.
Jesse handed me a much-needed glass of red wine, probably one of Red’s favorites. “Thanks.” I took a sip hoping we can leave soon. I want Gunner alone, but then again that might be a bad idea just yet.
”And how did they get purple??” Goat asked still confused.
“I found a guy through Craigslist. He knows a guy who knows a guy.” Slider suddenly looked at Gunner over my shoulder. I turned to see why.
Gunner has his eyes closed and is shaking his head. “I do some side work through various channels. I recognize every one of those weapons.”
“Son of a bitch! You’ve been staining my guns??” I turned to give him my full attention. “Seriously??”
“Evidently.” He sighed. “I just figured it was someone with a purple fetish. That is where I got the idea for your welcome home present.”
“Damn. Small world.” Goat stood and lifted his bottle of Dos Equis into the air. “Here’s to Violet’s guns and the bad ass ladies who saved our asses today. Thank you ladies.”
A round of cheers went up, even from Gunner.
Gunner is going to help me clean all my guns and knives before we put them back in the safe. He shook his head at the collection that is now completely covering his, our, new dining room table. “This is ridiculous, and awesome.”
I laughed as I sat in one of the chairs to get these boots off. “I’m not cleaning these tonight. Tonight I need a bubble bath and whiskey.”
“Done. Hey, how’d you get out of the apartment??” He asked going for the bar built into the wall nearby.
“I pulled the trim then the frame. It wasn’t easy.” I rubbed my shoulder as the pain reminded me of earlier this morning. “I think I pulled something.”
“You pulled something alright. Do me a favor and don’t do that shit again.”
I laughed. “No promises there. Maybe we should try working together from now on? Instead of you running off to handle my problems yourself.” I shot him a dirty look but he brought me whiskey so he’s forgiven.
“We’ll see. Right now I’m not feeling very accommodating. You scared ten years off my life today babe. I will say though,” He sipped his own whiskey before continuing, “you looked damn hot. I didn’t know whether to turn and run or tackle you to the ground and rip your clothes off.”
I cracked up. “The look on your face was epic. I will never forget that as long as I live.”
“By the way, you’re marrying me tomorrow. I called a guy who knows a guy, well you know as well as I do how that works.” The sneer is cute on him. “So be ready to say your vows at two.”
“Why the rush?”
“My own personal reasons. You’re going to be marrying me, CW Colson, not the fake ID most my shit is under, so it’s going to be very private. We’ll have a big party later if you want, but the ceremony has to be kept on the down low so my real name doesn’t go beyond the people who need to know, or already know.”
“Fine by me, but I could have used a few days notice you know. What am I going to wear?”
“Nothing that will be on for long.” Gunner informed me then walked down the hall after dropping his boots by the front door.
“Where are you going?” I asked getting up to follow him like a lost puppy. I’d follow him anywhere. Not only does he have a great ass, but I’m totally and completely in love with this man. I’d follow him off a cliff if it meant being with him.
“Time for your bath. Soak that shoulder, then I want to take a look at it before you find yourself naked under me on the bed.”
“On the bed?? How boring. Let’s do it in the tub. It’s big enough. Get in with me.” I suggested.
He raised an eyebrow at me as he reached down and turned on the water. “The bed is boring huh? I had no idea you felt that way.” He knows I was kidding, and is playing along like I knew he would. This is our banter. This is us. After everything that went down today one thing hasn’t changed. We’re still us.
Between being drugged and having the living shit scared out of me I slept in the next morning until it turned into afternoon. Gunner finally woke me up saying he was getting concerned. I assured him it was just to recharge my batteries but I’m not sure he’s convinced.
I was just about halfway through my first cup of coffee when there was a knock at the door. I’d heard the bikes so it was no surprise. Gunner got the door while I tried to compose myself. I have a serious case of the morning stares.
Salina and Slider walked in. Gunner and Slider left us for the garage.
I poured Salina a cup of coffee and asked, “Everything okay?”
“We need to talk before you marry Gunner.” She took the mug and sat at the dinging room table.
I sat down across from her. “He’s already given me the speech, and offered me one last out. I didn’t take it then, and I won’t take it from you now.”
She blinked. “God, you are going to be good at this.”
“Is that why you’re here? To talk me out of becoming you before I marry him?” I motioned towards the garage behind her.
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She sat back studying me. “Do you want me to? My life isn’t easy. I look over my shoulder everywhere I go outside the club. People expect things of me. Epic charitable things, and they’ll expect them from you too as I’ve set such a precedent.”
I put my hand up. “It’s okay. You and I share the same charitable bone. I think you’ve seen my willingness to protect my man and the club.”
“Your club.” She interrupted.
“Not yet.”
She shook her head and sat forward. “The second you marry Gunner it becomes your club. Only a handful of us will know that for a very long time to come, but it’s your club whether you like it or not.”
“If I didn’t like it I wouldn’t be marrying the man who will eventually take it over.” I’m getting testy because my headache is coming back. “Sorry.” I sat back and exhaled. “It’s been a crazy couple days. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“Don’t worry about it. I bark at people all the time. Listen, I have a lot to teach you, but it can’t look like I’m teaching you. Keep your eyes and ears open for things I say that might not make sense to anyone else. We’ll have a few chances to talk, but it’s very important that people think Goat will inherit the club.”
“Why is that?” I asked sitting up straighter in my chair.
She sat back again and sighed. “It’s complicated, and yet not. With more and more Colson’s showing up every year the club could easily be mistaken for a family run operation. Right now Goat helps keep the balance. If people knew another Colson was next in line they’d lose confidence in the club. When people fight for something they need it to be theirs, not someone else’s.”
“I get all that, but what happens when people find out otherwise? Won’t they be pissed?”
“Probably. It’ll go to vote of course, but we’re hoping by Goat voluntarily staying on as VP things will settle down quickly, especially if he sanctions Gunner usurping him to take the seat as President..” She waved it off. “That’s the plan on how to keep the club in the family without turning it into a seemingly mob like operation. If it works, great, if not, then we’re going to have a lot of property to sell.” She laughed. “Red will shit a brick.”
That reminded me. “Why doesn’t Joe step up?”
“He doesn’t want it. Something about having had enough responsibility in his lifetime. I don’t blame him. Did you know I’m really twenty-nine??”
I spit coffee in my lap. “Bitch.”
I barely had time to put on a dress let alone fix my hair before Gunner was reciting vows to love me the rest of his life in front of a preacher, Slider, Salina, Red, and Goat. Joe is watching Emmy. He’s the only other one that knows who Gunner really is.
I recited my vows with the preachers help just before he pronounced us man and wife. Gunner kissed me to hard I thought my lip was busted by the time he let go.
“Ouch. What’s gotten into you?” I asked fully expected to see blood on my fingers after touching my lip.
“I got ya now. You can’t get away.” He’s beyond giddy. This is worse than Sedona. How well do I really know this man?? Who cares? I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life being surprised by him.
“You’re ridiculous. Now what do we do?” I asked as the paperwork was laid out for us to sign.
“I’d say go on a honeymoon, but didn’t you just open a business?” Salina asked.
I laughed before signing my name. “Yeah, but I’ve only made enough money to buy a cup of coffee.” Or so it seems.
Gunner signed his name then still bent over the table turned and looked right at me. I swear his eyes are sparkling as he fights a devilish grin.
“Why are you looking at me like that??”
He straightened to his full height and grabbed me around the waist pulling me hard against him. “I just married my best friend. My best friend who I love with all my heart. Violet, I’ve loved you from the moment you looked at me like I as your only salvation. I had no idea you’d be my only salvation. You gave me back what I thought was lost forever. Hope. A life. And a chance to have the family I’ve always wanted.” He glanced over at Slider. “No offense.”
“None taken brother. None taken. Now go home and make love to your beautiful wife.” Slider stepped over as Gunner loosened his grip to give him room to place a kiss on each of my cheeks. “Congratulations kid. I know you’ll take good care of my brother.” To everyone else the use of the word ‘brother’ meant club brother, but Gunner, Goat, Joe, and I know better.
“Thank you, and I will.” I promised feeling so full of love I might just burst here on the spot.
Salina laughed. “Shit, she’s already taken care of him, and all your dumb asses.” She screamed and ran when Slider stomped his foot at her.
Gunner turned to Joe. “Hey, can I ask a favor?”
“Shoot.”
“Can I borrow your Sedona house for a couple weeks?”
“You got the keys. Use it as long as you want. Just make sure you wipe down all the surfaces and burn the upholstery when you’re done.” He smacked Gunner on the back and put an arm around Red’s shoulders to lead his wife and daughter away towards the soon to be reception.
I looked up at Gunner. “We might as well burn the whole damn house down if that’s the case.”
He chuckled. “Amen baby. Amen.” He scooped me up and carried me to our first club party as a married couple.
The End
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Violet's Guns: Book 9 of Colson Brothers Series Page 14