by Sam Crescent
“I don’t know. Killer’s last sight of Murphy was his fucking bike.”
Eva thought about Tate. The other woman was a hard assed woman, but the death of Murphy could send her spiraling with no way out from the hell she’d create for herself. Tiny gave her a list of the men who’d gotten in touch. Most of them were injured but being treated. Zero was with a family friend or something. The only three men who’d not been in contact were the three men with wives waiting for them.
“I can’t come back without my daughter’s man. I hate Murphy because I know he’s screwing my daughter, but she loves him and he loves her. I can’t come between that, and I cannot go home without him.”
“Every father hates the men in their daughter’s life.” She didn’t mention Gavin as her father seemed to like him.
She listened as he explained everything that had happened since he left her. Snitch was in Fort Wills, and there was nothing Tiny could do until he called Devil and then rounded up the men. So far he’d found Time and Gunn hadn’t made it. Whizz had called to tell him the news. The men had suffered severe burns and blood loss. Tiny hated the news. All of his men meant something to him, but he couldn’t spend the time dwelling on it. They would get their town back, and Tiny would put Snitch in the ground once and for all.
After he washed her, she took a robe and wrapped it around herself. She cupped his face, staring into his eyes. “I love you, Tiny. There’s time for us later. I’ll be your wife and stand by your side, but we can’t sit around, screwing when your men need you.”
“What do you suggest?” he asked.
Taking his hand, she led him into the bedroom. Grabbing her cell phone, she pointed to where the room’s phone lay beside the bed. “I’ll get the directory and start making calls to local hospitals and stations. You call Devil and start to come up with a plan.”
“Why?”
“Because the people of Fort Wills need you, and this bastard needs to be put in the ground.”
Picking up the cell phone, she dialed the first hospital and started to ask around for the men. She wouldn’t give up until she saw the dead bodies of Murphy, Lash, and Nash with her own two eyes.
Chapter Twelve
Killer sat in the coffee shop, watching the bikers beat up a helpless citizen. Tensing in his seat, he tried not to make his presence known. The owner of the shop had seated him in the corner near where he could see the action but not be spotted by the men hurting his town. Fort Wills hadn’t started out being his town, but he was part of it now.
The man leaning against the cop car was the leader. He’d heard the men refer to him as Snitch. Killer had left the women at the apartment armed with a gun. He needed to check out what was going on. Waiting in the apartment expecting the men to come looking for either him or Tate was driving him crazy.
“You’re safe here,” the owner, Langnor, said, pouring him some coffee. Glancing up at the man, Killer was surprised to see the compassion in his face.
“Do you know who he is?” Killer asked.
“Yeah, I recognize him. He’s the reason we trust Tiny and The Skulls. Bad fucking sort and I hope you guys are ready to put him in the fucking ground for good this time.” The owner looked angrily at the other man. “Last time he was in Fort Wills, he killed my brother. I love this town and consider myself a placid person. Seeing him has reminded me of all the hatred I have for him and his sort.”
“Is that sort like me and Tiny?” Killer asked, ready to swipe the bastard for any bad word said about Tiny.
“No. You guys are decent and do your best to keep this town safe. If they come our way, head out the back. No one will stop you, and I’ll make sure your identity is protected.”
Killer nodded. He believed if Snitch wanted to get him, he already knew what all The Skulls looked like.
Snitch pulled away from the car. “Now, all I want to know is where Tate is. Tiny’s daughter. You all know the fat bitch. I want her, and all this pain goes away.” Someone had opened the door, and they all paused as Snitch mentioned Tate’s name.
Everyone knew if they gave up Tate, they’d have to face Tiny’s wrath.
“I don’t know, man,” the guy who was being beaten said. Snitch punched him again in the face. The unknown man went down where Snitch proceeded to kick the man with his boots. Killer knew the man would die if no one stopped it. The gun in his pocket burned.
“Do you have a window I could use?” Killer asked. He wasn’t going to sit back watching these fuckers take one of his men. It was time for him to even the score.
Langnor pointed upstairs. Nodding his head, Killer gave him a warning that things were going to get ugly and to keep kids’ eyes away.
Heading upstairs, Killer knew he could be sent to his death for what he was about to do. His only hope would be the shock all the men experienced as he took out one of their own.
One of the windows was partially open. Pulling out his gun, he checked to make sure everything was safe and sat down looking at the men. The one closest to Snitch was his safest bet.
Remember, Killer, protect, serve, and stay safe.
Breathing out, Killer allowed all of his calm and stillness to build inside him. Everything around him went silent as he lined up the shot. He had the perfect head shot.
One … two … three. Killer fired, and the man went down. During the ensuing silence, he watched as the men took cover.
“Scars?” Snitch asked. The man’s voice was loud enough for Killer to hear.
“He’s dead, Snitch. Through the fucking head.”
Killer heard all of them talking. At the sound of a gun going off, he looked out of the window to see Snitch had shot the man on the floor through the head.
“I’m warning you all now, if you’re protecting a Skull or any of the whores then you’ll die just like them.”
The warning was noted. Pulling out Kelsey’s cell phone, Killer dialed Alex’s number. “You’re going to need to start rounding up the men. Snitch is after the women and any Skulls he didn’t kill. It’s only a matter of time before he fucks everyone up.”
He’d given them some time. Snitch looked like the kind of man to mourn his dead, especially with how sad he looked at the fallen man. It was a risk Killer had to take, and he’d do it again in a heartbeat. Killer doubted they’d get a lot of time before he started picking off the people of Fort Wills. Whatever Tiny had done to Snitch had left him in need of vengeance. Killer hadn’t seen anyone intent on causing this much damage, not even The Lions.
Come on, Tiny. Come and save our fucking asses.
****
Tiny held Eva’s hand as he stared across the desk at Ned Walker and the asshole Gavin. He didn’t care if Gavin was an upstanding citizen. The other man had designs on his woman, and that he didn’t fucking accept.
“What the fuck are you accusing me of?” Ned Walker asked.
On the other side of Eva sat Alex. Their guards were outside keeping the fighters at bay. Tiny wasn’t under any illusions that the fighters wouldn’t attack. He imagined Ned brought up the best and dirtiest fighters he could.
“It’s simple, Ned. You’re a family man, and you knew Eva was in Fort Wills. Did you arrange for The Darkness or more importantly, Snitch, to attack The Skulls?” Alex asked.
Alex was cool, calm, and collected. Tiny wondered if his friend even knew how to get angry. He wouldn’t ever see if Alex was as hard as they said. The man had a reputation that Tiny respected. No one got to own a reputable casino without being a hard nut first. Alex had guards who were loyal and took care of him.
“Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to, boy?” Ned stood, slamming the chair back.
“Dad,” Eva said. Her grip tightened in his hand.
He held her hand, giving her the strength from his own.
“No, Eva, you’re my fucking daughter, but no one comes into my place of business and accuses me of being fucking dirty.” Tiny was inclined to believe Ned was innocent. “I’ve been doing busines
s a lot longer than you’ve been born, Eva. No one makes me become dirty to get you home. You’re old enough to know when you want to come home. I’m not the one to stop you or control you.”
“With all due respect, I took your fucking order, and my men, the men I’ve come to know like fucking brothers were attacked. We can’t find three of the fuckers, and you’re starting to piss me off. Are you fucking dirty?” Alex asked, still keeping his cool.
Tiny watched the other man stand, leaning against the desk, getting into Ned’s face without even looking threatening.
“Get out!” Gavin said, yelling.
“Shut your fucking mouth. This has nothing to do with you.” Tiny stood, releasing Eva’s hand. He was ready to wipe Gavin’s face off. The jealousy he felt toward the other man was threatening to drown him. Moving Alex out of the way, Tiny focused his attention on Ned. “You’re a father. I get your need to protect our daughter. I love Eva with my whole heart, and no, I didn’t take care of her the way she deserved but I can make that up now.” He stopped to glance at Eva. She was smiling at him, which he loved even though their life was going to get tense in the coming days.
He’d called Devil, who was rounding up his men to get the revenge they all wanted. Snitch had fucked them over, and he’d learned on the phone that Snitch was responsible for killing Devil’s sister. There was so much bad shit among them all. Tiny was going to end the bastard, and he was going to start fresh. No more past and no more bad shit coming to his men or his town.
“I love my daughter, and her man is missing. He could be dead. I will have to face my little girl and tell her that I failed. I was responsible for putting her man in the ground.” Ned hadn’t spoken a word but was glaring at him. “When she gets over the pain I know my daughter, and she’s going to ask for the head of the man who caused her man to be dead.” Letting the threat sink in, Tiny turned to look at Gavin. “I’ll bring my baby all of their heads. I need to know if you’re added to the list because the moment my little girl cries, I’ll kill anyone I think is responsible.”
Easing back into his chair, he watched as Ned sat back down looking at his girl.
“I get your threat, and I can promise you that I had nothing to do with the attack. If I wanted you taken care of I’d see to it, Tiny.” Ned looked at Eva. “I love my little girl, but I wouldn’t be dirty to get her back.”
He watched Ned turn and open the safe. “I got a call two weeks ago. A new buyer wanted a shipment of coke. He was looking to distribute, and once he got settled the money would be flowing.” Ned handed over the file. “This is who I dealt with. I don’t make connections without having back up. I’ve never been to Fort Wills other than to see my daughter. I don’t know your past, Tiny.”
Taking the file, Tiny looked down at Snitch. The man was a lot older, but it was Snitch.
“That’s him. He’s the one I, Mikey, and Devil rode out of town over twenty years ago.”
Handing the file back, Tiny felt the anger rolling over him. “He’s been watching us for months, waiting for the opportunity to strike.”
Slamming his hand down on the chair, Tiny stood, kicking the chair away.
Ned stared at the picture. “I didn’t even give a thought to him being new at all this. This is my fucking fault. I should never have taken that order.”
Tiny gripped the ledge of the window staring into the gym. “He’s got my town, and there’s not enough time. I’ve got one of my men keeping the girls safe for now, but I know it’s not going to stay that way.”
“What do you need from me? This fucker is going down,” Ned said.
“Get me to Fort Wills undetected. I don’t know what Snitch has in place. Get me through the airport and landed on good soil. Devil is collecting my men. He’s given me two days. His men are riding hard. They’re not too far away, and he was already on his way to Fort Wills when I called him.” Tiny folded his arms.
“Then make that two,” Eva said, standing up. “I’m going with him.”
“No, you’re not going anywhere,” Tiny and Ned said together.
“Yeah, I’m going with him.” She turned to Tiny. “We can’t find Murphy. Tate is going to need me.” Lash and Nash had finally gotten in touch last night while she’d been calling for Murphy. The two brothers were holed up in an apartment ten miles out of Fort Wills. They were injured but healing.
Still, Murphy was missing.
“You know I’m making sense. Tate will not listen to you.”
“You’re not going into a killing zone,” Ned said.
“Dad, I’m not eighteen anymore or a child. I’m going with Tiny. My home is with him.” She linked her arm through his. “We can do this together, not alone.”
Tiny knew she spoke the truth. Until Murphy was found, Tate was going to be impossible to handle. His daughter was never going to be easy.
“Fine, we go together, but you stay by my side and you’re armed. I’m not taking you into a killing zone,” Tiny said.
“I’m coming as well,” Alex said.
“No.” Tiny yelled the word. “Until Murphy is found, dead or alive, you’re staying here doing everything you can to locate him. He’s my son-in-law, and I’m not losing him.”
“I can get you closer to Fort Wills. Everything else will be up to you,” Ned said.
“Get me to Fort Wills and we’ll be even.”
“Good.” Ned walked around the desk and offered Tiny his hand. He took it, shaking the hand of the father of the woman he was going to marry.
The fist to the face he wasn’t expecting.
“Dad!”
Tiny stumbled back.
“You hurt my girl again, and I’ll hand her your head in a body bag,” Ned said. Both men had an agreement. Nodding his head, Tiny stood then shook Ned’s hand.
It was time for business and to kill the man intent on destroying him.
****
Two days later
Eva was nervous as she watched Tiny getting dressed. They’d landed at the airport yesterday, and he’d spent the last twenty-four hours preparing to confront Snitch by keeping in touch with Devil and knowing his time frame for arrival. Devil had most of his men and was heading back to Fort Wills right now.
“Don’t you think you need to wait this out?” Eva asked.
“No. I don’t need to wait this out. Snitch and I have a history. There is no chance I’m letting him get away with hunting my boys and taking them out. Have you called Killer?” Tiny asked.
“He’s on his way to pick you up.” They were staying in the old warehouse where they’d kept Nash. Eva didn’t have a problem staying in the warehouse. What she had a problem with was knowing Tiny was walking to his death.
“You shouldn’t go. Wait until Devil with your men show up.” She was panicking. What if something happened to Devil, and his men were attacked again?
“Element of surprise. Devil coming in with his club would spoil everything. I’ve got to take Snitch now.” Tiny secured the safety on his gun and placed it in the back of his jeans.
“Or he could shoot you in the head making all of this a waste of time.”
“It’s not going to happen. Shooting me in the head is not Snitch’s style. After what I did to him he’s going to take his time over me. He can’t have Mikey. He’s dead. Snitch will settle for me. Trust me, baby. I’ve got this.” He cupped her face, pressing a kiss to her lips.
“And what if you don’t?” she asked, following him outside.
“Look, this man is responsible for killing innocent people. I really don’t give a fuck about him right now. I’m working to make this place safe.” He took her hands, holding her close. “To make you safe. I know Snitch. He likes to have an audience when shit goes down. It’s why he has a new club.”
“I’m scared, Tiny. How do you know Devil will pull through? What if he’s working with Snitch?” Her hands were shaking as she held onto Tiny’s jacket.
“Devil has a score to settle with Snitch, and he helped me
get rid of him last time. I trust him. Trust me, Eva. I’m coming home to you, baby.”
There was nothing more she could do.
“Do you have the number Alex gave you?” he asked.
She handed him the white slip of paper with Snitch’s number on it.
“I’m coming back from this, and then we’re going to get married.” He caressed her cheek.
All too soon he was pressing the buttons on his cell phone and putting it to his ear. She wanted to snatch the phone off him. Instead, she stood listening to what was happening.
“Who the fuck is this?” She heard the man snarl over the line.
“Hello, Snitch.”
Standing close, Eva listened in to the conversation.
“What the fuck?”
“Yeah, you can’t fucking kill me, Snitch. It’s time you and I settle this once and for all.”
Tiny stepped away, and she didn’t get to hear Snitch’s reply.
“Gladly. Let’s end this.” The cell phone was dropped and smashed into the ground.
“You shouldn’t do this.”
“I’ll have Killer with me.” The sound of a car approaching had her looking over her shoulder to see the man himself approaching.
“I want you to head on over to Tate and the others. Killer kept them off their scent by killing one of Snitch’s men. I want you to keep them calm, and I’ll get to you as soon as I’m done,” Tiny said, getting into the car.
“What exactly do you want me to say?” she asked, leaning against the car.
“Tell Tate I’m handling it. Play cards, cook, I don’t know. Do something that will keep her mind off everything else,” Tiny said.
Glancing over at Killer, Eva shot him a glare. “You keep him alive, or you’ll answer to me.”
“Yes, Boss lady.” Killer smiled even though his expression was all serious.
Stepping back, she watched the men drive away. Fear tightened around her heart, but she kept it at bay. Heading back inside the warehouse, he grabbed her backpack and hiked it on her shoulder. She wore a pair of jeans, a long shirt of Tiny’s, and a pair of pumps. Eva hadn’t given it much thought to walking to town, but she didn’t have much choice.