Young Guns Box Set

by Kane, Remington

  Romeo patted him on the arm. “You did what you thought was best for Nadya, so did we.”

  * * *

  After leaving the hospital, the boys stopped for a meal, then went back to their hotel with plans to crash early. Day two of the competition loomed, and their opponents would only get tougher.

  Cody’s plans changed after he spotted Caroline seated in the lobby. The blonde was wearing a short red dress that exposed her long tanned legs.

  “Isn’t that Throne’s ex-wife?” Romeo asked.

  “That she is,” Cody said.

  “Damn, dude, so that’s why you disappeared the other day? With everything going on with Bagus and the competition, I forgot to ask you about that.”

  “Caroline is a lot of fun, and she knows Throne better than anyone.”

  “She’s your ace?”

  “Maybe,” Cody said.

  Caroline spotted them but remained seated and let them come to her. When Romeo was introduced to her, Caroline grinned.

  “Another luscious Yank. I really need to visit your country.”

  The three of them rode up on the elevators. Romeo entered his room to get some sleep. Cody went to bed as well, but he was not alone. Cody got much less sleep.

  * * *

  AUSTRALIA

  Spenser met Willow at her apartment after she was released from custody. She hadn’t been arrested, but she had been questioned and held overnight.

  Charlie’s claim that she and “A Yank named Tanner,” had killed the dead men in his car seemed suspect. It lost more credibility when the cops received a video. On the tape, Charlie and Jock Martin, who was one of the dead men, discussed framing Willow for her husband’s murder. The fact that six bodies were discovered in his car, and the murder weapons found in his office, sealed Charlie’s fate.

  Spenser had agreed to let Charlie live; he never said anything about keeping him out of prison.

  * * *

  Spenser and Willow talked over coffee at her kitchen table. At a lull in the conversation, she reached over and took Spenser’s hand.

  “I’m exhausted, and I need a shower, but will you come back later and see me? I’d like to thank you properly for saving my life.”

  “Improperly would be better,” Spenser said.

  Willow laughed as she left her seat and settled atop his lap, to kiss him. When their lips separated, she was grinning.

  “I’ll be as improper as you’d like, and I’ll even cook dinner.”

  “It sounds like a date,” Spenser said, and again they kissed.

  26

  Two Down

  FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA, AUGUST 2018

  Russell had to fight the temptation to hurl his phone against a wall of the motor home, as again, Tonya failed to answer her phone. Kuper was also not answering, and Russell began to suspect the worst.

  They’re both dead or in jail, he thought.

  He was at an RV park that had the lowest rating in the state. Normally that would be a bad thing, but it helped to cut back on the number of people he came in contact with. There was little shade, the bathrooms were dirty, and the hook-ups were in odd places, making things inconvenient. Also, the RV he was in was longer than most and had six wheels, which made parking in his slot tough.

  On the plus side, the staff never bothered you and the other people kept to themselves. Russell figured he and Tonya could have stayed there for weeks and let the search for them die down. But then, Harvey made his threat and Tonya went off to kill him.

  Russell tried again with the phone and got the same results. It was time to unhook and get the motor home on the road. If Tonya had been arrested, she might talk to make a deal. Or worse yet, Tanner might have gotten to her.

  Russell opened the door and peeked out. When he saw no one, he moved around to the rear of the RV and began filling the water tanks. When that was done, he unhooked the connection then did the same with the electrical.

  He reentered the motor home while carrying a folding chair, along with a plastic bucket that had beer cans and ice in it. Russell was on his knees and stowing the chair away when he felt the vehicle rock slightly. Russell, fearful that someone was on the steps, jumped up and reached for his gun. He had left it sitting in the center console.

  A look out the window in the door revealed no one. Russell laughed, while thinking he was becoming too edgy.

  It must have been the wind, that’s all, just the wind.

  He finished getting things ready to leave, then went toward the small bathroom to take a leak before heading on the road. When he saw Tanner standing inside the cramped space, Russell cursed and took out his gun.

  Click!

  The gun was empty. Tanner was holding a Taser in one hand. When he opened his other hand, Russell saw the rounds Tanner had removed from his weapon.

  “Shit!” Russell said.

  “Yeah,” Tanner agreed, then he shocked Russell with the Taser.

  * * *

  Tanner found money and jewelry hidden beneath the floor of the RV’s closet. He left all of the jewelry and some of the money then put things back, but in a way that they would be seen by the cops.

  He had killed Russell and made it look like an accidental death. After finding a plastic wedge used to change a rear tire, Tanner drove the motor home up onto the bright yellow wedge. That left the second rear tire, which Tanner had punctured, sitting off the ground and accessible to be removed.

  Tanner arranged the scene to make it look as if Russell had been reaching under the RV for a dropped lug wrench, setting the stage for a tragic mishap. That lethal accident occurred when Tanner backed the RV off the wedge and onto Russell.

  He planted the knife Kayla had used on Tonya and figured her death would be blamed on Russell, when she was finally found.

  A message to an email account informed the client that his money had been well-spent. Within a day or so, the client would see confirmation of that fact on the news. Tanner had stated that the deaths would be blamed on a falling out among thieves and an accident. With the email sent, the client would know better.

  Once it was dark, Tanner slipped out of the motor home and began the walk back to his vehicle. He had taken forty-thousand dollars from Russell’s stash of loot and planned to give it to Kayla and Zoe.

  They were the granddaughters of a Tanner, which in a sense, made them a bit like family. It felt good to know that he could help them.

  As he drove, Tanner called Kayla.

  “I found Russell.”

  “Good, any problems?”

  “No.”

  “I was about to call you and leave a message. Zoe will be released in the morning, so we’re headed back to Tucson.”

  “That’s good news, and I want to take you both out to dinner tomorrow.”

  “I have a better idea, you come to our house.”

  “You two share a house?”

  “We do; it makes things easier and our kids get along well.”

  “I’ll bring wine.”

  After getting the address, Tanner asked a question.

  “How’s Zoe feeling?”

  “She’s good, and will recover her strength, but she’ll have a nasty scar. I wish we had enough money to take care of that. Her doctor said a plastic surgeon could make it unnoticeable.”

  “How much would that cost?”

  “Probably thousands.”

  “You’ll have the money. I’m paying you two a bonus, courtesy of Russell and Tonya.”

  “Stolen money?”

  “It’s found money now, and I left most of it behind anyway. Those two did a lucrative business targeting high-end homeowners.”

  “Thank you, Xavier. My sister isn’t vain, but she shouldn’t have to live with a scar if she doesn’t have to.”

  They talked a little longer, then said goodbye.

  * * *

  As Tanner drove, he recalled the times he traveled the area with Romeo and Spenser when he was a young apprentice. Those were good days, as well as the year
s that followed.

  Taking out his phone again, Tanner dialed a number he had memorized. He knew that his own number wouldn’t look familiar to the person he was calling but hoped that they took the call anyway. He did.

  “Hello?”

  “It’s me, Romeo.”

  “Hey, Bro, are you nearby?”

  “I’m in Arizona.”

  “Wow, man, I haven’t been there in years.”

  “How are Nadya and Florentina?”

  “Nadya’s great and little Florentina is walking now. You need to come see us soon. Now that we’re in Florida, the travel time is easier.”

  “Sara and I will do that. Do you miss Indonesia?”

  “A little, but it’s good to be home in the states, and Nadya loves Florida.”

  They talked about old times and Romeo laughed as he remembered something from their first visit to Indonesia.

  “I was thinking about Maz’s contest the other day, and Throne.”

  “Throne? I hadn’t thought of him in years,” Tanner said.

  “Remember how the competition ended?”

  Tanner smiled, said, “Yeah,” and thought back to his days of training with the Russian named Maz.

  27

  Playing With Fire

  PADANG, INDONESIA, OCTOBER 2001

  Caroline traveled with Cody and Romeo the next day to view the competition. When Throne saw his ex-wife with her arm around Cody’s waist, he turned red and rushed over to them.

  “What the hell is this, Caroline?”

  “Xavier and I have become friends, Felix, not that it’s any of your business.”

  Throne thrust a finger at Cody’s face.

  “If we have a bout together I’ll break you in half.”

  “Go to hell… Felix,” Cody said.

  Maz walked over and pushed Throne back as the big man made a grab for Cody.

  “Calm down or I’ll disqualify you.”

  “But he’s with my wife, Maz.”

  “I’m your ex-wife,” Caroline said, then she gave Cody a passionate kiss.

  Throne’s face grew redder as he turned and stomped away while making punching motions with his fists. Across the way, the man Throne was slated to fight looked paler than he had only moments earlier. Throne was normally a brutal competitor, enraged, he would only be worse.

  Maz escorted Caroline to a seat beside his own. As he was walking away, Maz shook a finger at Cody, as if to tell him he was playing with fire.

  * * *

  Throne was brutal, and his first opponent of the day suffered a dislocated shoulder.

  Although they both sustained new bruises, Cody and Romeo also won their first matches.

  Throne was looking forward to facing Cody in the semi-finals, but Maz paired him against Romeo instead. Both Cody and Throne protested, however, Romeo was pleased. He was looking forward to chopping the giant down to size.

  During the break between bouts, Caroline sat with Cody.

  “Why haven’t you asked me any questions about Felix?”

  “Because I don’t care about Throne. I care about you.”

  “I’m a blonde, but I’m not a dumb blonde, Xavier. I know part of your interest in me was because you hoped to learn Felix’s weakness.”

  Cody smiled. “That thought had crossed my mind, but after I got to know you, I decided not to risk ruining things between us by asking about your ex.”

  “But you’re concerned about your friend fighting him, I can tell.”

  “Romeo’s tougher than he looks, but yeah, I’m worried he’ll get hurt.”

  Caroline kissed Cody, then whispered in his ear. “Felix injured his left knee eight months ago. It’s healed, but it’s still weak.”

  “Thank you,” Cody said.

  After Caroline left him, Cody went to Romeo and told him about Throne’s knee.

  “Caroline told you that?”

  “Yeah, and without me asking.”

  “I’ll keep it in mind, but I don’t think I’ll need it. Throne has another weakness, he’s overeager. Whenever he sees an opponent in trouble, he forgets all about protecting himself and moves in for the kill. I’m going to fake him out and then clobber him.”

  “Just be careful. If given a chance, Throne will put you in traction.”

  “He’s the one that will need a doctor,” Romeo said.

  * * *

  The bout started, and Throne charged at Romeo like a train that left its tracks. Romeo held his ground until the last instant, then dodged Throne while also elbowing him on the side. Throne grinned at Romeo as he stalked him inside the sand ring while making taunts.

  “I’m going to break you up good, blond boy. I’m going to do to you what I can’t do to your friend.”

  Romeo stayed silent and kept moving. Other than the rare kick or attempt at a hold, he kept his distance from Throne, as if he were afraid of him.

  When Throne charged Romeo and caught him in a bear hug, it looked as if the match would soon be over. Romeo brought his head up fast and smashed Throne’s chin, weakening his grip. The move freed Romeo, but the impact appeared to have left him stunned.

  As Romeo moved away from Throne, he did so on a pair of unsteady legs, then leaned over with his hand pressed against his ribs.

  Throne sensed an opportunity and moved in to finish Romeo. As Throne was reaching for him with both hands, Romeo straightened up and kicked him in the face. That was followed by another kick to the right eye, and a knee to the stomach.

  Throne backed away, but Romeo kept on him, and after positioning himself for the toss, Romeo sent Throne to the sand. Throne was rising up when Romeo wrapped an arm around his throat and began pushing his head forward. Romeo nearly had the behemoth rendered unconscious with a sleeper hold when Throne flipped them both over.

  Spry Romeo avoided getting crushed beneath the big man’s weight and made it to his feet first. Throne attempted to rise when a kick slammed into the side of his head. That dropped him back onto the sand and caused him to release a moan.

  Romeo joined him on the ground and flipped the big man over, then did it again, until Throne was at the edge of the ring. Realizing how vulnerable he was, Throne attempted to get up and away. That was when Romeo locked his arms around Throne’s waist and spun the big man.

  Throne nearly left the ring and assured Romeo’s victory, but he managed to keep his balance. Romeo moved in and began trading blows with the huge man, giving three for every punch Throne landed. There were cuts over both men’s eyes when Romeo changed tactics and sent a kick into Throne’s midsection. That was enough to make Throne tumble backwards out of the sand ring, and a cheer went up from the gathered crowd. The boastful champion was no more.

  * * *

  Cody’s opponent was a thirty-year-old Chinese man named Yang, who had been in three prior tournaments. Yang was fast and adroit at slipping out of holds and the match went on longer than any other. It finally came down to Cody outlasting the man as his stamina was greater. However, when he finally pinned his man, Yang refused to give up.

  In an attempt to free himself from the hold, Yang strained too hard, with the result that he broke his own arm.

  Cody leapt up as he realized what had happened. Maz, acting as referee, called the match in Cody’s favor, then had a man take Yang to the hospital. Cody was smiling, but his grin faded when he realized he would have to meet Romeo in the final.

  Romeo’s smile was a wan one as he too realized what lay ahead.

  Cody shrugged. “The good news is, one of us will definitely get the trophy.”

  “Yeah,” Romeo said.

  * * *

  They spent the evening at Bagus’s home where they had been invited for dinner to celebrate his being released from the hospital. When they told Bagus that they had to fight each other, he made a face of displeasure.

  “I hope your friendship can endure.”

  “We’re cool,” Romeo assured him, and Cody nodded in agreement.

  The boys left soo
n after dinner, to allow Bagus time to rest. After shutting the door behind them, Bagus turned to Nadya.

  “Do you know who will win?”

  Nadya grinned knowingly.

  “Ah, so Romeo will win the match.”

  “No, Ayah,” Nadya said, while still grinning. “They will both lose.”

  * * *

  The following day, a large crowd had come to see the two American youths fight each other with many a friendly wager made. Having defeated Throne, Romeo was favored.

  The bout started slow. When a good blow was struck, there was no follow through that might result in a victory.

  It was clear to everyone that neither man wanted to hurt the other. After a roundhouse kick stunned Romeo, Cody expressed concern rather than pressing the advantage. When he saw that his kick had reopened the cut over Romeo’s eye, he looked stricken.

  Romeo recovered, blocked a blow, then delivered an elbow to the side of Cody’s head that dropped him to one knee.

  “Bro! Are you all right?”

  When a few in the crowd began howling for Romeo to finish Cody off, Romeo instead offered Cody a hand, to help him stand.

  Cody misunderstood the gesture and leapt up to defend against an attack. When he saw that Romeo had been offering help, and not attempting to harm him, he dropped his hands to his sides.

  “I’m not trying to hurt you again, Bro. Do you want to risk hurting me?” Romeo asked.

  Cody smiled. “Of course not, and we’ve got nothing to prove.”

  The two of them turned to face Maz and spoke at the same time.