A New Day, The Other Me chapter 11
Introduction:
Second to last chapter people, sorry for serious delay but quality over quantity. Also new jobs are tough. Enjoy and vote up please.
Carlos: Monday before the Incident
After school and Iām all sorts of fucked up on how to get one person to sit down and talk things out. Yeah itās Guy Iām talking about but at this point Iād give him almost anything just to end this shit and get my sister to hate on me and my boys a little less. Yeah I know she never liked my crew but over the past months sheās had a serious problem with everyone under me and Iām not being spared just because weāre blood either. It hasnāt turned to anything I gotta check my people on yet but Iām not taking chances on someone just thinking they can put her in her place. Iām outside her door and take a second to man up before knocking. I hear her say to come in, she might not think itās me but I go in and when she sees me enter and close the door after me I get the disapproving sister look.
āWell sooner or later it had to happen. So what am I supposed to do for the gang,ā Marta asks me and I stop at what she is saying,ā Youāve been following me for a couple days now like you want to ask me something and since you really donāt have anything other than your gang itās pretty academic where your question is going to come from.ā
āSorry sis, not about my crew. I need to talk about Guy,ā I say it and she closes her laptop setting on the bed beside her,ā I have tried to talk to him but heās so far gone that I could be talking to la Luna and Iād get a better conversation. I need to make peace and I canāt figure out how any more so since you know him I need your help.ā
āIām not setting him up for you or leading him somewhere you can ambush him,ā my sister tells me and I groan.
āYou seriously think thatās who I am,ā I ask and she shrugs.
āYou donāt show anyone anything else. You have all your little homies and homettes surrounding you and you spent three years beating on him because āyour people donāt get disrespectedā. Then when he nearly dies you stand there and tell everyone that you didnāt do anything wrong when you know you did. You canāt even own up to your own shit with him but you want to make peace,ā Marta is taking it to me and I let her for a bit.
āJust because I didnāt turn my people out as scapegoats for shit they actually didnāt do doesnāt mean I ignored what we had done to him and every single thing since then that my people have been close to or involved in that wasnāt making peace with him I stomped out,ā I explain and she shakes her head.
āLike Hector backing him into a corner so our cousin could get involved in your little feud,ā she says it but how does she know that much,ā I spoke to Imelda about it after she said I didnāt have to worry anymore.ā
āWell Imelda spoke with Guy because someone was threatening to hurt me by getting to you and Guy stopped that,ā I start to explain but she stops me.
āYeah both Guy and she said that and Guy said he had nothing to do with anyone coming after me because of shit you did but that still doesnāt change the fact that you kept your āboyā Hector at home for a couple weeks instead of actually punishing him for going after Guy when he should have backed off,ā Marta is bringing up my past with my people and itās not helping.
āHector needed to cool off and understand that Guy isnāt a problem,ā I try but my sister is quick with it.
āIf heās not a problem then why are you worried so much that you have to come to me to help you smooth things over,ā she asks it and itās making me angry,ā Is it because Guy isnāt listening to the all powerful gang leader or is it because for once you need to change peopleās minds about you being the king turd leading the shits?ā
āItās about making things right and squashing all of it so we can just move the hell on. Every time I see him he looks like heās waiting for something to happen like Iām the bad guy,ā I say the words and Marta is right on me.
āYou are the bad guy. Youāve been the bad guy and now youāre just upset because you think youāve been a good guy this whole time,ā Marta is talking about everything she sees but she doesnāt see all of it.
āYou donāt know what Iāve done to help this family, this hood, hell this half of the damn city,ā I tell her and she doesnāt look impressed,ā Remember that guy who was dealing at school, never got caught with drugs but we all knew it was him and Dad was worried about you going to the same high school as us?ā
āMartin Martinez, the loser pot head,ā Marta asks and I shake my head at her.
āMore like meth and heās been out of the city since my freshman year. Then his suppliers, then their money, all of it gone in one year and not a single cop because I made sure it got taken care of, I might not be perfect but Iām not the bad guy,ā I state and she laughs.
āWow, taking credit for getting rid of one complete loser in high school and everything that allegedly happened after. You are really desperate to prove youāre what? Some sort of savior,ā Marta says and sheās making fun of me.
āNot really, I did what I did because it was going to help,ā I explain but Marta is on me again.
āAnd how does you and your boys kicking the shit out of Guy help? Explain to me how you being the bully with the biggest gang helped anything for him,ā She asks it and I donāt have the answer for her, not one that would actually be worth saying,ā Yeah, good talk big brother. I have other things to do.ā
āIām not asking for my crew or my boys, Iām just asking for me. I want to talk to Guy, apologize and if we can figure out how to let all this get behind us and not be watching out for each other when weāre trying to eat lunch,ā I ask Marta who is trying to get back on her laptop,ā Please take this serious.ā
āI would if there were something I could do to help. You donāt understand I donāt have any say over Guy, I canāt tell him to sit down and talk as much as you could tell Hector to stop being a complete asshole,ā Marta explains and I am tired of the insults,ā Guy does what he wants, when he wants and when he does it he does it because from what I can tell it amuses him. He fucked up Romeo because he thought it was funny, he thought what he did to one of your boys while you watched was funny, Romeo in pain screaming? He thought that was funny because heās not able to feel things like he used to.ā
āHow do you know all that,ā my sister has a lot of insight into how someone sheās not always around is thinking.
āAbby, she watches him and she listens. Morning after he screwed up Romeo even though he was in pain he was smiling and even laughing a little. Your friends, your homiesā¦ they made him this way. And when he was dying you didnāt even try to go to the hospital, you didnāt put yourself out there to be spit on or have someone tell you how horrible you and your boys were because it wasnāt convenient to be seen as weak,ā Marta is going for the throat on me but I shake my head.
āI didnāt go to the hospital because my people didnāt do it, both times. I admitted to what was done before but after it wasnāt us,ā I start and she is quick to cut me off.
āPlease, youāre memory isnāt that bad to forget Hector pushing him around as a Christmas gift,ā she reminds me and I nod.
āWhich is why I pulled Hector out for a bit, made him think about when he went after Guy and when I said to stop,ā I didnāt exactly tell him to think about it,ā Back to my thing I need your help. I just want to speak with him.ā
āThen go over to his house and see if they let you onto the grounds. Iād be surprised if you even make it past the gate before the cops show up,ā Marta is making fun of my situation.
āAlright, be a bitch. I have tried to explain and I have been as honest and sincere as I can but you just want to be a bitch so fuck you,ā I get up to leave the room.
āExcuse me,ā she stops me and I turn around and yell at her.
āFuck you, I have made sure that for four years your life has been fucking sunshine and rainbows while my hands are covered in dirt and blood. Your college fund, the one Mom and Dad have been āsavingā for the past four years? Thatās me, that is my work paying for your ungrateful ass and yeah I thought it was funny at first watching Guy get his ass beat and when I said stop finally it stopped. I should have done it sooner but thatās on me. Everything else you can shove up your ass,ā I yell at Marta and head out.
I donāt think she came after me as I leave the house slamming the doors and my own ride door before pulling away from the curb. Iām pissed off and thatās when people need to worry because I donāt get mad, I get furious and before I realize where Iām at Iām out the car and heading into the tattoo shop the Union run. Vicki is at the front to take customers but Iām not here for any new ink as I step past the counter and the chairs to the back where the Old Man is sitting going over his books. He doesnāt even look up as I slam the door to his small office closed.
āIf youāre here to yell at me about something you might want to tell me the subject so I can decide if I should actually listen to you or throw you out for slamming my door,ā the Old Man tells me as I sit in his only other chair,ā Or this isnāt about me and the Union.ā
āI canāt fix it,ā I state and he nods to me,ā This thing with that kid Guy, I canāt fix it and now itās so far out from everything that happened I just yelled and my sister because she just looks at me and sees a piece of shit gangbanger.ā
āYou are a gangbanger Carlos, youāre not quite a piece of shit but you do stick your hands in it just like the rest of us,ā he says and I nod a little as the Old Man turns to me,ā What is bothering you most about this kid? Is it the fact that someone messed him up twice and it wasnāt you or is it the fact that there are some people who donāt accept the olive branch?ā
āThe what,ā I ask and he chuckles.
āOld term, to extend peace the symbolism was an olive branch way back before you and I were ever even thought of. This kid, Guy, what seems to be the big hold up for him squaring shit up with you,ā the Old Man explains and I figure Iāll get it out.
āAfter all of this I just want to fix one thing that I let get messed up. You took over the drug dealers and it was your call to. You took over looking into who screwed Guy up for me because you got bigger reach. I just want someone not part of this life to look at me and not see the piece of shit that they all think I am,ā I explain and he leans back in his chair.
āThey or she? Always a girl when a man wants to change his stripes or at least how they see him and unless youāre queer that means a girl unless weāre talking about your sister then weāre in a subject Iām not touching,ā he jokes a little but heās right.
āGuyās sister Abby, she hates me and that hate is spreading into my sister who had sex with Guy and this whole time Iām trying to get one of the three to sit down and not talk down to me like Iām someā¦,ā I try to explain but the Old Man is quick to stop me.
āI get what youāre saying kid, youāre young and want people to think better of you. When you get older youāll just want them to leave you alone and keep off your damn street,ā he says more to fill in for himself than me,ā Well I gotta say youāre screwed until we find the people who messed with him.ā
āYou know who they are, where,ā I ask and he shakes his head.
āNo, you stay out because itās above your head boy. Weāre handling this and when itās over youāll be exonerated and that will be the end of it,ā he says and I groan in frustration,ā Carlos I like you, youāre smart and you got ambition but youāre also loyal and honest which is why nobody has put a bullet in your head. When time comes youāll be standing to the side of it all with your people and everyone will know you werenāt responsible.ā
Heās got a line on who kicked off the year of looking over my shoulder by stabbing Guy and Guyās real connections being found out but that does me no good now. I could go behind the Old Manās back, figure out who heās watching and do something before he does but that ends with me and mine hanging for it. I say my goodbye to the Old Man and head back out, I got a couple messages on my phone mostly crew but a one from Mom asking where I am and one from a blocked number. I open the blocked one and immediately look around the message was short and simple: I See You.
Neal Donnelly: Tuesday Evening before Incident
Here I am at dinner with my family and my ex wifeās family and the entire time Iām watching my son without him realizing it. Heās keeping something to himself and the longer I donāt know what it is the more worried about him I become. Hiding a porn magazine or drinking underage is one thing but heās setting himself up against people who will kill him and not care about those around him when they do. Iāve been watching Carlos Ortega since I decided to show him he wasnāt safe months ago. I almost put a bullet in the boy but people donāt lie when you show them pictures of their loved ones and have a loaded weapon. I actually thought the boy could be hiding something about what has been happening to my son but aside from the previous beatings and humiliation there isnāt anything worth killing over. I turn my attention and thoughts back to my son. Heās calm, almost happy and smiling but whenever I see him and he doesnāt think anyone is looking I see the change and I see that darkness behind his eyes. We get it in war, itās a look that usually means weāre about to do something that god wouldnāt understand. I have to find out where heās been going, I found the storage locker with the car and the clothes easy enough but there is another location I canāt seem to pin down. My thoughts are almost distracting me when someone asks about desert.
āHow about some ice cream,ā the oldest boy, Mark Jr. suggests.
āI donāt think we have any Mark,ā my ex, Loretta informs him.
āWeāll go get some,ā I suggest and nod to Guy,ā Guy and I can go get some and bring it back quick.ā
Everyone likes the idea even Guy until we step away from the table and he looks at me like heās putting together what Iām doing. Mostly I want to talk to my son but I really want him to tell me everything heās thinking when he thinks nobody notices. We take the truck and I sit in the quiet with him when he just comes out with it.
āWhy are we here? Why take me with you to get ice cream,ā Guy asks and I donāt know how to say it best.
āI missed a lot of time with you, a lot of little things. I just want to do whatever we can together before your sister and I leave to return home to Montana. Still going to see you graduate,ā I tell my son and he listens but heās waiting for something.
āIām almost at the point now where I actually think you want to help me,ā Guy says and I almost shoot off that I do,ā But you canāt, what I am doing next I have to do alone. Once itās done Iāll have something Iāve been waiting for since this started at the beginning of the school year.ā
āWhat are you planning on doing,ā I ask and he smiles.
āIām going to get satisfaction. Iām going to balance the scales and Iām going to watch as people have to acknowledge that whether itās God, fate, karma or random blind luck the universe will give you what you deserve,ā Guy says and Iām more than a little concerned,ā After that Iām going to sit back, finish this chapter of my life and look at what I really want to do going forward.ā
āEver think that you could just let things go and move on,ā I ask my son and he smiles at me, I can see it from the corner of my eye.
āCould you have just let Gwen go,ā Guy asks and itās low but heās making a point.
āNo but I went for minimal collateral damage,ā I explain and he laughs a little.
āThatās the difference Dad, your list was small. My listā¦ not so much,ā Guy states as we pull into the store parking lot.
Ice cream and veiled plans have me at a standstill on what to do next with my son. Whatever it is I need to get out in front of it before he sacrifices himself or his future for a moment of revenge. When I went after my brotherās wife it was to get what was mine back. Guyās revenge is something much deeper and darker because revenge is dark. We return home minor heroes of the moment with ice cream and everyone gets dished up before the kids are off to bed and I can speak with Delauter alone.
āHeās got something big in mind and I canāt find out what it is or where but heās going to do it soon,ā I tell the Senior Mark.
āHow bad do you think it is? Could we let it pass by and just allow him the moment,ā he is asking more for his attempt to salvage my son.
I shake my head no and Mark senior nods slowly in agreement before we step out of his office and Iām back to figuring out how to find what else my son is hiding.
Guy: Wednesday at school before Incident
I know youāre busy planning but Iām looking towards what happens after.
You mean like a party or a celebration? He could use one.
No, Iām thinking long term and that means he needs to find out who is best for him.
How about we just choose one and thatās the end of it.
Heās looked for too long, we let them decide.
Cat fight?
Noā¦ Maybeā¦ itās up to them really.
My guests arrive to my spot in the library after lunch and while I know everyone here intimately they donāt quite know each other but the four all look to each other with wonder as to why the others are here.
āSo now that weāre all here I want to thank you for coming. Each of you knows me in some form or another and each of you has expressed some sort ofā¦ attraction to me. First off I want each of you to know that what I am doing here today isnāt a declaration of intent Iām simply previewing the few people outside of my family that have shown a genuine interest in my well being. That being said a change is coming for me and in less than a week Iāll be someone new, hopefully for the last time,ā I explain and they listen for a moment.
āGuy Iām not sure what youāre saying,ā Marta asks and I begin to speak but Jenna is quick to say her piece.
āYou will be this or something more,ā the budding model asks me and I shrug.
āI could be less, that is the risk but I must risk it nevertheless,ā I state and she nods.
āRisk what,ā Emily, the newcomer and most fresh of the four asks confused.
āRisk my everything, in war whether of the heart and mind or the body there is risk and Iāve been at war. A war Iām planning on ending,ā I state as Marta looks down.
āYou mean against my family,ā the gang leaderās sister states and again Iām not the one to answer.
āHe means against everyone, everyone who wronged him and hasnāt paid their due,ā Jenna explains and smiles,ā Iāll see you after; I think you will be amazing after you are done.ā
āA lot of people have made it their mission statement that my life is their play thing and they can hurt, humiliate and kill me at their whim. Iām going to make a statement but more than that Iām going to make them hurt. It will not be a simple hurt either for it will be lasting and it will be something they will have to endure for almost as long as I have,ā I explain and they all sit back and absorb my words,ā That being said I donāt know who Iām going to be after that Jenna. This could go away in a matter of minutes and I could finally find peace.ā
āYou arenāt at peace now,ā Emily asks with a note of concern.
āJust because heās not taking it out on everyone else doesnāt mean he isnāt upset or hurting but Guy,ā Sydney explains before turning her attention to me,ā Hurting other people back doesnāt mean you wonāt feel pain for whatās been done. Iām not saying do or donāt but consider your options and the fact that it might change nothing?ā
āAnd again, that is an outcome for me as well since I donāt know how Iāll feel after all this is has been done,ā I clarify and smile,ā But it will be done and as it must it will be done by my hand.ā
āNo, youāre nice and we had a moment but Iām not sticking around to see you drag yourself down and I know,ā Marta stares straight at me,ā I know you are looking at my family on this and as much as I hate what is does he is my brother.ā
āI know, but I will not lie to you and I will not deceive you Marta. The greatest trick in the world is to be known as the greatest liar on the planet and know that you only have ever told the truth,ā I reply and smile a little sadly to her.
Marta leaves the table quietly and I allow her to, she earned that and blood is blood. You canāt hurt it like you can everything else and even if she says something to her brother Iāve planned for that. Even if they come to find me and stop me, Iāve planned for that too. And if they bring their biker buddies in on the situation to stop me, well theyāve been planned for too. The remaining three are sitting quietly before Jenna figures itās a good time to add her two cents.
āWell Iām hoping to see you like this but moreā¦ evolved,ā the beauty states and I shrug,ā Not the vengeance so much but the determination, the confidence and the purity of who you are.ā
āYeah you like him now, what about before,ā Sydney counters and I have to give her points on that.
āOkay no cat fights over him, itās not going to win him over,ā Emily states and sheās right.
Boo!
Well sheās right.
Maybe but she didnāt have to say it.
The ladies leave to their own devices and plans as I sit and think on mine only to find one came back and honestly, itās the one I thought would.
āI know you, I know all this is huge and painful but have you really thought it through,ā Syd asks quietly sitting back down.
āI have and it actually feels liberating to imagine doing what I have planned,ā I tell her as she nods.
āI was here before, Iāll be here after and beyond but you need to think about whether or not you will be,ā Syd states and I sit up a little,ā I mean physically. Doing this could get you killed.ā
āOnly if I was going to do it dumb and blind,ā I start and she stops me.
āGood, think it throughā¦ all of it and when itās over Iām waiting for you any time. Not when itās convenient or when Iām not terribly busy,ā Syd declares in the quiet of the library with her own quiet intensity.
I watch her leave, all jeans and black leather jacket and have to think hard about that. She really doesnāt care what is left because she just wants me. Okay wants me alive which is a positive, honestly she doesnāt have any real negatives but Iām leaving it to them after. They will want what they want because I donāt know what finally balancing my scales will do for me and that is something I canāt begin to imagine.
Hawk: Wednesday Evening before Incident
And Smitty is messaging me again, probably telling me I need to keep a few of his boys with me just in case. Itās a freaking cop more interested in what the prostitutes are wearing than the biker without his leathers following him. Another bar, another stop, another pair of beers and heās back on his rounds through the local watering holes. I honestly thought he was shaking the places down but no money changing hands and plenty of people seem to know him so that makes me wonder if heās spotted me but no actual looking my way. Weāre after bar number four and heās probably over the legal limit but whoās gonna stop a cop in a truck. I follow in a van I grabbed from the Union lot, bikes a bit too obvious for tailing and find Officer Martinez in his cowboy hat stopping at a basketball court to scare off a couple local dealers. I think theyāre dealers because theyāre not watching the game and when he shows up they clear out. I finish following him as he stops at his home, a simple two bedroom house in a semi respectable part of the east side and watch as the man picks up his mail from the box against the house. I pull a couple houses up and park before getting out and make my way down the opposite side of the street to get a look. Curtain in the living room is closed, no toys outside so no kids that I can tell yet and no second car. Single man living in a two bedroom usually says wife and kid or roommate but a cop keeping a roommate is an odd bird to fly. I cross the street looking straight at the front of the house gauging his location by lights inside with all curtains closed. Living room, dining area behind maybe, down a hall to a bathroom, bedroom where Iām guessing he changes out of some of his clothes before killing the light and heading back to the living room. More lights shut off and now the spare room light is on. Office or workshop maybe?
Car coming up the block, I turn towards it and walk back towards the van. Big tip about looking like youāre not stalking someone is to move towards people, not away. Moving towards means youāre not doing anything wrong, moving away means running and running means guilt. Back to the van and I see Smittyās latest message about sending me two Union reps just to keep me company but I know what I want to keep me company, Sheena. Been down here for months because Sid canāt seem to get it out of his head that he fucked up the deal with the Union a couple years ago and when he went off and blew up a local shop, even though it was sanctioned by the owner, he did so without Union or the ruling classās permission. So now I have to come down here to stalk and hunt for someone else and even though I like Jim and some of his people Iām still tired of this desert shit and want to head back to my water, trees and woman. I start up the van and head back to the Union lot parking it and returning the keys to the mechanic on hand as Smitty makes his way to me with a couple boys.
āHawk you got my message,ā he asks and I nod taking off the denim jacket for my vest and no shirt,ā Good, I got two boys here to head back with you.ā
āNo,ā I like to keep it simple.
āListen, I know youāre the big bad hunter and all that but you need back up and I say take these boys back with you,ā Smitty informs me and I shake my head at him.
āNo, too big, too slow, too loud. I do this my way or I head back home,ā I canāt really thanks to Sid but I aināt bringing that up.
āMy Dad put me in charge of watching the cop and that means you do what I say,ā Smitty orders and I assess the situation.
Smitty, large tattooed biker and son of Jim the President of the Union. Heās flanked by two slightly smaller than he is Union boys who look like they know about fighting, riding, fucking and drinking and in no real order on those four things. I square up to Smitty, who could probably beat me in a straight fight if I let him hit me and figure I need to end the discussion.
āListen here Smitty. I am here at my presidentās request and Iām doing what I am told by your father at his, Sidās, request. Now if you have a problem with that you can go ask your Old Man what he wants me to do and by the time you get it figured out Iāll be back out on the road heading home where I belongā¦ not down here in this dry ass hole in Texas,ā I state calm and ready.
Both of Smittyās boys are ready to beat my ass, one problem, they do that and one getās chain to balls as an opener. Not gonna hit Smitty unless he moves then Iām just defending myself. Smitty has his boys back down and I watch him turn and walk, normally you donāt turn your back on Devilās Best but Smitty, his Pop and their boys get a pass since itās their town. I relax now, for real, and pull my phone to call Sheena. We talk a little, she asks me what Iām doing and when Iām coming home. She misses me which I need to hear considering more than a few men have watched her walk past a little too interested and they needed and education in whoās woman she is. I head inside the Union house, itās one of many but if Smitty is here then so is his Old Man and after a little bit of looking I find Jim sitting down reading his ledger. Never seen whatās in the ledger but I aināt that curious.
āMy boy seems to think you need backup,ā Jim says without looking up from his book.
āHe does, but I donāt,ā I keep it short, again I like it short.
āYou got anything new,ā he asks finally looking up at me.
I give him the basics of Officer Martinez and the basic layout of his house and his routine. When I list the bars and a few of the people he smiles, the man knows something. I let him make a call and he talks to someone for a few minutes before coming back to me.
āHawk good work, just two more things and I will personally fly you and your bike back home so you can get back to that little lady of yours,ā Jim doesnāt bullshit on what you need to do unless you fuck it up and I didnāt fuck it up.
āDad if weāre grabbing the cop we donāt need Hawk,ā Smitty says and I figure heās right.
āBoy you are about as subtle as my bowels after two bowls of chili,ā a mental image I didnāt need but a point is made by Jim,ā Hawk I can set up a grab but I need you to either help with the grab or get me something on the man from his home.ā
āItāll be better if I can find proof and we turn it over to your lady cop. Let me do that first and if there isnāt anything you can still do the grab,ā I tell Jim who nods.
I listen to them set up the backup plan, itās a simple drug and grab and theyāre bringing in someone as bait. I listen and laugh to myself a little. There are so many things that can go wrong and I have to put my two cents in even though itās just in case I donāt come through.
āIāll do the break in but for the love of god just let me do it before you attempt to grab a police officer. I donāt need the cops in the same spot Iām trying to get whatever I can from his home,ā I put it out in front of Jim and he nods.
āI already said that weād hold back till you are all done and back, after that heās on the menu and I know a few people that would love to hear what he has to say,ā Jim responds and I nod.
I get a couple things, mostly floor plans and what the neighborhood looks like during the day when the good Officer Martinez is busy at his job policing all the bad criminals of the city. I figure on the few things I need so I can go over the next day or so to do the job. Taking my time is one thing that pisses off most people but if youāre hunting you use your patience and take the right shot and the right time.
Carlos: Still Wednesday Evening before Incident
āSo you still beefinā with your sister,ā Romeo asks me and I almost laugh at him.
Weāre in my car driving towards his parentās house and heās about the only person other than Hector who can talk to me about Marta and not get told to shut their mouths. Yeah itās been two days since I tried to speak with her and get her to help me with Guy but that blew up in my face and then I blew up in hers. At least the Old Man has a lead on who fucked up Guy and that might get me and him to sit down but still I want to do it before all that gets settled. But with Romeoā¦
āYou need to stop trying so hard, use that brain of yours and find some better words. I let you into this crew because of you can think and youāve been a good soldier,ā I give him a little praise and he is almost as happy about that as he is about his new girl,ā So how are things with Juanita?ā
āGood man, we donāt talk like Marta and I would but sheās funny and I donāt have to worry about you kicking my ass if you catch me in bed with her,ā Romeo jokes and I almost donāt laugh.
āDonāt remind me, itās a good thing Mama thinks sheās still a virgin or someone would be missing a pair of balls by the end of the week,ā I ājokeā back and Romeo laughs a little.
I drop Romeo off at home and head back to my folkās place and park outside to see my bedroom light is on. I donāt know why Mom would be in my room in the evening and when I get inside see her and Dad sitting on the couch watching TV. Iām not sure what is going on till I get my door open and see my baby sister sitting on the edge of my bed.
āWhat the fuck are you doing in my room,ā I ask and Iām not polite.
āWaiting for you, I wanted to talk a little,ā she says as I step out of my doorway.
āWell I donāt so get the fuck out,ā I keep it quick cause I need some rest.
āPlease just let me tell you okay. Guy had a couple of us girls with him today, he thought I was interested in him long term and if it were old Guy I would be but now heās tooā¦ well heās too driven to hurt people,ā Marta explains and I close the door since she aināt moving.
āWell he fucked up Romeo in front of you and that made Romeo one of the boys for real and let everyone know Guy was a nightmare in a fight so now that we have that settled you can go now,ā I offer again and she doesnāt move.
āI was mean; I pushed you because I know you could be something else. Probably something better than all this and you still choose to be a thug and lead your not so little crew,ā Marta says it and now Iām a little interested,ā I know there are things you did for me and you watched out for Romeo while we were in high school even before we dated.ā
āAnd Iām a piece of shit leading pieces of shit, blah blah blah get out,ā I point at the door and now my sister is getting tears.
I am pissed off at her but sheās still my little sister and sheās crying which means I gotta sit down on the bed, my bed, next to her and put my arm around her so she can get it out. It takes a minute before she can talk again.
āI spoke with Guy today; I donāt think I can get him to sit down with you now. I kinda walked out on him,ā Marta explains and I wonder how they got in a boyfriend/girlfriend thing,ā He was talking to a couple of us and said that he was going to do something big and it would change him. He said that he was going to be different and I knew he was talking about you or Romeo or your people and I walked out on him.ā
āSo heās coming for me, he said that,ā I ask and she shakes her head.
āI think youāre on the ālistā but he didnāt deny it,ā she says in leaning her head on my shoulder,ā I donāt think I can help you now.ā
āI get you donāt like my crew, I know we aināt been the best when it comes around to winning over people but we are doing things to make shit safer,ā I try to explain.
āOnly way to prove people wrong is to show them what you did,ā Marta says and I shake my head,ā Is it that bad?ā
āI canāt tell you all of it but yeah, some is not really good lil sis,ā I tell her and she nods.
Well here we are only now sheās not so pissed at me, probably more than a few of my people are still on the shit list but Iāll deal with that later if I have to. She walked away from Guy and thatās a plus except it puts me farther away from getting him to sit down so we can just put shit in the past. Tomorrow is a new day and we have time, itās not like heās actually able to get at me or anyone in the crew.
Guy: Thursday after school before Incident
Seriously, weāre going to see her?
Yes, is it that odd to you?
No but this is not what youāve been looking at if this changes him.
Well call it adding a little salt to the wound if you donāt like the idea.
Wait a minute; youāre getting last shot in before the end? I take it all back and go get him some my friend.
Itās one thing to go somewhere you are expected but when you go where nobody expects you at all, thatās a magical feeling so as Iām leaning against my car in my one of my best suits staring at a taco truck and messaging on my phone to Gwen who is still on about me taking a month to visit her in Montana. I shoot off a bad joke about her wanting me there so she can have her own hired help pull practical jokes on me, she doesnāt find it too funny and I have to give her ātalk to you laterā so I can watch the people at the truck. Two in particular and since Iām parked in almost the exact same spot I was months ago, Iām hoping to get a little bit of attention. Iād like to say that as I stand here and watch Hector and his slightly older girlfriend Lupe talk on what I can only assume is her break that at some point they notice me staring from my spot but sadly they donāt and I figure I could get something to eat, well something for someone to eat. I walk up and place my order, quietly waiting to see if anyone says anything as I pay cash and leave a tip. Not a damn thing and now Iām wondering what a man has to do to get people to take notice.
In their damn faces boy, in their faces and lives like you own it.
āWhat the hell are you doing here,ā Hector asks as Iām standing across from the table he and Lupe is sitting at.
Small picnic tables with built in benches and an aisle way between two rows is where I find myself leaning and looking straight at him, not sure what brought me right here but itās where I want to be.
āJust doing a little research on where stray dogs go when they arenāt chasing cats,ā yes itās a joke, I donāt think he gets it,ā having fun with your sister?ā
āBack off my girl homes,ā Hector warns me and I smile.
āOh sheās your girl. How silly of me, I thought by the video I saw she was Brandonās girl but then again he does seem to have so many,ā I am twisting the knife in an almost closed wound, I say almost because I can see heās still pissed and sheās not happy about it when she gives me an odd look.
āI know you,ā Lupe says more than asks.
āDo you? From where? I donāt know any amateur porn stars but if I did I would be damn sure to remember them,ā I continue to joke and she stands up.
āYouāre Jeff! You had me sign those contracts for the audition and the video. This is him, thatās Jeff,ā Lupe is standing now and Iām just smiling like a cat from Cheshire.
āIād love to indulge this fantasy that Iām some low end porn producer or whatever but Iām more of the financier and contract holder in events like this and if I did hold a contract for actionable videos that have been signed on camera,ā I state my ātheoretical positionā,ā then I would have signed someone to a multi scene deal and would probably need to remind her that she has two more left on her contract. Granted if she had actually read the contracts she would realize this without it needing to be said.ā
āYou son of a bitch,ā Hector is almost in my face and for once Iām not even remotely afraid or even excited, just a little giddy.
āDonāt talk about my mother, I donāt talk about yoursā¦ oh wait sheās not around anymore is she,ā I ask and heās only holding back because heās trying to be a good dog.
Careful, we donāt know if she is dead or not.
Really? Weāre worried about that?
Nah, not really. Just wanted you to stop and think before you make Hector throw first punch.
And what is wrong with that?
What is the plan?
Planā¦ rightā¦ I do have something for this.
āWhat do you want,ā Lupe asks pulling Hector back.
āSatisfaction but Iāll get that soon enough. You on the other hand Iād hate to see something happen before you are able to get your contract settled withā¦ Jeff was it? I mean if Iād signed a work contract for services and didnāt complete it I would hate for someone to take you to court and force you to complete it or even worse make you pay for a breach of contract,ā I love my details and now she really doesnāt.
āIām gonna rip your heart out,ā Hector threatens and I laugh.
āNot possibleā¦ no really Iād have to have a heart for that and you along with your little gang did their best and succeeded in burning that out of me,ā I am not laughing so much as I use a more sinister tone.
āYou want satisfaction,ā Lupe asks and I nod,ā What the hell does that mean?ā
āYou really donāt know who I am to him,ā I ask nodding to Hector.
āI know you as Jeff but I donāt know how you two know each other,ā she says and I laugh a little.
āYou two just love keeping secrets from each other. Itās like your thing except for how it damages trust in a relationship. He ever tell you about some kid he beats up, some skinny white kid that he beat and humiliated whenever he felt the desire to show he had back up and could push someone else around,ā I ask Lupe who is remembering what I can gather are a few stories,ā That is who I am and your boyfriend and his little gang are owed and I plan to pay them in full for what they did.ā
Hector has backed off and is on his phone speaking Spanish a mile a minute and I hear the name Carlos which tells me exactly who heās on the phone with and now I think about leaving. Hell I am leaving, this isnāt worth my time since I have plans for Carlos soon enough.
Wait.
I only get a few feet away from the table before I figure this could be fun and turn around and take my spot leaning against the table I started this wonderful conversation at. Hector hasnāt noticed that I almost left so when he ends his call Iām still there watching him with a smile.
Now we make them hurt.
Really? You are going to make them hurt?
Just because I donāt attack the body doesnāt mean I wonāt scar them.
I can hear the cars coming, I have my eyes closed and am listening as what can only sound like a small army has arrived and I can hear them moving around me. I almost laugh a little as I open my eyes and see Lupe is now well protected by several of Carlosās people and Hector is saying something about me, I can tell by the gestures since itās in Spanish, to Carlos who is staring at me like he wants to do something but itās not violent.
āCan I be included in the conversation,ā I ask as a joke.
āYou set up Hectorās girl. Put her in a video with Brandon from school,ā Carlos asks taking a spot in front of me.
āWhy would that matter or in actuality change anything,ā I ask and Carlos is picking his words, I can almost see him going over them in his head.
āI know we hate usā¦,ā Carlos begins but I have to laugh at the audacity of his word choice.
āHate? I hate you? I am so far beyond hate for you and your little āneighborhood watch groupā,ā I spit the last three words out as they are me applying a lie to my statement,ā that I could literally watch the entirety of you die from being flayed alive and the only thing Iād want is some popcorn and a refreshing beverage. Actually that leaves me with a thought.ā
I stop leaning on the table and move through Carlosās group, they part for me, and head over to the taco truck. I place a quick order and have my drink in hand before walking back to my spot and resume leaning on the table.
āWhat was that for,ā Romeo asks now flanking his boss/friend.
āI place more importance in whether or not I have a drink than I do what you and your little friends have for me today. So are we going to have my ass kicked for what I allegedly did to your boyās girlfriend or is this where you tell me how we can have peace and put everything behind us,ā I respond to Romeoās question before turning my attention to Carlos.
āWe can man, I want it,ā Carlos starts and I have to laugh a little before taking a sip of soda.
āNo you donāt, real peace comes at a cost and trust me Carlos you canāt afford it and even if you could afford the cost itās not like youād pay it,ā I state smiling and itās not the humorous or friendly kind of smile,ā you seem to think that a half assed apology from you and a pat on the back is going to make things alright, yes?ā
āNo I donāt but Iām willing to come half way,ā he says it and I almost laugh, almost.
āHowever I am not,ā I keep it short, no point in wasting words.
āWhat do you want, honestly name it and itās yours if we have it,ā Romeo adds and I donāt even look at him, this is between myself and Carlos.
āAm I talking to him or am I talking to you Carlos,ā I ask and Carlos nods.
āIām talking here, anyone else wants to speak up Iām telling you now to keep it shut,ā Carlos tells his people who get really quiet.
āHmmm, not badā¦ can you get them to sit on command too? How about pee in the yard and not on the carpet,ā I ask and Iām back to being my funny self even though they arenāt laughing.
āMan I get it okay, we did a lot of shit and you want to get yours back okay. Just tell me what you want and Iāll give it to you,ā Carlos asks and I take another sip.
āSee thatās the problem, you keep saying that all I have to do is āaskā for it and youāll āgiveā it to me. Did you ask to kick the shit out of me for three years before you did it? Did you ask to humiliate me and take what little pride and self respect I had,ā I counter and now Carlos is beginning to understand,ā No Carlos, there is nothing you can give that I want. What I want I am going to take and Iām going to take it from you. I might not get all of your people but they will feel your pain and they will remember me because Carlosā¦ you have it coming.ā
āYeah, we do,ā Carlos adds and I laugh a little,ā but it doesnāt have to be like that. You can let this go.ā
āCould he? Could he,ā I ask pointing first to Romeo then to Hector,ā Would they just let it go after three years? Would your code of ārespectā let them? When I do something to you, and I will, would you just let it go?ā
āI donāt know butā¦ and I know this sounds hypocritical of me,ā Carlos uses the word and I actually didnāt know he had a vocabulary,ā You can choose not to do anything and we all can walk away peacefully. Iām not saying we have to be friends but weāll pay a price man, willingly pay instead of you having to take it from us like we took from you.ā
āYou really think you have the capacity to giveā¦ really giveā¦ to the point where it will hurt,ā I ask and Carlos nods.
He should not have done that.
I say he takes it anyway.
Never said he wouldnāt but wonāt you enjoy seeing the pain on their faces?
No wayā¦ are you going to make them hurt?
Donāt think I can?
Physically no, but knowing you someone is gonna cry.
āGuy weāll do anything, any one of us. Just to squash this,ā Carlos is back to his ghetto speak.
I donāt say anything; I simply raise an arm and point right at Lupe. Nobody moves, nobody even speaks but I can hear it coming before it even happens.
āCarlos man, donāt,ā Hector is starting his protest and I want to laugh but I am making a point.
āIām not asking for anything from you Hector, itās not about āyouā. Itās about her,ā I state coldly.
āMe? What about me? This is gang shit,ā Lupe says and I turn my gaze to her.
āI own you for two more scenes according to youā¦ right? That means I beckon,ā I wave my hand to here to come,ā and you come because that is what you signed on for.ā
āOh no, fuck that Iām not gonna be your play toy asshole,ā Lupe counters and sheās hot but Iām not, Iām laughing.
āGo ahead and breach the contract, try me and see what happens. Ask your āfamiliaā here who I am and who is backing me,ā I say it out loud and Romeo turns to Lupe.
āHis familyā¦ they got power, legal power. He takes it to court heāll destroy you and if he has you signing it on camera he wouldnāt need a witness,ā Romeo explains and the boy knows more than just school topics.
āGuy sheās not part of my crew, you can ask for something from us and weāll give it but sheās off limits for a deal. If you got a contract weāll buy it off you,ā Carlos offers and I laugh,ā No bullshit, whatever you would have paid her weāll pay you it and double.ā
āBut thatās not how you buy something. You donāt set the price, I the owner set the price and since you seem so easy to try to give me money I want,ā I close my eyes and roll my head on my neck thinking,ā Half a million.ā
āYouāre shitting me,ā Carlos asks and I smile,ā We donāt have that man be reasonable.ā
āIām not being reasonable; this is business and has nothing to do with your people or even what they did to me. You got connections right? A biker gang, a mechanic shop, a church that speaks for you; you got a lot of little things on the side so Iām sure you could come up with the money if you needed to. Youād just have to hurt some of the people you are working with or the ones whoāve been speaking all the good and noble things youāve been doing,ā I am clearing the air and laying down the impossible.
I watch Carlos back off and it looks like heās making a phone call, heās seriously considering this. Hector has Lupe a little bit behind him and he really hates me. I mean burning a hole in my soul with his stare and all I can do is smile and fell that warm fuzzy. Most of Carlosās crew has backed off more than a little bit but I am pretty sure someone would stop me if Carlos asked but Iām not going anywhere, this is getting interesting. I almost want to ask who he called as Carlos hangs up the phone but he doesnāt come back to me, he goes to Hector and they begin talking in Spanish. I almost want to make a racist comment but I keep it to myself, itās low and Iām on the high ground right now.
āGuy can we talk a sec,ā Romeo asks me and I cock my head to the side and chuckle.
āIām almost a captive audience here,ā I remark still chuckling.
āThey got friends here, bad friends and they are looking into finding out who did the shit to you this year. If they hand the people responsible over to you would that be enough,ā Romeo asks and I almost laugh in his face.
āYou mean you actually think Iāll take your word or the word of the people holding the leash as to who has done what to me,ā I ask Romeo and he is trying.
āThey got a lead and they could find evidence, real evidence soon. Give us that time and weāll make sure they hand the people responsible over to you and theyāll let you do whatever you want,ā Romeo is really on this and while Iād be remiss if I didnāt consider it there is one problem.
āSee hereās the problem, you have a story. It relates to me but itās still a story and that is only as good as the people telling it,ā I explain being very plain,ā Your people, they could just grab someone and get them to confess, maybe pay someone to confess and take a beating if I was interested then back out of their word if I decided that torture or death was on my mind and Iām screwed, still screwed and all of your āpeopleā would expect me to honor my word when you shorted me on yours.ā
āPeople we deal with arenāt like that,ā Romeo begins to explain and I hear and engine pull up.
I see a van, black panel van that looks like it does kidnapping, pull up to the curb and a large tattooed man steps out. He nods to Carlos before walking straight up to me and I recognize him from the fight where I beat up Romeo.
āCome on, you got a meeting,ā the big man tells me and I smile but shake my head.
āIām sorry but Iām already in a meeting so weāre going to have to reschedule,ā I take out my phone to pull up the calendar,ā how does the fourteenth of āAināt gonna happen soundā?ā
āI aināt asking kid, get in the van. You wanted to screw around and now you get to deal us,ā he informs me and I shrug but stand my ground still leaning on the table.
āWell thatās all fine and dandy, dandy and fine but if your boss or whatever passes for a leadership title among your type of organization wants to speak with me Iām right here and Iām not moving just because the kidnapper van pulls up and the large āscaryā man decides to try and order me around,ā I say it and then it hits me.
Well not so much it but him, the big guy, he must have punched me pretty hard because I am still mostly aware as Iām grabbed rather roughly by my jacket and shirt. I get dragged and thrown in what I can only presume is the van they brought before getting driven off to somewhere people probably wonāt hear me scream. I know they are taking me somewhere somewhat close since weāre not in the van long and Iām pulled out by the big tattooed biker asshole and dragged to a door and pushed inside once he opens it. The room isnāt brightly lit but it is lit and there is a girl there who looks a little surprised to see me come in so quickly. I see chairs which look like theyāre for people who will be sitting and getting some sort of body modification done when I see the artwork on the walls and realize itās a tattoo shop. The man I see come out of what could be a side office is the same older man from the races and fight that I was at and so rudely was forced out of because I wouldnāt do shit his way. It looks like heās not happy to see me.
āSmitty dammit boy what the hell happened,ā the man asks the big biker.
āHe got lippy and I smacked him hard to get him in the van,ā the big Smitty, weird fucking name, replies.
āNobody lays a hand on him, that was the order,ā I hear him say it and realize that itās more than just Carlosās people that have been keeping an eye on me,ā Look kid Iām sorry about my boy, he was just supposed to get you to come down here and talk to me. According to Carlos youāre not interested in being reasonable and he asked me to step in and talk on his behalf.ā
āOh so youāre the one who is going to get me the half a million,ā I state picking up where I left off.
āNow thatās just unreasonable,ā the older biker starts and I laugh a little,ā You got a contract and people are offering good money for it, itās a reasonable offer.ā
āAnd after slapping me around and dragging me here against my will itās up to a full million, call it asshole compensation,ā I counter and Iām not being polite.
āHey kid lay off okay. You donāt have to be shitty just because things turned a little sideways,ā the female at the counter from when I came in decides to chime in and I immediately hear the older biker speak up.
āHeās got a right to be pissed Vicki girl but heās also being stubborn,ā the older man tells the girl and Iām almost full throttle tired of people thinking Iām someone they can piss on.
Oh no, donāt let him do this. Itās too much and this is not a quiet situation he can get out of.
Fuck quiet this is war.
His chances of surviving are very small. He could and probably will die if you do this.
Heād die with big ass balls. Thatās better than living with the shame of everyone knowing you have no balls at all.
The Plan, stick to The Plan. The Plan will give you the pain you want.
You broke plan when you decided to make things interesting.
I swear this will pass, let me turn it.
Iām still standing where I was pushed to inside the room; I have no reason to move since I didnāt come here willingly. The older biker motions for me to sit on a stool as he takes a seat on one of the artist chairs. I walk over to the stool and gently shove it aside with my foot before standing in front of him and wait for him to address me.
āJesus kid, take some hospitality for a change,ā he offers again and I shake my head.
āPop heās just being a shit head,ā Smitty adds his two cents and I donāt have anything to say.
āWell since you wonāt sit maybe youāll listen. You screwed with people who help me out, you got Carlosās pants in a twist because he wants to make some sort of peace and now you got some contract or whatever they want or a girl has to do someā¦ amateur porn,ā he asks and I nod,ā But you donāt want to give it up.ā
āPretty much, they said they wanted it but itās too expensive and now Iām āunreasonableā. I said you could come talk to me where I was and Iām being a āshit headā,ā I say the last looking at Smitty,ā and they tell me youāre āworking hardā to find out who stabbed and tortured me and if I play nice youāll give them to me on a platter to do whatever I want.ā
āWhoa kid, I never offered any of that but if you want it I can get it when we get the fuckers who messed you up,ā he says it but there is somethingā¦ off in his delivery.
āSee you already have a plan, promise one thing, deliver another and when I want something that would make me whole youāll take it away and say you couldnāt or you had arrangements already made and Iāll get left twisting in the breeze. No deal, but hey thanks for playing,ā I am done with this conversation and try to leave.
āHold up kid, Guy right? Listen things arenāt as simple as what youāre talking about and yes Iād love to let you have them but things gotta be done right. People need to see who did it for what they are; these people will be made to suffer. That I can promise,ā he says it and I have to turn to face him.
āYou promise? No, you just want me to stop well I say no. If you want the contract you know the price. As for me taking what is mine from them well there is no price that will buy me off,ā I explain and he sits back to think.
āI can offer you my word as a man and my clubs name,ā I let him speak that much, just that much.
āWhich are worth nothing to me,ā I counter but he continues grumpy from the interruption.
āAs I was saying my word that weāll take care of the people who screwed with you and weāll buy whatever contract you have with the girl. Then you sit down and work out a deal with Carlos in front of me, Iāll make them honor whatever you want,ā he offers and I laugh a little,ā this is the best offer youāre going to get kid.ā
āListen, Guy right? I donāt get involved my familyās stuff often but not a lot of people get made offers where my grandpa is going to make sure they walk away happy,ā the girl, Vicki, explains,ā Maybe think about it.ā
I am so tired of you helping him chicken shit out.
The Plan is ready and now you have another target.
This doesnāt work I am done.
āAgain all of this comes back to your word and I donāt trust you or your club. Second you talk about doing things right but you drag me away from my car with violence so that I can be made to listen to the pleas of a slightly smarter than average gang leader who canāt seem to grasp the concept of having things taken from him. No Mr. āIām the man in chargeā I donāt care for your deal and honestly even if you had the money Iām not sure Iād take it,ā I state and he sits up.
āThen why offer to sell it,ā he asks and I shake my head.
āI never did, Carlos wanted to buy it and I gave him the first āreasonableā price that came to me,ā I explain and the word reasonable doesnāt sound too good to him right now.
āYou know I made Gabriel and his crew leave the city, right? You donāt have them to back you up if you go after Carlos,ā the old biker explains and now I know what happened to Gabriel.
āWell that explains a few things, gives me some clarity on the situation,ā I state and leave it open.
āKid anything, I mean make me an offer and Iāll do what I can to make it happen,ā the older biker offers and I think, then smile big.
Iām done fucking around.
Could have fooled me.
āBring me Carlosās right hand, here and now,ā I state simply,ā Do that and Iāll actually sit down and listen.ā
I watch the Grandfather Biker nod to Smitty who steps out and I finally decide to take a seat on the stool. We wait and before long I hear the van and a couple other cars pull up, thatās more vehicles than needed to bring me my request. I watch as Carlos and Hector walk in with Smitty behind them and I stand up, Iām not happy.
āAnd here we are with dragging your feet on actually delivering me what I requested,ā I state and Iām hot.
āYou said bring you Carlosās boy, that is his main boy right there,ā Smitty nods to Hector and both gang members are looking at me funny.
āKid calm down, we got them here now you said youād sit down and listen,ā the older biker says and I shake my head.
āI didnāt want Hector brought here; I didnāt say bring me Carlos and his best boy or sidekick. I said very clearly,ā I lock eyes with the older man on this,ā Bring me Carlosās right hand, here and now. I see it still over there and attached so either youāre doing this here or I am walking out.ā
Well shitā¦ I mean really?
Letās see who blinks first.
Hawk: Same day only a couple hours earlier
I had to climb over four fences, not a problem. Avoid a large dog on a chain, heās a good boy. A smaller dog with no chain, little shit flew when I kicked it. Now Iām at the back door of Officer Martinezās house and working the lock, itās something Iām not best at but thatās why we have tools and time. I didnāt bring any of the Union boys with me because Iād like to succeed without people asking questions as to who the red head biker and the two goons are. Goddamn five pin locks are a pain in my ass, Iām just glad there isnāt one of those electronic security systems, I donāt have the tools or know how to get past one of those. Iām in the backdoor and find myself right where I thought, the kitchen. Heās a bachelor from the look of the empty food boxes from local take out and heās got good taste too. I keep my head down and quiet as I move through the place and straight for the second bedroom which by looks of it is a converted office with a small desk and computer. I donāt have time for the computer as I do a quick search of the room and find almost nothing till rolling the chair out of the way I catch it on the floor rug. Hardwood floors and he has a rug down for the chair? Move the chair and pull back the rug to find some of the nice hardwood floorboards with a little less shine on them.
I get the boards up, not too difficult with a decent knife and find a small combo safe. There are a lot of ways to pick a safe lock but when itās a small almost box safe easiest is to jam a blade in the lock part at the door and pry in one quick motion opening the whole box. The box itself doesnāt move and I see a couple grand in bills but this is too easy. Couple thousand in bills and a lock box that couldnāt keep out a hungry pot head? I push the box and I see it, actually I donāt see it and thatās got my suspicion. The little box safe doesnāt move and I should be able to pull it out with one hand but itās stuck in place. I work it around a little and get some movement before prying the whole damn thing out of the hole and see a pair of cinder blocks. Another minute to pull them out and there it is, a single key locking box and itās not coming out anytime soon so instead of getting it out I lay on the floor and put myself a little in the hole and begin working the lock. So much easier than the back door and finally I get it open and give myself some light. A couple different things in here, a file on the guy Jim met with a couple weeks earlier, some drugs in a giant plastic bag that is divided into smaller bags on the inside. Figure that is for planting evidence. A little more digging and I see a screwdriver with the head broken off and the end sharpened. Itās all wrapped up in a Ziploc bag of its own as I pull it out and put the rest of the goodies back. I have the bloody tool, smoking gun is a bit of a stretch, and even the term bloody is a bit of an exaggeration. I can barely see any blood on this thing but Iām wearing gloves and Iām guessing he might have been while he was holding the tool but not the bag. Common mistake really and Iām hoping this buys me a ticket on a fucking plane home this evening so I can tuck Sheena into bed tonight. Now biggest thing is to put all this back the way it was which takes longer than it did to find and dig it all out. I retrace my steps and quietly exit through the back door. Quick look around and back past the four fences, two dogs and into the van I borrowed. I keep it under the limit and move around town making sure everything is fine as I get a moment and double check the time. Officer Martinez should be off work and doing his rounds soon. I drive over to his precinct and wait for him to get off shift which happens right on time and I go about following him as I have on prior days. I could just head back but I need to see something and sure enough after the mild bar hopping heās back home and Iām watching as he goes through his house again following his movements by the lights he uses and I wait as he gets to his office. Twenty five minutes of nothing. Just him sitting or not moving around much before the light goes off and he settles into the living room for a quiet night of television and beer.
Why waitā¦ because if he went into his stash and found something missing the time table for everything would have to be sped up. Since he doesnāt know anything is missing Jim can plan out his shit and get me home. Itās not a short drive to the tattoo parlor but there is an extra car parked on the side, looks like Jim is calling a meeting. Good thing he did because I got something for him that will make him happy.
Guy: Right now
Talk about there being a problem at the negotiating table. I made my demands even more simple and now theyāre having trouble with it. Itās like they donāt actually want me to work things out. I donāt want to but Iām more thinking of ways to screw with their heads as they keep trying to figure out a way around half a million dollars, no chance there honestly, or cutting Carlosās right hand off his body, still no chance there but I have hope on the latter.
āSo does this mean that my āreasonableā request is being ignored,ā I ask with my hands behind my back and a smile.
āKid youāre out of your damn mind,ā Smitty the large biker informs me and I start laughing.
What is it about near continuous laughter for a minute or two during tense times that has people stop whatever theyāre doing and watch the person laughing? I donāt really know but itās whatās happening now and to me itās hilarious.
Pretty hilarious to me too.
āItās taken them months to come to that realization but make no mistake,ā I stare at Carlos and Hector,ā You raised a devil you canāt put down.ā
āSomeone ask about a devil,ā I look at the side door and notice a shorter, than Smitty, thin biker with ginger hair tied back,ā I got something. Thatās the kid from the meets right?ā
āYeah he is, any good,ā the older biker asks and the ginger biker nods,ā Kid we need to talk, can you take this serious for two minutes?ā
āGo ahead and talk among yourselves since nobody is taking me seriously, Iām gonna be over here making sure I have free time in the next couple days for a video shoot,ā I say it and pull out my phone just to check the calendar.
Iām not actively watching anyone but when I see movement coming straight for me I can guess who it is and donāt even bother to stop the punch. I am waiting for the hit but heās stopped, Iām almost confused till I look up to see the barrel of the gun pointed at my head.
Abort, abort now, we need to pull back for his safety.
Nope, we help him stand his ground.
Are you insane?
I might be but heās done running. Time to stare them down.
Itās so quiet you can hear everyoneās heart beating a mile a minute and you know something, Iām calm. I feel amazing, hell this could be the best thing to ever happen right here and right now.
āH man put it down,ā Carlos tells his boy.
āI want that fucking contract, now hand it over,ā Hector orders me and I smile.
āI donāt have it on me,ā I inform him and keep smiling,ā Even if I did why would I give it to you?ā
āEveryone needs to calm down right now, Kid shut the hell up. Hector, son, you put that piece away right now or this gets real bad real fast,ā the Old Biker is talking but I donāt think Hectorās listening, I know I donāt care what heās saying.
āAwww, donāt ruin the moment. Weāre finally getting somewhere, kind of a surprise that itās Hector but still itās progress,ā I state looking down the barrel of the small pistol Hectorās holding,ā Now someone is taking me seriously.ā
āKid weāre taking you seriously but right now you need to shut up before you get shot,ā the Older Biker says and I turn my attention to him and smile.
āHector stay right there, weāll get to this in a minute. Do I seem like Iām not aware of the reality in this situation? Do I look like I havenāt noticed he has a gun to my head and heās pissed off,ā I ask and everyone is watching either me or Hector.
āListen everyone needs to calm down and take a step back okay, this is my familyās business and if you shoot someone here youāre going to go to jail,ā I hear the girl, Vicki I think, tell us and I shake my head.
āHector doesnāt care that heās got a weapon pointed at me, what he does care about is that Iām not going to give him what he wants. One thing to take it from me Hector, contract becomes null and void if I die,ā I return my attention to Hector and heās pissed off and barely thinking.
āGive me the contract right now,ā Hector is mad and not thinking, good.
āIā¦ doā¦ notā¦ haveā¦ itā¦ withā¦ meā¦,ā I say it slowly with a smile,ā Now here is the problem, you donāt kill me and Iāll make your life a living miserable hell with that contract. One thing I always was before all of this is smart, a hell of a lot smarter than you.ā
āKid shut up, Hector Iām warning you,ā I hear the Old Biker warn and I hear what sounds like a couple guns cocking.
All the bikers have guns pointed at Hector, Carlos is partially in the line of fire and Hector has a gun pointed straight at me. I am smiling like its Christmas as I slowly step around Hector without turning so that Iām facing him the whole time. Two circular side steps with is gun on me the whole time and now Iām in the center of the crossfire.
āNow Hector, you can see where Iām at. You can see who else is has a gun but you still want to shoot meā¦ good,ā I explain to Hector who is more aware of his surroundings but still hot to shoot me.
āKid what the hell are you doing,ā the Old Biker asks and I turn around to face him, now the gun is at the back of my head.
āI am telling you again, I want the money or you can cut off Carlosās hand and then I will sit down and we can talk terms otherwise all I have to do is leave,ā I say it and I can almost hear Hector tense up,ā and walk back to my car.ā
āYouāre not going anywhere,ā Hector growls and I almost laugh.
This ends one of three ways from this point. One Hector shoots me in the head. Two the bikers shoot Hector and probably hit myself and Carlos, not a completely bad option. Three, I walk out and nobody does anything, which means more work for me. I give it a ten count in my head before turning towards the front door to the business and slowly walk out. All those guns and not a single shot fired as I walk out like I own the placeā¦ add it to the list and I can probably buy whatās left cheap.
Are you mad?
Nah, feeling pretty good actually.
No I mean mad like insane. Youāre trying to get him killed.
No, Iām trying to help him live and youāre never more alive than when youāre surrounded by people who can kill you and walk away. He did that, we helped him do that.
You are mad.
Wait till Sunday.
Carlos: Right now
Holy shit, holy shit Guy just walked out of the shop with four guns pointed at him and he didnāt even care. Not a fucking drop of sweat, not a single shake in his step, didnāt even look back. Just said his piece turned around and walked out. Hector still has his piece in hand but he lowered it as soon as Guy left and heās very lucky that Jim and the rest did too. Everyone in the room is just kind of putting together what guy just did.
āIām sorry but as messed up as he is Iād fuck him,ā Vicki, Jimās granddaughter and Smittyās daughter says it breaking the quiet.
āThat kid has some fucking balls,ā the red head biker says as we try to come up with something,ā oh I think I found the evidence you were hoping for.ā
We watch as he takes out what looks like a screwdriver or an ice pick in a plastic bag and holds it up for the Old Man to see. Gloves come out and I watch as the man in charge opens the plastic bag and smells the inside.
āNot sure this will hold up, he cleaned it,ā Jim says and now Iām a little bit frustrated with everything.
āDammit, canāt we catch one fucking break. That could have shown Guy and everyone else we werenāt the ones who attacked him,ā I say pacing the floor.
āFuck Guy, we need to get things together and put him back down hard. Iām tired of you playing nice because you wanna fuck his sister or some old guys donāt want him hurt because heās bad for business. He just disrespected the shit out of all of us except her,ā Hector points at Vicki,ā Now are we gonna handle this shit or are you checking out AGAIN?!ā
Never had to do this before, not once but I stand up and punch one of my oldest friends and my right hand in the mouth. He drops his gun and I pick it up before handing it to Smitty and watch my friend check his face, heās bleeding a little from the lip.
āYou got a death wish too? You want to die that badly because unlike Guy, you KNOW what is going on around here and you still want to do everything to piss off people who have made shit we used to talk about fucking real,ā I ask Hector as he sits up and hopefully checks himself.
āIām gonna let it slide that you pulled a gun in my shop kid but grow a fucking brain cell or two and figure out heās fucking with you. All of this is to fuck with you two and itās working,ā Jim explains closing the bag up,ā take this to the detective and have her get it into one of those scientists they love making shitty shows about.ā
I watch as Jim hands the, hopefully real, weapon someone used on Guy off to Smitty who nods and leaves his shop to make sure it gets taken care of. Everyone is quiet except for the non Union biker who is talking to Jim and not liking what heās hearing but Jim is making him promises. Only problem is the biker doesnāt believe him.
āYou said one more thing and now itās another one more thing. I have been one more thinged for months, Iām done and Iām going home,ā he tells Jim who is holding his ground but being nice about it.
āHawk I need this put to bed and more than that I need someone who can keep things under their hat and quiet, that means I need you,ā Jim explains and Hawk just grunts,ā Iāll make this right by you I swear.ā
āIām starting to side with the kid here Jim, you keep making promises but you arenāt holding up your end of the deal,ā Hawk says and for once I see the Old Man either angry or apologetic, not sure which one.
āJust a week or so and youāre in the wind back home to Seattle, I promise Hawk. Keep an eye on things especially that detective till she gets some real evidence,ā Jim promises Hawk but he grunts.
āLetās just say Iām doing it but Iām not going to hold my breath waiting for you to keep your word,ā Hawk tells Jim before walking out the side entrance.
āCarlos handle your boy, get him under control or I will start looking into cleaning house for you,ā Jim tells me and that is a threat and a promise.
I pick Hector up off the floor of the tattoo parlor and walk him out to my car. Weāre in and down the road about two minutes when he speaks.
āI fucked up again,ā he asks and I shrug.
āYou want to end this, so do I but he is picking at you more than anyone else,ā I know Guy went after Hector because he ran the beatings,ā An apology isnāt gonna cut it anymore I guess.ā
āNeither is money or a woman. You seen some of the girls who hang around him,ā Hector asks and I nod,ā I know you still have a thing for his sister but man sheās never going to let you take her out let alone in her panties.ā
āDonāt want in her pantiesā¦ not now anyway. Just want her to look at me and not see a piece of shit gangbanger,ā I tell him and he shrugs.
āYou aināt a piece of shit man; they just live up in the clouds eating fish eggs and shit. We down in the real world where bad shit needs to get handled. Think they got proof that we didnāt fuck Guy up,ā Hector asks and I shrug pulling up to the taco truck.
āI hope so man, need something to go right once,ā I tell my boy as I park,ā go see your girl and just take it easy.ā
I give him back his piece and he puts it away before getting out of my ride. I watch him hug Lupe and she is being all protective girlfriend since I punched him but not surprising heās cool with me doing it. I look around and see Guyās car still parked and figure I need to wait and see if he makes it, just to be sure nothing more happens to him. Hector leaves and most of the crew is back home when Guy finally walks up almost an hour later. Heās still got that swagger and a smile on his face as he makes it to his car but almost like someone was talking to him he stops and looks straight at me in my car. I get out and hold my hands out like āIām here, deal with itā. Right now Iām looking at someone who I honestly believe has lost his mind and wants me dead. I need to figure out what to say to him, how do I make him understand I fucked up and Iām genuinely sorry?
āWant to kill me now,ā I donāt even know what I just said.
āExcuse me,ā Guy asks walking across the street towards me and I move straight to him.
āYou want to kill me know,ā I ask again and he gives me a funny look,ā You keep saying I need to kill you but how about you trying to kill me for a change?ā
āDid your boss get all mad that your boy pulled a gun on me,ā Guy asks and I shrug,ā See thatās why I canāt kill you? You donāt know what itās like to hurt, I mean really hurt. You sit there and expect everything to be alright because you say so. That doesnāt change what you did, what you allowed because you needed to make a statement.ā
āNo it doesnāt but I want to fix this, I donāt want to make it like it was because that was what started all this shit weāve been dealing with and yeah, youāve been fucked with longer than I have by all this but,ā I am trying to explain and he stops me.
āYou know you laughed, I heard you laugh, you laugh and laughed and laugh and then you left but now you know Iām utterly mad,ā Guy sings to me and I shrug.
āYou want me to hurt, I get that and I am hurting but I want to put this behind us and move forward. Iād do whatever it takes to make that happen,ā I tell Guy and then it hits me,ā Follow me to my house.ā
āExcuse me,ā Guy asks confused.
āCome to my home, meet my family, I want to introduce you to them,ā I tell him and he laughs a little.
āWhich me are we talking about,ā he says it but I actually know what it means.
āThe you I first met four years ago,ā I tell him and head back to my car.
I get in my ride and turn around to drive back to my parentās house. I do a quick check and see Guy following me in his muscle car, itās a fucking nice car, but heās following me. He wants me to hurt so I know exactly how to show him I am. I pull up and park to see Mom and Dad are home. I get out as Guy parks across the street and walks over waiting to see what Iām going to do. I lead him up to the house and let us both inside. Dad is watching the TV but Mom is in the kitchen working on dinner.
āMom, can you come out here please,ā I call to my Mom in Spanish.
It takes a minute but Mom arrives and I see Marta come out from her room down the hall and as soon as she sees Guy she speaks.
āWhat is he doing here,ā Marta asks keeping with Spanish.
āIām going to tell Mom and Dad the truth,ā I tell my little sister and she doesnāt look like she is going to enjoy this.
I donāt get into detail with my Mom and Dad about who Guy is now, I really donāt get into the new suit and money though Mom can see that better than Dad can. What I do bring up is the three years. I explain Hector picking on Guy, the beatings, the way they embarrassed him publically. Some of the stories they knew about but never knew who the āpoor kidā was. I finally get to the end and explain that I never stopped it even though I was in charge of my people I just let them hurt and really destroy someone who never did anything to us. Dad has that stone faced look but Mom is crying a little. Iāve moved to sit on the smaller couch while Mom and Dad sit in their recliners taking in my confession. Guy hasnāt really moved much, he hasnāt even sat down. Heās just standing by the door waiting for something to happen. Dad leans forward and puts his hand on my shoulder.
āSon it is tough to admit when you have done wrong but telling your mother and I is good for your soul. You are a strong young man and this will pass, he is here, all is forgiven,ā Dad says and I look at Guy.
āI donāt know if it is Dad,ā I reply,ā Iāve tried to apologize but he canāt forgive me.ā
āMy son is a good boy, he is tough and sometimes he needs to be hard on people but he respects you. Please forgive my son,ā Mom asks Guy and he just looks at her with almost no expression.
āGuy arenāt you going to say anything,ā Marta asks and sheās got a few tears in her eyes.
āSure, Iāll say something,ā Guy takes a breath and finally looks straight at my mother,ā I donāt speak a lick of Spanish. I have no clue what any of you have been saying for the past half hour until Marta just spoke. This has been a monumental waste of my time so pardon me while I leave however allow me to say you have a lovely home.ā
And Guy just walks out without another word while Mom and Dad sit there confused as to how he didnāt understand us. I am out the door after Guy even though heās at the edge of the yard and even Marta is coming with me.
āGuy wait, just wait one minute,ā my sister calls to him and he stops at the edge of the street.
āWhy,ā he asks my sis turning around to face us.
āI told them Guy, I told them about what I did to you, what I allowed them to do to you,ā I start to explain but he just stands there quiet,ā They know what Iāve done.ā
āAnd,ā he asks keeping it all to one word questions.
āGuy he told our parents, heās trying to own what happened to you,ā Marta explains but he doesnāt look like he cares.
āDid they ask how you hurt my family? Did they ask about the times I had to be patched up by the school nurse because I was left bleeding by your friends? Do they
care that what you did ruined me for three years,ā Guy is asking me hard questions but I feel good enough to answer for once.
āNo, but they asked you to forgive meā¦ my mom did and Dad believes you coming to our home is something towards you forgiving me,ā I explain and Guyās face goes from neutral to amused.
āMeā¦ forgive you,ā Guy says it and then it happens.
Itās not quiet, itās not subtle, itās Guy laughing hard and heās laughing at me and my family. I thought this would reach him, show him Iām serious but it doesnāt matter to him. He keeps saying that I canāt give anything to make this right and Iām starting to believe him. I watch as he, while laughing, moves to his car and drives away. Marta touches my arm and I feel like I canāt winā¦ how many times did he feel like this? We head back inside as my parents wonder what happened to Guy. I have no answers and head to my room as my sister follows me.
āExplain it all to me, what has he been saying,ā Marta asks and I sit down and try to think of where to begin.
āI apologize, I tell him I will do anything or give anything to put this behind us but he just looks at me like I offended him and goes on about how Iāve been saying things like all he has to do is ask then talks about what we took from him and I just donāt get it. Iām ready to give whatever,ā I am talking but Marta is shaking her head.
āHis words, what happened to him, what youāre doingā¦ youāre offending him,ā Marta starts to say but I cut her off.
āIām not trying to offend him,ā I try to interrupt but Marta hits me in the arm to stop me.
āBut you are because you donāt get it. In his mind you stole from him, you took from him and what you ātookā you canāt give back,ā Marta says it and I have to think on that level for a moment,ā He keeps talking about what heās doing but what you ātookā isnāt something you can āgiveā back so he has to ātakeā from you to balance it out.ā
āOkay but what does he want,ā I ask and thatās where the real thinking begins.
Guy: Friday after school, Before Incident
Heās making a list, checking it twice, gonna find out who burns and who bleedsā¦
Actually itās pretty much just burn.
Okay but I needed something for the song.
I know, you are positively evil today. Feeling like the end is coming.
I know it is, after we pull him through this we are free and he is made new.
Ever thought about not leaving? Like maybe we stay and watch, push and pull a little just to help him along?
Rules, we have rules and you know we canāt stay forever.
But we could try.
Iāll be there when you go, same as you for me.
Two days left and Iām walking out of school alone but not for long, I promised Syd Iād come over right after school so we could talk. I think itās more of her talking to me and me not changing my plans for Sunday. I get to where my car is in the parking lot and find more than a few of Carlosās crew watching me and I canāt figure out if they hate me or if they are afraid of me. Hopefully a combination of both but Iām no longer afraid. I get out of the parking lot and make my way over to Sydneyās home and park next to her Dadās work truck, guess we wonāt be as alone as one could hope. I remember my first time, so far only time, with Sydney and it was good. Hell it made me feel something that wasnāt a burning hatred and I was able to forget myself for a short time. Most people donāt want to forget themselves but I said it to a priest months ago and Iāll remind myself of it now. Even the Devil doesnāt want to be the Devil all the time. I knock and Syd lets me in and we head back to her room.
āCouldnāt you change before coming over,ā she asks closing the door after us.
āI like these suits,ā I joke but she doesnāt laugh.
āThey arenāt you, not who I know you to be or hope you will be once youāre done,ā Syd says sitting down on her bed.
āI think itās the mentality you donāt like, the way I carry myself. Not the suits,ā I state my fact and she shrugs.
āWhat I miss was that you could actually hold a conversation without being a fucking enigma. Yeah you kept your secrets but I knew where I stood with you and now Iām wondering who the hell is the new girl at the table and how do I hold up against Jenna in your mind,ā Syd asks and I actually think on that.
āMy biggest thing is acceptance which is where you two are so much same and different,ā I tell her and she gives me the ācontinueā look,ā She likes this me, the cultured
and well dressed. Also completely goal oriented and ruthless.ā
āAnd I like the original you or post first hospital you that just wanted to be left alone and couldnāt care what the world wanted,ā Syd adds and I nod.
āI did care, I wanted everyone else to care too because I felt alone with all my caring,ā I explain sitting down on the edge of her bed,ā Now I donāt care and I like it but in two days Iāll be something new.ā
āAnd Iāll be here holding my breath that youāll be more like the old you and less like the suited up asshole you,ā she uses the word asshole and I give her a look,ā youāre still you but you treat people horribly, women included.ā
āFair point but I have been treated horribly so it makes sense to an extent. Itās kinda why I always left you outside everything, like a static point I can always look back to,ā I am trying to not diminish Sydneyās position in my little world.
āHow about we go out tonight, no suits, no fancy cars or restaurants just you and me in my little beater,ā she offers and it sounds good.
āOkay but Iām paying, I have the money and like to spend it,ā I counter and she grimaces,ā Iāll spend it where you take me, fair?ā
We agree and I get off her bed to head home so I can change. Not much happening at home, Mom is in and working on dinner as I let her know Sydney and I are going to get food out. She likes that Mom does, I can tell by her smile. I get changed out my suit and now I have to think, what did I used to wear? I actually spend more time trying to look like crap or more like I used to than I have been with my suits. I finally settle on a grey hoodie with a black shirt and blue jeans, it actually takes me a few minutes to find sneakers instead of dress shoes. I finally get dressed again and head out with Momās blessing. Back at Sydās house I donāt even get parked as she comes out her door and after I lock my car weāre in hers and heading down the road.
āNow you look good,ā she compliments me and I am not sure I believe her,ā Now you look like you can relax.ā
āI was relaxed before,ā I tell her and she laughs.
āYou were worried about where youād sit because you didnāt want to get anything on your suit or wrinkle it,ā Syd laughs and it is true somewhat.
I feel good as she drives and I just sit in the passenger side and wait to see where weāre going. It doesnāt take long for her to get us somewhere that serve drive up food and I recognize the spot, Mark brought me here once I was out of the hospital. We order and she doesnāt skimp on food, something I like, I pay and we park so we can eat on the hood of her car. About halfway through devouring our meals we start talking.
āSo where are you going to college,ā Syd asks and I shrug,ā You got nothing? No place you can go for school? Really?ā
āNo I have plenty of places and money I just havenāt decided. Iāll be making that decision after Sunday,ā I tell her and leave my plans out of the discussion topics.
āOkay is everything on hold till after Sunday? You arenāt making any decision till after whatever it is you are planning to do,ā she asks and I nod,ā Ever thought about just walking away?ā
āI used to think about it a lot. More than you probably realized,ā I tell her and she nods,ā I was literally going to be gone end of January.ā
āThen more things kept changing and now youāre sticking it out till the end of the year and walking at graduation. But what about after, you love singing and youāre smart,ā Syd says it and we both know what I can do, not what I will do.
āI just donāt know how Iāll feel after Sunday. Will I burn out and feel less hurtā¦ less shame? Will I like it too much and want more? I donāt know but what I hope is that someone will be there when Iām done,ā I try to keep it honest and Syd nods but thereās something there.
āHow about just walk away from the hate,ā she says it and I honestly donāt think I heard her right.
The fuck she say?
She said what about him walking away from all the hate. She is thinking of him just letting it go and moving away from the pain heās been put through.
And we havenāt blown that shit out of the realm of possibility for her why?
Because he likes her and heās being nice. It might not be horrible for him to just walk away from all of them and start over. Step Daddy could make that happen.
āI donāt think they would let me,ā I tell her and she gives me a funny look,ā Iāve done somethingās that arenāt in the āforgive meā category.ā
I explain a lot to Sydney as we finish eating. She listens through everything and instead of judging she is putting everything together. Only thing I leave out is the weapons, Iāll need those hidden away considering what I have left is going to Sundayās final chance at taking it away from Carlos and a couple of his people. I finish and Sydney looks at me quietly and balls up our trash throwing it away before sitting down on her car hood.
āYou donāt need it, whatever Sunday is going to be. You want it, you probably can have it but you could take the higher road. Yeah youāre the big bad monster that is coming for everyone but I say blast it out there like itās happening then just donāt and walk away all their shit,ā Sydney explains her thought and I really wonder.
āI donāt know if I could honestly. Too much time and effort have been put in,ā I tell her but Iām thinking about everything after.
Youāre letting him doubt the plan.
Just because he doesnāt tell her no doesnāt mean heās not doing it.
He needs this. They need this to understand what real pain is.
Heās not backing down; if anything sheās just showing him she cares about him. Watch.
āHey, not going to tell you what to do. I just donāt want you hurt anymore than theyāve already doneā¦ okay,ā Syd tells me and I wonder what look I had on my face.
We get back in her car and drive around a little as I think sheās looking for something to do. Itās a weird thing as weāre just driving and not talking about anything really. Itās about an hour before we stop again and weāre just in a car park on the edge of the city sitting in a her car and looking at the sun set and the stars come out. Syd takes my hand and interlaces our fingers just keeping things quiet and nice. I pull her over to me on the seat and with her in my lap I just rest my head on her chest and while itās now cramped I feel warm and safe. I kiss her soft, Syd kisses me back and weāre making out the right way and it feels nice to be slow and calm. Weāre pushing against each other and suddenly the seat falls back and Syd laughs a little. Now Iām on my back and she is pulling jeans down as Iām trying to get mine down but sheās got more work that is involved than I do. I get her on top of me and after shifting around she puts me at her entrance and slides down till her ass is resting on my lap. I watch in the near dark of the setting sun as Sydney bites her lip and slowly works herself up and down my shaft. Sheās still tight, we should get more practice at this honestly, but she feels good and we kiss again pressing our bodies together. The more she works the wetter she gets till itās not as forced with her moving and I grip her ass with my hands, itās not a big ass but itās nice and itās mine.
Are you doing this?
He likes her, what do you expect?
Him to keep his fucking options open since she might not like what he becomes.
I could have been going after more girls, I could have been going after a few of them more regularly but with Sydney bouncing up and down on my lap and me being inside her I find that I am very eager to finish and she isnāt giving me the option of slowing down. I donāt feel her cum first as I push up inside her hard but I hear Sydney moan and push back down onto me. We hold ourselves in the passenger seat of her car and hold each other in the peace and quiet. Sydney kisses me again and I kiss her back, itās nice and soft andā¦. where the fuck is that light coming from.
āHey looks like he does fuck bitches,ā I hear from outside the car and Syd pulls off me and grabs her jeans.
I pull up my jeans and look around, yep weāre surrounded but I canāt figure out who it is so I get my pants buttoned up and step out. I see cell phone lights like a couple people are either recording or just making sure Iām well seen.
āSyd go,ā I call back to Sydney in her car.
āGuy get in,ā she calls and I turn to her.
āDrive,ā I tell her and she whimpers.
I listen as she turns over the engine of her car and backs up, I hear people calling out in surprise as she nearly runs them over and I start to figure out how many people are out here. I turn my gaze for a moment and see Sydneyās headlights turn away from where we were parked and then taillights heading away from us, good. She doesnāt need to see this.
āAnd here we are, you find me away from everything else and surprise me. Gonna post this to Facebook afterwards? Maybe your Twitter account,ā I ask the lights on the phones.
āEasy deal Guy, contract for the video before I use it to embarrass your girl,ā I hear the offer and immediately smile.
āHector? Is that you? Did you put this together all by yourself or is Romeo out here too,ā I ask smiling.
āItāll be all over the internet in a couple house unless you give me the contract,ā Hector threatens and I figure there is an ante here that needs upping.
āYou mean youāll show me and my friend in a video having sex,ā I ask and I hear him pause,ā Wonderful, how about you tell me where youāre posting it so I can post the video of your girlfriend fucking someone else and we can make a page out of it. How about āGirls getting satisfiedā? Good title or no?ā
Heās pissed, I can hear it and while the idea of making Sydney an internet sensation or blurb on a porn site isnāt what I want out of this situation Iām not backing down and giving him the upper hand. I see the phone in front of me go down and barely make out Hector in the dark with the other small lights but itās him and heās not very happy with me.
āJust give up the contract and weāll even give you a ride home,ā Hector offers and I almost laugh.
āOh do I get to ride your girlfriend all the way there,ā I ask in mocking him.
āYou just donāt know when youāre beat. There aināt anyone here to help you, no bikers, no Carlos, no women, no cops or teachers to stop us so think about it real good before something bad happens to you,ā Hector threatens me, now Iām game.
āDonāt you mean again? Something bad happens to me again? Tried twice now and Iām still here, gonna take all the masks and anonymity out of it and just go for broke face to face for a change,ā I ask Hector and he smirks at me, odd.
āYou donāt know yet do you, nobody told you. Well Carlos and Romeo told you but you didnāt listen,ā Hector says it and Iām curious what I was told,ā We didnāt do it man, and we have proof finally.ā
āYou may not have done it, butā¦. what if you did,ā I ask Hector and now Iām not smiling,ā What would I care who did or didnāt do anything. What if all that was left was a heartless, ruthless creature that has learned firsthand about cruelty and is fueled by hate.ā
Now he backs off but itās not me, I hear the motor coming and that doesnāt sound like Sydneyās car. I turn and see bikes, motorcycles, not a lot but enough. Iām almost disappointed theyāre hereā¦ no I am disappointed; this was going to be good and visceral.
āHector get your ass back in your car and take your people with you, you were warned,ā I hear someone in the dark tell Hector, and what does he mean warned.
Hector doesnāt look happy but he starts speaking in Spanish to the small crew he brought and I hear them shuffle off towards wherever they put their cars while I wait in the headlights of the motorcycles. I wait to see who decided to save me and after a few moments I see the red haired biker from Yesterday.
āYou alright kid,ā he asks checking me.
āNo, I havenāt been alright in a long time and I almost got to have some real fun,ā I tell him stepping round him and starting to head down the hill.
āKid Iāve been following him because heās reckless and stupid and you could get hurt,ā he says and I turn.
āAnd why the hell would you care? Itās not like you know me, we donāt have anything connecting us so why are you so concerned with my health and well being,ā I ask before he cuts me off, from where Iām walking.
āBecause I want to go home, soon as the truth comes out as to who really stabbed and tortured you I am on a plane heading home,ā he tells me and now I see his weakness.
āHow about I put you on a plane in the next few hours and you go home early,ā I offer and he shakes his head,ā My god I canāt even buy people off.ā
āItās about doing the job, not money,ā he explains and I scoff.
āItās about everyone screwing with me but I have one more day of this before the day of hellfire,ā I tell him and continue my walk.
āIām not even going to pretend to know what the hell that means but kid you want a ride,ā he offers and I shake my head,ā You really donāt trust anyone do you?ā
āNot really, not outside my family. Nobody has earned my trust because I say something then they insult me by offering nothing of value. I would have stopped all of this yesterday had they just cut off Carlosās hand and gave it to me. Small price to pay for what happens next,ā I state and continue walking.
How long do I walk, not very long after the bikers pass me heading back to wherever they came from but personally I like the walk till headlights come blaring into view and I hear a familiar engine rumble.
āBro get in, your girl Sydney called,ā Mark is here and I almost laugh but I do smile, itās good to trust people.
Iām inside his car quickly and weāre down the road for Sydās house then home. I explain what I happened and get into Hector confronting me but I leave out the bikers. Mark wouldnāt know to keep that to himself. After all of it he asks me the Mark question.
āDude so you finally hooking up with her,ā he asks and I laugh.
Only Mark would be more concerned about my sex life and happiness than how much danger I was in fifteen minutes earlier. We get to Sydās house and I knock on her door and wait a few before she answers and I am nearly tackled in a hug. Then she breaks the hug and Iām getting hit.
āYou idiot, when I say get in the car you get in and we leave,ā Syd barks quietly at me as I take shots to the arm and chest.
āI could handle it, I was more worried about you,ā I explain and she hits me again.
āNo excuses, after Sunday you need to learn to listen to me more,ā Syd says before smirking a little.
I get a kiss and grab my car before heading home following Mark home. I donāt get four feet in the door and Mom is checking to see if Iām okay and as is the current trend I am and I smile and let her know that Iām being smart and the only reason I needed Mark was because I was looking out for Sydney. A good deal of male approval from that coming from Mr. D, Dad and Mark. I head up to my room and settle down; tomorrow is final planning stage and then Sunday. A new day, and possibly a new me.
Hawk: Saturday
I had to run that little shit Hector off the kid Jim wants protected and I actually wonder if the kidās offer to fly my ass home that night was legit or not? Now Iām following Hector around from a comfortable distance the day after since he canāt be trusted to follow a simple fucking instruction. Hell if we want to get that kid to calm down and listen to the other shit Carlos why not just fuck up Hector till heās happy then roll his ass to a hospital? Good plan from where Iām standing. Back to the mouthy little shit Iām watching heās been all over the place visiting a half dozen different little groups of Carlosās crew and twice went by to see his girl at her taco truck job. I can tell shit is tense between them and itās only when the two of them head back to her place do I see something that I didnāt expect. Thereās the kid, the Guy kid, driving a beater down the road. I almost stay put until a truck with a man, older than me, comes behind the kidās beater car and thatās when I see someone else doing some tracking and figure itās better to check it out.
My bike keeps me in the chase following the kid around but the old man is smart and trained, very well trained as watch him follow from spots that make no sense to me. I keep them in sight as Guy keeps going around to different spots, a street near that gang leader Carlosās, the abandoned lot a few buildingās up from the tattoo parlor. In total we got six spots near Carlosās crew or the Union and I have to wonder what this kid is up to. I check in with Jim but keep what Iām doing to myself, no use in reporting shit that aināt major. The kid is out for almost five hours scouting spots and looking around at different buildings and whatever before stopping at a storage unit. I canāt see shit but the older man can so I watch him and try to figure out what his deal is. Okay since I donāt have a magic eight ball to read its pretty much make sure he doesnāt go after the kid and keep my head down.
Another hour and the kid leaves one storage unit for another only this time he changes out his car, smart move, but the older man is watching and this time doesnāt follow as the kid leaves. I follow the kid and make sure he gets to his destination, which is a big fucking mansion, before heading off to the Union meet. Itās a big ass party at an abandoned air strip and I check in with Jim who is glad to have me help out but is still keeping me here, itās bullshit and he knows I donāt like it but not my call. Hell if it were my call I would have never come down here. I donāt stay and that makes a statement to Jim that he doesnāt like, the kind that says āIām fucking done with your hospitalityā. I head to the small apartment the Devilās had set up for me and crash out.
āHmmm, what? Hello,ā I answer my phone and remember I keep it on vibrate while Iām sleeping.
āTwo choices, stay here and keep following things that are going to get you hurt or killed,ā the voice on the other end tells me and now Iām awake,ā Or two, take the two bags to the man keeping you here, buy your freedom and say the people who had them are already dead and return home.ā
āNot sure who you are man but itās a bad idea to threaten a Devil,ā I get up from my bed.
āNot a threat, more of a cautionary warning. Like watch your step,ā the voice says as I head to the window.
āWhat the fuck,ā I almost trip and fall over a green duffel bag on my floor,ā How the fuck?ā
āTake the bags, buy your way home, stay out of business that has nothing to do with youā¦ fair deal,ā the voice says before hanging up and now Iām confused.
I donāt sleep heavy, I am a very light sleeper and someoneā¦ somehowā¦ someway got into MY room. My room which is chain locked and all the windows are secured, on a second floor with one way in, the front door. How the fuck?!
I dress call Jim, heās almost done for the night but makes his way over with Smitty and a few Union. I stomp out to them and drop both duffel bags at their feet.
āI got the last of your missing hardware, I found the fucking evidence you needed, now Iām going the fuck home as you promised or Iām going home on my own but either way Iām going home,ā I am tired and pissed and barking orders at the President of the Union.
Guy: Sunday Morning, The Day of the Incident
Christmas, my birthday, when I lost my virginity to Ally. All of these are moments that can help define me but what I do today, what I have planed is pure destruction. I will break lives, I will leave devastation and I will enjoy it. Iām up and moving early for most, about seven or so, and I get dressed down in some inconspicuous clothes so I can move about mostly unnoticed. The house is quiet like a funeral but not a real funeral, just the end of me. Okay I actually think Iāll be alright after I burn down a few houses and a business or two.
Iām really excited.
Fuck that Iām positively throbbing to do this.
Heās done all the lines and has schedules taken care of; its six spots to burn down.
And our boy stole a fucking rocket launcher from the bikers and Carlos to do it.
Itās an RPG, Rocket Propelled Grenadeā¦ but yes and Iām so proud of him.
So after this we walk away? Are we sure this is it?
Go out on a high note and enjoy retirement away from his stress.
Yeah but I like him. I think we should stick around.
What was the rule?
Get him moving, get him ready and turn him loose. Took long enough.
Which is why weāre taking matters into our own handsā¦ well his hands.
Iām gonna miss you.
What?
Nothing.
Hey, Iāll miss you too but this is a good thing.
Iām taking my time getting everything squared up at the first storage unit. Itās not much but changing out the car, working the plates so itās not the car they think it is if anyone did run it and guaranteeing that not a fucking soul will pay attention is a big thing so that I can finish this fight and take back what is mine. First place, Carlosās home. He and his family will head to church in about thirty minutes and after that I show up, put an incendiary RPG round through their front window and let them deal with the fallout. Tattoo parlor, taco truck, mechanicās shop and Hectorās house are on the list after that but Iāve been scouting. All good hidden spots to shoot with easy access to the streets so I can get in check the area quick, fire of the shot and get out before people figure out what happened. Itāll take months for them to figure out it was all connected and connecting it to me will be impossible. I mean they couldnāt find who stabbed me let alone tortured me and I plan to melt the evidence. Foundries are good for that.
I get the rental to the second storage unit and park making sure Iām mostly off camera and have the car blocking what Iām loading so nobody can see. I open the unit, itās not huge but itās big enough. Itās too big, too emptyā¦ where are my weapons? There isnāt enough in here to move to search and I see my charts, just some plotting for the shots scattered on the floor. How? How did someone find it? Where are my weapons?
āGuy,ā I hear a voice behind me and freeze.
What the shit is this?
No.
Are you fucking kidding us?
I turn around and like a fucking ghost my father, my biological father, is standing there at the entrance to the unit staring at me.
āWhere are they,ā I ask quiet, I canāt find my voice.
āThe weapons? The ones that were going to get you killed or jailed? Theyāre gone, I used them to buy your safety,ā he says it and I feel my stomach drop.
āThose were mineā¦ those were going to fix meā¦,ā I tell him and I can barely feel anything.
āYou were going to get yourself put in jail, what were you thinking,ā Dad asks and I scramble to figure out how to finish this.
āIā¦ I need to get movingā¦ I have to get this doneā¦,ā I tell him and grab the papers left on the floor,ā I have to get some fuel and figure out how to get it inside the buildingsā¦ā
āGuy its over. The weapons are gone and itās a good thing. You werenāt thinking and you were going to hurt people,ā he, my Father, tells me and I feelā¦ something.
Noā¦
I can see inside you, the sickness is risingā¦
I said noā¦
It seems all that was good has diedā¦
Please noā¦ Donāt make meā¦
I know that the world is a scary placeā¦
Stopā¦ pleaseā¦
Now that youāve woken up the Devilā¦
IN ME!
āYou dare tell me what I am and am not thinking? You after nine years doing everything except keeping your word to meā¦ your only sonā¦ have the audacity to tell me what Iām thinking,ā I spit and now I feel anger.
āGuy Iām your father,ā he starts, I stop him.
āIn name, not in action or any sort of real fatherly way. Itās over, weāre done old man. Go home and die miserable. I will not allow you to spoil my life anymore. What I do now, who I hurt now is because of you. I was going to make this painless compared to what I will do now. I will suffer, all will suffer and when they ask why,ā I step forward and am right in his face, this false father figure,ā When they ask why you and you alone will have to stand up and tell them that you did this to them.ā
I step past him and get in the rental. Itās all over now, I lose.