— "Will you be ok for the ride? " I asked him.
— "Yeah. If they don’t come back, I’ll be fine! "
Holding his ribcage, he laughed with us. I knew that bulletproof vests could do some damages. To be on the safe side, I texted Joe, hoping she could help once more. I told her to meet us at the Devil’s, in three hours. I examined the vehicle. We would need to repair the van, which was riddled with bullet holes. The sheriff and the highway patrol might not appreciate… still, I couldn’t believe our luck. Nothing stood in our way now. Soon we were back on the road to Stockton. Billy texted Suerte to let him know we would be a little late. He replied with three words « Hasta la vista.»
*
Ramirez and his men were waiting for us at the meeting point. About ten men were standing with their arms crossed on their chest. All were Mexican. When he saw me, Suerte looked at the van funnily.
— "The reason why you were late knew how to use a gun…"
I winced.
— "And a fucking Russian accent too! "
— "I see. "
— "Yeah. We’ll deal with it later. It doesn’t concern you. "
— "That’s your opinion… Nothing tells me he won’t go after my men. "
— "I guarantee it. If you have any doubts, call me. Just think about it. I blew off their number one, and I am taking care of his brother, who is behind bars. "
— "Don’t mess up, Jerry. "
— "I won’t. The only men they have left are lost sheep. Without their leader, they won’t be able to make things work. Dimitri Kasabov must be in a difficult situation right now. "
I smiled.
— "It won’t take long to eradicate the clan. "
— "Perfect! "
We embraced each other, and our men worked together to unload the boxes from our van, and put them in the two vehicles the Mexicans had driven to the meeting point. Us, the leaders, watched them.
— "That’s good, " Suerte said.
I nodded.
— "It’s better to stay away from risky partnerships these days, " I added. "It’s too dangerous. Feds are everywhere. I wouldn’t want them to put their nose in my business. "
— "The same goes for me. Another reason not to deal with the Russians. Let’s put an end to this. "
— "It works for me, " I concluded. "Keep in touch."
CHAPTER 19
Joe
The kidnapping unsettled me more than I thought it would. It didn’t help to remember when I joked with this adorable kid, a few days earlier. Who could have done such an atrocity? They had kidnapped two innocent kids… I shivered. I tried to follow Mona’s advice, but it wasn’t easy. My throat was dry, and my stomach ached. My empathy for Ash and his family annihilated the last traces of joy in my heart. My mother-in-law didn’t leave the office, where all the files needed to be classified. It was probably her way to cope with the situation. Foxy and Lazar gave his keys back to the last customer of the day, and I was relieved, when I billed him. I just needed to get out of there and do something useful, anything. It was fine to help my father with the customers at the workshop, but I needed some action. Maybe we shared a telepathic bond, for I received a text message from him, as I was about to leave.
« I need you, Joe. Meet me in about three hours, at the Devil’s. Bigma is hurt, nothing serious. Thank god for the BPJ. »
The message was short and troubling.
— "What is « BPJ»?" I asked Mona.
She looked at me.
— "Bulletproof jacket, " she replied with a concerned look on her face.
Surprised, I let the information sink in.
— "Marcus has been shot, but the vest saved his life. Jerry wants me to have a quick look. They’ll be back in three hours. "
The pretty fifty-years-old sighed, but she looked relieved, realizing that they were safe.
— "No serious injuries. Thank god. "
I nodded, not knowing what to think. Were they never tired of this stressful lifestyle? It seemed we couldn’t stay fifteen days without drama or an “incident.” We had good moments, but Mack was right. I still remembered his words. « When something good comes our way, we enjoy it. We know it’s not going to last. Sooner or later, danger comes back. That’s the way things work. » He was so right. This fast-paced life was exciting but hard. I feared it, but it also attracted me. I put away my phone, knowing that my plans for the evening would be delayed. I had to wait for them for three hours. It would give me time to get ready to check my new patient.
— "Come on, " Mona told me. "Let me offer you a drink. "
Surprised, I stopped in my tracks, and decided it was a brilliant idea. We locked the workshop and told the guys to come with us to the Devil’s. I wasn’t supposed to be on duty, but Mona was, and she would be alone. She opened up the door, and we all walked into the Wild Crows ‘temple. Casey and Gale had just returned from their trip to town. I joined my mother in law behind the counter.
— "I need to stay here. I might as well help you. "
She gave me a thankful smile, and I served six beers.
As soon as he saw his mother, my brother kissed her, before putting his lips on my cheek.
— "Any news? " Mona asked anxiously.
He exchanged a look with Gale.
— "Nothing solid. "
— "Jerry won’t be back before two hours, " she told them.
— "Is everything ok? " The tall blond guy asked.
Suddenly I noticed his beaten-up face. He had a black eye and a cut on his cheek. Mona answered.
— "A few unexpected events. Gunshots were fired. Bigma was hurt, but he had his bulletproof jacket. He’s going to be fine. "
The four bikers let out a sigh. I walked to the boxing champion.
— "Do you want me to have a look? You’re hurt…"
He took a step back, reassuring me with a hand gesture.
— "I’m fine, thanks. No worries. "
— "Gale participates in a few fights to win money for the club, " Casey explained. "He is our champion. "
— "He has a good punch! " Foxy added.
— "Illegal fights? " I said half-surprised.
— "You can win big, " Mona said.
— "It helps me let off some steam! " Gale said, laughing.
If it was good for his health, why not?!… I was discovering a more impetuous part of his personality. Since Mack’s death, Gale didn’t talk much. He was grieving. I couldn’t be sure, but it was my opinion. I didn’t know the man that well, and it was difficult to get an idea, because he kept mostly to himself.
Mona raised her glass, followed by everyone. I put my lips in the golden liquid, enjoying its refreshing taste. My brother offered to play pool with me, and I accepted. It would help me relax and enjoy his company at the same time. I was not good, but I managed. Casey, however, was an expert. He didn’t miss a shot. The game lifted my spirits, and I started to ask questions.
— "How long have you been a Wild Crow member? "
— "About three years. "
— "Is that what you’ve always wanted? "
— "Naturally! " He replied, shrugging.
He laughed, as if my question was the stupidest thing he’d heard.
— "That’s my whole life, Joe: the club, the workshop, bikes. That’s all I’ve ever known. "
— "I see. How about university? "
— "What for? What I’ve always cared about are mechanics and the Wild Crows. My mother tried to convince me to give it a try, but I hated school. I think I’m anti-system! "
— "If I had told something like that to my mom, she would have kicked my ass! " I said jokingly.
— "Mine did! And more than once! But all that mattered to me were the Harleys. It was useless!"
I smiled and missed the white ball. So, Mona had tried to make him chose a different path. Her concern for her son wasn’t recent. She probably had been overly protective all his life.
— "You seem to have accepted
me rather quickly, " I said.
He shrugged casually.
— "We are used to the unexpected around here. Usually, we get bad surprises, so when it’s a good one, I’m all for it. Your turn!" He said, pointing to the white ball.
I leaned over the green surface and aimed. One, two, three…! I couldn’t believe my eyes, but it was true. Triumphantly, I threw my arms in the air, smiling widely. My brother winced to provoke me.
— "I want a rematch! "
I agreed. We started to play game after game. Blake Vs. Welsh. Both of us couldn’t accept to lose, so we kept on playing. Laughing and teasing, we played until the van drove into the parking lot. The four men entered the bar, and I ran to them. My attention was on Marcus, so I forgot to greet the others. My father grabbed my arm, before kissing my forehead. He seemed relieved. Like seamen sailing back safely to the port, these bikers drove home, happy not to have any casualties on their hands. Would I get used to it?
— "Thanks, " he said, smiling.
— "You’re welcome, Daddy. "
I grabbed Bigma, and dragged him to the pool table.
— "Sit down. I’m going to have a look. "
— "Yes, M’man, " he said jokingly.
He was playing with me, so his condition wasn’t serious. Still, I noticed he was holding his side, when he laughed. I lifted his tee-shirt and observed the bruise. It was large, so I placed my hand on the purple area to check for any other injury. The tall guy moved.
— "Is it painful? "
— "I don’t want to sound soft, but yeah…"
I felt a presence behind me, followed by the sound of footsteps. When I turned, I saw my father, Hanger, and Billy.
— "So? " Asked the President.
— "He should get an X-ray. "
— "Is there another solution? "
— "It’s the only one to know if his ribs are cracked or broken. We should also check that none of them might puncture an organ, " I added.
My father winced, and grunted. It was a habit of his. When he had his back against the wall, he touched his beard and grunted. He was a bear, dressed in a leather jacket.
— "The impact wasn’t that violent, " Bigma said.
I looked at him for a minute. I wasn’t convinced. I couldn’t say if Bigma tried to minimize the situation, or if he wanted to manipulate me.
— "How do you want us to explain a gunshot wound to the ER doctor, Joe? "
My father was testing me, and I didn’t expect it.
— "A fall on a sharp object should do the trick…"
— "If we take him to the ER, they will know he’s a member of the Wild Crows. Do you think the doctors will believe your story? "
I winced. He was probably right. Feeling helpless, I sighed.
— "Well, " I said, looking at Marcus with concern. "If you think something is wrong, you call me right away. I am not kidding. Broken ribs need rest. That’s the only treatment. I am still worried that they might cause internal damage. "
Marcus pulled his T-shirt down, and gave me a mischievous smile.
— "I’m serious. Don’t ride for the next few days and try to stay out of any vehicle. You need to avoid moving. Coughing and laughing will hurt. Do you have Advil tablets at home? "
— "Yeah, my wife has everything in her pharmacy cabinet. "
— "Take some for a few days. It will help with the burning sensation. If you see that the bruise gets bigger... "
— "I’ll call you. I promise, " he said amiably.
— "Perfect. "
When I left him, Casey offered to drive him home in the van. My father stopped them.
— "Wait a minute! It’s payday today. Let’s go to the office! "
They all smiled. The members of the club climbed the stairs, while my father talked to me behind the bar. He handed me two envelopes, and I looked at him quizzically.
— "Do I get double pay today? " I said jokingly.
Jerry’s face became more serious.
— "I need to talk to my men. Could you help me? One more time… ? "
I shrugged, not knowing what to expect.
— "It’s Ash’s money. Could you drive to his place and put it into his letterbox? He probably won’t be home, or he won’t be in the mood to have visitors. "
That was risky, but luckily for my father, driving there was part of my plan for the evening. Still, I would never have told him this.
— "Not a problem, " I said.
Mona, who was watching us, intervened.
— "I can take care of it, if you have other plans for the evening. Ash is not always friendly, and with the kidnapping …"
— "I’ll be fine. Don’t worry. And you work tonight. "
My mother in law smiled gently. I put a kiss on my father’s cheek and warned him.
— "Keep an eye on Marcus, Daddy. I was serious about the bruise. I need to think about it, but it would be a good thing to have a room equipped with medical supplies here. … « accidents » are frequent, " I said.
He seemed amused.
— "As soon as we’ll be able to afford it, darling. That’s an excellent idea. "
— "See you tomorrow. It will back to work, " I reminded her.
— "Finally! " Mona said happily.
We laughed, while I put the two envelopes in my purse. As I quickly left the Devil’s, I walked by the first customers of the night. Lost in my thoughts, I started the engine of my Comet. Excitement, frustration, and fear were a powerful mix. Still, three hours after I almost left the Devils’, I would be able to see how he was doing. At the second light, I turned and made a stop at « el Conquistador’s.» When the situation was desperate, tacos and a bottle of tequila were helpful. Things could hardly be worse.
CHAPTER 20
Joe
I parked in the driveway. No car was in front of the house, so I would have to put it in the letterbox. I was disappointed. I had brought hot food, what a pity! I took a deep breath and decided to walk to the front door, holding the paper bag from « El Conquistador » in one hand while I had the envelope in the other one. I knocked on the door. No answer! Hesitantly, I chose not to give up so easily. I needed to see him and know he was doing alright, so I insisted. I put the bag down on a step, before squatting to look for my cell in my purse. When I finally found it, I opened Messenger without knowing what I should type or say… What words would sound right? The situation was critical, so I had to think carefully. I sighed, then I just typed whatever came through my mind.
« I have a delivery for the owner of the lovely wooden house. »
I looked at my screen for a minute, smiling sadly. I felt for him. My empathy was painful and endless, but I couldn’t fight it. It was part of me, and I couldn’t get rid of it. I put my back against the wall and slid down, until I reached the ground with my eyes still fixed on my screen. I was expecting an answer, so my heart skipped a beat when I opened the message that had just appeared on my screen.
« If the delivery woman can wait five minutes, I’m on my way »
I laughed. Even though he was going through hell, he still had some humor. I was touched. I couldn’t wait for him to get home, so I could see him. I leaned against the door and enjoyed the moment. It was excellent hearing some good news in the middle of the storm that was blowing on us, since that morning, even if the feeling would only last a few minutes.
*
— "Delivery men, they are all the same. They throw the parcel on the front porch and leave…"
I jumped and opened my eyes. How did I manage to fall asleep like that? I didn’t even feel the cold of the evening. Ash seemed to mind. He was standing in front of me, his arms crossed on his chest, looking at me disapprovingly. I think I saw a smile pass on his lips, but it was gone now. I stood up and wiped my jeans with my hand, before grabbing my belongings.
— "What are you doing here, Joe? "
His voice sounded tired, and I could hear he was upset. Mona had worn me. He wanted to stay alone. Too
bad for him I had inherited the tenacity of my famous father, Jerry Welsh.
Wild Crows - 2. Revelation : english version Page 13
