“I think you better listen to this Kari.”
Slowly I take the phone from his outstretched hand. I have no idea what to expect, except that it can’t be good.
“Hello?”
“Kari, you gotta help me!” My little sister pleads.
“Why? What’s wrong? Where are you Anna?”
“These guys came and got me. They said they’re from your boyfriend’s club, but then they tied me up and took me to some place and now-”
“That’s enough bitch,” Snarls a voice I’d hoped I’d never hear again.
“Where is she? Where’s my sister you fucking animal. If you hurt her I’ll-”
“You’ll what? Pretend you have food poisoning again?” Ripper replies.
Yeah Ripper has my sister. I’d know that evil voice anywhere.
“Here’s how this is gonna work bitch.” Ripper begins. “You’re going to deliver to me on a silver platter your boyfriend there. And if you follow directions you get your little sis back in one piece…more or less.”
I’m shaking so bad I just about drop Adam’s phone. “What d-do I have t-to do?”
“You’re going to go to your nice little house there and get that pair of handcuffs from your nightstand and put them on your boy toy there; with his hands behind his back mind you.”
This time I drop the phone.
Adam retrieves it but the connection is gone. Oh my god. He’s going to think I just hung up one him and he’s going to kill my sister. Adam starts to dial the number when it rings. He hands me the phone. This time I use both hands.
“Are you insane bitch? You hang up on me one more time and I’m gonna mail your sister to you in bits and pieces! Are we clear?”
“Dropped it,” I explain. “I just dropped it. I won’t hang up. No need for the bits and pieces part.”
“Then you listen carefully. You’re gonna strip your boy there down to his skivvies and cuff his hands behind his back, nice and tight like. Then you’re going to dump him off in front of our gate. When that’s done we’ll call you and tell you where you can pick up your sister. You got that?”
“How do I know you won’t just kill her once I deliver Adam?”
“You don’t! That’s what makes this so much fun. You got twenty-four hours to deliver him before I start cutting off parts of little sis here.”
“Don’t start cutting. I’ll do…” I hang up. He’s already broken the connection.
I turn to Adam.
“No!” He barks.
“What? You have to. He’s gonna kill my sister.” I can’t believe he’d even think about refusing.
“He’ll kill her anyway. If I turn myself in to him he’ll kill me and your sister. Two dead people here, no one wins, but if I don’t give myself up at least we have the chance of getting your sister back alive. I’m not letting you tie me up and give me over to Ripper.”
Calmly I open my glove compartment and pull out a loaded handgun.
“You’re not letting me Adam, I’m making you and it’s not up for discussion!”
When I put the Colt Commander .45 in my glove compartment I thought I’d never use it. In fact I thought it was completely crazy but Doctor Mike insisted I have some kind of protection after he’d been beaten senseless by my ex. The gun is his on loan and I can’t believe I’m doing this.
Adam’s mouth drops open. “Are you fucking serious?” He asks me. “And where’d you get that?”
I ignore his question and chamber a round before pointing the gun at him again. “I am fucking serious.” I reply.
“This isn’t going to work.” He says.
“I don’t care. I have to try. I’m not going to let him start cutting on my sister without trying to save her.”
“No, I mean you can’t drive and keep you gun trained on me. You’ll either drop it, get us killed in an accident, or shoot me and then you’ll really have a problem.”
“You know, you just gave me a great idea. I bet he’d be happy to give my sister over to the person who shot his enemy.”
I aim at his head. “Wouldn’t you agree?”
“You’re in way over your head Kari. I know Ripper. I know how he thinks and I also know how to beat him and this is not the way to do it.”
“Then what would you suggest? We only have twenty-three hours and…and fifty minutes.”
“Well you’d better put the gun away and start driving.” He replies.
“So you’re coming home so I can cuff you then?” I ask. Maybe he is playing along after all.
“Oh I’m coming with, but I have another plan. You’re going to deliver me alright but first we got a little planning to do.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Let’s Make a Deal
“I need you to take me back to get my bike.” Adam says, looking at his watch for the tenth time.
“Why do you need your bike? And why do you keep looking at your watch? We have like 23 hours still.”
“Because I have a meeting to go to and no way in hell am I going to show up in a pink Volkswagen bug.”
“What meeting?”
He sits silent long enough that I start to wonder if he didn’t hear me, then he starts talking.
“Ripper and his crew are going to do the first delivery for MS 13 tonight. I know where the pick- up is, the route, and where they are going to deliver the drugs. This is a test run and if it goes off without a hitch, and then they are one giant step closer to being mules for the gang. I have to convince our arch rivals, the Cycle Demons to intercept the shipment then present themselves to the MS 13 guys as a more reliable club. I believe the Cycle Demons will jump at the chance. The money earned from drug running will be their only chance at being more powerful then the Sons.”
“But you are the Sons too. Why do you want your enemy to be more powerful?” I don’t get this and I really don’t want to be talking about this when my sister’s life is on the line.
“I’m taking half the club, the ones still loyal to me, legit. Everything is set up. By going legit we’ll no longer be a threat to the Cycle Demons and they’ll set their sights on what’s left of the Sons of Ash. I wish I could put this off until your sister was safe but there is no way I can delay the deal. It’s going to happen tonight with or without me. I have arraigned a meet with the Demon’s VP in one hour and I am not showing up in your pink bug!”
“Fine, but I’m coming too.”
“What?” He objects. “No fucking way! This is way too dangerous for you. I have no way of knowing how this is going to go down. It could be a trap for all I know.”
“No way am I letting you out of my sight. If I don’t keep you focused on my sister’s plight she’ll never get rescued. I am not leaving your side. And by the way, what makes you think this might not be a trap?”
“I grew up with Slayer…Mark Pinkus, the Demons VP. We went to school together until high school and we were best friends before he moved away. We lost track of each other until one day we got into it with the Demons and he shows up as their Sargent of Arms. We didn’t try to kill each other, but ours is a strained relationship. I’m pretty certain he just is curious about what I’m up to. He will of course have three or four guys hiding out somewhere just in case he decides to jump me or to defend himself if I decide to take him out.”
“Jeez… why can’t you just be normal. Your president wants you dead, your friend may want you dead…anyone else want you dead? Oh and we can’t forget about my ex too. He’s not your biggest fan after the other night.”
“Sorry babe, it comes with the territory. So can we go to your house now? We’re running out of time.”
I do a U-turn and hit the gas. “Fine.”
Ten minutes later we pull into my driveway. As I kill the engine he points to the gun I’ve been cradling in my lap.
“You might want to take that ‘/’with you; you know, just in case.”
“Serious? If we have to rely on me and my shooting capabilities we’re in trouble. Are you forgetting
the last time I tried to shoot your shotgun?”
“How can I forget?” He says. “That was my favorite gun. Surely you can hang on to a little .45, can’t you?”
“I’m just sayin…”
Normally I enjoy being on the back of a bike but the gravity of our situation is keeping me from grounded. I feel like I’m riding to my death or something. We get to our destination in twenty minutes. The meet is at a children’s park. I can’t believe he’d schedule a meeting here. He must be pretty confident he can keep this little encounter friendly otherwise he’s putting other people’s lives in jeopardy; not just ours. I’m just about to give him an ear full I notice something as we circle the park for the second time; there’s nobody here. No kids, no adults, and no squirrels. Seems like his friend cleared the place in anticipation of the meet; that’s good to know.
After making one more loop around the little park he finally parks. Not only do I not see any children playing, I don’t see anyone that even remotely looks like a biker. Adam dismounts and removes his helmet.
“He’s not here yet.” He looks at his watch. “We’re fifteen minutes early.” He hands me his helmet. “I want you to stay with the bike and keep your eyes on me. If I signal you one way that means you split. If I give you the other signal it means you are to join us. If the occasion arises, I’ll have to introduce you as my old lady. Any questions?”
“How much time do we have?”
“Very funny.”
“How long have we been together and where did we meet? What’s our story? Why’d-”
“He’s not actually gonna give a damn,” Adam replies, cutting me off.
“He may not but he’ll know I’m not for real unless we brush up on-”
“Forget it. Chances are you’ll stay put on my bike and you’ll never have to say a thing. I’ll only signal you if things get…unpleasant. Seeing your pretty face just may tame the beast, so to speak. Also there’s a history between us when it comes to women,” he says.
“What sort of history?” I’m beginning to wonder if there’s something else he’s not telling me about this guy.
“He stole my old lady once. Well, she wasn’t quite my old lady but she could have been. If you come over he’ll focus on stealing you and be more agreeable to my plan with his people and MS 13. But it should be fine. I seriously doubt I’ll need your help.”
Yeah…famous last words. He’s over there talking with the Cycle Demon guy for all of sixty seconds before he gives me the pre- arranged signal to join him with his friend.
“So tell me this plan of yours,” Mark says after introductions. “And why are you so interested in taking the Sons legit?”
“Look, I’m tired of the life. I’ve been involved with the Sons in one capacity or another since I could walk and I’m tired. I want to take the guys that are with me legit but we can’t handle an all-out war with the guys that are aligned with Ripper.”
“Wait a second,” I but in. “Aren’t you already at war? I must have treated a half dozen of your guys in my ER and you don’t call that war?”
“Those are just skirmishes. If Ripper launches a war against us it’ll be over in a night; that’s what I’m trying to prevent. The only way this will work is if they’re preoccupied with the Cycle Demons.”
“And tell me again why I want a war with your more violent brothers?” Mark asks.
“MS 13 is looking for bodies to distribute product and they’re turning to us,” Adam begins. “They really don’t care who they work with actually. They just want loyal foot soldiers and either we provide them or you do. Basically I am giving you a way in. What you do with that is on you.”
“What’s our way in?” Mark asks.
“I know when and where Ripper and his guys are going to pick up the next shipment. I also know the route and where they’re going to drop it off. If it goes well MS 13 will start using Sons to distribute and sell their product. In exchange all I want is for your guys to leave mine alone and to take over MS 13’s drug business. Once MS 13 sees that we can’t protect their product and guarantee safe delivery there’s no way they’ll use us. The only other crew in this town capable of handling MS 13’s business is you guys.”
Two minutes into the conversation I see the light go on in Mark’s eyes. They continue to talk and strategize for the better part of a half hour before they stand and shake hands; it’s a done deal. As we walk back to Adam’s bike I realize something. My sister’s time is going to run out at some point during the whole drug thing with Ripper, MS 13, and the Cycle Demons. Obviously I can’t allow that.
I stop dead in my tracks and turn to face Adam. “We can’t do this! While you’re gallivanting about with your drug deal stuff and your war my sister is going to be mailed to me in parts. You can’t do this.” I protest.
“This is the perfect time Kari. Ripper and his guys will be so busy trying to protect their drug run that they’ll barely be guarding your sister. It’ll be the perfect time to strike. Not only will we ruin their deal with MS 13, but we’ll get your sister back as well.”
I glace at my watch before getting on Adam’s bike. It’s nearly 4pm. We have until noon tomorrow to deliver Adam or to rescue my sister. I’m kinda leaning towards giving up Adam. Seems a lot safer than any half- baked rescue attempt.
“So now what?” I ask Adam before putting my helmet on.
“Dinner and a show?”
“What the fuck?” He shouts as my helmet bounces off his thick skull. He rubs his head and shoots daggers at me with his eyes. “What the hell did you do that for?” He asks.
“Dinner and a show? Are you kidding me?” I shout indignantly. I draw my arm back, getting ready to give him another smack down before he can get his own helmet on his unprotected noggin.
“I was kidding…maniac. But what can we do anyway?”
“We make a plan,” I reply. “Or do you already have one?” My arm is still cocked back just in case I don’t like his answer.
He eyes me suspiciously before answering. “I do have one actually. I was hoping to share with you over dinner not here at the park. We’ll look like a couple perverts hanging around a children’s park without any little ones in tow.”
“You’re worrying about that now? You didn’t think it even a teensy bit weird when we were circling the park like a couple vultures a few minutes ago?”
“Hey I was scouting for signs that we were being set up,” He protests. “Looking perverted was the farthest thing from my mind.”
“Alright fine, just take me to a nice place to eat and I’ll forget that I had to beat you senseless a minute ago.”
“Yeah… that wasn’t really necessary.” Adam says, rubbing his head for emphasis.
“Fine…let’s just go already.”
I jam my helmet down on my head and put my arms about his waist. I squeeze way harder than necessary for just holding on during a ride on a motorcycle; a move that was not lost on my sort of boyfriend.
Half hour later we’re sitting down at Za’s, the newest Mediteranien eatery to grace Cave Junction.
“What is it with this town and the letter Z?” I ask Adam as our waiter pours lemony water into our glasses.
“What do you mean?” Adam asks.
“Well…there’s this place and Zebra’s… then there’s that winery…Zinfandel’s, and the children’s clothing store over on Market Street; Zook’s I believe.”
“And the music store over on Broadway,” Adam concludes.
“What music store?”
“The only one on that street; Xylophone’s Emporium.” He replies.
“Yeah…English is not your forte.”
“Hey, xylophone is a word!” He protests.
“That actually begins with an X,” our waiter offers as she presents us with our menus.
“Can you not hear the Z in the word?” Adam asks, getting flustered. “Forget it, just go. We don’t want to hear the specials, but don’t leave us hanging either. Give us five and we’ll be
ready.”
“Of course Sir.”
“So what’s the plan?” I ask. I just can’t sit through an entire dinner waiting for him to eventually open up. I need to know now.
He takes a long drink of water before beginning.
“The pickup tonight is at 1:15am and the delivery to our shop is at 4:00. It’ll take three hours or so to get to the pickup spot from Cave Junction so we can hit them anytime between…2 and 3. I figure 2:30 would be ideal. The guys who are hitting Ripper and his crew will call me ten minutes before the hit. We have to be within ten minutes of the warehouse when the call comes in. Hopefully when we take your sister no one will be able to get a call out to Ripper about it. Even if they do, Ripper will have his hands full with Cycle Demons. There shouldn’t be anyway the guys who have your sister can get any backup. Timing is everything though so if I don’t get the call from the Cycle Demons we won’t know when to hit your sister and problems could arise.”
“Problems? What problems?”
“Don’t even worry Kari. I’ll take four guys with me heavily armed. We’ll be in and out in minutes. It’s the perfect plan sweetie. They’ll never know what’s hit them until Ripper gets back to the warehouse at 3 or 4 in the morning; long after we’re gone.”
“Wait a second.” I just got a really bad feeling in my gut. “Who all knows about our rescue attempt on my sister?”
“Just me and the guys I choose to come with me.” He says.
I have a feeling he’s leaving something out. “Just you and your guys? No one else?”
He looks at me for a moment; guilt written all over his face.
“What is it Adam? What are you not telling me?”
“The guy we met today from the Demons; he knows.”
“What?”
“Hey I had to tell him. He wanted to know why I needed to know exactly when he was going to hit the drug delivery guys.”
“And you actually told him?” I’m beginning to get furious. “Why’d you tell him?”
“If I hadn’t told him what we’re doing he would have just assumed we were going to double cross him and take the drugs from him soon as he took it from Ripper. He had to know I’d be nowhere near them and me and my guys would be preoccupied.”
Edge of Ashes (Sons of Ash Motorcycle Club) Page 12
