by Naomi West
If there was one good thing that came out of it, it was the fact that Rocky and I were actually a lot more comfortable around each other these days. I supposed that’s what happens after you see someone naked.
It was times like these that I wished I had a girlfriend to talk things over with and vent to. Unfortunately, I hadn’t interacted often enough with other people in town. I made a mental note to start hanging out with other people instead of restricting my time to just be with Rocky.
I frowned at the thought. Was I hogging Rocky’s time? Was he getting sick of me?
Rocky was currently on the phone with Cameron, pacing back and forth and not saying much more than the occasional ‘uh huh.’ I’d noticed that most of his conversations with Cameron went that way. I’d love to listen in on them one day, just to find out what Cameron was saying to him.
They’d been talking for almost twenty minutes and Rocky’s face was getting darker and darker as the conversation went on. I knew he didn’t like what Cameron was saying but I didn’t know if that meant bad news or just a bad conversation.
When he finally did hang up, it was with a somber expression, holding the phone in his hands for several more minutes. He didn’t seem to want to be disturbed so I sat silently while he paced back and forth. When he stopped, seeming to come to a decision, he walked over to me and sat down.
“That was Cameron,” he began. I resisted the urge to smile at that. I’d already gathered that from the ‘hey uncle’ he’d opened the conversation with, but I figured this was a serious matter.
“He’s called me to a meeting at the clubhouse.”
“Oh,” was all I could say. That was good, wasn’t it? That meant that things were about to happen, plans set in motion and all that.
“Would you ... would you come with me?”
I blinked rapidly a few times. He wanted me to go? I couldn’t quite control the smile that had begun to spread over my face. Surely this meant that he wasn’t quite sick of me yet. I wondered if that was the decision he was trying to come to while he paced. If it was, I was flattered. He was beginning to open up to me more and more, letting me into more parts of his life.
I realized I still hadn’t answered him so I hurriedly replied. “Of course.”
Rocky let out a breath of relief at my answer, though I wasn’t sure why he was so surprised. There was no way I was not going to go. I wanted to know the danger the Rocky was going to get himself into and this was the only way to make sure I got all the facts and not a distilled version that glossed over the detail. If I didn’t go to this meeting I had a feeling that Rocky would come back and tell me very little.
“When is it?” I hoped it would be sometime soon so it would give Rocky less of an opportunity to change his mind, which I knew he was still considering.
“Tonight. Listen Daria, are you sure you want to come?” Rocky asked.
“I said I would, didn’t I?” I figured he’d already learned that I never went back on my word, especially in matters like this. I was already mentally anticipating how the meeting was going to play out, who was going to be there and what the big plan was.
I felt like I had to have Rocky’s back, especially since I knew he was so hell bent on getting revenge that he could become very reckless. He probably wouldn’t have a care in the world, putting himself in harm’s way left, right and center. Someone had to make sure he didn’t do something stupid. I knew his uncle would look out for him as well, but I didn’t know if Cameron was also blinded by hatred and revenge.
He hid it well if he did. If anything, Cameron gave off the vibe of endless patience and cold calculation
Between Cameron and myself, Rocky had two people who cared deeply for him, even if he didn’t know it. I just hoped that it would be enough for when the time came.
###
I’d never set foot in the clubhouse when I was younger so I didn’t know what to expect. It was strange to think that Mom spent most of her time here when she was my age, even weirder to think it had been Rocky’s home once upon a time.
We entered the clubhouse to meet Cameron, who seemed quite surprised to see that Rocky had brought me along. He looked oddly pleased about it, something that made me a mixture of nervous and suspicious. I remembered back when Rocky had told me that Cameron was asking him about me, and wondered why all the interest. Did it have anything to do with my mother? I still hadn’t asked her about the strange dynamic between her and Cameron and I knew that I had to do that soon.
“Daria, Rocky.” Cameron strode forward and wrapped his arms around me in a warm embrace, something that seemed very out of character. I froze a little in shock then awkwardly attempted to hug him back. My eyes flicked up to Rocky and he seemed amused by my discomfort. I suppose if he wasn’t shocked by his uncle then I shouldn’t be either. Anyway, if this meant that Cameron was accepting me into Rocky’s life then I appreciated it greatly.
“Hey uncle,” Rocky replied. “I thought this was a meeting?”
“It was. Until I decided that all our men didn’t need to be involved. I think I've worked out our next move.”
Cameron sat us down in a little seating area and went to grab some drinks, a beer for Rocky and himself and a water for me.
Rocky was leaning forward in his seat, his face serious and waiting for Cameron to continue. This was what he’d been waiting months for.
“I think we need to meet with Garcia.”
“What? Fuck no,” Rocky protested. His entire demeanor had changed from captivated to very angry in a heartbeat and I could understand exactly why. I was dumbfounded that Cameron had decided this would be the best move to make. Was I wrong about who this man was?
“Jose Garcia, right?” I clarified. “The Mexican drug cartel boss?”
“Yes, the leader of the cartel,” Cameron affirmed.
“That’s a terrible idea,” Rocky interrupted.
“It’s the best move we can make,” Cameron’s words to his nephew were sharp. It wasn’t a suggestion, he’d already made up his mind. “We need help to take out Steele without it seeming like it was a Satan’s Wings hit. And no one will cross Garcia so it won’t be linked back to us.”
The fact that nobody would cross Garcia just seemed like more reason not to make any deals with him. He was clearly more dangerous than I realized.
“He’s not going to want to help us,” Rocky argued.
“He might. For a price. Besides, he’s our only shot if we don’t want a club war on our hands. Even without Jason, the Nightmare MC is strong. They’d want revenge and they’d take a few of our men down with them. We can’t afford something like that.”
But what would he ask for, I wondered. My mind was recalling old movies I used to watch of mafia bosses being paid in either money or favors.
“When’s the meet?” Rocky asked.
“Tomorrow. An abandoned warehouse just outside town.”
“Who’s going?” I asked, suddenly nervous about where this was going. The lack of people attending this ‘meeting’ gave it away.
“Just me and Rocky,” Cameron answered casually, as if saying it in a calm tone could convince me that it wasn’t a big deal. I knew very well that I had little clue about how the club worked but surely, he could see this was a bad idea. Garcia couldn’t be trusted and he’d probably bring more men with him. They could walk right into an ambush.
“Are you sure that’s a good move,” I put forward uncertainly. “Shouldn’t you take a few more people with you?”
Cameron snorted and shook his head. “Rocky and I will be fine. Garcia won’t try anything unless he’s got reason to and at the moment, he’s got nothing. And on top of that, it’d also be bad for business if he just started shooting people that wanted to meet with him. No, we’ll be fine.”
The way he said it was so convincing. No wonder he was club president, he could talk anyone into doing anything.
“I’m in,” Rocky said then. I cursed him for his impulsiveness but stayed quie
t.
“Good. We’ll leave first thing tomorrow.”
###
Rocky had dropped me off at the hotel after leaving the clubhouse, walking me to the door like a gentleman. A part of me wanted to use this time to plead with him not to go but I knew it would be useless.
I just couldn’t help but think it was really strange that they were making a deal with Garcia. Surely someone would question why Garcia was going around and killing MC presidents. It was times like this that I realized I would never understand some things in Rocky’s world.
We arrived at the hotel door and I turned to Rocky to say goodbye, impulsively leaning in to give him a brief hug, thinking he wouldn’t appreciate too much affection.
“Don’t be stupid tomorrow,” I warned. That was probably what worried me the most.
“Have a little faith, Daria,” he replied with an eye roll.
“I’m serious. Please. Be safe,” I whispered into his ear.
“I will. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
And with those parting words, I watched him stroll away back to his bike without a care in the world, hoping that I really would get to see him tomorrow.
Chapter Fourteen
Rocky
Be safe.
Daria’s words continued to ring in my head on the ride over to the abandoned warehouse. She’d whispered it gently into my ear, so quietly that it was like she was reassuring herself just as much as me.
Be safe.
I’d forgotten what it was like to have someone care about me and worry about whatever dangerous thing I was going to do next. Daria questioned my every move, pointed out my flaws and never hesitated to tell me when I was being stupid or reckless.
It was bittersweet knowing how important Daria was to me but that I could never go any further with her. Christ, we’d already slept together once, and I regretted it more than anything. Yes, it was the best sex of my life, but I had taken her on the floor of the garage like an animal. Daria wasn’t that kind of girl. She was gentle and caring and innocent.
Fuck, she liked it rough, though. I wore the scratches on my back from her fingernails like badges of honor for days after we’d had sex. They were the only reminder I allowed myself to have from one of the best nights of my life. Though, considering we spent every day standing in the same spot where I’d taken her, it was difficult to stay on track at work.
Cameron and I had already been driving for several miles and we still hadn’t reached the warehouse. He’d said that it was only a little ways out of town, but as far as I could tell, we weren’t anywhere close. Cameron was riding his own bike up ahead, leading me down the abandoned dirt road. I would never tell him in so many words, but I was endlessly grateful for Cameron being there. I didn’t know if I’d be able to face Garcia alone.
Daria had been right when she said that this would be a dangerous mission today, though Cameron had been quick to reassure her. Garcia was merciless and did things his own way. I’d never met him but from what I’d been told, he had a heinous laugh that could make the bravest of men piss themselves.
He was becoming a ghost story in Springville, even young children in the street knowing about him.
We just passed the ‘Welcome to Springville’ sign at the outpost of town when Cameron signaled to me with a hand in the air. He gestured to the right and at first I was confused, until Cameron suddenly veered off road onto a barely-there trail off the main road. A mile or so after that, we finally reached the warehouse we were meeting him at.
It was massive, run down warehouse, a good base of operations if that’s what Garcia was planning to do with it.
There were three bikes already parked out front so I knew this was the right place. Cameron and I both got of our bikes and I made my way toward the entrance, only to be stopped by my uncle’s hand grasping at my upper arm.
“Keep your cool, okay?” Cameron warned. “I don’t need your temper getting in the way. Understood?”
As far as pep talks went, I wasn’t really a fan. I knew this was Cameron as president talking and not Cameron as my uncle so I didn’t take it to heart as I might have done. Instead, I nodded in the affirmative and pulled my arm out of his grip.
I understood what he was saying but that didn’t mean I had to like it.
This time, as I made my way to enter, I was met with no resistance and I pushed open the solid wooden door that swung back with an eerie creak. If Daria was with me and it was the middle of the night, she would insist that we were on the set of some horror movie and an axe murderer would come out at any moment.
There was no axe murderer inside, just Garcia standing casually with two of his goons. He turned to us after hearing the door open. I’d never met Garcia before but I had seen him once before, years ago, but he looked the same; same shiny bald head, dark furrowed brows, and wearing a perfectly tailored suit that seemed out of place standing in a place like this.
“Boys,” he greeted, spreading his arms wide upon our entry. “Cameron Weston,” he stretched out a hand to Cameron who grabbed it in a firm shake.
“This is my nephew, Rocky Weston,” Cameron said, gesturing at me. “He’s the son of Billy Weston.”
This seemed to pique his interest and Garcia raised a brow, turning to one of his goons and muttering something in Spanish.
When he turned back to us, he had a Cheshire cat smile etched on his face. “What can I do for you, Rocky Weston?” He drew my name out at the end in a way that gave me chills.
“He wants revenge on Jason Steele. We both do.” Cameron again. I had the strong urge to interrupt and say that I could speak for myself, but I supposed that’s what Cameron meant when he’d told me to keep a cool head. As much as I resent it, maybe he didn’t trust me enough yet.
“And you thought I’d help you, Cameron?” Garcia began a slow walk around us, circling us like we were prey, which in a sense we were.
“I know you would. For a price.”
Garcia cackled loudly and clapped his hands together. He stopped his circling and yelled something else in Spanish to one of his guys who released an equally distressing cackle.
Maybe we should have listened to Daria and brought some more men. We were outnumbered, three to two, and it would’ve been nice to have one more man to even things out.
“You know me too well,” Garcia said, rubbing his hands together in interest and staring Cameron down.
I was under the impression that my uncle had never met with Garcia before, but I sensed an odd form of familiarity between them. It was stupid to think that way though, Cameron was probably just involved in a deal between Garcia and the club. I pushed it out of my mind, but I reminded myself to ask my uncle about it later.
“So, you want me to take out Steele?” Garcia confirmed.
“Yes.” I answered this time. “We have a plan if you're willing to help us.”
Garcia let out another cackle. “So, baby Weston thinks he’s got a plan? Okay, I’ll play.”
I ground my teeth in frustration but moved on.
Keep a cool head, keep a cool head, I chanted to myself in the hopes of it actually working.
“The plan is that I will spend the next few weeks staking out Steele. I’ll monitor all his movements, everywhere he goes, people he meets. I’ll report all this information back to you. When we figure out the perfect time for a hit, I’ll pass on the intel and you can take it from there.”
“Seems simple enough,” he nodded casually.
“So, you’ll do it?” I perked up. Surely it couldn’t be that easy.
“Yes. But I have a condition.”
“Here we go,” Cameron muttered.
Damn, just when I thought things were going well. There was no telling what he’d ask us to do. Money I could deal with, but somehow, I knew it would never be that simple.
Garcia turned back to his men and started speaking in Spanish once more, either translating what we were saying or discussing plans so we wouldn’t listen. I was really starti
ng to regret not taking Spanish in high school.
“Okay. I will do it. But only if the Satan’s Wings will work exclusively for my cartel.”
“What?” I sputtered. “Fuck no.”
“Careful, baby Weston. I’m doing you a favor.” I backtracked immediately and held up both hands, palms out.
Cameron was being strangely silent, something I didn’t appreciate at all. I walked over to him until we were almost nose-to-nose.
