“What are you in bed with the Kings now?” Bloody Ryan asks Cade. “You sure seem to know a hell of a lot about them. And why the fuck are we here talking to you? Seems like we should be sitting down with the Kings and not some wounded animal that used to head the Disciples.”
“You are.” Cade replies. Then he turns and waives to the two guys on the bikes that came with him. The second they take off their helmets it’s obvious who they are; the head of the Latin Kings and his enforcer Blackjack.
As they join the group introductions are made. Eddie turns Gunnar, the leader of the Kings, “Is it safe to assume you know all about Cade’s plans to combine forces?”
“We’ve already been through it with your brother.” Gunnar replies. “It’s the best plan for all our crews and keeps everybody safe from each other and more importantly from the Cartel.”
“I know all about your beef with the Cartel, Eddie says. “But why make it our beef as well? The second we start supporting anything with the Kings, we become a target same as you. Why would we want that?”
“The Cartel’s coming, like it or not!” Cade replies. “You can either stand against them with the Kings or stand alone after the Kings have been decimated. But if you think you’re powerful enough to go against the Cartel by yourself then we have no reason to keep talking.”
“That’s not what I’m saying,” Eddie replies. “I just am not convinced we’re the next on the list for the Cartel.”
“Yeah bro,” Bloody Ryan begins. “I’m not convinced either. I don’t trust Kings or you Eddie. If there’s anyone here who I may be inclined to trust it’s you Cade.”
“Then hear me out.” Cade replies. “What the Cartel is doing right now they have done down south in LA. Remember the Blind Bandits, that club out of San Bernardino?”
“Oh shit, that’s right.” Bloody Ryan exclaims. “It was the Cartel who ran them out a couple years ago. I remember that now. They were a pretty strong club too. The Juarez Cartel did it to help compete against the granddaddy of all Cartels, the Sinaloa Cartel. They got representation in about twenty states here in the US.”
“That’s right,” Cade confirms. “And Juarez are gonna do it up here as well. When we fall all the smaller clubs will fall as well and pretty soon the Juarez Cartel owns the entire bay area. We either stop them now or not at all.”
“So who’s gonna keep all this straight?” Eddie asks. “We need someone to make sure all these moving parts move together and not against each other?”
“I can,” Cade replies.
“Sorry bro, but you don’t got the muscle anymore to enforce this.” Eddie replies.
“He may not have the muscle,” Bloody Ryan replies. “But I trust him more than I trust you Eddie. Cade’s never betrayed me.”
“And the Kings trust him.” Gunnar replies with confidence. “You we don’t know.” He says, pointing to Eddie. “And we only just met Ryan, so it’s Cade or nobody, and that’s a deal breaker for the Kings.”
“It’s the trust we have in Cade that gives him the necessary muscle.” Ryan concludes.
“Fine!” Eddie says. He may agree but he clearly doesn’t like the thought of his brother having any sort of power and with the other two crews faith in him that makes Cade one powerful fucker.
“We got another Issue,” The Latin Kings leader announces.
“What issue?” Eddie asks, clearly not liking where this may be going.
“I understand you plan on removing the patch from his back tonight. Is that still on the table?”
“Yes it’s fucking on the table. He’s not a Disciple anymore. What’d you expect us to do?”
“You burning off a tattoo that big is gonna put him out of commission for a long fucking time. People have died that way you know and if Cade dies…all bets are off the fucking table.”
“So what are you saying?” Eddie asks.
“You can’t do it bro.” Bloody Ryan says. “We all need him alive and healthy. The tattoo stays.”
“Fuck!” Eddie steps back from the circle and kicks his feet in the dirt, swearing under his breath.
He was so looking forward to torching his brother tonight and now it sounds like it can’t happen. After a minute he regains his cool and approaches the guys.
“We’ll cover it up then with black ink. If he can’t take that then he’s too big a pussy to have all your trust.”
“Can’t happen.” Gunnar, the Kings leader presses.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Eddie rages as he steps back and draws his weapon, pointing at his brother’s head. “Maybe I should just blow his fucking head off!”
The other men react instinctively and in a flash there are 7 angry men pointing guns with itchy trigger fingers. Adrenaline soars and hearts pound in anticipation of what seems to be the inevitable shootout. Then Cade lowers his 9mm and set’s in on the ground. He turns to the two Latin Kings motioning for them to calm down.
“Everybody just chill. Lower your weapons slowly. There’s no reason we should be starting WWIII today. We’re not the enemy. The Juarez Cartel is the enemy here. Come on brothers, lower your weapons.”
Bloody Ryan is the next one to lower his .45, and he motions for his right hand man to do the same. Then the Latin Kings follow suit until the only one with a gun still in hand is Eddie. After a tense minute he swears under his breath and sets his Glock in the dirt.
This time it’s Gunnar, the Kings leader who speaks first. “Your brother has to keep his patch and he gets a place at your table.”
It takes all the strength Eddie can muster to keep from reaching for his back up piece. Instead his eyes shoot bullets at the other men.
“He doesn’t have to be an officer,” Gunnar continues. “But he needs to have a position of some power in the club. People gotta respect him for him to effectively be the referee here. Without him there’s no deal, there’s no truce, and its all- out war. We’ll do whatever we have to do to keep the Cartel out of our territory even if that means stepping on Outkasts and Disciples toes in the process. It’s about survival brothers, and we aim to survive.”
“Fine!” Eddie spits. “He can sit at the table but he doesn’t get a fucking title. He can still be a member but no way in hell am I gonna listen to him about anything but our little deal we set up today. When it comes to my club he’s a fucking silent partner.”
The Kings leader looks over to Cade. “Can you live with that?” He asks.
Cade nods.
“Then I agree as well.” Bloody Ryan says.
“Then it’s settled,” Cade begins. “Now we need to talk logistics.”
For the next two hours the new allies work out the details of their combined drug and gun business. In the end everyone walks away smiling inside and counting the money they’ll soon be making.
Chapter Four
Brothers
20 Years Earlier
“Shut up weirdo!”
“Dad, he said it again.”
Fists fly. Eddie launches himself across the couch towards his bigger twin brother Cade. His first punch lands on Cade’s shoulder eliciting a fake howl of pain. A second punch connects with his nose however and this time the pain is real. He reacts with a pointy elbow right into Eddie’s soft stomach. Eddie bends over gasping for air, tears sprout from the corners of his eyes.
“Daaaaaaad!” Eddie hollers again.
Finally the boy’s father, Big Ed, stomps into the living room, fists clenched in anger. “Oh my god, what are you guys fighting about now? I swear I should do what my father used to do…see how you like it.”
That gets the boys attention. Eddie stops crying. “What did he do?”
“He tied our damn hands together and made us fight until we learned how to get along.”
“Did it work?” Eddie asks.
“Yeah it did so if keep going with this crap I’m gonna do the same thing. Are you listening Eddie?”
“Yeah um…if we keep fighting…your…uh…I forgot.”
/> “Dammit Eddie why can’t you listen just once? I’m gonna tie your left hands together and make you fight until you decide you’ve had enough. Or until I decide you’ve had enough. Do you understand me Eddie?”
“Yes…I heard you. You’ll tie our hands together.”
“And quit your crying.” Big Ed rants. “How you gonna be able to handle bullies at school if you can’t even stand up to your twin brother. I don’t understand how Cade can be so confident and you’re more timid than most girls your age or younger? I hate to use the word pussy but geeze Eddie… come on, you’re supposed to be growing up here like Cade. I swear to god he’s like two years older than you. Well, he acts like it anyway. You should take lessons from him.”
Having said his piece their father stomps away before he can see the effect his speech is having on Eddie who buries his face in the couch and begins to cry while his brother picks up a book and begins to read. Then after a few minutes he grows tired of hearing his brother crying.
“Shut up Eddie. You act like your hurt or something. Quit being a baby!”
Their father walks back into the room and just catches Cade’s remarks.
“Oh my god, he’s crying? Are you serious? Eddie look at me!”
Slowly Eddie lifts his puffy red face from the cushions. Snot’s running out of his nose and into his mouth. Cade looks on in disgust.
“It’s like he isn’t even my brother. Are you sure we’re twin’s dad?”
“I’m sorry to say, you are twins. I know it ain’t fair is it?” Then he turns his attention to Eddie. “You hear me boy? Even your twin brother doesn’t believe he’s related to you. How pathetic is that?”
“What’s…p-pathetic?” He chokes.
“It means you’re too damn sorry to be a part of this family, that’s what it means, now shut up and quit being a baby. Go wash your face and if I see you crying again I’m gonna give you a real reason to cry.”
Eddie jumps up from the couch, crying again, and runs into the bathroom.
Big Ed regards his good son. “What the hell was I thinking, naming him after me? I wanna know if he’s not out of that bathroom in three minutes. You got it Cade?”
“Yeah dad, I got it.”
Big Ed turns and stomps into the kitchen for another beer. “Fucking kids…” He mumbles under his breath. “They’re gonna be the death of me if they don’t start acting like normal kids.”
He grabs two tall frosty golden brown bottles and sets them on the counter with a crack. He twists off the top of both bottles and proceeds to knock them both back in a matter of seconds. He has always been able to just open up his throat and pour it in and he does that now. It was always his go to trick in college for impressing the chicks and brothers alike. He could get a buzz on faster than anyone he’d ever known. Big Ed gets up, ambles over to the fridge again and takes out two more frosty ones and knocks them back while still standing in front of the open door to the ice box. Footsteps behind him remind him he’s not alone. He turns around and finds Eddie standing behind him sniffing back tears.
“What?” He barks.
Eddie opens his mouth to speak, but his voice fails him and he turns and runs back out. The slam of the bathroom door tells Big Ed his weakling of a son has retreated to the bathroom; again. He considers banging on the bathroom door and dragging his son out but the lure of the drink keeps him hovering at the open refrigerator. He reaches in for another brew, and then stops himself. Something stronger would be much better. Big Ed wanders over to the pantry and scrounges around until he locates a bottle of Patron.
“This’ll do nicely.”
He decides to have just two shots then he’ll be in a better mood to deal with his cry baby son. Four shots and two beers later Ed meanders over to the bathroom but finds it empty. He goes to the boy’s bedroom and finds Eddie in bed with the pillow over his head.
“Tell me you’re not still fucking crying!” He charges.
When he fails to get a response he decides stronger measures are needed to set his son straight. Slowly he unbuckles his leather belt and coils it around his right hand. He walks over to his son and gives him one more chance to grow up.
“You got to the count of five before I give you something to cry about.”
The snuffling stops momentarily, then renews with fervor. Big Ed has had enough. Time to toughen up his wimpy son. He raises a well- muscled right arm, pausing for a second before swiftly passing judgment. Eddie’s shrieks are piercing. He stops, staring at the dark welts across his son’s back. He considers giving his son one more round when he hears a muffled sound behind him. He turns and fixes his other son with his unabashed rage.
“What?” He snaps.
“N-n-nothing…” He mumbles before turning and walking back out of the room, lacking the desire or courage to intervene on his twin brother’s behalf.
Cade knows he is doing the wrong thing, leaving the room. Sticking up for his brother should be something he does naturally but he just can’t bring himself to stand tall against the might of his violent father. One more time he swallows his emotional pain and takes one more step in a process that will separate him from Eddie forever; regardless of any physical proximity.
That evening when his brother finally emerges from their bedroom he fixes Cade with a miserable glare. Somehow his brother must know he stood there and watched their father whip him. Maybe it’s written all over his face. It’s an all too familiar scenario, one that will never play itself out. It’s what defined the brother’s relationship as children and it infects their every interaction as adults.
Chapter Five
Unexpected Guests
The next morning I wake to voices in the living room. I hadn’t planned on staying here. After Cade left to find his balls I just wanted to stick around to be here when he got back. Being his father’s house that meant I had to share it with his explosive bad mood; not something I relish. Still in a walking cast I don’t get around all that well so it is just easier to stick it out until his son returns.
I look at the clock while getting dressed. It’s almost nine in the morning. How quickly my early to rise early to bed habit gets forgotten. I’m pretty sure one of the voices is Cade’s father Big Ed, but the other voice I can’t quite make out. They must be in the living room or something. I head into the kitchen and make a pot of coffee. Ten minutes later with the perfect cup of coffee in hand I venture into the living room to see what’s up. I’m hoping Cade has come home. I take a sip of the steaming, delicious liquid as I step into the living room.
“Well hello Gimp.”
I drop my cup on the hardwood floor, splashing it all over my bare feet.
“Fuck!” I shout in pain.
Without even thinking I hobble as fast as I can go back into the back bedroom, leaving the broken cup and contents on the floor. I can’t believe Cade’s brother is here. How the fuck am I supposed to co- exist when there’s two of them in there. It’s hard enough with the dad. I wash my feet as best I can in the tub before venturing back out. I can’t stay holed up in here all day. That would be too chicken shit. I have to go back out there and show them that I’m not afraid. I was just surprised and in pain from the hot coffee. I’ll get another cup and I’ll clean the mess from my first cup. I open the bathroom door and stride out with a little more confidence.
“Burn your toes Gimp?”
“Fuck! What the hell are you doing in my room Eddie?”
“Well technically it’s not your room at all. In fact this is my house and my dad’s. Not yours. So what the hell are you doing in my house?”
“Actually I think this is Cade’s room and not yours at all. I’m staying here as his guest so go fuck yourself in the ear asshole.”
“Wow, you actually think you being in my brother’s room is going to protect you? Wait, I know what it is. You think I won’t do anything with my father in the house. Boy are you wrong!”
“You hurt me and Cade will kill you.” I hiss.
&nbs
p; He actually laughs. “Cade kill me? I believe he already tried that…Why yes Gimp, just last week we had our little version of Battle Royal and I kicked his ass. Things have changed since we were kids. Back then I couldn’t hope to stand up to him. Now he’s no match for me Gimp so don’t expect anyone to stop me; least of all my brother or my father.”
“You’re an evil man. I can’t believe you’re related to Cade.”
“You’re absolutely right. I am an evil man, but here’s what you don’t understand; so is my brother. He’s killed far more people in our lifetime than I ever have. I’d have to turn into a serial killer on the level of that TV character Dexter to catch up with my brother’s kills. Yeah, he’s killed a ton of people. You have seen that TV show Dexter right?”
I nod. I have seen it and it’s pretty shocking. Dexter killed out of need and he enjoyed it.
“I think my brother is a lot like Dexter. My brother likes to kill. Me…only out of necessity.”
“I don’t believe it.” I know he’s trying to turn me against Cade and he’s not gonna succeed.
“You don’t? I’m the one who let your brother live in a fight to the death. Would a serial killer ever balk at the chance to take a life? I don’t fucking think so Gimp. You’re man’s the real killer. Sorry to break your little bubble sister but he definitely deserves the Filthy Few patch.”
“I know evil Eddie and all I have to do is look into your eyes to see your black soul. Cade is a good man and he’s no killer. That’s why you were able to defeat him. He couldn’t kill you so he was the weaker brother that day.”
“You have no idea what it was like living with him. Our father used to beat the shit out of me and he stood right there in the room and watched and didn’t say a fucking word! Good brother, my ass!”
At first I’m too fucking angry to be afraid, but that’s starting to change, especially when he walks over to the bedroom door and shuts it. I’m in big trouble and I don’t think daddy is going to come running to my rescue. I had to open my big mouth. Soon as I saw him in the living room I shoulda just set down my coffee, got my purse and walked out and called a cab. But no, stupid me has to stay and fight and look what it’s getting me now? Last time he was easy on me. This time is gonna mean rape if I can’t fight him off. I back up as he approaches me. He doesn’t even try to disguise his intent. I can see the naked lust and rage brimming in his eyes. Now if I can just scratch them out. He takes a couple more steps in my direction. I don’t know if he has a gun or not but he does have a wicked looking knife on his belt. I’m guessing there’s been a lot of blood covering that blade.
Old Lady (Iron Disciples Book 2) Page 4
