by Kara Hart
“First things first. We get him out of that hospital. It was a bad move to keep him there. Even with one of our guards watching over him, it's still not enough. So that's what we’re gonna do. We’re going to get him out. And then we’re going to find Angelo. He’ll take us to Luke. I have no doubt about that.” he said.
“What makes you so sure of yourself?” I asked. “Angelo might rather go out in a firefight of glory than give up Luke. Are you prepared for that?” It was worth asking. From what I gathered, these guys were willing to risk everything for a chance at their own type of glory. They were so caught up in their pride that a bullet to the head meant nothing to them.
“Angelo’s not the kind of guy to do that. He's angry because he felt deserted by us. That's all. If he is tricked into feeling like he has respect again amongst his old brothers, he’ll give us what we need.” He threw the cigarette across the room and watched it slowly burn out.
“I hope you're right.” I whispered. “I really do.”
Bruce motioned for me to follow him outside. “Come on.” he said. “Let's get Avery out of that hospital and back into safety.”
29
Avery
I woke up with the moon shining onto my hospital bed. I was so groggy. I almost fell back into dreamin’ but somebody pushed me to stay awake.
“Hey baby. I'm right here.” the voice said. I could hardly see. My one eye was taped shut with gauze. The other one was a blurry mess.
“Are you an angel?” I said. Clearly the morphine was doing the trick. I was messed up, feelin’ a little woozy and unsure about everything.
A man stepped forward suddenly, “Yeah, she's an angel alright.”
“Bruce?” I called out. “Hope?”
Bruce leaned over me and whispered, “You gotta stay quiet, brother. We’re bustin’ you out of this place. It ain't safe. Luke’s somewhere out there, waiting for us. You ready to go into hiding?” he asked.
“Shit, I ain't ever hide from anything.” I whispered, coughing from the mixture of pain and all the damn drugs they had me on.
Bruce laughed, “Truest thing I've heard all day. But you’ve got a worried woman waiting for you. Look at her, Avery. She needs you to stay alive.”
“Hope.” I reached out to her and grabbed her hand. She smiled and knelt down in front of me. “I'm sorry. I let you down. I let everyone down.” I said.
She simply smiled and rubbed my hand. “Stop it. It's not true, Avery. You mean the world to me. I'm just so grateful that you're alive. Just promise me that you’ll keep on living. I don't know what I'd do without you.” she began sobbing against my limp body.
“Alright. I guess I can agree to that.” I have my best smile, but I wasn’t feelin’ too hot at this point. I had one thing on my mind: revenge.
“Let's go.” Bruce said. He unplugged my machines and I took out all the wires. They both rolled my sad ass out of that hospital and put me in the van. There would be hell to pay. But first, I had to get the drugs out of my system.
We agreed to stay in a new hideout spot. Apparently The Sapo Boys valued our business ventures together enough to help us out. We had guards, cameras, and a gate that surrounded the compound. Yep. This was beginning to look like a war alright. I braced for the incoming threat.
Luke, I'm coming for you.
30
Hope
The minutes turned into hours, and the hours turned into days. Eventually, through diligent waiting and a lot of whisky, Avery’s face healed.
“I'm still a fucking monster.” he sighed, slamming his fist against the wall.
Bruce just laughed, “Some things never change.” Avery eyed him angrily. “What did you expect? That one day you’d magically turn into a butterfly? You know what kind of cards you were given. Time to be a man again and accept it.”
I, on the other hands, was a bit more supportive. During those lonely nights of desolation and cold despair, I held Avery close and whispered all things good and nice. I figured that, more than anything else, would be the way to healing. Turns out, I was right.
“You're more handsome than ever.” I said. They weren't lies. I actually thought he was perfect the way he was. In fact, the scar kind of suited him. It gave him an added veil of mystery and triumph. It would now be clear to the gang just how much he was willing to give up for them. He was the leader they needed. “Now get up and be the leader of Courage. Be the man they need!” I said.
“You're right. Shit, of course you're right. If you can still love me even though I look like this, I can do anything. You give me strength, Hope. You give me a reason to go on livin’.” I got up and walked into the other room where Bruce was.
He looked up at me, shocked that I was even walking around. “What the hell? Well, look who the cat dragged in.” he said.
I sat down next to him and shook my head. “Got another cigarette?” I asked.
“Sure do, brother.” He reached into his pocket and pulled one out for me. “So.”
I lit the end and smiled. “So.”
“You been out for days. You got a plan for me or what?”
“I was kinda hopin’ you had one.” I laughed.
Bruce lit his own cigarette and laughed with me. “You sure you're all better? I don't wanna lay this shit on you unless you're all healed up.”
“Bruce, I'm not some kid anymore. It's just a little scar. I can handle it.”
“Alright. Well then, I'll let you in on what I know. Angelo has decided to come forward and cooperate.” he said tactfully.
Avery just shook his head. “So that’s it? He's forgiven and allowed back into the crew? Forgive me, boss, but that’s the biggest load of bullshit I ever heard. The man slashes my face and you just let him off the fuckin’ hook? I never thought I'd see the day.”
I stood up. “Bruce, are you seriously going to do this? The man deserves to be thrown to the wolves for what he's done!” I couldn't believe him. Everything we had fought so hard for. It was all for nothing? Fuck that. I wouldn't stand for it.
“Settle down.” Bruce warned. “This is what being a boss is all about. It's about making sacrifices to keep the whole gang safe and together. Angelo wasn't that one who slashed your damn face, Avery. I suspect you already know that. Now, I ain't just lettin’ him back in. I'm making a compromise. He gets to bare the Courage brand, but he has to start from the bottom again. We ain't in the business of rewardin’ traitors! Got it?”
Avery nodded. I still couldn’t see why he was being so lenient towards Angelo. Then again, I wasn't in the business of negotiating. Avery said, “I get it. I do. But promise me one thing, Bruce.”
“Anything, Avery. You know I think of you as a son.”
“That's why I'm asking. We go way back, man. You make it so he suffers. He thinks he had to prove himself when he first joined? Shit, make it so he doesn't know what's comin’ to him.” A sly smile came from Avery’s face.
I wrapped my arms around his smooth neck and breathed in his scent. It was completely comforting. I had gotten so used to him in every way. “So what's next?” I asked. “Where's Luke?”
“That's where things get a little tricky.” Bruce muttered. “Bobby’s guys are housin’ him somewhere nearby. Only thing is, they're after us for that little stunt we pulled not too long ago. And Angelo sure as hell don't know anything. We've questioned him for hours. Only thing he's got is a tip on a kilo of cocaine headed to California. Bobby’s people are making the delivery. We’ll intercept it and see if they got any information on where he's at. It's the best I can do right now.”
“I'll go.” Avery said. “I'm healthy enough now. I'm the man for the job.”
“Avery.” I whispered, though I let my voice trail off. I didn't want to stop him from pursuing this, but it seemed dangerous. I just didn't want him to get hurt. After this last incident, I wasn't so sure about all of this. I mean, I wanted him to lead. I just didn't want him to die because of Luke or Bobby’s men.
Avery turned to
me and held my hands. “I'll be safe. I promise you. I just need to do this. For the gang, I need to find Luke. For justice’s sake.” That's when I saw it. He had a fire in his eyes. There was no stopping him now. If anyone was going to find Luke, it would be Avery. He had enough drive in him to stop an army.
“Okay. I trust you.” I acquiesced, squeezing his hands tightly. “Just don't let us down!” He picked me up in his arms and I found myself lost in his warmth. He kissed me and smiled.
“You think I'd let you down? Hell no. There's too much at stake.” he said. I knew he wouldn't. I had all the faith in the world in him.
Suddenly, Bruce’s cell went off. “Just got word that the shipment is on route. Alright, Avery. The job is yours. Get yourself suited up. It's gonna be a long day.”
Avery grabbed his guns and threw on a white t-shirt, complete with a bullet proof vest. “I'm ready.” he said, pressing in the safety on his pistol.
31
Avery
I kissed her and promised to myself that it would be the last time I left like this. It was Hell on a woman not to know where her man was, and whether or not he was safe. And I had to respect her feelings. But now? Now was time to get my revenge on some assholes who have no manners.
I picked my woman up and kissed her passionately. “Don't leave me alone. Come back to me.” she said.
“I'll always come back to you. I swear it.” I said. And with that, we were off. Bruce and I jumped on our bikes and headed in the direction of the truck of drugs.
* * *
After some time of riding, we broke off of the highway to get back on our feet for a minute or two. We had been in the blazing sun for what seemed like hours now and I was getting tired. “How far are we?” I asked. My face felt as if it were on fire. Maybe I wasn't really ready for this yet. Still, I was stuck. There was no going back now.
“What’s wrong?” Bruce asked me.
“Nothin’. Just want to make sure everything is in order. Explain the plan to me again, boss.” I said, taking a big gulp of water while I leaned against the hot metal of my bike.
“We made it.” he said, pointing to the burning horizon. “You see that building, just around the bend there? That’s where they’re doing the deal. We gotta keep it simple and easy. We ambush them and take the drugs. No questions ask. If anyone disagrees with our methods, it’s sayonara.” He kept his hand on his hip, right where his gun lay holstered.
“I thought we were trying to find where they were hiding Luke? You’re doing this just for the damn drugs?” I said, giving Bruce an odd look.
He waved me away. “Yeah, yeah. Of course I’m in it to find Luke. Shit, man, you really think I don’t care about you? I’m gonna’ find Luke and I’m gonna watch you kill the son of a bitch. But a kilo of coke ain’t bad either, right? Don’t worry, we’ll take the driver and get answers from him. That I promise you.”
“Well let’s get to it then.” I said. We parked our bikes in a parking lot off to the side and walked a mile in the right direction. When we got near the old abandoned area, we ducked behind a wall and sat waiting. Sure enough, two trucks arrived and a total of four armed men got out. The cartel. Shit, this was gonna be a tough one.
“Time to put our masks on.” Bruce whispered. I grabbed my black bandana and wrapped it around my scarred face. I laughed to myself. When your face was this cut up, it was pretty damn obvious who you were. Still, I had a feelin’ none of these guys would live to tell the tale of Avery any time soon.
“Alright. Ready?” he asked me. I grabbed my pistol and armed it, taking the safety off.
“Ready as I ever will be.” I said.
He pressed his forehead against mine and put his hand on my shoulder. “No matter what happens, you always meant the world to me, Avery. We’re brothers in arms and it has always been us against the world. From the day you got that Courage fever, I knew you were somethin’ special. It’s time to prove yourself once again. Hell, it’s time prove myself.” I nodded, heart racing fast and heavy. “Alright. On my count. 3-2-1 … Go!”
We split into two directions. I went left, while he went right. Within a few short seconds, we had them surrounded. “DROP YOUR WEAPONS!” We both screamed, shooting near their feet. The men fell to the floor, with their hands above their heads.
I walked up to them, kicking their guns away from their bodies. “That’s right. Nice and easy.” I said. “We’re not here for your lives, so if you follow our rules and do what we say, you’ll be fine. Got it?” The men nodded their heads, though I could tell they didn’t want to comply one bit.
Bruce laughed out loud, practically bragging about our ambush. “Hey, look at ‘em! They’re shaking like a couple o’ girls!”
“Come on, Let’s get the shit and go.” I warned Bruce. He always did this kind of shit, but I was a little more cautious about my heists. Time was always of the essence. If you found yourself at the scene for too long, things went badly.
Bruce ignored me and kept prodding the guys. “Hey, got a cigarette?” he asked one of the cartel members. He shook his head as if to say no. He was clearly too scared to even utter any words.
I hit Bruce’s shoulder and said, “Let’s fucking go.” Bruce conceded and stepped inside the truck, counting the kilo of cocaine. I stood off to the side as guard. “No funny business.” I said to them.
The driver shook his head, looking pretty pissed off at us. “You guys from Courage?” he asked me.
“Stay the fuck down and keep your mouth shut.” I said.
“Yeah, I bet you are. You’re all gonna pay for what you did to Bobby.” He said through gritted teeth. “Luke’s going to put a bullet through your thick fucking skulls.”
“That’s it.” I said, putting the barrel of my gun to his head. “You want to die? Is that it?”
Bruce laughed. “I counted it. It’s all there. Good shit too! Let’s move. Get the driver. We’ll need him.”
“Get up.” I said. The man remained still, in defiance of my orders. “I said get up!” I fired a bullet into the dirt next to his head. That got him running. Within an instant, he was tied up and screaming in the semi, while we drove off into the distance. We made sure to tie the cartel members up as well.
“HAHA!” Bruce screamed into the wind as we drove nearly 80 mph. We’d later send new Courage recruits to pick up the bikes, but I couldn’t help but feel bad for leaving my old ride there all alone for such a long time. “WE DID IT!” Bruce was celebratin’.
As for me, the job wasn’t over until Luke’s blood spilled onto this earth. I kept my hands steady on the wheel and looked forward. I never looked back.
32
Hope
It all sunk in on me fast. I was alone now. The barricades of the compound shut and I slowly saw the love of my life disappear, once again, from me. Avery was such a wild spirit – he had to go where he was called to. But, as a woman, I still worried for him.
I was safe here, though. There were armed guards silently waiting for any outside activity. Their eyes were on the scope of their guns, watching every rattlesnake or scorpion that moved by the compound. And all was desolate outside. The cold desert air at night simply wisped around my body. It was a lonely touch compared to Avery’s strong hands and mechanic scent.
I closed my eyes and hoped for the best. Of course, that’s when I felt the familiar feeling of greasy fingers wrap around my mouth. I tried to scream, but no sound came out. “Shh.” The voice whispered.
Bobby…
The sound of bullets whizzing by echoed all around us and, very quickly, the guards were lying against the desert floor, blood leaking from their bodies. A whole crew popped up around us, wearing camouflage and desert-colors. Some even tied pieces of cactus around their body armor, to give an added veil of invisibility.
“Hello, my pretty little flower.” he said, practically drooling.
He let go of my mouth. “No.” I whispered. “How? You … they sent you to prison!” I cried.
&n
bsp; “That’s the thing. You can’t lock up ol’ Bobby Farole.” he laughed. “Boys! Take her out of my sight. We’re goin’ south!”
“Where are you taking me!” I screamed. “AVERY!”
“No use in screamin’, darlin’. No one can hear you. All of the guards are dead. Soon, Avery and Bruce will be buried alongside of ‘em. Oh, I can’t wait for that!” He cracked his knuckles and lit up a cigar. The flame against his face cast an evil shadow across the whole compound.
“You bastard! You’ll never win. You know why?” I spit in his face, kicking at his large body.
“And why is that?” he laughed. “Looks to me like I always win.”
“Darkness never wins. It only makes itself known. Then the light consumes it. You better be ready, because when Courage finds you, it’ll pulverize your very being. You prick.”
He slapped my face and I instantly fell to the floor. I wiped a drop of blood from my lip and looked at him angrily. “You’ll pay for that.” I said. I wasn’t going to take shit from a grease ball like him.
“Maybe I will. Then again, maybe I won’t. I was born into this world to die, darlin’. So your display of anger don’t mean shit to me. I’m going to have my showdown with Avery and I’m gonna win. And when I do, I’m going to make you mine. All. Mine.”
“You disgust me!” I backed into a corner, holding my head in my hands. I felt like I was going crazy. My whole life was quickly swallowed up by Bobby Farole. I went from pop star to victim in a blink of an eye.
“I disgust you? Good. The world disgusts me. You disgust me. Your celebrity life, the pretty people, all of the fake charms of the world disgusts me! You live your lives like pain doesn’t exist. You forget the people suffering in the world. You disregard people like me. And you force the rejects of the world to a life of crime and punishment. It’s a never ending cycle of hurt and pain, and guess who gets the blame? People like me. Well, now I wield the gun. Now you all gotta listen to me.” He licked his lips, “I’m going to make an alter for you. And when we’re standing there together, arm in arm, I’m gonna force Avery to watch as you whisper the words ‘I do.” He laughed and picked me up by my hair.
