by Carmen Faye
“He’s right,” Caleb agreed. “I know I’m new in here, but I know the history. Cougar made sure of that. We’ve been around too long to just offer this new crew a compromise in our territory.”
Vance had the same feeling, but he didn’t want to voice it without agreement all the way around. Now that he had backing, he said, “If that’s the case, we need to make one more strike. They’re down but not out. We need to hit hard so they have no choice but to settle for whatever we ask.”
“What do you suggest?” Buddha asked from the far end of the table.
Looking around the table, Vance took a deep breath. “We’ve crippled the club with headcount. Their leadership is all but destroyed. We need to take it a step further and cripple their business. Then, we’ve got them by the bootstraps.”
Slowly, the others began to nod their agreement. Satisfied, Vance sat up straight and leaned on his elbows. “I have an idea, but it’s going to take some manpower and a lot of firepower.”
***
Maya clenched her jaw as she stared at Vance. “Why can’t you just tell me what you’re going to do?”
Looking exasperated, Vance slammed his glass on the kitchen counter. He hadn’t wanted to share anything with her, knowing how worried she would be, but he couldn’t exactly leave her alone overnight and risk that she would come looking for him. “It’s better if we talk about it after the fact,” he stated plainly.
She gave him an icy glare. “You’re planning some sort of big fight with the Scorpions. I’m not stupid. You might as well tell me what you’re going to do.”
“I know you aren’t stupid, Maya,” he sighed. Dammit, how had this turned into an argument? They’d come back from the bar, made love, and cooked lunch together. Everything had been great, and he’d made the mistake of telling her that he was going to be out late tonight and might not be back till morning. Club business. And now, she was demanding to know what that business was.
“If you know that, what else do you want from me?” he asked, feeling like he was trapped.
“The whole truth!” she exploded. “I want to know where you’ll be, who’s going to be shooting at you, and whether I should be worried that you aren’t coming back this time!”
“No one’s going to shoot at me,” he told her. The plan was to get in, do the deed, and get out before anyone knew they’d been there. A couple of guards might be posted, and that would be the extent of any resistance they might meet. “It’s a quick thing that doesn’t involve direct contact.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, giving him a hard look, but Vance had a hard time drawing his eyes away from the beautiful cleavage the position accented. “If it’s that simple, it should be easy to tell me,” she insisted. “And I want you to talk to me, not my boobs.”
He drew his gaze up to her face, feeling a bit sheepish. “Maya, please—”
“Don’t even try that,” she cut him off sharply.
Falling into a chair at the kitchen table, he rested his elbows on his knees and put his head in his hands. “You are a headache sometimes,” he mumbled. “If I tell you, I want you to promise you’ll stay here, locked up tight.”
She pressed her lips together. “As opposed to what? Dancing naked in the yard? Come on, Vance.”
With a sigh, he said, “We’re going to one of their storage facilities and blasting it. I figure they probably have at least three million in drugs stashed there. Destroying it assures we’ve got them wrapped around our fingers.”
She didn’t say anything, and Vance glanced up at her. Her expression was stoic, and he wanted to curse and throw things, maybe break a few plates.
“I know you have an opinion about this,” he grumbled. “Are you going to express it or drive me crazy with that look all day?”
She shrugged and sat down beside him. “It’s better than going in and having another shootout. I don’t like it, but I don’t care for drugs either. If I had to choose, I’d pick guns any day. So, if you really think you can do this without getting hurt, do it.”
Vance didn’t know what to say to that. Fear and pleas or even demands to not do it he could have handled. He would have expected that. But a virtual signature on the dotted line was something he hadn’t considered coming from Maya. Clearing his throat to give himself time to think, he said, “I won’t get hurt. And what’s more important, when it’s done, I can basically guarantee our safety with these guys. We won’t have another run-in.”
“Well, there’s always a chance,” she added pointedly. “But I get it.” She stood and walked into his arms, settling on his lap. “I want this to work, Vance, and I don’t think either of us can get to that point if we can’t look ahead and see a future that doesn’t involve running and hiding all the time.”
She had a point. Holding her in his lap and cradling her against his body, Vance wished she would just tell him she loved him. He knew she did, but he also knew she was holding back because she wanted to wrap up the mess they were in. She didn’t want to say it out loud until she stopped worrying if she’d see him again every time he stepped out of her sight. He couldn’t blame her for that, but he was certainly determined to remedy it.
She stood and took his hand, drawing him to his feet. “Come on, I think we should go for a swim, wash away all this serious talk.” Maya’s smile was contagious, especially as she winked with mischief twinkling in her eyes. Vance had come to know that expression well, and he had a feeling it would never matter how many times they’d already made love in a day. Seeing that excitement from Maya would always have him ready to go again.
CHAPTER THIRTY THREE
Vance held up his fist to stop the group of riders as they closed in on their destination, the dark of a new moon providing the cover they needed. They turned off headlights first, and then came to a stop, cutting their engines and rolling into the thicket of wiry brush. It was the best the desert had to offer for hiding the bikes while they made their way on foot to and from the storage bunker.
This would have been easier if the Scorpions used an above-ground facility, but since their scouts hadn’t found any live guards earlier today, Vance didn’t foresee any trouble with the underground location, either. Still, they couldn’t just set up explosives around the bunker and hope for the best. Even if it caved in, the drugs could be dug out. They had to set the material ablaze to achieve their goal, which meant breaking in, setting up the explosives inside, getting out, and riding off before the damn thing blew to hell.
According to the scout–a probie but a trustworthy one–the lock wasn’t that secure, and Vance was sure Tick Tock could pick it in no time. Riley was going in with Vance to set up the blast while the other four men, under Caleb’s watch, set up a perimeter. As soon as Vance and Riley were out, they would all get back to the bikes and be on the road before the detonator hit. And in case it didn’t blow, Vance had a manual button as well.
They had run a drill several times before leaving, and with Tick Tock’s skills, Vance had clocked them at no more than two minutes from start to finish. So, as they dismounted and assured their bikes weren’t resting in plain sight, he started the clock. They moved swiftly and silently across the dry ground, guns drawn, and Vance and Riley stayed in the rear, in case something triggered the devices in their backpacks. A rough jostle or too much bouncing could make a sweating stick of dynamite turn the world around it to dust. These babies were just as volatile.
As the others spread out to cover all sides of the bunker, Tick Tock crouched in front of the lock, and Vance and Riley stood guard on either side of him, helping keep watch and waiting to get inside. He cursed under his breath once or twice as his tools slipped, but he still had the door open in short order. Vance went first, gun pointed in front of him as he looked in all directions for opposition.
No one was there, and he motioned Riley inside. Quietly, he pointed to the far wall at his right. “Set up one over there and another back there.” He pointed again, this time to the corner where t
hat wall met the one in front of him. He marveled at the stacks of drugs in front of him, realizing he’d far underestimated how much the Scorpions actually stowed here.
There had to be upwards of ten million in product here, and Vance guessed it was a solid year’s income for the Scorpions. The human trafficking was just a side business, and it wasn’t reliable for them. They were still building on that, and Vance knew it wasn’t enough to supplement their operation and keep it afloat. Destroying this much dope was going to force the Scorpions to bow down to the Mojave Boys once and for all.
He set up his own gear, one piece by the door and one right in the center of the room, resting atop a pile of bags heavy with white powder. With a smirk, he shoved Riley out of the bunker first, following when he was sure the detonator on the mechanism by the door was counting down properly. They had five minutes to get to the bikes and be on the road before the sky lit up with enough dope to have the entire state hooked in a week.
He whistled to round up the crew, and they all came running, Caleb hanging back to bring up the rear with Vance. As he threw his leg over the seat of his ride, he checked the countdown. Just over a minute remained, and he revved his engine to life, the others doing the same. The last bike pulled away as the detonator started ticking the last fifteen seconds.
He drove faster, pointing ahead to let the gang know they were going to throttle it, and he pulled ahead of the pack at outrageous speed on the open road. The others joined him shortly, and the heat and sound of the explosion followed, igniting a fire in the sky that could probably be seen for miles. Vance smirked as he heard the howls and laughter of success from his crew.
Take that, you sons of bitches, Vance thought, a heady laugh of his own rolling up out of his chest and escaping his lips. If the Scorpions thought they could continue supporting themselves with the kind of devastating loss the Mojave Boys had just caused–and could manage again, if necessary–they deserved whatever fate came to them. Vance expected a phone call early tomorrow with a request to negotiate, and he would be ready.
He cleaned up at the bar before heading home, and though he expected to find Maya waiting up for him, she was sound asleep in the bed. Vance debated waking her up to let her know he was safe and to maybe find the comfort of being inside her, but he couldn’t bring himself to disturb her peace.
Instead, he stripped to his boxers and climbed under the covers, curling up behind her soft body and draping an arm over her. She snuggled back into him, her rump rubbing against him and making him grit his teeth as his body responded. However, he controlled his urges and closed his eyes. He willed sleep to come, but it didn’t, and he eventually gave up, letting his mind wander.
Thoughts of meeting with the Scorpions wove with images of a future with Maya, and he couldn’t seem to stop his imagination from running away. At some point, Maya sighed in her sleep and rolled over, forcing him onto his back. She cuddled into the crook of his shoulder, throwing an arm and leg across his body. Something about her trust and the way she seemed to feel safest with her body wrapped around him, as she slept, finally gave him peace, and he drifted off to the feel of her breath wafting softly across his chest.
***
Maya hummed to herself as she made breakfast, waiting for Vance to join her in the kitchen. She vaguely remembered him coming to bed last night, and she’d been glad to know he was safe. However, she’d been exhausted and hadn’t allowed herself to wake up fully. Now, knowing that he was sleeping restfully, she knew things must have gone well, and she felt a huge weight lifted from her shoulders. With the Scorpions at the mercy of the Mojave Boys, she could see herself in a more permanent relationship with Vance.
She fried bacon and made omelets, and she sliced up some fruit on a tray. It wasn’t until she was almost finished and pouring coffee that Vance came into the room, yawning and stretching, still in his boxers. It was one of her favorite looks for him. He was still sexy and strong but with a bit of vulnerability. And the view was definitely pleasant. “Good morning,” she said lightly, as he came up behind her and kissed her cheek.
“Good morning to you. You slept well.”
She nodded. “So did you. I guess things went as planned?”
He smirked. “Better. We were in and out with no trouble and no guards to worry about. The place blew like Mount Saint Helens.”
In the back of her mind, Maya knew she shouldn’t really celebrate the war between the gangs, but she was glad to hear it. The Mojave Boys ran guns, and while she didn’t necessarily approve, guns didn’t kill people–people killed people. But the Scorpions enslaved people and sold them, and that was on top of a huge drug trade. Pushing drugs was pushing death on people. Neither of those trades were something Maya could support, and destroying the drugs gave her a sense of satisfaction.
“I guess we need to eat and clean up so we can get you to the clubhouse,” she said, trying not to show a strong reaction to the news.
“That’s probably the best idea. Tres might call me directly, or he might call the bar. Or he might show up in person if he realizes just how desperate his situation is.” He took a bite of his omelet and rolled his eyes with delight. “I wouldn’t mind keeping you around just for the food.”
Maya grunted. “Don’t forget my skill with first aid and my light touch.”
He chuckled. “That, too. And you’re pretty good in the sack.”
She narrowed her eyes playfully. “Is that all I’m good for to you?” This was nice. They hadn’t done much playful bantering since they’d first met. There had been too much violence, too much stress. Things were settling down now, and they could get back to the things that had brought them together in the first place.
He pretended to consider the question carefully. “You make me look good in public. Having you on my arm says a lot about me.” She wadded up a napkin and threw it at him, both of them laughing. With a twinkle in his eye, he told her, “You’re also kind and considerate, intelligent, funny, and strong. I can tease you all day long, but when it comes down to it, there’s nothing about you I don’t love, Maya.”
She swallowed hard, not wanting the emotions to overwhelm her right now. She deliberately put down her utensils, stood, and walked over to Vance, who turned in his chair so she could sidle up between his legs and put her arms around his neck. She stood, looking down at him as he craned his neck up and loosely draped his arms around her hips. Taking a deep breath and hoping her voice wouldn’t tremble, she told him, “I love you, too, Vance. I didn’t say it out loud before because that would have made it real when there was still a chance we couldn’t make it work. I tried to deal with the danger, but it was too much, and I couldn’t stay. Now, though, I think there’s real hope for us.”
She saw the thrill in his expression but also noted the hesitation in his eyes. “Maya, there’s always a possibility this won’t work, or that they’ll eventually recover and come back for more. Hell, another gang could pop up and give us a run.” She frowned at him, and he smiled sadly. “I’m not trying to chase you away. That’s the last thing I want, but you need all the details to make the right choice. I don’t want you committing to something because you think it’s happily ever after.”
She’d thought all that through before she fell asleep last night. “I know, but this should get you back on track. This should mean that the personal vendetta against you goes away. And it should reset things. Do you think you can get a truce out of this?”
He nodded. “That’s what we’re aiming for.”
“I can’t ask for more than that.” She backed away and sat back down, her stomach growling fiercely. She had needed to tell him how she felt. It was the last thing that kept her tense, and now, she could eat like a normal person again. “We’ll figure out how to make things work later. Right now, let’s get busy so you can get together with the Scorpions and make your agreements.”
An hour later, they rolled up to the Wheelie Bar, and as they climbed off the bike, Caleb and Buddha greeted the
m. Caleb spoke quietly, and Maya noticed everyone seemed to be subdued. She didn’t like the atmosphere and stayed close to Vance’s side. “Tres is inside with Raoul. We patted them down, took their weapons. They wouldn’t talk until you showed up.”
Vance cursed violently under his breath. “Why didn’t someone call?”
“We did,” Buddha told him. “Your phone was off. But it doesn’t matter. They’ve only been here about twenty minutes, and we knew you’d be here soon.” He winked a greeting at Maya, and she gave him a smile that she hoped didn’t show her nervousness. She’d spent too much time with the leader of the Scorpions under the assumption he was at least an honest businessman. Now, knowing what he really was and what his intentions for her had been, she was sickened by him and dreaded being in the same room with him.
However, Maya wasn’t one to run from her fears. She faced them head on, and she would look the man in the eye and maybe tell him what she thought. She wanted to spit in his face, but she would try to be respectable for the sake of the club, since she was associated with them.
Vance looked down at her. “Do you want to wait outside?”
