Dino caresses my hair. “This feeling came over me that night. Guilt or shame, I guess. It was a cold, ugly feeling that I couldn’t shake even after I left his house. I ended up calling in an anonymous tip to the cops. They arrested the old man. He claimed he thought he hit a dog. I don’t know if that’s true. It doesn’t matter. They gave him a deal, so he did community service and lost his license. They also made him write a letter of apology to my mother. I guess for an old man in his circumstances, that’s what he deserved. Ever after all of that, I still had that ugly feeling inside me.”
“You showed mercy. That’s not so weird really, Dino. You were a hitman, not a serial killer. Bad guys paid you to kill other bad guys.”
“I know, but I was gonna kill that old man,” he says, staring into my eyes. “I saw him smiling with his grandkids, and I knew he was old as shit, and I still planned to kill him. I felt I deserved to kill him. Most of the men I knew would have killed him and never gave it a second thought. I figured I was that kind of man too. Knowing I wasn’t fucked me up, and I lost my stomach for the job.”
“So, you just left?”
“I told my boss I was retiring. He wasn’t happy, so I told him that if something happened to me or my mom that I had a bunch of info he wouldn’t want getting out. Where the bodies were buried and the money was hidden. The names of the cops and law-types they had on the payroll. I told him I wasn’t a rat, and the info wouldn’t go to the cops. All that evidence would be handed over to his enemies. See what they’d do with it. He still wasn’t happy, but what can he do? He wasn’t going to call my bluff. Not after Frankie fucked over another family. I guess he figured our family was full of bad seeds.”
“I want to know more about Frankie one day,” I say when I notice again how Dino flinches whenever he says his brother’s name. “Until then, thank you for telling me why you quit.”
“You feel better?”
Staring up at him, I know I’m completely screwed. I love this guy, and I’m not letting go. His story calms my panic, leaving me resigned to my fate. I love Dino, and he better as hell really love me.
21
~ Dino ~
Bikers Butting Heads
Minka remains in a weird mood as we sit again in the SUV and wait for Johansson’s men. I don’t push her because I’m feeling off too. Talking about my dad always makes me tense. He was a good man, and his death taught me ugly lessons about myself. I might be my father’s son, but I don’t have his good heart.
Three arriving Harleys belong to Johansson’s guys. I’m not in the mood to see them or play nice with the other biker assholes. I want to sulk or get Minka naked under the sheets.
“Let me do the talking,” Minka says.
“Because I’m an ape?”
“Because you’re distracting when you start the dick measuring contests. I don’t care how big their dicks are and neither should you. We’re here to convince these assholes to stay out of Common Bend, not that you’ll kill them for looking at my tits.”
“They’re great tits, though.”
“Yeah, they are,” she says, giving me a wink. “Now, let my bitchiness run the show inside, okay?”
“No skin off my ass either way. I only took this job to hang out with you.”
Minka gives me a look that makes my poor overused dick twitch.
“Behave yourself,” I warn while opening my door.
After checking our weapons, Minka and I join the Reapers at the front door. They frown at us.
“I thought we were meeting before coming here.”
“We changed our minds,” Minka says. “Save your pouting for those wives back in Ellsberg.”
Vaughn grunts. “You just better not let yourselves get dazzled by the pretty twins.”
Minka gives the bikers the once-over and shakes her head. “I like my men a bit more cleaned up.”
“They’re pouting,” I say, smiling at Minka, who checks her gun just for show.
“Whatever I say inside is between Rafael and me,” she tells the bikers. “If you have issues with my bullshit, take it up with your boss after we finish here.”
Judd and Vaughn share a look. I think maybe they get how Minka will likely bluff. Tucker not only doesn’t get it, but he doesn’t get how he’s supposed to get anything. He’s large and intimidating, and I’m sure he’ll come in handy as a human shield.
Judd opens the bar’s front door, and Minka hurries inside before him. The dark-haired biker gives me a look.
“Save the death stares for the other bikers,” I say, walking inside.
Salt Peanuts is oppressively hot and crowded. Country music plays so loudly I doubt anyone can hear themselves think, let alone keep up a conversation. Despite the bar’s flaws, the location makes sense. The Serrated Brotherhood was smart to organize a meeting with two paid killers and three club enforcers at a public place.
In a back booth, we meet Viking twins Dayton and Camden Rutgers. They shoo away their female companions before putting on big smiles for us.
“Tuck the Fuck,” one of them says, shaking Tucker’s hand.
“Dayton,” Tucker says and then shakes the other twin’s hand. “Camden.”
The lumberjack-looking men are identical except for one has his blond hair pulled back into a ponytail while the other has his hair loose. They both look smelly and crappy in bed. I feel like sharing these facts with Minka.
She shows no reaction to either man. Of course, she showed no reaction to me either when we first met, and I had that chick hooked day one.
Vaughn gestures at us. “This is Jane and Anthony.”
“Who do you work for again?” Camden asks.
“Our boss is connected to Memphis,” Minka says, picking her words carefully.
Dayton and Camden share a look. I catch Judd and Vaughn doing the same. Rather than two warring sides, Minka has created a third. I’m wondering if we’ll both fit behind Tucker when the bullets start flying.
“You helped Ruby,” Dayton says like it’s a question.
Minka gives a slight nod. I only stare at the men, waiting for a sign of trouble.
“She’s a family friend, so I guess that means we owe you.”
Ruby’s unwillingness to ask for help from these family friends makes me wonder what bullshit they’re pulling. Minka is thinking the same thing. I know that because I know her. Expression-wise, she’s unreadable.
“We don’t want anything from you.”
Dayton scratches his blond beard. “I thought you were here to tell us that Common Bend still belongs to the Reapers even though they haven’t controlled it in months.”
“We came here to tell you that Common Bend’s current leadership will be removed in seventy-two hours.”
“Why seventy-two?” Camden pushes. “We could do it now.”
“Yes, you could. The person coming to remove the new leadership of Common Bend will remove whoever is in charge when he arrives. Either way, he won’t be here for seventy-two hours. Until then, we’re supposed to sit tight and play nice.”
“Is this mystery man possibly named Saint?” Dayton asks, mentioning Rafael’s old assassin code name.
“Saint’s retired,” she says, waving over the waitress. “Kingman isn’t.”
The men tense immediately. They know that name. I’ve heard it too over the years. Kingman works for the Arizona Moving Company, which is the Southwest’s version of Murder, Inc. The assassin agency uses Arizona cities for their code names. Kingman has been around for over a decade and reportedly killed three judges in California. Now Minka’s bluffing about the bastard heading to Common Bend.
Minka orders two shots of Cactus Juice Liqueur while the men have intense silent conversations. Ignoring them, Minka hands me a shot and says, “To our Arizona friends.”
She downs her shot and shudders at the flavor. I do the same except without the reaction. The liqueur takes like shit, but I have a tough guy rep to protect.
“Seems like a lot of effort,”
Camden finally says, “for one little town.”
“Cops are a tricky target. I assume that’s why you haven’t removed the threat yourself.”
“It’s one reason, yeah.”
“I’m assuming our club is the other reason,” Vaughn adds, looking grumpy for the first time since arriving. “If shit gets messy, it’ll be in your backyard, not ours.”
“Nothing is getting messy,” I announce. “The status quo makes everyone happy, and why shouldn’t we want to be happy?”
Minka glances at me, and I see a hint of relief in her dark eyes. “In a little over seventy-two hours, our problem will be solved, and happiness will break out like a fucking rash. Now can we go?”
Minka doesn’t wait for their answer. She hands the waitress cash for the drinks plus a tip. Nodding at the twins, she walks past their big burly henchmen and out of the bar.
“I look forward to a time when we can text these things and save on gas,” I say before leaving.
Outside, Minka and I wait while the bikers do their bravado handshake bullshit. I miss that kind of showmanship of armed people trying to impress and frighten each other. I wonder if Minka misses her old life as a contract killer.
“Why did you retire?” I ask while we wait.
“Since leaving my mom’s house, I never stopped moving. Eventually, I got tired of traveling. I wanted to find a place and put down roots, so I convinced Troy to give Rafael’s setup a shot.”
“Good thing you did,” I murmur, giving her ass a quick slap.
“Don’t spank me in public. It’s not professional.”
I’m laughing when the Reapers leave the bar. They aren’t happy about my good mood, but their anger focuses mainly at Minka. She sees Vaughn about to complain and waves him off. Walking to the SUV, she glances around, and I also wonder if we’re being watched.
“You called in the Arizona Moving Company?” Vaughn demands before lowering his voice when Minka glances around again. “Are you nuts?”
“No. What are you so fucking worked up about?”
“His old club was out of Arizona,” Judd explains.
“The Devils?” I ask. “They’re dead, you know? I read about it in the papers during a stopover in Chicago. What’s the problem?”
“Cooper doesn’t want Arizona involved.”
Minka steps up to Vaughn, ready to throw down with the giant man. I’m ready to shoot anyone who so much as looks at her wrong.
“We don’t answer to you or Cooper,” Minka says in a hard, quiet voice. “I would also remind you that the Arizona Moving Company has nothing to do with your old crew. Finally, I think you need to keep in mind that you’re standing in Serrated Brotherhood territory. You might want to keep from pissing yourself until you’re somewhere a little more neutral.”
Judd pats Vaughn's back. I never truly worry the confrontation will turn violent. These guys aren’t stupid. Even Tucker keeps his head on straight.
“You better know what you’re doing,” Vaughn says, stepping away.
“That’s why they pay me the big bucks.”
Minka slides into the car and shuts the door. I don’t acknowledge the men before joining her in the SUV. They only have eyes for Minka anyway. She’s pushed their buttons. Now they’ll want to run everything past Cooper before acting. No doubt the bikers inside the bar are also having a little meeting.
“Why seventy-two hours?” I ask while pulling the car out of the parking lot.
“I figure that’ll give us enough time to kill Black.”
Grinning, I stop at a light. “The cactus juice was a nice touch.”
Minka shares my smile. “Thanks, but I think I might puke now. Man, that was gross.”
“I could stick my tongue in your mouth if you think that would help.”
“Later, Dino,” she says, patting my cheek. “I’d like to stop by Ruby’s place and check on her first.”
“Because you’re a sweetheart worried over her or because you want info?”
“Can’t it be both?”
My smile says what I can’t. Minka is too fucking fascinating to ever let go. Even if she smacks me upside the head every day for the rest of our lives, I’ve found my Missus Dino.
22
~ Minka ~
Redeeming My Dark Deeds
Ruby’s trailer sits at the back of the Lush Gardens Trailer Park. We park in the guest lot and walk around looking for the right place. After I text her to say we’ve arrived, I wonder if she’ll make a run for it.
Dino is watching me rather than where we’re going. His movements remain smooth as he flawlessly dodges kids running around in the evening. The trailer park has a festive vibe, but I’m tense.
My bluff at the bar worked for now, but I’m unsure how to grab Black without making a show of it. He has to be waiting for us at this point. Will he come looking for us again or go into hiding?
“Jane,” Ruby says, appearing from between two trailers.
Her nearly black hair is wrapped up into a messy bun. Wearing jean shorts and a white tee, she matches the curly-haired girl at her side.
“This is Chevelle,” Ruby says.
“Hi,” the kid whispers. Despite her smile, she’s watching us like we’re aliens ready to rip off our human masks.
“We wanted to see if those bikers hassled you,” I say, walking with her to a community picnic table.
“They’re obnoxious more than anything.”
Ruby is difficult to read. Dino isn’t as he remains on guard nearby. We’re in enemy territory, and he’s ready to shoot our way out.
“My boss at the bar said I was fired until Black said otherwise.”
Sitting at the picnic table, I shrug. “Black might not be saying much of anything soon.”
“Really?”
“It’s what I heard, but people talk. Only time will tell.”
“I can find work in Hickory Creek, but I made solid tips in Common Bend. I’ll figure it out either way.”
“We’re looking to get your car back,” I say while Dino tenses at the sound of approaching voices.
“Don’t waste your time. Black’s guys trashed it.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine. The thing was on its last leg. They barely shortened its life.”
Glancing at her kid, I feel like an asshole for bringing this heat on Ruby. If I’d talked up another person at the bar that night, then they’d be hiding out from Black. The sheriff rains shit on everyone around him.
“Just keep your head down a bit longer and we’ll see about fixing some of the problems Black created.”
If Ruby wants to point out that I technically brought trouble down on her, she chooses to keep her mouth shut.
“I’m not trying to be rude by not inviting you in, but this place is small, and everyone talks. They’re going to talk anyway, but everyone is already running their mouths about you two.”
“Are they saying nice things?” I ask
Ruby and her kid smile in unison. “They’re saying you’re going to burn down the Bend and then do the same to Hickory Creek.”
“Why would we mess with Hickory Creek?”
“They say you work for the Reapers. They also say a war is coming between the two clubs.”
“I met with the two clubs less than an hour ago, and they aren’t ready to rumble. Who knows with men, though?”
Ruby smiles again. “I don’t blame you for anything,” she says, standing up. “I just want to make that clear. You’re doing a job because of the trouble Black caused. People don’t like him, and they’ll be happy when he’s gone, but they’re nervous about what comes afterward.”
“I’m thinking things will go back to the way they were before Black. I don’t know really. People aren’t always square with me.”
Ruby nods and gestures for Chevelle to stand up. “We should get back. Like I said, you two make people nervous. My mom and sisters live at Lush Gardens too, and they’re ready to come charging to my rescue. We better retu
rn before they embarrass themselves.”
“Stay safe and call if you need anything.”
Nodding, Ruby begins walking away and then pauses. I see her struggling with whether to keep her mouth shut. Sighing, she turns around.
“Black has a cabin up in the hills. I hear that’s where he’s holed up waiting for you.”
“Thanks.
Ruby glances at Dino and back at me. “You two will make some pretty babies.”
Dino gives me a cocky smile while I grin awkwardly. “Nice to meet you, Chevelle.”
The girl smiles, but she’s as wary of us as her mother. I look forward to Black being nothing more than a bad memory for Ruby and the rest of the people he’s shit on the last few months.
Dino wraps an arm around my shoulders while we walk back to the SUV.
“I want to name our first boy Luciano after my dad.”
“Sure.”
“What was your father’s name?”
“Eddie.”
“Luciano and Eddie. I like that.”
“I’m not naming my kid Eddie.”
“How about as a middle name?” he suggests.
“No. I don’t like the name.”
“Fine. You can pick the girls’ names.”
We arrive at the SUV, and I pull away from him. “I don’t know if I want kids. I told you that.”
“Only because you’ve never had a kid. Once you do, I see a whole lot of little Bellomi kids.”
“Stop pressuring me,” I grumble, taking the keys so I can drive.
Dino walks around to the passenger door. “If you think that’s me pressuring you, then I don’t know how you’ll handle me going full-on nagging.”
Frowning, I start the car but don’t drive. “I do care about you.”
“I know.”
“I can maybe see us being together past this job.”
“Yeah, I know that too.”
“Will you shut up?”
Dino runs a hand through his thick hair. “No, because you’re planning on saying something stupid and reckless. I can’t let you do something you’ll regret.”
“You don’t need to protect me from myself.”
“Of course I do.”
“Why?”
High Voltage (Ramsey Security Book 3) Page 12
