8. Dutch
"Are you okay?" I asked, my voice harsher than I expected it to be.
Makari nodded. "Yeah, but I got the fucking wind knocked out of me."
I looked around the lot we landed in as the broken glass from my mirror reflected my thoughts. My bike had taken a beating, but it would live to ride another day.
"Look, we better bounce in case more assholes are on our tail."
"Who the hell were those guys?" Makari asked.
"Most likely someone from Jahlil's crew. I guess they're no longer playing nice."
Makari rolled her eyes, but I caught a slight smile. I knew I was in over my head, but right now, all I wanted to do was keep her safe.
We hopped back on my bike, and I hated to start the engine, not wanting anyone to hear that we were still moving. However, as we pulled back onto the main road, I saw an accident in the distance. A man was standing outside of his rig looking at a wrecked bike.
I peeled off, riding until we reached our destination. A cabin on the outskirts of town, perfect for hiding out. I cut the engine as we pulled up to the safe house surrounded by thick woods that could hide an army. I reached under the seat and grabbed Makari's packed bag.
Makari's eyes darted around, and I could tell she was exhausted. As we approached the cabin, my hand hovered near my waist, ready to draw. The porch creaked as we walked.
"Fuck, as loud as the porch was, I might as well have rang a damn dinner bell," I sarcastically ranted.
I typed in the security code with one hand while pulling Makari closer to me with the other. The lock clicked, and we crossed the threshold. I then swept the interior to ensure the house was clear, which it was.
"We're good," I declared, finally breathing.
Makari collapsed onto the couch and winced. I noticed blood seeping through her shirt.
"Shit, let me take a look at that," I fussed, mad I hadn't noticed earlier.
Makari pulled up her sleeve as I grabbed the first aid kit and kneeled next to her. She tensed as I cleaned the wound.
"This might sting," I warned, keeping my touch light. It was weird to use these weapons that had busted so many heads to patch someone up.
She hissed but didn't pull away as I applied the antiseptic. "Believe it or not, tattoos hurt worse in some places."
"Ah, yeah, you have a high pain tolerance. I forgot."
I felt her glare at me as I worked, and I was all kind of uncomfortable, but I ignored it and completed the task at hand.
"Almost as good as new," I stated, taping down the gauze.
Our eyes met again, and I cleared my throat and quickly stood up. "You need to get some rest. Are you hungry?" I asked, going into the kitchen. "Ah, I can make you that burger I promised."
Makari laughed. "A burger sounds wonderful, actually."
I washed my hands and got to work putting the frozen patties in the hot pan. Listening to the sizzle before flipping the burgers. I snuck a glance at Makari as she entered the kitchen and climbed onto a barstool at the counter.
"It smells good. I'm starving. I would have never known when I woke up this morning I would be here with you tonight."
I plated the burgers. "Yeah, me either, but life is funny like that. Unfortunately, there isn't any lettuce or tomato, but I had buns in the freezer that I unthawed, and I have ketchup and mustard."
"Perfect," she said. "Are you good? You look deep in contemplation."
I forced a smile, wondering how I'd kick Jahlil's ass after this was over.
She scoffed but smiled. "You just have to be a tough guy, right?"
"Most definitely, sweetheart." I winked. Still, inside, I was a ball of conflicting emotions.
After we finished eating, exhaustion hit us like that rig hit whoever was on that bike. Makari even looked fatigued as the sun began to lighten the room.
"Let's get some rest."
"I'm scared. Are you sure it's safe?" she asked, stifling a yawn.
"I'm sure of it, but I'll check the house again." I did another sweep of the house, checking the alarms and locks.
"Come on, you need some rest also," she said.
"I'm coming."
We crashed on separate sofas far enough to maintain some control but close enough to hear each other's breath. I couldn't help but be reminded of how fucked up this situation was as I drifted off to sleep. Still, right now, I didn't want to be anywhere else.
A few hours later, the ping of my cell jerked me awake. The room was bright, causing me to squint. Makari was still asleep, curled up in a tight ball like she was protecting herself.
"Knight." I growled into the phone.
"Prez, it's Saint. Jahlil wants to sit down and negotiate."
"Bastard, when and where?" I questioned.
Saint filled me in, and I was more awake by the time he was finished. "I'll be there soon. Get the crew ready."
I hung up, and this time, Makari was awake when I looked her way.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"We need to get moving. Jahlil finally wants to talk."
Makari was up instantly. "Give me a few minutes."
While she cleaned up, I brewed coffee, and I got cleaned up while she sipped. Shortly after, we headed out into the bright late morning light, ready to get this shit over with.
After a drive, we were back at the club, and the crew was in full war mode with burner phones and maps laid out on the table.
"Yo, Kane, is anything on the scanner about last night?" I asked our tech guy.
He shook his head. "Nothing. They were quiet."
I was suspicious but nodded. You never knew with Jahlil. Makari was looking over some old files, determined to figure out something.
"Listen up. We have to be smart because Jahlil's crew doesn't play fair. If something is off, bail. We don't need any heroes."
Though everyone agreed the tension was thick enough to trip over, my crew was good, and they knew it.
Saint slid up to me. His worry lines deep. "I don't know if you should bring the girl. We can't afford to have any slip-ups right now."
My jaw clenched. "Makari has some dirt on Jahlil. We need her."
Saint didn't want to drop the issue. "I hear you, but after that shit with her brother?—"
I threw a look at him, cutting his words short. "All you need to know is I trust her with my life."
The room went quiet, and again, I knew I had to nip this shit in the bud.
"I know y'all are worried about this, but Makari is not some civilian we're gunning over. She's been in this life longer than a few of you, and she's smarter than half of you combined."
The ripple of laughs let me know I eased some of the tension. “Plus, she has a mean right hook."
That got them laughing, even Saint, and there was a small quirk on Makari's lips.
"She's in, and anyone with a problem can take it up with me after we handle Jahlil. Got it?"
The room was quiet, so I nodded, satisfied. "Let's get to work. We have a war to win."
Our meeting moved back into planning mode, and I prayed I was doing the right thing.
"What's the play against the scorpions if things don't go as planned?" Rico asked.
"We're not looking to start a war. We have to be smart. We're playing chess, not checkers."
The energy in the room buzzed as we bounced ideas back and forth. Some were batshit cray-cray, but a few were good. I looked at Makari and wondered if she knew she was a part of the family, whether she realized it or not.
Saint clapped me on the back, bringing me back. "You know I got you."
I nodded with my throat tight. God help us all.
The burner phone rang. The number was blocked, but we knew who it was.
"Dutch," I answered, keeping my tone neutral.
"Check your messages and consider it motivation to do the right thing." The call dropped. Jahlil, that sick fuck.
I opened the messages on the phone, and there was a message with a video attached. I hit the play button. Malaki was tied to a chair with blood dripping from his nose and eyes swollen shut while a masked figure circled, taunting him.
"What the fuck?" I passed the phone to Saint. "Tell me my eyes aren't playing tricks on me?"
Saint watched the video. "This has to be old footage, and honestly, with his eyes swollen shut, it could be anyone."
"Let me see?" Makari headed my way.
I shook my head. "Not yet. I got to figure out what the fuck this is first."
"Kane, I need you to see if you can get a timestamp on this video."
Kane grabbed the burner. "I'm on it, boss," he stated.
I barked out orders, my brain already prepping for war as Makari lingered.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"No, but I will be once this is over," I admitted.
Makari nodded, and as much as I wanted to hold her and draw from her strength, there wasn't time for that now.