Chapter Three
Gambit
The petite blonde paces back and forth, wringing her hands like she’s auditioning for a role in Lady Macbeth. “I don’t know if a confrontation is the best idea.” She pauses in front of the older biker with salt and pepper creeping into his beard.
Wizard arches a brow. “If you want our help, you follow our rules,” he replies gruffly.
“You don’t know what my husband is capable of.”
Wizard smirks. “I’m pretty sure we can handle it.”
“When he sees you—” Shuddering, she trails off.
“You brought us here to handle things, cher. Dat’s exactly what we gonna do.
” I turn on the charm, redirecting her attention to me.
The long-time enforcer isn’t adept at peopling.
She’d gone to Wizard because he was the most intimidating in the room.
But looks can be deceiving. I learned a long time ago that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
The laid-back Cajun lifestyle on the bayou taught me how to face the most horrific situations with humor and grit.
Might be how I wound up as president of the temperamental, unhinged bastards known as nomads.
Spinning, she purses her lip. “I- know. But you don’t know him like I do.”
“Do we look like the type to be scared of a lawyer?” Echo asks bluntly.
“N-no.” She shakes her head.
“Why don’t you head back into your room and let us take care of things.
You said he shows up every night like clockwork.
It’s getting to be that time.” I glance at the tall, dark wood grandfather clock in the corner, ticking its way down to ten o’clock.
The home screams wealth with its expensive antiques, authentic paintings, and sturdy furniture.
Off white walls make me think of a luxury hotel room.
“You’ve dealt with this alone long enough. Let us do the heavy lifting now, yeah?” I tilt my head.
Blinking back tears, she nods. “I know. I know.”
Her heart-shaped face is flushed, and her eyes are wide and dilated.
A slight tremble has her body shaking like a leaf in a storm.
The husband did a real number on her. That type of fear comes from severe and constant oppression.
Back home, where life is hard, and emotions bubble up like food in a pressure cooker, things are prone to spill over on the most innocent.
“It wasn’t a request.” I deliver the words with a smile.
Tensing, she takes a step back. “Oh. Of course.” Spinning on her heel, she rushes off. Her expensive dress swishes around her.
Wizard exhales. “I can’t handle that high-maintenance bullshit. Thank God, Nev ain’t like that.”
I chuckle. “That type of woman isn’t for men like us, brother.”
“I don’t know. Worked out well for War.” Wizard winks. Thinking of the biker brother who I’d taken under my wing years ago, I roll my eyes. He was the last one of us I expected to settle down with a wife.
I scoff. “That’s different. She’s a good southern gal.”
“'Cause your Bayou ass isn’t biased?” He arches an eyebrow.
“No. I just know good people when I meet ‘em.”
Light floods into the living room.
“Showtime.” I walk over to the door, rolling my neck.
The pops relieve the tension, then I shake out my arms. I don’t want to come on strong.
I’ll let him set the pace. Then we’ll see what we’re dealing with.
Most bullies just need someone their size to match their energy, and they change their tune quickly.
The car door closes, and an alarm beeps. Heavy footsteps lead up to the door. Pausing, he bangs on the front door like a cop. A second later, a key slides into the lock. He pushes the door open and swears when the newly installed chain prevents him from opening the door.
“What the fuck, Tracy?”
I step into view. He jumps back. His dark suit is bespoke and adorned with sparkly cufflinks that cost more than some people make in a week. Brown hair is slicked back from his aristocratic face. He has the signature California tan.
“Not Tracy, partner.” I cluck my tongue.
“Who the fuck are you?” he explodes, chest heaving
I smirk. “A friend.”
“Bullshit. I know all her friends.” He sneers. “And you certainly aren’t one of them.”
“You’re getting divorced. Clearly, you don’t know her as well as you thought.” Crossing my arms, I watch his hazel eyes dilate.
He kicks at the door. “We are not getting a divorce. This is all just a misunderstanding.” Nostrils flaring, and face red, he steps closer, peering at me through the crack in the door. “I want to speak to my wife.” Spit flies from his lips.
“She’s not available right now.” Wizard steps up behind me, making his presence known.
“What the fuck is this?” His voice rises an octave. “Tracy.” He screams her name, weaving from side to side, trying to see around us.
“Like we said, she’s not up for visitors. You’d do well to remove yourself.”
“Or what?” He huffs. “This is my house.” He slaps his chest.
“Way we hear it, not for long,” Wizard replies smoothly.
The man kicks the door angrily. The wood groans, and the chain protests.
“Final warning.” I stare him down.
“Do you know who I am? I could have you arrested like this.” He snaps his fingers.
“Go ahead. Then you can answer for trying to intimidate the witness before the trial. Probably won’t look good on your part. Of course, this is all on camera and will be used against you in court anyway.”
“We’re not going to make it to that point,” he insists.
“Keep telling yourself that. Might want to know we’ve gained control over the video. So that erasing bullshit you’ve been doing is done.”
He tenses, backing away from the front door.
“Oh, is that all it took for you to back the fuck off? Shoulda started with that, eh?” I grin as he takes another step back.
“I want to talk to Tracy now.” He forces the words around gritted teeth.
“Not going to happen tonight. You can talk in court.”
He slams his fist on the door. “You do not speak for her.”
“According to her, we do. Now get back into that shiny little tin can of a car, and let’s keep things professional.”
“Listen, you smarmy hick. I’m not leaving here until I speak to Tracy. Whatever she’s paying you, I’ll triple.”
I laugh. “Pay? I’m doing this for fun.”
Walking away from the porch, he moves around the house. “Tracy.”
“Fucking prick,” Wizard whispers.
“I think I’m gonna enjoy this.” Sliding the lock free of the chain, I step outside with Wizard trailing behind me. I step out onto the picture-perfect porch with large pillars, a swing, and white rocking chairs to match. Large outdoor vases overflow with bright flowers that pop against greenery.
“If you touch me, I’ll sue.” He points at us, backpedaling like a bitch.
“Get in your car and drive away so we won’t have to.” I point to the black Corvette.
He hesitates momentarily. “This isn’t over.” Stalking to his ride, he fumbles with the keys, hitting the alarm and climbing inside. Tires squeal, and smoke runs up from his tire as he peels out like a lunatic.
“I wish he’d try to stay. Man needs his ass beat,” Wizard mumbles, cracking his knuckles.
I nod. “That’s not the last of him. He’s going to retaliate.”
“Not alone.”
“No? We need to call in for backup. He won’t get his hands dirty, but I guarantee he knows plenty of people who will.”
Walking down the driveway. I scan the street to make sure he actually left. People like him lash out when he’s bested.
“Damn, she picked a real winner.” Wizard places a call to his chapter, and I check my phone. I’ve been keeping an eye on the hurricane sweeping through the southern states.
Safe and sound in a hotel. Don’t worry. My sister’s text is a lifeline. Storms can sweep in fast and devastate or blow over with minimum damage. We can afford safety now, instead of hunkering down and praying for the best.
Head back in the game, I walk into the house.
“He’s gone,” Tracy whispers. Face pale, she grips the back of the couch.
“Yeah. For now.”
“He was scary,” a small voice whispers.
Peering down, I find Emily wrapped around her mother’s leg. Big brown eyes shining with tears, her round face is etched with fear. No child should have to fear their parent.
“Well, he’s gone now, so you don’t have to worry anymore.”
Emily’s lower lip trembles. “What if he comes back?”
“I’ll be here, and I’m not letting anything happen to you.”
She tilts her head back. “Promise?”
Walking over, I kneel in front of her and hold out my pinky. “Pinky promise.”
She stretches out her small hand, and I’m reminded of my baby sister growing up. Little girls are always going to be a soft spot for me. Hooking her shaky finger with mine, she nods bravely.
“Now it’s late for you to be up, isn’t it?” I ask. I study her heavy lids.
“Nuh-uh.” Emily shakes her head. “I can’t sleep. I’m too scared.”
“Huh?” I glance at her mother. Eyes dewy and lips drawn, she’s barely hanging on. “Maybe some cartoons will help with that?” Standing, I walk over to the couch and grab a remote from the entertainment stand against the wall. “I bet Mom can find you something to watch for a bit.”
“Y-yes.” Sniffing, Tracy swipes at her tears. Bending, she lifts Emily into her arms and carries her over.
Seeing them settled together, I walk back outside for an update. “What’s the plan?”
“They’re sending Echo and Shadow over.”
“Good choices. Let’s wait out here for them.” I move to the rocking chair on the front porch.
“You really think he’d double back?” Wizard lifts himself onto the fence, sitting sideways to view the street. The older brother has been with the Kings of Chaos even longer than me. Quiet and intense, he’s always been someone I want at my back.
“I never assume with desperate people. He sees his chances of winning the case shrinking. That’s a hell of a height to topple from, given his career status right now.”
“True. I’m curious about something, though. How the hell did you wind up with this gig?”
Bemused, I pull out a hand-rolled cigarette from my cut. “Nothing I hate more than a man who puts his hands on a woman.”