Chapter 9 Cobalt #2
Just as he finishes, Ajax and Stash run into the room, both men jerking their laptops open.
With a brief discussion they start pounding on the keys so I mute my phone.
I know this motherfucker isn’t gonna give me a ton of time to decide, which proves true when we hear Rocket screaming for me to make them stop.
My heart stops just as I look up to see Julie stomping toward my desk a worried pissed-off look on her face.
“What the hell is that Blue Eyes? Who is on that phone? Don’t tell me nothing, asshole, just say it.”
Again, Incubus steps up surprisingly, putting his hands gently on her upper arms, moving her away from my desk, and whispering in her ear.
I see the moment he gets to what is going on because I’ve never seen someone move so fast, but before any of us know her intentions she reaches over, grabs my phone, looks at it, unmutes it, and puts her hand up at me then starts talking.
“Salvatore, it’s me Julie, please stop. There is no reason for anyone to get hurt. This is between you and me. I was wrong and apologize. Just tell me what to do for you to release Rocket and I’ll do it. My God, quit hurting him, he’s innocent.”
Hearing Salvatore’s insane laugh, I’m thinking this isn’t gonna end well. Then this little spitfire gives it her all. She’s proving to be such a badass.
“Okay, whatever. I tried, just remember if that kid shows up dead, you will never see your millions ever again. I will give it to his family, friends, charities in the area, or I’ll take bags of it so I can pass it out to the homeless in town.
I’m done fucking around with you. What you’ve been doing is wrong and you know it, you insane bastard.
Thank God this club knew how to get in touch with your bosses because I’m getting the feeling you aren’t long for this world.
So go and try to make a lasting impression.
Doesn’t matter because, in the end, you will be the one with a bullet between the eyes, in a shallow grave in the middle of a forest preserve, or maybe behind the Kings of Anarchy’s clubhouse.
That way it’ll give these guys a place to piss when they are partying out back. ”
Incubus puts his meaty hand over her mouth as I see many emotions running over my brothers’ faces.
Even her brother dropped his head, shaking it.
For me, I don’t know if I want to kiss or murder her.
You never poke the psychopath when you don’t have a plan to follow through.
We can hear heavy breathing before, in a strangled voice, we hear Salvatore scream to someone to stop.
Then he tells someone to get Marissa down there to look at the kid.
What? My head shoots up as Incubus’s hand falls down, though there is shock written all over his face.
Psycho lets out a very low whistle to catch my attention.
He lifts his laptop to show me a map with a blinking dot above what looks to be a commercial area.
Salvatore finally replies to Julie’s rant.
“Did I hear you correctly? You went above my head to my bosses and told them what? That I hurt your little feelings? Like they would give a shit about that, Julie. I thought you were smarter and knew that the nature of our business happens all the time, but apparently, I was wrong. We are having Rocket tended to so he can be transferred back to your clubhouse. Cobalt, he will be dropped off to your club shortly. Let’s just call this a huge mistake and move on to more important things.
Cobalt, I want you to turn Julie and Stash over to my men and we will make a switch—the kid for the sister-brother team.
There will be a bag of money for his troubles to help with healing and shit.
Best I can do, amico. Growling, I wish I could jump through the phone and tear his throat out then piss down it.
“Get something straight, you motherfucker. I am not your friend, so never say those words in reference to me like that again. You better pray to the devil himself my brother pulls through, or you won’t believe the rage that will rain down on you.
I know you think we are just a small club in Indiana, but one phone call and every single club chapter will be on their way to Indiana to annihilate every individual associated with your name.
And just sayin’, Sally, it won’t be pretty.
The screams will be heard all the way back to your little town in Italy when we finish.
You will be saved for last after all those in your life have suffered.
We’ll be bringing in some of those little boys who have remained alive after your abuse and torture.
They will get the pleasure of returning the love.
I told you never to fuck with the Kings of Anarchy, and you dumb bastard should have listened to what I said.
Now, how long until Rocket is returned to us? ”
Soft whispering can be heard before he replies.
“Marissa has to cauterize one of his injuries then we will transport him to you. All I ask is that you take pity and reach out to the bosses, letting them know I’ve cooperated with you. Come on, Cobalt, we’ve worked together for years, doesn’t that mean anything?”
I laugh into the phone because gotta say, he’s got balls.
“Salvatore, it means nothing, you jagoff. After finding what you’ve been up to it turns my stomach which, asshole, is saying a lot since I’ve watched my brother Incubus do his dark work and have had nightmares from it.
Enough bullshit, get my brother back home and forget about ever seeing Julie again.
And as far as Stash goes, your goons finished him off.
He bled out before anything could be done for him. ”
I end the call, letting out a ragged breath before looking at everyone.
Incubus starts to bark orders about getting the front surgical room ready for everything, including the unknown.
I’m scared to death thinking about what our brother poor Rocket has been put through.
My thoughts turn to prayers, hoping to Christ he’ll be able to not only recover physically but also mentally ’cause I’ve seen the damage Salvatore’s goons leave behind.
If we get Rocket back home, he’s already ahead of some of the Mob’s prior victims ’cause they ended up dead, buried in a shallow grave, thrown into the lake with concrete shoes, or worse in our crematory, going back to the beginning. Dust to dust.
Watching everyone moving quickly to try and be ready for Rocket’s return, I literally jump when I feel tiny muscular arms wrap around my middle and her head, that only reaches to my chest, lean into me.
“Blue Eyes, I’m so sorry, won’t ever forgive myself for whatever they did to Rocket. That poor kid. I’ll pack my stuff and leave before he gets dropped off. Please tell him how very sorry I am and, somehow, I’ll try and make it right.”
I pull her even closer, holding on tightly, leaning my chin on the top of her head. Trying to find the words, it dawns on me soft words won’t work on Julie, she’s too badass. Leaning into her eyes, I shoot my emotional bullets to hit where it will piss her off the most.
“Darlin’, damn it, thought you were stronger than this.
First time shit hits the fan, you turn tail and run.
That is so disappointing. Well go, I ain’t gonna beg ya.
Not that I don’t want to, but because I’ve got a kid being dropped off in what I already know is in serious condition.
Fuck, never thought Salvatore would grab someone, but should have known we backed him up against a wall. Take care, Julie.”
With a hard kiss to her lips, I turn and stomp down the hallway, doing something I’ve not done in a very long time.
I ask God to work miracles as far as Rocket goes.
He not only deserves it but has earned a life, regardless if it’s in the club or as a civilian.
That’s my last thought. Now is the time to shut off all my thoughts regarding Julie ’cause she’s gonna do whatever she wants.
I have no control over that, which kills me, being the man I am who demands utter control in everything.