3. Powertrain
Ifired ten consecutive rounds, one after the other, letting off all the built-up stress of the week. The sound of the gun fire was muffled by the canceling noise headphones I wore while at the range.
As I set the gun down to reload, Tik Tok’s head appeared around the screen. He gestured over to the window where Macabre was standing, staring at us with that Eastwood squint he had naturally perfected. His stance was wide, arms crossed over his chest, and he looked like he had a lot on his mind. At the same time, his look worried me, because I was the one he came to talk to.
I made sure to put my weapons away and took my headphones off as I stepped out into the hall. Tik Tok continued his stress release leaving us to it.
“Brother,” Macabre gave me a quick nod.
“Brother,” I responded, saying the word carefully. “Is everything okay?” I asked.
“When do you leave for your run?” He asked, cutting to the chase, which was nothing new for Macabre. He never was much of a talker.
“I’m thinking tomorrow tonight, before the fucker starts getting word and starts to move.”
He nodded in agreement. I had to collect money from one of our businesses up in Shreveport. The manager hadn’t paid up and Jameson wasn’t waiting anymore.
“Jameson mentioned a package you needed to pick up on the way back.”
“That’s right. He said you were giving me details.”
“The package is a little out of your way at the moment.”
“First off, what the hell is the package?”
“My younger sister. Whisper.”
I blinked twice as I looked at him. “The package is your sister?”
“That’s right. And she’s not where I fucking left her.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“She was taking care of my dad’s properties up near Shreveport, but I just got word she flew off last night,” he raised an arm in exasperation, placing it back on his hip as he started to pace. It was amusing seeing Macabre disgruntled, but siblings could do that to you. I also thought his choice of words odd, as if she were some bird of flight that flew off in the distance. It caught me off guard.
I quietly watched him pace until he finally turned to me. “She’s got to be halfway to Washington state by now.”
“Why Washington?”
“My dad said that our mom is up there. Something is going on and Whisper doesn’t want to tell us, and I can’t get up there to see her right now. I need Whisper back home. She lives to run away when she feels I am tying her down, but I just want her to stop running.”
“You can’t stop someone like that, Macabre. Of all people, you should know that. Hell, your whole family is the same.”
“That,” he gripped my vest, “doesn’t concern you.”
“Hands off, Nomad. You need to cool down. Now,” I ordered, and he simply blinked at me, as if registering what I was saying to him.
He yanked his hand off my vest and I straightened, pulling myself to my full height. “Sorry, brother. I’m concerned about her. She shouldn’t be off by herself like this, not with everything going on.”
“Do you know where she might have gone off to?”
“I tracked her heading north. We still have our old property up in Washington. My dad never got rid of it. Whisper likes to hide up there from time to time.”
“Then I’ll take the plane up, I’m sure Jameson won’t mind.”
He placed a hand on my arm and when I looked up at him it was to warn him, but I paused, seeing the turmoil in his eyes.
“She’s not like any other normal girl, Powertrain.”
“What is that supposed to mean? She’s not gonna pull a Reaper on me, is she?”
“Y-you could say that.”
“She’s a fucking Reaper!”
“No! No…she’s just not normal.” he quickly stated, calming me down.
“Listen you’re sending me on this wild goose chase, so you better be clear with what you want to say to me. What is not normal about your sister?”
He stared back at me, seeming to want to tell me something but looking unsure. He then shook his head, patting my arm.
“She’s quick to run off, that’s all.”
“That doesn’t sound abnormal, that sounds like she just wants to run away.”
“More like fly away, but yeah, something like that.”
“Yeah, I can handle that. But I’ve got a feeling there’s more to this story and I will find out.”
“Maybe, but all I’m asking is that you keep her safe. If she falls in the wrong hands, she’ll get hurt, or killed.”
I furrowed my brow as I tried to understand his urgency, but it made no sense. “I’ll treat her like my own family, I’ll get her home safe.”
“I’m putting my faith in you, Powertrain.”
I gripped his shoulder reassuringly. “I’ll get her home safe, brother. Don’t worry.”
I met Tick Tock in the locker room a few minutes later.
“What was all that about?” He asked.
“Macabre was giving me some info on the package. It’s his sister.”
Tick Tock stared at me for a long second, then smirked. “You’re in for a treat.”
“Why Is everyone telling me that? She’s just a young rebellious girl.”
“If you want to call her that. Just be careful there, Lee. She’s a lot like you.”
“In what way?”
“Stubborn, hardheaded, likes to have her way and won”t let nobody stop her, especially not a biker.”
“She’s a spoiled biker princess who doesn’t know her head from her feet. I’m bringing her home no matter what.”
Tick Tock chuckled. “I think you’re just the man for the job, brother.” He patted me on the shoulder.
“Hey, Tick Tock, you think I can borrow Bandit for a while.”
He paused a moment to think about it then nodded. “Sure thing. I’ll let the Prez know. Just don’t take too long with him. Two days tops, we’ve got drops.”
“No problem. I”m planning to have her back as soon as I’m done with my run.”
“You need backup?”
“Nah, I’ve dealt with Diego Martinez before. He’s a weasel. He most likely has the money but is too damn lazy to do the drop.”
“If you need anything, you let me know.”
“Will do, Brother.”
“See you back at the clubhouse?” He pointed at me as he walked out of the locker room, leaving me to think of this new package I was picking up.
Seemed like everyone knew something about this girl except for me, and somehow, I didn’t like that thought. Either way, no girl could stop a Royal Bastard, especially not a little brat like her.