Chapter 14
-:- BETHY -:-
My brother has been trouble for a long time. He gets into things he can’t get out of and then drags me right in with him. I’m not having it anymore. I need to look after myself from this point forward.
Art getting involved with Joe Tizwald is and was a huge mistake, but he has never learned that he can’t con everyone.
I’m hoping Art will be okay, but I cannot watch his back on this one.
He has a gambling debt to Tizwald that they want Victoria to pay by using her expertise.
The link being Art, to me, to Victoria my friend.
Victoria and I knew what was going to happen, and that is why I told Victoria to run and I’d meet up with her at a later date.
That is what is happening now. What I didn’t expect was to be tailed all the time.
The ones following me have to be experienced in tracking, which makes me think they are prior military.
Sitting in the truck next to Wings who isn’t much of a talker I look over and study how serious he is. He must feel my eyes on him as he flicks his eyes to me for a second before saying, “What’s going on in that head of yours now, Bethy?”
“I was just studying you and wondering why you volunteered to come get me.”
“Any of us would have come and got you. As the second enforcer, I’m the logical one to do this. That still leaves Buzz at the club watching the president’s back, and at the ready for any trouble that may happen.”
“Hmm, logical I suppose.” I look out of the side window and wonder how much longer it’s going to be before we get to Nell’s place.
After a few minutes I turn to look at Wings again, “Do you think the men that have been tailing us are military? They seem to always find us no matter what you or I have done.”
“Yeah, I think they are. More than likely mercenaries, but don’t worry, we’ll sort the fuckers out. They don’t know who they are messing with yet,” Wings says this with a smile on his face, and I’ll tell you now that smile is frightening.
The radio is on low, playing some music that surprised me. It’s classical and not what I would have guessed Wings would have been listening to. Maybe hard rock would have been my guess.
“Half an hour and we’ll be at Nell’s,” Wings interrupts my thought, and as I turn to speak I see a vehicle flying toward us.
The impact throws us off the road, and although it wasn’t a head-on collision, it wasn’t far off.
Looking at Wings has me gasping. He has hit his head and blood is running down between his eyes and dripping off his nose.
He turns to look at me with such a sharp look that I shiver.
“Get down and stay down, Bethy.” That’s all he says before he rips open his door and climbs out.
He has a weapon in his hand, and I’ve no idea where it came from.
I’m panicking underneath but grit my teeth and look for something to use if anyone tries to get into the truck.
I find a tire iron of all things underneath the passenger seat.
I wrangle it out and hold it tight, all the time shaking I have to admit.
On my knees in front of this seat is not going to help me at all.
I can’t even swing this tire iron. With this thought in my head, I open the door and surge out the best I can, holding on tight to the iron, and ready to swing it if anyone comes close.
Wings is hand-to-hand fighting with a guy who is wearing a black balaclava.
Typical baddie movie shit if you ask me.
But what I notice next is another one holding a gun, and it’s aimed at Wings.
I don’t stop and think. I rush forward and swing my iron while gripping it like my life depends on it, which it probably does.
The asshole senses movement and starts to turn.
I hit him clean on the side of his head.
He doesn’t make a sound as his head swings to the side, drops his gun and in what feels like slow motion, falls to the ground.
My arm is shaking, because I have to tell you, hitting someone like that is fairly difficult.
The tire iron feels heavy when you are swinging it, and your arm seems to vibrate when it makes contact.
I nudge the asshole with my toe, and I’m ready to swing again if needed.
Hearing a bellow I turn just as Wings throws a mean punch and knocks his opponent out. “Two down!” I lightly chime, drop the iron, then pretend to dust off my hands, all while giving Wings a shit-eating grin. Take that, biker boy I’m thinking cockily.
“Come on, let’s get out of here,” Wings says, but he’s grinning at me all the while.
Luckily, although off the road, the truck easily gains its traction and is on the road once more. I lean back in my seat and turn to look at Wings. “Did they do much damage to the truck?”
“Some, but the garage will sort it out.” Taking out his phone, Wings makes a call, and I hear someone reply, they are ready and waiting.
“Okay, we’ll be at Nell’s shortly. We’ll make sure the truck is out of sight, but Nell’s is a solid, safe place.
I’ll contact Chaos and let him know when we arrive, and he’ll arrange for us to get to the clubhouse safely. ”
“Will I see Victoria then?” I ask turning to look out the side window, feeling relieved that this is nearly over.
“Yeah, she’s at the apartment with Chaos and Corey.”
“Who is Corey?” I ask although I know who Chaos is, but I’ve not met him as yet.
“He’s a kid that Victoria saved from drowning. Then Chaos took guardianship. He is now safe with Chaos and Victoria. Poor little fucker had parents that didn’t give a shit.” Wings snarls the last.
“Where are the parents?” Thinking that they may have been arrested for child neglect or abuse. But something in the look Wings gives me stops me asking more.
Pulling into a place that is displaying a bed-and-breakfast sign, we stop at the front door and climb out of the truck.
A guy opens the door and walks out of the house, giving Wings and then me a huge smile.
“Did you bring trouble with you, Bethy?” he asks with what can only be described as a cheeky grin.
Wings laughs, “Come on, Graham. Get the truck out of sight.” Graham catches the truck keys easily, and Wings takes my arm gently guiding me into the house and closing the door behind us.
Stepping into a kitchen that is impressive because of the warmth and homey feeling it gives, is a woman around 5’7” with sandy, shoulder-length hair in a tight braid.
She has the most beautiful hazel eyes that seem to see through to your soul.
But the smile she gives is warm and welcoming.
She steps up to me, giving me a hug and another huge smile.
“Well, you arrived eventually. Did you have a tail to here?”
Wings shakes his head. “Not that I saw. We were run off the road, but thankfully it wasn’t too bad, and we took them down. Both will have sore heads in the morning. Mind you, the one Bethy hit with a tire iron may not be quite the same.”
“Might not come around again!” I mumbled because the way he was so still made me think I may have done more than knock him unconscious.
“Bethy, don’t think about it. Whatever happened to him he instigated by going after you. Now, let’s have a cup of tea.” Nell turns and starts to make drinks, and I look at Wings who is leaning back in his seat at the table with a smirk on his face.
Graham walks into the kitchen, giving Nell a kiss on the top of her head, then throws the truck keys back at Wings. “I’ve informed Chaos and Buzz that you are here. Buzz said to wait here and they’ll come in the van to get you. It will be easier to get you out of here without being seen.”
Nodding, Wings gives Nell a nod of thanks as he takes the tea from her. I think it’s lemon tea by the aroma that’s coming from the mug Nell places in front of me.
“Okay, let’s see shall we,” Nell says as she takes a seat. “We have your brother owing money for gambling debts to this up-and-coming senator, and now this asshole is trying to get to your friend Victoria because she's a computer whiz?”
Nodding, I reply simply, “Correct.”
Nell frowns. “So, if they are after Victoria why are they chasing you? Or is it you will lead them to Victoria?”
My mug stops more than halfway to my mouth as I realize she is correct.
I knew they were following me, and I knew I was heading for Victoria.
Why didn’t I realize that I’m the one that will lead them right to Victoria?
Jumping to my feet I rush out of the kitchen, down the hallway and out the front door.
I’m jogging before I realize what I’m doing, but I’m not leading them to my best friend, not happening.
I ignore the shouting for me to stop, and my jogging turns into a flat-out sprint. I’m ducking into a field and I drop my head and pump my arms, running as fast as I can. I’m taken by surprise when I’m knocked to the ground and someone is on top of me.
“Stop, Bethy. We will make sure Victoria is safe. You don’t have to run. Now come on, stop panicking, and let's get to where we need to be.”
I look at Wings, and he’s giving me a calm, firm look. Trying, I’m sure, to give me confidence and assurance. I nod slowly and with his help climb to my feet. Walking back to Nell’s, I’m embarrassed when Nell, Graham and two other men are standing in front of the house watching us walk back.
Back in the kitchen, I’m quiet and worried. Everyone else is acting like this is a normal day! It’s strange, very strange, especially when the one named Tank asks if Jaws is okay this morning. Who or what is Jaws?
The door opens, and a man guides Victoria through.
I’m on my feet and rush over to her before anyone can stop me.
I throw my arms around her and start to cry.
Nothing would be able to stop this feeling of relief at seeing my best friend.
Knowing she is okay means everything to me.
None of this would be happening if it weren’t for Art.