Chapter 1 #2
The older man advances toward the table. His ramrod posture and fit, sinewy frame move with ease, and although his skin is tanned a deep chestnut, it shows no wrinkles, which makes pinpointing his age impossible.
He takes the seat at the head and declares, “Shoshones do not kill other Shoshones.”
Cobra and I exchange a look. I don’t know about Cobra, but I’m getting a weird-ass vibe, and I don’t fuckin’ like it.
Cobra leans back in his chair, but his gaze darts between Warrior and Arrow. “So, you want the Serpents to do your dirty work?”
“In a matter of speaking, yes.” Arrow exchanges another look with Warrior. “It will work out for everyone involved.”
Warrior clears his throat. “I admit my great-grandsons have disrespected the Nomads with their behavior, but I cannot go against our laws and customs.”
“This puts a whole different spin on it. I figured you’d take care of the problem with your own people, but us doing the job is gonna come with a price.”
“I can appreciate this.” Warrior sets his black eyes on me. “And I’m thinking you’re the man who will do it.”
I side-eye Cobra. “Nothing’s been decided yet.”
Warrior’s eyes never leave mine. “I see an aura around you of strength and leadership.”
“I got no problem with leadership, but my prez is the one who calls the shots for the Serpents.”
I shift in my seat, and the old guy is still zoned in on me. Fuckin’ creepy .
“I see you were an outlaw in all your previous lives,” Warrior continues with the death stare. “In the days of the Old West, I’m getting visions of a stagecoach robber, and in more recent times, between the 1920s and 40s, a gangster.”
“You know what they say.” I bark out a rough laugh. “Once an outlaw, always an outlaw.” Yeah, this guy is just fuckin’ with me, right?
“If we’re to get this job done, we’ll need descriptions and anything else useful. It’s not gonna happen until we have all the particulars and can be assured there’ll be no blowback on the Serpents.”
Cobra is covering our ass, but I’m having some really strong feelings about kissing this one off.
“Then we need to come to an agreement about compensation.” Cobra looks at me and then back at Arrow. “This is no small job.”
“If you make an example of one, the other will back down.”
“Yeah, but you got no guarantee,” I interject.
“Just a feeling.” Arrow and Blade exchange a cryptic look, and I’m thinking I wanna run outta here hard and fast.
Arrow stands and extends his hand to Cobra. “We’ll put together everything you’ll need and have it to you by the end of the week.”
“Along with our fee.” Cobra always makes sure he covers the bottom line.
The two men shake, and I’m already looking at the door.
Warrior rounds the table, blocking my path. “Since you have agreed to help us with our problem, I feel obligated to mention your past lives all ended in violence.”
What the fuck was this old man babbling about now?
“Violence for you and the people close to you.” He grips my shoulder with his bony fingers. “I do not say this to frighten you, only as a warning. ”
“Thanks.” I can’t get outta this room fast enough. “I’ll keep it in mind.”
Arrow follows us out. “Don’t mind the old man. Believe it or not, he’s over a hundred years old. He’s our spiritual leader, kinda like a shaman.”
Cobra and I stay silent until we reach our bikes. “What the fuck was that about?” I tie my bandana around my head.
“If they’re willing to pay, and it stops the hijacking of our shipments, I’m all about it.”
“Nah, I mean the old guy, Warrior, what was his deal?”
Cobra shrugs. “Just another generation. I guess he likes to keep the old Shoshone traditions.”
“I’m talking about all the bullshit at the end with him saying me and my family will have a violent death.”
Cobra cocks his head. “Not too much of a stretch, us being outlaws and all.”
“Geez, fuck, talk about doom and gloom.” I shake my head. “Don’t you think it’s weird I’ve heard Bugsy Siegel’s name more than once today?”
“He was the founding father of Vegas.” Cobra huffs out a laugh. “Don’t tell me you were buying into that shit?”
“Nah, nah, of course not, it’s just who the fuck wants to hear it?”
Cobra throws his leg over his saddle. “Last month Sheena went to one of those fortune tellers up on The Strip and came back hopped up with all kinds of bullshit. I tried to explain to her it’s all fake. They ask you leading questions and then watch your reaction. It’s a con job.”
“This was a little more than finding out my lucky numbers or if I was gonna hit the lottery.” I straddle my bike and hit the throttle. “The guy basically told me I was gonna be gunned down.”
“Then I guess Daisy wanting you to go to the Halloween party as Bugsy Siegel isn’t too much of a stretch.” Cobra twists his lips into an annoying smirk .
“Very fuckin’ funny.”
The roar of our pipes drowns out Cobra’s laugh as we wheel out of the parking lot, but my mind is made up.
Tonight I’d be telling Daisy there is no fuckin’ way I’m going to the club party as Bugsy.
Not that I’m superstitious or anything, but, shit, the guy got shot in the eye. Not how I plan on going out.