Chapter 21
Rafe
Once I got back to the clubhouse, I went to the conference room to join the others. As soon as I walked in, Viper asked, “Did you handle it?”
“Yeah. She should be heading over to the club now.”
As soon as I was seated, Viper motioned his hand towards Menace’s laptop. “I want eyes on the club. We’ll need to know the second Marlowe gets there.”
Menace nodded, and after a few quick keystrokes, he’d pulled up the security feed at the club.
I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I sat there staring blankly at that fucking monitor.
Needless to say, I couldn’t have been more relieved when I spotted Marlowe’s beautiful face flash across the screen.
None of us spoke as we watched her pretend to search through the different drawers, closets, and cabinets around the bar.
She was playing the part to a T, and even I was buying into the charade as I watched her slip into Menace’s office.
Moments later, she came out with a notebook in hand, and a proud smile crossed Viper’s face as he leaned over to me and said, “Your girl did good. Stark won’t have a clue that ledger isn’t the real thing until he starts digging into it.”
“Let’s just hope he gets his ass back to Crockett’s as soon as he picks it up.”
“He will. He has to.” It was clear Viper was growing impatient when he said, “It’s time to move, boys.”
We all stood and followed Viper out of the conference room and out to the parking lot.
The brothers were quiet while we all loaded up into the SUVs.
As we drove over to Crockett’s, Menace went over all the details with Country one last time, making sure he knew exactly what was expected of him once he’d made his way into the basement.
Just as he had two times before, Country assured him he knew exactly what to do.
We’d just pulled into the parking lot across from Crockett’s when Viper received a text on his burner.
He pulled the phone out of his pocket, and after reading the message, he announced, “Stark just left the hotel.”
There was no missing the sound of concern in Menace’s voice as he replied, “That doesn’t give us much time.”
“I’ve got it,” Country replied confidently. “Don’t worry.”
Viper cocked his eyebrow as he asked him, “Does that mean you’re ready?”
“Hell, yeah. I was born ready.”
“Get it done.”
“You got it, Prez.”
Once Country got out of the truck, Menace took out his laptop and pulled up the security feed from Crockett’s.
While we didn’t have eyes on everything, we could see inside the bar and the alley.
All eyes were on Country as he started towards the basement’s entry.
When he disappeared from the screen, Menace announced, “Looks like he’s in. ”
We were all watching the monitor when I remembered the fire alarms. The last thing we needed was the explosion setting off any alarms, so I leaned over to Menace and warned, “Don’t forget to kill the power.”
“Already taken care of.”
“How long should it take Country to set up the IED?”
“A couple of minutes, tops.”
We all watched the screen, praying silently Country would be able to pull it off, and just as we’d hoped, he came out of the basement and held up his hand, giving us a thumbs up.
He’d done it. The IED was in place, as soon as Country was out of harm’s way and back in the SUV, we were able to breathe a little easier.
A mischievous smile crossed his face as Country asked, “Since it’s my Gran’s old bar, can I be the one who pushes the button? ”
“No.”
“Why not?” Country pouted. “I risked my life to go in there and set up that IED. It’s only fair that I get—”
“No,” Viper repeated, putting an end to Country’s pleading.
Country didn’t persist. Instead, he simply leaned back in his seat and looked out the window, watching for Stark’s return.
The SUV grew quiet as we all turned our focus back to the building.
Waiting was always the worst part. It was a time when any doubts and second-guessing would start to roll in.
Soon that anxious feeling would grow stronger.
I could feel the tension radiating off my brothers.
As soon as we spotted Stark enter the building, we knew it was time for the second phase of the plan. Viper looked over to Menace and gave him the nod to proceed. After checking security cameras to make sure Stark had made it upstairs, he pressed the button on the detonator and triggered the IED.
It was just a small explosive, barely enough to blow up a car, but once it blew, the gas line in the basement had taken care of the rest and a rush of blue flames skirted across the basement floor.
Seconds later, another, even larger blast sent flames and mortar soaring through the entire building.
The discharge was so intense that we felt the vibration rattle the windows of the SUV.
We needed to ensure that no one was able to exit the building, so as soon as the fire had taken hold, Viper turned to us and ordered, “Let’s move.”
We got out of the SUV and being careful to stay out of view from onlookers, we rushed across the street and over to the burning building.
I could feel the heat of the flames as we inched closer, and the smell nearly choked me as we came up next to Shotgun.
“Keep your eyes and ears open. If anyone tries to come out, end them.”
Through the haze of smoke, I noticed some movement at the second-floor window. Moments later, glass sprayed out as a chair crashed through the window. With fire blazing behind him, Stark leaned out the window and started waving his hands as he called out, “Hey! Over here! Help!”
Stark leaned out a bit further but stopped the second he spotted me standing below. A wave of satisfaction washed over me as I watched his jaw drop. He knew it was my brothers and I who’d set the explosion and put an end to his plan and his life. “I’ll kill you for this. Each and every one...”
Before he could finish his thought, Shotgun aimed his Glock at Stark’s head and squeezed the trigger, sending him flailing back into the flames.
We all stood there, waiting and watching, and when a second man stumbled by the window, I raised my weapon and fired.
After him, there was no further movement.
Just the flames burning bright. We were all standing there silently watching the smoke billow into the night sky when Country grumbled, “Damn, that was a little disappointing.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I argued. “We just blew up a fucking building.”
“Yeah, but I was hoping I’d get to at least put a bullet in somebody, but nooo, you and Shotgun had to go and beat me to it.”
“Really, Country?” I shook my head. “You need therapy, brother. Lots and lots of therapy.”
“I know. Killing somebody was gonna be my therapy!” He threw his hands up as he fussed, “I mean, come on. We just blew up my memory lane!”
“Why don’t you step a little closer and see if you can singe some of that stupid out of that thick skull of yours.”
“It’s a good thing you’re a brother, or I might just have to kick that ass.”
“You could try.”
“Could you two knock it off for two fucking seconds,” Shotgun barked. “We have a job to do here.”
“Yeah, Rafe.” Country nudged me with his elbow. “We have a job to do.”
I might’ve countered once more but decided against it when another loud explosion erupted, making it look like the Fourth of July as the building was consumed with fire and smoke.
Once we were certain there were no survivors, we headed back to our SUVs and made our getaway just before the police and firemen started to arrive.
We left there knowing the deed was done.
Soon, Stark would be nothing more than a distant memory.