21. Rooster
ROOSTER
Iwas on my way to the house when Prez called and told me to get to the city.
Grant was ready to make a move on Bauco, and they needed a hand to put his plan into action.
When I got to the Four Seasons, Savage and Wrath were waiting for me out front.
Neither of them had on their cuts. They didn’t want to take a chance on being recognized, but it was a lost cause.
Their size and intimidating glares made them stick out like sore thumbs.
They needed to get off the street, so I took off my cut and got out of the truck. As soon as I got over to them, I asked, “You fellas get paid by the hour or is it by the night?”
“You couldn’t afford it either way,” Savage bit back. “Now, cut the bullshit. You ready to do this?”
“Sure thing, but I’m gonna need you to tell me what this is.”
“Grant wants us to put these in Bauco’s gas tank.” Savage held up a small explosive, “And we gotta do it without being seen, which won’t be easy with so many folks around.”
The Four Seasons was one of the most popular hotels in the city, which meant there would be people all around and lots of them at that.
“No, it won’t, but we’ll figure it out.” I motioned my hand toward the explosive. “So, we’re just gonna have a late-night BBQ?”
“That depends on when they come down. Could be tonight. Could be tomorrow,” Wrath answered. “Whenever they load up, Grant will hit the detonator, and the deed will be done.”
“Grant’s already taken care of the security cameras, and when we’re ready, he and Cotton will make sure all the guards are distracted,” Savage informed me.
“Alright then. Let’s get this party started.”
We made our way down to the garage. It was late, and thankfully, there wasn’t anyone around, making it easier to maneuver. As soon as we got down to the bottom level, I spotted three imposing black SUVs. I motioned ahead as I told Savage and Wrath, “That’s gotta be them.”
Wrath nodded, then sent a message to Grant, letting him know we were ready to take action. Moments later, a car alarm started to go off in the level above us, and soon after, a second car alarm went off. And then, a third and a fourth and fifth.
Knowing the guards would be preoccupied, we took the opportunity to make our way over to Bauco’s SUVs.
We wouldn’t have much time. As soon as we pressed the gas tank door, the alarms would sound off.
We each positioned ourselves next to the lid, and as soon as Wrath gave the signal, we each pressed the door, and it flipped open.
As expected, the alarms started blaring, which meant we were running out of time.
We each slipped our devices into the tank, closed the door, and made haste to get out of the line of sight.
We huddled up behind two concrete pillars, and watched as the guards came over to see what was going on with the alarms. And then, as quickly as the ruckus started, it ended.
The alarms stopped blaring and silence fell over the garage.
The guards couldn’t have been more puzzled.
They looked around, but thankfully, they quickly lost interest and headed back to their stations.
Wrath and I exchanged a silent look of relief.
We both knew the stakes when we headed into that garage.
We were putting our lives on the line, but we had to do what we had to do to protect the brothers and the club.
One hour rolled into the next, but there was no sign of Bauco.
Hell, there wasn’t a sign of anyone. It was just us and the fucking guards, and when I saw the faint glow of the sunrise, I started to worry that this whole plan was going to be a bust. Then, Wrath nudged me and whispered, “Here they come.”
Neither of us moved. We stayed hidden in the shadows, quietly watching as Bauco and his men emerged from the elevator and started towards their SUVs. When they got close, Bauco’s lead guy stopped and scanned the garage. He suspected something. I could see it in his eyes.
After a moment, he turned to the others and said, “There’s something up.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I got a feeling.”
“I don’t have time for you and your feelings,” Bauco complained.
“Just need a minute,” the guy pushed. “Trust me on this.”
A knot formed in the pit of my stomach when they all started looking around. I glanced over at Wrath and Savage, and they both looked equally concerned. Wrath’s eyes were trained on mine as he reached behind him and placed his hand on his Glock.
Time stood still as Savage and I reached for our own weapons.
Everything hung in the balance, and one wrong move could cost us everything.
The low hum of traffic in the distance and the flickering fluorescent lights only added to the intensity of the moment.
His men were getting closer when Bauco finally opened the back door of the SUV and growled, “Enough! You’re wasting time! Let’s move.”
His men exchanged a quick glance, then did as Bauco ordered and loaded up into their separate SUVs.
We held our breath, waiting silently for that crucial moment when Bauco and his entourage tried to depart, and just as they started out of the garage, a deafening roar of the explosions shook the ground beneath our feet.
We were yards away, but I could still feel the searing heat rolling off the vehicles. It wasn’t long before the air was filled with the foul scent of burning rubber and fuel, making it hard to breathe. Savage glanced over to Wrath and me as he whispered, “We need to get the hell out of here.”
Wrath nodded, and Savage and I followed as he darted for the rear exit.
I could feel the burning heat as we skirted past the inferno. By the time we’d made it back to my truck, there was a significant crowd forming. The last thing we needed was to be seen, so we loaded up, and I got us the hell out of there.
“Where did you park?”
“Across the street at the Mapco.”
I weaved between the pedestrians and oncoming police, and eventually, I managed to make my way across the street.
I pulled up to Wrath’s SUV, and I’d barely gotten parked when Cotton and Grant appeared at my door.
I rolled down the window, and Cotton sounded relieved when he said, “You boys did good back there.”
“Did everything go okay on your end?”
“Looks that way.” Cotton glanced over at Grant, then back to us. “We should know for sure soon enough.”
“You need us to stick around for a bit?”
“No, it would be best if you headed back.”
It had been a long night, so none of us argued. Savage got in the truck with Wrath, and I followed them back to the clubhouse. We filled Prez in on everything that had gone down with Bauco and his men, then went to our rooms and crashed for a few hours.
When I finally woke up, it hit me that I hadn’t called Maggie.
She’d messaged me the night before, but I hadn’t been able to talk to her. I’d promised to call later, but with everything that went down, it slipped my mind. I had a feeling that hadn’t set well with her, but thankfully, she hadn’t acted on it. At least, I didn’t think she had.
I grabbed my phone and dialed her number.
It rang several times, but she didn’t answer. I figured she was busy with work, so I sent her a text.
Me:
Hey, babe.
Sorry about last night.
I had a lot going on.
Maggie:
No need to apologize.
You don’t owe me anything.
Oh, damn. She wasn’t just pissed. She was really pissed.
Me:
Can we talk later?
Maggie:
I’ve got a busy night with the kids.
Me:
Maggie.
Maggie:
I’m at work.
I’ll text you later.
Me:
You okay?
Maggie:
Been better.
Me:
Anything I can do?
Maggie:
Maybe try calling when you say you’re gonna call.
Me:
Understood.
Maggie:
Especially when you go and talk to my ex-husband.
Me:
Got it.
Maggie:
I was really worried.
Me:
I know.
I would’ve called if I could.
Maggie:
It’s fine.
Me:
No, it’s not, but it’s going to happen from time to time.
Maggie:
I know.
When can I see you?
Me:
When do you want to see me?
Maggie:
Soon.
Me:
You got it.
I tossed my phone onto the bed, then rushed to the bathroom for a quick shower.
I grabbed some fresh clothes from my closet, and once I was dressed, I headed out to the parking lot.
It’d just started snowing again, so I had no choice but to take the truck.
Without telling the guys where I was going, I whipped out of the gate and drove over to the salon.
When I pulled up, I could see Maggie standing at her station. She was working on a client, but that didn’t stop me from going inside. As soon as the door opened, Maggie turned around, and her mouth dropped open when she saw that it was me. “Ronin.”
“You got a minute?”
“Yeah, ah...” she stammered. “Just give me one sec.”
I nodded, then walked to the back where we could talk without being gawked at by the other women in the shop. I was standing there waiting for her when I heard one of them ask, “Is that him?”
“Yes, that’s Ronin.”
“Holy smokes, woman,” one of them gasped. “You didn’t tell me he was so stinking hot. Now that I think about it, you haven’t told us anything about this guy.”
“I’ve been a little preoccupied.”
“Clearly!” another one gasped.
“Hush, or he’s going to hear you.”
“Too late,” I chuckled from the back.
“Oh, God,” Maggie groaned. “Will you guys cool it?”
“Sure, just make sure you two talk loud enough so we can hear.”
Seconds later, Maggie rounded the corner, and as she continued towards me, it was impossible not to notice that her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment. “Hey there, beautiful.”
“Hey,” she whispered. “I didn’t know you were coming by.”
“You said you wanted to see me.”
“I did, and I do.” Her expression softened. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t know.” She glanced down at the ground as she whispered, “Chad can be a bit of a handful.”
“I can handle Chad. You don’t have to worry about that.”
“I don’t know.” Her eyes filled with worry. “He was pretty upset that you’d stopped by.”
“How do you know that?”