Kade: Santanas Cuervo MC (7 page)

She giggled. “Pretty much. We’re still a private company, so he used to own one hundred percent, but he has started selling some of it off. When Aunt Gail came on board, he gave her a twenty percent stake in the company.”

“She’s been in the oil business?”

“Yeah. She worked for Valero. As Kelly Oil grew, he couldn’t run the whole thing by himself anymore, so he hired her. She’s been good for the company. She keeps everyone happy but doesn’t put up with a lot of crap.” She smiled. “You may have noticed that on the phone last week.”

He chuckled as he began to roll the meat into the softened corn tortillas. “I liked her, but I could tell she knew what she wanted and was used to getting it.”

Winter giggled again. “She’s a hoot. She got married about three years ago to a guy, Sebastián Rendón, who’s over twenty years younger than her. I guess they’re happy, but I think he’s too young for her.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. I just get the feeling he’s using her. I can’t put my finger on why, though. He just seems a little, what’s the word I’m looking for? Smarmy, maybe.”

“Smarmy, huh? Maybe he likes older women. Your aunt is very attractive.” He grinned at her. “It runs in the family.”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh please.”

“What? You don’t think your aunt is pretty?”

“No, it’s not that. But is that all men think about? How a woman looks?”

“No. But having only met her once, that’s all I have to go on. All I’m saying is, maybe this guy likes older women and your aunt is attractive. Why’s that so bad?”

She watched a minute as he returned the enchiladas to the pan and quickly fried them up before laying them in a baking dish, poured the sauce he’d prepared over them, and covered them with cheese. “It’s not, I guess. What about you?”

“What about me?” he asked as he slid the dish into the oven.

“Family?”

“Normal stuff. Mom and Dad live in Laredo. He works at a car dealership and Mom works for the city water department. Nothing to tell, really. Only child.” He grinned. “Mom said after me, one was enough.”

“What did they think of you riding in a club that ran drugs?”

He snickered. “You think I told them that? All they know is I moved to Rio Bravo and worked odd jobs until I scraped together enough money to buy out a well drilling company when the previous owner wanted to retire. I didn’t go to college. School really wasn’t my thing, you know? I was an average student at best. I was more interested in chasing girls than hitting the books, and I like being outside.”

“Girlfriend?”

“Not anymore.”

“Sorry to hear that.”

He shrugged as he pulled two beers out of the refrigerator. “Those will be done in about an hour,” he said opening a beer and handing it to her before he opened one for himself. “It’s no big thing. Britt and I dated pretty hot and heavy for about a year, then we kind of drifted apart. She was from Rio Bonita and wanted to get out of town. I didn’t. Last I heard she was living in Dallas. What about you? Boyfriend?”

She spluttered. “When do I have time? Gone for two or three months at a time? Besides, men are a pain the ass…present company excluded.”

He snickered into his beer. “Really?”

She grinned. “Yeah. It seems like they’re either are total pushovers with no backbone, or they’re complete assholes who only think of themselves.”

“Ouch! Which am I?”

“I first thought you were the total asshole, but now I’m not so sure. You’re certainly no pushover. I’m still trying to figure you out.” She took another pull from her beer then grinned at him. “Maybe you’re that rare guy who’s neither but always seems to belong to someone else. You get bonus points because you’re cooking for me.”

“You don’t like guys who do what you want?”

“It’s not that. I like guys who like doing things with me, but when I’m full of shit, I want him to tell me I’m full of shit. When you showed up, even though you pissed me off, I respected you for the fact you stood your ground.” She grinned at him again. “Turns out I
was
full of shit.”

They sat quietly for a moment, the conversation lagging. “You told me about your dad. What about your mom; what does she do?” he asked, just to have something to say.

“I have no idea. She left Dad and me when I was about four. I’ve seen pictures of her, but that’s all. Dad said she couldn’t take the stress of him working and being gone all the time.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said quietly.

She gave him a wave. “It’s nothing. Aunt Gail has been my mother for as long as I can remember. She’s the one who taught me all the stuff mothers are supposed to teach their daughters.”

“I think you could have done worse for a mother.”

She smiled and nodded. “I agree.”

They talked about this and that until the enchiladas were ready. Kade threw together a salad while Winter put out plates and utensils, and placed a fresh beer by each plate. As they ate they continued to talk about themselves and how they had arrived at this place in their lives where they were having dinner together.

Winter had to admit, Kade’s enchiladas were as good as any she’d ever tasted, and he was certainly good company. By the time dinner was over, she’d completely revised her opinion of him. He wasn’t a total asshole, just a man who knew what he wanted and wasn’t afraid to work for it. He had a vision for the club, and for himself.

She liked how the members of the club obviously respected him even though most were older than him, and how much he cared for his brothers, as he called them. She also noticed while he didn’t have a PhD, he was far from stupid. In short, she liked him and began to wonder if he was that elusive mix of self-confidence and kindness she was looking for, the man who could simultaneous sweep her off her feet
and
kick her in the ass.

They cleaned up together, Kade rinsing and scrubbing as Winter loaded the dishwasher. He could certainly see Gail Kelly’s influences on Winter. She had the same self-assurance and no bill shit attitude he’d had a taste of in Houston, and he could see a strength in her he admired. She was obviously brilliant, but, at the same time, she didn’t flaunt it. He’d dated a few women who were better educated than he was and they always seemed to carry it like a chip on their shoulder. He wasn’t a straight-A student like Winter was, but his grades were good enough he could have gone to school if he’d wanted to, but he’d had enough of school and wanted to get out and make his mark in the world.

By the time bedtime rolled around, and she’d retired to her bed, Winter was feeling quite comfortable with Kade. As she cuddled with Gabbro, waiting for sleep to take her, she thought back to the shots, and how Big Dick and Duck had quickly taken charge of the situation. The initial fright had passed, but she smiled, listening to Gabbro purr as she closed her eyes.
If I’m honest with myself, I have to admit I’ll sleep better knowing someone is here with me.
She sighed deeply as she began to relax into sleep, Gabbro’s soft purring and Kade on watch in the front of the RV making her feel safe.

Clint Dugger and Paul Tryst arrived to relieve a sleepy Kade and Bickers. Kade went home and showered before leaving for Houston, but since he had a meeting with Gail and Hayden Kelly at two, he didn’t have time to catch up on his sleep before leaving.

The long ride refreshed him, and he felt almost normal when he arrived at the Kelly Oil offices. They knew who and what he was, so he didn’t bother with the sport coat this time.

“Nice to see you again, Kade,” Gail said extending her hand as she and Hayden entered the small conference room where the receptionist had asked him to wait. He rose and shook her hand. “This is Hayden Kelly, President of Kelly Oil, and Winter’s father.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Kelly,” Kade said as he shook the man’s hand. The Kelly genes must run strong because there was no mistaking the family resemblance between Hayden, Gail, and Winter.

“Please, Kade, have a seat,” she said as she motioned him to a chair.

“Winter tells me someone took a shot at her again yesterday,” Hayden said as they sat down.

“Yes, sir. No one was hurt, but we think she was the target.”

“Rather than just shooting at the thumpers in general?”

“There is no way to know, of course, but if you look at where the gun shot came from – and we found two shell casings so we know – and where Winter was standing, it appears she was the target.”

“Any idea why?”

“No idea. Ms. Kelly,” he said with a nod to Gail, “indicated she thought it was drug runners or Coyotes, but that doesn’t feel right to me.”

“Why?” Hayden asked.

“Because if it were a drug cartel they would simply roll up with twenty or thirty guys with automatic weapons and kill everyone. They don’t do standoff, sniper-like hits; it’s not their style. They get in close and kill anyone who gets in their way. Besides, there’s nothing in it for them.”

“So you don’t think it’s related to the vandalism?”

“I spoke to WSS and I don’t think it’s vandalism. I think it’s theft. And, no, I don’t think they’re related.”

“WSS?” Hayden asked looking at Gail.

“Wellhead Security Services,” she explained. They’re our security contractor. Why do you say that, Kade?” she asked.

“A couple of reasons. Again, why vandalize? Maverick County is
poor
.
Most people are thrilled the oil companies are in the area because they bring jobs and provide a boost to the economy. I toured a couple of wells and WSS showed me what was happening. What it looks like to me is people are stealing metal to sell for scrap rather than intentionally damaging the pumps.”

“Why do you say that?” Hayden asked.

“Because they’re taking the stuff that’s easy to unbolt or cut away, and carry. Things that wouldn’t look out of place if taken to a recycling yard. Nothing was actually
damaged;
it’s missing. If you really wanted to shut down a well, cut the cable to the sucker rod and let it fall into the bore. But they don’t. They take steel bracing or electric motors. Things that can be sold. They also happen to be things that can be easily replaced. Also, there is no pattern to it. It may be a Kelly Oil pump one day, then it may be a EOG Resources pump the next, completely on the other side of the field, then the next day it might be Marathon. If it’s vandals, they hate everybody. To me it looks like individuals and targets of opportunity.”

Hayden scratched the side of his face. “I guess that makes sense, but why the sudden increase?”

Kade shrugged. “Who knows. Maybe somebody started doing it and word got around there was some fast cash to be made. I think once you catch one or two people, the problem will solve itself.”

Gail nodded. “Good to hear that. But if it’s not related, what about Winter, then?”

“Beats the hell out of me. All we know is somebody took a shot at her. It could be a drug runner, Coyotes, disgruntled landowner or some wacko environmentalist. I have no idea.”

“You really think it’s an environmentalist?” Hayden asked.

Kade grinned. “Honestly, no. Why target Winter? They don’t know who she is. Besides, I might be wrong, but don’t environmentalists normally go after the equipment?”

“Normally,” she agreed. “Your assessment of the vandalism rings true. I don’t know why we didn’t think of that. What does your gut tell you about Winter?”

Kade shook his head. “Nothing about this makes much sense, but if I had to pick, I would say Coyotes, a drug cartel and then landowners, in that order. Coyotes are nasty bastards who kill people just because they can. At least cartels generally don’t bother unless they have something to gain.”

Hayden nodded. “What do you need from us?”

“Communication equipment. Winter got pinned down out in the brush and there was no way for my guys to call for backup. There’s little to no cell service and I’d like to get a couple of those satellite phones like Winter uses, if I can.”

She nodded. “We can do that. What else?”

“I think that’s it for now. If anything else comes up, I’ll let you know.”

She nodded again then slid the conference table phone in front of her and dialed a number. “Melissa, I need two Iridium phones with extra batteries and chargers brought to Conference Room A immediately.”

“Yes, ma’am,” the voice on the phone replied.

***

Dugger and Tryst stood beside Winter as the massive derrick truck bellowed, fighting its way across the dry Texas landscape. While Winter’s Jeep skipped over the surface like a stone on water, the giant sixteen-tired behemoth cut deep ruts in the ground, moving like a glacier, slowly but inexorably making its way across the countryside.

“That’s one big-ass piece of machinery,” Dugger said as the truck ground closer.

“That it is,” Winter said as support trucks, tankers loaded with fuel and both potable and industrial water, along with other trucks brimming with drilling mud, spare parts, drill pipe, tools, sleeping quarters, a kitchen, and other supplies required to keep thirty men fed and working. Once the rig went online it wouldn’t stop until it hit oil. Now the real fun began.

They would finish mapping sometime in the next few of days, and this was the first exploratory well. She’d look at the core samples the rig brought up and compare what was down there with what she
thought
was down there. They should be standing on a veritable lake of oil trapped in the millions of tiny voids. If they found oil, and she was sure they would, they would sink a full-size well, frack the shit out of it to bring the oil to the bore, then start pumping that black gold.

“How deep you going?” Tryst asked.

“About eight thousand feet.”

“Eight
thousand
?”
Dugger asked. “And I was bitching when we went to two
hundred
feet for water at my house.”

She snickered. “Yeah. We go a little deeper than your typical water well.”

“How long’s that going to take?”

She shrugged, pulling the men a little farther back as the derrick truck began to swing into place. “Depends on how many problems we encounter. We’re going into fairly soft rock, so figure twenty days if we don’t break any cutting heads.”

Tryst and Dugger looked at each other. Even though they lived in one of the most oil-rich regions of the world, they still had no idea of the scope of effort it took to extract oil, until now.

As the three watched, men scurried about, getting things setup. Tryst nudged Dugger and nodded at Winter. She was like a kid with a new toy, all but bouncing on her toes in excitement.

Winter was talking with Bruce, the tool pusher, the man in charge of the rigs operation, discussing down pressures, when the first shot rang out. Bruce went down with a grunt, his shoulder exploding in a spray of blood as Tryst shoved Winter to the ground. Dugger, who’d been standing off to the side came on the run, sliding to a stop beside the man.

“Stay down!” he bellowed as men began to scramble to cover. Staying as low as possible he unbuttoned Bruce’s shirt.

“Fuck that hurts!” Bruce growled.

Dugger was no doctor but could tell the man’s shoulder was a mess with a hole both front and back. “I know, man. Hang in there for me.”

Another shot echoed and the dirt in front of Winter puffed, making her squeal and crab backwards as a few members of the crew started returning fire. They had no target, firing pistols in the general direction of the shots, and it would be nothing but dumb luck if they were to hit anything, but maybe it would give the shooter something to think about.

“See anything?” Tryst yelled.

“No! We have to get Winter out of here!” Dugger replied.

Tryst nodded. “Go!”

“Keep her down. I’m going for her Jeep.”

“Keys are in it,” she called.

Dugger walked on knees and elbows until he reached the bright yellow Wrangler. It was turned wrong, with the driver’s side facing the gunman. He opened the passenger door and crawled into the vehicle, trying to stay as low as possible as he squeezed over the center console. “Ow!
Goddamnit
!
It’ll be just my luck to get shot while I have a gear lever stuck up my ass!” he muttered as he tried to free himself from the lever without rising so high he could be seen, and therefore, shot.

He finally managed to get unstuck from the transmission lever and slide into the driver’s seat, slumping as low as possible, but the moment the Jeep came to life the shooting started again. The first shot missed him, the bullet passing through the driver’s door then shattering the passenger side glass. He slammed the Jeep into gear and floored it, spinning the truck around and racing toward Tryst and Winter. As he slid to a stop another shot rang out, the bullet hitting him in the shoulder. He roared in pain as Winter piled into the back, Tryst shoving her in by the ass and crawling into the front as soon as she was out of the way.

Dugger floored the Jeep and raced away as another shot
pinged
off the Jeep somewhere as they roared away from the drill site.

“You okay?” Tryst yelled.

“Yeah,” Winter answered, unsure if he was talking to her or Dugger.

“I’m hit,” Dugger grunted, driving only with his right hand, his left lying in his lap, gasping as the Jeep lurched and bucked.

“Somebody’s coming, and hard,” Tryst said as he looked behind them.

“Ah, shit,” Dugger groaned. “I think I’m going to pass out.”

“Hold it together, man!” Tryst urged.

Winter scooted over to the driver’s side and peeked around the edge of the seat, being careful to not hit her head as the vehicle lunged and bucked, knocking aside brush with huge thumps and bangs.

“He’s bleeding bad,” Winter said.

“Shit! Can’t you go any faster?”

Dugger shook his head but didn’t say anything. He was going pale and his breathing was getting shallow and fast.

“He’s going into shock!” Winter cried.

Tryst ground his teeth and looked behind them. The dust cloud was drawing closer. “We can’t outrun them. Winter, you get ready to drive! When we stop, Dugger and I are getting out. You get behind the wheel and drive as fast as you can, got it!”

“What?” she screamed.

“It’s the only way! Maybe we can stop them, or at least slow them down enough for you to get away!”

“No!”