Ridin' Dirty: An Outlaw Author Anthology (OAMC Book 1) (20 page)

Cooper

Savage Angels MC Vegas Chapter

The waitress had a good time. We don’t know her name, but she said if we were passing through again, to call in and say hello. It could have something to do with the three hundred dollars we left her.

We’re back on the road, and probably an hour out of Tourmaline. I’m looking forward to a beer and a bed, with – or without – a woman. I don’t mind a road trip, and the closer we get to this town, the cooler and prettier the scenery is, but I prefer to choose my own path.

I’ve met Dane Reynolds once, at a rally. He’s a huge motherfucker, and from the little I’ve observed of him, he’s hard, but fair. I’m sure that’s the only reason King sent us to him, so that he sees a familiar face.

Cage and I are going full throttle, wanting to get to our destination. I glance over at him, and he’s looking behind us, then he signals for us to pull over. I look over my shoulder and see a police cruiser.
Fucking great
.

As soon as there’s enough room for us to pull over, we do. I dismount and remove the bandana from my face, trying to make myself look as harmless as possible. Law enforcement generally regards us in a low light, and I don’t want to scare him into thinking we’re dangerous. I plaster a smile on my face, run a hand through my hair, and leave my hands out in front of me so that I don’t look like a threat. I glance at Cage, and he’s done the same.

The Officer takes his time, we watch him talk on his radio, no doubt checking up on us. When he finally gets out of his cruiser, my smile feels like it’s about to crack my face.

“Afternoon, Officer, guess we were going a little over the speed limit,” I say as Cage chuckles.

“License and registration, please.”

“It’s in my saddlebag, is it okay if I get it?” I ask.

He nods, and I open it slowly, grabbing my paperwork, when I look back to see him, his gaze flicks to Cage, who is also going through his saddlebags.

We hand over our papers, he takes them and goes back to his cruiser.

“You think we have a problem, Coop?”

“No. He’s just doing his job and we probably look like shit. Just be cool, Brother.”

He nods, but doesn’t divert his gaze from the Officer. We’ve had issues with law enforcement before, some of it deserved, and some of it didn’t. Sometimes the law want to be assholes to make a point, I’m hoping this isn’t one of those times.

The Officer slowly gets out of his cruiser, and walks toward us. He takes off his sunglasses, pins me with a look, and hands us back our papers.

“Gentlemen, you are on the outskirts of Tourmaline, I’m not sure if you are aware of this, as you are from Las Vegas, but the speed limit out here is sixty-five miles an hour, in the town itself, is twenty miles an hour.”

He sounds almost apologetic, like he’s trying to do us a favor. His tone and manner take me by surprise.

“Thank you, Officer. We appreciate the warning, and we’ll be sure to stick to the speed limit in the future.”

“Yeah, man. It won’t happen again,” replies Cage.

He nods, smiles and says, “We don’t need, or want, any trouble. You boys staying, or going back to Vegas soon?”

“We’ll be here one day, maybe two. Then we’re homeward bound, we’re here to escort someone back.” I watch as he raises his eyebrows, and realize I may have divulged too much.

“Really? One of the local boys is leaving? Now, which one would that be?”

“Not sure, we just do as we’re told,” Cage answers, “You know what the fucking hierarchy can be like in any organization. We’re soldiers and follow orders.”

The Officer nods. “No ticket this time boys, we won’t give you a second warning.” He tips his hat and goes back to his cruiser. We watch as he drives away, then we stare at each other.

“You ever had the law
not
issue a ticket before? Like, fucking
ever
?” I ask.

“No Coop, that’s a fucking first. You think this Chapter has them on payroll?”

“Could be, guess we’ll find out. Can’t be too fucking far away now, I’m sure he wouldn’t have strayed too far from his hometown.”

We get back on our rides, pull our bandanas up, put sunglasses on, and ride onward, toward Tourmaline.

Dane

President of Savage Angels MC

The Clubhouse is a hive of activity today, as we all wait for the Brothers from Vegas to arrive. Bear is tending bar, and as usual, he has a grin plastered across his big hairy face. Out of all the members, he is the most jovial. Jonas waits with me as he nurses a beer, he’s my VP and there’s no one I trust more.

“Prez, where’s Rebel?” asks Jonas.

“Reb’s in his room, he’s getting his shit together for the ride.” Jonas nods and turns his attentions to the pool tables where there’s a doubles match going on. “You think Judge and Keg will beat Kade and Zeke?”

“Kade is too damned ornery to let them win, he’ll fight dirty if he has to.” I grin.

Jonas cocks an eyebrow at me, grabs his beer, and wanders over to the tables. Dirt takes his place at the table.

“Dane, you sure about sending Rebel?” asks Dirt, my Sergeant at Arms.

“We’ve been over this. Reb is a good choice, he’s loyal to me – to us – and he’s not high up in the MC. He won’t be a threat to the Vegas Chapter. We need them to warm up to our idea of buying a casino, even if we are silent fucking partners. Dirt, Brother, we’re expanding into
their
territory, and sure, they’ll get a cut, but most of the profits will come here, and to the Abruzzi family. We need to play this one smart, and
very
fucking safe.”

He nods, and I know from his manner that he’s not convinced. I’m not discussing it any further, the decision has been made, and if all goes well, we will all make a lot of money. I stand and head for the bar, and like the good man Bear is, he immediately gets me another bottle.

“Give me two, Bear.” He gives me a questioning look, but does as he’s told. I grab them both, and walk toward Rebel’s room.

Rebel stands next to his bed with his hands on his hips, staring at the wall. Slowly he moves his head in my direction, and I hold out a beer to him. He closes the gap between us, and takes it.

“Thanks, Prez,” he says as he takes a huge swallow.

“You alright, Reb? You down with the plan?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m good. I appreciate you putting so much faith in me; I don’t want to let you down.” His face is a mask of concern, but I’m not worried. Reb has always been a loyal soldier – apart from his unhealthy obsession with my woman – I trust him completely.

I offer him a smile. “Brother, I hand-picked you. You know what I need you to do. Keep to the plan, Reb, and everything will work out.”

He finishes his beer, and then we hear shouts coming from the bar.

“Guess the Brothers have arrived.” I lightly punch his arm. “You packed?”

“Yeah, Prez.”

“Good, you’ll leave first thing tomorrow. Now, be the soldier I need you to be, and lets go welcome our Vegas Brothers.” I pin him with a look, he squares his shoulders, and follows me to the bar.

***

Standing at the bar are two of the sorriest looking Savage Angels members I have seen in a long time, covered in dust and grit, they’re smiling at Bear as they drink from their beer bottles.

“Anyone would think you two have been riding for fucking days!” I bellow at them.

Both heads snap in my direction, the man closest to me, Cooper, walks toward me holding out his hand.

“Dane, good to see you again, man.”

I grasp his hand and we shake. “You too, Coop. It’s been too long. Thank you for coming all this way.” I turn around and see Rebel behind me. “This is Rebel, he’s the man you’ve come to escort back to Vegas.”

Rebel extends his hand. “Nice to meet you, Brother.”

They shake. “Same.”  Coop gestures over his shoulder. “That sorry piece of crap is Cage.”

Cage does a chin lift, takes a sip of beer, and heads in our direction. “Good to meet you all.”

“You look like you could use a shower and a meal, showers are down the hall, go get cleaned up and we’ll talk then.” Both men nod at me.

“Thanks, man.” Cooper walks back to the bar, picks up two bags and tosses one at Cage. “We’ll come find you when we’re done.”

Rebel walks with them down the hall, pointing to the room they’re staying in.

I walk back to the bar and look at Bear. “You met them before, big fella?”

“Yeah, Dane. They are loyal to the MC, both been in for years, but you probably knew that.”

“Yeah, King, hand-picked them, but it’s always good to get your opinion, Bear. We’re going into unchartered territory for the MC, and if it all works out the way it’s supposed to, we’ll all be set for a very long fucking time.”

***

Hours later, Cage, Cooper, Rebel, Dirt, Jonas and myself are sitting around the big table in our meeting room. Everyone’s been fed and we all have a drink in front of us.

“Brothers, thank you for coming. You are here to escort Rebel back to Vegas, but what you don’t know, is that we are going into the casino business.” Cage whistles, Cooper grins and nods. “We will be silent – as in very fucking silent partners – the Abruzzi family will be our front men for this endeavour. They, of course, will get a sizeable cut, as will your Chapter, but most of the profits will come back here to Tourmaline, for future developments.”

“Does Kingston know?” asks Cage.

“Yes, I wouldn’t even think about doing this without fucking talking to him first. It’s on his turf, but your Chapter doesn’t have the money to front it, we do.”

Silence fills the room as Cage and Cooper exchange looks. Slowly both of them turn to look at me, but before they can ask a question there’s a knock on the door.

“Yes?” I say.

The door slowly opens, and a child’s face peers into the room. “Uncle Dane?”

I immediately rise, stalk to the door and scoop Vincent, my sisters’ son, into my arms. “Vincent!” I throw him up in the air. “What are you doing here?”

His laughter fills the room, and when I look around the table, some looks are bemused and some are shocked at my show of affection. I don’t care.

“Daddy went to the bathroom, and left me with Uncle Tony who’s talking to a lady.”

“Is that right?” He nods his head at me, and the mass of curls on top of it jiggle everywhere. “Hmm, so what should I do with you then?”

“Chocolate!” yells Vincent.

The Brothers in the meeting room laugh. “You expect me to give you chocolate?”

“Yes! I
need
it Uncle Dane!” Vincent pleads.

“Vincent, how are you little man!” yells Bear from the bar.

“Chocolate!” Vincent replies.

Bear’s laughter rumbles around the room, he reaches under the bar and produces a chocolate bar, holding it up for Vincent to see. Vincent wriggles out of my arms and runs toward Bear. When he gets to him, Bear bends down and picks him up, keeping the chocolate out of arms reach.

“You gonna be good for Unclie Bear?” Vincent nods vigorously, trying to grab the bar. “Promise?”

“Yes! Unclie Bear, yes!” yells Vincent, laughter bubbling up out of him.

“Okay then!” He hands Vincent the bar. “Now we are going to go for a walk to Betties Café where I am going to buy you –” He pauses for dramatic affect. “Ice cream!”

“One scoop, Bear!” Sal yells – as he emerges from the bathroom – when Bear takes Vincent out of the Clubhouse.

Bear chuckles and keeps going. Sal places his hands on his hips and turns to face me with a questioning look on his face.

“He’ll protect him with his life, but when he returns, you’ll have a child high on sugar. It’s a fair trade,” I smirk.

For a moment he drops my gaze and looks at the floor, then he says, “Let’s get this shit done.”

I extend my arm toward the meeting room. “After you.”

He makes a dismissive noise and opens the door. Conversation in the room ceases immediately. I take my seat at the head of the table, and Sal makes himself comfortable next to Rebel, slapping him on the back as he sits down.

He nods at each of the men. “Gentlemen, for those of you that don’t know me I am –“

“Salvatore Agostino, Captain in the Abruzzi family, rumored to be the new enforcer and future head of the family,” replies Cooper.

A smirk spreads across Sal’s face as he leans back in the chair, and folds his arms. “Yes about my name, the rest is up for debate. And you are?”

“I’m Cooper, and this is Cage, we were sent by King to escort Rebel back to Vegas, and see he arrives safely.”

Sal places his arms on the table, and leans forward. “The Savage Angels are about to expand their business dealings into Vegas. The Abruzzi Family are going to be the public figure while you all stay in the shadows. Gentlemen, you are about to go into the casino business.”

Cooper and Cage exchange a glance, and then look at me.

“Why do you need Rebel in Vegas, why not yourself?” asks Cage.

“My face is in every fucking newspaper, magazine, hell, it’s even on Facebook since I married Kat. We’re supposed to be silent partners in this. Rebel doesn’t have a public face, and he’ll be representing me in this deal. I need you to keep him safe, show him around town, and get this deal done before anyone is the wiser.” I pin each of them with a look.

“We’ll leave tomorrow,” says Cage in a serious tone, then he looks at Rebel. “Don’t worry, Reb, we’ll get you there safe and sound with a bow on top.” Then he blows him a kiss.

The room erupts into laughter, and Rebels says, “Fuck you, Brother.”

“Well if you want us to, that can be arranged,” chuckles Cooper.

“Alright, alright, that’s enough. This deal is going to be good for all of us. The Brothers that don’t have a criminal record can get work at the casino, and if we need to launder any money, the casino is perfect. Most of all – if managed correctly – she’ll be a cash cow.”

There are whistles and nods around the table, and Sal stands. “I will fly into Vegas to begin the negotiations, we don’t want to upset the locals. You three will ride in, good luck, and happy travels, I’ll meet you when you get there.”

With that, he leaves the room, and once again, only MC remain.

I push out my chair and stand. “Listen to Sal, we can trust him, and I do with my life. This deal needs to happen quickly, and quietly. I know that you will do me proud. Now, let’s get another drink, and an early night so you can head off at dawn.”