Roped (6 page)

“I saw them both go down,” Rocco assured him.

“Where the hell did the other two go?”

Rocco nodded to the west.

Jamie!

Tek’s grip tightened on his weapon, and without a thought for his own safety, he started to move to the west side of the warehouse.

Rocco grabbed the back of Tek’s jacket, halting him. “Where are you going?”

Tek glared at Rocco and yanked free. He was on a mission.

“Will you at least stay the fuck down,” Rocco pleaded. “Your mom will have my balls if I let something happen to you.”

“Then you better watch my back,” Tek countered, but he did follow Rocco’s orders to stick to the shadows and cover of the various cars, boxes, and machinery. He’d be no good to Jamie if he got a bullet in his head.

Tek stepped around a piece of junk, and his heart stopped in his chest along with his breath. Jamie was on his knees, hands behind his head, and some motherfucker who was about to die had the barrel of a gun pressed to Jamie’s temple. Tek saw red.

Just as he started to rush to Jamie’s side, his shirt was yanked back and a hand clamped over his mouth. He was going to rip Rocco to shreds.

“Stop! You’ll get yourself killed,” Rocco hissed against Tek’s ear.

“I don’t care. Let me go. I have to get to him,” Tek snarled, the words muffled by Rocco’s palm.

“A bullet will pass through his head and his brains will be splattered on the wall before you can make it halfway there,” Rocco said dangerously low against Tek’s ear, and he released Tek and shoved him. “So go on, get your stupid ass killed right along with your boy.”

Pain ripped through Tek’s chest, the agony driving him to his knees. The sobering reality of Rocco’s words enough to cut through the fog of rage, and Tek stopped struggling. The image of Jamie with a gun to his head, what that bullet could do was forever seared into Tek’s mind. He was trembling, breathless, and so goddamn scared. But he couldn’t give in to it. He had to shut down his emotions. There was no place for fear, anger, dread, or love. His heart rate returned to normal, his breath slowed, even the trembling in his limbs ceased as he pushed away all emotion. Locked it down in his gut behind his ironclad determination to save Jamie. He needed to concentrate, form a plan. Tek went cold.

“I know you’re in here, mother fuckers,” one of Jamie’s captors called out. “Show yourselves or your club is going to be less two members.”

Tek peeked around the corner. He’d been so focused on Jamie he’d forgotten Sully was with him. He spotted the other brother, also on his knees with a gun to his head. Tek couldn’t see Jamie’s face, but he could tell by the way Jamie was holding himself he was scared, his muscles tense and bulging. The picture was completely unlike Sully, whose face Tek could see. Sully was downright pissed.

Sully was a loose wire; perhaps insane was a better term. Tek had never seen fear on Sully’s face, doubted the stupid fucker had enough sense to be scared. It was only a matter of time before the crazy bastard got tired of being on his knees; his boredom would get someone killed. More than likely Jamie, since no matter the shit that went down, Sully always came out smelling like a rose. Well, Tek didn’t care if Sully came out smelling like a fucking rose garden. Tek would be damned if he’d let Jamie fertilize it. But he couldn’t see a way to get them out of there without surrendering, which would be suicide. Tek wasn’t stupid. He knew if they showed themselves and gave up their weapons, all four of them would be dead. It’s what would happen to anyone who stepped on their turf and tried to take over something that belonged to the Crimson VIII.

Tek turned and glared at Rocco. “This was your fucking idea, now how the hell are we going to get them out of this mess?”

“We go back the way we came and get the fuck out of here is what we do,” Rocco growled. “Dumbasses got themselves captured by dopers. They’re on their own.”

Before Tek could even think about the consequences, his hand shot out and he tightened it around Rocco’s throat. “You run and I will kill you myself.”

Rocco’s brows shot up, his eyes going wide, but the shock only lasted a second before he smirked. “I knew you had big balls. Guess we’re going with plan B.”

“Damn right we are,” Tek snarled. He wasn’t impressed with the tease or the test or whatever Rocco thought he was doing. He didn’t have time for bullshit. Every second that barrel was at Jamie’s head was a second something could go wrong. Unacceptable.

Tek didn’t wait for Rocco to come up with a plan. Tek had one of his own.

“You’re going to go that way,” Tek informed Rocco. “You’re going to make your way around to the other side of them and scream, jump up and down, do a fucking hula, I don’t care. Just cause a distraction. Make it loud.” Tek released his hold on Rocco and turned back to check on Jamie and Sully.

“And what the hell are you going to do?” Rocco inquired, sounding skeptical.

Tek didn’t care if Rocco had confidence in him or not. Tek knew what he had to do. More importantly, what he was willing to do. He let the cold he’d experienced earlier seep through him, welcomed it as it settled his nerves and brought him a strange kind of peace.

“I’m going to go make some dopers pay,” he said adamantly. He and Jamie were either walking out of this place or taking a one-way ticket to hell; whichever the outcome, they were going together. “Now go.”

Rocco studied him for a moment, searched Tek’s eyes. Tek didn’t blink, nor did he waver in his conviction. Obviously, Rocco saw it or realized it was a solid plan; hell, maybe he couldn’t think of a better plan.

Whatever conclusion Rocco came to, he nodded and held out his fist. “All eight.”

Tek bumped his fist against Rocco’s. “All eight.”

Rocco brought his gun to his lips and, with one last nod at Tek, headed back the way they’d come. Tek turned his attention back to Jamie and his captors. The asshole holding the gun on Jamie looked twitchy, constantly scanning the area, and Tek hoped like hell Rocco would make it quick. The other doper, the one with the gun on Sully, must have gotten high before they’d arrived. He looked bored.

“I’m going to give you to the count of ten,” Twitchy yelled out, still scanning the area.

Good, the ass still didn’t have any idea where he and Rocco were. Hopefully, that would play in their favor.

“One.”

Tek checked his weapon.

“Two.”

Tek trained his gaze on the back of Jamie’s head, pulled his knife from the sheath on his hip.

“Three.”

Three. Four. Five.
Each number ticked off was like a lightning strike to Tek’s soul. The urge to rush out into the opening and drop his weapon was huge, but somehow he managed to swallow it down. The panic and need tasted like a poisonous sludge that burned his throat and gut.

“Six.”

Tek’s muscles coiled, ready to spring, his eyes glued to the gun on his friend.

“Seven.”

At nine he would show himself. No way would he let the fucker get to ten and pull the trigger.

“Eight.”

“Oh shut the fuck up!” Rocco bellowed, gun trained on Jamie’s captor. “If you were going to shoot him you would have already done so, you stupid cunt.”

“Drop the weapon, or I’ll prove just how wrong you are. This piece of shit means nothing to me,” the doper spat.

Tek gritted his teeth, his hand tightening on the handle of the blade as the doper shoved Jamie’s head with the barrel of the gun. Tek had to hold on to the coldness for just a few more minutes, keep the rage in check until his hands were on the mother fucker who’d dared to threaten Jamie.

Tek watched intently as Rocco lowered his weapon but didn’t drop it. His gaze scanned back and forth between the two rivals.

“Drop your weapon and lace your fingers behind your head. Do it! Do it now!” Twitchy screamed.

Bored Guy no longer seemed so out of it. He inched his way around behind Sully, the gun to Sully’s head and his gaze on Rocco.
Good!
Tek figured he had mere seconds to put his plan into action. As long as Rocco kept them distracted, they had a shot of all four of them coming out of this alive.

Rocco held up his free hand in surrender and slowly set the gun on the floor. “I dropped it. Now take those goddamn guns away from their heads.”

“You’re in no position to tell me what to do,” Twitchy sneered. “Now, hands behind your head.”

Rocco did as he was ordered, and the moment his hands were behind his head, Twitchy made the mistake of aiming his weapon at Rocco. Tek moved. Keeping low and silent, Tek inched closer, scarcely breathing.

“Happy now?” Rocco taunted.

“Now tell your partner to step out, or the club is going to be looking for a new president.”

“Your dumb fucks got a lucky shot and took him out,” Rocco accused. “But I got my revenge, and they’ll soon be joined by your rotting carcass if you don’t turn my boys loose.”

Tek saw Jamie stiffen when he heard Rocco confess to Tek’s death. Tek could only hope Jamie was smarter than Tek was. If their places were reversed, Tek had no doubt he’d already have lunged for the bastard and ripped his throat out, demand an eye for an eye.
Keep talking, Rocco
. Tek crept up behind a garbage can, ignoring the banter between Rocco and Twitchy, his focus narrowed down to nothing but his goal.

If Twitchy or Bored turned their heads now, he was a dead man or worse…. No, he wasn’t going to think of that. Tek ripped his gaze from Jamie and looked toward Sully, who was watching Rocco with interest, a thoughtful look on his face.
C’mon, Sully, turn your head
, Tek pleaded silently. He just needed the man to notice him, and this would all be over.

It felt like forever, but in reality was probably only a few seconds before Sully finally looked Tek’s way. Tek nodded toward the man holding Sully, and Sully grinned, then blinked his eyes, obviously comprehending what Tek wanted him to do. Tek sheathed the knife, no longer having to worry about taking Bored out silently. Tek got into position and held up three fingers, lowering one at a time, and as he dropped the last one, Tek lunged.

Bored screamed, causing Twitchy to take his concentration off Rocco, but it was too late. Tek had his hand wrapped around Twitchy’s wrist, twisting and rendering him unable to shoot at anyone; with his other hand, he brought his weapon up to Twitchy’s head.

“Your first mistake was counting,” Tek snarled. “Now drop the gun.” He shoved the barrel hard against Twitchy’s temple, emphasizing the seriousness of his words.

Bored continued to scream in agony. Tek didn’t dare take his focus off Twitchy long enough to see what Sully had done to the man. Tek didn’t care. The coldness dissipated, burned off by the fire of rage. This asshole had dared to touch Jamie.

The distinct sound of metal hitting the concrete floor alerted Tek to the fact that Twitchy had followed his orders, and relief surged through Tek. The four of them would be making it out of there after all.

“You lying bastard,” Jamie howled at Rocco as he picked up Twitchy’s gun. “I should shoot you my damn self for making my heart stop like that!”

“Like what?” Rocco asked with a shrug.

“Don’t you ever kid about Tek being dead,” Jamie snapped and then turned his gaze on Tek. The fear, sadness, and pain still swirling in Jamie’s eyes made Tek’s breath hitch.

“It worked,” Rocco said unapologetically and moved over to inspect the man writhing in pain.

“It’s okay, Jamie, I’m fine,” Tek said gently. “Did this piece of shit hurt you?”

Jamie shook his head. “I heard the gunfire, and I tried to get to you. I forgot to watch my back. I’m so sorry, Tek.”

“Jesus, I had heard you two were fucking fags for each other,” Twitchy spat.

Tek stiffened.

“Next time I catch you with your back to me, I’ll make sure my gun is up your ass rather than against your head.”

The rage that had been burning in his gut roared and raced through Tek’s system. The thought of this man ever getting another chance at Jamie consumed him, and he whispered, “There won’t be a next time.”

He pulled the trigger.

Tek’s ears rang with the explosion of bullet to flesh as he let the dead man slump to the ground without taking his gaze from Jamie’s. There was no room inside him for remorse, no care for the man at his feet. He would remove any and all threats to keep Jamie safe.

Lies and secrets are the only way wrongdoers can continue to thrive. Born into a brotherhood, I was taught loyalty and sacrifice. I’ve discovered they are only pretty words to mask the ugly truth. No matter how you say them, wrap them up in a pretty bow of honor, they are still lies and secrets. I was no better. I was a believer in the pretty words, the fancy dressing. I thought that some things were best kept secret.

I was wrong.

With secrets there is always guilt. The very word secrecy means evasion: evasion of truth?

The guilty conscience needs to confess and as I’ve learned—should.

Tek Cain

C
LEANING
UP
the mess at the warehouse had been easy. Jamie had helped Sully gather and load all the weapons they could find while Rocco had sent the sole survivor of the Bangers back to his club with a warning and Sully’s knife still stuck in his nut sac. The explosion Tek had set made sure the only evidence the authorities would find was twisted wreckage and dirt.