Rust: A Bad Boy Romance (Courage MC) (8 page)

I
t was chaos
. Pure and total chaos. I held onto Rust as he ran through the smoke and rubble. Screaming was everywhere. Death surrounded us. And the imminent threat of violence followed us wherever we went. He burst through the back doors, running down a set of stairs. At the bottom, he hurriedly punched in a code and slammed the door open. The exchange of terrifying gun fire could be heard upstairs.

Gang war. Everything we had thought would happen had backfired right in front of us. At our own wedding celebration.

“Rust.” I moaned, still in shock. “What's happening?”

“Sit tight and stay quiet. I'll be back.” And with those words, he left me in the safe room alone.

“Rust!” I yelled. Nothing. No response.

I tried opening the door, but it was locked. All I could do was hope and pray. I grabbed my pistol and held it close to my heart.

Upstairs I could hear shouting and screaming. Rust’s shouts, then screaming. Then gunfire. Silence. More shouting.

And then I heard the footsteps coming closer.

Closer.

Closer.

The knob of the door turned. I held my gun out in front of me, shaking against the wall. “Who's there?” I called out. There was no response. The door clicked open.

“What the hell? Put that damn gun down!” That deep, smokey voice yelled.

“Rust!” I yelled, dropping my gun. “Oh, God!” I fell to the floor, exhausted and wrecked.

“Get up. We gotta get out of here.” he said, extending his hand.

“Bruce. Is he
okay
?” I asked him, eyes filled with tears. Everything had gone so wrong so quickly. I couldn't believe what I had just witnessed. Was this the start of a major war? It sure seemed like it.

“He's fine. He saved a lot of our men.” he said. “Come on, I'll explain on the way.” His arm was covered in blood. He had been shot, but it wasn't bad.

He saw me looking at the wound. “Don't worry. It's just a scratch. Nothing I can't take. I'm just glad you're okay.” He held me close as we quickly walked to his bike.

We got on the bike and sped off in haste. There were plans to be made, lines to be drawn, men to be briefed and armed. It was time to escalate things. Fuck.

When we arrived at Courage’s headquarters, Rust let me in on all the details. “Our plan worked, okay? I don't want you thinking that it was all in vain. What I didn't anticipate was the small backlash it would create between both crews. They decimated my club and killed over 15 of our men. And that's from both sides. Bruce is ready to launch an all out war. And he sure as shit doesn't want to see your face no more. But don't worry, you're not leaving my side. He's going to have to realize, we’re in this together.”

I sat on his bike still, stunned by the news. 15 of our men? I couldn't even believe it. “Who did it? Don? Tell me, Rust. I need to know!”

“It's bigger than that. People from our gang and yours. Don, of course, is behind a lot of it. But the Darkhorse gang heard about the whole thing and have taken advantage of the situation. They're claiming the attack as solely their own, but it’s everyone, Jackie. We’re going to have to take on a faceless enemy.”

“Who can we trust?” I cried. “Who?! Bruce? Fuck, Rust. This isn't good. This isn't good at all. I’m sorry, but I don't know if we should have gotten married.” I sat on the bike, hands against my forehead.

“Snap out of it and be the leader I saw tonight. I saved your life back there and I'll save it again if I have to. But don't you dare talk about giving up on this.” I looked up at him, tears in my eyes. I looked like shit. But there he was, talking about keeping this
thing
going. As crazy as it sounded, I didn't want to give up on this either. So I put on a pair of my big girl panties, wiped those tears from my eyes, and wrapped my arms around him.

“What the--” he exclaimed, startled by my reaction.

“I'm with you. Let's do this.” I kissed his cheek, feeling his 5 o’clock shadow against my lips.

“Don't get carried away now. I was just sayin’ you gotta buck up.” He blushed, letting me know he was on the same page as me. I let go of him and smiled, walking through the doors. Rust ran after me.

Inside sat Bruce and his captains, arms crossed. They looked like battle-hardened soldiers, covered in soot and dust, and they did not look pleased with me. “What the fuck is she doing here, Rust?” Bruce asked, knowing full well that whatever answer he gave them wouldn't be enough.

“Back off, Bruce. She's with me.” he said, lifting his shirt slightly, to let everyone know he was armed. It was a ballsy move, that's for sure, and I couldn't help but feel a certain warmth from his display of strength.

“Put your shirt down. Don’t embarrass yourself. We’re all armed. It ain’t a thing.” one of the captains said.

“It’s not Jackie’s fault. This wasn’t her plan. It was mine. So if anyone has to take the blame, it’s going to be me.” Rust said, grabbing a chair and sitting down. “But if you really want to figure this out, then let’s figure it out. Right here and now, as men.”

“As women.” I said, sitting beside Rust. The men couldn’t help but chuckle at that.

“Alright.” Bruce muttered. “We’ll hear what you have to say.”

Rust toyed with a piece of sawdust on the table and thought about the situation long and hard. It was a tough one, one without many answers. But we had to act fast. If the Darkhorse gang was really with Don now, they sure as hell were thinking of another plan of attack. We needed to be the next ones to strike.

And that’s when it hit me. “The drugs!” I exclaimed.

“The what?” Bruce asked, confused. “What do drugs gotta do with this?” Rust joined him in his confusion.

“The drugs.” I repeated. “That’s what this is all about. We gave you the high quality supplier in exchange for more access to buyers, like sellin’ in Rust’s club.”

“What’re you sayin’, woman? Spit it out.” A captain angrily muttered.

I gave him an annoyed look and continued. “We contact my manufacturer. Before they do. They’re going to need more money if they want to defeat us. The product is what brings in that money. More money equals more guns. More drugs, more guns, more power.”

Bruce’s eyes lit up. “So you’re sayin’ we control the land with the best drugs in town?”

“No.” I smiled. “I’m saying we tell the manufacturer to work with them.”

Bruce nearly fell back in his chair when heard me say that one. “What the hell?
Give
them the product? Why the fuck would we do that? Are you crazy? Rust, get this woman out of my sight!”

I stood up to defend myself. “Hear me out! They’re going to go to my guy anyway. And they’re going to threaten him with a bullet in his head.”

“So what? We’ll do the same, god dammit! We’re Courage. He won’t say no. He can’t.” Bruce yelled. “
Shit,
get this woman out of my sight.” His captains got up and grabbed my arms. I fought back.

“Sure, Bruce. You’re right. I’m not saying you’re not. But we can win this if you just listen to me!”

“Alright. Fine. I’m listening.” he said, waving away his captains. He was an angry leader, but an old leader as well. He was tired of fighting, tired of making these rash decisions. He wanted peace in a peaceless world. I actually respected the man quite a bit.

“Get the manufacturer to taint the product. Poison it, dilute it. Do whatever you have to do. Ruin the reputation of the Darkhorse gang. Obliterate the competition. Make the buyers come to us and win the war. Without weapons. Without death. Think about Johnny, Bruce.” That hit him hard. And I mean real hard.

Bruce stood up and walked up to me, staring at me right in the eyes. It was as if he was staring at my soul. He simply nodded. “It’s a good plan.” he said. “Solid. You know, I can’t believe I’m saying this shit to a woman, let alone some broad that’s married to Rust. But, you’re a leader. A
natural
leader. I respect that, I really do.”

I smiled wide. “Thank you, Bruce. We’ll win this one. I promise you that.” Rust looked like he was in shock. Did his boss just really call me a leader? Hell yes he did.

“Yeah, yeah. Just go and do the job. Report back to me when it’s finished. I’m counting on you, soldiers.” He gave us a salute and smiled, grabbing at a cigarette from his pack on the table.

“For Courage.” I said.

Bruce shook his head. “For Lane and the Hell’s Wheels. Let’s restore your name to the glory it once held.”

“
W
hat the hell
was that back there?” I asked her as we stepped outside, still in a state of disbelief.

“It’s called the woman’s touch. It’s one of the many powers we possess, Rust. Don’t you know we secretly rule the world?” She winked at me and stepped on the bike. “Get on. I’m driving this time.”

“Like hell you are. This is
my
baby.” He bent down and kissed my forehead, massaging my head, while holding me close. “But I’m proud of you. Don’t think I’m not. What you did back there was fucking incredible. And I know you’ll lead us to victory.”

She pushed her butt back against the leather seat and smiled, “We’ll both lead each other to victory. And when we do, you’re taking this ass in the back and tearing me apart. I want to feel you like I’ve never felt you before. You got that, sir?”

“Is that a fucking order?” I laughed.

“It is. And it’s practically the only thing I’m looking forward to.”

“Ay ay, captain.” I saluted.

I started the bike and zoomed around the corner. “Just go north, it’s not far from here. Past the Zapata Skull Mountains.”

“Dynamite road?” I asked her, making sure I knew where the hell I was going.

“Yeah. When you reach the end, there’s a medium sized shack on the left. That’s where he’ll be.”

“Got it.” I zoomed toward the mountains in the distance. From what I heard, a shoemaker’s wife went missing up there. They never found her. I never really paid any mind to it, but the mountain had been practically deserted for decades. The only people who lived there were meth heads and glue-huffers. It only made sense that her supplier lived up in that desolate rock.

When we finally hit the end of Dynamite Road, I saw our destination. It was an old wood shack, and it looked like it had been abandoned for years. Outside was a man, smoking a pipe, while wearing the clothes of a chemist. He took one look at us and shook his head, grabbing at a gun on the ground. He aimed it directly at my face as I pulled up.

“State your name!” he called out.

I raised my hands over my head and shouted, “Put down your weapon partner. We come in peace.”

Jackie stepped off my bike and yelled, “Well if it isn’t Glen Parkins.”

The man smiled. “In the fucking flesh!”

“Come here!” Jackie said, running and hugging the man. I was left in a state of confusion. Who the hell hugs the guy who makes your drugs? Then again, she
did
get the purest of the pure. Who was I to judge?

“Who’s this loser?” the man asked.

“Excuse me?” I said, putting my hand on my holster.

“HA-HA!” he cackled. His voice was raspy and thick, like it had been torn away from smoke, whisky, and the fumes of all those drugs he pushed. “I’m just messin’ with ya! Jeeze, this guy is somethin’ else, ain’t he?”

Jackie laughed and looked at me as if to say, “Just play along.” I shook my head and reluctantly took my hand off my gun holster. “We need to talk.” Jackie said.

“Talk? I hope it ain’t something serious. Regardless, let’s go inside. Feds are everywhere these days.
Everywhere
.” We walked up to his half-sunken in door and he opened it. There were rats, dust, and an old refrigerator. It didn’t make sense that this was the place Jackie got her drugs.

“What the hell? Where is everything? I thought you said this is where he cooks the product.” I scratched at my head, completely baffled.

The man laughed and pressed a button. Suddenly, the floor moved and opened up, revealing a hidden set of stairs leading down into the basement area. “Down here.” he said, winking.

Well I was flabbergasted, I’ll tell you that much. Truly bewildered. Jackie turned to me and whispered, “He worked on this place for nearly a decade. It’s a fucking work of art.”

We finally got to the bottom floor and I quickly realized just how big the place was down there. It was about the size of a bar. “Welcome to my humble abode.” he said with pride. It was state of the art, that’s for sure. Clean too. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“I normally don’t show this to people, obviously. But if you’re with Jackie, I trust you. Now, what’s on your minds? How can the doctor be of service?” He sat down in a chair and crossed his legs, adjusting his glasses.

Jackie stepped forward. “Things are dire with my crew and I need your help. My father’s dead.” she said. The man leaned forward and rubbed his eyes.

“What?” he asked. “Lane? Jesus fucking Christ. When were you going to tell me?”

“There hasn’t been time, Glen. There’s a war going on. A war within the ranks of Courage and Hell’s Wheels. Don has taken a sizable amount of my men and pitted them against me with the Darkhorse gang.”

“Does this have anything to do with that explosion I saw in the distance? Keep me out of this. I don’t want no part in a war. Looked like cops were having a field day with that one.” Glen sighed.

“Yeah, well, we have people to deal with all of that shit. Luckily, my name isn’t attached to the club. I just run it and take the money.” I said.

“Right.” Jackie said. “We just need a small favor from you. That’s it. If you come through on this, we’ll pay you double on the next three shipments.”

“Double?” I asked. “Who said that?” Jackie hit my arm to shut me up.

“Just tell me why you’re here.” Glen demanded.

Jackie perked up and smiled. “We need you to sell to the Darkhorse gang.” She said.

Glen took off his glasses and whispered, “Excuse me?”

“They’re going to find you. Don’s a captain. They know where you operate. And when they do get you, they’ll force you to sell to them. What you’re going to do is taint the product.” she said, crossing her arms.

“
Fuck
. I knew getting into this business with bikers was a risk, but I never thought I’d get mixed up in one your gangster turf wars…” he said, shaking his head with sorrow. “I never wanted to hurt anyone. Never. I can’t poison my stash. I can’t!” The prick actually started to sob.

I slapped him and got out my gun, holding it against his face. “Get ahold of yourself. Be a man!” I shouted. “It’s not like you were selling fruit and veggies to the people. You’re selling lethal drugs! Meth, speed, MDMA. You’re going to have to wise up. Because if you don’t, those Darkhorse bastards are going to control you for the rest of your life. Got me?” he nodded.

“I
got
you.” He angrily said. “And I’m going to help you out. But I ain’t doing it for you. I’m doing it for Lane. He was the most honest boss I had ever met. He was going to change things. Fuck, I can’t believe he’s gone.”

Jackie put her hand on his shoulder. “Well he is. He’s gone forever. And we can’t look back. We have to continue moving forward. You have my word that I’ll continue my father’s legacy. I’ll be a just leader, just like my father. I promise you that.”

“I know you will, Jackie. You were always a good kid growing up. You never faltered. Look, I’ll taint the shipment, but I won’t kill no customers. I have a formula. It’ll leave the user sick for three days maximum. That’s all I can offer. I don’t want any extra payment for it though. I don’t get paid for poison. Just make sure the Darkhorse learns their lesson. Those sons of bitches need to regret the day they tried to take over
this
town.”

I shook his hand. “You’re on the right side.” I said. “If we have our say, the Darkhorse will be gone for good. Thanks Glen.”

“Yeah, well. Don’t thank me until it’s all said and done. You never know what could happen. Shit, what if they just kill me? Then what?”

Jackie shook her head. “They won’t kill you. They need your recipe
and
expertise. Without that, they have nothing. You hold the power, Glen. Remember that.”

“I hold the power.” he whispered in understanding.