ICE
“Fuck, you weren’t kiddin’,were you?” Shadow says beside me. We’re sitting on the outside parameters of Winslow’s house. It’s crawling with security guards and dogs. You’d think that this man is a millionaire the way he has this place set up. I’m pretty sure we can all conclude that Governor Winslow’s son is running something on the side, and judging by the maps we secured from this McMansion-like setup, the tunnels would give him the perfect opportunity. The only thing we don’t know is what trade he’s in. Even Massimo’s reach and connections can’t figure it out.
“Told you it wasn’t a one-man job.” If I were able to get Winslow one on one, this shit would have been done weeks if not months ago, well before Crush was released. As it sits right now with the amount of firepower he has, it’s like the President of the United States when he makes a State of the Union Address. Shit just ain’t adding up.
“Not sure I’ll be gettin’ in there either; we might have to tap into his system and do a shutdown. Even then it’s goin’ to take more than two guys, which means we’ll need even more backup than we have here in Louisiana,” Shadow states. I smile because shit, that’s going to make for one fuck of a good time.
“Yeah, think the Texas chapter wants to wade into our shit for some fun?” I ask, not needing the answer because all of us brothers have each other’s back no matter the distance.
“I think that’s a pretty easy assessment to make. With our group, they’ll make it a family affair.” My eyes are locked on what’s going down below us. The binoculars with their heat cell thermal-imaging have me counting out how many guys are there, machine guns at the ready, while mentally dropping them like flies. I’d bet my left nut that these fuckers have never seen combat, and judging by the way they’re carrying their guns, I’m thinking they don’t even know how to use one either.
“You wanna call it a night or call it in to see what we should do from here? I’m good with either. You shut down the system, and I’ll deal with security, then we can bring him in.” Personally, I like my idea. If I were a one-man show, that’s exactly what I’d be doing. That’s not the case, though, and I know we’ll be leaving empty-handed no matter the outcome.
“Gonna make the call. Sit tight.” We’re in the woods; dropped the bikes off in a covered area and made the trek by foot so we didn’t give anyone a clue that we were so close. I’m sure even though Barry boy here may not have his daddy as a governor anymore, that doesn’t mean the boys in blue aren’t bought and paid for. Hell, you’d be an idiot not to, and we would have done the same if Winslow and his father hadn’t done it first. Though the governor isn’t that anymore, apparently, Massimo worked fast when it came to his fall from grace, finding everything out we needed, exploiting the fact that he’s not so husbandly and likes to dabble in extra-marital affairs as well as gambling the state’s money away. So, how his son can maintain his without daddy’s money, it’s very fuckin’ telling.
“Yeah, you go back to family time. We can call Church tomorrow. I know what it’s like havin’ my kids home, so go enjoy it,” Shadow tries to stay quiet, but the chuckle that comes out isn’t one that can be muffled.
“Time to pack it up. It’s goin’ to the table, along with a phone conference with Texas.” I start putting my shit away, like the long-range scope along with the gun. Having a military background will do me plenty of favors once we figure out what all will be happening.
“Figured that’d happen. Not so sure it’d have been smart with just the two of us. Those guys down there don’t look like they’re a day past puberty. It’d be askin’ for a war.” I don’t ask what all was said on the phone; not that our Prez must be feelin’ good enough to get Shadow to break a smile and talk about whatever they were over the line. The part that really sucks is that I’m done early; my woman is clearly at her parents’ place, and I need to choose between my place off club property or use my room in the clubhouse.
“That’s pretty much what Rage said. Also has his girl home. He’s attemptin’ to keep her under his roof for the night. Not sure if that’ll happen. Collins isn’t like Sedona; she may be goin’ to school, but my girl is home to shower and sleep. Half the time, I get a mumbled hi and good night. Collins, on the other hand, they raised her to be completely independent, and now it’s backfirin’.” Shadow isn’t wrong, but they also don’t see the days when Collins needs to feel needed, too. It’s not my place to air her dirty laundry, and besides, we’re holding back from the club. I know telling them will set off a chain of events that I’m not looking forward to.
“Yeah, I could imagine.” Never thought I’d have a woman by my side, let alone kids. Still not too sure on the kid department, but if Collins were part of the equation, I’d think about it.
“You ready?” Shadow didn’t have as much to pack up, considering he didn’t bring anything up, relying on my gear.
“Yep, think I’ll head home tonight. It’s been a long day, and the noise from the clubhouse isn’t gonna help me catch up on the shuteye.” I was able to get a nap in after Church, but it wasn’t much. The way the recruits storm in and out, slamming the mop buckets against the wall, I might as well have gone to the shop, which is what I did after about an hour.
“Glad I built my place on property. You rethinking buying your house away from club property?” he asks as we walk back towards our bikes.
“Nope. Cops can’t touch the place. It doesn’t even have my name attached to it. It’s untraceable. Win-fuckin’-win.” Not to mention the fact that it came with a detached garage, being able to hide Collins’ car from anyone who could pop by.
“Still not sure how you managed that, lucky fucker.” The club knows they can use my source; they just haven’t needed to yet. I’m sure one day soon, I’ll have to make the call, but until then, I just leave it be. We remain silent, even though I’m ready to pull my phone out and tell Collins there’s been a change of plans. Guess I’ll be sleepin’ alone tonight. That’s gonna fuckin’ suck.