Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 270(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 270(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
“Problem?” I don’t know why I ask. I usually show zero interest in how things run around here. Unless something bigger is happening, and if that’s the case, I’d bet it’s linked to the Pipefitters. They are popping up more lately and trying to push in on areas. That won't be good for anyone. They have no real code or rules.
Clark slowly swings away from the window and then leans one hip against the table. His uniform jacket is slightly askew, and there’s dirt along the hem. He might as well have stripped nude in front of us—that’s how shocking his appearance is.
“Got knocked around a bit, I heard.” He looks me over, but I don’t really appear too banged up.
“Nothing I haven’t recovered from before.” He nods, satisfied with his own visual inspection.
“We’re acquiring Rico’s strip club along the riverfront,” I announce.
“Because he beat on your girl?”
I’m not surprised that Clark knows. It’s his job to know everything about all of us, but it’s still irritating. The more people that know how much Andy means to me, the greater the danger. “Something like that.”
“We don’t have a lot of extra manpower.” He gestures toward the half empty front room. “And it’s not a business that brings in enough money that the big guys would be willing to lend any muscle.”
I look to Bam for the go-ahead. He has no reason to fight with me other than that’s what he’s always done. The side of his mouth quirks up, and he gives me a wink. “I’m all in, brother.”
I return my gaze to Clark and repeat, “We’re all in.”
Clark waves us off. Once we’re out of the laundromat, Bam can’t keep it in. “What the fuck was that?”
“Clark?” I ask.
“Yeah. The dude was… disheveled.”
“I have no idea. Do you think recruitment is down?” It has to be Pipefitter bullshit. That’s the most logical thing.
“I haven’t paid much attention,” he admits. “Looking for your ass and reading to Julie has occupied my time.”
“And I can’t really see past Andy.” I don’t have the bandwidth to figure this puzzle out, though, not when the fight with Rico needs all of my attention.
We arrive just after the bar opens. His Tesla is parked in the back. Bam keeps a watch out while I pry open the electric charger portal and pour salt water onto the circuit. I pop the trunk with a jack and then pour more salt water onto the 12 volt battery connections.
Once that’s done, we move to the back entry. I pick the criminally simple lock, and we’re inside the hallway that leads to Rico’s office. The bodyguard is standing at the opening of the hall, his back to us. Bam again keeps watch while I check the office. Rico looks up when I open the door.
“What the hell?” He looks confused, switching his gaze from me to somewhere to the left of the door where the bodyguard is probably standing. I slam the door wide. The muffled yelp of pain on the other side makes me smile. I’m starting to get my glow on.
Rico reaches underneath his desktop, probably searching for a gun. I leap over the desk and take him backwards onto the floor. I hear another grunt and then a thud followed by Bam’s cheerful voice. “Didn’t see me coming, did you?”
There’s a gurgled response, but I can’t make out the words. I grin at Rico, whose throat is between my hands. “Should’ve killed me when you had the chance,” I say. “Now you’re Riders’ meat.”
I reach behind me and find the hand gun he was going to use. I release the clip from the handle and kick it away. “This is for Andy.” I bash the steel barrel against his temple. He thuds, unconscious, against the floor. “Heads up,” I yell, and toss the emptied gun to Bam. He catches it with one hand and uses it to knock out the guard.
In the bottom desk drawer, I find a metal box of cash. I stuff the money into my pockets and then look around the room for the safe.
“Here we go,” Bam says, pushing a table aside to reveal a biometric lock.
I drag Rico over to the wall and slap his hand against the sensor. It whirs, and then the door pops. Just then, the office door flies open, and in the entry stand two burly guards. Bam and I step aside and gesture to the open safe. “We can fight or you can have this.”
The two guards take in the situation with a single sweep. “We can have all of the money and take you two punks out.”
“Or we all fight, some get injured, and the rest of the Riders show up to wipe the floor with you. Seems like the best play is to take the money and run,” I advise.