Resonance (Marauders #4) (25 page)

The thought had just barely crossed my mind when a big, nasty looking guy came up to me, and he was smiling. A weird smile I didn’t know how to interpret.

“You that boy Tommy’s old lady?”

“Uh, yeah, I think so.”

“Think?”

“I’m not sure how you know if you’re an old lady or not,” I admitted. Not that I had thought much about it, but I realized that having that label given the situation would be a good thing, and I should’ve just answered his damn question with a clear ‘yes.’ Thankfully, the nasty looking guy saved me, since he seemed to be thinking the same thing.

“But you are his woman?”

“Yes.”

“If someone asks you if you’re a guy’s old lady, I recommend answering the question with a yes. Especially when it’s like this; a full house of men on edge, desperate to let out some steam.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. You know Tommy?”

“Just a little. They were up visiting us a while back. He didn’t mention an old lady then.”

“It’s recent. I’ve known him for a long time, but we weren’t a couple until a while back.” I held out my hand. “I’m Billie.”

“Dig,” he answered. “That man over there, someone said he’s your father. Marine?”

“Air Force.”

“And you’re?”

“Navy. Former.”

“Military family,” he said with a smile as he let go of my hand. “I heard you saved Brick’s old lady.”

“Actually, I think it technically was my mom who did. She’s good with guns.”

Dig laughed. “Damn, you remind me of my family. My mom was…” he shook his head. “Bless her soul, but she was the best woman I’ve met.”

“Do you have an old lady?”

“Naw. I had a wife, but we divorced soon after I got my discharge. I was a mess. You know, like a lot of us are. She couldn’t handle it, and I couldn’t handle her not being able to handle it. Get what I mean?”

I did. I’d heard more than one story similar to Dig’s. It was one thing dealing with your husband being away, but a completely different thing handling a man looking like your husband coming back, but realizing it wasn’t the same man as the one who had left.

“How’s Tommy handling it?” he asked. “He stable?”

“Yes,” I answered.

I wouldn’t have answered anything but ‘yes’ no matter the circumstances, this wasn’t the kind of environment where you wanted your weaknesses exposed, but in Tommy’s case it seemed true enough. I hadn’t noticed many nightmares or any flashbacks. He wasn’t much for talking about what had happened, but he didn’t avoid it, either. Any resentment he had was about how veterans were treated, but not against what he’d done or who he’d done it with. He seemed proud of what he’d achieved while in service.

“You never asked me,” Dig pointed out with a smile. “What I did.”

I pointed at his First Recon tattoo. “Didn’t have to. Is that why you’re here?”

He smiled. “Ask your old man.”

“Ah,” I nodded. “Not butting in. Sorry.”

“You’ll learn,” he said. “There’s hierarchies here just like in the army. Just one of the reasons why a lot of former military men like these clubs. Gives us some order even after we’ve left. That, along with feeling generally overlooked by society despite of what we’ve done for the country. I’m sure you know all about it.”

“Yeah. I work at a private Veterans’ Center for Women—or, mostly for women—so I know what you mean.”

“The one in Phoenix?”

“Yes.”

“I read about it. For women who’ve been raped while in service—isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Mostly women, you said?”

“We have some… groups for men, too. Statistically there’s a larger number of women who’ve been raped, but in plain numbers there are more men.”

He nodded. “There are fucked-up people everywhere. The army isn’t an exception.”

“No,” I laughed. “Certainly not.”

I didn’t want to get into a discussion about it, and I didn’t think I would. He’d already drawn his own conclusions, and he was probably dead on. It didn’t bother me, but I didn’t want to talk about it, either.

Dig looked at me and nodded. “Feeling better?”

The surprise made me laugh. I hadn’t realized that was what he’d been doing. He’d been making me talk to calm me down.

“Yeah. Thank you.”

“No worries. And don’t worry about this,” he said and nodded towards the rest of the room. “They all know who you are, and they know to stay away. You’ll be fine.”

“Rationally, I know that, but…”

“Rationally, everyone knows that the man with a deep bass voice is your dad, and he’s got a big gun. And it’s pretty obvious he knows how to use it.”

I laughed. “That’s actually more comforting than some invisible shield being Tommy’s woman provides.”

We both turned towards the door when we heard the bikes outside. Dig stood up.

“I think that’s my cue.”

“I think so, too. Hey, Dig,” I added when he started towards the door, and he turned around. “Thanks again.”

“Yeah,” he shrugged. “Still not convinced about this club, but I respect your man. He knows what’s important.”

I thought about it when he’d left. Tommy was in the middle of the group, and Dad talked to them briefly. He didn’t seem to be looking for me, but I understood. Like Dig had said, Tommy knew what was important, and he knew I’d be safe where I was.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

I’ll Be Here

~oOo~

WHEN THEY CAME BACK, Clyde had left the roof, but said he’d ordered the others around to make sure the clubhouse was secure. Brick had just joined them when Clyde gave the report.

“How the fuck did you do that?” Mace asked. “I mean, why did they listen to you?”

“I’ve given people orders for over thirty years. I got the hang of it. And when things are in the air, people are looking for someone who seems to know what needs to be done,” Clyde answered. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can do.”

“Is he for real?” Bear asked.

“Trust me, if he gives an order, you listen,” Tommy answered. “And if it involves his daughter and grandson, he’s not afraid to do it, either.”

“Mitch needs ten minutes to get the blueprints for the house,” Brick said. “Then we meet in the chapel.”

Tommy knew Brick would’ve wanted to leave immediately, but he was glad he had the sense to let them plan it a little before they left. Eliza wouldn’t be any safer if they all died while trying to rescue her.

“Tell him I need the prints for the surrounding buildings and an overview of the street, too,” Tommy said. Mech nodded and went to let Mitch know.

Ten minutes later, they were all gathered. Tommy had never seen Brick as silent as he was, and he didn’t think anyone in the room blamed the man for not being able to think straight. He’d had the brains to hand off the reins to Bear, who’d stepped up in a way Tommy hadn’t expected. It was the first time he’d realized that Brick and Bear were always on the same page, Bear just left the ordering to his President, just like any good right hand should do. But this time he’d stepped up, and he was just as good as Brick usually was.

“I have the blueprints,” Mitch said. Just like Mac, he was also a bit thrown off. It was their baby sister they were looking for, after all.

“Tommy, have a look at them,” Bear said.

This was not Tommy’s strong suit. He knew how to act, he knew the basics, and he’d planned a few similar assignments. But in truth, he’d trusted Zach to tell him when he was off. Before he had time to say anything, they were interrupted by a knock on the door.

It was Niu and her massive black bodyguard.

“I have some information that could be of value to you,” she said. “But if you want it later, I can wait outside.”

“No,” Brick said.

“It’s a cartel. So you can expect trained men from Special Forces—at least some of them.”

Tommy took a deep breath, and he looked at Ahab and Slug. Dig lit a smoke and scratched his head.

“How many?” Ahab asked.

“I’d say ten to fifteen,” Niu answered.

“Why are they here?” Brick asked her.

“Because you are our main contact in the Marauders. They have simultaneously attacked five of our most important business contacts in different cities. And they’ve gone after the women of the leaders. The old analogy of cutting off the head, I suspect.”

“In the same way?” Bear asked.

“Yes,” she answered.

“What equipment do they have?” Tommy asked. “Besides guns?”

“Besides the normal weapons, including automatic weapons, I’d say tear gas, and possibly some explosives.”

“Would they have rigged the house?”

“I asked them, but they hadn’t. The explosives were for the clubhouse, but it hadn’t been placed yet.”

“Tear gas,” Sisco muttered. “I fucking hate it.”

“Cough and spit,” Tommy said. “And don’t rub your eyes. Or preferably shoot them before they get to use it.”

“Cough and spit?” Mace asked. “They train you on how to fight tear gas?”

“Yes. We need to be able to shoot even if they use it.” He looked at the blue print. “There are three entrances. These two are facing each other. We need to be in constant communication so we don’t end up shooting each other, and then we go through the place room by room. When you attack in a room, you spread out to an L formation to avoid that, too. We’ve practiced this, so you know what to do.”

He kept looking at the blueprints, and after he’d sighed, Dig got up to stand next to him.

“You thinking teams?” he asked. “Decide how many and what sections they’ll cover.”

“Three teams,” Tommy decided.

“Sounds good,” Dig confirmed, and Tommy relaxed when he realized someone could set him straight if he did something way off. So he continued.

“One of them bigger so it can split up to two smaller teams as they check the downstairs rooms. One team that goes directly to the top floor, and a smaller team watches the stairs, and follows them as soon as things calm down downstairs. We need to spread out through the entire building as fast as possible. You need to move fast, and you need to
talk
the entire time.”

“You got his,” Dig said and went to sit back down.

“Nmembe and Stefano can go with you,” Niu said. “They are trained. Nmembe as a sniper.”

Nmembe nodded at Tommy.

“If I can come with a suggestion?” Nmembe said and looked at Brick and Bear, who both nodded. Nmembe pointed at Tommy. “He should lead the team up to the second floor. If you trust me, I lead one of the teams on the first floor. You need two more team leaders, since one of the groups will split up. Communication between team leaders.”

“Fuck,” Mace muttered. “This is starting to sound like a really fucking advanced military operation.”

“We’re facing military,” Bear said. “I think we need to be a bit more precise than we usually are. Where is it most likely that they have Eliza?”

“Depends,” Tommy answered. “If they want to keep her as guarded as possible, or if they want to be able to get her out as fast as possible.”

“I’m asking what you think, Tommy,” Bear said.

“Second floor,” he answered and looked at Nmembe, who nodded. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Dig and Ahab nodding as well.

“I agree,” Nmembe said

He hoped that Brick wouldn’t ask why he thought that, because the reason was simply that they weren’t interested in taking Eliza anywhere. Whatever they had planned for her, they’d most likely already done. This wasn’t about holding her as a hostage, simply a provocation to get the attention of the cartel and cripple the Marauders. A way to divide and conquer.

“Then I’m going with you to the top floor,” Brick said to Tommy.

“Are you sure?” Bull asked. “I mean, I get that she’s your daughter, but do you really want to see that?”

“It’s my fault she’s there. The least I can do is see what I’ve caused.”

“Maybe that’s why you shouldn’t see it,” Bear started, but one look from Brick made him shrug. “Okay.”

“We’ll need to keep a few guys here,” Tommy said. “I suggest putting them under Clyde. He’ll make sure this place is safe.”

“I agree,” Bear said with a tired smile. “Four nomads are here in about twenty minutes, and they’re bringing two guys from a club we’ve worked with a few times before. Russ knows them. We leave two of the nomads here, let Russ decide who, and Wrench and Roach, too.”

Neither Wrench nor Roach protested. They went through the rest of the plan. Nmembe, Dig, and Ahab filled in when they thought it was necessary. Once everyone seemed to be on board with the plan, Brick spoke up.

“Go get ready. As soon as the nomads are here we’re leaving.”

Tommy stayed at the table with Brick and Bear, since he wanted to go over a few things. He was surprised and slightly annoyed when Ahab stayed behind. When the rest of them were out, Ahab stood up.

“I think it’s better if I stay behind here. I’ll let the old general run the show, that’s not it, but, dude, you want Roach with you, and he wants in.”

“Why?” Brick asked.

“If, god forbid, they’ve done shit to her, he’s the one you want there. He can handle it.”

“You don’t think I can?”

“I don’t think any of us can even imagine it, but he can. I know he’s young, and I know you don’t trust him, or me for that matter, but for this, I’m telling you that you can trust him to be able to handle it.”

Brick started at Ahab for a long time, and then sighed. “Street kid, huh?”

“Yeah. He knows the score about what happens at places like that.”

Tommy understood what they were all implying, and if it was true, there could be some value with having Roach with them, but it was a matter of getting to Eliza, too. He knew that both Ahab and Slug, and the New York charter, had all talked about Roach as someone who could take care of himself. Tommy didn’t doubt that, but it wasn’t just about taking care of oneself, you had to have the back of your mates, too. In the end, it was Brick’s call, and if Brick decided Roach was going with them, he was, and Tommy would deal with it.

“We’ll bring Roach, but you’re coming with us, too. One of the guys from the other club can stay behind.”

“I’ll find Nmembe,” Tommy said. “With his help, I can make sure we get the upper hand before we go into the house.”

~oOo~

THE MEN HAD COME back about half an hour earlier, but from the looks of it, they were on their way again. Tommy was talking to four men who had just arrived, and I hadn’t had the chance to talk to him. Mom had taken charge of the kids and had decided they needed to be kept away from the bar, so they were currently playing in the gym. I wasn’t convinced that was the best place for a bunch of kids, but I had to agree with her that the bar wasn’t a good place for them, either. Everyone was on edge and scared. Even if the kids probably still knew something was going on, it was best to keep them away from the worst tension.

I was standing next to Dad when Brick came up to us. I’d spent a lot of time with Brick, especially at the hospital after the transplant, and at all times he’d had the shadow of a smile on his lips and in his eyes. He didn’t know, and it wasn’t strange.

“I’m putting you in charge here,” Brick said to Dad. “It goes against pretty much fucking everything I believe in, but I think you can keep these people safe better than anyone else here.”

“I’ll keep them safe,” Dad said. “Just don’t get the wrong idea. I’m doing this for my family, not because I have any interest in joining.”

“The thought never crossed my mind,” Brick said with a tired smile. Then he looked at me. “Thank you. I know you saved my wife, and I owe you for that.”

“She would’ve done the same if she could.”

Brick gave me a nod and left to go talk to Mel.

I knew the guys probably knew what they were doing, and I was guessing they had a pretty good idea of what was going on, but they kept it to themselves. I needed to understand, so I hooked Dad’s arm with mine and took him to a corner of the room where we could talk in private. I wanted his view of what was happening. I had never, in my entire life, met anyone who understood warfare and strategies as well as he did.

“Do you understand this?” I asked. “Why… what are they doing. Not these guys, but… the others. Why this?”

“They’re provoking them, or are using them to provoke someone else. Either way, it’s bait to draw them out.”

I looked at the men gearing up for battle. “How bad is it that they’re taking the bait?”

“If they were taking the actual bait, it would be really bad. Remember, in my book the third rule of war is to never give the enemy what he wants.”

I didn’t ask him what the first rule was because I knew: Be prepared. And by that he meant be prepared for anything and at all times. The second rule was: Stay cool. Basically, don’t lose your head, always stay calm and calculating, and don’t act when agitated. From where I was standing, it looked like the Marauders were breaking those rules and a few of the other rules Dad had, too, all in one go.

“What makes you think that this isn’t the actual bait?” I asked. “They must have a hunch they’re coming.”

The enemy had taken the leader’s daughter. To me that seemed like quite the fucking bait. What better way to make sure they went ballistic than kidnapping the princess? If I remembered my lectures in war history correctly, which I was pretty sure I did, it seemed like the kind of thing people had done since the Dark Ages—and before that. And they must have been missing the four men who were coming for us, which meant they knew the Marauders probably had an address. It was either bait, or they had pawns lined up ready to be sacrificed just to prove a point.

“It’s
a
bait,” Dad said, “but not the one they wanted. If they’d taken all of you, it would’ve affected the main part of the group. And I don’t think they took into account that Bear is perfectly capable to stand in for Brick. From what I can tell, half of the men here wouldn’t have thought it, but he’s in control. This has taken the leader out of the mix for a while, but as top run as they might seem, the people under Brick have his back for a while.” Dad put an arm around me. “The others are keeping their head cool. And this isn’t about going into battle. They’re bringing her back, and if they’re smart, they’ll collect themselves once they have. I think they all know what’s going on.”

“But wherever they’re going, they’ll be expected?”