Resonance (Marauders #4) (28 page)

“We didn’t see this coming. Why we didn’t, I don’t know, but I can tell you that two of my sisters are missing. One in Mexico, and the other was last seen in New York, my brother, Roberto’s right hand man—I believe you’ve met him—is dead, and there are some people higher up in the chain who are missing and probably dead, too. So let me assure you, we are
all
very eager to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

There was a dead silence in the room after Niu’s heated speech.

“Okay,” Brick said. “What will happen next?”

“We’re at war. This set it off, but it has been moved to Mexico, and I’m sure most of it will take place there, at least initially. Right now, everyone is collecting their people around them; I’m going there, too. I’m sure you understand that I can’t make any guarantees, but I can assure you that
any
indication we have of that changing, you’ll know. This was an attempt to cut off our supply lines, both for weapons and our income, something I’m sure you’ve already figured out.”

Brick’s only response was a nod. Niu’s blank face when Nmembe tortured a man had been scary, but now he was seeing another side of her. The woman radiated authority in a way he’d previously only seen in generals. Her entire body demanded their respect, but, despite what he’d seen earlier, she wasn’t frightening. It was more as if it was natural to her that men almost twice her size did whatever the fuck she told them to do—which they probably did. Considering she was a woman in a fairly high position in a cartel, it was probably more or less required of her to act the way she did, but he still found it impressive.

“How big would you say the risk is that they’ll try again?” Mitch asked.

“At the moment, they’re gathering their armies in Mexico just as we are. They’re creating a wall around them, since they’re expecting retribution. Our organization is bigger than theirs. Not by much, but still bigger. This was their attempt to gain the advantage. It’s in our interest to keep your organization intact, not mainly due to my father’s respect for you, or that we’ve been in business for so long, but because without the money our trade brings in, we lose this war. War is expensive. So again, I can assure you: any indication of problems heading your way, we will warn you and assist as much as we can. What we need you to do in return, is keep your end of the bargain and deliver our goods.”

“Will shipments be a problem?” Bull asked. “As in, will you be able to get the amounts over the border?”

“Yes, and you’ll be the first to find out if that changes. Obviously, it’s a priority. As I said, wars are expensive. Money will be a priority, which means your shipments are a priority.”

Brick gave her another nod, and he raised an eyebrow when she approached him, holding her hand in front of her. He took it, and holding his hand, she put her other hand on top of his.

“I truly am sorry for Eliza, Brick. Let me know if there’s anything we can do other than doing our best to assure nothing happens to you or your family again.”

It was a surprising gesture, one Tommy hadn’t expected, and he could see that Brick appreciated it.

“Thank you.” He turned his eyes to Nmembe, still holding Niu’s hand. “And thank you.”

Nmembe simply gave him a nod.

“I’ll leave you to discuss now,” Niu said after letting go of Brick’s hand. “I will be in touch shortly, and I’ll be back as soon as we have a more set plan for both the war and how we will communicate. I’m sure you understand that we’ll have to be even more careful than usual from now on.”

“I have a question,” Bull said, and Tommy hoped Bull, for once, managed to be diplomatic. “Why is he changing contact now? I know you’re his daughter, but you must understand how this looks from our point of view. Anyone else and I’d be really fucking suspicions.”

‘That would be a ‘no’ on the diplomacy,’ Tommy thought to himself with an inward sigh.

“I know how this looks,” she answered, “which is why I’ve asked him to contact you in person. The reason is that he’s in charge of all major operations in the cartel now. We lost some key members yesterday.”

She left the room, and Tommy couldn’t help notice the looks Mitch and Mac were exchanging. Then Mitch turned to Brick.

“Do I think they’re fighting among themselves while they’re fighting a war?” Brick mumbled, and Tommy realized he was lost again. Those guys always had discussions he couldn’t even begin to follow. “I don’t know if it was planned or if they just took the shot. Or if it was coincidence.”

“How high up was he before?” Mac asked.

“Pretty fucking high up,” Bear answered. “I don’t think it would take that many of them.”

“Once again for those of us who almost took the short bus to school,” Mace sighed. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“If Roberto’s sudden promotion is by design or a coincidence,” Brick answered in a tired voice.

“You think the entire ‘attacking our allies’ was just a covert operation to hide the fact that he’s taking over the organization?” Ahab asked, since he was apparently smarter than Tommy, and the realization annoyed him.

“He’s not in charge, so if that’s the case it probably wasn’t his plan,” Bear answered. “But if that’s the case, and he’s still alive, he was in on it.”

“Fuck,” Mace muttered.

“Would they do that?” Roach asked. “Sell us out?”

“Without a doubt,” Brick answered.

“And if that is the case?” Sisco asked. “Where does that leave us?”

“It would mean there’s not an actual war,” Mitch answered. “So as soon as they’re settled in their new positions, the ‘war’ will be over and it’ll be business as usual. It would also mean that our old ladies and kids are disposables as far as they’re concerned.”

“How will we know?” Tommy asked, stunned by the idea that the people they worked for might’ve done it all in an attempt to hide killing their own just to be able to take over the organization.

“We’ll know if the war continues,” Brick answered. “Not sure what the fuck I hope the outcome of this will be.”

“There’s a third option,” Mitch said. “They knew it was coming and just seized the opportunity. But it would still mean that we’re disposable since they didn’t warn us. In that case, we’ll probably never find out.”

“Unless the war ends tomorrow, which would be a pretty clear indication, then we won’t find out either way,” Brick said and stood up and turned to Mitch. “I want you in on all the meets with that woman. You need to get to know her and learn how to read her. It’ll be easier for you if you’re with me initially.”

There had been hints, small indications, but Tommy didn’t think Brick had ever been so clear about his intentions to let Mitch take over. There would be a vote, of course, but he couldn’t imagine anyone voting against Mitch. He was the obvious choice. Still, he didn’t like the idea of Brick stepping down. What the Greenville Marauders was, and to some extent the entire club, was in big part due to Brick.

No one commented on what had been said, and Brick gave Mitch and Mac hugs.

“I need to get going. They didn’t think the surgery would take long.”

They’d all known shit was coming, but they’d all thought that the shit would be because the European Smiling Ghouls were about to detach themselves from the US Ghouls. Even the cartel knew that one was coming, but Tommy assumed that any such plans would have to wait. The cartel’s involvement had been vital in those plans.

Brick left, and Tommy looked around at the others. They all looked like he felt. Not defeated, not scared, but something else. Determination, he decided. They were determined. No matter what was coming, they’d deal with it, and they’d deal with it together.

“I need shuteye,” he said and stood up. “Any idea how long the lockdown will continue?”

“We’ll wait to hear from Roberto, but I’d say people can go home later today,” Bear answered. “Judging by what Niu said. You can all catch some sleep. We have some Nomads on the guard for today, but they’re leaving tomorrow.”

There wasn’t any need for him to point out that the Greenville Marauders would be on guard at the hospital from then on; it was understood, and no one would mind. It was just how it was, and Tommy liked that. When he’d woken up at the military hospital in Germany, he’d been alone. There had been people around him, but no one he knew. He’d never in his life felt lonelier than he had then, but he knew it wouldn’t happen again. Just as they’d all been around to keep Felix company, and later him, they would be there for Eliza—if she wanted them to. He wasn’t so sure about that.

*

The clubhouse was still packed, but he found Billie and Felix in the kitchen.

“You look like crap,” she said and stroked his cheek. “Bring Felix to your room and take a nap. He needs it, too.”

He looked at Felix. “Wanna get some shuteye with your dad?”

“Not really,” Felix muttered. “But Mommy said I had to.”

“Come on. We can put on a movie and relax. If we fall asleep, we fall asleep.” He picked him up and took Billie’s hand. “Think you can come with us?”

“Yeah. Let me just finish up here, and I’ll be there.”

He carried Felix back to his room, put on
Monsters Inc.
, and lay down behind Felix. He just barely made it past the opening scene before he was asleep.

The next thing he remembered was Sisco slamming the door, telling them it was okay to go home.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

S.P.O.R.T.S

~oOo~

TOMMY REALIZED THE LOCKDOWN hadn’t lasted for more than two days, but it felt like a lifetime since he’d left the Jensen house just after promising Felix they’d work on his bike when he got back home. So much had happened, and in a way his life had been turned upside down—again.

The first time, finding out he was a dad, had been a nice change. He couldn’t honestly say that he’d wanted a kid, because he hadn’t even considered it. Now that he had Felix, he couldn’t imagine life without him—or Billie. But he still wished those two changes had come in the opposite order.

While they were in the war, Zach and he had never talked about home. It had been a silent agreement between the two of them, and he couldn’t remember it ever having been said out loud, just as he couldn’t remember Zach mentioning his family when they were deployed. A lot of the guys did talk about their families, especially their wives and kids, but there were those who were like Tommy and Zach, too. He’d never thought much about it while they were in the middle of it, but afterwards he’d wondered if it was simply that he had his family with him. He’d had his brother next to him.

There were two exceptions. The first was when Zach had received a letter from Billie. He’d read it, and after finishing it, he’d sparred with the biggest guy he could find. He’d almost won, too.

“What the fuck was that about?” one of the other guys had asked Tommy. “Did he get a Dear John letter?”

Tommy had known it wasn’t a Dear John Letter, since Zach hadn’t had a girlfriend, and when he’d found Zach, he’d still been fuming.

“She’s in trouble, I know she is, the girl can’t even fucking lie in a letter. She’s in some deep shit, and I’m half a world away. I can’t do shit. I can’t help her.’

“How do you know?”

“She was super sweet and nice, talking about how awesome everything is, not a single fucking jab about my masculinity, and not one note about some hot guy. She always writes about hot guys. She thinks it pisses me off.”

“Listen,” Tommy had said. “You know Billie, she’s a tough chick. She can take care of herself.”

The memory of that conversation sucked even more when he knew what Billie’s problem was at the time. She’d been raped, and she was still serving under the man who had raped her. In a way, he was almost glad Zach never found out.

The second time Zach had mentioned family was when he was dying. He’d had a hole in the size of football in his stomach, blood had been pouring out of his mouth and the side of his neck, and he’d asked Tommy to look after Billie. Those were his last words, ‘Take care of Billie.’ Then he’d laughed a little and added, ‘If she lets you.’

Tommy wondered what Zach would’ve thought about his way of ‘taking care’ of her. He’d either have laughed or killed him. It was hard to know with Zach.

Felix, Billie, and her parents and left as soon as possible, but Tommy had stayed behind to escort some people back home, so by the time he got to the Jensens’, it was late.

Leah and Clyde were in the kitchen, and he figured it was best to just get that discussion out of the way before he went up to talk to Billie.

“Thanks for your help,” he said to Clyde. “Bear wanted me to say thanks, too.”

“It was in my interest that the clubhouse was safe.” Clyde pulled out a chair at the kitchen table. “Sit down, son.”

It was about what Tommy had expected. Clyde might’ve shut his mouth while they were still at the clubhouse, but he wasn’t going to shut up now. He had questions, and he would demand answers. Tommy figured he’d deserved a few, so he sat down.

“Before you even start, I can’t tell you everything.”

“I know. Mexican soldiers,” he started. “I know what that means. That means cartels. A seventeen-year-old girl who, I assume, was taken to get gang raped… How much trouble are you in?”

“I don’t know. Apparently the main event will be in Mexico, but that doesn’t mean…”

“… That everyone is safe,” Clyde filled in, and he looked at Leah before turning back to Tommy after a sigh. “Fucking hell, son.”

“I’d say I’ll keep them safe, but I doubt you’d believe me, given what just happened.”

“It’s not about that. It’s about…”

Clyde hesitating or not knowing what to say was a very rare sight, but that was what he’d just done.

“About?”

“I’m gonna be frank. Some of your men are absolutely worthless in battle,” Clyde boomed. “Several of them didn’t even know what I meant when I said S.P.O.R.T.S.”

Tommy laughed. “Not many civilians know that one.”

S.P.O.R.T.S. was the acronym for slap, pull, observe, release, tap, squeeze—basically what to do when a rifle jammed. Slap the bottom of the magazine, pull the charge handle to the rear, observe the chamber, release the charging handle, tap the forward assist, and finally squeeze the trigger again.

“I’m just saying, you need to make sure they are trained. If I’m to trust my grandson and daughter with these people, I need to know that they know basic training.”

“I doubt they’ll let you train them.”

“I wasn’t going to offer that. I know they won’t, and I’d end up shooting the lazy, half-alcoholic assholes, and you’d be down two thirds of your club. I’m just saying you need to prepare them.”

“I’ll try,” he said, but judging from Clyde’s disapproving face, that wasn’t enough. “I’ll make sure. But I have trained them. They did good when…”

“Best not get into details, but I’m guessing you’re referring to when you
stumbled
over Eliza,” Clyde said and reached for the teapot. Clyde used to be a coffee maniac, but obviously Leah’s attempts to get him to drink tea instead had had effect. “What’s the official version of that?”

“Someone dumped her on our lot,” Tommy said.

Sometimes it was best to just keep it simple, so that was what they’d said to the cops and staff at the hospital. They’d all played stupid when the cops started asking questions, but on the other hand they hadn’t pushed. They knew none of the Marauders would talk anyway, and if Niu had told the truth, there weren’t any traces left in the warehouse where they’d found Eliza.

“Simple enough.” Clyde held up the teapot. “Tea?”

“No, thank you,” Tommy answered, and then stared at Clyde when he folded open the paper and started reading. “That’s it? I was expecting more ball busting.”

“We’ve already had that talk, Tommy. I think I made my point clear at the time. You’ve warned us, I trust you’ll take every measurement possible to ensure their safety. After all, it’s your kid on the line, too. I expect you to keep me informed about risks. You might be younger than me, but I will beat the shit outta you if I find out you’ve hidden a risk from me. Keep in mind, my army is bigger than yours.”

Clyde might’ve retired, but there was no doubt in Tommy’s mind that Clyde could gather an army to fight for him anyway. He’d never had him as commander, but over the years he’d met people who had, and they all respected Clyde. Clyde was one of those guys who was popular with his men, but not equally popular higher up in the chain. He’d gotten surprisingly far up the chain for someone like him.

“I’ll keep that in mind, sir,” Tommy smiled. He didn’t even bother with telling Clyde he needed to keep his mouth shut about things. Clyde knew that and was capable of it.

Tommy looked at Leah, and it dawned on him that he hadn’t asked her how she was doing.

“Leah—” he started, but that was all he had time to say.

“I’m fine, Tommy,” she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Billie’s upstairs, Felix is already in bed. You should check in on them.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

He got up and gave Leah’s cheek a kiss before hugging Clyde.

Billie was in Felix’s room, and she smiled when he entered, patting the couch next to her.

“I’m not a dog,” he whispered with as smile, and still sat down right where she’d patted the cushion. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“How much did all this freak you out?” he asked. He’d been wanting to ask it since the very beginning, but he’d been scared to hear the answer.

“I’d lie if I said it didn’t frighten me, or that I’m not worried, but I think I can deal.”

He leaned closer and gave her a kiss. “I never asked, did you find a house?”

“No,” she laughed. “I kind of liked the last one we were in, but it would feel… icky to buy it after what happened.”

“Yeah, don’t think that’s a good idea,” he agreed and put his arms around her. “We’ll find something.”

“Come on, let him sleep,” Billie said and stood up. “Don’t know about you, but I could do with a shower.”

He knew what that meant, they’d shower together, and he could sure as shit need some TLC from his woman in the form of naked shower time.

~oOo~

“SHOOTER,” BRICK SAID WITH a tired smile when he saw me in the hallway outside Eliza’s room.

“Hi. I know she’s probably not up for visitors, but I thought you or Mel might need something,” I said and gave him a hug. “I know you probably have a lot of people—”

“I appreciate it,” he interrupted me. “I know you came to show your support, and I appreciate it.”

We sat down on two chairs in the hallway, in the middle of everything, but it seemed like Brick just needed to sit down for a while. He took a deep breath and smoothed out his moustache.

“She… They did some surgery, and… I don’t know. She was so scared, and they had to sedate her again. She’s awake sometimes, but she’s not
there
. Do you know what I mean?”

“Yeah. I know what you mean.”

“She’s not angry at me.”

“Good. She’ll need you, so it’s good that she’s not.”

I took Brick’s hand, and he looked slightly surprised at the gesture, but then he relaxed. I would’ve wanted to tell him that it wasn’t his fault, but it would most likely just make him angry. I’d seen the same with my dad, too. Men like Brick and my dad took their role as the head of the family seriously. What happened to their family was on them. I understood why Brick probably felt more guilty, since it was his actions, the life he led, that had caused what happened to Eliza.

I wasn’t surprised about her not being angry, though. It would surprise me if she were able to feel anything, yet. All those feelings would come, every single one, and they’d wash over her like the ocean, drown her in emotions, but it would probably be a while until that happened.

“Can I ask you something?” he said.

“Sure.”

“What do I do? How do I… How can I be there for her?”

“I don’t know, Brick. Everyone deals with this differently, but I do think you need to get her professional help. I know guys like you don’t believe in it, and you’re probably worried what she’d say—”

“I don’t give a fuck about that,” he said and shook his head. “I don’t.”

“Good.”

He took a deep breath. “You work with this, don’t you? I think Tommy said something about it.”

“I work as a receptionist,” I answered with a smile. “But I guess you could say that I do. I’ll do what I can, but I’m not a professional. I can give you names, though.”

“Thanks. And… thanks for what you did for Mel. As fucked up and shitty as this is, it would’ve been so much worse if it was her, too.”

“Mel’s a pistol,” I said with a smile. “I tried to send her upstairs, but she refused. And according to Mom, she did some impressive work with her Taser.”

Brick laughed. “Yeah, she’s a pistol.”

“You know, they have Tasers in pink. She’d like one of those.”

“I’ll get her one.” He leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Did you come here to see Eliza?”

“I’ll see Eliza when she’s ready for it. No point in making her feel like she’s in a freak show. I came here to see you or Mel.”

That earned me another kiss. “I need to get back in there.”

“Yeah, just let me know if there’s anything I can do. Whatever it is.”

I watched Brick as he got up, walked over to the door, and took a deep breath with closed eyes before he opened the door. I knew that feeling, bracing yourself before going into a room, and I felt for him. But he seemed to change his mind, and slowly closed the door again and turned towards me. He seemed to make up his mind about something, and came back and sat down next to me again.

“I’d trust you with her,” he said. “If she’s with you, I’d know she was safe.”

“I’m not a professional. There’s… a lot to keep in mind.”

“She’ll need friends, too,” he pressed. “And you know more than I do about this. I have no fucking idea what to…” he sighed. “She’s gonna hate me eventually, isn’t she? It’s my fault, and she’s smart enough to understand that.”

“There’s no way of knowing, but I think she’s smart enough to know where to lay the blame.” I hesitated, but then I said it. “All dads blame themselves when their daughters are hurt, at least the good ones. My dad thought it was his fault because he’d raised me to love the military, to strive for it. He sent me into the environment where I was hurt.”