Rust: A Bad Boy Romance (Courage MC) (38 page)

“Funny kid…”
He whispered under his breath. He chuckled and grabbed a glazed donut from the counter, leaving without paying.

“
W
hat happened
?” He asked as soon as I got into the car. He looked stern, yet full of worry. His finger was on the trigger. It wasn’t like him to act this nervous.

We gotta’ get out of here, Adam. And fast!” I yelled. He turned on the car and peeled out of the parking lot. We merged onto the highway and carefully drove the speed limit.

“They’re talking about us everywhere.” He said. “I didn’t expect this. Who are you anyway, Rose? You didn’t tell me your mom loved you this much. They have the whole west coast being watched.” There was a slight silence that resonated in the car. He was staring straight ahead, palms sweating all over the steering wheel. He gripped the leather hard and pushed down on the pedal.

“
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!”
He screamed, hitting the wheel.

“Adam, you’re scaring me!” I cried out.

“Well, good. You should be scared, Rose. This is no good.” He turned up the radio:

“Authorities are on the search for a man in his mid to late 30’s. Forensics are analyzing all data to find out all information that points to the whereabouts of Rose Fischer, age 19. We turn to Rose’s parents who are now with us today. Mr. and Mrs. Fischer, thanks for coming.”
My parents…

I couldn’t help but listen attentively. Adam reached for the power switch, but I swatted his hand away angrily. “Don’t you dare!” I cried.

“What exactly do you know about the situation thus far?”
The interviewer asked with strange glee in her voice. I heard my father clear his throat and a tear formed in my eye. It was pretty incredible that something as small as that could bring back a plethora of memories. I looked at Adam and he bore the look of knowing I expected him to. I had a feeling he also lost his family at a young age and that he would have to live with that pain forever. He reached out his hand and I slipped my fingers in his. I squeezed tightly, promising myself I would never let him go.

“Well the letter we received was sent somewhere in the southwest, close to Texas. However, we have decided to send search parties up north as well as south. We can’t be too careful with this. She’s our daughter and she’s all that we have…”
There were the sounds of muffled crying in the speaker. That’s when Adam turned the radio off.

“I’ll always be here for you.” That was all he could say. And somehow the words were enough for me. I looked at him, tears and all, and kissed his rugged face.

“You may be an outlaw to some people, but I know the
real
you. I know that kind, gentle, loving man beneath the hard exterior. And I’ll stick by you no matter what.” He smiled and grabbed another cigarette.

“Thanks, kid. I’d like to believe I’m a good person like you see me as. But the truth of the matter is that I’m a criminal. That’s okay with me if it’s okay with you. I can manage staying on the run forever as long as I got you.”

Though I didn’t like the sound of it, I reassured him. “It’s okay with me, Adam. But someday we’re getting out of this life. We’ll end up somewhere remote and beautiful, and free. I know we will.”

“God help us.” He smiled, taking in a big drag. “Only an hour left, baby.” I looked at the darkened road and the mountains surrounding us. I rolled down the window slightly and breathed in the fresh, cold air.
I’m here because of Adam and our love is the ultimate reward
.

I'm here because this is my destiny.

I fell into a deep sleep. I was in a bank with a shotgun in my hand. With one hand on the trigger and the other on the pump, I pushed the barrel into the teller’s face and yelled. All that came out was gibberish, but the sentiment was all the same. I looked at the clock in the corner of the room and the numbers were scrambled.

I turned my gaze to Adam and he gave me the face of uncertainty back. I suddenly fell to the floor, shaking and seemingly violently ill. A guard from the floor reached for his gun. I turned just in the knick of time and fired a round. A direct hit. Or at least it should've been. Instead, a group of butterflies flew out of the barrel.

I woke up.

“We’re here.” Adam said, sucking down his cigarette. I wiped the sweat from my forehead and stretched my arms. I looked out the window and saw the rising sun come out from the ends of the earth. He pulled up to a row of large bushes, maybe ten feet in height. He put the car in park and honked three times.

“Where are we?” I tiredly asked. There were no buildings in sight. It was just us and endless fields.

“You'll see.” He said, staring ahead. He honked again.

All of a sudden, the plants moved to the side, revealing a hidden passageway into the forest. An old man, wearing the same vest and insignia, even similar tattoos, appeared in front of us. He stroked his beard and eyed us for a long time.

Adam stepped out of the SUV and walked up to the old man. They stood a few feet apart, speaking slowly and carefully. They shook hands and embraced, pounding each other's back, while nodding. Adam walked back in a determined manner, lighting another cigarette.

“We’re good to go.” He said.

“To go where? Can you fill me in for once?” I liked being his sidekick and all, but he made me feel like a dumb girl sometimes.

“Look, there's a reason for not telling you everything. If things go wrong, you're in the clear. Got it? I told you earlier, we’re visiting an old friend.” He looked at me and could tell I was angry. He breathed in deep, staring at me. I stayed silent, glaring out into the green forest that surrounded us. I felt the car pull forward and about a mile into the forest was a small clearing with a cottage in the center of it. He parked the car and got out.

“So you two made it.” The man said, still stroking his chin. “Almost surprised. News been covering you two for days now. Come on in.” He gestured toward the house. In the driveway was an old motorcycle, covered in dust and old spider webs.

“Who's motorcycle is that?” I asked him. Adam looked at me as if I had done something wrong. My eyes fell to the dirt and pine needles on the ground.

“I don't believe we met. Name is Bruce Johnston. And that there relic is my old lady Bertha. She may not look like much, but in her prime she was a fucking warrior, man. Adam here knows that more than anyone.” He shook my hand.

“I'm Rose.” I said. He looked me up and down, examining my body.

“Young and gorgeous. Just the way we like ‘em.” He punched at Adam’s arm playfully as we made our way into the living room.

“Yeah well, the heart wants what the heart wants.” Adam said to him.

We sat on the ragged chairs by the door to the backyard, while he went into the kitchen’s refrigerator. “Now, I know it ain't much.” He began, tossing us a beer each. “But this here's my little paradise. Ain't as glamorous as your little desert thing, but I get by. I get by…” He took a swig of beer and slammed it onto the table in the center of the room.

“Property of the federal government.” Adam corrected him. “Or at least I'd have to think.”

“What in the hell are you talking about boy?” He asked him, turning serious.

“We got overrun by a group of SUV’s. Black. Tinted windows. There were bullets everywhere, and I mean
everywhere.
I'm certain that it's Brianna’s men. They knew exactly where the place was. If it weren’t Brianna, it would have to be Jorge. But he saved our asses back there, pops. I mean it. He pulled some heavy artillery shit back there.”

I shook my head in disbelief. Did I hear him right?
Pops
?

“Shit.” Bruce whispered through gritted teeth. “Brianna? You sure?” He took a big swig of his beer and grimaced.

“I know it’s hard to believe, but she ain’t one of us. She’s a fed, dad.”

“Jesus. Christ… That bitch used to come in this god damn house all the time. A fed… I can hardly believe it.” He took another drink, this time downing the whole can.
“Motherfucking cock sucker…”
He began muttering under his breath, pondering what he had just heard.

“Shit, I know how you feel. It hit me hard too. But now we gotta’ deal with things. And fast. Hell if I’m gonna’ die by the likes of her.”

He looked up at Adam, solemnly. “She know you’re here?” He asked him.

Adam shook his head, staring at the table and picking at the aluminum ring at the top of his beer. “Nah. Just didn’t have anywhere to go. I fucked up. Lost all my fortune. What am I going to do now?”

I nearly lost all my patience listening to this. I stood up from the seat. “So you’re his dad?” I asked him.

“Sure am.” He said. He turned to Adam. “She looks like your mother did. You know. Back when I first met her.”

Adam smiled. “I can’t remember. But I’ve seen the pictures.”

I blushed. “And you know Brianna Baxter?” I nearly screamed the question.

“If getting drunk and telling her a bunch of times to get off my property, counts as knowing someone, than yeah I knew the bitch.” He stood up to grab another beer. “Look, I get it. This is all new information for you. You’re feeling confused. But you gotta’ trust in my son, kid. He ain’t gonna’ let you down.”

I looked at Adam. He was peering out the window, making sure no one had followed us. I suddenly felt safe. I felt good, despite the confusion surrounding our circumstance. After all, this was the new life I chose, right?

“Yeah, I know. He seems okay.” I laughed. Adam smiled and went back to looking out the window.

“It’s good you came here, you two. You’re safe here. For now at least. I can’t tell you how long that will last. But tonight we’ll have one big family dinner. Like old times, Adam. Remember? Us and the gang?”

“Do I ever. Before I went solo.” Adam smiled, stroking his chin.

“I never got why you did that in the first place. I mean, I get it. But we lost something big when you left. The whole thing just fucking crumbled into nothin’. Hell, now look at us.”

“Yeah? And what are the boys doing now?”

“It’s like I said. I heard Avery owns a bar in New Mexico. Somewhere tame, you know. I think after he got his face slashed, he was more ready than ever to get on with his life. Randy is a trucker now, I’ll be damned. Of all things to do. You really inspired the men to lose themselves, you know that?” He shook his head.

Adam chucked to himself, rubbing his chin like his dad. “Yeah, well sometimes life pushes you to do things that don’t exactly make sense. Still, there’s not much use in regrets.”

“No, I guess there ain’t. You learned well, son. Just glad you’re back home to visit your old man.” He took a giant swig and threw the empty can into the corner of the room. “Come on, help me cook the chili.” He motioned to me.

“
W
atching
you smoke that cigarette is killin’ me, man.” Adam’s dad smiled. He looked as if he we would do just about anything for a drag.

I mixed the chili in a big pot on the stove. “Why don’t you just have one?” I asked him.

“Can't. Quit years ago. Doctor told me my lungs looked blacker than coal. Ain't no thing though. I'll survive, man. Got this grass stuff now that seems to take the anxiety away. Probably better for me in the long run anyhow.”

I shrugged. “I suppose you’re right.” Adam smiled, taking another deep inhale. He looked like he was enjoying this cigarette in particular.

“Ah shit, one won't kill me, right?” Bruce held a dirty hand out in front of him. Adam reluctantly pulled one out and set it in his cracked palm. “Thank you kindly.” He bowed.

“So I’ve been thinking about our next move.” Adam said suddenly.

“You have?” I asked him. I was curious to hear what he had to say. Despite the charming qualities of our stay here, I knew that our time was almost up. I most certainly didn’t want the feds to bust in and catch us. If something were to happen to Adam, my whole existence would be meaningless. I’d just be that lonely girl in the park, stuck in her books with no ground in reality. Perhaps that was what some people wanted out of life. But after experiencing the things I had seen, I couldn’t turn back now.

“Yeah. It ain’t gonna’ be easy.” He said, “But I think I know where we can get some money. Hey Pops, you remember that security guard at Northern Sun Bank?”

“Who? Daryl?” He eagerly took another drag of nicotine, holding it in for as long as he could.

“Yeah! That’s the guy. He still working there?” He asked him. I was starting to feel suspicious of this plan.

“What else would the idiot be doin’? ‘Course he’s still there. He’ll be there till he falls over and croaks.” He started laughing, but as the smoke from his cigarette entered his lungs, he couldn’t help but cough loudly. I went to help him, but he motioned me away. “Oh, I’m okay. Just not used to the smoke.” He said.

“Think he’d do me a favor. For old time’s sake?” Adam said, glaring out the window again.

His father lowered his tone, took another drag, and eyed him suspiciously. “What you thinking of doing, boy?”

“Thinking about robbing the place, pops.” He said matter-of-factly. I ran my hands through my short hair.

“You ever think about telling me anything, Adam?” They both looked at me in silence.

“The girl’s right, Adam. You ain’t thinking straight. Why don’t we talk about this over din—”

“I made up my mind on the drive up. It’s what I wanna’ do.” Adam said sternly, eying the closed forest.

There was a brief silence in the kitchen and I avoided eye contact with both of them completely. I stared at the red chili, stirring with anger. I guess I was just along for the ride. But just then, his father’s words echoed in my head:
You gotta’ trust in my son, kid. He ain’t gonna’ let you down.
And for the first time in days, I decided to put my faith in the man.

“You got a plan?” Bruce asked him, taking over the cooking.

“Sure do.” He muttered.

“Well then, run it by me. Don’t just sit there.”

“Alright, alright. But I’m gonna’ need Daryl. If we don’t have him, we’re fucked.”

“I’ll talk to him. He’s still in that cabin in the woods. After all these years, he’s still living the life of a hermit. I suppose I can relate.” He said, tasting a bit of chili and mumbling, “…needs some more salt…”

A cool breeze blew in through the window. “We follow a similar plan like last time.” He began speaking. Almost immediately Bruce interrupted him.

“Are you crazy, boy? The last time didn’t work. Do you remember at all why the gang broke up? It ain’t cause of your entrepreneurship. It was ‘cause the plan backfired. We triggered the god damn alarm inside the vault!” He slammed his fist onto the table. Our glasses shook. “Now, I’m sorry, but I can’t let you do that again. You’ll get yourself jailed. Or worse, you’ll get killed like Hector.”

“We’re not going to trigger any alarms this time, dammit. I had a guy scope the place out. They’re under construction for the next month and a half. The whole block is closed. No cars can get in or out. Now, I have it on good authority that the vault alarm is disabled for the time being. All we have to do is disable the front alarms, blackout the cameras, and follow the script. We do that, we have 90 seconds to get in and get out. If we can do that, we come out with a couple million greenbacks.” There was a fire in Adam’s eyes. He was determined. I could see that. I just hoped he knew what he was doing.

“Well, son. I just hope you’re right. I really do. Because if you aren’t, they’ll post you up and hang you from your neck. After all you’ve stole, sold, and killed, the public won’t give a damn if they burn you alive.”

“Yeah, I know it. But I have to try. For Rose’s sake. I gotta’ do it for Rose.” He looked at me. I reached my hand out for him and he squeezed it hard, staring directly into my eyes. It felt like he was looking into my soul. My heart swelled up at the thought.

“Let’s do it.” I said. “Let’s rob ‘em blind!”

Bruce started laughing. “That’s the spirit, kid! But eat my damn chili first, will ya?” He scooped a big portion out for each of us, sloshing it into our bowls and yelled, “Dinner is served!”

I grabbed my bowl and ran to the table. Truth was, I was starving. I’d been surviving off of Red Vines and hot dogs the past two days. And before that I hadn’t eaten at all. Being on the run was tough on the stomach, so I couldn’t help but stuff my face. Once the smell of that chili entered my nose, there was no stopping me.

“Hey, settle down now.” Bruce said, tapping my hand. I looked up at him like an angry wolf. “We haven’t said grace yet!”

“Grace?” I said, my mouth full of food. My hands were still in the scooping position.

He held out his hand for me to grab. “Yes, grace. Just because we’re hardened men, don’t mean we don’t pray for forgiveness. Where would we be without the lord anyway?” He winked. He coughed and cleared his throat. “Dear lord, thank you for this wonderful world we live in. Thank you for the excess of money, food, and people we can rob. Thank you for the beer, although you could have given me more of it tonight. Thank you for your son’s sacrifice. Thanks even more for all my friends’ sacrifices…”

Adam looked up, angrily. “Dad…that’s blasphemous.”

“…and most of all, thank you for my son and new daughter in law. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.”

“Amen.” We all repeated back. I blushed at the words “daughter in law.”

“Who said we were getting married?” I asked him, taking another bite of chili.

“You’ll get married soon enough. I can sense these things. It’s a father’s sixth sense.” His beard lifted upward as he grinned.

“Well, I did promise her.” Adam said, smiling.

I couldn’t help but smile back.

“He did?!” His father exclaimed. “Well god damn! That’s a blessing if I ever heard of one! I think a congratulations is in order!”

He ran over to the fridge and threw over a few more cans of beer. Bruce popped one open and gulped it down hurriedly. Adam didn’t bother to open it.

“What’s wrong son? Is one beer too much for ya?” He laughed and turned his head to wink at me.

“We celebrate
after
we finish the heist.” He said, staring out into space again. He was always so contemplative. I guess I was grateful for that.