Rust: A Bad Boy Romance (Courage MC) (9 page)

I
t wasn’t
long before they got to Glen. Word spread far and wide that the Darkhorse gang was about to release an unstoppable weapon. A drug so pure, you wouldn’t need to buy from anyone else, ever again. It sounded too good to be true.

Of course, when Bruce heard the news, he questioned us right away. “This is that plan you were cookin’ up, right?”

I nodded. “Yes, it is. It’s going to completely weaken their credibility, Bruce. No one will want to buy from them again.”

“What exactly is in it? You killin’ off these customers?” he interrogated me. It was clear he still didn’t trust me.

Rust leaned forward, rudely answering for me. “No deaths. That was a guarantee from her manufacturer. He says he’s got some formula. I’m not sure exactly what it is, but it sure as hell ain’t good for business. Makes you sick I guess.” Bruce just sat there, staring off into space, while nodding his hairy head. He stroked his beard and hummed to himself.

“Let’s hope for the best I guess. Word on the street is, they hit the market today. And we better be prepared.” he said, combing his beard.

“So what were you thinking?” I asked him.

“Well, I’d suggest we put our men on every street corner that we can. We’ll pay the cops extra to turn a blind eye. Then when shit hits the fan and word gets out, those users will come crawling back to us. They won’t have a choice.”

Rust perked up and smiled. “So we’ll dominate the market. Darkhorse will be forced to scramble. Don won’t be able afford any new weaponry and their credibility will be completely shattered. It’s a good plan, guys. A damn good plan.”

I agreed with the men, but we would have to wait and see. In the meantime, we had to lay low in the Courage strip club, drinking shots of whiskey and praying for the best. These were tense times, but they were also
hopeful
times. There was a lot to be thankful for, and once that whiskey hit your bloodstream, you felt pretty damn good to be alive.

“Let’s put a tune on the jukebox, shall we?” Bruce announced. “Plan’s always put me in a dancin’ mood!” He put on an old tune from the 1970’s, grabbed my hand, and pulled me onto the stage. “Dance with me honey!” he cackled.

He spun me around and lifted me up in the air. Rust downed his glass and screamed, hootin’ and hollerin’. It was hilarious to him. “Don’t drop her, Bruce!” he yelled.

“I would never drop a pretty little thing like her!” Bruce laughed, eyes half-closed.

“Hey! That’s my wife you’re talking about!” Rust said, leaning back in his chair and falling backwards. He rolled back onto the ground and sobbed with laughter.

“Where’d you learn to dance like this, Bruce?” I asked him.

“My bitch of an ex-wife. She taught me everything. Of course, she also
took
everything from me as well.” He spun me around one more time and fell to the ground, wheezing.

“You okay, old man?” Rust came running up to help him.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Don’t you go calling me an old man. I’m as young as I ever was. I just smoke more now.” he jokingly said.

“Right. You just smoke more now.” Rust laughed. “Well I guess we better rest up for a bit. That’s enough fun for right now.”

But, of course, that was too much to ask for. Within minutes, Bruce’s cell phone went off. “Yeah, what is it?” Bruce drunkenly slurred into the receiver. “Doctor? Oh shit.” He covered the phone and whispered, “It’s about Johnny!”

“Yeah? He what? Well, God damn! We’ll be there in a second!” he exclaimed, hanging up the phone.

“What is it?” I asked him. “Is he alright?”

“Woman, it’s your lucky day! Johnny woke up from his coma last night. He’s in stable condition.” Bruce slapped his hands together loudly and grinned.

“You bein’ for real, Bruce?” Rust asked him.

“Have I ever lied to you, boy? Hell yeah, I’m being for real. Our boy is alive!” He grabbed another shot and threw the glass at the wall, shattering it into a thousand pieces.

I ran up to Rust and wrapped my arms around him, kissing his warm lips. It took a moment for it to all hit him, but when it did, he was floored. “Johnny’s alive? Johnny’s alive! Oh, baby, can you believe it?” He stomped his feet and held me near him.

I pulled away from him and looked him in the eyes. “Baby?” I asked him.

“We’ll talk about it later.” He smirked, wild-eyed and drunk.

I kissed his cheek and sighed playfully. “Come on, you fool. Let’s go congratulate the man on staying in this world. I’m driving.”

“
J
ohnny
? Can you hear me? Blink if you can hear me?” I whispered, looking at my
old best friend and ally.

“I’m awake, you idiot. Of course I can hear you.” He shook his head. “I see you took my girl.” he laughed, looking at Jackie.

“Yeah, well, there’s a lot you need to catch up on. I just can’t believe you’re here. I mean, you’re really alive!” I was dumbfounded. When he first got in that hospital, I was convinced he was done for. Usually when you’re admitted for a bullet to the gut, you ain’t comin’ back to reality.

“Well, here I am, asshole.” He gave me the best smile he could give.

Out in the waiting room was that boy again, the one that ran off in a hurry last time I came in to visit Johnny. He was looking at me funny, staring me down. He was the one who tried to swing at me. The one who’s nose I broke. Yeah, that son of a bitch. Shit. I had nearly forgotten about him.

He looked pretty bad too. His nose had healed all wobbly-like, and his eye was still black and blue underneath. I guess I got him pretty good. Jackie saw me starin’ at him and tried to intervene.

“Come on, Rust. Let it go. We don’t need any more inner turmoil. If he’s here for Johnny, then let him be.” she said. Women were always a little more respectable than men. My thoughts, however, were a bit different. I ran outside the room and lifted him out of his seat.

“Why are you here, boy?” I asked him, pressing his back against the hospital wall.

“You really want to do this again?” he said, neck straining against his shirt.

“Do I ever.” I menacingly said. “You don’t scare me. You’re a fuckin’ child. You hear me? Now, I’ll ask you again. Why you here?”

“Why don’t you set me down and I’ll tell you.” he said. I lessened my grip and set his feet on the ground.

“I’m Courage too. Don’t I have no say? Can I not pay respects to a fallen brother?” he angrily said.

“He ain’t fallen, no more. And you never knew the guy. It’s time to go home.” I said.

Bruce intervened. “Rust, come on. We got more important matters to take care of.”

“Stay out of this, Bruce!” I pushed him aside. Bruce shook his head as if that were the last thing I should ever try doin’. I didn’t give two fucks. Once the adrenaline ran through my veins, the world around me meant nothing. Anyone in my way would have to answer for their sins.

“It’s like I said before.” the kid began saying, “You’re a traitor. I firmly believe that. And once all this shit blows over, you’ll be put on trial for what you’ve done. I’ll make sure of that.”

“What the fuck did you just say to me?” I spat. “Say it again. I dare you.”

“You’re a traitor. And if they don’t hang you for what you’ve done, I’ll do it myself.” And then he did what he should have never done. He smiled wildly, exposing the dip inside of his lip. “You ain’t nothin’.” the boy said.

“Watch it…” Bruce muttered, grabbing his gun. I held him back.

“Don’t worry, Bruce. He ain’t worth my time.” I said, walking away. I really wasn’t going to do anything, but it was like his voice was echoing inside my head. “You ain’t nothing.”
Fuck it.
He had to go.

I wound my fist back in an attempt to punch the lights out of this kid, but I quickly felt the cold barrel of Bruce’s revolver securely touch the side of my head. “Don’t you dare.” he said. “Boy, you get!” he yelled at the kid, waving him away.

The boy walked out of the hospital, once again. This time, he turned around and spat at me. “You’ll regret doing that.” he scowled.

“Ignore him. What the hell are you thinking?” Bruce asked me. “You want to create more conflict? Do you?” He shook his head.

I looked at Johnny through the hospital window. He gave me a big thumbs up. “See! Johnny supports me on this.”

“Yeah, well, Johnny’s on a ton of morphine. He’d support just about anything right now.” We walked back into Johnny’s room.

“We can’t just leave him here.” Jackie said. “There’s too much at stake at this point. I’m surprised they haven’t tried anything yet, but we can’t expect them not to. Come on, we’re going to have to get him out of here.”

Bruce looked out in the hallway. Most of the doctors were busy attending to an overdose down stairs. In fact, the only person around us was the janitor. “Yeah, I think you’re right. Bruce, help me with him, will ya?”

Bruce reluctantly agreed, pulling his bed out into the hallway. “I’m going home?” Johnny smiled, looking about as high as ever.

“You’re going home, buddy.” I kept watch as we made our way out the back exit.

“Back to the strip club.” Jackie laughed.

“Hell yeah.” Johnny said. “Home sweet home.”

…

The night was still young. There was more work to be done. When we finally got him back safely, we called a meeting with the captains, and a few other trustworthy men.

Bruce stood before us and said, “I called you all here because we’re in some deep shit. As you know, we are now involved in a war with a guerilla faction and the Darkhorse gang. From what we’ve gathered, the Darkhorse gang is funding the whole thing. However, as Jackie let me know, there may be a light at the end of this tunnel after all.”

One of the captains stood up, a hitman named Liam. “What makes you think they are a guerilla faction? It looks to me as if they’re just a new version of the Hell’s Wheels. Looks like they kicked out their queen.”

Rust leaned against the table, fists clenched and jaw tense. “You watch your fuckin’ mouth, Liam. You’re lucky you’re even here. You’re just a hitman we hire. Nothing more. Remember that.”

The two men stared each other down like a pack of wild dogs, but Bruce quickly waved the tension away. “Settle down, settle down. Enough of the bullshit. I’m tired of it. Now, I called you here because I wanted to go over some important things. Now, Liam. Sit down. I want my captains to tell me what they saw out there on the streets tonight.” Bruce gave the Captains their platform as Liam angrily sat down.

A man named Avery, who bore a scar across his face, stood up. “Good evenin’, everyone. As you know, the Darkhorse gang has been gaining considerable ground. Word broke out that they have some kind of super-pure drug. Well, I'm happy to say, there are some very unhappy customers. Shit was weak as fuck!”

“That's what I like to hear!” Bruce yelled.

“It's a catch 22, boss. They're out for blood. We embarrassed them, once again, and now they want their revenge. There's not much time left before we find ourselves in another god damn fire fight. I hope you have a plan because if you don’t, lives will be lost.” Avery sat down and crossed his arms in despair. Hopeless. It was all hopeless.

“Well, I'm out of ideas.” Bruce said. “I say we firebomb the sons of bitches. Shit, let's gun down the whole town for all I care. I give up, boys. Time to defend what we hold dear.”

As much as I loved violence, I couldn't let it happen. It was the principle of the thing. And what would Jackie think of me if I was just some trigger happy asshole? No. It was time for a new message, a new era. And that meant thinking things through before we acted.

“Wait.” I stood up. “I have a plan.”

“Another plan?” Liam seemed skeptical. “You always have a plan, Rust. When will you realize that your plans don't work? When will you realize that war is, sometimes, the only answer?”

“Just give me a day. One fucking day. And I'll prove it to you, we can win this.” I said.

Bruce was shaking his head. “Come on, boy. Give it up. It's time to face the facts. It's time to fight.”

But then, Jackie stood up and wowed me like she did at the night in my club. “Stop, everyone just stop. Look, I know how it looks. They're arming up. They gave the first strike, killing both our men. It makes us look weak. It makes us angry. It feels like we are waiting on the sidelines while we lose everything we had fought so hard to get. But listen for a second. I lost my father. I lost my whole fucking gang! And you know what? I'm still here. And I believe in Rust’s leadership, regardless of the odds. That's why I married him. Because deep down, underneath all the tattoos, scars, and all the rage, there's a man who loves all of us. There's a man who will die for us. So let's hear him out. Alright?” She sat back down, satisfied with herself. I grabbed her beautiful face and kissed her passionately.

“One day, guys. Just one day.” I said.

Bruce sat back in his chair, looking smug as hell. “Aha! Well, well, well. We have a natural born leader, don't we? It's a beautiful thing. Really, it is.” he laughed. “Alright. We'll do it your way. But if the Darkhorse gang ain't finished by the time this is all over, it's on you.”

Liam stood up once again. “Bruce, come on! You serious? He's going to kill us all!”

“Sit the fuck down, Liam. I'm serious. Let him do what he needs to do. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually trust the guy. Shit, I trust
her
more than him. So let's let them see this through.”

Jackie ran up and hugged Bruce. “Thank you! We won't let you down. Okay, Rust. Let's do this.” she said. I couldn't help but laugh. She surprised me everyday.

“Alright, baby. Time to end the Darkhorse reign.”

“
I
can't believe
you.” he said to me. “Fuck. You're incredible. You just bought us some time.”

“Incredible? Me?” I shrugged, feeling embarrassed. “Well, I guess I kinda am.” I smiled, blushing red.

“Look, I gotta tell you somethin’, but don't go getting all weird on me, alright?” He suddenly said, wrapping his strong hands around my waist.

“…what?” It seemed a little random. I hoped whatever he was about to tell me wasn't something terrible. I was done with all the doom and gloom news. I needed some sunlight for once.

He looked in my eyes and pulled me in close. “Ever since I met you, my life has changed. For the better and for the worse.”

“Okay.” I muttered.

“Just let me talk, will ya?” he said, looking a bit annoyed with my interruptions.

“After all this, I'm tryin’ to lay low for a while. I mean, I'll still be involved. But I want a real life, a real purpose. None of this blood for blood bullshit. I want, ah shit. I want you!” He declared to the world. “I want you.”

My heart was racing, my body was shaking with energy, excitement, and love. Was he being for real? Did he actually want
me
? I couldn't speak. I didn't say anything. I just stood there, completely and totally in shock.

And then he did just what I needed him to do. He leaned forward and kissed me, saying, “I love you, baby. I love you! I love everything you are. I love the leader you're destined to become. I love your beautiful face, your laughter, your toughness and strength. Fuck, I want to be with you forever, Jackie. You make me a better man.” Silence. “Please. Say something, dammit!”

I snapped out of it. “Yes! I mean, me too. Uh, just kiss me again, God dammit. I love you!” He pulled me in as I dropped to the floor. My God, I was head over heals. And with a member of Courage. It all seemed surreal.

When he let me go, I smiled. “I believe in you.” he said. “We’re going to have to figure this out though. What's our next plan of action?”

I pushed the hair out of my eyes and sighed. “I have a duty to Glen, the manufacturer. If what I think happened is true, some of Darkhorse will be at his shack. They'll want answers. They'll demand a better product. Worse than that, they might just kill him.”

He walked toward his bike, holding his gun. “You’re right. You know all that stuff about violence I said earlier? Well, throw it out the window. If there are any enemies at Glen’s, we’re going to have to shoot them dead.”

“We’re on the same page, babe.” We both got on the bike and headed toward the mountains, once again. This time, we moved with extreme haste and confidence. Whatever we would find, we would destroy.

When we rolled past those rocky hills, we started to slow down. Eventually, we just ditched the bike behind a set of large boulders. Our feet worked better for stealth.

“There they are.” Rust whispered, as we gently walked against the rocks. “See ‘em?”

“I seem them alright.” I said, nodding my head. There were four bikes in the distance, all parked in front of the shack. I was right. They clearly weren’t happy with the product they got. Well, they wouldn’t be happy with what they ended up with today either.

We got closer and closer as the sun started to set. “We got the darkness on our side tonight.” Rust chuckled. And soon enough, we were next to the shack.

“Shh.” Rust put his index finger to his lip and took out his gun. I followed suit, taking as big of a breath as I could. This was it. It was time to take these mother fuckers down. Rust motioned for me to take the left side, while he took the right. We aimed our guns at the door and Rust gave them the ultimate sign of disrespect: he knocked their motorcycles down, one by one.

The sound of the bikes hitting the rocky earth resonated throughout the canyon. And then we heard it. It was the familiar stomp of black boots and the jingle of spurs against the wood floor. I always thought it was stupid they decorated their boots like that. Not only did it make them look over-dressed, it wasn’t very smart in times like these.

The door came crashing open and we took aim. “What the fuck?!” One of them cried, but it was too late.

“Fire!” Rust screamed. We unloaded our chamber right into their hearts and minds. They wouldn’t see the light of tomorrow. They wouldn’t take down any more Courage. And they sure as hell wouldn’t get any new product from Glen.

“You alright?” Rust yelled at me. “Can’t see a thing, dammit!” Smoke and dust filled the area. Once it dissipated, I counted the bodies. One, two, three, and four. Yep. Got ‘em.

“I’m good! You?” I yelled.

“Feelin’ peachy!” he said.

We crept up to the doorway and Rust ran right in, taking aim just in case. There was no one in sight. I aimed my gun at the hidden stairway that had been opened up and went down as careful as I could. That’s when I saw him.

“Glen!” I cried. He was chained to the ceiling, arms and legs spread out. In front of him was some kind of metal contraption. I wasn’t sure what it was, but it didn’t look friendly.

“
Wait!
” he screamed. “Don’t move God dammit! Tears were pouring from his swollen eyes. He had been beat pretty damn good. His face looked about as swollen as a watermelon.

“What’s goin’ on? What is that thing?” Rust asked, running up behind me.

He looked frantic. “It’s a bomb, you idiots! You gotta disable it. Fast!” In the center was a timer and it read 2:00. There was only two minutes left before it went off. This wasn’t good.

“Glen, how do we disable it?” I asked, looking around for something,
anything,
to help. There was, of course, nothing of use.

“Ah, shit! They told me they got it from my book of chemical recipes! That’s all I know. It’s in that drawer over there. Just be careful, will ya?”

Rust ran over and grabbed the book. It was huge. “This ain’t good, Glen.”

“You’re telling me that? Of course it isn’t good! It’s a six-number combination. That’s what they said at least. You gotta help me, guys. I’m freaking out over here! I don’t wanna die. Oh, God, I don’t wanna die.”

Rust frantically flipped through the pages of the large book, sweating profusely. “Shit! Uh. Found something!” He typed in the code. Nothing. 1:30 seconds were left.

“That wasn’t it! Keep looking. Hurry!” he screamed, closing his eyes.

Rust tried another code. Nothing. “God dammit!” And another. Nothing.

“Give me that thing!” I grabbed the book out of his hands and looked through the pages. This was going to be difficult, but we could solve this.

Think, Jackie, think! What drug would the Darkhorse gang be looking up besides the one we gave them?
The answer hit me right in the face. It was obvious. “I think I got it!” I yelled, flipping to the right section.

“30 seconds.” Rust muttered. “Jackie we gotta get out of here!”

“Adrenaline. It’s the drug they operate on. From what I’ve heard, they inject the stuff. Right into their heart. Sure enough, on the page were six numbers, scribbled into the corner. Part of the chemical coding, I guess. Either way, I had found it. “Aha!”

“10 seconds, Jackie! I hope you know what you’re doing.” Rust said, ready to run up the stairs.

I ran over and typed in the code.
Nothing.
“What the—” 5 seconds left. I tried another variation of the code. Nothing! 3 seconds left. One more chance and—

“It worked!” Glen screamed. “Oh God, it worked! Now get me down from here. Now!” We quickly shot off his chains and he fell to the floor with a loud thud. He grabbed at his wrists and ankles and wiped his tears from his face.

“Jesus fucking Christ!” Rust muttered. “I thought that was the end for us. I really did.”

“Yeah, well. Now you know to never doubt a woman.” I said, relieved. In all actuality, I thought it was the end as well. There was still a lot of work to be done, truth be told. Despite securing the recipe for the drug, as well as the chemist, I couldn't help but feel like the war was far from being won.