Vegas
Not hearing from Blade all day has me a little worried. I know he doesn’t need me calling or distracting him. All afternoon I’ve been working in the bar getting caught up after being gone for too many days. My thoughts have me plagued with anxiety that’s seeping into my eyes.
As the night wears on and drink after drink is being sold, all I can picture is the storm that’s brewing. Praying we all make it alive and one piece.
“Vegas, you okay?” James squeezes my shoulder from behind me.
“Yeah, you got five? We need to talk.” Nodding my head toward the office, we start walking that way. James shuts the door behind him and takes a seat across the desk from me. “Shit’s brewing, I can feel it. The game has changed. Not only with the MC, but with me. What I’m thinking is that Johnny should be all up in my business right now. You told him I would be out of town for a few days shopping. He didn’t text me once. He’s been tipped off. We are missing a pawn here in this game, James. I can feel it, someone’s in the shadows and we are missing it. We need to find them to score this round.”
Letting out all my fears, I can see in his eyes that James feels it too.
“I agree, Vegas, this situation either intertwined you and the club with purpose or fate, possibly both. I haven’t heard from Johnny either. I do have eyes on him, but nothing has been reported as abnormal. We both know that doesn’t mean anything.”
“I’m going to talk with Papa tonight and give him a heads up. We need eyes in both places. Maybe he can send an MC brother over that Blade trusts and have info flowing back and forth under the radar. Keep an eye on Jenn, yeah? Other than all this drama, I’m worried about her. She hasn’t said what’s eating her up inside and she won’t anytime soon, maybe not ever. We may have to pry it out one day, so just watch her?” That’s another concern I have, but feel guilty that I can’t help with right now.
James’ face falls a little, a telling that he already sees or knows of what’s going on. He loves her, you can clearly see the love in his eyes. “I’m trying, I’m really trying to break through that stubborn woman, a piece at a time. I don’t know that what I’m fighting for is even worth the pain it brings me.” James breathes in a gulp of air and settles back into the chair. I’m not the only person fighting this life. Fighting for happiness.
“James, I wish I could take the pain for you, have answers for you, but know that whatever you need, I have your back. In life, there are no guarantees except for some pain and some happiness along the way. Karma, that ugly twisted bitch, owes us, we paid our dues. Keep fighting. She’ll pay up eventually.”
Smiling as big as I can, I hope that James can feel he has a friend who cares. Without saying much more, he leaves, getting back to watch the bar.
Dialing Papa’s number from my cell, he picks up sounding happy. “Hola, mija, what are you doing? Aren’t you working tonight after your little vacation?” He’s teasing me as if he really thinks I didn’t deserve a few days off.
Shaking my head, I murmur, “Si, Papa, I’m still at work. Thank you for giving us a few days at the house in Tahoe.”
“Mija, you’re welcome, but don’t thank me. That’s our family house, you can use it when you want. Just text me when you’re up there. Now I know you have something on your mind, best get to it, baby girl, que pasa?”
I almost want to cry hearing that Papa knows me so well, and the stress I’m feeling, he can feel it too. The one man I need, Blade, is out doing only god knows what, and this game is deadly.
Sucking back the tears, I bring forward the fighter in my soul that always wants to win. I start telling my Papa all that’s happened since he left with Momma and Snake, right up to when I just talked to James. Letting it all out, even my fears.
Papa is quiet. I can tell he’s digesting all my words and the story I just vomited his way. Then he finally he speaks. “I hear two voices at war in you right now. Let me be your Papa first. Mija, you got to love and have faith in your man even when you are falling apart in fears and uncertainty. Blade needs to focus on protecting his club and you. Give him your faith first, always, he needs this from you to be strong. After, when it’s done, tell him all that’s in your heart and let him focus on you. Let him build you back up. Your Madre, me and Snake will hold you up till then. This is our family, our bond, we will never break it, si?”
Feeling that crack in my heart toughen up stronger, I’m ready to hear the rest.
“Alessia.” Oh shit, he only says that when it’s the Prez I’m speaking with. “For once you called when you needed to, gracias. I think you could be right. You know well enough I can’t tell you anything within the club. I will contact Blade and send a man after we have Church.” The line goes dead, Fuego went to work.
Taking a few minutes to gather myself and the thoughts running through my head, I start plotting my next play with Johnny and who he could possibly be working with. A startling bang at the back door has my hand at my chest, and I struggle breathing through the blood pumping in my ears. “Son of a …”, another loud bang.
“Open up, Princesa, your Papa sent me.”
“Tio Cuervo?” Feeling excited, I open the door to the very straight and serious face of Cuervo.
“You know your Papa trusts Blade, doesn’t mean that you’re not his baby still. He’s had eyes on you even when you didn’t know. He asked me to come in and check on you. Don’t worry about Johnny. I’m keeping his ass busy, he hasn’t had time to contact you even if he wanted to. Doesn’t mean I don’t think he has a snitch on his side. Keep your eyes open and your gun loaded and on you at all times.”
He kisses my forehead and shuts the door, going back outside into the darkness. That’s where Cuervo has always felt most at home. Cryptic and shady as hell, but I love all their crazy, every last brother in this MC. We never fight alone even when we are our own worst enemy.