Boomer

I hate having to leave her ass in bed, completely naked, but it’s Monday, and I have a lot of work to do. The hardest part of re-establishing this town is the number of hours I put in to keep it functioning. It’s a freaking bank holiday, but I still have to go in. Every few months, I’ll hire more people for each place. With a population of five thousand, a lot of jobs are filled and the need for more positions continues to grow. Today, I have to go to the grocery store to meet with the managers. I wonder if Crystal wants to go with me. I jump in the shower, washing away her scent, which pisses me off. I want to feel her on me all damn day. But it’s time for work, and I don’t want anyone to smell her. She’s mine and only mine. When I get out she’s missing in action. Wrapped only in my towel, I run around looking for her.

“Crystal,” I call out. I have a fucked up feeling she ducked out on me.

“Wow, relax Boomer. Damn, that is a sexy sight I could get used to,” she says, holding a cup of coffee in her hand while pausing to ogle me. My dick jerks under the towel and there’s no doubt she saw it. It’s got a mind of its own right now. Staring at her in one of my shirts that barely hits mid-thigh, I’m hard as hell.

“I thought you left,” I admit, unafraid of the truth.

“Considering I have no urge to go out in a storm, I’ll pass.” She points to the front window. She’s right; it’s raining. “Do you want some coffee?” she asks.

“Sure. I’ll get dressed and be down in ten minutes.”

She goes to walk back, then stops me. “What do you want in it?”

“Black with two teaspoons of sugar, please,” I tell her.

The grocery store is packed when I get there, but Mitchell sees me right away. “Good morning, Mr. Steele. We can have our meeting in the back so you can see if everything is to your liking,” he states, his nervous persona around me is a little annoying. I know I’m intimidating and well, I and my club own all these places, but I’ve never given him the impression I’d fire him. "Yeah you know, Mitchell, I'm just trying to make sure it’s running smoothly."

"Actually, it really is. Our profits are up and we can hire three more employees and still stay above the red," he answers enthusiastically as we make our way toward the back room. "That's great to hear. Any problems?"

"Not any per se, but I've noticed some suspicious characters around here lately,” he says in a whisper.

"You ain't talking about me, are you?" Wrench asks, standing behind me. Mitchell jumps out of his damn skin and I’m laughing like an ass. Wrench fixes the forklifts here when I need it. He’s the owner of the one mechanic shop in town. His crew is varied and build custom bikes for us as well. I’ve known him since I first joined Special Forces. We worked as a team and he’s one of the founding members of the town and club. 

"Hey, Wrench, what brings you in here right now?” I look at my watch and it’s only nine in the morning. He’s usually busy in the shop. And with the fire last week, I wonder if something else happened. “Looking for the future Mrs. West?”

“What?” He didn’t leave the shop for anything but more work. This is something new. Maybe he found the one like I did and is going to haul her ass out of here.

“My mother asked me to pick up some things from the store. I know it’s because her ass wants me to find someone. She thinks I swing the other way. I tried to argue with the woman that when I find her, I’ll know, but you know she’s hard of hearing.”

“I hear just fine, young man,” she says, standing behind him.

“You know, what’s the point of sending me to the store when you show up anyway?”

“Boy, I told you to forget it, Greg gave me a ride.” Her sight is slipping, so she doesn’t drive on sunny days or at night. We help her out, but she can be a handful. Greg is her neighbor and one of the prospects. He wants in. He may get there, but it’s not something we just let happen. They have to prove their worth.

“Well, I’ll drive you back after I pay for your groceries.”

“Nonsense, Greg will take me. You can walk with me though. I never get to see you.” He cocks his brow at her because they see each other almost every day.

“Fine. Boomer, the rides you requested will be ready on Friday.”

“Thanks.” He leaves with his mom who gives me a kiss on the cheek. I turn back to Mitchell and lead him through the stockroom doors. “Sorry about that. What were you saying about these people?” I ask. It’s not something I could forget. The Riders were the suspicious characters around here. Everyone else lives like modern day, Mayberry residents.

“They look like the city folks that deal and use drugs.”

“Oh really? Is it the style of clothes, or did you see something going on here?” I wonder if these were the guys that had threatened that Derek kid who started the fire. I kind of hope they are one in the same. Because if not, that means we have more trouble coming around.

“I didn’t see a transaction, but they were up to no good.”

“I’ll have Law look into it with his deputies. I hope it’s not hard drugs.” I don’t want any illegal drugs around, but we have a major heroin ring not too far from here. And if they come in here and spread their junk this town will crumble. I’m not willing to allow that to happen. Cyber can pull the security footage later. I don’t want anyone else in on our assumptions.

“I thought you should know. I don’t know who they are or if they’re just passing through.”

“Thanks for the heads up. If you see them again call me and I’ll deal with it.” We continue going over some of the information. Just because I own the place doesn’t mean I deal with all the numbers and shit. I leave that to the accountants and managers. If there’s any issue they contact me. I’m more concerned about the viability. With the population growing, we need to make sure it’s all running smoothly.

“Thanks for taking the time for me today, Mitchell. I’m off to my next meeting. Take in a few applications. I’m sure someone could use a job around here.”

“I will. Have a good day, sir.” I walk out and head to the local movie theater. It’s not large, but it saves time to go there. When I enter, my next manager, Sammie is waiting for me. She’s been working here for two years and has done an excellent job of making it a success. She’s Doc’s little sister. Doc’s constantly reminding me that Sammie isn’t welcome at our parties. We don’t get out of hand, but hell if he wants anyone hitting on her. He’s liable to send someone to the hospital. That’s the way I am with Morgan, but I’m the Pres. People know better.

I call Cyber. “Hey, can you pull the store footage this week? Some punks have been in there and I want to know if Derek can ID them.”

“Sure thing. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can,” he says. I can tell he’s distracted while talking to me. It’s normally that way because he’s on his computer working at the same time. He’s the definition of a multitasker.

“I’m taking Crystal to the clubhouse. She needs a proper tour,” I inform him. He’s got his own section of the clubhouse where he works on his tech shit.

“Are we still meeting today?” he asks, typing away.

“Yes, I want everyone there by six. I’m having dinner brought in.”

“Fucking hell yeah. I’m starving. I’ve been working on the footage for the pizza place and it’s not going well. By the way, Corey hasn’t been seen by anyone. And his sister called your girl. I don’t know if she told you, but they tried to trace her location.”

“What? How?”

“It’s not that hard, but they still can get it. They were trying to pinpoint it, but all they have to do is hack into the system and pull the cell tower info.”

“Well, if they try to come after her, they’ll be met by a shitload of lead.” I end the call as I pull into my property. Crystal is sitting on the porch looking pretty in a pair of jeans and a pink hoodie. She smiles at me and I can’t help but return it. Before I know it, she runs down the stairs and jumps into my arms. She wraps her legs around my waist and kisses me.

“Fuck, Tigress. I could get used to this homecoming.”

“I love what you did!” she says, kissing my face. I hadn’t done anything but screw her and go to work.

“What did I do, baby?”

“You paid for my family to come visit.” Fuck, I didn’t do that.

“Are you sure?” The excitement’s gone and I’m hurrying her into the house.

My phone rings at the same time. “Cyber, what’s going on?”

“Airline tickets were paid by Santos for Crystal’s parents and sister.”

“Are you shitting me?”

“When do they arrive?”

“In an hour in Dallas.”

“Okay. Get a team here to watch her. I’ll meet them at the airport with Beast.” I hang up and run in the house to put on a suit. Beast being a lawyer, he’s always wearing one.

“Garrett, what’s going on?” I put up a finger for her to give me a moment as I call him.

“Beast, meet me at the airport with a sign that says, “Mr. and Mrs. Miller and Sophia.”

“Okay, what’s going down?”

“Santos is waiting to kidnap Crystal’s family.”

“I’ll be there.”

Crystal starts falling apart. “I’m going with you.”

“No, you’re not. I promise we’ll come back with them, but it’s not safe. And I’m not going to risk it.” I slip on a suit as fast as I can. I had the jacket and shirt on so that saved me time, but I had to put boots on and nice slacks. Two truckloads show up as I come down the stairs. It’s Doc, Blade, Mick, Law, Wrench, and a host of prospects.

“I’ve got to go, baby.”

“Cyber filled us in. I’m going with you,” Doc says. “You might need me.”

“Let’s ride. We have less than an hour to get there and to the proper spot.” I turn to my woman and kiss her hard. Then pull away. “Protect her.” They nod, and we head out.

The drive takes about forty minutes. In this traffic, fifty. The guns are already in place, but I’ve got other shit hidden in certain compartments. We get there and Beast is waiting in the baggage section. He winks, flipping the sign. We look around for anyone that’s there to pick up the Millers. Then I see the guys. They have a similar sign, but they don’t know I’m here. I know she hasn’t told them about me, but I know about all of them. I see the daughter coming out first. I step up and greet her, so they can’t see her. She’s short like Crystal but blonde with blue eyes. “Hello, I’m Garrett Steele. Follow me please.”

“Where’s Crystal?”

“Do me a favor and be quiet for two minutes.” 

The crowd is large enough that they don’t notice them. We leave without their luggage because Beast will grab it along with his own driver. Doc is waiting in the driver seat. “What’s going on?” They ask, getting into the car.

My phone rings. “Hey,” I say.

“I’ve got the bags. They’re still looking around for them.”

“Good, get out of there before they see you,” I say before ending the call.

“What’s going on?” Mr. Miller roars. I turn and give him a be quiet look.

“Relax. You were going to be abducted by someone that has it in for Crystal and me. They don’t know you left with us. We need to get you to safety first.”

“How do we know you aren’t kidnapping us?” I want to tell him because I was planning to spend my afternoon buried balls deep in his daughter.

“Hold the fuck up.” I take my phone and call Crystal, hitting the speaker button.

“Garrett, what’s happening?” she asks frantically.

“I’ve got your parents and sister. We’re on our way home.”

“Thank God. Please be safe.”

“Say, hi, Tigress,” I tell her.

“Mom, Dad, Soph, I’m so sorry,” she sobs.

“It’s okay, baby girl. We’ll see you soon.”

“Tigress, stay inside. And stay away from the tablet.”

“Fuck you, ass.”

“I love you, too.” I hang up, hoping there’s no awkward silence. I love her and that’s without a doubt. Whether she’s there with me, it doesn’t matter. We’re in this together.

“Doc, go past our exit to the other one and go around. I want more protection. They may be waiting just in case,” I tell him, looking through the mirrors. “Yeah,” I say when Beast calls.

“They are onto you. I’ve got some of the prospects meeting us at the club. Jackson’s riding in, too, but man, they’re ready for war.”

“All that matters is keeping my woman safe. Where’s Morgan?”

“Mick’s got her. She’s at your place, too,” Jackson says.

“Good. They’ve fucked with the wrong people.”

“They sure have, Pres.”

“We’re on it, bro,” Jackson says, which means Beast had it on speaker. We’re less than a mile from the club on the edge of my city limits. These bastards fucked up because they’re in my territory now.

My men are ready, but that doesn’t stop Santos’s men. A car speeds up behind us and starts shooting into our car.

“Duck,” I shout. The family does, and I lower my passenger window, firing back, hitting their tires. I also shoot the driver in the head. They roll and crash into a wooded ditch. It’s the same guys from the airport. Then another car comes speeding up, but it’s Beast and Jackson.

We pull into the club garage. “Is everyone okay?”

“Yes,” they say together.

Then Mrs. Miller says, “You’re not though.” It took me a second to feel the blood dripping down my arm.

“Fuck,” I say.

“Let me look at it,” Doc says as he pulls an emergency kit out that we keep inside the garage. “It’s only a graze. You’ll be all right after I get you stitched.”

“I need to get to her.”

“It can wait, soldier. You damn well know, you’re no good to her if they come again. Use your head.”

“Fuck you, Doc. Fix me already.” He jabs a syringe into my arm several times, numbing the area. “That stings. Just stitch me up.”

“Calm down. I’ll be done in a minute.”

“Can you tell us why they’re after you?”

“Her roommate tried to hurt her, and we beat his ass. His sister is married to a dealer.”

“That bitch. I hate her. I told Crystal she’s not a good person,” Sophia says.

“Well, then you’re a good judge of character. I’m Dr. Joseph Simmons,” he says, taking her hand and bringing it to his mouth.

“Hey, can you finish my arm?”

He wipes it off. “There.”

He puts the kit away and tosses the blood-soaked gauze in the trash. “Now, while we wait for the coast to clear, do you all want something to drink?” Doc adds. He directs all his attention to Crystal’s sister. Her parents are eyeing him like this motherfucker is bold as hell.

“Jackson, what’s going on?”

“It’s all clear. Wrench and Boss are with us. The area is secure. I think we need to triple the security.” We’ve never had a problem like this before. Our town hasn’t had a serious crime in the five years since we established it. We have cameras and secure gates with bulletproof paneling on our vehicles.

“We’ll discuss a plan later. Fuck. I can’t believe they came after us for that pussy. I should have killed him when I had the chance. I’m on my way home.” I need to get to my woman and hold her.

“You can stay here or come with me. Beast will bring your luggage later. Doc, take them in one of the other trucks. This one needs to go to Wrench’s shop. I’m taking my bike.” I leave them there because seeing Crystal before they take away her attention is a must. The drive is short and I enter my gate and see guys standing on the outside of it. I nod at them. Shit just got real today and that won’t happen again. Santos has started something he shouldn’t have.

I park and run straight into the house. Crystal throws herself into my arms. “You’re back, Garrett,” she sobs, placing kisses on my neck.

“I am, baby. You can’t get rid of me that easily,” I whisper, closing my lips around hers. I walk us up to our bedroom without giving a fuck who is there. I’m not going to fuck her like I want, but I need to be alone with her.

“Where are my parents?” she asks, realizing she hadn’t seen them.

“I came ahead. Doc’s bringing them. I needed to see you.” I brush the back of my hand down her cheek. “I’m sorry about all this.”

“Don’t be sorry. That shit came after me and I destroyed his ego.”

“No, baby, we beat his ass,” I confess.

“He deserved it, if not more…” she mutters the last bit.

“When I get a hold of him, he’ll get it,” I promise. I’m going to end this fucker. I lay on my back and pull her on top of me.

She gasps. “Oh no, have you been shot?” she asks, seeing the bandage on my arm.

“Just a flesh wound.” She presses her head against my chest as I rub her back.

“Where is she?” I hear.

“Your parents are here.” She gets up. “Rest, Garrett, please.”

“Too much shit to do. Remember, Tigress, I need to lead.” I get up and kiss her before we go back downstairs. Her mom runs up to her, holding her close. I watch as most of my men break away from the personal moment. Good for them. I’m looking around and I don’t see Morgan.

“Where’s my sister?”

“In the kitchen,” Blade says. The others start strolling into the house. I go into the kitchen and find something I don’t need to. Mick and Morgan cooking together and laughing.

“What the fuck is going on?” A lone tear drips down my sister’s face. I wrap my arms around her.

“I’ll leave you alone,” Mick says, walking out of the kitchen.

“Don’t try to get out of helping me,” she shouts at him. “I’m so happy you’re all right, bro.” She presses her face into my chest. I rub her back, placing a kiss on her forehead as I comfort her. Jackson comes into the room and asks, “What the fuck am I, chop liver?”

“Yes, did you get it all taken care of?”

“You know we did. Is this what actual war feels like? Because I’m ready.”

“It’s not, but it will be. They started it, but we’re going to finish it.”