Blade

 

 

“A little birdie told me Tarot flew out of town,” Cane said over the phone. “So, I’m thinking that now would be a good time to send his club over to find the ‘missing’ safe. You sure you hid it well?”

“Yeah,” replied Blade, cleaning the dirt out of his nail. “Unless he was planning on unpacking all of his shit within the last two days, he wouldn’t have found it.”

“Good. I’m going to have someone make an anonymous call to Phoenix. Once they find the safe, some heads are going to roll,” he said, a smile in his voice. “I just wish I could be around to see it.”

Blade agreed. “Let me know when you’ve called. I’m going to sneak over there and watch as things unfold.”

“I’m calling right away.”

“Okay.”

They hung up and Blade grabbed his keys. He wanted to watch as Phoenix’s men carried the safe out of the apartment complex. Wanted to catch the looks of betrayal on their faces. Although it was just business, he enjoyed creating drama, and getting paid for it was even better.

Thirty minutes later, Blade watched from a safe distance as two Gold Vipers pulled up on their bikes, along with a van. They parked, and then three men headed toward the building. Just as they reached the doorway, someone opened the door for them. Oddly enough, it was the same guy who’d held the door open for him the other night. The group disappeared into the building and he waited.

 

***

 

Phoenix thanked Chuck for letting them in. He had the key to the building, but everyone thought it would look suspicious if they’d let themselves in.

“No problem. You need anything else?” Chuck asked.

“Nope. We’re good,” Phoenix said, handing him a twenty-dollar bill.

“What’s that for?” Chuck asked.

“Your time,” he replied.

“I can’t accept this.” Chuck handed it back to him. “Dom and I are friends. You want to do something for me, just invite me to one of your parties.”

“Will do,” Phoenix said. “There’s one in a couple of weeks. Over at his place.” He nodded toward Brass. “I’ll text you the address.”

“Sounds good,” he replied, smiling. “Thanks. Do I need to bring anything?”

“Just yourself. It’s a private party, so don’t invite anyone else,” Brass said. “

“No problem,” Chuck said, looking serious again. “See you soon.”

“Yeah. Thanks, man,” said Phoenix.

Chuck left them and they headed toward Tarot’s apartment.

“Did either of you see anyone out there?” Phoenix asked as they walked down the hallway.

Brass spoke. “No, but I’m sure one of the Blood Angels is watching us.”

“Of course. They want to see drama. We’ll give them some. And more,” Phoenix replied.

“What about the safe? They’re going to expect us to carry it out,” said Len. “Didn’t Tarot bring it back to Devon?”

“Yeah, but she emptied it and gave it back,” Brass said, stopping at Tarot’s doorway. “I told her she needs a bigger one, anyway.”

Phoenix pulled out the spare keys Tarot had given him in anticipation of the Blood Angels calling in the tip. He’d been right all along. This was a setup, and although they didn’t know who the caller was, the Blood Angels had to be involved. Nobody else would go to such lengths to fuck with them.

“We aren’t breaking down the door?” Len asked, scratching his face.

“Of course not,” Phoenix said, sliding the first key in. “We don’t want the neighbors calling the cops. This isn’t the movies, Len.”

Len looked disappointed.

They walked in, grabbed the safe, and left the apartment.

“It’s show-time,” said Phoenix, as they headed back out to the parking lot with the safe.

 

***

 

 

Blade watched as the three Gold Vipers stepped out of the apartment complex, carrying the safe he’d originally stolen. They looked pissed off as all hell.

Score.

Smiling, he sent Cane a text, telling him that Phoenix and his men looked ready to pound the shit out of someone. Cane responded with a thumbs-up emoji.

 

What next? Blade asked.

 

Hold tight for now, replied Cane. We’ll play it by ear.