Page 64 of Sin
“You’re shopping Sin out aren’t you?”
“So what if I am? He deserves to be noticed. You said it yourself, his designs are crazy good and I know he can be more than some guy that’s a grease monkey. They just need the right direction and I’m going to be that guidance.”
“Does he know?”
“Of course he knows.”
“But he’s a biker.”
“So, who better to build your bike than a guy who grew up on them? What? You think some dude from southern California is better than a guy who was riding on the back of one before he took his first step?”
“You think this is a good business move?”
“Yes I do. I think it’s perfect and with their knowledge of what they do, it’s easy. I just need to get them noticed. I need to reach out to the right person to make it all happen. I’ve already sent out feelers and I’m waiting to hear back. I’ve gone through every facet of the industry. I’ve even reached out to some network types who might be interested in a TV presence or something. Reality TV is such the rage right now.” She’s wearing a clear face of skepticism. “Do you not agree?”
“No, it’s not that. I’m not the business major, you are. So, if you think it’s a great plan that's cool, but look at them. They aren’t exactly overly friendly and people pleasing.”
“Oh, honey.” Lick's voice startles us as he; Sin and Hawk make their way to the front. I feel Sin’s hand on my shoulders as he presses his lips to my ear. He whispers that he loves me and my belly does a flop. My bliss is cut short as Lick’s voice invades my daydreams. “I’ve never been accused of being unpleasing. Let me take you for a ride and I’ll prove to you that I’m all pleasing all the time.” He flicks out his tongue in Jenni’s direction. “Come on, hop up.” He rubs his cheeks with his hands. “It’s open." Hawk laughs.
“See, disgusting pig.” She points to Lick.
“Lick isn’t the face of Fury.” I defend him. “This is Sin’s deal.”
“That animal is still involved; one glance from him and you’ll have people running for the hills. He’s like those people who grew up raised by wolves.” From what I’ve heard about Lick’s upbringing, she isn’t far off.
“Fuck, baby, being raised by wolves is a step up from the bitch I had the pleasure of calling Mom. Although Ma doesn’t hear so good seeing as she’s six feet under in God’s green earth. And my Pop, he don’t really see me that often since he’s been locked up for over twenty years now.”
“Well, shit,” she says quietly.
“Exactly.” Lick replies as he heads back to the garage.
“Don’t mind him.” Sin tells her.
“Yeah I know; Lick is a rare breed. It takes some time getting used to him. I know that. I just feel awful saying that stuff. I wasn’t even thinking.”
“You didn’t know.” Hawk says. “Simple mistake. Now, before you open your mouth and stick your foot in it when it comes to me, let me say this up front. My daddy’s dead, stabbed forty times the night they went for Sienna. To make matters worse, the sons of bitches dumped his body at the iron gates of this compound. Mommy dearest took off on me when I was just a wee lad. Biker life wasn’t for her. I guess motherhood ranked a close second since she took off without so much as a glance back.” He hit his hand on the counter making both Jenni and I jump then turns to leave the same way Lick left.
“Jesus. Does everyone here have a story or something?”
“Pretty much. Bubba’s mom left him too, leaving Dyke to raise him. I wouldn’t be surprised if she left with Rose, Hawk’s mom. We were both young when they took off. I don’t even remember either of them,” Sin says. “You know my story, which is the same as Cut’s. Brass, I’m not really sure about him. He was younger than my dad by a few years but he’s never really talked about his life.”
“Man, my life is boring compared to everyone else’s.” she complains.
“Not really.” I utter. “You have a pastor for a father who’s trying to marry you off to the highest bidder.”
“All that stuff you said the other night was true?” Sin asks.
“Yep, sometime you can’t make this shit up.”
He laughs as he goes to catch up with the other guys.
“Our target is two blocks south.” We listen to Brass as he points to the map of the area. The way he talks and gives orders makes me think he’s been military for some portion of his life. “The best way in is through the back. The parameter is surrounded by large bushes and there aren’t any neighbors to spy as to what we're doing. There's an empty lot adjacent to the property where we will enter. There's a large holding room with several cots. This is where the girls are being held. So far from today’s recon, I’ve seen seven men going in and out. Because they plan on moving at first light, I’m sure all seven are in the vicinity.”
“This is like a normal extraction. No frills. All we have to remember is to be a little gentler. These are kids, young girls, and we don’t need to man handle them.” Cut instructs.
I look around at my brothers. This is something they’re used to doing. Each one of them has been on a job we’ve contracted, as for me? It’s been a while. Ever since we opened the shop, I stopped getting involved on this side. I know I’m only here because were a little under the gun. If we don’t make our move, now then we can lose the chance to get the girls out before they’re in the bowels of Mexico, never to be seen again.
The instructions, the commands, are bringing back memories of my time in the military. The faces of the men from my unit flash in my mind. Them laughing around the camp fire, in their shorts and boots. Guys cracking jokes and telling stories of their lives back home. Pictures hung in their bunks of their loved ones who were waiting for them to come back home. Explosions and screaming. The sound of my blood rushing through my ears as I grab whom I can to take cover. Seeing as there’s nothing to hide from the blast I do the only thing I can do and throw myself on top of my men.
