Wild Crows - 2. Revelation : english version Page 6

  The guys looked at each other, but no one spoke. I was expecting it. These damned Russians had perverted Mack, assaulted Ash, and raped my daughter. We all wanted justice.

  — "This piece of shit must pay, " grumbled Hanger.

  They all approved in silence. I hit the wooden table with my gavel, relieved to have reached an agreement.

  — "Voted. I’ll leave at noon. "

  I sighed before speaking again. I would destroy this piece of shit, but it wouldn’t heal me completely. I would have liked to wrap my hands around his neck, see his blood flow between my fingers, feel his pain, and see his fright before his last breath. But it wouldn’t happen that way. I had to hire someone else to do the job.

  — "While I am gone, I want you to take care of delivering the weapons to the Mexicans. Callum will contact us to communicate where and when it will happen. I’ll let you know. Billy, you’re in charge and Hanger will give you a hand. Take as many guys as you need. I don’t want any problem. "

  They nodded gravely.

  — "It has to go smoothly. It’s probably a one-time thing. Once the Bandoleros have enough weapons for all their men, they won’t order anymore. They even might find another dealer. We can’t count on them, so I want things to go well. With this operation, we’ll get enough cash, and we won’t have to worry about money for a while. Play it well, and it will be payday for all of us! "

  I saw a few smiles on my men’s faces. Our passion for motorbikes wasn’t enough to get food on the table. The workshop didn’t generate enough profit, and they spent too much time participating in the club activities to get a second job. We had to be creative. For me, things were different. I had the bar, the motel and I owned the workshop. I had more money, so I didn’t take my full share, when we split the benefits at the end of each month. Even though my brothers were devoted to the club, they had to feed their families and have a roof above their heads. We all needed money.

  — "Well, let’s talk about another topic. Christmas, " I said, trying to lighten the atmosphere around the table.

  Foxy laughed when he heard me.

  — "What about Christmas? " Asked Billy.

  I also laughed, when I saw him frowning and throw his hands in the air.

  — "Don’t worry, old man. We won’t ask you to dress up as Santa this year! "

  — "You frightened all the kids to death last year! " Casey said, laughing.

  — "Not my fault if these brats don’t get my jokes! "

  Everybody burst out laughing.

  — "Just so you know, Billy, it’s better not to tell jokes with the words « dick » and « tits » when kids are younger than ten years old! " Joked Bigma, trying to sound serious.

  Finally, my old friend smiled, amused by the story and conscious he had messed up. He was smart, but kids were not his thing. We should have thought about it before asking him to play Santa at the school party two years ago. Since then, he was forbidden to come on the school grounds.

  — "So, what’s the plan? " Hanger asked, still laughing.

  — "There will be a small craft market, in the park, on the 24th, and it will last all day. I want the club to be represented. "

  — "Is it a public relation operation? " Ash asked.

  — "Yes. We need to be closer to the citizens. I want them to trust us. We need their support."

  — "What’s the idea? Selling drinks? "

  — "Yeah. I will ask Joe, Mona, and one or two sweeties to set up a stand. They will represent the club and our complex. Sorry guys, but their pretty faces will work better than yours. "

  — "Hey, I am hot! " Casey said, laughing.

  Hanger poked him, which made him cringe.

  — "Well, I would like you to give them a hand to install the stand and drive back and forth to bring supplies, if they need them. If some of you have nothing better to do, I’d like a few men to keep an eye on them. After what happened, I’d feel better if I know they are safe. "

  Suddenly the atmosphere was tense. Just mentioning the events that had taken place recently had created some tension in the room. Faces were grave, and eyes looked away. Billy’s big hand ended up on my shoulder, and he looked at me affectionately.

  — "We’ll stay close. "

  — "You can count on us, " added Gale.

  — "I know. Thanks, guys. "

  I was about to hit the table with my gavel, when I realized I had almost created a diplomatic incident with my beloved wife.

  — "I was about to forget, but Mona has invited you all to diner, on the evening of the 24th. Like usual, those of you who won’t attend a family meeting are welcome to join us at our place. Just tell us in advance, so we can prepare enough for everyone."

  — "I wouldn’t miss Mona’s stuffed turkey, Jerry. You know that, right? " Billy said.

  — "Yeah, I know. "

  I hit the table, and it officially ended our morning session. We didn’t speak much, and there was a lot of emotion. Mack’s death and his betrayal were still open wounds, and so was the rape of my daughter. For god’s sake, Joe. I clenched my jaw. I needed time to deal with this idea. When my guys started to leave, I grabbed Gale and pushed him aside. He looked away, and I knew why. He had trusted Mack, and we had paid the price. I was sure he was eaten up by remorse. There was no point in blaming him more than he blamed himself. I gave him a friendly slap in the back.

  — "You know, everything I told you on that night… I was just upset, Gale. It was stupid of me. Mack is the only one responsible for what happened. "

  — "No, " said the tall bond guy vehemently. "It’s also our fault. We should have kept an eye on him, or I should have kept an eye on him anyway, " he rectified.

  — "The Black Wolves’ shit didn’t make him plunge. These fucking Russians did! "

  — "I still feel responsible, Jerry. "

  His eyes got shinier, and he looked away. I decided to let him let it go, knowing his pain would last for a while.

  — "Hey, Gale! " I called, as he was walking down the hall.

  He stopped but didn’t turn back.

  — "You’re not alone. "

  — "Yeah, I know, Jerry… I know. "

  Without saying another down, he walked down the stairs.

  Thinking about the pain my men were feeling, I sighed. The Kasabovs had been more violent than us, leaving our brothers with deep scars. It had to stop. It was time for us to end this. I was about to put an end to all this violence, and I knew precisely how.

  CHAPTER 10

  Joe

  Some say that you need to reach bottom before you can get better. I was about to experience it. Under the hot water of the shower, I thought about all the resolutions I had taken and the reasons for which I was trying to reach these goals. Before leaving my place, I threw Mona's tablets into the bin. They had helped me, but I knew myself only too well: my carelessness could be a problem, if I kept them for too long. I had to face the truth, fight my demons that were still stronger than I was, even though I knew how I would get rid of them. I wouldn't surrender. I had to fight them, trying to resume a healthy life despite my pain. The first step was to accept what had happened, and tell myself I had suffered enough. It had to stop. The past was the past. Even if it was difficult, I had to live with my memories. And I had a secret weapon. A leather jacket on which a crow was drawn. It was my clan, my family. These men were the rock I would hold on to, so I could face tough times.

  With my sunglasses protecting my eyes and helping to undermine the effects of my hangover, I left. I drove to the Devil's, for I knew the guys had a meeting there. Ash had told me about it, when I drove him back to the Niño, and I had heard the engines in the parking space— It was easy, as I lived above the bar where the Wild Crows held their meetings.

  The door was unlocked, but there was no one around. I assumed they were all in the meeting room upstairs. I decided to wait and started the dishwasher, which was loaded with dirty glasses from the previous night. Then I wiped the counter, as the s
weetie in charge of the bar had forgotten to do it. I heard some voices and laughs coming from upstairs. I felt happy, as I imagined them having a good time. Then I heard some chairs being pulled on the floor, and I decided it was time for me to join them. The door opened, as I was putting my foot on the last step. Casey came out, and he seemed surprised to find me there. It was natural, as I hadn't come to the Devil's since the kidnapping. My father had told me to take as much time as I needed to get better. To run the bar, Mona had asked some reliable sweeties to give a hand. Still, I was aware I would have to be back at my job sooner or later. I couldn't feel sorry for myself forever and let my family down, while they were giving me an apartment and everything I needed. My brother embraced me, and I could feel all the tenderness he had for me. Then he gave me a wide smile. The others came out, and I greeted them politely. In return, they all looked at me sweetly, as I was one of their own. It felt good. When I saw Ash, he winked at me, and I laughed, as I took a step aside to let him get down the stairs.

  I knocked on the door. Gale walked through it and made me jump, as I was expecting my father would be the only person left in the room. We greeted each other, and the President finally came. When he saw me, he paused, and his face softened. A wide smile appeared in his grey beard.

  — "Joe! I wasn't expecting to see you so soon…"

  — "Yeah… I wanted to talk to you. "

  As usual, he frowned his thick brows, and I realized he was worried. I put my hand on his leather jacket to reassure him.

  — "Nothing serious. "

  — "Come in. "

  He sat on his massive armchair, at the head of the table. I hesitated for a second before joining him. I felt like a shy kid looking around the small dark room, which I considered as a sacred place. Three walls were covered with wooden panels, while the bricks of the last one were exposed, which made me think of the lofts you find in London. A metal locker was standing in a far corner, and a few shelves were covered by papers stacked disorderly. On some posters, anarchist slogans such as "the road comes before doubts" or "outlaws are free men" praised a world where the bikers were kings. Then there was this table. I had never seen one like that. Carved in the wood, I recognized the symbol of the Wild Crows and the names of its founders. Below it, I could read a few sentences. They were probably the club's rules. I took the time to read each of them. I was fascinated by this place and its magic atmosphere. The first rule was that the members should be ready to give their lives for their brothers. The second mentioned they had to be devoted to the club in good or bad times. The last one insisted on family values and that nothing should come between them. I shivered.

  — "I thought this place was beyond limits for women. " I said, still fascinated by the carved work of art on the table.

  My father gave me a half-smile.

  — "It's not forbidden. "

  — "It's reserved for the members of the club. And they are all men, " I concluded.

  Squinting, he nodded.

  — "Well, Mona is a member. It's our way to thank her for everything she has done in the past for us. "

  — "Is she the only female member? "

  — "Yes. It's our way to show our respect, and that's why she was also given a jacket. Usually, the members' spouses have the right to own one, but they need to mention that they are related to a specific member. "

  Waouh! They reminded me of these labels teachers put on kids' jackets at school, so they could identify the children, or even these medals attached to dogs’ collar mentioning the address of the owner. I kept these thoughts to myself and asked a more important question.

  — "But Mona doesn't vote. She never attends the meetings…"

  — "No, she is not an active member. She's more like an honorary one. According to the rules, only men can sit around this table and vote. We already had to add some new rules, so Mona would be admitted into our circle. "

  I was speechless. Without a word, I acknowledged his words and tried not to be judgemental, even though their world was so different from I had known so far. After all, they had accepted me easily.

  — "That's why I never see a woman climb up the stairs, when you hold a meeting…"

  He nodded.

  — "But you let me in. "

  — "No rule forbids women to be in this room, he repeated. They just can't be present when we vote, or we debate. Right now, the President of the club is inviting his daughter to have a chat with him, " he said with a sweet smile.

  I smiled back, and he asked me a question.

  — "Did you want to talk about anything special? "

  It was the moment I had been worried about, but I had to say it.

  — "I want a gun. "

  Jerry straightened up in his chair, seemingly puzzled by my request. He didn't speak, then he nodded.

  — "OK. I guess it makes sense, " he said softly.

  — "Having a father who deals weapons certainly helps …"

  He gave me a heartless smile.

  — "I'll be gone for the day, but Casey can take care of it this afternoon, if you're free. "

  — "Take care of what? "

  — "Training you, " he said. "You want a gun, and I'll give one to you. But first, you need to know how to use it safely. "

  He was right. I hadn't even thought about that detail. All I could think of was how bad I wanted a gun, "just in case." I didn't want to be confronted with a weapon again, but if it had to happen, I wanted to be ready.

  — "Agreed, " I said.

  — "Fine. I'll let him know. He'll be at your place first thing in the afternoon. "

  I nodded.

  — "Thanks. "

  — "You're welcome. "

  I smiled to express my gratitude, but I could read anxiety in his eyes. When I was about to leave, he stopped me.

  — "Joe! "

  I turned around.

  — "Listen to your brother and be careful. "

  — "I'm always careful, " I joked. "Thanks, Daddy. "

  I exited the room, leaving him to his thoughts. I imagined he was worried for me. Sooner or later, I would need to find a way to reassure him. Maybe it was the lot of every father to worry about his daughter. Deep inside, I knew that in our case, things were different because of what had happened and our lifestyle.

  *

  — "Relax your arm, " Casey told me.

  Without much success, his fingers tried to relax my muscles.

  — "Your hands should hold the gun firmly, but your arm needs to be relaxed. And be careful. This kind of gun's got a slight recoil. Don't let it surprise you. "

  He took a step back, so I would have more space. Then he stared at the target, standing in front of us. The back of the parking lot had been set up as a practice range, so I could learn. Targets, shaped as humans, had been attached to metal panels. They wanted to keep it safe. At least, I wouldn't endanger anybody's life because of my legendary clumsiness. Behind the panels, there was an endless wasteland.

  — "Well, take a deep breath…nice and slow…"

  I obeyed. I realized that my brother was an expert, despite his young age. My eyes were fixed on the target, drawn on a white sheet. I tried to align my Glock, so the bullet would hit it. Casey's choice was perfect: the gun was light enough and easy to hold, but it also did the job correctly, as I was about to find out.

  — "When you're ready, Joe, " whispered my brother.

  I pulled the trigger. The shot left me breathless. The recoil made me take a step back. Casey ran to the target enthusiastically. He looked at me, smiling.

  — "Quite amazing for your first time! " He said, pointing to the target.

  I squinted to see more precisely the area he was trying to point out. I had hit my target in the chest. I intended to aim for the head, but I was a beginner, and the distance didn't help. Still, I was satisfied, and Casey walked back to me.

  — "Back to your position, little sis. We're not done yet. Try to relax this time. "

  I listened to hi
s advice, and tried again. I was less surprised by the sound, and I had been able to anticipate the recoil of the gun.

  — "That's better. Try again, " Casey encouraged me.

  — "Not bad! " Screamed one of the guys.

  I turned around and realized I had spectators. They were sitting next to the workshop doors, on the other side of the parking lot. The guys, who were working that afternoon, had decided to watch the show. They liked to hear gunshots and see the President's daughter starting her training on a shooting range. Bigma, Foxy, and Lazar were cheering and laughing at the same time.