Thunder
“What did you say, motherfucker?” Pretty shoved Wreck in the back as we walked out into the parking lot. “You speak Spanish? When the fuck did that happen?”
Wreck spun around, grabbed Pretty by the neck, and shoved him backward until he pinned him against the wall. “Don’t.” They didn’t look away from each other, both breathing heavy.
“Just crack already,” Pretty said, grabbing two big handfuls of Wreck’s T-shirt. He pulled on the fabric, but Wreck resisted, realizing we were watching them. He quickly released Pretty, taking a few steps to put distance between them.
“What did you say?” Sabre asked him, leaving no room for interpretation.
“Diego promised his men El Dorado if they were obedient soldiers. Now, they’re dead, and their families are not reaping the reward. Manny is probably threatening their families and recruiting their sons with the same fucking promises.”
“Still doesn’t explain what you said.” Pretty was hot. His face was flushed as he opened and closed his fists.
“I reminded the leader of their predicament in a language he clearly understood.” Wreck crossed his arms over his chest, closing down any further discussion.
An awkward silence settled among us.
I stepped up, drawing attention to myself. “There are six bodies in that booth, and now would probably be a good time to poke another hole.”
The brothers smirked, knowing exactly what I meant. They’d been told about our family meeting, and now, any time someone mentioned El Sombra Roja, it usually came with a hole joke.
“They’re wearing the Lopez signet,” I said, planting the idea and knowing exactly how far I would take it. “What if we sent Alex their ring fingers? He won’t have the context, but it might strike a little fear. At least give him pause.”
“What if we sent them with a note? ‘Pick up your own trash.’” Zook smirked.
“Yes! Too bad we can’t send the bullets with them.” How’s hands were on Zook’s shoulders as he jumped up and down.
“Are you trying to send us to jail? They’d match those bullets, and we’d each get a list of charges a mile long. Your family’s money wouldn’t save you then.” Op shook his head as he ran a hand over his face.
“We pay the cleaning crew big bucks for that shit not to happen,” Grizz chimed in. “I don’t even know whose gun this is.”
“It’s from the armory.” Sabre leaned against his bike, crossing his feet at the ankles. “Are we sure this is how we’re going to send a message?”
“I don’t have a problem with it, but if he retaliates, then we have to own it.” Grizz shuffled his feet, readjusting his stance.
“If this is what we decide is best, I’ll have the cleaning crew cut the fingers, unless one of you sick fucks wants to do it.”
“Oh, pick me.” How was still jumping up and down.
“Just remember this when you say I’m too much.” Pretty wrapped his arms around himself.
“If you’re doing it, you’ll need to get the blowtorch from the Playroom to cauterize the wounds. Otherwise, you’ll be dripping blood all over the place.” Sabre tapped his fingers against his leg. “The note needs to hit harder.”
A few of the brothers threw out some ideas, but none of them communicated the level of damage we wanted to inflict.
“No, Liz said he threatened to send Peter back to her in pieces if she continued trying to contact them.” I paused, trying to come up with the specific wording.
“What if it was something like, ‘Coming full circle when we’re the ones sending you pieces?’” Wreck stared at a spot of asphalt.
“That’ll definitely poke a hole,” I said, rubbing my chest. I didn’t enjoy remembering the mental anguish Liz had told me she’d gone through. It made me wonder if we were pushing too hard without giving her enough support.
“I’ll pick up one of those condolence cards from the flower shop.” Twig bumped fists with Pint. “We’ll get it delivered to his front door.”
***
Elizabeth
Thunder jumped when I called his name, even though he was sitting right next to me. Meredith said something to Grizz, but he had a thousand-yard stare. He wasn’t ignoring her, but whatever had happened weighed heavily on his mind. The rest of the men who’d ridden out this morning weren’t much better.
