Page 20 of Cannon

Footage from the front of the building shows an everyday sedan pulling up. The young man gets out, and when the truck pulls onto the highway from the lot, the sedan quietly follows as it drives away. They have done this before, and it was very professional. There was no rushing around, it was all very practiced and calm.

“Whoever is responsible for this, I’m going to tear them limb from limb. I’m going to do it slowly and calmly, just like the way they stole my pickup. If they’ve damaged her in any way, I’ll inflict the same level of damage on them before I start removing limbs.” My knuckles are white from clenching my fists, and as the footage starts once again, Pres leans over and closes the laptop.

“Okay, you’ve seen that enough times. There’s nothing to be gained by watching it another ten times. Bull is working on trying to find where they took it, but it seems that they avoided all the mainstream cameras. The registration visible on the sedan matches the car, but it’s registered to an eighty-year-old farmer from out of state. So, it’s going to be a cloned vehicle. Have you reported it stolen to the local police department?” Whack looks at me and he must know the answer.

“Hell, no. I don’t want them finding it. If they get involved, the thieves will get a slap on the wrist and be sent off with a bug in their ear. I have a more permanent punishment in mind for the scumbags.” Bull walks back in at this point, shaking his head at Pres.

“This isn’t their first rodeo, and I’d say that they have inside knowledge of all the cameras they need to avoid. Apart from an occasional glance from an out of focus or poorly angled camera, they could have gone anywhere. I think it’s safe to say that the truck is out of town and somewhere safe to them by now. I’ll keep on it.”

Bull takes the laptop and leaves. I look at Whack and wonder what to do next. I don’t like not having a direction to go in and he knows this.

“I know how difficult this is going to be, but all you can do is wait for information to come in. It will come. We have everyone possible looking for your truck and I’ll personally help you with their punishment. If they are as professional as they appear, it may take longer, but we will find them. Go get a drink, some food, and stay focused on the positives. You and Barbara are safe. A truck can always be replaced, you two can’t.”

As I walk to the door he adds, “Don’t go off half-cocked if you hear anything. You come to me first, and we'll do this right so that it stays done, and no one is any the wiser. Got it?”

“Got it, Pres. I’ll behave until you tell me it’s time not to behave.” I give him my evil grin, and he gives me a chin lift in return.

“Good enough. Oh, call church, too. I think we have enough shit to discuss that we can call it earlier than the weekend. Get everyone in tonight and let the club women know to put on enough to feed the hungry mob that will be here.”

Walking into the rec room, there is no sign of Barbara. I know she wasn’t happy that Jamie and Molly ganged up on her and told her to stay away from the practice today. Not sure how long that will last.

Hearing her laughter from the kitchen, I head that way. I stop dead in my tracks when I see Barbara, Anya, and Pattie covered in flour. They all look at me like children caught misbehaving before they burst into a fit of giggles.

“Pres wants extra food laid on for tonight. He’s calling Church so everyone will be here and probably wanting to be fed.” Seeing Pattie and Anya sober up fast, I know they understand the mission I’ve just bestowed upon them. Barbara is quick to read the situation.

“Give me five minutes with my man and I’ll be back to help.” Taking my hand, she pulls me into a corner of the rec room and gives me the third degree on my stolen truck. Telling her all I know and more of what and who I suspect is behind it, she takes my face in her hands.

“We’ll get your truck back and we’ll deal with the assholes who were stupid enough to mess with us. You tell me when and where, and I’ll stand by you while we sort this.” Seeing the earnest look on her face, I don’t doubt for a minute the strength of her words.

She gives me a deep and passionate kiss, then tells me she’s going to help in the kitchen. I’m not surprised that she would help, I’ve learned that about her quickly, I am surprised that she is so thick with Pattie and Anya. As much as I like those two club women, I didn’t see them as friend material for Barbara. Hell, as long as she’s happy, I’m happy.

I’m just debating my next move when a shadow appears, and Vortex takes a seat opposite me.

“You’ve got yourself one hell of a good woman there, you know that, right?” He looks toward the kitchen from where another peal of laughter escapes. “She’s arranged for self-defense and weapons training for the old ladies and any club women who want to join in. She has Ghost and Hellion on board with it. From what Ghost tells me, he thinks they are going to be a force to be reckoned with under her leadership. He’s looking forward to it.”

“She sure as hell isn’t letting any grass grow under her feet, that’s for sure. I didn’t know that, but I shouldn’t be surprised. I’m learning fast that she’s a go-getter. I don’t suppose it will be long before she has the wedding planned and all the women involved in it.” I grin at my own attempt at humor to lighten my mood.

“Oh, she’s asked Whack to perform the ceremony at his earliest convenience. They were talking about this weekend. That’s why he’s called Church early. Didn’t you know?” I’m just about to fly into a rage at Pres’ cheek when I see Vortex fighting to hold his laughter back.

“Fucking asshole. I wouldn’t mind the wedding, but I’d be pissed if that ape of a Pres knew about my wedding before I did.”

Chapter 12

*~* Whack *~*

As everyone piles into the room for Church, I watch Cannon. I know he is angry, to say the least, about his truck, but there’s something else going on with him. I know he’s taking Barbara as his old lady, too, but that still doesn’t explain what I’m sensing with him.

I plan to get the usual club business out of the way and then organize the troops to find out who had the balls to steal his truck. They had to have known whose truck they were going after. If they didn’t, they soon will. The last of the brothers file in and sit quietly, waiting.

“Some fucker stole my truck. We need to find it, find them, and they are mine to deal with.”

What the fuck just happened? I haven’t even brought Church to order and Cannon is spouting off. “OUT. NOW!” I stand and point at the door. “Yes, Cannon, you. Outside, now.”

Once in the hall outside the room, I push him with my chest against the wall and get in his face.

“Just what the fuck was that? You're my VP and are allowed a certain amount of leeway that goes with that position, but what the fuck was that? You don’t take over Church, ever, unless I’m not present. Got that?” He looks shocked that I’m in his face, but I see his anger building, too. “If you’re thinking of throwing down, make sure you’ve thought it through thoroughly before you do. There won’t be any coming back from that.”

I look around as I hear a gasp and see Barbara watching from the end of the hallway. She looks from me to Cannon and back again.