Page 44 of Cannon

“Ghost and Vortex already put a suggestion together for you. They don’t see it so much as an assault as a walk through the main gate and drive up to the house operation. There are hardly any security features and very few guards on the grounds.” Bull shakes his head as he tells me this. “I don’t know how one of his goons hasn’t just taken over the operation themselves. It wouldn’t be difficult to make Stephan disappear. He doesn’t appear to have anyone loyal to him. Not that I can see, anyway.”

“I’ve got two he can have,” I mutter not meaning for it to be heard.

“Yeah, Breaker and Griller, no doubt. I heard they cramped your style at the bar.”

“Cramped my style? Those two knew exactly what they were doing and still went ahead and did it! Well, they’ll get theirs when the time is right. Don’t think they won’t.” I steeple my fingers as I lean back in my chair.

Bull shakes his head. “I’m glad I was here watching the clubhouse. I was babysitting the prospects, just in case. I don’t want to be tainted by anything those two lunatics get involved with.”

“I was going to use the women as a distraction to get onto the ranch, but I don’t think that’s wise now. We don’t know if anyone slipped away in the confusion and can recognize any of them. Besides, if Ghost and Vortex’s plan is as good as usual, we don’t need to risk them.” Those two are experts at planning operations.

“Ghost mentioned the two deputies,” Bull adds.

“Meaning?”

“Meaning we should invite them along as our witnesses to any unpleasantness or as our get-out-of-jail-free card if things turn serious.” Bull sounds a little surprised that I didn’t make that connection.

“Ah, good thinking. A little law enforcement on our side can’t go amiss. Maybe they can witness Breaker and Griller do something and lock ‘em up for twenty years.” I give an evil smile as I say this. I’ll get Cannon on the case.”

“You’re not seriously…”

“I’ll get Cannon to contact the deputies and get their asses in here for a chat. Not to set those two up for a life term! What do you take me for?”

“I know they pissed you off, and you want revenge, but I thought that was taking things a little too far, Pres.”

“Get out! I need to let everyone know that there is a mission pending.”

*~* Cannon *~*

Sitting in the clubhouse waiting for Bill and Tanner to arrive, I chug my bottle of water and fetch another from the kitchen fridge. I’m not going to keep taking them from behind the bar when there’s no one serving at the moment. Pres has everyone in Church going over the plan to hit Stephan’s ranch to get revenge for Mateo’s beating, and to get my truck back.

I’ll take Bill and Tanner into Pres’ office and go over it with just the two of them. If they have any issues with what we’re doing, we don’t want them to be voiced in front of the brothers. That could cause issues we don’t need at this stage. If the deputies don’t like it, they can sit this one out and just suck it up.

Hearing my phone ping, I know that will be Neil, the prospect on the gate, letting me know my guests have arrived. Standing, I walk to the door ready to greet them. I’m surprised they are still in uniform, as their shifts ended some time ago.

“Working overtime, guys?” I ask them as they enter.

“Well, we figured we’d be better suited to this mission of yours if we were acting in an official capacity, if we are needed. Being involved and in civilian clothes wouldn’t look good on our records.” Bill tells me, and Tanner shakes his head.

“I would’ve come in my PJs rather than miss this. My clothes don’t mean diddly squat when it comes to stopping criminals.”

“So, what’s the plan, Cannon?” Bill asks and I take them into Pres’ office.

“Well, our information tells us that Stephan doesn’t have any class acts working for him. It seems his wage budget is barely enough to get him some of the poorest criminal types we’ve come across. His muscle lacks any muscle, has no ability to attack or defend themselves, and they turn on him as soon as the going gets mildly irritating. The plan is to rock up to the gates, drive through them without asking permission and then pull up at the ranch house. From there we will split into two groups. Pres will politely invite himself into the ranch house via the front door. I will take a team and re-appropriate my truck. Simple as that, guys. Our planning team has gone over the layout of their so-called security and apart from it lacking in a few key areas, they basically don’t have any security worth talking about. Old Man Haroldson must be turning in his grave, seeing what his son has done to the family business.” I give them a shameful nod of the head. You couldn’t wish for an easier target to hit.

“Where do we fit into this masterful piece of planning?” Tanner asks.

“Well, I should tag along with Pres if I were you. I’m going to perform grand theft auto, though I’m actually repossessing my own stolen property, so that should be fairly boring. He’ll be confronting Stephan, so that’s where the juicy stuff should be happening.”

Noise from outside the office signals the end of the briefing next door in Church. The door pops open and Pres walks in. “All ready and waiting. You boys coming along for the ride?” Pres asks the two deputies.

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Tanner states as he jumps out of his chair and grins.

“Hell, I ain’t got nothing better planned so why the hell not,” adds Bill.

Walking into the compound, we all start mounting hogs, climbing into vans or SUVs. At this point Pres calls for Bank and Pens to step forward.

“You two are on special assignment. You are temporarily promoted to club enforcer. You will ride with me and have my back. Breaker and Griller. You are also on special assignment. You will ensure the safety of the women, clubhouse and oversee the prospects while we are gone.” Before either Breaker or Griller can say a word, he adds, “I don’t want to hear it. As President of the club, I am protected by two club enforcers. Shut the fuck up, both of you, and we’ll tell you all about it when we get home.” Laughing maniacally, Pres hops into the lead SUV with Bank and Pens and slams the door.