Page 43 of Wick
Kiwi looks up from his computer. "Cameras across the street from the bar got a guy wearin' a Los Demonios cut tossin' a Molotov cocktail through the window of Twisted Throttle. Cameras tracked him, slithering around toward the back of the bar. About thirty seconds later he's seen exiting the alley on his bike. That's when Fender comes into view."
I ask Fender, who's sitting beside me. "What did you see when you arrived?"
"I saw the assholes retreating tail lights as I rode up. I chose to let him go when I saw the broken-out window and the fire. That's when I kicked in the entrance door, went behind the bar where I know Prez keeps a fire extinguisher and put the fire out."
"Here," Kiwi says, turning on the big screen TV mounted on the wall. A second later the footage of what went down at the bar plays out. I clenched my fist when I watch a Los Demonios try to burn down mine and Riggs' bar with him and his pregnant woman inside. Then we all watch as Fender pulls up on his bike, hops off and kicks the door in. Kiwi then swaps the footage out to the cameras we have in the bar. Just as Fender puts the fire out, Riggs comes flying down the stairs with his gun drawn.
Riggs clears his throat as he addresses Fender. "You had mine and Luna's back tonight, brother. Thank you."
Fender tips his head. "Always, Prez."
We all take a moment to reflect on how lucky we are that nobody was killed tonight before I speak again. "What's the plan, Prez? I've been out of town dealin' with my own personal shit; I never got the chance to ask if you talked to Jake about Los Demonios."
"I talked to Jake after we got back from the event. I told him what went down. To say he was livid would be an understatement. As far as he knew Los Demonios has stayed out of the states. When his club took down the fuckers that set up residence in Montana a couple of years back, the main charter heeded Jake's warning and has been layin' low ever since. Jake offered to be of service. He and his men are on stand-by if we should require additional manpower."
"Why now, though, Prez?" This coming from Kiwi. "Why is Los Demonios showin' their arses now? Things just aren't addin' up. I understand them wanting to retaliate after what happened at the rally, but what I'm questioning is why they were at the rally in the first place."
"I'm with Kiwi on this one," I add. "My gut is tellin' me them showin' up is somehow linked to what went down in Mexico."
Riggs takes in my statement. "You thinkin' Cortez and Los Demonios are connected?"
"I'm thinkin' we need to find out, explore all possible avenues. I also want to question Zara again. The first time we spoke with her about Cortez, Los Demonios wasn't a part of the equation. I say we question her again."
Riggs turns his attention from me to Everest. "Go get Zara and bring her in here."
Everest does as he's told and goes to retrieve Zara. He returns moments later with her. She walks into the room with hesitating steps as she wrings her hands together in front of her body. Riggs is quick to assure her. "It's alright darlin'. We want to ask you a couple of questions."
Zara visibly swallows. "S…sure."
Riggs points to the TV on the wall where Kiwi has enlarged a still shot of the asshole Los Demonios who tried to burn the bar down tonight. The image is only a side profile of his face, but there is no mistaken the club emblem on his cut. "Do you recognize this man?"
Zara loses all color in her face. "Th…that's Carlito. He's the president of Los Demonios, a club from Mexico. He's also my husband's brother."
Zara starts to shake uncontrollably. "He's found us, hasn't he? Please! You can't let him take my son."
I go to stand in front of Zara. "What did we tell you when we first brought you here?"
"You said you and your club would protect my son and me."
"That's right, sweetheart. My brothers and I won't let anything happen to you and your boy."
Zara's shoulders drop, and she loses some of her tension. I nod to Everest. He escorts her back out of the room, and I take my seat back at the table. Riggs looks down at his watch.
"With it being' nearly two in the mornin', I say we hunker down for a bit. Come sunup; we roll out. Kiwi and Fender, I want the two of you to double-check the clubhouse perimeter along with the motion sensors and alarms before turnin' in for the night. Nova, you go check on Piper. And Wick, make sure Sydney is settled. The kid witnessed some heavy shit earlier. That on top of what she's already going through has probably taken its toll." With nothing left to say, Riggs slams the gavel.
The guys and I file out of church, and I head straight to my room here at the clubhouse. Though Vayda has a room here, I know she'll be in mine. I'm proven right when I open the door to see her standing in front of the window, staring out. She turns her head when the door clicks shut behind me. "Where is Sydney?" I ask.
"She's down the hall in my room with Piper. The two have really taken to each other. Piper has a way of settling Sydney. I checked on them ten minutes ago. They finally fell asleep."
"That's good." I stride toward where Vayda is standing. She turns to me immediately and snakes her arms around my waist. Her arm brushing against my side causes me to wince. Vayda notices and pulls back. Lifting my cut, she takes in my bloody tee. "What the hell, Malik!" She tugs my shirt up over my ribcage. "Oh my god! You've been shot!"
"Bullet only grazed me, baby. I'm fine."
"You didn't think to tell somebody?" Vayda grabs my hand and leads me into the bathroom. "I'm going to clean you up."
Opening the cabinet beneath the sink, Vayda grabs the first aid kit. She pulls out rubbing alcohol, sterile gauze, ointment, and lays the items out on the counter. The whole time she's grumbling under her breath. "I can't believe you got shot and didn't say anything."
"It's not that bad, baby. I doubt it even needs stitches."
