Page 12 of Russian Roulette
Maybe blindfolding her is going a bit overboard. I don’t like strangers knowing about my place in the desert. It’s not much, only a small RV camper parked on several acres of desert that I own. It’s my refuge and the only place I’ve felt comfortable in my life.
I have more than enough money to build a mansion on the land if I wanted to. Which I don’t. The camper is plenty big enough for me, with a small bed and a tiny bathroom. That’s all I need. Most of my time is spent outside anyway when I’m here in the desert. I grill out my meals under the stars and sleep out there too most nights.
The only people I allow at my place are Kit, Seven and Leroy. They understand my need to get away from the crowds and the bright lights of Vegas. When the demons burning within me become too much to deal with, I escape here, where I can breathe in peace.
“Here we are,” Leroy announces as he pulls to a stop minutes later in front of my camper. “Home, sweet home. Thank God, it’s not my home. I couldn’t live in a place like this for a million dollars. I enjoy the finer things in life too much to live like a homeless nomad.”
“You mean we’re finally here?” Jade sits up straighter in the seat in anticipation.
I’m curious about her reaction when we arrive at my place. I’m even more interested in finding out exactly what’s she’s up to. When Seven called me to ask if I wanted to help him with something, I agreed without asking for details. If he needs my help, I’m in. No questions asked. That’s the way we roll.
When he told me we might have an opportunity to stick it to Giovanni, it only sweetened the pot for me. It’s a toss-up which one of us hates the slimy bastard more. He screws us all over equally, so it’s hard to say.
Jade nudges my leg with her knee. “Hey you! Are you paying attention? Can I take this blindfold off now?”
I reach over and untie it, then toss it over the seat to Seven. “Thanks for the scarf, buddy. Throw it in the wash. It’s a little bloody.”
She blinks to clear her eyes, then leans over me to look out the window. “Oh wow, it’s a camper trailer in the middle of the fucking desert. What are we doing here? Cooking up meth Breaking Bad style? I hate to tell you boys, that’s a little above my skill set.”
“Not today,” I answer. “We don’t do drugs. Not anymore. I left that crazy train behind a long time ago, never to go back again.”
I step out and grab her arm as she exits behind me. “In case you get the bright idea to run off, you should understand we’re miles away from anyone. You won’t find help and you’ll only get lost. Save us all the trouble so we don’t have to come rescue you.”
“Got it,” she says, her eyes taking in everything.
I can tell by her fast reply that she’s already searching for an escape route. I wouldn’t expect anything less from her.
“I’m serious, Jade. The desert is dangerous. There are snakes and scorpions, along with many other wild things to contend with. The sun can play tricks on your mind and cause you to become disoriented. Don’t try it.”
“I’m not stupid,” she shoots back at me. “And I don’t have a death wish.”
“That’s not what I heard.”
Her eyes fly to my face. “What do you mean? Do you know something about me?”
“We should discuss that,” I say, leading her over to a large wooden picnic table beside the RV. A big, blue umbrella hangs over the table, providing the only shade for miles around. “Take a seat.”
The other guys have already claimed their regular spots at the table. We’ve spent more nights out here together than I can count. Drinking and shooting the bull. Spinning ideas of how we can get out from under Giovanni’s control. So far, none of us have come up with jack shit. Until now, that is.
“Got any beer?” Leroy asks, already unlocking my camper’s door with his key. We all possess keys to each other’s homes, so we can come and go as we please. The same with our cars, motorcycles and other vehicles. We live by the motto ‘if it’s mine, it’s yours’. There’s nothing we wouldn’t do for each other.
“No need to ask,” I tell him. “Don’t I always keep the fridge stocked with beer? Care for a beer, Jade?”
She declines, “No, but I would love some water. If it’s in a bottle.”
“Are you worried we’ll try to get you drunk? Something tells me you could probably drink us all under the table if you set your mind to it.”
“And you might be right,” she says. “I’d prefer water, though. Alcohol dulls my senses.”
“Well, we can’t have that then, can we?” I reply.
Leroy returns with a six-pack of cold beer that he plops on the table and a water bottle for Jade. He settles down in his favorite lounge chair that sinks low under his weight while Seven and Kit join Jade on the bench.
“Thanks,” Jade says when Leroy hands her a water bottle. She shakes the bottle to check for anything suspicious, inspects it in the sunlight, and verifies the seal is intact.
“Damn girl! We’re not trying to drug you,” I say. “That’s despicable.”
“I wouldn’t put it past you,” she replies. “It wouldn’t be the first time a man tried to slip something into my drink. I’ve learned the hard way to be careful. I trust no one.”
