Page 87 of Five Mountain Daddies

Amelia is supposed to be the enemy. I know she isn’t, but to them, she’s everything they hate. She’s corporate, the CEO, the person that has all the power over them and refuses to give them anything. I know that’s not true, that she’s almost as powerless as we are. She wants to help, but it’s almost impossible for her to get anything done with Ingram breathing down herneck.

And so the fuck what if I bring her around? She’s still a goddamn person. She deserves to spend time with this community, considering she’s going to be a big part of it if she stays. She should get to know everyone, see them for the people theyare.

At least that’s my excuse. Truth is, I just want to see her. It’s selfish of me, I know, but I just want to bring her around all the time, get to know her more. Maybe kiss her again, since that’s all I ever want to do when she’saround.

As I walk over to the parking lot, toward my truck, I’m so lost in thought that I don’t notice the three figures get out of a truck nearby and start walking toward me. I’m so pissed and distracted that I don’t see them approaching until they’re right on top ofme.

“SamuelCarter.”

I turn just before getting into my truck. “Yeah?” Igrunt.

Three guys appear in front of me. In the half light of the moon and the weak yellow street lamp nearby, I can just barely make out their faces. The closest guy is Roger Lark, a heavy man with a bushy beard and hard, gray eyes. The guy on his right is Jimmy Brown, whip thin and starting to bald, with hawk-like features. And the third guy is Tom Sloan, taller than the other two, covered in muscles. All three of these guys are cops with the localPD.

“I hear you’ve been making trouble,” Roger says. He’s the oldest and clearly theleader.

“You three here to arrest me or some shit?” I ask them, except I notice that none of them are wearing auniform.

Roger laughs. “We ain’t on duty rightnow.”

“Then what the fuck doyou—“

I don’t have a chance to get out that sentence before Tom Sloan steps up and decks me across the jaw, sending me stumbling back. I see black for a second as rage overtakes me, spilling out. I’m bigger than all these guys, and I know I can break them intopieces.

But I react too slow. Tom and Jimmy are on me, fists slamming into my body, and I get tripped up by the fucking curb at the front of my truck. I stumble and Jimmy shoves me to the ground. I hit the pavement hard as Jimmy and Tom kick me in the back and the gut. I can only cover up my face to keep them from killingme.

“Stop,” Roger says finally, and the blows stop. Pain wretches through my skin and I’m struggling to breathe. I’m pretty sure I’ve got a broken rib ortwo.

Roger bends down next to me. “You know why we did this?” he asksme.

“You’re a bunch of fucking pussies,” I whisper and spit blood onto the ground as I heave myself up onto my hands and knees. That feels a little better. “Gotta jump me with three guys to make it a fairfight.”

Jimmy kicks me in the stomach again and I roll over onto my back,groaning.

Roger leans over me, shaking his head. “Watch your mouth, minerboy.”

“What the fuck do you want?” I manage togasp.

“Ingram says to back the fuck off Amelia Evans. He says if you want a contract, you better stay in line. You understandme?”

My mind’s reeling. “So the cops do his dirtywork?”

“Just us. Do what he says, boy. Don’t get yourselfkilled.”

With that, all three men disappear. I lay there and listen to their footsteps recede until they get into a truck and driveoff.

I stay there for a bit, getting myself together. Pain runs up through my body, but that’s nothing compared to the rage that fills me, burning whitehot.

Not only are my own people questioning my loyalties, but now that fucking scumbag Ingram is sending his rotten cop goons to jump me in a dark parking lot. Those fucking cocksuckers had to sucker punch me and kick me on the ground. And they think it’s going to fucking scare meoff.

Fuck them. Nothing’s scaring me off. I slowly get up to my feet. I stumble over to my truck, holding my side. Fuck those guys, fuck everyone else. I’m not giving up on my people, and I’m not going to be scared away by Ingram. Now I’ll be ready for them if they try that again. Those rich bastards think they can bust up our union, but they’re so fuckingwrong.

I get into my truck and drive back home, anger pouring through me likerain.

13

Amelia

Janet, did I miss a phone call from Mr.Carter?”

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