Page 27 of Dark Alleys

Akito followed a few other bikes, and I followed him. We wove through the city, and I recognized the streets I’d been on earlier in the day. Had to figure we were going to Paco’s house for some after-hours fun and games.

Vincent Residence. East Congress. Austin.

I slowed down, parked in the shadows and watched the Dragons set their kickstands and go inside Paco’s shack. All of them drunk, hooting and hollering and laughing themselves silly.

I gave them a chance to get settled in and start doing their drinking or drugs or whatever pulled their chains, then I circled around the house and walked in through the door I had trashed earlier in the day.

Paco Vincent had invited his VP, Ramone Diaz, and the club Enforcer, Carlos Perez along with three other club members who were getting special treatment for whatever reason.

One of them being Akito Rodriguez. They were all shooting up and the sight of it made me want to puke.

I leaned on the kitchen counter where they couldn’t see me from the living room, and I watched them until they were so high they were out of their fuckin’ heads.

Laughing and talking crazy.

No way they’d care or even notice I was there.

I smiled as I pulled the pin and rolled a live grenade into the midst of the fun-filled Dragons.

Time to go.

I beat it out the back door and ran hard for my truck.

Boom.

Adrenaline pumping through my veins like liquid energy, I slid behind the wheel and headed for home.

One loose end tied up.

Chapter Six

Saturday, June 7th.

Riverside District. Austin.

I’d been up half the night getting justice for Cindy and her little baby, and I slept a lot later than I should have. First thing I did when I opened my eyes was light up a smoke and check my messages.

I was surprised to see a text from Kamps.

“Nice one.”

“Thanks.”

And more surprised to see one from Regan.

“Did you catch him?”

“I did.”

“Good job.”

“Thanks.”

Happy that Regan texted me, I wrapped my arm in plastic, heavy on the duct tape, and took a hot shower. Toweling off my long mop of hair, I realized I was starting to feel a lot better. My arm hadn’t woken me up a single time in the night with the usual throbbing and me needing more meds.

Dressed in clean clothes, I was popping down a couple of slices of bread for toast when Neil called.

“Hey, Lukas.”

---