Page 55 of Tangled Threats on the Nomad Highway
“No. It’s new.” With those words, he’dsealed the deal. Choosing the path forward of withholding fromRetro something he might need to know, would prefer to know forsure.Hopefully it doesn’t come back to burn my ass.“Idon’t want to talk to anyone about it. The conversation she and Ihad today, I told her about Scar and what happened with my girls.That’s enough for one day, brother.” Nothing in that was a lie,especially the desire to keep the pseudo-relationship under wraps.“Talked a little about some of the things I need to go over withyou, because it has the potential to impact her.”
“We already know Scar’s on the move.”Silence pulsed down the line, and he imagined Retro angling hischin up, staring at the ceiling as he mulled over the pieces ofinformation he had in his possession. “You think he’s gonna targether. Man, that is one dumb son of a bitch. He’s gonna go afterMarian.” Retro’s intellect never failed to impress.
“Yeah, I do. Today was me asking her tostick with me, while telling her all the stories that should makeher wave off.” He cleared his throat. “She didn’t wave off.”Still not lying to Retro. “I promised her we’d keep hersafe, keep the ones she loves safe. She understands the danger andtrusts me.”No lies.“Scar doesn’t realize what he’s riskingby threatening to come here. I’m going to unload a lifetime’s worthof hurt on his ass, brother. He won’t lay a hand on her.”
“Every brother is at your back, Einstein.”Retro blew out a stream of air. “You get any intel that says he’smaking an approach in the next twenty-four hours?”
“No. Last time a body had eyes on him wasnear Kansas City, yesterday. He’s been pacing himself, stoppingeverywhere he might have allies. Any breaking news about theshakeup in the Machos?”
“Nope. Since Smoke picked up the phone andwanted to gather any info on what Zipline might have been planning,we’ve kicked off that inquiry, but it has yet to bring home thegold. Are we certain about connecting Scar with Zippy? I’m just notsure those two make fuckin’ sense, brother.”
Einstein scoffed, the noise hard and echoingin his ears. “Oh yeah, I expect Zipline to be riding with Scar whenhe shows his face. Scar doesn’t have many followers left. He’sfucked over everyone he comes into contact with, and, for those hehasn’t yet done the honors to, I’ve reached out and proactivelymade friendly overtures. I don’t think they’d latch on to himwithout at least a courtesy call.”
“Think he’s continuing that angled drop thisway?” He might sound distracted, but Einstein knew Retro was fullyengaged in the conversation. “Or maybe drop due south?”
“Tulsa or OKC? Dallas? Unlikely. Between theRWMC and Blackie’s boys, Scar’d be an idiot to try and scoop up anysupport in those locations.” Closing his eyes, he ran through whathe knew. “But, there’s the fact Smoke’s VP bailed. Maybe he’slooking to scout help from farther west, all the way out to ElPaso? Zipline would have a ton of connections, and we know for afact he’s being friendly with Scar. I dunno. Is that what you’rethinking?”
“I wasn’t. Not until you put words to it.Now I am.” Retro chuckled. “I miss doin’ this with you, asshole. Ifyou’re looking to lock down that pretty Marian, does that meanyou’re going to give back the rocker soon?”
Air turned solid in his lungs, his bloodseeming to congeal where it flowed through his veins.Give upbeing nomad?“No.” His head was already shaking back and forthbefore he could grit out his response. “No. No, not yet.”
“All right, all right. I’m gettin’ ahead ofmyself. But, just sayin’, bein’ a nomad don’t work that well ifyou’re lookin’ to put down roots. There in Baker, or here inBirmingham, we could talk.” Noise in the background resolved to abright woman’s voice, words not quite intelligible. “Oh yeah, baby.You know I’ll be up in a minute. Go ahead and get all warmed up forme. Give me a little show when I get to the bedroom.”
“I’ll let you go.” He sat upright, lookingaround. “What time is it?” Darkness hovered behind the gap in theblinds.
“Ten or so. Not too late for fun times, ifthat’s what you’re trying to say.” Retro’s laugh was low andknowing. “But you’re right, I need to follow my Trina up thosestairs right quick. Talk soon. See you tomorrow.”
The line went dead in his ear, and Einsteinshoved it in his pocket as he stood. There’d been noise fromdownstairs a little bit ago, and a wave of anxiety drove him to thekitchen, where he found Bane standing and rocking his little girl,who was sleeping on his shoulder while Myrtle bustled around thecountertops near the microwave.
“Brother.” He kept his voice low butcouldn’t hide the grin at seeing this doting-father side of the bigman. “Would you and Gunny have a minute to chat tonight?” He mightnot want to discuss Marian as he’d been forced to do with Retro,but they deserved to know everything he’d gotten so far about Scarand Zipline, and what he thought the men were aiming for. Hegrimaced. “Maybe more than a minute?”
Bane’s gaze was flat, emotionless as hestudied Einstein’s face. Slowly his expression softened, and Banenodded. “Yeah. Maye’s down for the count. I’ll take her and Myrtupstairs in a few. Go ahead and call Gunny, give him a heads-up.Let’s do a firepit convo. Tell him to bring the beer.”
“Sounds like a plan.” He indicated the sidedoor with his chin. “I’ll be out there.”
“Catch up with you soon, man.” Myrtle sidledclose to Bane, and Einstein watched her fingers curl around Bane’sbelt, remembering the feeling of Marian’s similar grip today. Banedipped sideways and kissed her temple. “Let’s go up, Momma.”
“Night, Einstein.” Myrtle’s sweet facewreathed in a smile. “Sleep well.”
“You too, Myrt.”
Outside, the darkness had deepened to covereverything. Fortunately, Einstein had been here often enough hecould easily follow the pathway in the limited light. He angled thescreen of his phone away when he unlocked it, using it toilluminate the grass and packed dirt in front of him. At theclearing, he found a stack of wood off to the side, propped a booton the splintered edges of the wooden wedges, and dialed Gunny.
“What?” One ring was all it took to haveGunny growling in his ear. “My demon spawn are sleeping, whichmeans I have about half a buzz on already. You need me to gosomewhere, it’ll take me most of a pot of coffee to feelcomfortable ridin’, brother.”
“Firepit closest to Bane’s place. You steadyenough to climb the stile over the fence, or need me to come giveyou a hand?”
“Halfway to the door already, man.” Fromacross the clearing that stood on this side of the fence and pastthe field standing on the other, he saw a bright rectangle appearagainst the darkness. A form filled the opening, and then therectangle disappeared. “Whadya need, man?”
“Bane said you should bring the beer.” Hesuppressed laughter at Gunny’s groaning sigh. “Hey, he’s yourpresident, not mine.”
“Damn good thing I got a beer fridge nearthe jackass shed.” There was a forceful exhale; then Gunny grunted,“Shit fire. Fuckin’ dogs.”
“See you in a few. I’ll get the firestarted.”
“Yeah. I gotta beat me some kids. They’renot pickin’ up after the beasts.”
“Not tonight though, right?” He lifted apartial log, tossing it towards where he knew the fire ring was.“And you can say it all you want, but not a bit of me believes youlift a hand to your so-called demon spawn.”
