Page 68 of Gotta Dig Deep
“At your back, brother.” Gunny passed Glenna and Shamu, touching her gently on the shoulder before patting the dog. “We’ve got your back, little sister. Trust.”
“Goes both ways,” she returned, her gaze back on the men huddled in a group at the first fence, half inside and half still outside.
Horse threw open the kitchen door and stepped onto the stoop, Gunny filling up the space behind him as the door closed. The truck was still rolling slowly up the drive, and Moorcock had his window down, both arms stuck outside.
“His piece won’t be put away.” Horse knew Gunny didn’t need the insight, but nerves were building with every inch the truck crept closer.
“And the driver is carrying too. I see a shoulder holster.”
“He’s come far enough. Let’s go meet him.” Horse stepped off the stoop and into the driveway, striding quickly down the drive to keep the truck at a distance from the house. Crunching from behind said Gunny was with him, step for step.
“Ahoy the house,” Moorcock called as the truck rolled to a stop. He didn’t get out, staying in the stupid-looking position, leaning far out of the window. “I heard a rumor there were more Freed Riders in town. Glad to see my information was correct.”
“What do you want?” Horse let the hand with the gun dangle in full view at his side. “If you know who we are, you gotta know this is a bad idea, whatever it is.”
“Well, see. I didn’t recognize you the other day, but my friends educated me.” He gestured towards the outside door handle. “Mind if I join you on terra firma? This is awkward as hell.”
“Just tell the man what you wanna say.” Gunny placed himself at Horse’s shoulder. “No reason to get comfortable. You won’t be stayin’ long.”
“Is that any way to treat a neighbor?” Moorcock tsked as he opened the truck door, climbing out with an exaggerated stretch. “It’s been a long night, gentlemen.”
“Then get to it, asshole. You and the MDMC aren’t welcome here.” Horse didn’t see a gun on Moorcock, but he remained half behind the open door, and nothing could be certain.
“Myfriends,” Moorcock smiled as he said this, “want to offer an olive branch, as it were. They’ll keep the ranch they’ve already bought and paid for, and you leave them alone. In return they’ll not bother the pretty widow woman who owns this place. You’ll remember from my last visit that Jackson Snyder would rather the terms be slightly different, but my friends can show him the error of his ways.”
Horse was already shaking his head negatively. “No can do, ballsac. The MDMC isn’t welcome in our territory, and Belle falls smackdab in the middle of said territory. Yourfriendsare gonna have to relocate. Quickly, if they don’t want to start something they’re not ready for.”
“I told them this would likely be your response. I’ve done my research, you know. I knew the Freed Riders support club had a chapter near here, but my advice of restraint was sadly overruled.” Moorcock glanced at the driver of the truck. “No matter how I argued, there was a burning desire to stretch the bounds of their existing territory.”
“Don’t care.” Gunny spat the words. “You knew and did that shit anyway, just means you’re extra stupid.”
“Yes, well, it does impact negotiations, I can see that.” Moorcock glanced at the driver again and Horse saw the man was looking down into his lap.
“Stalling,” he clipped, and a startled expression flitted across Moorcock’s face.
“Agreed.” Gunny’s arm lifted, pistol pointed at the driver. “Time to vacate the premises, assholes.”
“Horse.” Glenna’s call wasn’t fearful but held a tone of urgency. He whipped his head to see her at the kitchen door. “They’re past the fences, and there are more of them.”
“Retreat?” Gunny’s quiet question was low enough Horse didn’t think Moorcock heard him.
Then everything changed because Horse heard the rumble of bike exhausts, what sounded like dozens of them. Followed by a single gunshot sounding in the distance.
“Naw, we can pincher these two.” He lifted his gun and aimed at the truck, firing at the front wheel. The sound of the tire exploding was eclipsed by the gunshot.
A hole appeared in the door in front of Moorcock and at first, he thought Gunny had shot at the man, then realized the metal bent outward.
“Fucking hell, he’s got a cannon in there.” Gunny sounded gleeful as he dropped to one knee and took quick aim. The glass shattered to the side of the driver, who slumped over the wheel. “Oops. Might have shaved that one too close.”
Horse took aim at the hole in the truck door, meaning to bend the metal the other direction when Glenna screamed, Shamu barking wildly.
He whirled and saw Glenna in the kitchen door, Snyder behind her with arms outstretched.
***
Glenna
The imminent threat of armed men coming at them was nothing like Glenna ever thought she’d experience, but the idea beating in the front of her mind continued to be that they couldn’t take her place, not by wiles and cheating, and not by force.Never. It’s mine, belongs to my family.
