Page 22 of Lawless
"We will no longer be utilizing the service center outside of Old Phoenix, due to the owner being unable to keep his fucking mouth shut. We'll need a new place to stop for R&R on our eastbound ride. Any ideas?"
"How about that place that used to be a casino?" Brick suggested, scratching his crotch. I told him not to fuck that girl or he'd catch something. "It's a bit north but not too far out of the way."
"Too big," Reaper shook his head. "With so many drifters congregating in one place, it'd be easy for someone to sneak up and gank one of us."
"You saying we need somewhere more intimate?" Jandro asked with a lazy smile. "Some place cozy and comfortable, with some home cookin'?"
Reaper rolled his eyes at his VP's choice of words, but nodded. "It was unfortunate Tom had to break our agreement, but that place was damn near perfect for our needs. Good food, space for the bikes, comfortable beds, and right on our main route. It'll be hard to replace."
"Pussy was top-notch, too," added Big G with a sad shake of his head.
Jandro shifted uncomfortably in his seat, illustrating how we all felt. Big G's wife was heavily pregnant with their third child. None of us ordinarily cared how others conducted their personal lives—we all came from different backgrounds after all. Being married with side chicks was just how some men lived their lives. But Tess was a good, loyal woman. One of the few who would never even look at another man. The least he could do was be more discreet about messing around on her.
I cleared my throat to break up the awkwardness. "Maybe we ought to look at some maps and scout some places out first. We got two weeks until our next drop, so that should give us time."
Reaper nodded. "You, me, and Jandro will discuss it this evening at my house, if nobody else has any bright ideas."
Reaper's eyes swept across the faces at the table. When no one responded, he leaned back in his leather chair and lifted his chin at me.
"Gunner, what's the latest on this drop?"
"Smooth sailing as usual, boys," I announced, unfolding my inventory sheet with a smile to my brothers. “General Tash’s resistance has the weapons they need to maintain control of the border. In exchange for ten handguns, twenty-four hunting rifles, six assault rifles, four cases of grenades, plus accessories like extended mags, scopes, and speedloaders, we have received one full pallet of the finest motor oil, already processed, half a pallet of fresh steaks, none of that dried meat, boys!"
I paused in my report to let everyone moan and salivate, rubbing their bellies at the thought of a freshly grilled hunk of meat fit for a king. Salami and jerky could only whet a man's appetite so much.
"God, I can't wait to fire up the grill tonight," Jandro licked his lips.
"We also received," I continued, "two kilos of solid copper, one kilo of high-grade steel, and one pound of dried chilis." I set my paper down. "To season our meat with, I'm assuming."
That got a light chuckle out of some people, but Reaper's voice barked out from across the table. "What's General Tash renaming the New Mexico territory again?"
"New Ireland," I scoffed with an eye roll. "Because dried chilis and Southwestern desert is exactly what one pictures when you think of Ireland."
"So what's in store for the next drop?" Hades' black nose peered over the edge of the table next to his master, earning an affectionate ear stroke.
"Mostly ammo for the guns," I answered. "I already contacted our supplier to put that together. General Tash also asked me," I rubbed my chin, the five o'clock shadow itching my usually clean-shaven face, "about getting a few drones, which I haven't dealt with before. I'm putting some feelers out there to see what I can find but no major bites yet."
"Drones," Jandro scoffed. "Good for dropping off packages, pretty useless for actual warfare, unless anyone can break into the old Pentagon."
"Not to mention, they're easy to shoot," Reaper added. "Probably expensive and not really worth it."
"If they have cameras, the video can be saved immediately," I pointed out. "Even if the drone is lost, they're good for gathering intel. I made no promises, except to look into it."
Reaper spread his hands and shrugged. "I'm open to it, as long as the cost is low and we exchange for resources valuable to us."
"Oh, you know me, Mr. President," I winked across the table. "I'll find the best deal I can and nothing else."
"Great. So does anyone else have club business they need to address?"
Nothing but silence around the table, to which Reaper nodded. "Good. Church will resume on Sunday next week, usual time." He lifted the gavel, but before he could strike it down, Jandro raised a hand.
"Hold up, boss. You're not gonna say a word aboutMarrriposa?"
Reaper's hard scowl across the table at his VP could make a man shit himself. It only made Jandro smile smugly in return.
"We took a girl from the Old Phoenix center,” Reaper voiced reluctantly. “She's currently in one of my guest rooms, and may or may not fit in to club life. That has yet to be seen."
"Pres, I've never seen you take a girl for yourself before. Why's this one special?" Big G shot him a toothy smile. "And are ya up for sharing?"
