Page 66 of Ripper
“Last time it was me, not you. If she finds out that you’re looking for her and that you’re alone, I don’t think she’d be able to pass up that opportunity,” I told him.
Ripper thought about it for a moment. I knew he was hesitant, that he was probably worried he was walking me into another trap, but I didn’t care. I wanted her gone just as much as he did, and I was willing to do whatever it took to get this done. Then, and only then, we could all rest easy.
“Ronnie’s right, Ripper. This may be the only way this works. We found Ray and Anna once. They’re sure as hell not gonna tell any of the other members where they are now. This is the only chance we’ve got,” said Tank.
“Yeah, I know.”
“So, do you know a place?” asked Claymore.
“I do. Thing is, we can’t all go. If she even senses that I’m not there alone, she’s gonna head for the hills and we may never find her again.”
“Claymore, you’re going. We can’t afford to lose out on this one,” said Tank, and Claymore nodded.
“I’m coming too.”
“Ronnie, you just got out of a terrible fucking situation. It was my fault they even got to you in the first place. I can’t let that happen again,” he said.
“Well, there’s no way you’re going without me. We’re in this together, remember?”
He nodded reluctantly, and I smiled.
“Now, I’m gonna need that gun.”
***
I felt the large chunk of metal pressing against my skin through the holster clipped into the back of my jeans. I pulled my bike into the lot near the wharf. The place was completely dead at this time of night, and I found it strange that this would be a place Anna liked to visit. I hid behind one of the empty shipping containers that was probably going to be picked up the following morning, ready to be stuffed full of more cargo. Ripper parked his bike closer to the water, getting out to take in the scene, placing his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket. Part of me worried that this wasn’t going to work, that Anna could’ve been long gone by now, but I had to trust that she hadn’t. She had unfinished business with the Rebels. She wanted revenge on all of us, but especially Ripper. If she’s been keeping such a close eye on him, then she would’ve been able to figure out where he went. I just hoped she didn’t also know I was there with him.
I listened to the sound of the rushing current underneath the wharf. There were no cars around, no local fishermen coming off their boats, nothing. It was silent for a while, so long that I thought this really was all for nothing, but that’s when I heard it. The sound of heeled boots on the asphalt, turning the corner to the sidewalk that led directly to the wharf.
I peeked out from behind the shipping container to see her approach Ripper, but I was too far to hear their conversation. I moved up, sneaking behind the closest building in the parking lot so I could listen in. Claymore took the other side, and when I glanced over at the dumpsters at the far end of the lot, I spotted his head poking out.
“This is the last place I expected you’d be. Shouldn’t you be at home with your lady?” she asked, snidely.
“I’m surprised you’re even showing your face, Anna. You ran out of that house so fast I barely saw you. How did you even know I was here?”
“I’ve got eyes just about everywhere, Ripper. You should know that by now. I’ve waited a long time to make you hurt the way I did when you broke up with me. I’ve waited ages to show you exactly what you’ve been missing. Don’t you get bored with her? I mean, she’s naive, stupid, and she practically walked herself right into being kidnapped. Don’t you miss having someone that is actually fit to live this life?”
Ripper folded his arms across his chest, shaking his head, and it looked to me like it was taking every ounce of his self-control not to pummel her on the spot.
“You really don’t get it, do you, Anna? We were never good together. All you ever were to me was a pain in my ass. I never loved you. I never wanted you. Do you think Ray cares about you? Don’t you see that he’s just using you as a weapon against us? Ronnie isn’t the naive or stupid one, Anna. You are.”
She was fuming now. I could sense it. I reached for my gun in its holster, careful cocking it back. I heard footsteps approaching from either side of where Ripper was standing. My eyes widened when I realized what was happening, and I knew it was now or never.You have my back, Ripper, and I have yours.
“It’s too bad, Ripper. It’s a shame that you’re so fucking predictable. What? Did you convince the others that you’d be better off dealing with me alone? Did you really think you’d be able to corner me after everything I’ve done to get to where I am today? When I found out you were here, I knew I had to invite a few other friends to join us. Come on out, boys,” she said.
Two tall, hulking men in their leather jackets came out from where they’d been hiding. They both approached Ripper with their guns drawn, and I had a feeling they weren’t going to hesitate to take him out this time. They snarled at him, cackling like they’d been waiting for this day for a long time. Ripper’s eyes widened, and it was clear to me that he recognized them. Claymore approached them, but they were quick, turning their guns on him, firing off in his direction. He returned to cover while Ripper dealt with Anna. I realized then that everyone had their hands full, that if I didn’t do something now, they’d all be toast.
Claymore’s gunfire rang high, keeping the two bikers busy, giving me the opening I needed to put this to bed once and for all.
My hands started to shake at the thought of what I had to do. I took a deep breath, poking my head out, firing off the first shot. I only got one in the biker’s shoulder, but I fired off again, and it hit him straight in the back. The other turned around trying to figure out where the shots were coming from, but I got to him first. The bullet pierced the skin of his kneecap, but he still had nearly his full range of motion to shoot in my direction.
Anna took the chance to run, but Ripper rushed on after her. She was my closest target now and I fired off a direct shot right into her arm, watching as she fell to the ground. Ripper managed to pull his gun on the other biker, downing him. I approached Anna, glancing up to see Ripper and Claymore join me. I couldn’t help but feel a smile curl up on my lips.
“Payback’s a bitch, isn’t it, Anna?” I asked with a chuckle.
***
Ripper’s house was quiet, calm, and inviting when we finally returned. It felt so good to be back there, to know we were one step closer to taking down the Freeway Kings and being rid of the chaos for a while. Ripper was on the phone with Tank, who had Archer and Claymore staying overnight to keep Anna in the basement, suffering the very same fate that I did. They were going to drag her through the mud and do whatever was needed to get her to talk, but part of me wondered whether she ever would.
