Page 27 of Outlaw

“Just here to see Thump,” I tell him.

“You got a lot of balls, boy,” he chuckles, showing his yellow teeth. “I should put two in your chest and bring Thump your body.”

“You think he’d like that?” I ask. “As I recall, Ray, you weren’t hired for your decision-making abilities.”

Ray grins. He may be a goon, but he likes trading insults.

“And who are you?” he asks. “General Patton?”

“Nice modern reference, Ray. You find an old history book somewhere?”

I actually kind of still like Ray, despite how dangerous he is. He shakes his head and bangs on the door again. It unlocks and swings open.

“Nice knowin’ you, Christian,” Ray tells me as I pass him.

“You too, Ray.”

I walk past him and into the clubhouse. It’s not a party night, so there aren’t a lot of girls around, just a few here and there lounging with some of the boys who eye me as I come in. I see Ronnie with a girl on his lap wearing fishnets and a black, goth crop top who doesn’t look like she’s made it out of high school yet. His eyes almost bug out when he sees me.

“This motherfucker!” he exclaims, sliding the girl off his lap as he gets to his feet. “You got a death wish, pal?”

“Just here to see Thump,” I tell him. “See if we can clear this all up.”

Ronnie shakes his head and picks his tooth with a long fingernail. “Clear it up? You’re nuts, man.”

“Just tell me where to find Thump, Ronnie.”

“He’s out back,” he replies. “But I hope you have your last words ready, because that’s all you’ll be sayin’ to him.”

Gritting my teeth, I make my way through the house to the back door. I see Thump sitting by the campfire with Hawk, two girls on each of their legs. They think they’re kings. They think they’re untouchable. But like all arrogant tyrants, there always comes a day of reckoning.

I stop at the door and feel for the hidden microphone beneath my shirt. I know it’s there, but I just want to make sure. Hopefully, Bryant and his team are listening to everything and are ready to make their move. If not, I’m a dead man.

Thump looks up as I step outside, then bursts out laughing. He doesn’t even look surprised – it’s more like he simply can’t believe I’m here.

“Boy, I missed you, Christian,” he laughs. “I forgot just how crazy you are. Then you had to go and pussy out and disappear.”

“Yeah, well, you boys crossed the line,” I say as I walk over to him. I glance at the girls, who are doing their best to look like they’re enjoying themselves. Three of them are clearly on something. The other just looks drunk.

“Yeah?” he asks. “How’d we do that?”

“Trafficking in women? That’s low, even for you.”

“Trafficking?” Thump laughs. “I wouldn’t call it that.”

“No? What would you call it?”

The old man pushes his girls away and gets out of his chair. He stretches his hands high above his head, and I see the revolver stuck in his waistband. I feel naked without a piece on me.

“Providing a service,” he replies. “They sell their ass, we protect them. Simple.”

“And take a cut of course.”

“Of course.” He grins.

“But what if they want to leave, Thump? What then?”

“Why would they want that?” he roars. He gestures around him to the back yard, the fire pit and the rest of the Lions who have come out from inside to see what’s going down. “Look at all this!”

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