12. Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Drake

We finally made it to San Antonio and I couldn’t be happier to reach a destination.

I had never been to Texas before, but hot damn it is hot here. No one told me I would be sweating like a whore in church, when I got to Texas.

As I followed the large truck ahead, I took a moment to finally admire my surroundings. This entire trip I had spent my time paying close attention to the truck I was paid to protect and the cars driving past us. Looking at the world around me just wasn’t part of the task. Now, though, I could admire my new scene. Truth be told, I had never really traveled much. Apart from heading from towns surrounding Hollow Cove, I hadn’t even been out of the state of Kentucky. Now, I was in a whole new state and I wanted to take just a minute to see what it offered. In school, I had always been a secret history buff. It wasn’t cool for me and my friends to show that we liked actually being in school, but I would research moments in history and locations where battles and wars took place. I always found it interesting to learn about the past that had created my present.

As we continued to drive, I spotted the Alamo to my right. We were in the heart of downtown San Antonio and I motioned for the guys to slow down. The tan, stone wall that acted as a barrier to the Alamo reminded just how old and precious this landmark was. Large wooden doors led to the inside of the compound and every detail I could make out seemed too intricate and detailed. I was reminded of a lesson on the Alamo from school. It had been founded in 1836 and I was shocked to see that it had withstood weather and generations. Large Spanish Moss trees lined the walls as people paid their respects. We continued on and my heart stung just a little at the notion that we wouldn’t have time to stop and take a tour. Maybe one day I could bring Lacy back here and we could really take the time to be tourists. Right now, though, I was on a job.

We traveled along the Riverwalk that housed shops and restaurants and again, people littered the area as they enjoyed the beautiful world around them. As we traveled out of downtown, I knew we were getting close to our destination.

I wiped my brow as we finally pulled up to the large warehouse where the truck was scheduled to arrive. I always wore jeans and a leather jacket when I rode, as well as my helmet, but right now, I am regretting that decision. I throw my leg over the bike and begin fanning my body.

The driver opens his cab door and hops down. He is a heavy-set guy with a thick, red beard and a bald head.

Extending out his hand, he walks over to me and the other guys as they park their bikes by mine. “Thank you so much for escorting me,” he says. “Some of our guys have had a few problems, and I didn’t want any trouble,” he finishes.

“No problem. We were happy to help,” I say, as I shake his hand.

I wasn’t sure what to do next. Did I help him unload the haul? Did I just wave goodbye and leave? I guess we hadn’t really discussed that part, but knowing my upbringing, my dad would beat my ass if he knew I at least didn’t offer to help the guy out.

The driver walked over to the back of the truck and unlocked the lock. He pulled up the door and as the sunlight filled the space, my heart sank to the pit of my stomach.

Oh. Fuck.

My eyes landed on several small boxes and a few clear containers. Inside the containers were what looked like bags of marijuana.

“What is that?” I asked quickly, before my mouth and brain had time to communicate.

The driver climbed into the back of the truck just as another large eighteen-wheeler pulled up.

“What do you mean? It’s our product?” he said, shaking his head and laughing like I had just made a joke.

The driver looked back at me slowly and then really let out a belly laugh. “Oh shit, you didn’t know did you?” he asks.

“Know what?” Blaze asks, stepping up in front of me to inspect what is inside of the truck bed. He had gotten in late last night and was still a little exhausted, but now he was on high alert.

“You took on a job by Josh. He and his entire family are completely messed up. I don’t know their last names, but I know he uses a lot of aliases to move his product across state and country lines. Why else would they need to hire protection in the form of a motorcycle gang?” he asked.

“We aren’t a gang,” Axel snapped. “We don’t dabble in illegal activity.”

I was almost too angry to speak. Afraid that if I opened my mouth, a fiery blaze might shoot out. We got scammed. We were made to look like fools and we had helped bring illegal drugs across state lines. I had never committed any type of crime in my life. Regardless of what my exterior looked like, I was a law-abiding citizen and never once thought about breaking the law. Now, I may just really do something corrupt because all I want to do right now is kill Josh.

“Drake, I had no idea, I swear,” Ryder states, tears brimming in his eyes. He is a tough kid, but I can see how this is truly killing him.

I want to be angry with Ryder for bringing this guy into our lives but I can’t. Ryder was fooled just like the rest of us. This guy sought us out. He found Ryder as a way to get to me. But why?

I look to my youngest brother and take a deep, calming breath before I speak. “Ryder, I am pissed beyond belief, but not at you. This guy...Josh, he took us all for fools. We will figure this out as a family,” I seethe, through clenched teeth.

Ryder still looks upset but he nods. I’m the oldest and it is my responsibility to protect my brothers-- and I failed.

The second driver gets out of his rig and begins to take boxes the first driver hands him. I can’t believe we are all here just watching this go down. No, this isn’t right.

“You can tell Josh to fuck off. The Raven’s are done with him,” I spit out toward the drivers.

They both chuckle as they continue to transfer the boxes from one truck to the other.

The bald driver turns to me. “Look, you seem like an honest guy. I can respect that, really I can. But now, you are Josh’s bitch. Once he gets you, he has blackmail to use as leverage to keep you working for him. How do you think we got stuck working for him?” he asks.

“Maybe because you like the money offered to you. We know Josh can pay well,” Blaze says.

“Yeah, the money is too good to turn away. But, you also can’t cry to the cops when he can just as easily tell them that you knew that you were helping to transport illegal drugs. Do you know how many felonies you all just committed?” the bald driver asks.

I feel like I was just punched in the stomach. I want to fall to the ground. My entire world. Everything I have created and helped keep intact, might just be taken from me in the blink of an eye.

I clenched my fists to my sides as rage blinds me. I need to punch someone. I need to scream. No, I need to talk to Josh.