Keeping It in the Family (Linstead)

Chapter 77

"Jesus Christ, what happened to you?" Ruby Riot said to Liv Morgan.

The blonde, the prettiest member of the Riot Squad, not that there was much competition for that title other than 'Victoria Fernandez', had just walked into Integrity Auto with a bloody and swollen eye, and a bloody nose.

She's taken a beating, that's what's happened, Gonzalez thought. She was standing by a crappy old pickup truck that someone had brought in for some work to be done on it. Shayna Baszler had been showing her how to beat dents out of the passenger door, while Ruby Riot and Sarah Logan did little more than stand around and talk crap.

"I went and handed the money over to McGarry like you said," Morgan said to Riot. "And I left it short like you said, and we all know why."

Apart from me, Gonzalez thought, which she realised was by design. Still, it didn't take much to figure out that the MC had been unhappy with some service or product that they had bought, and had underpaid as a result. The underpayment hadn't been well received.

"So he beat you," Riot said angrily. She obviously hadn't expected there to be any violence.

"Punched me in the face, then kicked me in the face too when I was on the floor. I'm surprised I'm not hurt worse than I am. He said, 'You women bikers want to be treated like anyone else I deal with. That's what happens to people who fuck me around.' Then he drove off and left me there. I had to ride back here, could hardly see the road."

"Shayna, take her Chicago Med. Take the van," Riot ordered. "This will not go unanswered."

"I'll handle it," Sarah Logan said. "And I'll take the Prospect with me. She handled herself well last time I went out with her. You up for some revenge, Fernandez?"

Gonzalez didn't need to be asked twice. Any chance to prove herself useful to the MC was something she had to jump on, particularly one like this which she would be good at. "Absolutely," she replied.

Gonzalez knew who was going to be at her door when she heard a knock. Sarah Logan was coming to pick her up so that they could go get revenge on whoever the guy named McGarry was. Gonzalez had already messaged Zelina Vega and told her that this would not be a good night to come over.

"You all set?" Logan said when Gonzalez opened the door.

"Yes," she replied. Neither of them had their MC cuts on. For tonight's job they would travel in Logan's car, and be dressed in clothes that wouldn't made them easily identifiable. Logan was wearing a black tracksuit, whereas Gonzalez had a black hoodie and black jeans on. She had also put on the leather gloves she used for riding, since she imagined her fists might be getting a workout.

Saying nothing more, Logan led the way to her car, and they both got in.

"After last time, I'm going to let you take the lead on this one. Let me see what you can do," Logan said once they were on the move. "For a start, we'll need to get into McGarry's house, once we're satisfied that it's only him there. How would you suggest we do that?"

Appear competent, but not too competent, Gonzalez told herself. "Go around back, I would say, although I obviously don't know what the place looks like. I'm assuming breaking in the front, in sight of the street, is a stupid idea. Not sure about how to get in though. Kick the door in?" The last part was Victoria Fernandez talking, not Raquel Gonzalez. If she used her real talents, she would have been able to get in front or back without anyone seeing or hearing a thing.

"No, we don't kick the door in, not unless we have to anyway. It's noisy. I'll try and pick the lock. Once we're in, it's over to you."

"Okay," Gonzalez said simply.