Caught in the Riptide

Chapter 9

Carlos spat blood out of his mouth. He was on his hands and knees in the garage of the Pearl hotel. Bryce paced back and fourth in front of him, knuckles red from blood.

"I keep giving you chances. And your luck has just run out Carlos." Bryce spat at him. The biker gang merely stood back and watched their leader get the daylights beat out of him from Bryce.

"We didn't know they were coming here! And we don't know who that guy is sir." he spat more blood out. He got to his knees, looking up at Bryce.

"He's seen to much, and has the owner of the shack. Which makes this a lot fucking harder Carlos!" Bryce shouted and smacked him again. The gang winced.

"You are all relieved of your duties. We are no longer partners, no more checks. I'll handle this myself." Bryce pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his knuckles. He turned on his heel and left the gang in the garage.  

A few members tried to help Carlos up, he jerked out of their grip. He whipped his nose from the blood. His anger was already at a boiling point. 

"What now boss?" one asked him. 

"We'll take care of if before he does. He'll be begging us to come back to work after what we do to that place." Rage rang in his voice as they all climbed on their bikes.

~

The Daybreak Shack decided to stay open later because Ramone asked to stay longer and have a bit of a beach party. Blake couldn't refuse, everyone seemed to be enjoying it and the cash flow for the day was high for both businesses. The sun was setting and there was a slight breeze in the air. Someone had lit a bonfire on the beach. It was a perfect night.

Blake hadn't heard from Luke for the rest of the day. She checked her phone continuously and was disappointed each time. She went out for a surf session to clear her head a bit like it usually did, but her performance wasn't as great as it usually was. She kept whipping out or couldn't catch a wave. At one point, she just floated out in the water, watching the sky turn blue to pink.

She eventually rode a wave in and walked inside the shack. Cali noticed her mood as she came in and set her board down in its usual spot.

"So, he just got busy. It's alright." Cali said. Blake sighed. 

"I think he's hiding something." Blake said, grabbing her dry bag.

"Don't jump to huge conclusions. He just moved here and has got a lot going on." She tried to be reassuring. Blake nodded before heading into the bathroom to change.

She looked in the mirror and saw sadness across her features. She couldn't remember the last time she fell for someone this hard. She changed out of her bikini and tried to tell herself she was overthinking. She splashed water on her face, to clear her head and get the saltwater off when she heard glass shatter. She whipped her head up. More glass shattered and she threw the door open.

The gang was back. But this time, they were damaging everything in sight. Tables were broken, mugs and glasses getting thrown, even the two windows had chairs thrown through them.

Blake's heart broke, but it was pounding furiously. She wanted to scream, to fight, but after what she and Luke had just gone through, she wasn't ready to face what they wanted. Tourists were running out, and people were running from the beach. The taco truck even shut its doors to avoid trouble.

"Little Miss Blake. I've about had it with you."  He shouted at her. His face was bloodied as he came into view a bit clearer to Blake. As he stepped over glass and overturned tables, he would smash more things with his crowbar.

Blake's heart went to her throat. Cali hid behind the counter and watched Blake. She gave Cali a look that said run.

"My boss keeps punishing me for not pulling though for him. And I've done everything for that bastard. And your little blondie friend was the last straw." he spat.

"Just please leave us alone, we don't want any trouble anymore." Blake said, putting her hands up slightly. Usually, she would stand up to him, no problem. But fear and the sound of the gunshots rang through her body. She tried not to tremble.

Carlos laughed. "We are passed the niceties. I'm going to take care of you myself."

Blake looked past Carlos, and his cronies were outside scaring away more people. She glanced down behind the counter, and Cali was still there, but she had her phone close by. She knew she had called someone.

Run Cali Run

Carlos swung the crowbar and Blake backed a step. She tried to remember her self defense training, but not much was coming to her. He swung again and she ran under the bar. She swiveled and Carlos swung. She caught the bar in her hands and stood firm. Carlos had anger in his eyes as he tried to shake Blake off. 

"Cali get out of here!" she shouted. She poked her head over the counter but made no move. Carlos shoved her, making her lose her footing. She fell to the ground on some glass, it stinging her palms and arms slightly. But her adrenaline was furiously flowing through her. 

"Night night Blakey." He wound up the crowbar as if he was going to hit a nail with a hammer. Blake curled herself up and covered her head. She braced herself for the pain. Luke's smiling face flashed before her in her memory.

"Freeze FBI!"

Her heart stopped. She knew that voice.