Running Blind

Getting Real

She took a deep breath when she left her apartment. Her life had changed and it wasn't just finding Travis's killer. It was her own life that hung in the balance. Tommy was the Ragin Rebels enforcer, collector and all around muscle. When you saw him coming you knew the Snake put a marker on you.

When she found herself on the parkway, it dawned her there was no motorcycle. Tommy rode on of the old-school knucklehead Harley's but her gaze found nothing parked out front. She swiveled her head to find him coming to a stop behind her. Tommy being so tall forced her gaze to lift up to him.

"Where's your bike?" Giving him a quizzical look.

"No bike when there is work, to easy for witnesses to id you. Taking my car." His meaty finger pointed to a beater of a car. It looked like it should be in the salvage yard. Tommy must have seen the look on her face, for his laughter pulled her away from the pile of junk.

"It looks like shit but it can roll, all the juice is under the hood."

Baleigh started to respond but only a loud yelp barked out as Tommy's hand slapped her ass. His hands were huge, like big black paddles and there was no doubt he could land a wallop. Her hand went to the flaming cheek as she started to follow him to the car.

"Come on girl, we got to go."

For such a big man he moved quick, almost cat like and before Baleigh could even get her hand on the door, Tommy was in and firing up the engine. She peered in as the she swung the door open and his eyes said, "move that ass". Nothing but impatience oozed off of him. All business now. Baleigh slid in and turned slightly towards him while fumbling for the seat belt.

"What are we doing?"

Tommy peeled his clunker into traffic, like no one mattered. He laughed at her question. "Not we baby, but you... time to earn that loyalty back."

That word loyalty struck her like a fist. Loyalty is a sacrament to a motorcycle club, it is not something you give back or ignore. Any disloyalty is a death warrant. Baleigh's heart pounded frantically, her thoughts scrambling. Trying in vain to control her breathing as Tommy sped down the streets of Venice. Repeating back through her mind his words, "earn that loyalty back."

"What do I gotta do, Tommy?" If the were going to test her, she wanted to know up front what she be facing. Her heart said it would be ugly, for most never got this chance, and when they did the task was deplorable. Baleigh stared at him, holding her breath wondering... fearing what was coming.

He kept his eyes on the road, his voice seemed matter a fact. "Nothing major, got to see someone that flaked on the Snake. Easy peasy B-girl." Tommy shot her a look and grinned, "Fuck you were 5-0, guns and taking down dirt bags was your gig." He laughed and then looked back to the road. Silence hung like death in the car.

She would know soon enough, asking questions would only enhance her trepidation. If Snake suspected she was undercover, he would demand the ultimate test. One that no badge can do, even undercover. Baleigh now realized what was coming, she didn't even notice her fingernails dug into her palms. Tommy then turned and pulled the car over, and his muscled frame turned to her.

"You need to relax, it ain't no big deal." He looked to a small store, run down and seedy. Baleigh hadn't paid any attention to where they were, so lost in her panicked thoughts. Thinking quickly as she looked around, time on the road from her dump in Venice, said Culver City.

"This be a stroll for you B-girl. Inside that store is a Chinaman, named Chow or something. He owes Snake a load of money and won't pay. It be time to send a message. "