Guns and Roses

Chapter Six

Monday evening saw the Cursed Vengeance meeting the Mexican gang in a night club they owned. Chris, Kenley, Edwourdo and I were asked by Jake to accompany him to the club. And of course, his right hand men, Nathan and Cruz were there too. Jake wanted to take enough gang members to keep up a strong front for the Mexicans. We were led into a private lounge at the back of the club and soon, we found ourselves seated in front of the Mexican gang leader, Carlos.

Carlos is a fat cow-cum-human (kind of) who's only work in this world is to moo instructions to his men and keep chewing on expensive, thick cigars. He wears thick gold rings on every finger and his clothes reek of expensive alcohol all the time.

He isn't even close to good-looking. He has a big, bulbous nose and sagging cheeks. A few long strands of hair are always carefully combed across his bald head in a failed attempt to recover some dignity. And whenever we see him, he's always sinking in some extra cushiony armchair with a glass of scotch kept before him and about five Hulk Hogan's standing behind him, guarding the Mexican cow.

This Cow is probably the most dangerous one in entire Mexico. One kick from his gold-plated hoof and you can kiss your peaceful life goodbye. He's known to kill his associates after he deals with them. Unless, he needs them again. Till then, he slathers them with butter.

As it is, he's filthy rich so here we were, sinking into another sofa in front of him and I tried not to scrunch up my nose on the awful smell of the cigar he was smoking.

"Senor Jacques, I meet you afder soo mahny days. I teenk you forgit us ,yes?"

Jake winced beside me at the mutilation of his name "No, not at all, Carlos. Just busy, that's all"

"Aahh... Si, Si... Wee all busy dese days... So my fren, I hear you was ready to deal wid mee, again?"

"Yes, we talked on the phone. Remember?" It sounded as if there was a hint of sarcasm to Jake's voice but I wasn't sure.

"Si... And we weel talk front of so mhany, yes?" Obviously, he was referring to the other six of us, sinking ridiculously in different colourful, puffy armchairs. Except Kenley. He seemed to be enjoying it.

Jake pursed his lips "They are in my gang. There's nothing to hide from them" Carlos sneered at this and rolled his cigar in his mouth carelessly, all the while studying Jake with calculating eyes.

"You surprise mee, Senor Jacques... not mhany doo... But..."

"Can we just get on with the deal, Senor Carlos?" Jake cut in politely "I have to be somewhere else with my girlfriend"

My eyes widened. We do? Well, this was news to me. Chris looked at me in surprise. I shrugged back.

"Bien..." The Cow then lifted an eyebrow at Hulk Hogan One who was standing the nearest to him and soon, a large silver suitcase was opened on the table between us. Carlos waved his hand toward it "Fifdy thoosand dollars in cash... Just as you demanded, Senor"

Jake nodded back gravely and Nathan passed a suitcase to Hulk Hogan Two. Hulk Two opened the suitcase a little bit, just enough to peek in at the contents. He nodded gravely to the Cow. Carlos sneered at us and suddenly, I wasn't very comfortable smashed between Jake and Chris on the sofa. This guy had five Hulk's at his bidding. One eyebrow raised and one Hulk could dangle two of us by the scruff of our necks.

"Thees ees d firsd instalment ... I trust I weel see you soon for next, yes?"

I was happy on hearing this. If he wanted to continue the deal, he wouldn't harm us. Yet.

Jake nodded back "Then, I will see you the next time, Carlos" At this, Jake rose to leave.

Carlos sneered again "Not now, Senor... The fun just started, Si? What about dee...oder part of dee deal?" At this, I felt Jake stiffen. "Weel wee not talk about that, yes?"