Blood and Water

Chapter 69: By The Way

By The Way - Red Hot Chili Peppers

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Chibs woke up, holding Mina in his arms. His phone was buzzing on the table next to the bed. He groaned, flipping it open, "Aye."

"Hey, man, we're meeting at Red Woody," Tig sighed.

"When?" he asked, sliding out from under Mina.

Tig cleared his throats. "About half an hour."

"A'right, thanks, brother." He hung up the phone and got dressed.

Mina woke up and looked up at him, "What's wrong, baby? You okay?"

"Gotta go," he chuckled, leaning down to kiss her. "I'm fine, love. Boys need me."

She held him close a moment longer. "Please be careful. Don't overdo it, okay? Don't need you in the hospital again," she said, pointing at his shoulder.

"I know, darlin'." He kissed her again and then stood up.

"Text me when you get there!" she called as he was walking out.

As he rode, his arm was bothering him a little but not enough where he needed to pull over. Walking into Red Woody, Lyla told him the rest of the guys were in the back office. They stood up and gave him hugs as he walked to an open seat. Aside from his week of being gone, he hadn't been in Chapel while he was recovering. Mina had him on lockdown.

After a few pleasantries, Jax spoke. "Tully's boots on the ground, Leland Gruen, said he'd meet us at Oswald's timber trail. I gave him your number to lock down a time," he said to Tig. 

Tig nodded and asked, "Anybody know this guy?"

"AB lifer," Happy answered, "Did double dimes for assault. I think he got out last year."

Ratboy asked Jax, "You talk price?"

"Leland will test it, give us a street rate." He flicked the ashes off his cigarette. "It's not about profit, it's about protecting our flank."

"And dumpin' this poxy heroin," Chibs added, looking at Jax as he played with his lighter. Last Chibs knew they had already gotten rid of the heroin to get Bobby back.

Lyla knocked on the door and stepped in. "Hey, Tyler's here. You can use the bar. I'm in post all day." She closed the door, smiling at the rest of the guys.

"Alright," Jax sighed, crushing out his cigarette.

He stood and walked over to the bar with the club following him. Jax sat down next to Tyler and he said, "Three Chinese rub and tugs got hit last night." Chibs looked over at Tig who shrugged. He missed a lot. "Lin wants blood. He thinks that it was us."

"Was it?" Jax asked. 

"Hell no," Tyler chuckled. "August is spinnin' out, man. He's afraid that the streets are gonna blow up as he's trying to close this deal in Piedmont. It's a huge government housing project," he explained.  

Jax asked, "Is that the one where his partner's MIA?"

Tyler nodded, "Yeah, Haddem. He's a pastor over at Piedmont Grace. August needs his signature on..." Chibs stopped listening when he saw Happy glance up at Quinn. The pastor was the guy the Grim Bastards killed. "He just dropped out of sight last week. And now his old lady is MIA."

"Why are they all disappearing?" Chibs asked, actually wondering the answer.

"I don't know," Tyler sighed. "But his wife's got power of attorney. She could just sign off on everything. August thinks she'll be easier to find."