*
We head off towards an area near Naked City; from what Coop has told me, this area is high in crime, drugs, and prostitution, your typical urban setting, with small apartments, clustered shit-holes, and some 7-Elevens sprinkled in between. Kids that should be in school are selling drugs on the street, and bitches that look like they are on their death beds are begging for you to pull over. This is not an area you want to be in.
“Jesus Fucking Christ,” I mutter into the window. I don’t want to be here but I damn sure don’t want Cohen here. “We have to find him, Braxx.”
“Cage, you know me, man. I don’t fuck around. We’re gonna getcha boy back.” His voice is no longer questioning. His tone is not only dripping in confidence and fury, but I can feel the compassion coming off him in waves. Braxxon might be the one man I know not afraid to get his hands dirty, but his heart is pure fucking gold when it comes to someone he considers his family.
Braxx doesn’t offer anything else, but then again, neither do I. We crawl through the streets that make up Naked City and wait. Wait for the call in, but look for any sign that might lead us to my boy.
We have been driving around aimlessly for the last thirty or so minutes when the call finally comes in. ‘C.S. Control’ flashes across the screen, letting me know that one of the boys had found something.
“Cage,” I bark in the phone. My patience is slowly wearing off with each passing homeless person, prostitute, or thug we pass. I can’t stand the thought of Cohen’s innocence being fucked with by these people. The thought of my boy alone and scared is eating me alive. “Speak, Goddammit.”
“It’s Coop. Maddox found him. Well, Maddox found where he should be. Sister’s dead husband has some property just north of where you are now. I’ve got you pulled up on the GPS so just keep taking that road North and I’ll let you know when to turn.”
“Got it,” I respond to Coop. “Keep north until I get word,” I rattle off to Braxx. No fucking way I’m bringing his name up to Coop. Maddox is the only one who knows who I met up with, and that’s one person too many.
“Greg, who the fuck are you with?” Coop questions.
“None of your business. Just keep your eyes on the screen and tell me how to get to my boy.” Yeah. Patience is gone.
“Jesus Christ, you’re going to get locked up or worse, Greg. I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I’ve got it taken care of. Are we close?” Shut this shit down; I have to shut it down. I take a few deep breaths and wait for the signal to turn. After a few more minutes, we find ourselves sitting in front of the nastiest piece of shit I have ever seen in my life. How this house is still standing is beyond me. Boxes of shit line the front, and more trash and used junk cars litter the yard, but what I don’t see is people. Not one single vehicle that looks like it’s running is in the yard. Just shit, Christmas lights and cats.
“Cage, stay put man. I know that’ll eat at ya, knowing your boy is in there. But this is why I’m here. I’ll be back. In the meantime, grab my black saddlebag outta the back of the van. Unzip it for me, will ya? Grab a gun, just in case. It’s unmarked, no ties, if you should happen to need it. Leave the bag unzipped. My favorite toys are in there. And somethin’ tells me I’m about to play.” He lets out a few low laughs that are pure evil, and not for the first time, I find myself glad to call him a friend and not an enemy. Braxxon Breaker is not an enemy you want to have.
“Greg? What the fuck are you doing?” I hear Coop call over the line. Fuck.
“Forget you heard that, Zeke Cooper, and don’t you fucking tell me you wouldn’t do everything possible to make sure you came out the victor in this situation. Not going to let my woman or our family be threatened again.” He starts to speak but I disconnect and throw my phone down on the seat, waiting to climb out quietly and make my way to the back to follow Braxx’s directions. Folding myself back in the seat, I watch him move silently around the house. Careful to stay hidden while he checks all the windows, he pauses for a second by the front door before turning towards the van with a twisted smile on his face. He motions towards the back of the van and I climb out to figure out what has him tweaked.
Looks like it’s game fucking on.
He rounds the back and holds his hand out for his bag. After popping the hatch, he puts the bag down and starts pulling out his ‘toys.’ I’ve seen just about everything, but when I see the shit he pulls out, even I get a little jolt of shock. Two railroad spikes, a sledgehammer, duct tape, and a 9mm. I understand the tape and the heat, but the first two throw me.