Man of the House(173)

But it wasn’t my time just yet.

As the time wore on, the sun disappeared and night fell seriously. The guys were still on my tail, but I could tell they were getting antsy. They were falling back farther and farther, maybe preparing to give up following and ride home.

But fortunately for me, I could see my destination up ahead. It was an old gas station set off the highway by a dirt road. It still worked, still sold gas, but the place looked like it hadn’t be touched since the fifties.

I slowed down and took the right, heading off the highway. My bike kicked up dirt as I revved the engine, heading down the road toward the station.

That was on purpose. I needed to buy myself precious moments to prepare.

The dust cloud grew as I went down the road, revving and spinning my tires. Janine held on tightly, clearly confused and afraid. I finally pulled the bike over next to the gas station’s main building and killed the engine.

“Clutch—” Janine started.

“Listen to me,” I said fast. “Two men are coming to kill us. Get inside that bathroom and don’t come out unless I tell you to. Got it?”

She stared at me for a second and then nodded. She got off the bike, went over to the bathroom, and went inside. I checked to make sure the door was locked and then quickly moved away.

I could see the two guys coming. They emerged from the thick dust cloud I had made and pulled up at the pumps. I got my gun out, my trusty revolver, and checked the chamber. It was full.

I tucked myself back behind the building and waited.

This was my plan, my only plan. I wanted to drive them deep out into the desert where I didn’t need to worry about cops or witnesses, except maybe the old guy who ran the station. He’d be easy enough to pay off, though. I wanted to tire the Snakes out, make them confused and wonder why I was riding out so far.

I watched as they parked their bikes next to mine, looking around. I could practically smell their fear as they pulled out their weapons and got off their bikes.

They walked over to my bike and began to rifle through my saddlebags. They must have assumed I was hiding in the bathrooms or inside the main building, which was stupid.

I wasn’t hiding at all.

My heart was hammering in my chest, excitement running through me. I always felt the most alive when death was nearest.

I cocked my gun. One guy looked up.

I put a bullet through his skull.

My gun made a screaming boom, like lightning made real. The man barely grunted as he fell over, his head caved in, blood everywhere.

The other guy raised his gun, but I was already ready. I put a bullet in his chest, but he didn’t stop. He fired back, missing. I put another bullet in his chest, and another, and another, until finally he dropped, blood spreading out around him.

And just like that, it was over.

I got up from my hiding place at the corner of the building and slowly advanced on the guys. I got up close and kicked away their guns before putting my own away.

I grabbed the second man’s body and rolled him over. Sure enough, he was wearing the Snake Spit patch. I didn’t bother to check the other guy, since the less I touched him the better.

I knocked on the bathroom door, and Janine slowly opened it. “What was that?” she asked softly.

“Killed two men,” I said, “but we’re safe.”

She looked past me and saw their bodies lying in the dust next to the bike.

“Don’t look,” I said to her. “Just don’t.”

But she couldn’t help herself. She was staring, wide-eyed and shocked, at the two men, at the blood spreading out. She’d clearly never been so close to dead men before, and I didn’t blame her for having this reaction. It wasn’t an easy thing to see.

“Come on.” I took her hand and pulled her along behind me. I got her on the back of the bike and then started the engine. I rode it slowly to the front of the building and then stopped. “Wait here,” I said to her.

I quickly grabbed a wad of cash that I kept in my saddlebag and went inside the store.

The old guy who worked there was sitting behind the counter. He smiled as I came up to him.

“Help you?” he asked.

I put the wad of cash on the counter. “This is two grand,” I said. “Can you make sure any security tape disappears?”

“Seems like it was on the fritz today,” he said, nodding.

“And you never saw me.”

He just smiled and looked back at his book.

I turned and left. Good old man, understood how these things worked. I was sure he’d wait until I was gone before calling the cops and reporting what had happened. He wouldn’t snitch, because he’d definitely recognized the Demons patch on my vest.

I got back outside and took Janine by the shoulders. “You’re okay,” I said to her.