6 Months Later
Richie POV- Richie had things all set up perfect. After recently reuniting with Seth he made sure that he would be rich and that Santanico would get what she wanted as well, to be free. So finally all the work he and Santanico had done over the last 6 months was about to pay off… too bad things went sideways.
"And how do we know you're not making a deal with him too?" Santanico asked referring to Carlos as they stood in Richie's new office.
An office that recently belonged to the Lord who'd made Santanico until she killed him half an hour ago.
"Because he killed Kate" Richie said after a pause his guilt eating at him though he didn't show it.
"What?" Seth asked softly clearly stunned.
"She's gone. Kate thought that she could save Scott. I had a plan but she panicked" Richie explained.
"What was she doing there?" Seth asked.
"I needed her to find the blood well."
"The what?"
"Santa Sangre. It's real?" Santanico asked.
"Like you wouldn't believe. This blood is like Culebra crack and Carlos has gone full Manson. If he gets it here and gets my people on his side that honky-tonk back upstairs is gonna turn into Cielo Drive" Richie said.
"You used her. You used her and you got her killed" Seth said.
"I used her? What about your Drugstore Cowboy routine in Mexico?" Richie said having shared blood with Kate which allowed him to see her memories.
Seth grabbed him and pushed him back a little into his desk.
"Let him go. He's right Carlos is coming and we can't let him win" Ranger Gonzalez said as he walked into the room.
"Who the hell put you in charge?" Seth said as he let go of Richie turning to face Gonzalez.
"You ever been buried alive? Trust me it's not the lack of air that gets you. It's the crazy that sets in. imagine the blood of a thousand souls buried at once. That's what Carlos has" Gonzalez explained.
"Opium for the people" Santanico added.
"He's selling it like it's religion. Y'all have seen it. He's tired of Culebras being treated like second class citizens. Once those Culebras get on his juice he'll move on to the next town and the next" Gonzalez said.
"And so on and so on" Richie finished.
"Conquistador till the end" Santanico said about Carlos.
"So what's your brilliant idea? How do we stop him?" Richie asked Gonzalez as they all rode the elevator back up to the restaurant up top.
"Grab a truck. Ram the tanker blow it to hell."
"I thought about that but my peeps need that blood. Even if it's in small doses. We blow anything to hell it's gonna be Carlos" Richie explained.
"I can talk to him" Santanico said.
"Like he's gonna listen to you" Seth replied.
"I made him. He'll listen."
"I still say we blow it up" Gonzalez said hiding his shotgun as they walked into the restaurant.
"No" Richie said.
"No we steal it" Seth said.
"Steal it?" Richie asked.
"Yeah an honest to goodness truck heist" Seth said.
"It's all about stealing with you isn't it?" Santanico said.
"What can I say? I'm consistent. We can't just blow it up or all the bloods in in Bloodville are gonna start feeding on these fine folks right here. You still go talk to him distract him while we hijack the tanker. You gotta keep it contained. You open the spigot when it's time. This ain't a feeding frenzy" Seth said first to Gonzalez then Santanico and ending with Richie.
"I like it" Gonzalez said.
"Really? Just like that?" Richie asked.
"It makes sense" Gonzalez replied.
"It better" Santanico said nodding toward the window as a car was pulling into the parking lot.
"Cause here he comes."
"What the hell is he doing?" Seth asked as the car parked.
"Well he's not stupid he know I'm expecting him" Richie said as they walked toward the window.
"Where's the tanker?" Gonzalez asked.
"It's gotta be close it's his ace" Richie said.
"Let's go find it and take it" Seth said.
"I'll take care of Carlos" Santanico said.
"Make sure he listens" Richie told her.
"I have a way with words" Santanico replied before when walked out.
Seth and Richie went out the side door and Gonzalez stayed inside with Richie's Culebras.
"Let's get this over with I'm done with you people" Seth said as they walked out of Jacknife Jed's toward the road.
"Oh 'you people' this again" Richie said.
"I'm not talking about snakes Richard. I'm talking about people that stab you in the back an tell you it's for your own good" Seth said as Richie looked through his binoculars.
"You mean like Sonja?" Richie said.
"No I mean like you, Kate trusted you. Why the hell are you doing all this?"
Richie once again felt the guilt over Kate's death inside but again he hid it.
"Because all my life I've been the second half of a sentence that always starts with you."
"All your life?" Seth said knowingly.
FLASH BACK
Alexa smiled as she walked over to him and Seth.
"Hey Richie, Seth, what are the Gecko boys up to on this fine Summer day?"
Her black hair was pulled into a pony tail and her strappy top and shorts showed off her sun kissed skin nicely. Richie was at a loss for words and he may have even blushed or maybe it was just the heat.
So all he did was smile.
END FLASH BACK
Richie didn't say anything and instead looked through the binoculars and grinned he'd found the tanker. They made their way down the road. Seth hid and Richie walked behind the pickup that was behind the tanker.
He flipped off the Culebra driver who looked at him from the rear view mirror when the driver got out Seth appeared next to the tanker with his gun pointed at him.
"What do you think you're doing boy?" the driver asked.
"Shh you're being ambushed" Seth said before Richie jumped on the drivers back with his arms around his neck.
The tanker started up then and the guy Richie had around the neck reversed the position so he hand his thick arm around Richie's neck.
"Richard? Richard? Richard!" Seth said keeping his gun up but behind him the tanker started pulling away picking up speed.
"Just go!" Richie struggled to get out.
Seth turned and took off running after the truck.
"Time to die little Gecko" the man said to Richie.
Richie slammed his head back into the guys face and slipped out of his hold. Slowly they circled each other.
"You ready for this?" he asked.
In response Richie took off his glasses and put them in his pocket before punching the guy. It did all the good of punching a brick wall the man was solid muscle.
Oh shit was the only thought Richie had before he was punched in the face and kneed multiple times in the gut.
Richie threw his elbow back catching the guy in the face giving Richie time to stand up and away from him. He shifted into Culebra form and body slammed Richie to the ground knocking the air out of him. Repeatedly he punched Richie in the face.
Finally Richie put his legs and hands around the guys neck trying to choke him but instead he lifted Richie off the ground and slammed him back down on it.
"You're out of your league pal" the guy said pulling out a knife.
Richie lifted his left hand, using his new found gift, and an eye ball appeared in his palm.
"Try a little hara kiri asshole" Richie said putting his hand on the guys' forehead.
Instead of using the knife on Richie the Culebra turned it on himself and shoved it into his heart turning to dust. Richie lay back on the ground in pain and exhaustion but the fight still wasn't over.
Putting his glasses back on Richie got up and slid into the pickup putting the gun he saw in the back seat next to him for later. He drove down the road until he saw Seth just a little ways from the restaurant parking lot.
Grabbing the big gun Richie got out seeing the tanker on its side and Culebras feasting on the blood that sprayed out of it.
"There he is. Back on stage" Seth said looking at Carlos inside the restaurant.
"Let's pull the plug" Richie said.
Seth opened his revolver spun it and clicked it back into place.
"Not through there" he said walking off for the side door.
Richie followed. They walked in to chaos. Everyone was running and screaming while the Culebras fed on them. Two Culebras got in their way and growled. The Geckos simply lifted their guns and pulled the triggers once. Each one hit the heart of the Culebra in front of them sending them to ash.
"Two down a shit ton to go" Seth said.
"Got your balls on?" Richie asked.
"Screwed on tight."
Carlos saw them and beckoned them closer. They walked into the chaos ready to kill as many Culebras as needed to stop Carlos even if they now worked for Richie. Richie lifted his gun aiming for Carlos but one of the Culebra waitresses attacked him.
She knocked the gun out of his hands. He punched her and when she tried to hit him he caught her arm stepped to the side and rammed his elbow into the side of her head. While she was stunned Richie picked up a piece of broken chair as a stake and pushed it into her chest, ashing her.
Then seeing Seth struggle with his own Culebra waitress Richie tossed him the stake so Seth could kill her. Slowly they made their way towards Carlos. Richie grabbed another stake and the chef stepped in front of Seth with a cleaver in each hand.
Seth shot both cleavers out of his hands then put three bullets into the chef but it was Richie who staked him killing him. A girl freshly turned stood in their way now.
"Welcome to the club peaches" Seth said sadly as he pushed her away from him and back toward Richie who, seeing that she wasn't in a blood lust rage told her to go to the back room.
Now they stood in front of Carlos who clapped.
"Oh what a show. For reals" Carlos said.
"We got one last tango for you" Seth said.
"We? Did you really miss your brother that much? Little miss Kate is dead because of him."
"Don't say her name."
Seth grabbed a chair and slammed it into Carlos before punching him twice in the face. Unfazed Carlos grabbed Seth around the throat and threw him back onto a table breaking it. Richie came at Carlos from the side with his stake but Carlos grabbed his arm and knocked the stake from his hand.
Then Richie punched him in the face. Carlos retaliated by punching Richie and kicking him in the gut before picking him up by the throat and slamming him down on a table also breaking it. Seth hit Carlos low taking him to the ground.
"Thank you goodnight! We're Chingon!" the band yelled as they rushed out taking a bottle of blood with them.
Carlos rolled on top of Seth and began choking him.
"Hey Richard how bout I solve the problem for you? No more brother to boss you around" Carlos said as Richie got up.
"Let him go" Santanico said having just entered the restaurant.
Richie used both hands to drive a huge stake through Carlos' back and out his chest. Seth rolled away and stood up. Clearly in pain Carlos slowly pulled the stake out through his chest.
"Why isn't he burning up?" Seth asked.
That was the question on all their minds as they looked at Carlos in stunned fear.
"Diosa. Surprise, surprise. I beat the labyrinth and it gave me so much more in return" Carlos said.
"We should burn him" Richie said.
"We can't he'll heal too fast. We've gotta find another way" Santanico said.
"How about the ancient way?" Gonzalez offered holding up a new weapon that was made of wood and obsidian.
"I prefer the Kansas City way" Seth said picking up a cleaver as Richie grabbed one of Carlos' arms.
Seth used the cleaver to cut the arm off.
"Back in the day guys got outta line they'd chop 'em up send 'em to the four corners of the county. So nobody could find them. Or piece together the truth" Seth explained.
"The bone scattering. Chokbaak remember?" Santanico said.
Seth handed over the cleaver to Richie as he held Carlos' other arm. Richie cut it off.
"This is gonna get messy' Richie said.
"Fine by me" Seth replied.
"Los Hermanos Gecko. I found you in a six-by-nine. And you I found you in the woods. I made you. I made all of you. You go ahead and chop me up however you want. But when you're done do me a favor. Kiss my brown ass" Carlos said.
Scott came over to them and stood behind Carlos. He pulled one of his machetes from the sheath on his back and with both hands on it he cut off Carlos' head.
The sun rose putting an end to this horror filled night and with it came rain to wash away the blood. Richie had a few Culebras cleaning up the restaurant but he'd gathered those who were left for a little meeting.
"Jacknife's is under new management but it's still business as usual. Spread the word Richard Gecko still expects his tribute on time."
"El Rinche needs to go" Cristobal said looking at Gonzalez who was leaning against the counter.
"He let you live. You should thank him" Richie said.
Seth came out of the back room where he'd dealt with Carlos and talking to Santanico.
"Done?" Richie asked.
"Four bags ready for transport. Get your four best guys to spate those bad boys" Seth replied.
"Thanks I got it" Richie said hating being ordered around.
Seth poured himself a drink behind the bar.
"Oh yeah? You got all this huh?"
"I got all this and more brother. More than you'll ever get jumping from job to job."
"Yeah… I guess you got big plans then huh?"
"The fuck you care?"
"I guess I just recognize that all that big brain has ever done is get you into trouble. And as much as I might like to I can't let you driver yourself over another cliff brother."
"I'll be fine" Richie said as he let his eyes shift to Culebra snake eyes.
Seth punched and shoved him back on to a table breaking it as continued to punch Richie in the face. Richie's fangs came out but after the forth punch they went away as the sun stated to take its toll.
"What the hell are you doing?" Richie asked in pain.
"Trying to knock sense into that thick skull. Every time we fly solo it all goes to hell. Eddie. Kate" with each name Seth said he punched Richie again.
"Only way we survive is if we stick together."
"Bullshit!" Richie yelled only for Seth to punch him yet again.
Smoke was rising off Richie's body now.
"Two Gecko's are better than one. So you tell 'em. You tell 'em right now that Jacknife's is officially a Gecko Brothers joint. You tell 'em or I end it all right now. Tell 'em!" Seth yelled as Richie's face began to burn.
"Okay I'll tell 'em" Richie said.
Seth got off him and Richie stood up. Seth shoved how towards the Culebras.
"Say it loud so they can hear you."
Richie ran his hands over his hair already his face was healed.
"Say the word and he's dead" Caristobal said.
"No he's right. We run this together" Richie said as Seth handed him his glasses.
"Does anybody have a problem with that?" Seth asked.
"Peacekeeper?" Seth asked looking at Gonzalez.
Everyone turned to look at him.
"They wanted a Gecko on the throne they got a twofer. Works for me" Gonzalez said.
"Where the hell you going?" Seth asked.
"Home. What do I owe you for this?" he asked picking up a stuffed bunny from the counter.
"Seven fifty" Richie said.
"It's on the house" Seth said.
Gonzalez flicked his cowboy hat and smiled before walking out the door. Richie headed down stairs to the loading garage to seen Santanico off.
"So you're just going to disappear?"
"What do you care? You got your heart's desire" Santanico replied.
"You could be a part of this" Richie offered.
"All my life I've been the property of men. That ends today" she said taking off her necklace and putting it in his hand.
"Sometimes eternity isn't forever Richard" she stroked his cheek then put on her helmet and got on the bike.
"Don't be a stranger" Richie said opening the garage door for her.
She put the visor down and with a squeal of tires she was gone and he closed the door.
Later that night outside the restaurant Seth and Richie were enjoying a beer as they talked about changes they were going to make both to the restaurant and their offices. Plus they also saw they had bedrooms downstairs as well.
Suddenly they heard the sounds of a fight around the side of the restaurant. As they turned the corner they saw three Culebras they'd never met before punching a woman.
"Hey!" Seth yelled pulling out his gun.
One Culebra turned to look at Seth and at that moment the girl drove a knife into his heart dusting him. The sound of bone breaking came as she kicked another Culebra in the knee. She kneed him in the face before driving the knife into his heart.
"What the hell?" Richie asked watching the fight.
The third Culebra grabbed the girl and tossed her into the wall before running off. The girl rolled on the pavement stunned yet somehow still conscience.
"You son of a bitch!" the girl cried as he braced her hands on the ground before she stood up.
She flipped her dark hair off her face and ran after the Culebra at incredible speed. Seth went to follow but Richie was frozen in place.
"Richard?" Seth said.
"Alexa..." with that word Richie turned and ran after her but she was already out of sight.
When they caught up to her she was being beaten on by humans and the third Culebra. The Culebra picked up her limp body as the humans cheered and stabbed her three times before Richie killed him with his own knife. When Alexa fell Richie caught her and the humans ran off.
"Richie…?" Alexa said looking up at him before passing out.
