Chapter 29

As we stepped through the door, Molina released my arm. But he slid his left arm around my waist, trapping my arms and lifted me so that my feet barely touched the ground. Shit, I wouldn't be able to fake a stumble.

"Bomber's in trouble." I heard Vince say.

"Please. Let go of me. I'll leave with you. Just don't hurt me," I pleaded with Molina. Anything to give the guys a chance to grab this asshole.

"That's right, sweetheart. You are leaving with me. I have some friends that will be very glad to meet you," Molina sneered in my ear and he jammed a gun into my ribs.

Just then I heard the unmistakable sound of the safety being released on several guns from all directions. I felt like the cavalry had just arrived. Oh, thank God!

Tank and Lester stepped into view. Both had their guns drawn. "Bond enforcement!" Tank yelled. "Put your gun down now!" I damn near peed on the spot.

Molina stopped but he kept the gun in my ribs. He let me down enough so that I could stand. But the arm around my waist snaked up to my neck where his hand circled my throat and began to tighten. I clawed at his arm to pull it away. Who was this guy? Iron Man?

"Drop the gun and let her go!" Hector growled from behind us. Vince was standing next to Hector, his gun also drawn. I couldn't see Bobby. But I knew he had probably moved off to the side.

Molina turned toward Hector, never loosening his grip on my throat. He snarled at me. "You fucking cunt! You're a decoy!" He began backing us away from Hector and Vince. Hector's eyes were black and he slowly walked toward us. His gun was pointed right at Molina's head. The look on Hector's face was petrifying. A cold chill ran down my spine.

I whimpered as Molina dragged me toward a car. I heard Ram whisper, "I don't have a clean shot."

"Hang on, Bomber," Bobby whispered. "We'll get him."

Molina turned again toward Tank. Lester had moved over to the right side. Their guns were still drawn. No one was backing down an inch. Molina was essentially surrounded but I sensed he wasn't going to give up. "I'll tell you what, you asses. All of you drop your guns. I'm leaving and this little bitch is going with me," he said.

Tank took a step toward us and roared, "Over my dead body!"

"Have it your way!" Molina yelled.

I watched horrified as Molina raised his gun from my side and fired at Tank. Tank fell back and to the ground. I screamed. I heard Molina gasp and his body stiffened. His hand let go of my throat and I whirled away from him. I ran to the shadows and right into Bobby's arms. He pushed me behind him and kept his gun drawn. I looked around him and saw Molina on the ground.

Hector was at my side in an instant. I launched myself into his arms and began sobbing. He cupped my head to his shoulder with his left hand and rubbed my back with his right hand. He was whispering in Spanish, his lips against my hair.

"It is OK now, querida. You are safe. I have you now," he said softly.

"He shot Tank!" I wailed.

"Tank is fine. He was wearing his vest," Hector said.

"Huh? Really? He's OK?" I pulled away from him and turned to see Tank standing and pulling off his t-shirt. Bobby carefully prodded Tank's chest while Tank swore at him. Even with the vest on, Tank was going to have one hell of a bruise from the bullet.

Bobby grumbled at Tank and turned to me. "Let me see you, Bomber. Where did he hurt you?" He pulled out his flashlight. I held out my arm and Bobby sucked in a breath. "Shit, Steph. It's already bruising. Let me see your neck. There's bruising there too. Does your throat feel OK?"

I nodded my head, "Yeah, it hurts some but I can still talk."

Bobby pulled a small pouch out of his bag. He rubbed it between his hands and shook it a couple of times. "Put this cold patch on your arm. Keep it there for about an hour. It will help with the swelling. I'll give you a couple more to take home with you. If it starts hurting a lot, let me know and I'll get something for you."

I stared at Molina lying motionless on the ground. Who shot him? The only shot I heard was when he shot Tank. Just then Lester walked over and knelt next to Molina. He pulled a knife from Molina's back, rolled him over and wiped the blood off with Molina's sport coat. Holy shit!

Lester walked up to Hector and me. He flipped the knife around in his hand and handed it to Hector. Hector slipped the knife into a sheath on his utility belt.

"Nice throw, man," Lester said and gave Hector a slap on the shoulder.

My eyes widened as I realized what had happened. I turned to Hector, speechless. He gave me a slight shrug and a smile. "He touched you," he said.

OK, right now, my mind was officially blown. I found my voice and softly said, "Thank you."

Molina's words came back to me and what he called me. I hate the c-word. And then I did something I never thought I would do. I stomped over to Molina's body and kicked him square in the nuts. "That's for calling me names!"

"Oh, geez, man! I don't want to be you if you ever piss her off!" Lester was laughing uncontrollably. "That was cold, Beautiful!"

Bobby had joined him and they were hanging onto each other to keep from rolling on the ground. Even Hector was starting to chuckle.

By now, the place was swarming with cops and flashing lights. I could see five or six uniforms and Carl, Big Dog, Eddie. Joe, of course, was in the middle of it all. He saw me and walked over to me. Shit.

"That was good, Steph, even for you." He grinned. I stuck my tongue out at him. He threw his arm around my shoulders and gave me a hug. "I don't want to ask how this jerk managed to get stabbed with all these guns around."

I glared at him. He placed a warm kiss on my forehead and said softly in my ear, "I take back what I've said about him. I've watched you two together. He loves you more than I ever could. I still don't want to meet him in a dark alley, though."

I started to speak but Joe just held up his hand. "Your boys did us a favor tonight. We'll clean this up. I'm sure you want to get out of here."

I gave him a hug and said, "Thanks, Joe."

"See you around, Cupcake," Joe replied. He nodded at Hector and walked away.

Hector pulled me into his arms and I wrapped mine around his waist. I leaned my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes and sighed. He kissed the top of my head and rested his check against mine.

Bobby came up to us, "Um, once the blue and whites leave, we're all going back in to wind down. Have a few drinks. Les is calling Bridget and I already called Gina. I know you like to go shower, Steph. But do you two want to come back and join us?"

I tilted my head back and looked at Hector. He raised his eyebrows and I nodded.

"Actually," I said and looked at Bobby, "Do you have something I can use to clean my hands?" I was just as surprised at that as everyone else. I always went home, albeit with Ranger, and took a shower to get the distraction cooties off me. Tonight my mouth apparently had a mind of its own. Did I hit my head? Maybe I was suffering from the lack of oxygen from Molina's chokehold on me.

"Sure, Steph, "Bobby said cautiously. I could tell he was thinking the same things as me. "I have some sanitizing wipes in my bag. Why don't you come over to the truck and I'll help you clean up?"

Hector and I followed Bobby and he opened the back of his SUV and lowered the tailgate. I sat down and he opened several packets of the wipes. I cleaned most of my exposed skin and wiped off with a towel Bobby handed me. Hector had taken off his vest and utility belt and put it in our SUV. I noticed Hal and Ram were packing up their vests and utility belts. Manny and Cal joined them and followed suit. Ram took apart his rifle and put it back in its case. Lester, Tank and Vince were also removing their gear and putting it away. Tank had taken a clean t-shirt out of his SUV and pulled it over his head. All of the guys had tucked away a weapon or two somewhere on their bodies. Guns, knives, chainsaws, whatever.

Hector lifted me off the tailgate and I opened our passenger door to get my purse. I put on a swipe of lip gloss and pulled a tube of mascara out and leaned toward the side mirror so I could apply a couple of fresh coats. I smoothed my skirt and turned to Hector. I took my earpiece out and handed it to him. He stepped between me and the rest of the guys and quickly removed the mic. Once again, he tugged the neckline a little closer together in an attempt to cover the girls and winked at me. I rolled my eyes at him. Seriously?

"What?" he asked in mock innocence.

"Men!" I shook my head. "You want to see everything but you don't want anyone to see what belongs to you."

I started to strut toward the club, letting my ass swing.

"Dios! Estephania!" Hector exclaimed. He ran after me and grabbed my hand, lacing our fingers together. I giggled and playfully bumped my shoulder against his.

I noticed Lester's Mustang had pulled up in front of the club. Bridget exited the vehicle and Lester met her with open arms. Oh, my God! I remembered what Lester had told me. He was going to propose tonight! Bobby opened the passenger side of the Mustang and helped Gina to her feet. Another car pulled up next to them and my eyes widened. It was Connie and Lula. Oh, this was going to be good!

Once inside, the crowd of people parted to let the sea of men in black through. I could see the eyes of other women in the club staring at our men hungrily. Yeah, that's right! They belong to us!

We managed to get enough tables and chairs together to seat everyone. A couple of waitresses materialized and got our drink orders. As the drinks arrived, platters of appetizers were delivered, compliments of the management. They were just as happy as the rest of us that Molina was taken down. Turns out several young girls had disappeared after being seen leaving with him.

An hour later most of the Merry Men were on the dance floor. I could see Tank and Lula, Bobby and Gina and Lester and Bridget. Connie was plastered against Cal. Holy hot flash!

I pulled Hector to his feet and led him to the dance floor. We molded together and moved as one, swaying with the music. Hector kissed me deeply and pressed his hips against mine. His hands caressed the small of my back and up to my shoulders and barely brushed my breasts. He placed soft little kisses on my neck and I shivered. He pulled his head back and smiled seductively at me. My poor panties were ruined immediately.

"Damn," I whispered. Hector just smirked at me. He knows exactly what happens when he does that.

The lights began to dim in the club and the band had noticeably gotten softer. A spotlight appeared on the dance floor, capturing Lester and Bridget. Lester began to grin at her. He dropped to one knee and took her right hand in his left hand. Bridget's eyes began to widen and tears began to slide down her cheeks. Her left hand was pressed against her lips in shock.

"Bridget," Lester began, "You are the best thing to ever happen to me. I love you with all my heart and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?" He pulled a ring from his pocket and held it out for her. And as only Lester could, he wagged his eyebrows.

Bridget squeaked and nodded. Lester stood and placed the ring on her left ring finger. Bridget was still squeaking when Lester pulled her into his arms and gave her a bone-melting kiss. He hugged her tightly and lifted her off her feet and swung her around in a circle before setting her back on her feet.

Everyone in the place started cheering and clapping. I wiped my own happy tears from my cheeks and Hector and I joined in with the rest of our group congratulating the happy couple. The guys all did that fist bump thing and slapped Lester on the back. All of the Merry Men gave Bridget a kiss on her cheek, even Hal who blushed bright red.

I went to Lester and gave him a big hug and kissed his cheek. "Congratulations, buddy. Bridget is a wonderful girl. You're damned lucky to have her. I am so happy for you!"

Lester hugged me tightly and said, "Beautiful, you being with Hector helped me see how good it can be with the right person. Thank you."