Chapter 2 Armando and Juan Carlos

POV: Marta

I wake up and see Shelby passed out next to me. It must be one of the old ladies' room. There's a whole Virgen de Guadalupe shrine in the corner. A picture of some dude is in the middle. He looksmean as hell. I wonder if he is one of their sons. I look around and try to get my bearings. The side of my head is clean and bandaged and I'm wearing a Raiders t-shirt. It's kind of big must belong to a guy. There's a bill by the night stand. It addressed to Maria Lowman, Bakersfield. So we didn't make it near Oakland.

I try to wake Shelby when I hear men's voices. We gotta get our story straight. I look out the window, and there are Harleys outside. She won't wake. I creep in the hallway and take a peek. The ladyin pink hugs the tall one and calls him Armando and then hugs the one with the Mohawk and calls him Juan Carlos. Shit! They have cuts! I can't see who but if they're from the guys at the gas station we're dead. I get back to the room and lock the door. I shake Shelby and finally pour water from a cup next to the bed on her. She wakes up frantic but I placed my hand over her mouth. I whisper everything I saw.

POV: Shelby

What the fuck! I yell as the cold water wakes me from my nightmare. I was running but they were surrounding us. The water hit me as the bullets a flying at us. Marta shoves her hand over my mouth and clues me in. I tell her, we're going to say some guys attacked us and have a little amnesia. If they're not from Pelican Bay, they won't know anything. The money's stashed in their statute outside and we can retrieve it anytime. As soon as we can, we need to get a phone and call Tio Marcus to get us the fuck out of here.

Footsteps approach, heavy. He opens the door and walks in first. The one with the Mohawk, walks in second, and then the old ladies.

Mrs. Lowman: Girls, this is Armando. He's going to help you….

Happy: Mom…. First you're going to tell me who you are and how you got hurt and then we'll see about help.

Shelby: We're sisters. We moved out here a few months ago and got lost coming home from an open house at UCLA. These guys car jacked us and tried more. We fought and got away. In case you have any ideas, I still have a fight in me.

Happy: You owe my mother and my aunt thanks for taking you in. I don't know what you brought totheir home but if anything happens to them you're both dead.

Marta: Thank you, Gracias for all your help. We are very grateful for what you've done but after what we just went through you can understand where my sister is coming from, Armando.

Happy: It's Happy. Family calls me Armando and neither of you is family. Lets go!

Shelby: Where?

Happy: Where? Where I tell you too! Now move out!

And with this I see the side piece in his pants as he pulls his shirt up. What a body! The command in his voice, he would be a great asset to the Mayans if he wasn't already wearing a cut. They both keep their backs to the door as we file out. Sooner or later I'm going to see that cut. I respect him somehow; he's got the right value; safety for his family.

POV: Happy

My mom called me at the club and said some bitches came to her door bleeding and Tia Maura is healing them but they needed protection. This Bible of my mother's is going to get her killed. I asked Juice to come with me and check this out, and let the Prez know we have family business. Jax lets me know to keep the pre-pay on just in case. Laroy is still on our asses for the retaliation for Clay. This is the last thing I need.

She lays it on real thick when we get there.

Mrs. Lowman: I love you Armando. But I am not stupid. I know what you do. I'm not deaf or blind to your reputation but it doesn't mean I don't think you can be saved. Help these girls please.

Happy: Mom, stop worrying about my soul. Worry about the kind of trouble you may have attracted.

Mrs. Lowman: Armando!

Happy: I'll help but only when I get answers and they are not staying here.

Mrs. Lowman: They're injured. Where are you going to take them?

Happy: Me and Juice will deal with it.

Mrs. Lowman: Juan Carlos please…

Happy: Mom!

Mrs. Lowman: Ok, but promise me you will not hurt them no matter what.

Happy: As long as they say who they say they are.

I have a distinct feeling she's not telling me something but as sweet as that woman is, she is dangerous with a frying pan. We go in and see them. The first one to talk is hot. She's got beautiful curves, tough as nails, and long brown hair. She's Central maybe South American. She's not my type but the fact that she has the balls to talk and look at me the way she does turns me on.

After we leave the room, I tell Juice we're going to keep them separate. He'll take the shorter one back to his house and I'll take the tough chick. I call one of the Nomads in the area to stop by and keep guard just in case trouble comes my mom's way.

Happy: Your names, Now!

Shelby: I'm Shelby.

Marta: Marta.

Happy: Marta, you ride with Juice. Tough chick, you're with me.

Shelby: You still haven't told us where were going?

Happy: I don't like repeating myself. Get on the bike and put on the helmet.

As she walks past me, she shoots me a look of defiance. This bitch shows no fear.

Juice: Hi, Marta. Just come with me and hold on tight, I ride hard and fast.

Marta giggles and follows her smart mouth sister out. She's slick though, I can see through her pocket

the outline. She's got one of my mom's metal nail files in her pocket. This retard got a thing for her. Hope it doesn't get him killed. She's a bitch just like any other.

I hug my mom and aunt and wave them goodbye just as the Nomad pulls up. With that we head back to Charming, with trouble holding on to us tight.