Chapter 12: The edge
POV: Marta
Tito shoves me into the bathroom with a bag of clothes and makeup. My cheek is still stinging pretty bad and lip is puffing out. When I feel the top of my head its damp, my fingers are damp from blood. I think my hair literally got pulled out. My salvage from this encounter is a picture of Juan Carlos and me kissing. I took it off the floor when Tio Marcos yanked me. I have to get home to him. This is not home anymore. It's bullshit having to go over to the Calavares and be the Mayan's ears. My Tio used this tactic before and sometimes it gets his putas killed. They do anything for the information. I'm not spreading my legs open to anyone but Juan Carlos. The water runs and I begin to clean off the blood. Make up sure is not going to make these bruises got away. In the bag, there's a pair of jeans, a tight ass dress, high heels, a corset, and some thongs. Nope, he can forget it. I'm nobody's whore. My family should love me more than this. He's trusting Calavares too much. What makes him think they won't kill me as soon as I set foot through the door unless that's what he wants. Turning me over would be my ultimate punishment, but he can't be that cruel.
I change and use the dress like a shirt over my jeans. I chuck the heels out the small window. If only I didn't have a JLO ass, I could probably slip out of it. I search for my pre-pay from Juan Carlos but I can't find it. It must be back in the living room. What is he doing to Shelby? She's always been his favorite. After Esai was killed, she took on his role. Tito starts banging on the door threatening to knock it down if I don't get my ass out.
I come out and see Shelby being shuffled out. I get loose and just hug her. I tell her I love her. I whisper that I'll come back for her and shove a picture of Happy and her in her pocket. As I shove it in, I feel the cell phone. She's one smart cookie. Juan Carlos has the number and I'll be able to locate her when I come back with the boys. Tio comes out and starts yelling at Gordo. Shelby gets pushed up the stairs to get cleaned up. Tio signals me back into the living room.
I walk in and Tito shoves me down to the couch and shuts the door. Tio Marcus sits next to me and looks almost lovingly in in my eyes.
"We're going to the Calavares tomorrow. I'm going to introduce you to the officers. You will play nice. You will be do right by this family. You will convince their President you are interested in him. You will apologize for taking that wrench to his face. Entiendes, nina? " He grips my are arm and asks me again if I understand him. He saw the shock in my face. Of all people, he wants me to shack up with the Calavares that jumped us. That asshole's gonna make an example out of me to his club. Doesn't Tio realize this?
"I take your silence as acceptance. I told your sister already this rebellion ends now. You will not climb into bed with that punk ass bitch again!" I shake my head reluctantly. "I've made my negotiations; you will do as you're told. If by some act of God, you run out on your family, realize that you will be our enemy. The new charter will kill you. " His voice is calm but assertive.
"I love him, Tio. I cannot control that. You have Tia Amelia. Why can't you let me and Shelby have the same choice. Tia Amelia 's brother is a Devil's Tribe member. His charter got patched over by the Sons a few years back. She got to be with you regardless." Rage gets the better of him and I'm thrown into the wall again. He starts choking me. Tito walks in and he drops his grip. He grabs me by the arm and throws me into Tito. He tells him to put me in the car. I stagger out holding my neck gasping for air.
I get taken down to the basement. Tio Marcos tells me it's for my own protection and ties me to a dirty old cot. I spend the rest of the afternoon thinking how we're going to get out alive.
Next day ….2 p.m.
Tito's come down a few times since yesterday to let me use the bathroom and try to give me food. I drink the water but I cannot stand to eat anything now. I eventually down a sandwich because I realize I will need my strength to get out. I think I know what I will do. Knowing Tio Marcos he will flip when he finds out I'm gone. Shelby will know I got out. It will only take some time to come back and get her out.
3 hours later
As I walk out of the house, I pull Tito's side knife from his belt and stab him in the shin. I jump in the car and speed out. I can hear the motors of the bikes roar behind me. I drive into the park and ditch the car. I grab a rock and smash the window of a Corvette in. I jack the car and get out of Oakland. I pray Shelby is safe. I will get the guys, rescue Shelby, and we'll have to spill the beans on who we are. Everything will be alright.
After a while I see the sign for Charming and I begin to breathe easy.
POV: Shelby
Gordo warns me if I try anything Tio Marcos will shoot Marta to get his message across. Poor fat kid, he has a soft spot. I can tell he feels bad about this. He has to follow orders though. I hear Marta scream and a bang. It reassures me Tio Marcos isn't done with her and he's not going to let this slide. It feels useless to escape from the Calavares only to be taken to them on a silver platter. She saved my life at that gas station. She could have hid but instead she risked herself and came out swinging. She killed. This was new to her. I know it's getting to her. I hope she makes it out. I beg La Virgen we out of this alive and that the boys understand. Their Club won't be ok with this but if they have enough pull, they won't object.
I'm kept like a prisoner in my niece's room. I crash on the floor. Gordo brings me food and water. He takes me to the bathroom but leave the door open. He has the decency to turn his head as I go. Something I know Tito won't do with Marta. I stare at the picture of me and Happy. His name makes sense to me only because that's how I feel thinking about him. I wish Tio Marcos understood but it's obvious we have fallen from his pedestal. I heard voices downstairs. Tio Chino and Rafa are here. They are ecstatic about Rafa's promotion.
The more I think about it the more I believe Rafa is behind this. Tio Chino knew what happened and we were laying low. But I didn't tell him where. I try to think back how we got jumped. I heard a motorcycle in Bakersfield but no one came for us. I ditched the car there. There would be no other connection unless they got to Happy's mom. I hope not. Happy won't forgive that. I can only think that a neighbor signaled us out as riding out with the Sons. It's was the middle of the night so I didn't imagine that. Tio Chino didn't press me on our location. That was weird. Why didn't I see it before? He was supposed to come with us on the run. He backed out last minute. This was a set up!
I call Happy but his phone just rings. No one picks up. I can't leave a message. I'm too pre-occupied to notice Tio Marcus walk in. He snatches the phone and clocks me.
"Unbelievable!" He throws the phone on the ground and stomps it. He goes at me and stops short when he hears Tito yell and a car peel off. He yells to Gordo and a Prospect to tie me down. Tio Marcos pulls out his gun and runs off.