Retaliation (Part 1 - Ace of Spades)

[Tommy Knox]

///Retaliation\\\
Chapter XXIX, Part I (Ace of Spades)

"...revenge is a dish best served cold."
- Lenny -

Thursday 12:12 PM [May 23rd, 2013]
Long Beach, California

Outside of the Nomad clubhouse, the crew stands in the parking lot. The club is in full force today. Brotherhood connects these men, these outlaws together. They would all die for one another, as well as kill. Many view these men as thorns in society, a cancer if you will. In reality, they are a means to an end.

The weather is fair today. The wind gently blows from the ocean with a slight overcast above. It's a good day for a barbeque. Now that you mention it, that's exactly what's going on within the MC. Brothers from sister charters all gathered to unite as one. We have the Long Beach charter, father to them all. The Houston charter, gate keepers to the southern hell. The Las Vegas charter, collectors of lost money. Three of the biggest charters on the western half of the United States.

As for the other charters stretching across the eastern United States and in Canada, well, it's business as usual for them. Everyone can't take the day off. Someone needs to continue bringing money to the table. It's rare that these charters join together like this in the middle of the week. Something big must be going on. The taste of blood is in the air and retaliation is knocking at the door. An eye for an eye, return like for like. These men are no stranger to it.

Close to the garage, Knox is seen sitting in a lounge chair with Niobe in his lap, arms draped around his old lady. Across from him, Wallace stands along with Jared and a new face to us all but a well known brother to the club, Lenny. Wallace stands with his old lady by his side while Jared stands alone. Lenny on the other hand, one woman isn't enough to satisfy his need. With a girl on each arm he stands there listening as the three familiars shoot the shit.

"Don't let it get you down, Knox." Wallace says as he takes a drink from his beer.

"If you like to gamble, I tell you I'm your man.
You win some, lose some, it's all the same to me.
The pleasure is to play, makes no difference what you say.
I don't share your greed, the only card I need is...
The ace of spades, the ace of spades."

Without hesitation, Jared chimes in. "You either, Niobe. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes."

"Heh... don't let it bother you. You're not the only two that those fucks pulled a lucky one over. Your boys in Foul Play even came up short the following night." Wallace says as he looks down at Knox.

"Shit, was that one of the guys that we paid a visit to back in Houston?" Lenny asks. (Although a stranger to us all in the Long Beach ranks, Lenny is the vice president of the Houston charter.)

"Yea, that's him. How did that go by the way?" Knox asks as he takes a drink from his beer and leans in to kiss Niobe's neck.

Lenny chuckles to himself for a brief moment before answering. "Well, needless to say, he accepted the gesture. I don't think he has any use for it though if you know what I mean."

Knox laughs as well before replying. "I know what you mean. Just give him a little time. That smell will linger his way and when it does it will get a hold of him and not let go. OG Funk is the dopest dope I've ever smoked, hands down. If I know Kash, and I sure as fuck do, he'll give it a try."

"I think it was a dumb move to begin with." Jared says with a smirk on his face as he stares at Knox.

Wallace shakes his head and looks over at Jared. "It wasn't your decision. I don't see you bending over backwards to extend your hand in an attempt to get our boy some backup."

"It's wrestling, what kind of backup does he need?" Jared replies.

"We can't be there to watch his back in the southern countries. Mexico, maybe, but not any further than that. We needed to reach out and make some friends of the club. Knox already has a big target on his back and he's fending for himself." Wallace says.

"Don't forget about me being there with him." Niobe interrupts.

Knox leans in and whispers in her ear as an awkward silence fills the air. "Baby, I got this."

"I did a nine month bid for us with no one in the joint to watch my back." Jared says as he continues to stare at Knox.

"You weren't alone there. No one in there was dumb enough to fuck with you. We had you covered from the outside." Wallace says

"What the fuck..." Jared says as he looks over at Wallace with a look of anger in his eyes. Before Wallace can respond, Jared then walks off towards the clubhouse.

"Playing for the high one, dancing with the devil.
Going with the flow, it's all a game to me.
Seven or Eleven, snake eyes watching you.
Double up or quit, double stake or split.
The ace of spades, the ace of spades."

"Looks like things are getting a little heated." Lenny says with a smile on his face.

"Don't worry about him, he'll calm down. He's one hot headed son of a bitch but he knows we had his back while he was away." Wallace says as he takes another drink of his beer.

Lenny takes a drink from his beer as he grabs on one of the girls asses with a smile on his face as he looks down at it. He then looks up at Knox and says, "Brothers are always going to butt heads. You're new to the club, he's just giving you a little tough love. Give it some time and keep putting in work, he'll eventually come around. If not, fuck it. You're a prospect on the verge of earning your full patch. If you're in the club, he can't touch you without getting himself in deep shit."

"It won't come to that." Wallace quickly adds to the conversation.

Knox takes a drink from his beer and looks up at Wallace. "I'm a hard person to get along with at first. He's disliked me from the start when we first met, when you made the first pick up for New York. I know I can come off as an asshole at times. It's not just him who seems to think it, apparently everyone does."

"I didn't think that about you the first time we met, baby." Niobe says as she looks into his eyes and licks her lips.

Knox leans in to give her a kiss as Wallace looks over at Lenny and kinks his head to the side, signaling for the two girls by his side to let the men be. As they walk off, Knox notices and whispers in Niobe's ear and she slowly gets up, pressing her ass against his body. A smile comes to Knox's face as he smacks her ass, sending her on her way with the other women.

As the girls distance themselves from the three, Wallace clears his throat after a drink from his beer. "So, lets get down to business."

"Yea." Lenny says quietly.

"What's up?" Knox questions.

Wallace paces back and forth for a moment as he pulls a cigar out and places it between his lips. He then stops in his tracks and looks at Knox. "We need to retaliate against your buddies, NBK."

"Buddies? Get the fuck out of here. I hate them more than any of you." Knox says as he pulls out a cigarette and puts it in his mouth. "I already have revenge on my mind for the other night, believe that." He says as the cigarette hangs from his lips.

"Revenge?" Wallace says with a puzzled look on his face.

Lenny chimes in as he rubs his chin, listening to the two. "You know, revenge is a dish best served cold."

"Indeed it is, even better with a side of blood and misery." Wallace says.

Knox stands to his feet as he pulls his lighter out and strikes. He takes a slow drag, lighting the tip as the cherry glows bright red. Slowly exhaling, Knox removes the shades from his eyes and steps in closer to the two. "This is all I have been thinkin' about since Mayhem. The new card just came out today, it looks like I get another shot at Jake, one on one. We've been goin' at one another for months now. It's time to squash this beef and bury that mother fucker."

"I have no doubt about that, Knox. It doesn't just end there." Wallace says.

A huge devilish grin comes over Lenny's face. "Now we're getting somewhere interesting!"

"These guys made a fool out of you. While they're running around, flaunting their jackleg MC, one that doesn't even exist on the set, they made the club look like a fool. It doesn't just end with you. You're now one of us. Your pain is our pain. Your victory is our victory. Your loss..."

As those last words roll off Wallace's tongue, Lenny interrupts. "Your loss is our loss, the clubs loss."

"Exactly." Wallace says.

Knox thinks to himself for a moment before responding. "I understand this, I can handle Jake though. I got this..."

Wallace shakes his head as Knox looks on in silence. "This isn't just about Jake anymore. I want all of the so called "Natural Born Killaz" answering for his actions. These guys know that we're looking for them. Our brothers in New York and Toronto have been on the prowl, searching for the slightest trace of NBK on the streets. These guys are ghosts. They don't exist."

"He's right, Knox. These guys have been pretending to be a part of the set since they opened their mouths about NBK being an MC. None of the brothers in Houston or our affiliates have heard of these clowns." Lenny says as he finishes off his beer and grabs another from the cooler sitting beside them.

"We can't have that. We can't have two faggots running around, pretending to be an MC, embarrass us in any sort. We need to make an example of them." Wallace says.

"I told you, I got this. After I'm finished with Jake next week he'll wish he never even crossed me, let alone the MC." Knox says as he takes a drag from his cigarette.

"There's no doubt in my mind that you will beat the living hell out of him and teach him a lesson but we need to make an example. This goes beyond what you can do alone in the ring. We need to end these guys careers or at least cut their tongues out to keep them from spreading anymore lies about the set." Wallace says.

"You heard what Jake said about you after the match Sunday night. Hell, I even heard it. He's threatened to stab you, end your life. We can't have shit like that being said about a member of the club without retaliation." Lenny says as he cracks open a fresh beer.

Knox takes a drag from his cigarette as he finishes his beer as well. "I heard the trash talkin'. That's all it is from that guy. Jake is nothin' more than just talk. He's had his chance to beat me one on one in the ring and he failed. Hell, Niobe even beat that piece of shit. I've made NBK my bitch since steppin' back on APW turf. I can only beat them so many times before the odds stack against me and lady luck bends me over and fucks me."

"Do what you have to do in the ring. After the match with Jake, he's in our hands." Wallace says as he lights his cigar and takes a puff.

"Hell, this mother fucker has no idea who I am and I'll be there in full force with the whole Houston charter behind me!" Lenny yells at the top of his lungs.

"Calm down, brother. Enough with this. Cheer up, Knox, it's a party and you'll get your chance for revenge in a week. As a matter of fact, I have a job proposal to bring to the table tomorrow night. This job is right up retaliations alley and a chance for you to earn some more credits towards your full patch." Wallace says as he finishes his beer and tosses the empty bottle aside.

"What do you have for me?" Knox asks.

"You know I'm born to lose and gambling's for fools.
But that's the way I like it, baby.
I don't wanna live forever!"

Lenny pats Knox on the shoulder as he walks towards the party, towards the two women waiting for him. "At the table, kid..."

Wallace moves in closer to Knox and leans in to his ear. "It's a chance to get a little more blood on your hands and earn your stripes. A friend of ours wants revenge on someone who fucked him and he's paying a pretty penny. We'll discuss the rest at church..."

Wallace then walks off, leaving Knox behind in wonder of what's in store. Niobe then sees him standing alone and walks over to him. Knox opens his arms as she falls right into them and the two kiss as the scene fades to black.

Tuesday 3:33 PM [May 28th, 2013]
Las Cruces, New Mexico

It's been a long ride on the open highway stretching across the desert. A few days after leaving Long beach behind, the club find themselves in the dead heat of New Mexico, the flood gates separating surrounding states from the crystal meth capital of the world.

The sun lingers in the sky above, toasting everything beneath to a crisp. On the outskirts of town, an abandoned building rests in the hills away from civilization. There's no telling how many holes have been dug in these parts to hide the remains of people who end up on the back of milk cartons. You don't want to know. I don't think anyone wants to come to the realization who people to do to get ahead in this world.

A few black, infamous, notorious motorcycles belonging to the Nomad MC sit on the side of the building, not far from a glass window overlooking the hills. The only other car in sight is an old rust bucket parked under the only tree to be seen for miles. Seven motorcycles line the side of the building with six members from both the Long Beach and Houston charters talking amongst themselves. In the center of the group, Wallace and Lenny head the conversation as the other four, unknown members listen and keep an eye out for any unexpected visitors.

"You sure your boy can handle this?" Lenny asks Wallace as he spits a mouthful of dip juice onto the sand below.

Wallace thinks to himself for a moment before answering with confidence. "You're fucking right he can."

Lenny laughs briefly as he shoots another ball of spit from his mouth. "I hope so. These guys aren't the type to take any shit from anyone. Nomad or not, these guys don't give a fuck. Can you blame them? They're tweaked out of their minds twenty-four seven."

"Lucky for us, the targets inside. His boys are nowhere to be found. Even if they do show up, I think we can manage to keep them back." Wallace says as he leans against his motorcycle.

Lenny tugs at the six shoot hanging out of his waistline. "I'll keep those mother fuckers away. Make them wish they never came to pay us a visit today."

"It's going to be fine. Those guys are making their normal runs. No one is expecting us to pop in today. That poor fuck inside, I'm sure Knox surprised the fuck out of him." Wallace says.

"What are we doing here anyway?" We don't even know who's given us the job." Lenny asks.

Wallace cracks his neck as he scans over the hills. "The buyer is dealing with Jared. He brought this to the table and set it up. He's collecting payment right now as we speak."

"Then why isn't he out here doing the deed.?" Lenny asks again.

Wallace pauses before answering and thinks to himself before speaking up. "He had some collections that needed to be done. Plus he said the buyer would only meet with him today, or any other day for that matter."

Lenny chuckles again as a strange look comes over his face. "I guess it's hard to trust a pack of wolves. Heh..."

"You can say that again." Wallace says.

"So, are we at least taking what's inside?" Lenny questions as his eyes widen with the thought of money running across his mind.

"No, the money isn't kept here anyway. The guys are out right now distributing the product. There's nothing inside but chemicals and waste. If anything, there may be a small batch but not enough to grab our attention." Wallace says with a stern voice.

"I just hope your boy has the rocks to end that fools misery." Lenny says under his voice.

Those very words catch Wallace attention as he pulls out a cigar and holds it in his mouth. "He can handle himself and is dedicated to the club. Jesus... you're starting to sound like Jared."

Lenny shakes his head with a smile on his face as he responds. "You know just as well as I do that there's a big difference between wrestling and what we do day to day."

"I know, but Knox can handle himself both inside the ring and outside on the streets. The mans good at what he does and it sheds some good light on the MC's bad reputation in the media and eyes of the law." Wallace says.

"I guess there's nothing wrong with that, as long as he puts the club first." Lenny suggests with a serious tone.

Wallace nods in agreement as he replies. "Exactly and that's what he has proven to do so far. You have to remember, he came to the club with this side money we have rolling in from the golden green. Ever since he's become a prospect he has proven to be dedicated to the MC. He has my blessing to pursue his career in the ring for as long as he has it in him. The club will be here for him now and we'll be here for him after he hangs up the boots."

Lenny takes a moment to let it all sink in before throwing in his two cents. "If you say he's alright then he's alright with..."

Before Lenny can finish his sentence, a gunshot is heard from inside the building, grabbing all of the Nomads attention.

"AND DON'T FORGET THE JOKER!"

The glass from the window overlooking the hills then shatters as Knox and an unknown man crash through and roll to the ground below. A gun also falls to the ground beside them as they fight with each other to climb to their feet. The unknown man kicks dirt in Knox's eye, stunning him for a moment as he breaks free and rushes for the gun.

Knox wipes the dirt from his eyes only to find a gun pointing at him with someone pissed, looking to kill on the other side holding it. The other members of the Nomads draw their guns as Knox pauses for a moment, looking down the barrel of a loaded gun.

"I DON'T WANT TO LIVE FOREVER!"

Without hesitation, Knox rushes the man and knocks his arm into air as the gun fires off into the clouds. Quickly following, Knox lays him out with a right hook and knocks him to the ground, sending the gun flying from his hand and out of reach for retaliation. The MC then sweeps in and circles the unknown man with their guns still drawn as silence fills the air for a brief moment.

"He knew we were comin'!" Knox yells.

Wallace looks over at him, confused by those words. "What?"

"He knew that we were comin'. That's what took so long to finish this son of a bitch. I've been trying to get some info out of him but he's not talkin'." Knox says as he wipes the dirt from his clothes.

Lenny then steps forward with his gun pointed between the eyes of the man on the ground. "I'll handle this."

"Pushing up the ante, I know you got to see me.
Read 'em and weep, the dead man's hand again.
I see it in your eyes, take one look and die.
The only thing you see, you know it's gonna be...
The ace of spades, the ace of spades."

Lenny grabs the unknown man by the collar of his shirt and drags him into the building, through the broken window and over a sea of glass. Wallace places his arm over Knox's neck as the two walk off, away from the group. The MC members remaining, walk inside to watch Lenny as they finish the deed and get ready to hit the open highway. Knox sits on his bike and pulls out a cigarette and places it between his lips. Him and Wallace talk amongst each other, in seclusion as the scene slowly fades to black.

AMERICAN HIGHLIFE
May 29th, 2013 [•REC]

"We meet again, Jake. You can't honestly think that Mayhem was the last time that we would climb in the ring and beat the livin' hell out of each other? I have too much pride to just walk away after a fluke on your end. That's all it was, nothin' more, nothin' less. After weeks of gettin' your ass handed to you on Meltdown and even at Rasslemania, I couldn't just let you walk away with that wet fart of a win you stole last week. As I said before, I have too much pride to just get beaten once by the hands of that bitch, lady luck, who hasn't looked my way since I've returned to this business years ago."

"Hell, maybe it's not even pride. It could just be plain stupidity for all we know. I've made a lot of dumb choices in my life and if given the chance, I wouldn't take any of them back. They have made me into the man that I am today, a man that's a part of something that you and your little friend Leon only wish you could be. Life is full of dumb decisions, just ask your mother. I'm sure she regrets to this day that she just didn't abort you, do the world a favor and spare us from your lame antics and stereotypical persona. Mistakes are what teach us how to do things the right way. I made a mistake last week when I underestimated you. Never again, I can promise you that."

"With everything that we have been through, it was only a matter of time before you lucked up and put a win under your belt. If it wasn't for Mayhem and your fluke win, you would have walked into Meltdown the followin' night only to lose by the hands of Foul Play. In a way, I saved you from career suicide and lit that spark that you needed to get your head back in the game. I can live with that, it's good to do something good for others every now and then. It's goin' to be even better when I bring your world crashin' down on you and destroy everything, every bit of confidence inside of you that I helped create."

"Test for the Best is upon us, whatever the fuck that may be. I don't have time to sit here and talk a big game. Sorry, I have better things to do other than waste my time on your worthless ass. At Mayhem, I broke my one single rule. I let my mouth write a check that I couldn't cash. It's rare that I don't back up what I preach and when I do, I take it on the chin and make things right on my end. That's what I plan to do tomorrow night at Overdrive, a new venue for me to show you that I am just that much better than you. It doesn't matter if we're on Meltdown, Overdrive, Asylum or Rasslemania... when it's just you and me in the ring, I always win. If proving that you're better than your opponent is the true meaning for Test for the Best, then you can bet your bottom dollar that I will prove just that when we climb in that ring one last time. I'm willin' to bet the farm on this match. I'm willin' to put it all on the line for one last night of knockin' you on your ass. I'm fuckin' ready, step up! Be a man and bring it to the ring. Leave the words for the poets and don't let your mouth write checks that your ass can't cash. I'm finished bouncin' checks on your sorry ass and it's time for RETALIATION."