CHAPTER 190 Regroup
*Cristos*
Before entering Bo's, I turned my head to glance at the ambulance barreling down Main St.
I couldn't explain it, but I had this nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach. I wasn't sure if it was because I saw Joy on a stretcher or because we were up against a formidable group of mercenaries once again.
But it wasn't the whole of the Blue Rogues that worried me. The Blue Rogues were mostly rowdy soldiers who followed orders.
It was just one man in particular that intimidated me... The highly decorated Colonel. One look at that murderous look in his eyes, and I knew he would stop at nothing to achieve his goal.
Moreover, he had a reputation to keep and that's to maintain the Blue Rogues' one hundred percent success rate.
No doubt, whatever happened earlier was just a minor setback for him. He'll regroup and come back more prepared.
I couldn't help, but wonder if he would call in a favor and ask for reinforcements. Because of his many successes, he made lasting connections, and some of those connections were sworn enemies of the Blood Disciples.
Well, we had anonymity on our side. Both the Blue Rogues and the Angels of Darkness were unaware of our presence here in New Salem, and that alone made them vulnerable.
As I tried to shrug off the uneasiness I was feeling, Terry's Snack and Gas, that godforsaken gas station along the highway to Red River, suddenly flashed through my mind.
My palms began to sweat, my heart began to beat through my chest, and I found myself unable to move... I was paralyzed with fear.
Realizing that Joy was the source of my uneasiness, I silently berated myself.
*Get it together*, *Cristos*. *Joy isn't alone*.
I inhaled and exhaled deeply, forcing myself to calm the fuck down.
*The girls wouldn't let anything happen to Joy*. *She is in good hands*...
As much as Kiki was a nuisance to her brother, she was one hell of a soldier. I knew I could count on her to give anyone hell and to burn the hospital down... if necessary.
Although Emma and Autumn were more lovers than fighters, I had a distinct feeling Joy might be the push they both needed to become killers. They were both overprotective. Besides, they wouldn't want to disappoint their underbosses.
After reassuring myself that Kiki, Emma, and Autumn would keep a close eye on Joy, I decided it was better to regroup with Xavier and Sebastian now that we had bumped into a few more complications.
I entered Bo's, flamboyantly sashaying my hips, in case I bumped into anyone I knew. However, to my utter surprise, I found the grocery store practically empty, with only a handful of Xavier's employees manning the store, all wearing their uniforms.
I turned my head left and right, hoping to find at least one of our men manning an aisle, but I found no one. I suspected the snipers on the roof were more than what Xavier and Sebastian had anticipated, so they called in for reinforcements.
*I might*, *as well*, *head to the warehouse*.
I shrugged my shoulders and proceeded to the far end of Bo's Superstore, deciding it was best to stay in character until I was safely tucked inside Xavier's office.
As I passed the frozen food section, I caught a whiff of myself and frowned. I smelled like smoke.
*Shit*. No amount of hip swaying would hide the fact that I smelled like a man who just sucked on a cigar.
Well, while I'm here, I'll take a quick shower and change into something fresh. Since people know that I don't smoke, this strong smell puts me near the novelty shops.
Jack may not have noticed it, but Dan, for sure, would.
As I entered the aisle of canned goods that led straight to Xavier's office door, I heard the most annoying high-pitched male voice behind me. I rolled my eyes before turning around to greet the source of the voice.
Aside from Nicole, there just had to be someone else in this town with a high-pitched voice!
At least, Nicole was a girl. But a man with a high-pitched girly voice?! He probably didn't go through puberty like the rest of us.
"Hey there, Chip!" Hudson, Xavier's manager, greeted me with a sardonic grin on his pale face. He was a stout man in his late thirties, with dark blonde hair and beady eyes, who Xavier inherited from the previous owner. Before she agreed to sell, the old woman specifically required Xavier to keep Hudson on as an employee.
I, for one, found it to be a strange request. I asked Xavier if he had asked the old woman why, but in his haste to acquire the grocery store, he did not question the old hag, thinking it was because Hudson knew his way around the business.
Absentmindedly, my lips curved into a small smile, as my eyes drank in the yellow and black apron he was wearing over his uniform as well as the beads of sweat on his forehead.
I leaned toward him, inhaling deeply, and caught the mild scent of smoke on his person. My eyes instantly narrowed, knowing where he had just been.
He must have snuck out and participated in the festivities, then ran back.
But why though? Xavier had allowed all his employees time off to join the celebration while promising double pay to those who would come in to work. Also, as manager of the store, Hudson was paid handsomely. He could have just taken the time off, instead of sneaking out to celebrate.
"Ah, Chip. Are you okay?" He asked. Realizing I had spaced out, I quickly nodded my head. His stained lips curved into a smile, relieved. "Anything I can help you with?"
"Is Bo here?" I asked, cutting to the chase. I didn't have the time for any small talk, plus he gave me the heebie-jeebies. There was something about him that was.... off-putting. And it wasn't his voice. It was like his aura was just all wrong. Hell, he was all wrong.
"Yes, he's in his office. I think he's still busy doing inventory," he answered. "I can help you if you need anything from the store-"
"I actually need to borrow Bo's car. Virtue hurt her ankle and I promised her I'd follow her to the hospital," I said, cutting him off. Well, it was the only way to shut him up.
"Sorry to hear that about Virtue. Will she be okay?" His voice was laced with concern, yet the way that he said it sounded... insincere.
"I actually don't know," I answered, acting worried. "That's why I need to get to the hospital right away. The poor thing is in pain and today is supposed to be her wedding day."
"I completely understand. I remember when Ms.-"
"Hudson, darling, we can trade stories another time," I said impatiently, cutting him off again. "Right now, I really have to go see Bo for his car. My best friend needs me."
"Of course, Chip," he replied tartly, looking offended by my impatience. "Do you need me to accompany you to Bo's office?"
"No, thank you. I know where it is." And with a huff, I turned around quite rudely. What was I supposed to do? He was getting in my way.
When I reached the door to Bo's office, I knocked. No answer. I looked up at the CCTV and waited.
I heard a buzzing sound before I heard the door unlocking from the inside. I quickly reached for the doorknob and opened the door, sliding hastily inside. Before closing the door, I glanced outside and noticed a silhouette near the end of the aisle that I had just come from.
As I closed the door, my eyes peered through the open slit, waiting for movement. Just as I expected, Hudson appeared from the shadows, his beady eyes staring at the door, a corner of his lips turned upward in a chilling smile.
I quietly shut the door and quickly entered Xavier's security code, my brow furrowed, confused at what I had just witnessed. I made a mental note to speak to Xavier about him. It was clear Hudson had ulterior motives.
When the word "lock" appeared on the security panel, I dashed behind Xavier's desk and clicked on a small black button to open the secret wall entrance leading to the warehouse.
After the wall panel slid open, I entered the dimly lit hallway and walked toward a steel door which had a rectangular-shaped security panel on its side. I placed my palm on top of the panel and as soon as I did, the steel door slid open.
Inside the warehouse, I was surprised at what I saw. Several of our men were quickly loading body bags onto the back of a trailer truck.
I shook my head, aware of the consequences.
*The Colonel isn't going to like this*...
*Not one bit*.
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