Chapter 11

Claire had met with Teeny Delgado on a Friday. Starting the next day, the Four Corners Security head, Martin Schroeder, began attending the 6 AM family meetings.

Luke smiled at his old army buddy, “Okay, spell out our options for Claire and Willow.”

The 30-year old former Special Forces sergeant was a small, wiry man. Martin was a few inches under six feet, and weighed a steady 155 pounds. He had close-cropped brown hair and a perpetual three-day stubble for a beard.

“Go on the offense. Strike without warning. I have Delgado’s compound under loose surveillance. We could take out eight of his men in a heartbeat.”

Claire knew he was referring to the eight men patrolling Delgado’s block. She also knew that Martin wasn’t serious; he was just laying out the options.

Martin spoke softly, “We could also atomize the entire block.”

Willow muttered, “I wish.”

Martin continued sketching out different scenarios. Hitting the known drug houses. Planting incriminating evidence and dropping a dime.

He paid no more attention to the naked 17-year-old girl sucking Luke’s cock than Claire and Willow did. Cindy Wilkerson worked in the huge truck-stop store. It was her first time in the family compound. Claire had chosen her because she was one of the civilian girls Consuela was shifting to Pussy.

Cindy had a bright blue streak in her hair, and multiple piercings, — nose, ears, one nipple. Young as she was, she was engaged to one of the mechanics in Claire’s Garage.

Martin said, “Okay, those were possibilities. Here’s what we’re gonna do on Friday. As you know, Delgado sends a two-man team here every Friday to collect his tribute.”

Claire nodded, “We’re paying him for his circuit girls.”

“Right. But he told you he’s sending Mateo this time.”

“To show us he’s serious.”

“Okay, the payoff is always in the big lot.” The truck parking lot. “I hand over the cash; they don’t bother to count it until probably they’re back at Delgado’s.”

Claire didn’t bother to state that she would never short the count. She resented the shakedown, but it was one of the costs of doing business.

Luke shifted, and Claire could tell he was cumming. They waited until Cindy stood up, took off her headphones, and opened a stick of gum.

Claire handed her a hundred and said, “Thank you, honey. Where is Consuela sending you today?”

Cindy had been born and raised on a Four Corners farm and spoke with a rural twang. She carefully folded the bill and put it in a red plastic wallet, which she placed in her purse and double-checked that the clasp was secure.

Chewing her Dentyne gum, she said, “Waitress. At Pussy.”

Willow smiled, “What does Mac think about that?” Her fiancé.