Shenanigans (Complete)

Headed to Town

Marc's POV

I got to town and found Ben at the jailhouse. He didn't look happy. "Ben," saluting

when I got close enough to him.

"Marc," Ben shook his head. "I am hoping we can let this blow over."

"I was not expecting him to notice the bike was gone." I shook my head. Another car pulled up, making me tense.

"Clint had Melissa drive him. Toss him the truck keys." Ben instructed. Ben's eyes and demeanor different than normal.

Tossing Clint the keys they both took off. "Alright boy," He patted me to follow him through the building out the back of it. "Get in." He ordered.

Not much surprised me but his tone and air had changed. "Where are we going?" I asked when I got in.

"You will see." Ben's words curt and to the point.

I said nothing as he drove through town back out toward the main road that leads up to Holly's. We pulled to the back of the local mechanic shop. A huge guy dreads with the biggest red beard I have seen. There were streaks of grey in it and noticed his eyes were intense. Ben got out, so I followed.

"This the kid?" The mechanic asked.

"Yeah," Ben walked past him into the shop.

"Name is Cooter." The big guy held out a hand that would make even mine small. Fingers as big as sausages.

"Marc," I tip my head to him. He had long sleeves on just like Ben always did.

"Come on in," Cooter jerked his head toward the shop.

Following him in I noticed, the Sheriff chatting with Ben. Both of them stopped to turn to look at me. "I want you to tell them how this started. From the beginning." Ben slapped a chair down near the table where they settled. Pointing to it to make me sit.

I settled down in the chair, looking at them I began the tale. I was duped by the woman who wanted to get closer to one of the biggest cartels around. She slept with me to get in with them. Once in with them and I caught her and got jailed. The guy I beat died and I rotted for 8 years over the lie a woman made. I took my punishment with grace and planned to drive as far as possible to start over and try again. Hoping for a better outcome.

"Yep, you got the s**t end of the stick boy," Cooter slapped the table stood walking to a row of keys. "This is a beater car, use it till we know they aren't snooping."

I stood taking the keys. "Thank you." I glanced at Ben. "I wanted to stop by the store and pick up some stuff. I know I been eating Holly's supplies."

"I will have Marion drop by with a load of groceries." Cooter glanced at Ben.

"I will give you guys some money, don't feel right not to." I handed Cooter a roll of cash. "Thank you." I give them a little bow in thanks.

"We haven't done nothing to thank," The Sheriff stood. "I will follow you out of town." He headed out to the car I seen out front.

"Do us a favor, call if you have a problem, and stay on that ranch." Ben's words were curt as he glanced over at the very silent Cooter who seemed lost in thought.

I jumped in the loaner car, pulling out it leads straight to the main road heading out of town. The sheriff pulled out behind me and followed till he passed as I went through the gate to the dirt road back to Holly's house.

***********

Undisclosed location

Ben's POV

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"Alright listen up," Cooter slapped his hand on the table.

All of us gave him our full attention. "What's up?" The youngest of us quipped. Beer in his hand. He missed some of our harder tours. But he was good at what he did.

"Ben's protege has been marked by the local Cartel in the area. Ben, Eric, and I listened to his story matched his file and what rumors I got from my sources." Cooter paused to eye the men. "If and I mean if it gets out of hand we will step in." He grunted. "Now pass me a beer." He grinned.

I sat back, these men and I had been through so many hells that life without them would not be worth it. We are a retired Force Recon specialist group of Marines. All retired and all having shared some nasty s**t over the years. Once they retired us, (bullshit reasons and red tape) we stuck together. We did do a few things but normally it was just us hanging out remembering what our crazy days were like. Cooter and his wife had moved out here and we did too. Each of us finding a position to watch the town. It made for a well-planned event if something should ever go down. Eric was the Sheriff, I was part of the Jail system, Cooter ran the mechanic shop and frequented the local bar to gather the gossip. He was the one that called the Sheriff when Marc handed those boys their asses.

Clint had the feed store as our youngest addition while our last guy Hooker just sat back and watched everyone. He ran the tow truck service. The town was covered and people would never know that we knew each other as a group. Our family tat was covered and we all wore long sleeves. We kept quiet about what and who we were. The only reason we would come out was for one of our own.

"What is your take on this kid?" Clint leaned forward to ask me.

"I will be giving this kid my job when I retire." I leaned back in my chair to see their surprised eyes.

"What about the inside info we may need?" Hooker leaned forward.

"This kid will tow the weight, I have full faith in him. The fact that he is still alive after being locked up with Holly for 4 days tells me, he will do just fine." I chuckled. I had called when they were in the middle of something. The question was what... I was rather curious to know.

"When are you giving him the job?" Cooter leaned forward to ask.

"Gotta train him and hell I need to tell him first," I laughed. This was the first time I had said anything to anyone about my idea.

"Well s**t," Hooker laughed, "We still have time."