I woke up with Maya on my left and Candy on my right. I love them both so deeply that I was quite happy just being with them and my love for both still grows. We had all gone to bed a little late, but I felt quite refreshed. I looked at the clock; I had only been asleep for four hours. The sun was just rising, I did not want to wake the girls but, like usual, I really needed to go to the bathroom. I stealthily extracted myself from the clutches of the angels sleeping beside me and headed to the bathroom.
I felt great relief as my stream hit the water. I had on my boxers, and after my swim last night didn't really need a shower, so I headed downstairs. As I entered the kitchen, and looked outside, there was a flurry of activity, and yet I could hardly hear a sound. Max was sitting at the kitchen table, once again engaged in a game of chess, this time he was playing against Allen. I looked quietly at the board, seeing an opportunity to finish the game I let the words slip: "Max, you have checkmate in six moves."
Allen was upset, but Max replied nonchalantly: "I know, but thanks anyway."
Max moved. Allen saw the light a little too late; he had already lost. He sportingly played on, but in a few seconds the game was done. Max shook Allen's hand and said: "Thank you for a good game; you're a pretty good chess player."
I chimed in: "Max, I've seen you play, Allen and Ed, have you also played against Frank and Paul?"
Allen replied: "He's beaten all of us several times over the last week, he's good."
Max replied nonchalantly: "Your guys are very good chess players; I have actually had to take my time with them."
Before I could speak Allen enthusiastically added: "Vinny taught us all how to play and none of us have ever beaten him, yet."
I kept my cool as I said: "Allen, you have got to stop boasting of my skills." Allen bowed in shame, so I added: "I am not upset with you, but try to avoid it in the future."
Allen replied in a submissive tone: "I'm sorry boss, it won't happen again."
I replied in a teasing tone: "You and I both know it will, but thanks for trying. Oh yeah I almost forgot, has Philip started his training with you?" he shook his head so I added: "I want you to give him advanced stealth training and then give him the leadership course." He nodded, and then headed out. The noise from outside seeped in as he opened the door. I looked at Max and said: "How did you get this place so well sound proofed?"
Max smiled as he replied: "I worked as a sound technician for years and designed the place myself, I think it came out pretty good." I nodded my agreement. "So Vinny," he added in a neutral tone, "what are your plans for today?"
I sat down and answered casually: "I guess I should go and deal with Snake, then we have the opening night at the bar, followed by the big party here tonight. Have all the preparations been done?" Max nodded, then I continued: "Do you guys need any help finalizing things?"
Max smiled and spoke calmly: "We have had no issues, and with the training your guys are giving, things just keep getting smoother and smoother. At this rate we will be working like a well oiled machine soon. I have never seen a gang run so fluidly."
I smiled, but was a little disappointed as I replied: "They just needed a good leader and a little purpose in life. I am still surprised at how well things are progressing. I am glad to have time to spend with the girls." I thought for a few seconds, realising I had not yet given Ronal the list I promised, "Damn, I completely forgot about getting a list of the cops to Ronal!"
Max replied casually: "I did it yesterday, don't worry about it."
I looked at him puzzled and asked: "How did you know that had to be done?"
Max was sitting casually as he said: "I know Ronal and the mayor and Candy told me about your meeting with them, so I got the list made and sent it them."
I sat back down, relaxed and said in a relieved voice: "Thank you so much Max, you really are a great general." He smiled in appreciation. I offered: "You have beaten all my friends; feel like playing chess against me?"
Max sat up and said enthusiastically: "I would love to. I am ranked as a master, do you have a ranking?"
I replied casually: "I have never been ranked but I have been playing since I was six."
He set up the board and we played a relatively quick game, only an hour, Max lost, but I enjoyed playing him. He stood up after I called checkmate and motioned I should stand. I did and he hugged me saying: "Thank you, I have not lost a match in years; it's nice to finally play a better player than myself."
I was pretty certain the girls would not yet be awake and I asked: "Where is Snake?"
Max replied: "The boys in the squatter village have him; you want to go and see him?"
I replied: "Yeah, I think it's time we let him go. Of course I will inform him of his punishment first."
Max smiled broadly as he said: "Oh he's going to be pissed when he hears it." We both giggled as we headed to the town. We met up with Vance, who I had put in charge of keeping Snake alive.
He said: "Kelly is watching Snake. They're over there." We all headed to a small isolated tent behind the town. The strong smell of manure wafted from the tent. As we entered we saw Snake, buried up to his neck in fresh manure. Vance said with pride: "We have been changing the manure twice a day, and soaking him in boiling and ice water while we cleaned the hole; his body is covered in blisters."
I looked at Snake and said in a cruel voice: "Hope you enjoyed your entrΓ©e, the main course is about to start." Snake was shivering in the hole, "The boys are paying you back for what you did to Candy. You are lucky I need you alive to punish you for want you did to me and the gang." Snake was crying uncontrollably now. "Stop your whimpering asshole and take it like a man! You are paying for your crimes. We will let you go later tonight; of course we will drop you in the middle of the woods, with no shoes."
I smiled as I added in a soft voice: "But that is not all, for you see I have made friends with the Outlaws, The Hell's Angels and all the other local biker groups, they will torture you on sight. The Colombians will probably make you wish you were dead, that is before they kill you. You will find that things won't be much better with the cops; it seems that you are now wanted for the brutal execution of a dozen officers; they have orders to kill you on sight. I hope you're good at running, because you will need to from now on." We all laughed and left Snake in his hole. I looked at Vance and said: "Keep him simmering all day, and then drop him in the middle of nowhere around five. Make certain to hurry back, there's party on tonight." He nodded as he headed back to Snake.
Max and I walked back to the house. I said: "You think I was being too easy on the worthless piece of shit?"
Max replied casually: "You're too kind hearted, but I think he will never fuck with us again." When we got to the house, I headed upstairs as Max started making breakfast, he asked: "You want me to make you and the girls some too?" I nodded then continued on my way upstairs. I was surprised to find that Maya and Candy weren't in bed, but as I heard the shower, my apprehension faded and I headed to the bathroom.
It was not locked and as I opened the door, I heard giggling, and a stray water jet hit me. I turned to the girls who were having a little water fight using a couple of plastic cups. I turned, a little wet, and closed the door. They noticed me and jumped onto me, I caught them. As they hung from my neck, naked and wet, they kissed me frantically, giggling as they teased each other. I was not too upset at being soaked, but as I stood there, dripping wet, I thought to myself: 'What have I gotten myself into?'