Light-Skinned was almost on top of him. Instead of kicking up at the man’s face, which is what Light-Skinned was probably expecting, Ike kicked at the side of his knee with everything he had left.
He didn’t hear the crack he was hoping for, but he did hear a pitiful baying howl. Light-Skinned fell against the side of the truck. The baton dropped from his hand as he tried to grab on to the truck to keep himself from falling to the ground.
Ike got to his feet. In one swift motion he kicked Mini-Afro in the kidney and then headbutted Light-Skinned above the left eye. The move hurt him almost as much as it did Light-Skinned, but it served its purpose. Light-Skinned slid down the quarter panel of Buddy Lee’s truck. His face left a red streak on the rusted metal. Ike moved to help Buddy Lee but stopped in his tracks when he saw the gun.
Buddy Lee was getting his ass kicked.
It wasn’t a complete shock, in all honesty. The moment he saw the two monsters run at him with the grace of gazelles, he knew he was in for a beating. Men that big shouldn’t be able to move that fast, and when they could, it meant they were well-trained and skilled. Which meant he was going to get his ass handed to him.
Buddy Lee decided to go out swinging. It was the only way he knew.
The first monster that approached him had a mustache so full it was a like a cat had taken up residence on his upper lip. The other grizzly bear was so cockeyed Buddy Lee figured he could see around a corner without turning his damn head.
Buddy Lee went at them like a windmill on legs. He swung on Cockeyed while he kicked at Cat Stache. He caught Cockeyed just below the left eye. Buddy Lee felt his foot connect with Cat Stache’s right knee. He might as well have been throwing beans at a tank. Cockeyed slammed him in the stomach and doubled him over. Cat Stache grabbed Buddy Lee’s arms and made him stand upright. Cockeyed started peppering him with lefts and rights like it was his new favorite hobby. Buddy Lee knew that he was going to be pissing blood for a week. Cockeyed grabbed him by the chin and forced him to look at him.
“You gonna learn today, old man,” Cockeye said.
I’m a quick study, you son of a bitch, Buddy Lee thought. In an effort to demoralize Buddy Lee, Cockeyed had gotten within striking distance of Buddy Lee’s right foot. Buddy Lee kicked the man as hard as he could, right in the nuts.
Cockeyed’s legs slammed shut at the knees as he bent over and cupped his balls. The shock of seeing his partner fall to the ground unnerved Cat Stache to such an extent he eased his grip on Buddy Lee’s arms. Buddy Lee took the opportunity to ram the back of his head into Cat Stache’s mouth. He thought he could feel the man’s lips flatten against his teeth. Buddy Lee spun around and gave Cat Stache a left hook right behind his right ear. The man fell against the hood of the truck.
That was when he saw the gun.
It was a huge semiautomatic in a shoulder rig that dangled against Cat Stache’s right side. Buddy Lee had always had fast hands. His daddy had taught him how to lift wallets and watches before he taught him to ride a bike. All the bodyguards were probably packing, but they had taken Ike and Buddy Lee lightly. They saw a couple of old geezers who were in need of an attitude adjustment. They probably figured they could handle the two of them without even wrinkling their coats.
Everyone makes mistakes, Buddy Lee thought.
He slipped his hand inside Cat Stache’s blazer and relieved him of his gun. Buddy Lee spun on Cockeyed and Tariq and Cat Stache, who was now Red Stache because of all the blood coming out of his mouth.
“Back your raggedy asses up!” Buddy Lee said. He moved toward the driver’s side of his truck while keeping his eye on Tariq and his private army. Ike moved toward the passenger’s side. He stood behind the open door, half in and half out of the truck. Mini-Afro was back up and he had his gun in his hand, pointing it at Buddy Lee.
“Drop the fucking gun!” Mini-Afro yelled.
“Suck my crooked red dick, Barry White. I ain’t dropping shit,” Buddy Lee said. His chest was on fire, but he used every ounce of his will to push the pain aside.
“We just wanted to talk,” Ike said. Buddy Lee had moved all the way to the driver’s side of the truck.
Tariq’s guards gathered around their employer like a phalanx. He spoke from behind the safety of their broad shoulders. Smiling, he took a long toke on his joint. Ike realized he was enjoying this.
“Give it up, fam. You ain’t about this life. Tangerine is off-limits to you. Drop that gun, gramps, before you really get hurt,” Tariq said.
“Why don’t you come out from behind your boys and we’ll see who’s about that life and who’s still sucking on their mama’s titty,” Buddy Lee said. Tariq’s smile faltered.