Hey ya guys! Here's a new story from me! Hope ya'll like it!
In the downtown streets of L.A., no one is safe. It's where all kinds of shady and suspicious characters lurk especially during those dark and cold nights. Tonight was one of those nights, only the rain disrupted the peace as it slapped droplets on building windows. I pondered looking outside at the gleaming city lights, torn between loving or hating the sight.
"Boss, we've got a traitor." Spencer sneered shoving a beat up teen in front of me.
"Oh really?" I turned my chair around quite amused with the ruckus this early tonight.
Downtown L.A. was my turf. Here, no one and I mean no one could mess with me without getting a bullet to the head.
"What will we do to this low life?" Stark growled pulling the all too fragile boy to his feet.
I stared at him as he kept his head down waiting for my verdict. I was sure he knew what was about to happen and was trying to hide his fear but I saw it, the simple twitch of his fingers sold him out. I was amused how tough kids were getting these days but for some reason, the tougher they got, the dumber they were.
"Boss?" Kranch asked a little too agitated as he fidgeted with his fingers.
I stared down at the boy, it seemed like he was latino from the color of his skin. For a moment, our eyes met and all I saw was sorrow. His eyes held so much despair that it almost caught me off guard.
"James," Logan muttered behind me as he placed a hand on my shoulder knowing all too well what I was about to say.
I sighed waving my hand at Logan as he kept pleading with his eyes. My right hand man was a softy, but I trusted his judgment nonetheless.
"Let him go," I said boringly as the three men retorted saying how much of a liar the little latino was but all the same, they let him go.
"But I am curious, boy." I said catching the latino's attention.
"Why did you choose to betray me?" I was genuinely curious as he looked at me with the same look of despair in his eyes.
"I didn't b-betray you sir, I was only buying goods from them because they were cheaper," he said with guilt around every word.
"Our goods are cheap... Why? Need more drugs than what we give you?" I asked astonished.
"I-I don't do drugs sir," he stuttered keeping hid gaze down.
"Then what do you need the money for?" I asked expecting a good sob story.
"James..." Logan sighed beside me which meant that he wanted me to stop with the ridiculous questioning.
"I-I have c-cancer sir," He muttered shakily seeming like he dreaded even opening his mouth.
Again, our eyes met and I knew that Logan was waiting for me to say something... Something to make things work out. I was never the person to bring good news but the innocence in the latino's eyes told me he was far from lying about something like this.
"Is it getting serious or can it be stopped by any means?" I asked which took him aback and again Logan squeezed my shoulder but I chose to ignore it.
"W-well the doctor said if I had surgery now, the probability of me getting worse would go down," he said looking down again.
"Then go get surgery," I told him which surprised the latino quite a bit and Logan's hand on my shoulder was getting a little too tight for my liking.
"But sir, I c-can't afford it." The teen said, his despair prominent in the statement.
"I'll shoulder all those expenses, on one condition," I said leaning on my all too expensive desk.
"W-what would that be sir?" The latino said confused about what was happening.
"Work for me, leave your current life and work for Club Rush... Stay loyal and I assure you that I'll help you fight that cancer and that you'll never die with a shot to the head, not under my watch at least," I said and all he did was stare and nod his head.
"Oh s-sir! T-thank you!" He bowed his head in front of me overly grateful but it was genuine nonetheless.
"Logan will attend to all your needs... Tell him everything," I said nodding to my right hand as he stood beside the latino ushering him out the door.
I was left with the three men, telling me how a scoundrel the latino was.
"Boss reconsider! He is a liar!" Kranch hissed keeping his voice down.
"He's right boss, the teen is no good!" Spencer supported his associate's statement as Stark nodded agreeing to everything they said.
"Are you questioning my judgement?" I muttered, my cold stare making them freeze on the spot.
"N-no boss! W-we..."
I forgot who started begging first but it didn't matter because they're dead now anyway. I had a heart but I wasn't a person to forgive easily, stealing drugs from me was much graver than them buying goods from other clubs. I wasn't one to think twice before shooting anyone I loathed mainly because I grew up with this state of mind. I chuckled to myself as I stood up leaving the room as blood started oozing from the bodies on the floor. Maybe I didn't have a heart, only assumed I did.
Life in a mob was easy, easy if you didn't have smuggled overflowing liquor, drugs and strippers in your club but business was strong, cops never bother to make rounds downtown because of the fear of getting shot by mobs or random drunks. Downtown was where all the sins were at, from the drugs to the murders, to the sex. Evil lurked in these streets but I lived here and I wouldn't choose to live any other way.
There was no room for love on these streets, that's why I chose not to feel anymore and only took Logan's word for everything that needed a heart because I knew I couldn't do it me, lying, cheating and stealing were always the way to go.
"You alright there, Kendall?" Camille, my assistant asked as I took a sip of my cup of joe.
"Yeah," I muttered straightening my tie.
Being a detective in L.A. was easy money, especially if you had connections to the higher ups. I didn't say I was taking advantage of them, it's just a lot better than not earning crap every dang day.
I used to be a singer when I was younger, got an album out too. Too bad it didn't work out but it was bound to crash down south anyway. It was wishful thinking of a young mind who had a dream, a ridiculous dream actually.
"Got any leads?" Camille asked placing more folders on my desk.
I nudged my head reading the morning paper as I took a glance at Camille.
"Do you think we'll ever find Carlos? What if he's-" Camille said but I shot her a look asking her not to even say it.
"He's not, I'm sure." I told her which was a mere spur of optimism. I didn't know if Carlos was out there, let alone alive.
The latino got lost wandering about buying scraps from clubs one night and for some reason, he got involved in a bad crowd that he assured us was a clean deal and we believed him because he brought food on the table every night.
Carlos, Camille and I were abandoned growing up. We left the orphanage because of all the torture we had to overcome on a daily basis. I remember this one time I took food after hours because I was so hungry and I actually thought I would be able to get away with it but I got caught after nibbling on one apple, I almost bled to death because of the punishment and I'm still actually in the process of figuring out how I could have survived. People would think I'd be exaggerating about this but no, we had the scars to prove it.
"Kendall, your phone's ringing," Camille said as she stood up taking more folders with her.
I picked up the phone to hear a hollywood starlet on the phone who had woes about her boyfriend cheating on her and she clearly wanted him investigated as soon as possible.
As always, I assured her that I'd do anything in my power to help her and like always, I delivered. A little too much sometimes actually.
I stood up getting ready to head out as I took my coat off the rack along with my fedora.
"Heading out already?" Camille asked still scribbling on a paper.
"Yeah, see you later," I muttered as I left the office to go downtown looking for answers to find my client's cheating boyfriend.
Life as a detective was easy but it could get troublesome at times, especially when I get tied up with class A superstars but it was work nonetheless and I couldn't care less. It pays and it was enough for me.
The day Carlos disappeared, I decided to set my heart to stone because I didn't need a weakness. I had to be strong for the rest of the orphans still in need of my help. Only God knows how I can keep feeding all those hungry kids. If only they could grow up faster.
There was no room for Love on these sinful and twisted streets. All the innocence in the world has been wiped out by all the sin of the common folk who drown themselves in false love, sex and drugs. It disgusted me but I guess, I wouldn't live life in any other way... Wouldn't know how really.
I drove downtown seeing prostitutes and drug dealers alike going on with their business as usual. I got out of the car and felt the chilly mist of the morning. I knew getting into clubs for information now were low but I'd rather be out than having Camille's rants ringing in my ears.
I stopped in front of a club with their banner still blinking brightly. At first I was hesitant because I never entered this club before, the aura was way too thick for my liking but it was the only club open so I had no choice.
"Club Rush huh," I muttered to myself as I entered the club where the music was still loud, the alcohol smelt strong and prostitutes lapping at very drunk men.
It was going to be a long day. I thought to myself as I took off my fedora asking the bartender for a drink. On the rocks.
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