1920's, New York:
On some days, New York is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. This was one of the many other days...
A short, red-haired, nineteen-year-old walked under the onyx sky filled with gloomy clouds and few stars. The moon managed to peek through the clouds bathing a soft light down upon the city.
He stops muscles tensing when the sound of gunshots crack through the air as loud as thunder but without the raw power of a storm. In comparison they were tinny and small, coming from one direction only. He knew he should be used to such a sound, it was a usual occurrence around these parts, it was just another murder in the city, another mother's child buried when the sun comes up or else cremated if no-one claims it. Sometimes that happens just because they can't afford the burial.
Nathanael Kurtzberg changes his usual route home ducking into a dark alleyway because even though it may be risky with muggers waiting in the shadows it was far safer than running into a gang war. He decides to listen to the airwaves that night to hear if some big gang boss had been shot that way he would know to stay away from the streets for a while. That was what urban survival was all about now, be prepared, don't upset the gangs, lie low when the chaos comes. And it does...with alarming regularity.
Nathanael finally walked up the street framed by grubby apartments. Many were overstuffed with large families sharing a house with oversea foreigners hoping to make a new life in the land of opportunity. Nathanael fights off the urge to roll his eyes. They called it the land of opportunity but from what he saw the rich got richer while the poor stayed poor. It was no wonder why crime ran rampant within the city's walls.
As he starts his walk up the metal steps towards his apartment let, he stops, heart thumping when he sees the two large figures outside the door of the small apartment. He hesitates to wonder if he should turn and run away, then he thinks of his mother. His blood runs cold. Slowly he approaches, his legs feel like lead but he wills them on.
Despite the tremor in his body, he says, "And what are you two gentlemen doing around my front door?"
They turn to him, faces still cloaked in shadows. "Tony sent us, I'm guessing you know why"
Nathanael clenches his fists "S'pose I don't, mind reminding me?" before he can even blink the other guy has him pressed against the wall, hand clutched around his throat.
"Don't try to play smart, you runt" a heavy Italian accent hisses in his face.
The other man steps forward his face finally showing in the moonlight, Nathanael can make out a heavy stubble around his chin, a scar across his nose which was crooked from many a fist fight. "Where's the money? Tony's been more generous than he should be giving ya an extra week to get the money" a flash of silver shine's in his hands as flicks a knife.
Nathanael's face pales. "A week's not up yet" he manages to quip through the growing pressure on his throat.
"It's Friday and Tony don't like doing business on the weekend" the man smirks. "So, where's the money, Kurtzberg?"
Nathanael's mind buzzes with excuses to get out of this. He had no chance of getting the amount of money that they were asking of him. Being a freelance photographer didn't provide much job opportunity and he knew to try an pursue the art career he had wished for as a child was a no go.
"I won't be getting paid until tomorrow, can't you just give me that much longer?" Nathanael pleads.
The two men glance between each other. Then the man with the knife gives a brief nod. Nathanael gasps as he is released.
"A day, and don't be thinkin' of running off or else your poor old ma won't see the light of day again" he smirks.
Nathanael looks at them with a glower as they trod off back down the steps with ruckus laughter. Nathanael leans against the wall and sinks to floor putting his head in his hands. 'I can't do this anymore…how do I know if she's even still alive? curse him for putting us in this situation' he rakes his hands through his hair, forehead creasing. "I can't give up, she's the only family I have left…" he stands up, raking through his pockets for his flat key. He lets himself in, feet trailing inside the dark flat.
He switched on the light, it slowly came on then kept flickering on and off. Nathanael sighed loudly as he flung the door closed with a thud behind. Yet another thing that he hadn't the money fix. In the flickering light, he walked across the floor and flopped into a tattered old armchair. One of the only pieces of furniture that remained in the apartment. Leaning his arms on legs, he places his forehead in the palms of his hands.
"What am I going to do?" as he says this aloud there comes a brash knock on his door. He looks up with round eyes. Who would be calling around at this time of night? Nathanael never got visitors it wasn't like he had any friends in this city. He slowly gets up chair creaking and approaches the door cautiously wondering if it was Tony's goons back with changed minds. Sighing to himself he opens the door. Coming face to face with an Asian woman with midnight blue hair cut in a bob.
"Nathanael Kurtzberg?"
He glances behind her at the two men standing stoically behind her in suits that had obviously cost a pretty penny. He knows they aren't Tony's goons from this fact. Still, he stays on edge.
"Who's asking?"
She rolls her brown eyes "We haven't got time for the tough act, our boss has requested to see you, we have a car waiting for you" she turns to walk back down the steps.
"Wait, you don't honestly think I'm going to just follow you into a car knowing nothing"
She sighs not even turning around "Mr Kurtzberg I would rather we did this without any problems but no matter what you will be coming with us" she looks back around with a glint in her eyes.
Nathanael gulped and looked to the two men noticing them reaching into the inside pockets of their suits probably to retrieve guns.
"Max, Kim no need for that, I'm sure Mr Kurtzberg doesn't want any violence" her voice is smooth as she smirks.
Nathanael nods, he shuts the door of his apartment and locks up before he silently follows her. Max and Kim follow behind him so he knows he can't make an escape. His brain buzzes with questions. He was sure Tony was the only psycho after him. He had made sure to lay low and not piss off any of the other bigger gang-leaders. With a thumping heart, he gets in the car, the dark-skinned man holding the door open for him. He isn't quite sure which of the men are Kim or Max. He settles in the soft seating of the black car. Kagami beside him as the door is shut. Max and Kim get into the front seats. The one with a bearded stubble and more muscle takes the driver's seat. He starts the engine, which roars to life in the quietness of the night.
"Um so where are we going?" he asks the Asian woman.
"You'll find out when we get there" is her blunt reply as she glances out the window at the passing street signs.
Nathanael sits back in the seat, still a little anxious but much less scared. The colour returns to his cheeks. He knows if they were intending on killing him they would have already done so. He glances out the window, blinking at how fast the buildings pass by. They come to a sudden stop, brakes screeching as they just avoid crashing into the back of another vehicle. Nathanael puts his hands in front to stop him hitting his head off the back of the front seat.
"Kim what did I tell you about speeding?" she snaps at him.
"Sorry, ma'am" Kim shrugs, not seeming sorry in the slightest "I can't help it if the rest of this city ain't as good at driving as me, now can I?"
Nathanael looks between the two finally able to put a name to each man. If Kim was the muscle, he guessed Max was the brain. The other man confirmed his thoughts as he pushed glasses up the bridge of his nose.
"Kim, as I always told you this is the time of night the roads are busiest, everyone's taking it to their advantage to smuggle the alcohol to the speakeasies around town"
"That's what we should be doing but no, the vixen wants us to go collect this runt for her!" Kim jerks a thumb behind him at Nathanael.
He frowns, brows furrowing. He keeps his mouth shut though wanting to hear more information. From what he learnt so far the Boss as they kept calling them was nicknamed the vixen. His lips draw in a tight line. He had never met nor heard of such a person who he assumes is a female.
"Less yapping more driving!" the woman beside him growls "and I'm sure Luka and Alix are doing a better job at delivering than you, at least Alix won't drink half of our supply" she glowers at the back of his head.
Kim uses his right hand to turn the steering wheel veering out of the busy traffic and on to a somewhat quieter road. "I only drank one bottle of whiskey, can't blame a man for being thirsty, Kagami"
Nathanael looks to her finally learning her name. he watches as she folds her arms, thin eyebrows creasing as she opens her mouth "I can, and I will"
"Maybe if you two stop the arguing you'd realise we're at our destination" Max cuts in.
"Oh yeah, thanks for that, Max," Kim says, he pulls the car in along the kerb.
Nathanael looks out the window with wide eyes to see the tall terrace house they had pulled up alongside. So different from the grubby apartments in the part of the city he lived in. This was the rich part of the city, no doubt about it.
So, what did some richo want with the likes of a poor boy like himself?
"Are you coming, Mr Kurtzberg, the Boss doesn't like to be kept waiting" Kagami stands by the car door looking at Nathanael with a raised brow.
"Right" he moves forward and gets out. "This better not be a waste of time" he follows Kagami up the stone steps, past stone foxes on pillars but when he looked closer, he saw the foxes each had more than one tail. His eyebrows raised at that artistic choice.
Kagami takes the door knocker in her hands and taps it against the dark red of the door "Oh, don't worry Mr Kurtzberg," she glances over her shoulder "The Vixen doesn't waste anyone's time"
The door opens, a petite girl with blond hair chopped up short stands in the doorway with a welcoming smile. Nathanael frowns wondering if this is the supposed vixen, she didn't look too threatening.
"Welcome back, Kagami" the blonde chirps. Stepping aside to let the group trail in. "I was worried you'd be much longer, I was at my wit's end trying to calm her, you see, she's desperate for this information What's, it"
Their feet tap against the hardwood floor as they come off the red carpet that cloaks the entrance of the front door. Nathanael looks around with keen interest. Craning his neck to look up at cream roof which had a swirled texture pattern.
"No need to worry anymore, Rose, we got the guy she wanted," Max says, nodding his head towards Nathanael.
Rose's round blue eyes settle on Nathanael who had finally focused back into the conversation. Rose quickly brushes her hands against the cloth of her pink skirt. "Oh, Your Mr Kurtzberg, it's lovely to meet you, I'm Rose" she holds out a hand.
Nathanael raises an eyebrow at her politeness compared to the rest of the people he had met so far. Still, he accepts her offered hand shaking it. "…Thank you" he replies.
"We can have time for introductions later" Kagami's cold voice cuts in "This way, Mr Kurtzberg" she starts walking up the grand staircase, her heels strike lightly against each step. Nathanael swiftly follows leaving Rose in the foyer as he walks up the swirling staircase holding onto the polished bannister. He hears Max and Kim's footsteps behind him, one heavier than the other.
Once he reaches the top of the staircase his feet step onto the plush red carpet that lines the landing hall. Kagami wastes no time walking on then turning left through a set of oak wood doors. Nathanael follows in a slower manner glancing around at the paintings that hang on parts of the wall and the antique pottery and ornaments that sit on pedestals against the wall.
"Move on, would ya!" Kim prods him in the back.
He looks around with a glare but then resumes his walk at a faster pace as he turns into the room Kagami had gone in.
He realises it is a large spacious study. Kagami stands at the side of the desk made from dark wood and littered with paper and fountain pens that are stacked in a small pot. With small bottles of black ink beside it. Two photo frames one smaller than the other face the opposite direction
In the seat behind the desk sits a woman with long brunette hair that fall's over her shoulders and tanned olive skin. Her green eyes fall upon Nathanael. His eyes widen as he realises this was who Kim had referred to as Vixen. He could see why she certainly was attractive.
"Mr Kurtzberg, I presume," she says in a smooth Italian accent.
Nathanael nods.
"Please sit" she indicates to the green leather seat opposite her. Nathanael glances at Kim and Max who loiter in the doorway. He moves forward and sits gently down.
"Thank you, Kagami but I can sort this out myself," Vixen says, glancing up at the Asian woman.
"Are you sure? I can ask Max or Kim to guard the doorway" Kagami glances at Nathanael suspiciously. He fights off the urge to roll his eyes.
The Italian beauty chuckles "That won't be needed" she looks to Nathanael with a teasing smile "I'm sure Mr Kurtzberg doesn't have any nasty intentions"
Nathanael's eyes widen at her blunt words
Kagami bows her head "As you wish" she walks across the room to the door shooing Max and Kim back down the stairs then closes the door leaving Nathanael alone with the Italian.
She pushes some of her hair behind her ear as she opens her top desk drawer.
Nathanael glances around the brightly lit study. A tall bookcase that reaches the ceiling catches his eye. Stuffed with books their spines showing and the gold lettering on some catching on the light. An arched window that takes up half of a wall allows moonlight to spill in.
"Nice place you've got here Miss uh…" He looks to her for confirmation.
She smiles "Rossi, Lila Rossi"
Nathanael nods "Right, well it's a nice place, Miss Rossi"
She places some papers on the table while glancing around with glazed eyes. "It's not really my place…well, it is but it will always be my fathers…"
Nathanael raises an eyebrow. Then Lila shakes his head.
"Don't mind me" Lila says, "How about we get down to business?"
"That's what I've been waiting for this whole time" Nathanael deadpans.
"A man after my own heart then" Lila smiles and slides out a thin square of paper from a folder. "You took this photo for the spotted lady, correct" she points a sharp nail on the cut out of the newspaper photo.
Nathanael glances at it, it was the photo he had taken to go along with Alya Cesaire's article on the new movie theatre opening on main street. He frowns "Why do you care about a movie theatre?" he asks, not answering the question.
"I don't care about that, look closer!" Lila taps the photo, her nail making a sound against the wood of her desk.
Nathanael sighs but leans closer narrowing his eyes. Then he spots it in the shadows a man stands just out of the alleyway, long trench coat cloaking his body. He appears to be talking to someone, but the other person is out of sight behind the wall of the alleyway.
"It's a man, so what?" he states, sitting back straight in his chair.
Lila sits back too, glancing to the side as her eyes narrow "Not just any man, he's the right-hand man to the leader of the group who killed my father!" she growls.
"Look I'm sorry for your loss and all, but what's this got to do with me?" Nathanael says "I'm just a photographer, I'm no thug"
Lila finally looks at him with keen green eyes "Well, I know that, I just thought maybe you saw the man he was talking to, no one has ever seen the boss of them you see so I don't know who to go after" she tilts her head "Unless of course, you managed to catch a glimpse of him in passing"
Nathanael smirks, an idea forming in his head. He crosses his arms "Maybe I did, but I'm not the type to just give up information so what's in it for me?"
The way he saw it Lila Rossi was desperate to get information that would help her avenge her father he, on the other hand, was desperate to get the money to pay off Tony and his goons and get back his mother. This way he could right the wrongs his father had done upon his family.
Lila smirks "My, Mr Kurtzberg I must admit I underestimated you"
"A lot of people seem to do that" He quips.
Lila laughs and leans closer to the desk "Then I must apologise" her green eyes narrow "Now then what's your price, oh and spare no detail, I don't like doing business while being kept in the dark"
Nathanael sighs, unfolding his arms to place his hands on his laps. He was afraid of her asking for the full story. "You sure you want all the details it could get complicated"
"Oh, I don't mind complicated, I'm sure you can tell that I'm quite complex myself" her red painted lips curl into a smirk.
"Very well" Nathanael blows some of his hair out of his eyes "To put it simply I need money, a lot of money, My father was never an Airedale so he would always be out and up to trouble, my mum never tried to stop him, to be honest, she was fed up with him" he shakes his head "Sorry I'm getting off track, anyway my father managed to get himself in a lot of trouble with this man, Tony but instead of staying to face the consequences he ran off leaving all the blame in me and my mums hands…" he took a breath "They took my mum and won't let her go until I repay all my Fathers debts" Nathanael bowed his head looking at the hands he was currently wringing together.
"That's an interesting story but how much does this Tony fella want?" Lila tilts her head.
Nathanael bites on his lower lip "15,000 dollars"
Lila nods "I see, and you expect your mother back after this transaction"
"Obviously!" Nathanael folds his arms.
"And…I don't mean any offence…but how do you know if your Mother is even safe or alive?" Lila asks cautiously.
Nathanael's freezes at the question and then he looks at the Italian with a burning glare "I know she's not safe" he hisses "But I've got to have faith she is still alive"
Lila gives him a rueful smile "Right, I'm sorry" she bows her head. He hears her take a deep breath before looking back up "So the information you can give it now?"
Nathanael frowns "How do I know you'll give me the money if I tell you?"
"I could ask you the same question" Lila snaps.
"I ain't giving you any information until you help me, so it seems like we're reaching a dead end" Nathanael moves the chair, pushing his hands against the arms to stand up.
"Wait!" Lila exclaims.
Nathanael raises an eyebrow "Yes?"
Lila stares at him almost studying him for a moment then speaks "I don't give money away for just anything, and I won't be giving any money until I know this mother of yours is alive, so we'll contact this Tony and until then you can stay here under my protection" she looks at him expectantly.
Nathanael pouts at the fact she was being smarter than him "I s'pose…but how do I know if your protection's any good"
Lila stands up "You're in the lair of the Rossi clan and I'm the vixen" she slowly walks around the desk fingers trailing on the wood "So don't you worry your pretty little head about that" she side-eyes him, her lips quirking at the side.
"Looks like it's my best deal then," Nathanael says standing up.
"Oh, it is" she purrs.
Nathanael holds out a hand "shake on it?"
"You waste no time do you" Lila bites back a laugh at his eyeroll. Then steps forward taking his hand in hers to shake on the makeshift deal. "Now then, it looks like we're partners for the time being"
Nathanael smirks "It looks like it"
You probably noticed that I'm using slang from the century that this is set in and of course you probably have no idea what it means so here's a guide to help you if you want to know what the words mean:
blogs/a-flapper-to-english
but if you don't want to I'll just let you know an Airedale means a homely man in 1920's slang. I haven't fully written the next chapters but because I just love how weird the words are I probably will be using a lot of 1920's slang in the next chapters through-out.