Liberty City, January 2, 2017

"In other news, president-elect Daffy Schroder declared once again that come January 20, he will destroy the enemies of the true America: liberals, immigrants and hipsters. What a time to be alive! Now, for the weather…"

Niko turned off the radio in the car, having enough of politics.

"It's the same shit as in the old country. Back then, it was Serbs and Croats. Now, it's liberals and conservatives. It's because of things like this I lost my job at the security firm. Fuck them!"

"Calm down, Niko. It's the world we live in. Tell me, have you got your check from the firm?"

"No, and I will not go for it. Let them keep their money."

"Niko, it's your right. You should go and get it."

"For what? To see their smug, condescending faces? I've worked for them for five years, not once failing to do my job. And now, they fire me? Just like this? We're sorry, Mr. Bellic, but the current political climate doesn't allow us to continue employing you! Screw them!"

"Que idiotas! But, on the flip side, security consultants are sought in Liberty City. Do not forget that many international companies have their headquarters here. You should apply, Niko. You are a war veteran, and you worked for one of the biggest security companies in the country. You will be hired, I'm sure of that."

"I won't be so sure, Mallorie. I'm an immigrant, do not forget that. Nobody will hurry to give me a job anytime soon. Ah, we've arrived."

"Thanks for the lift, Niko. Come inside to eat and drink some hot tea."

"I'm sorry but…"

"No buts, Niko. Besides, Roman wants to see you!"

"Fine, fine. For Roman."

Niko left the car with Mallorie and entered the apartment block. The staircase was dirty and there were syringes all over the place. The Serbian said:

"Why don't you want to move in my apartment? For you and the boy to be comfortable, I could move out and find me another place to live."

"Sorry, Niko, but you know how I feel about that place… It reminds me of the old days, when you…"

"I understand."

"Besides, Terry promised we will move into a bigger and better apartment soon."

"I don't like this Terry."

"I know, but he's trying real hard, you know? He's been there for me when I needed him, so I'm willing to give him a chance."

"If you say so."

Mallorie and Niko reached the door and she opened it. Inside, it was dirty and the smoke from cigarettes was so thick you could have cut it with a knife. Terry, Mallorie's boyfriend, a man of 39, was sitting on the couch, drinking beer and watching TV. Near him, a chubby boy of 7 with brown hair was sitting down on the dirty carpet, playing with toy cars.

"Roman, look who came to see you!"

"Hey, little man!"

"Niko!"

The boy ran and hugged his first cousin once removed. He then said:

"Did you bring me something?"

"Roman, it's not nice!"

"Come on, Mallorie. He's a good boy, of course he deserve gifts. Here!"

Niko produced a small toy car from his pocket. Roman said:

"Thank you, Niko! I didn't have a red one, now I have."

Terry then said, with a gruff voice, without looking at Niko:

"He has enough toys. You should have brought him something for school!"

Niko replied:

"Or maybe you should have brought him something for school, Terry. Instead of just sitting there, getting drunk. You should buy him a schoolbag or nice clothes. Oh, I forgot! You don't have money."

"Fuck you, Niko!"

"Terry, language! Niko, go with Roman in his room while I cook something for you."

"Fine, thanks, Mallorie. Come on, little man."

Niko and Roman entered the boy's room. It was small, foul smelling and very dark. The child then turned on the light and Niko noticed that he had a dark brown teddy-bear who had an eye made of an old button. He recognized the teddy-bear: it was a gift from his mother to Roman's father for Roman Sr. tenth birthday.

"I can't believe he kept it…"

"What?"

"The teddy-bear. It was your father's. A gift from my mother."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"I love it now even more than I loved it before."

"That's good. Roman, you should change your shirt. It's dirty and you will have to eat soon. It's not nice to eat while dirty."

"Fine… you're just like Mom."

Roman then took off his shirt, and proceeded to search for a clean one in the wardrobe. Something on the boy's skin made Niko angry. He said:

"Roman, come here, please."

Upon closer inspection, Niko discovered a purple bruise on the boy's lower back.

"What happened here?"

"I… I fell."

"You fell? Where?"

"Umm…"

"Roman. Listen to me. Did someone hurt you?"

"N-no…"

"Roman, don't lie. Tell me, did someone hurt you?"

"I… I…"

"Please, it's alright. You can tell me. I will never let anyone hurt you!"

"Terry… he struck me with his belt once, but it was long ago! Please, Niko…"

"Terry! I will…"

"This is why Mom didn't want me to tell you. She said you will kill him! You won't kill him, would you?"

"No… I will just kick his ass!"

Niko left the child's room and entered the living room. He said:

"Terry. Close the TV. We have to talk?"

"About?"

Niko then took a piece of wood which was leaning on a wall and struck Terry with it. He then said:

"About you hitting a small boy, you sick fuck!"

"Fuck!"

Mallorie entered the living room:

"Niko! What the hell are you doing? Roman, what did you tell him?"

"He… he saw!"

"And you told him? Roman, I…"

"Shut up, Mallorie. This motherfucker hit your own child and you defend him?"

Niko struck Terry again with the piece of wood. And again. And again. After a while, Terry was sitting on the floor, inert. Mallorie said:

"Niko, did you kill him?"

"No. But it will be a while before he will hit another child again, especially Roman. Pack your things. You are moving with me. Period.

"Yippee!"

"Roman, enough! Listen, Niko, I appreciate you defended us but…"

"But? Do you think I will stand idly while a cocksucking punk hits my cousin's seven years old son? Please, Mallorie, think about the boy. He is unhappy living here."

"I don't know. You lost your job and…"

"And I will get another. Right now, what's important for me is you and Roman. Pack your things and call a cab. Here's some cash to pay the driver."

"What about you?"

"I will take Terry to the hospital."

"Please, don't hurt him."

"I won't. I swear to you I won't lay a finger on him."

"Thanks, Niko."

The Serbian man then grabbed Terry and dragged him to his car. He put the man on the back seat. The cold, wintry air did nothing to cool Niko's anger. He can't allow anyone to hurt Roman. When Mallorie gave birth to the boy, Niko was the first person after his mother to see him. The child is like a son to him. Driving through the snow-covered streets of Bohan, Niko said:

"I swore to Mallorie I won't kill you. But I can't leave you unpunished."

Niko then turned his car around and proceeded to drive for almost half an hour until he reached the Homebrew Café. Inside, his old friend, Little Jacob, was playing pool with another Jamaican. Niko said:

"Hey, Jacob!"

"Niko? Wha'gwan, rasta! Been an eternity since I and I saw you, star."

Jacob hugged Niko who returned the hug. The Serbian said:

"Jacob, I have a problem and I need you to help me with something?"

"Any ting for you, breda!"

"There's a guy in my car. His name is Terry. He is Mallorie's boyfriend. Well, ex-boyfriend after this evening. I found out he was beating Roman."

"What? Damn bumbaclot! I and I will kill him, don't worry, star."

"No, don't kill him. I promised Mallorie he will not be killed. Just… teach him that it is wrong to hurt an innocent, little boy."

"I and I understands, breda. Damn bloodclot will regret da day he was born into the world. Aye, rasta! Get dat boy from my boy Niko's car and get him to da basement. Don't worry, breda. I and I will take care of him, yeh know?"

"Thanks, Jacob. I have to go. Mallorie and Roman now live with me in my apartment. Come see us sometimes."

"Course, Niko. Truthfulness!"

Niko left the café. His hands were trembling on the wheel. He tried to change his life, to become a man of quality, a man who respects the law. But now… he should have taken Terry to a hospital and then call the cops but… this was not his way. His way is far darker and little Roman is his only light. His little cousin is a sensitive boy that was always sickly. When he was 3, he contracted a disease would have killed him if Niko wouldn't have spent every single cent he got from the deal in 2008 to pay doctors. Also, once, kids at kindergarten laughed at him for wearing briefs with a teddy-bear model. He didn't stop crying for two days. Mallorie wanted him to be a little tougher but Niko convinced her that Roman was fine the way he was. After a while, Niko was at his apartment in Algonquin. His phone started to ring:

"Hello?"

"Hey, Niko, it's Dwayne."

"What's up, Dwayne?"

"You know, same thing as always. Heard you lost your job."

"Yeah. You know how it is, our new president doesn't like immigrants too much."

"He doesn't like black guys either but I ain't complaining. Hey, Niko, if you need a job, I might have a way to help you."

"If your way of helping me involve me getting back in the game, I am sorry but I will have to refuse you. You know I'm going clean."

"Sorry but you're going nowhere. You're not made for 9 to 5s and 401k's. You are a man of action. It's… the way it is."

"It might be true, but that doesn't mean I can't try."

"Try all you want, but hear me out first. There's a Canadian dude named Brett Williamson. He brings stuff from Halifax to Liberty City by ship every two weeks."

"What stuff?"

"Mostly… pastry flour."

"I see."

"He has a… bakery in town and he must supply it at all times. Thing is, several rival bakeries want to… steal his cookie recipes cause theirs suck ass and his are awesome. He needs a guy to do some guard duty while he sells his cookies."

"I don't know, man. I haven't touched that shit in years."

"You don't have to touch it, Niko. I know you're… diabetic and shit, you don't eat sugar that much. But still, there's good money."

"Really?"

"Five grand a transport. I know, sounds pretty bad but still, five grand every two weeks?"

"Sounds good but… I don't know, Dwayne."

"You don't have to give me answer now. Think about it for a few days and if you accept, I'll put you in touch with the main man."

"OK, thanks."

Niko arrived at the apartment and noticed the door was open. Inside, Mallorie and little Roman were sleeping soundly in the bed. Niko smiled, seeing the little boy finally being able to sleep in a real bed. He then started to think. Dwayne was right. He was going nowhere. For years he was trying to change, he was trying to call himself a good man, a working man. But he was already a working man, but a working man of a different kind. He sighed. Niko then entered the kitchen and took out the phone. He then called Dwayne:

"'Sup, Niko?"

"Hey, Dwayne. I was thinking about what you've said."

"And?"

"Ugh… I want in, man. Mallorie and Roman now live with me and I need to provide for them. No security firm shit would give me that kind of cash in that short of a time. Tell your Canuck friend I'm in."

"Fine, great choice. I'll call him in the morning and set up a meeting between you two. Peace, Niko!"

"Goodbye, Dwayne."

Niko then poured himself a cup of coffee and thought:

Am I doing the right thing?