The Diary
Chapter 4: Stress Reliever
2am
I changed into a dark blue dress shirt and black slacks. The Klondike bar wasn't some sketchy biker bar. It was a high class watering hole for the rich and powerful. Well the rich and powerful on the other side of the law. Kyle let me borrow his Porsche boxter for the night. I told him I had a hot date. But really to be seen as someone in the higher ranks you had to look the part. I arrived in the front and handed the keys to the valet. They searched me thoroughly for any type of weapons. But the thing about me is I don't need any to make a statement. I use my fists and my words. And I had a certain plan for Big Jim.
The bar was playing some smooth jazz. Classy, I thought in my head. I ordered a double shot of whiskey and tried to scope out the room. Nobody seemed to be eyeing me. Or at least I thought. I sat down at the bar taking sips of my whiskey. Two guys started approaching me from behind. I stayed calm and waited.
"Excuse me." One of them said putting a hand on my shoulder. I was ready for a fight, but I didn't want to make the first move.
"Hi" I said turning around in my seat. I didn't smile at them but I didn't frown upon them either. I had a calm exterior and they noticed I wasn't in attack mode.
"Mr. Sweet would like to speak with you. He's the owner of the club" the other said.
"Sure." I answered as they lead me upstairs to a separate room.
There were a couple of girls there with Mr. saint who I assumed was Big Jim. His other two henchmen. Stood at the door.
"What's your name young man." He said his voice deep and raspy. A bit intimidating.
"Arthur Jackson sir" I answered standing at his desk.
"your real name son, not a fake one." He answered back raising an eyebrow at me.
"Sir. If I am to tell you my real name. I would like it to be in private. I promise not to start any trouble." I turned looking at his henchmen. Big Jim nodded his head and his henchmen and the girls left the room.
"Now. Have a seat son. Tell me your name." he said signaling toward the chair in front of his desk. I sat down and answered
"James Arthur Quinn. That is my real name Sir" I said in all certainty.
"Im Jim Sweet. Welcome to my club. I heard you hurt a couple of my guys the other night. He said you had a message for me." He said with a smile
" im looking for Klayton LeBrey sir." I said
"Klayton LeBrey, are you sure you know what you're getting into?" he said leaning closer to me.
"Sir. I believe in justice. He killed my mother. And I will make him pay. But I need your help." I said giving him my proposition
"What makes you think I will help you Mr. Quinn?"
"Because. I did my homework. You're a class man Mr. Sweet. I know you believe in honor even though you work on the other side of the law. But Klayton is making this game lose its touch. When's the last time you or your men killed an innocent bystander?" I asked him
"I've had problems my Klayton. And his methods are…uncivilized. But het gets his job done. How do I know I can trust you?"
"I gave you my real name sir. We both know you and Klayton have ties with the law in this city. You have my word that I will not turn on you. But I need your help to get close to Klayton. Then you can take over his turf. His income, I hear is very high." I said with a smirk
"im listening…" he said with a grin.
Money. It makes the world go round. I tell Big Jim of my plan. He agrees to it.
"Mr. Quinn, I am an honorable man. I started this business to help my family. Yes I have killed men to get here. I have sold drugs. I have stolen. But I have done it with honor. There was a time here in Los Angeles when the gangsters had a code. When people who feared us wanted to be us at the same time. But these young men want to turn this into a Childs game. Killing, raping, and torturing the people in this city who are innocent. Making them fear and hate us and hunt us down. " he exclaimed hitting his fist against his desk. He breathed in deeply and straitened himself out.
"I will help you. But I have to have your word."
"Mr. Sweet. I come from a good, honorable family. You have my word." I nodded as I stood to shake his hand.
"Come into the bar to talk to me. you will have an open chair here whenever. And we will discuss our plans further." He said before I left.
"Of course Mr. sweet. Of course." I said as I left
"Oh. And Mr. Jackson" he said using the fake name I gave him. I had let him know that I didn't want anyone but him knowing my real name. He stood up from his behind his desk. He was tall her than I was. At least 4 inches taller. And at least 30 pounds heavier. Again, very intimidating.
"I will need you to prove you're loyalty. Here is an address, find this man. Bring him back here in an hour. And I will give you the rest of the directions when you get here."
I didn't know what exactly I should do. But I knew if I were going to get to Klayton I would need Big Jim's Alliance.
"Yes sir." I answered as I walked out of the bar. The valet brought me the car and I drove through the city streets heading to my destination. It was a high class side of the city, minutes away from west Hollywood. The paper didn't give much information other than a picture, name and address.
Mr. Harold Abrahams. A businessman that I would later find out owed Mr. Sweet money. Not to mention that Abrahams also had two of Sweet's men killed when he opened his big mouth about a big drug deal going on.
I arrived another high class bar and spied it out for a while before seeing Abrahams exit the bar. He had his briefcase and another arm around a female who probably wasn't his wife. They went into an alley and I exited my car. I made sure not to make much noise. I heard their moans and groans coming from a small cut out section of the alley. the woman was against the brick wall and he was infront of her kissing her and grinding on her. I quickly grabbed his collar and pulled him away from her.
The woman was about to scream but I looked at her and spoke "go. Now." She left in a hurry while Abrahams squirmed in my hands to get away.
"Harold Abrahams?" I said my hand now around his neck. I put him against the same brick wall. He was the same height as me, but probably 10 pounds lighter. He was fit, but he wasn't stronger.
"What do you want…take my wallet just leave me alone." He said in a panic.
"I don't want your money. You're coming with me. Mr. Sweet needs to talk to you." I said with an evil smile. I pushed him out of the ally and into the street. I let him know that if he were to run I would catch him. and if he were to scream I would take his tie off and stuff it in his mouth. He was nervous the whole ride back to the Klondike bar. He kept trying to bribe me with money. But I didn't listen.
We got to the Klondike bar and I brought him to the back door. Two men were standing there.
"Mr. Jackson, Big Jim is waiting for you. We'll take Mr. Abrahams from here." They said hauling him to the basement.
"Thank you." I said before heading back upstairs. Again there were two girls there surrounding Mr. Sweet as he sat at his desk. He saw me come in an ordered them to leave. Once I heard the door close behind me. I spoke.
"He's in the basement with your two men." I said nodding my head.
"We aren't finished yet Mr. Quinn. Follow me to the basement." He said as he walked me over to the elevator. It was an awkward moment where we didn't speak a word while on the way down. But once we got there a group of men were crowded around Abrahams who was standing in the middle.
Sweet entered the circle and approached Abrahams. His deep voice resounding off the basement walls.
"Mr. Abrahams, you have been disloyal to me. You have been a traitor to me…."
"Mr. sweet please I can pay you back…I'll give you the money I promise."
"HOW DARE YOU INTERUPT ME!" he smoothed out his suit and kept on. "Like I said. You have been a traitor. And my men and I do not take traitors lightly. Mr. Jackson…" he said turning towards me.
"Fight him. Till the death. Me and my men are in need of some entertainment" he told me. It didn't come as a shock to me. I knew I would have to do something to gain his trust. But I had never killed someone before. Ever. Roughed them up a bit yes. But I was willing to do whatever to get to Klayton.
Another man went into the middle of the room to announce the rules. Fight club Style. "No shirts no shoes. To the death."
I started taking off my shoes and my shirt. Abrahams following suit. Like I thought he was fit and being small made him fast. But I had the power.
"Till the death men. Go." Sweet said as we started.
I put my hands up to protect my head. And watched as he eyed me. He was smart and methodical. He swung his left fist towards me face which I dodged. Unfortunately I didn't see his right fist as it approached my side. I felt the pain as it coursed through me. But I stood my ground. I looked for my opening. We traded a couple of blows and even took the fight to the ground. But I was not hurt yet, yeah I was dirty and bloody. But I was ready I knew how I was going to end this. He was a good fighter. He kept on even after I threw some of my most powerful blows. The group of Sweet's goons were cheering and roaring after each blow.
He swung another wild right and I ducked throwing a powerful left hook to his side. I saw him crunch into his pain and I saw my other opening which was his left side. I threw another powerful right uppercut to his body, his hands dropping automatically. I attacked his head with powerful right crosses. I felt his jaw dislocating under my fists. He fell to his knees and looked up at me one last time his face bloodied and battered.
I grabbed the top of his head and spun around him so his back was facing me. My left hand grabbed his chin, while my right hand stayed at the top of his head. I put all my force into snapping his neck. and saw him as he fell to the ground lifeless.
I was breathing hard. Standing over his dead body my fists covered in blood. I turned to look at Mr. sweet who started clapping in approval.
"Welcome, Mr. Jackson." He said as he and his men left the basement. I fell to my knees, my body on fire. I couldn't see strait, I was exhausted, my mind was racing. I felt two men grab me and pull me up. They took my keys and got me into Kyle's car. The drive back was quick and I only remember them leaving me at my apartment door. My eyes focused down the hallways and they start to shut slowly. They close and I can hear the silence closing in on me.
I hear the sound of soft footsteps approaching, the ground slightly shaking.
"James…" I hear the footprints coming in faster and I hear her voice again.
"James…" she holds me in her arms and feel her searching through my pockets for the keys to my apartment. I can barely open my eyes and I see flashes of bare skin as she helps me up. I slump to the floor once more and feel the cool tile of the bathroom floor against my skin. The rush of running water is ringing in my ears. I feel her nimble fingers take off my clothes.
"I thought you said this wouldn't happen again." I said to Danielle as she started taking my pants off.
"It isn't what you think. Or want…your hurt. And knowing you you'll make a mess of everything. Get in the tub." She said helping me up.
The water was hot. And it soothed my aching muscles. I was able to open my eyes and see Danielle's face. She wasn't pleased with what she saw. Well obviously I was sweaty, dirty, and bloody which is never a good combination. She digs through my medicine cabinet getting some bandages, alcohol, and some sutures. I take a wash cloth dipping it into the water and wiping off the excess blood and dirt from my face. I feel the sting of pain from under my eye and I hiss slightly.
"here let me see James." She says as she removes my hand and puts a cotton ball full of rubbing alcohol over it. I hiss and back away from it.
"stop being a big baby." She said
"let me rinse off. And you can help me afterward…" I whisper and she leaves going into the kitchen. I let the water go down the drain as I rinse off. I stare at the bloody, dirty water as it circles around the drain before it swirled down. My mind goes blank and all I feel is the water, and I think about the man who I just killed. I could still feel the snap of his neck vibrate through my hands and up my arms. i thought I would be able to handle it. But I didn't want to make Danielle suspicious, so I snapped out of my thoughts. A couple minutes later I step out of the shower my body now clean of the dirt and sweat. But my wounds are still red and bloody. I put on a pair of sweats and exit the bathroom to find Danielle making me some coffee.
She pours me a cup and puts it on the table next to me. She walked over and helped me with the wound under my eye and the abrasions on my side. She had to sit on my lap to get the right angle. I kept looking into her green hazel eyes.
"Why are you here so late?" I asked her.
"It's almost 5am James. Im here early." She said raising an eyebrow. "I wanted to apologize about what happened. I should have told you sooner. About Jemma. But I was so scared about what you were doing. And that you wouldn't be able to be a good father." She started to form tears in her eyes.
"I understand Danielle, but I…she is my daughter. She's part of me ya know…" I looked at her the tears on her face starting to fall. I raised my thumb to wipe them away. She smiled and finally finished on the last piece of stitch tape.
"You should be in her life. Maybe not tell her that you are her real father. Not yet at least. But just be with her." she said about to move off of me.
"What about us?" I said catching her wrist.
"What about US." She said sternly pulling away and putting some cotton in the trash.
"It's confusing 'elle. I mean you say you don't want me; you have MY child. Yet last night you were screaming my name." I said as I cornered her in the kitchen.
"It was a mistake James. It was just...rushed emotions..i don't know.i hadn't seen you in so long and all I could remember were all those times of us together and I just wanted to let go. But it will not happen again." She said going under my arms.
As she walked out, she bumped into my chest. I grabbed her close as she looked into my eyes. I leaned down to kiss her softly. She didn't go against it and kissed me back. I backed away.
"I love you…" I said lowering my hands down between her legs. She moaned slightly before pushing away.
"I have to go." She said before going out the door.
"I'll call you later today." I said leading her out into the hallway.
"Get some rest James. I'll see you later today. By the way I left something on your desk." She said before giving me a kiss on the cheek and turning to walk away.
I went back inside and went to my desk. There was a small 4x6 picture of Jemma playing with one of her toys. It was a recent picture and I smiled holding it in my hands. I laid in bed, the cool sheets cooling down my hot skin. I kept looking at the picture a huge grin on my face. I had to recuperate fast if I was going to see Jemma later today. I wanted to know everything about her.
I needed rest. I clutched Jemma's picture to my chest. The moon was peering through the blinds, lighting only certain areas of the ceiling. I closed my eyes and fell sleep rush over me quickly. My last thought was of Jemma and Danielle.