Jughead pulled his bike around the back of the hotel they were staying at in Hell's Kitchen, Sweet Pea pulling up next to him. Jug pulled his helmet off cutting his engine and looking around, he always hated this part of the city, the air even smelled like trouble but it was either this or they shoveled out way too much money to stay on the nicer side of town, not to mention the club they usually met Castle at wasn't far, making it the most convenient spot.
"I'm gonna make some calls, you wanna check us in?" Jug said pulling his leg over his bike, and reaching into his jacket pocket for his phone, it was only 9:30 meaning they had made pretty good time, Sweet Pea just nodded and started inside to the lobby. Jughead ran his hand through his hair stepping away from the line of cars and checking his messages noting that Betty still hadn't responded, he stopped himself from texting her again and checking in on her, his gut still twisting slightly at the thought that there was also a bounty out for information on her, he dialed in a number the man on the other end answering impossibly quickly.
"Mr. Jones…" The heavy puerto rican accent said on the other end.
"Hey Ricardo, we just made it into town, we'll check in and head over shortly," Jughead said flatly.
"We will be expecting you," Was all the voice said before hanging up. Jug stared down at his phone, the sinking feeling in his gut getting worse as he braced himself for the situation they were about to put themselves in, knowing it was vital that he played this all correctly, the weight of it making his shoulder feel heavy. He pulled up his messages hitting Gears name
We are in HK, sending location to you now.
He hit the share location button, letting his crew know where they were at all times.
Got it boss.
They boy texted back quickly. Jug pushed his phone into his jacket pocket, just as Sweet Pea walked back out, he strode over to his leader quickly, handing his a card key.
"We are 305B, made sure it's a door to outside, first floor," He said nodding to the small sections of rooms that looked more like motel rooms with all the doors facing the parking lot, that the hotel probably used for their clients that needed discretion, away from lobby security cameras. Jughead grabbed the duffel bag off of his bike throwing it over his shoulder and following Sweet Pea to a faded brown door, they walked inside the small room, with two twin beds, a small outdated TV against the wall, and small square a bathroom off to the side. Jug threw his bag down on one of the beds, reaching inside of it for a pack of cigarettes and stuffing it into an inside pocket of his jacket. Sweet Pea walked to the bathroom turning on the water and splashing his face, before running his wet hands through his hair slicking it back haphazardly.
Jughead stood awkwardly in the middle of the room looking down at himself, his black jeans more of a faded grey at this point, his leather jacket framing a jet black V-neck.
"We look club ready, right?" He joked looking at Sweet Pea with his eyebrows raised sarcastically.
"About as clubish as serpents get," His second laughed. Jug nodded chuckling lightly. He grabbed his room key, pulling out his wallet and sliding it in.
"We should head out," Jughead sighed, already feeling tired even though they were nowhere near done for the night.
"Let's stop and get a few red bulls," Sweet Pea looked at him knowingly, obviously sensing his exhaustion.
"There was a liquor store on the corner," Jughead nodded, and heading for the door, he felt his jacket making sure he had his phone and his gun. They stepped back out into the frigid night air, Jug shoved his hands into his leather pockets as they walked across the parking lot back to their bikes, after stopping and chugging a few cans of the energy drinks they rode a few blocks to the downtown area, the lights getting brighter, the signs on the buildings illuminating the road as they moved into to the nightlife. They pulled up to the Webb, the club that the collector owned in that area, the large red spider web lit up hauntingly, the line outside to get in reaching around the block, they rode into the underground parking area, pulling to the wall with small thin spot meant for bikes, Jug parked his motorcycle, pulling his helmet off and hooking it to the handle bars.
"You ready?" Sweet Pea asked standing next to him.
"Yep," Jughead shrugged, they walked confidently up the sidewalk on the right of the entrance to the carpark, and out onto the street. Jughead eyed the line carefully looking over all scantily clad club crawlers, the girls on in sky high heels and even higher skirts, the guy dressed in nice suits, some more casually dressed but still far more than them. They walked along the line, normally he would have enjoyed the stares they got, especially the girls who watched him, giggling to their friends, but tonight it made him grit his teeth not wanting attention. Sweet Pea followed close on his tail as they walked to the main entrance, Jughead just nodded at the bouncer who waved them in, ignoring the complaints from the patron who were probably waiting in line for far too long, he stepped into the dimly lit club, and looked around, the red and black booths were spread out along the walls, the circular bar in the middle of the room was covered in red tube lights that made a web like design, there were platforms placed around the floor, some had poles reaching up to the high ceilings, with a go-go dancer on each one, all of them wore black lingerie, as they danced to the loud music thudding around them. Jughead looked to the line where people were being patted down and let in, a girl with a tight blue dress on had just walked in and her gaze met with Jughead, she smiled flirtatiously, looking him up and down, her light brown hair pulled up into a messy bun, showing off her slender shoulders in the strapless getup. He smiled back mindlessly, turning his gaze away quickly, and looking past her into the packed club, most of the people were standing around with drinks in their hands talking and laughing, some were crowded around the platforms watching the dancers and howling drunkenly, the bar was filled completely, and off to the side was a dance floor where girls danced recklessly with their friends, a few guys braving it and pressing their luck, trying to get closer to the girls. Jughead pushed his way past people, and made his way to the bar to get a better line of sight.
"You drinking tonight?" Sweet Pea yelled over the music leaning closer to Jug's ear.
"Not until after we handle this," Jughead said in a raised voice. "I'm gonna head to the back," he tilted his chin up motioning to the large glass wall that from this side just looked like a shiny black, but Jughead knew it was actually a large window to were Castle usually spent his time, with a few select VIP's.
"Right behind you," Sweet Pea nodded. Jughead pushed his way around the crowd finally getting to the very back of the club, a small blocked off staircase finally came into view, two large men dressed in all black standing in front of it with ear pieces in. Jug walked up to them, the guys looked them up and down.
"Name?" The one on the left asked, his deep voice ringing out loudly over the music.
"Jones," Jughead narrowed his eyes, as the man put his hand up pressing on to the earpiece listening, before nodding and stepping to the side and unhooking a black rope. Jughead squared his shoulders, taking in a deep breath, and starting up the stairs, he pushed through the swinging metal door, letting out a loud exhale and clearing his throat as pulled himself as together as he could they stepped into the room, where a smaller bar was pressed against the back wall, similar looking booths were along the wall, small black tables were placed against the glass window that from this side looked clear where you could look out across the whole club. He looked behind him making sure Sweet Pea was still there, and noted that the serpents face didn't look any more comfortable than he felt. The stepped further in walking to the wall and looking out, Jughead desperately wanted a cigarette and a drink but he knew he needed to be as clear headed as possible for this. He looked out watching all the drunk club goers carelessly drinking and dancing having no idea whose pocket they were throwing their money into, or how bloody that pocket really was.
"Forsythe, so good of you to join us," His english accent dripping heavily through his words. Jug tensed, his jaw clenching as he sucked in a breath turning and meeting the man's gaze, He held his chin up, keeping his eyes leveled.
"Castle," Jug nodded, gritting his teeth as he reached out and shook the man's outstretched hand.
"Please, it's Billy, my friends," The man smiled, but it never reached his eyes as he looked between the serpents. "Come, let me get you drink," He nodded towards the bar, Jughead followed the man to the bar, leaning against the top casually.
"Let's get to business first," Jughead watched the man carefully, keeping his tone light but stern.
"Nonsense, we have all week for business, enjoy yourselves tonight," The man raised his dark eyebrow challengingly, Jug swallowed hard hating that he couldn't read the situation, and knowing that Castle already had people following him and looking for information, but was acting as if none of it had happened. He had no idea how much the Collector already knew, and had to be strategic, he just nodded playing it as coy as possible, and playing along with this little game for now.
"Sure," He forced a smile, his gut twisting uncomfortably, he eyed Sweet Pea who stood next to him, his face blank, put his posture rigid. "We'll just take some whiskey on the rocks," He looked at the bartender who was standing still, attentively looking at Castle who nodded. The bartender immediately flipped two glasses filling them with ice and an impossibly expensive whiskey, and pushed them gently across the black bartop, Jughead grabbed a glass and sipped it lightly.
"I'm aware we are together under grim circumstances, but I so greatly appreciate the cooperation from you and your crew, I'm sure with your help we will get to bottom of this tragic mystery," Castle looked into Jughead, his dark brown eyes staying emotionless.
"We are here to help where we can," Jughead pushed his lips into a straight line, not breaking eye contact.
"Good, that's good to hear," Castle smiled tightly grabbing Jughead's shoulder and squeezing, making him tense under his touch, and taking all his strength not to pull his lips into a scowl. "I'm sure we both understand it's best to put our efforts together on this…" He trailed off looking out through the glass wall "It would be such a pity to not be on the same team," He turned his gaze back to the serpents looking at both of them pointedly before melting into a false smile.
"We are on the same team," Jughead nodded, willing the man to believe him, and keeping his voice as honest as possible, as Castle finally pulled his hand off Jughead's shoulder. He felt his phone start vibrating in his pocket, he pulled it out and saw Betty's number that he hadn't saved yet. "I should take this," He looked up, his gut twisting in fear of why she would call him and hoping silently she wasn't in any kind of danger with him so far away. He stepped back, walking a ways away and turning his back to them, sliding his thumb across the screen.
"Hello?" He answered, pressing his finger into his free ear to hear better.
"Hi," Her voice rang through his phone sweetly, she sounded nervous and tired but not urgent.
"What's up? You okay?" He asked careful not to use her name.
"Yeah, I just had a long day and wanted to talk to someone about it, I didn't know who else to call," She sighed, her voice over the phone making her sound younger. He wanted desperately to be there for her right then, but he knew it wasn't a good time.
"I can't really talk B..Babe," He caught himself before saying Betts.
"Oh," she squeaked out embarrassed "okay," her voice quiet and somewhat sad.
"I want to," He tried to explain "But I'm off on business," He said leaving it just at that.
"I thought you were leaving tomorrow, I'm sorry," She rushed out, defending herself.
"It's okay, I should have told you I left already, but I'll text you when I can okay?" He said willing her to understand, he wasn't used to having anyone need to know where he was, or care for that matter and he felt oddly bad that he hadn't mentioned he was leaving early, realizing even this small amount of communication was new territory for him.
"Right, I'm sorry, really, I'll wait to hear from you" She said her voice sounding less insecure.
"But you call me if it's an emergency, okay?" He said sternly not wanting her to avoid getting a hold of him if she really needed him.
"Okay, I'll let you go, Goodnight Jug," She said hurriedly, obviously feeling guilty for pulling his attention away.
"Goodnight," He pulled the phone away hanging up, and immediately missing her voice, wishing he could go back to their hotel, and lay on the bed, listening to her tell him about her day, but that wasn't his life, especially right then, he slid his phone back in his pocket and composed himself, turning around and walking back, keeping no emotion on his face. "Sorry, no rest for the wicked, right?" He tried lightly to dodge any questions as he looked between Castle and Sweet Pea
"Of course, we will meet at the docks in the morning," The man said clearly ignoring the situation, clasping his hand behind his back. "Drinks are compliments of the house, the dancers as well, have fun boys," He turned to walk away taking a step before turning his head back slowly "And Mr. Jones?" Jug narrowed his eyes questioningly "Loosen up, you are among allies," He smiled manipulatively before walking away completely, Jug watched the back of his head, clenching his Jaw, his blood somehow boiling and running cold all at once.
"Let's get the fuck out of here," He said in a low voice looking over to Sweet Pea whose eyes were narrowed watching Castle as well. Jughead started walking back to metal door, and stepped out making his way back down the stairs.
"Should we just head out?" Sweet Pea asked leaning close to Jughead's ear as they entered back into the crowd.
"No, leaving now looks suspicious, we'll just hang out for a bit," He answered, looking around and making sure no one was listening to them. "But he has ears everywhere, just keep it light," Jughead whispered, meeting Sweet Peas eyes with a pointed look, the boy just nodded back full understanding showing on his face. Jug made a beeline for the bar, finding an open spot and leaning on his elbow on the black acrylic top. The bartender walked over to him impossibly quickly, causing Jughead to straighten his back.
"Mr. Jones, what'll you have?" The man asked, Jug narrowed his eyes shifting uncomfortably that he knew his name already.
"Just whatever IPA you have on tap, two, please and thank you," He said carefully watching the guy carefully as he filled a glass, setting it on the bar, and filling another one.
"Here you go," The guy nodded with a smirk and walked away without another word, Jughead shivered slightly hating the place even more than he already did, he grabbed a pint glass in each hand and turned slightly, handing one to Sweet Pea who was standing behind him.
"Ears everywhere," Sweet Pea rolled his eyes, obviously having heard the exchange and grabbed the glass, taking a long sip, and shuddering. Jug leaned against the bar and looked out at the crowd of people just watching mindlessly, and raising his glass to his lips taking a generous sip. "Who called?" Sweet Pea asked seeming to just remember.
"Betts," Jug responded looking around as inconspicuous as possible.
"Shit, everything okay?" Sweet Pea's eye wide, his instinct going to the same place Jughead's had.
"Yeah… She just wanted to talk I guess, nothing serious," Jughead shrugged remembering her voice and how timid she had seemed, his lips twitching up slightly, Sweet Pea's eyes stayed wide but this time with a smile breaking across his lips.
"Holy crap, you are sprung," He joked pushing his fist playfully into Jug's shoulder.
"Shut the hell up," Jug glared, before rolling his eyes.
"Are you guys gonna go steady, are you gonna pin her?" He laughed, not letting it go.
"Keep your voice down," Jughead warned not needing her to be any more of target than she already was.
"Okay okay, but shit…" Sweet Pea trailed off chuckling and shaking his head. Jug looked past him watching as two girls walked up to them, he straightened his back watching them as they approached, Sweet Pea raised his eyebrow looking them up and down. Jughead recognized one of them as the girl he had seen when they first walked in. She found her way next to him leaning over the bar, the delicate rose tattoo going down her spine at the base of her neck becoming visible. Her friend eyeing Sweet Pea flirtatiously, he smiled at her before turning to Jughead and raising his eyebrow, Jug just looked back at him tiredly.
"Hey," The girl said pulling Jughead's attention back to her.
"Hi," He nodded, giving her a pointedly bored look, before looking away.
"I'm Isabelle," She smiled trying again and turning slightly towards him. He just nodded again, not responding otherwise. Jug lifted his glass and took a long sip. He watched as the friend laughed and flirted with Sweet Pea who was obviously enjoying himself, Jughead huffed out a breath knowing he owed Sweet Pea a lot more than just being a good wingman, he closed his eyes turning his head back to the girl.
"Jughead," He lifted one side of his mouth into a half-assed smile. He watched her head tilt slightly as she laughed.
"I'm going to make the bold assumption that's a nickname," She smiled coyly at him.
"You would be correct," He said dryly, taking another drink and realizing his pint was almost empty already.
"Wanna buy me a drink, Jughead?" She asked, saying his name with an odd inflection.
"Not really, but I will," he laughed, taking the last sip of his beer and putting the empty glass on the bartop, pushing it forward with one finger, the bartender already watching him and making his way over. He clenched his jaw realizing with the eyes on him it wouldn't be a bad Idea to have a girl near him and possibly take the focus off castle believing Betty was anything to him, he couldn't help but scowl, catching himself and trying to relax his face. The bartender walked up to them expectantly.
"Just another one," Jughead looked at him, "And whatever she is getting," He hooked his thumb to the side.
"A Long Island, thanks," She laughed breezily, pushing a stray piece of hair behind her ear. The man filled up a new glass with beer pushing it to Jughead, before grabbing a clean glass and going to work mixing her drink, they stood there in silence, as she shifted awkwardly, while jughead looked at Sweet Pea, doing his best to play along but having nothing to say. She finally got her drink, sipping it through the small straw.
"So Jughead, what's your story?" She asked raising her eyebrow.
"One you probably will never hear," He responded coldly, and she smiled back laughing.
"Ohkay," She said dramatically "I can take a hint," She swirled her straw mixing her drinking and taking a step away from him.
"Wait," He closed his eyes, hating this whole situation, when all he wanted was to hit the bed and go to sleep. " I don't wanna fuck it up for my friend, it looks like he is having a good time," He tilted his head back motioning to Sweet Pea, as he pushed up his leather sleeves to his forearms, the heat of the crowded room getting to him slightly.
"You know we could have a good time too," She laughed playfully, seemingly not phased by his coldness.
"I'm not exactly a good time kinda guy," Jughead looked at her sideways.
"For some reason I'm not buying that," She smirked looking down his body, her eyes trailing down the ink on his arms that was showing now.
"Fine, I guess i'm not looking for a good time right now," He raised his eyebrow challengingly, oddly enjoying this girls confidence, that she wasn't backing down or getting insecure.
"Fair enough, how about just some stimulating conversation between strangers," She tilted her head thoughtfully to the side pulling her straw to her lips.
"Okay consider me intrigued," He narrowed his eyes cautiously. And with that they started a light conversation trailing anywhere from their shared feeling in being out as she explained that she was only out because her friend was dumped pretty brutally and need a night out, but she hated crowds herself and would rather be at home with a book, and it spiraled into a conversation about literature as they spoke about authors and literary masterpieces, Jughead finding himself actually interested as he laughed at her dry, sarcastic wit. Before he knew it hours had past and he pulled out his phone realizing it was past 2 am, and the club would start closing in an hour, he looked at the three empty glasses in front of him, his head feeling slightly fuzzy, he turned his gaze over his shoulder seeing Sweet Pea a ways away now dancing with the small redhead, her lips seeming attached to his.
"Shit," Jughead sighed running his hand through his hair, "we really gotta start heading out, how hard to you think it will be to pry them apart?" He hooked his thumb over his shoulder.
"Oh that seems like a great life choice right after a break up," Isabelle laughed dryly rolling her eyes at her friend, "Come on, I'll grab one if you grab the other," Jughead nodded at her, pushing off the stole he had been sitting on, his feet feeling oddly heavy as he took a step forward, he strode over to Sweet Pea, slamming his hand on to the boys back.
"Come on Cinderella, its way past midnight," He said flatly, as Isabelle held her friends shoulders, whispering something in her ear. Sweet Pea looked at Jughead almost pouting, but breaking into a laugh.
"Okay, no you're right, Can we walk you guys to your car?" He asked eyeing the redhead flirtatiously.
"We are actually going to catch a cab, but we can walk out with you guys," Isabelle said obviously more clear headed than her friend. Jughead nodded, and they all started making their way to the front entrance, Jug stole one glance back to the large glass wall, hoping someone had seen them all leave together and would make an assumption, taking it back to Castle. They stepped outside the cold air waking Jughead up far too much, he looked at the girls wondering how in the hell they were in tiny dresses and not dying of hypothermia. They stopped at the entrance to the carpark, Sweet Pea standing off to the side still chatting with the girl, pulling out his phone and exchanging numbers as she drunkenly laughed leaning into him.
"So is it too bold to ask for your number?" Isabelle asked crossing her arms over her chest. Jughead hesitated running his hand through his dark hair.
"Yeah, listen… No offense to you or anything, you seem super cool, and it's been great making conversation, but that's not gonna happen," He looked at her softly, trying not to be too much of a dick, but the guilt he already felt hanging out with a girl all night drinking and flirting was enough for him to know that anything more was a bad idea, he hadn't ever really been in this situation before. Normally he would take her number no problem, they would probably go back to their hotel, and he would keep her on hand for his future visits to New York, but something twisted in his gut telling him that he should leave this night as it was and walk away before he had anything to really regret.
"Ouch okay, I get it," She laughed lightly looking at the ground, he felt oddly bad for her too, feeling like a massive asshole, but knowing he would rather hurt her than the other party involved so he settled on the lesser evil.
"Nothing against you, I just… Like I said I'm not really looking for a good time," He looked past her at Sweet Pea silently begging him to hurry up, and wanting out of the conversation he found himself in.
"I'm getting the vibe that you already have a good time," she looked at him knowingly.
"Something like that…" He trailed off, just as Sweet Pea and his new friend started to approach them.
"Must be one hell of a good time," She winked. "Lucky her…" She looked at her friend. "Well we are gonna go wave down a cab, it was really nice meeting you guys, goodnight Mr. Jones," She smirked playfully, Sweet Pea waved as they turned but Jughead's stomach dropped to the floor, his blood running cold.
"I never told you my last name," He said narrowing his eyes, the girl turned around her eyebrows knitted together in confusion, but he stared at her his eyes getting dangerously cold, his jaw clenching, and he watched her shiver at his dagger like stare.
"I, I must have heard the bartender say it," She smiled sweetly.
"Right, must have," He nodded playing along but knowing the man behind the bar had only said it once and she hadn't been around. They seemed to hurriedly turn and rush off without another word. Jughead watched them carefully until they were out of view.
"What was that?" Sweet Pea asked, his eyes looking a little glazed over but they were seeming to clear up.
"They were planted," Jug said matter of factly shaking his head, and hating that he had let his guard down and underestimated the Collector way too much. "Please tell me you were too busy shoving your tongue down her throat to talk," Jug looked at him tiredly, running his hand down his face.
"No I didn't say anything that was important…" He trailed off his lip curling up as he closed one eye, "shit." He muttered.
"What?" Jug shot him a look his nostrils flaring, Sweet Pea looked at him shrugging looking insanely guilty "What did you say?" Jughead said harshly, his hand balling instinctively into a fist.
"I might have just made a joke that her friend was wasting her time with you, I didn't saying about Betty, I swear, just that you were off the market," He chewed on his lower lip apologetically.
"Fuck," Jughead sighed, knowing there was nothing they could do about it now, he shook his head before starting to walk towards their bikes, just wanting to get away from that place. Sweet Pea followed in silence. They both got on their bike and Jughead turned to Sweet Pea, wanting to yell at him for being an idiot, and make him feel as stupid as he was but for some reason Jughead's pride got in the way and all he could get out was muttering "And I'm not off the fucking market… yet," and with that he pulled his helmet on and sped off, knowing it was about to be a hell of a long week.