A/N: I know, I know it's been a while since I've updated this and I do apologize immensely. First of all, a big Zydrate thank you to all those who have stuck with me through my horrible writer's block as of late, as well as everything else that has randomly sprung up in my life. Second, I am very close to concluding this fanfic; probably another four to five chapters. As always, please read and review!
Chapter Twenty-Five – Dealings and Changes
When Jack opened the door, however, there was another surprise standing behind it: A blonde GENtern and a Repo Man wearing a wide-brimmed hat set over his helmet.
"This day is just full of surprises, isn't it?" Amber said sarcastically, eyeing the unusual pair. "What the hell do you two want? Can't you see I'm on my way out?" The blonde looked from the CEO to the cops then back again.
I was going to hate myself later for this.
"Apologies, Miss Sweet, but I have a progressive report on the late Mr. Largo and I thought that you would want to hear it in person." Amber's blue eyes left me and landed on James, who had yet to say anything. He just silently lifted his biohazard parcel, and she just groaned.
"Just put it in the office and I'll deal with it later," she straightened up. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go see Pavi." We stood aside as the GENcops practically dragged the bitch to the elevator and descended.
"Well that was strange." I stepped inside the office to see a single drone with spiked brown hair, standing with his weapon drawn and trained on us. I heard James shift into a fighting stance and was about to do the same when I saw that familiar head of multicolored hair. I put a hand on the Repo Man's arm, indicating for him to relax, and he did but only the slightest bit. The drone still hadn't taken his sight off of us until a strong, young voice cut through the air.
"Let them through, Matt. They don't know what's transpired here yet." The lackey moved aside and I saw what I'd hoped for since this whole mess started. However, before I could say anything, Graverobber spun around and jumped on me.
"Bones!" he exclaimed while enveloping me in a bear hug. "I thought I was gonna have to come and get your cute ass and drag it up here!"
"Nice to see you too, Graves." I hugged him back as Serano closed the door behind him and stood silently. That was when my lover let go of me and narrowed his eyes as the legal assassin.
"What's he doing here?" I threw a quick glance over my shoulder and grinned, pulling my wig off.
"Don't get your panties in a bunch, babe. He's on our side. James Serano, this is Graverobber." The slasher removed his head covering and held out a hand while placing his wide-brimmed hat on his head. The dealer reluctantly shook his hand, but quickly turned his attention back to me.
"Never thought you'd partner up with a Repo Man." I shrugged.
"Never thought I would either, but given the current circumstances, there was no choice," I looked over at the desk that Shilo was sitting at. "However, it seems that things went according to plan after all." She then came around and gave me a friendly hug.
"Glad to see you made it, Bones," she stepped back. "After your last transmission, I thought you might've been captured by Luigi. Speaking of which, he's the only one we haven't encountered." I waved off her concern.
"No need to worry about him, Kid," I smiled sinisterly at Graverobber, who returned a grin just as malicious. "We took care of him shortly after we met up again." Her eyes went wide for a second then she just shrugged.
"One less Largo to deal with."
"'Scuse me fer interupptin', love, but who be 'dis?" The dark-haired man who'd been standing next to the desk regarded me with suspicion.
"It's alright, Ricky. Bones is one of the few friends I've had when I was stuck at my parents' house." The Irishman tipped his head to me in greeting and I returned the gesture. That was when Serano cleared his throat.
"While I hate to spoil the reunion, there's still the little issue of us getting out of here alive." Everyone in the room looked at him, so he continued. "A lot of people saw you guys come in here," he indicated to the rebels and Shilo, "so I highly doubt that walking out the front door is an option. And who knows whether or not Amber's running her mouth to her security forces and plotting to kill us all." The response was not what he expected: we all laughed.
"You know, for someone who has to have a thorough knowledge of human anatomy and dissection, you ain't very bright," Matt taunted. I saw James' eyes flicker at the snide remark. "We have four of our men with Amber and Pavi, so there's no need to worry about any retaliation." The glare dropped from the slasher's eyes, as he really couldn't argue with the strategy.
"Being a Repo doesn't make you very trusting, does it Serano?" Graverobber asked with a smirk. He never could resist pushing someone's buttons further, and I would know.
"I could say the same about you, Gravy," James shot back. The smirk left Graves' face instantly.
"You better watch it, pal. You may have helped my girlfriend get up here, but if you don't be careful, you're gonna end up like Luigi."
"Ha! Like I'm afraid of a pipsqueak like you. I'll bet you couldn't take down a delinquent organ payer if you tried!"
"Alright boys. That's enough, unless you wanna deal with me, and don't say that I couldn't beat the shit out of both of you." I stepped between them to keep the verbal match from turning into a physical one. I heard Ricky snicker and Shilo let out a muffled giggle.
"Can I have my clothes, James?" Without a word and his eyes still on Graves, he handed me the biohazard parcel and I pulled a wrapped bag out of it then opened a door to my right, revealing a moderately sized bathroom. I stepped inside as a smattering of conversation started, but I didn't pay attention to it. I kicked off the white high-heeled boots and practically tore off the short white dress and plastic red mask then delicately removed the brown-colored contacts, forcing me to blink several times. After putting the eyewear in its case, I quickly put on my bra, a long-sleeve black shirt, skinny black jeans, socks, and jump boots.
While I was lacing them up, I heard a crash and sudden yelling, followed by what sounded like a scuffle. Quickly throwing the discarded uniform into the parcel, I ran out of the bathroom to see Ricky and Matt attempting to separate Graves and Serano, who had apparently resumed their confrontation. The chairs in the room were turned over while the desk looked like it's been shoved back violently. Shilo was standing clear of the wrestling match, shaking her head in disappointment. I stepped over to her first.
"I probably don't need to ask, but what the hell happened?"
She looked up at me. "The Repo Man said that you told him that he was better in bed than your current lover, and Graverobber obviously got pissed that the guy basically called you a slut and just pounced on him," she turned her attention back to the chaos. "Graves said that there's no way you'd do that."
"Damn straight I wouldn't do that." My own anger was beginning to flare up. "Serano just doesn't know when to shut his fucking trap when it comes to his fantasy of wanting to fuck me." I crossed my arms over my chest as Ricky finally managed to get some leverage on Graves, giving Matt the opportunity to hold fast to Serano. "He's been trying to do that ever since I maneuvered my way in her. Excuse me, Kid." I walked over to the men and stopped right in front of the slasher-by-trade. He looked confused at first but that quickly dissolved to shock when my fist connected with his jaw, forcing his head to jerk sideways, followed by a shot of blood from his mouth. I saw Matt trying to hold back his laughter while Ricky, Shilo, and Graves were less successful in hiding their mirth.
When the night surgeon regained enough composure to face me, his expression resembled a storm cloud but it was nowhere near the fury I was feeling.
"I already warned you before we teamed up, Serano," I began, placing an emphasis on his last name, "as to what would happen if you got out of line. By telling my boyfriend that I slept with you is seriously crossing that line and gives me grounds to beat the shit out of you, which you know first-hand I can do." My temper was slowly cooling off and did so even more when I felt a familiar hand on my shoulder. "However, since it looks as though you were already given a decent beating by my man and a good wallop from myself, I think you've finally gotten the point that you will never, EVER have me." I left off at that to see what his reaction would be, and after a minute of silent contemplation, James' face contorted into an expression of defeat.
"It's clear to me now that my fantasy will only remain a fantasy." He didn't even crack a smile, which meant that the message had finally gotten through his thick skull. "I'm sorry for what I said about you. I guess I was just jealous of Graverobber for being the only man in your life." I felt said man put an arm around my shoulders.
"I don't blame you for being jealous, James," he said while displaying a smile. "If it were reversed, I'd probably feel the same. If you ever say anything like that about her again, I will personally make you pay for it. You got me?" The Repo Man only nodded sullenly as Matt released his hold on him then he proceeded to the bathroom to nurse his injuries. That was when I directed my full attention to Vlad.
"Are you okay? How many hits did he get on you? Do I have to slug him again-" He silenced my questions with a kiss that warmed me all over and left me slightly dazed.
"I'm fine, Bones," his blue eyes danced. "I've taken worse beatings than that in my life." He laid a hand on my cheek. "I just knew what he said about you wasn't true and I couldn't let him get away with it," he paused for a moment. "Although, I'm surprised that you only punched him. Why didn't you administer a beat-down?" It wasn't a loaded question and I found myself wondering as to why I didn't do that.
"Honestly, Graverobber?" He nodded, indicating that he wanted to know. "I wanted to see if I could get the facts through his fat head that I was never going to sleep with him, and since kicking his ass outright numerous times didn't work, I figured I'd try a more diplomatic approach." It was true, seeing as how the beatings never did get the message across.
"Hence, the right hook and declaration of intent." He brought me into a hug. "Never pictured you for being diplomatic," he said with a smirk, causing me to smile.
"You should've seen the way I handled DJ." Shilo giggled at that one, but stopped when a knock resounded throughout the room. Signaling everyone to be quiet and drawing his gun, Matt moved to the door just as James was emerging from the bathroom. Ricky motioned for the assassin to be silent and keep clear in case things went awry. The rebel then twisted the knob and swung the wooden barrier open to see the Largo siblings standing there with their four armed escorts. Amber's wrist had been set with a splint and Pavi's leg was in a full cast so he couldn't move it, which must've been why two of the cops were holding him up. Matt instantly drew his gun back, allowing them to enter then shut the door.
Amber look around to see the furniture in disarray, "Looks like I missed all the fun," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Wouldn't you say, Pavi?" Her brother didn't respond. He was too busy staring at me with his mouth gaping open, which looked absolutely ridiculous with the fake face.
"Long time, no see, Largo," I said, placing my hands on my hips.
"Who the fuck are you, bitch?" Amber spat, forcing me to focus on her.
"Never mind who she is, Amber," Shilo interjected. "Have you made your decision yet?" The plastic bitch was cut short by the younger woman's question, as well as confused then a light seemed to turn on behind her sapphire-colored eyes.
"Of course, Miss Wallace," she slowly sat on the couch, looking as if she was trying to maintain some sort of dignity. "My brother has agreed to undergo reconstructive surgery, and we both will stay with the company, with you as CEO." I was honestly surprised by the choice and I wasn't the only one. Graves was also stunned into silence as we both thought that Amber would never give up GeneCo to anyone, Shilo Wallace least of all. The rebel GENcops went about rearranging the office furniture when the black-haired girl asked her next question,
"What about Pavi paying the necessary reparations to my partner?" Amber looked at her remaining brother, who was being helped into a chair.
The Italian-speaking man let out a sigh that sounded like air escaping from a balloon, and glanced at the Irishman. "Name-a your price-a, sir."
"$500,000 mate." The dark-eyed man didn't hesitate. "Fer five years." 2.5 million? It seemed pretty steep but Pavi didn't even flinch.
"Done," and held out his hand. Before shaking it to close the deal, Ricky had one more condition.
"I want ye word first, Largo."
"On-a my Papa's grave, sir." Ricky grinned a set of somewhat yellowed teeth (probably from smoking too much) and shook the offered hand.
"I'd say that settles the initial negotiations," Shilo sat behind the desk and her partner stood next to her. "Now we shall discuss the details for Amber's new position and the procedure for Pavi's surgery."
Before she could continue, one of the faux cops spoke up, "I hate to interrupt, but shouldn't one of us inform the staff about the change in management? Sooner or later, someone's bound to start asking questions," he turned his gaze to Amber. "I wouldn't be surprised it the surGENs were already spreading gossip." He narrowed his brown eyes at the seemingly innocent woman.
"I'd have to agree with you, Jack," Shilo said, also looking at the former CEO. "Take Dean with you to have Amber inform the heads of each department as to what has transpired and give them the option to stay or leave." Groaning in what could only be annoyance but quickly silencing it when she saw all the hard stares, the surgery-obsessed bitch moved to be escorted once more to the lower levels by Dean and Jack.
I decided to make myself comfortable and sat on the couch, where Graverobber joined me only seconds later. This whole thing could definitely take a while, but I wasn't concerned as I settled into Vlad's arms, where I found myself suddenly exhausted as it dawned on me that I hadn't really slept in four days. As I dozed off, I heard the Kid start talking to Pavi, with the Irishman interjecting every now and then.