A Problematic Situation

Author's note: I decided to do a little prelude to the next chapter, but I am giving these two you at the same time. Enjoy!

More problems had arisen in the Syndicate, or at least the Morningstar. First, word had gotten out that the DeWynter sisters had helped the enemy and also left the organization. However, Phillipe Loren and Barry Danko were not going to let them walk free, especially Barry, who had it in for them for quite a while.

The second problem was that the auction at Safeword didn't go so well. Vince Shane, the leader of the Saints, had invaded the BDSM club with Zimos and managed to take a lot of the women they were about to auction off. It was apparent that the prostitution business within the Syndicate was in shambles.

It was the day after the incident at Safeword. Barry sat in his office in Loren Square. He was on the phone with someone, but who was it?

"Listen, Andre, you are running things now, don't you think you could have taken them out before they left with all of our women?" Barry said.

"You don't understand," Andre said. "The Saints took down almost everyone or at least managed to escape. I talked with Zoey, Clara, and Lillian. They had them right in their sights, even with the Saints leader butt-naked. But he and Zimos escaped with all of our girls. It wasn't long until the Saints started to come in and take out the rest of our people and now it seems like Safeword is theirs. Don't forget that they even took some of our girls in New Colvin."

It appeared that Barry may have underestimated the Saints leader a tad. It appeared that he had been too focused on destroying the DeWynter sisters a bit to focus on the bigger issue at hand.

"But wait, even if that whole thing at Safeword didn't happen, isn't there a boat coming in soon?" Barry said. "Your business is not in trouble."

"But something must be done, right?" Andre said. "They even took the most important part of the auction. You know, you may be right. Besides, the boat is coming in soon. We'll see what we can do about Safeword and taking it back. We still have some brothels in the area."

"Exactly," Barry said, but saw that an important notification came up on his computer. "Look, I have some other stuff to do. Call me later, okay?"

The call ended. Barry clicked on the notification on his computer and opened it up. On the monitor, Phillipe was shown sitting on a chair in a room. Whether it was an office for a home outside of the country or a suite he was in out there, it definitely had a European feel to it.

"Monsieur Loren, what do I owe this pleasure?" Barry said.

"Ah, Barry, I have been told that there have been some problems lately," Phillipe said. "You did the right thing in filling me in on the stuff with Viola and Kiki, but I was told about how the Saints have been taking over some more of our businesses. I even heard that Grigor and Mr. Dickson were murdered. I know I underestimated the Saints leader before, but I am wondering if you are underestimating him."

Barry took a deep breath. "Monsieur Loren, I don't how those two were killed, but I am going to find out soon. Matt and Killbane have been trying to make a move on the Saints as well"

"That's one thing I want to know," Phillipe said. "While I did not approve of Viola and Kiki helping out the enemy and they should pay for what they did, but I am starting to wonder if I should have left Mr. Dickson in charge of the Morningstar. I'm not worried about Killbane and Matt, I'm worried about you. The Morningstar has been going through a lot ever since my departure."

"Mr. Loren, you got to understand, we're doing everything we could right now," Barry said. "There have been some issues with the sex-trafficking and prostitution right now."

"So I've heard," Phillipe said. "I'm starting to wonder if I should reschedule my business deal so I can come back and lead the fight. Killbane may be handling stuff with the Syndicate right now, but in regards to the Morningstar, you should be right on top of everything."

"No, wait, I promise I will have the Saints taken care of," Barry said.

"Sorry, I have to go and I will be in the states within a couple of days," Phillipe said. "I shall see what should be done. Mr. Killbane may be leading the Syndicate right now, but I am still commanding everything from afar. I will see you soon. Ta ta."

The video conversation ended. Sweat ran down Barry's face right after that. It was clear to Barry that things weren't looking up after all. He had to do something about the problem at hand. He was too focused on exposing and taking the DeWynter twins' rightful positions as heads of the Morningstar. Though he did help a bit with sending in some assassins dressed as strippers, there should have been more to it than that.

RING! RING! RING! Barry's cellphone rang, except this time Killbane was calling him.

"Hello," Barry said as he wiped his face with a paper towel and took a deep breath.

"Barry, it's Killbane. I'm going to need you to come by the 3 Count Casino later on. We have something to discuss."

"I'm way ahead of you there," Barry said.

"We just need to discuss what we should do about our problem with the Saints," Killbane said. "Remember, I'm the general. We just need to talk. Matt needs to be in on this as well."

"Got it," Barry said and hung up. He took a few deep breaths and continued to sweat. Though he was a snake, when it came to someone above him in the hierarchy, he realized he bit off more than he could chew in all of this. But deep down, he knew that he could be a good leader. He just had to prove his worth.

It had been a few days, nearly a week since Kiki was put in the hospital after that beating she took at the hands of the Morningstar. To both her and Viola, things could have been much worse. If the Luchadores were involved, they would have overpowered her and probably broke more bones in her body. Though she and Viola could handle themselves, they couldn't do much in that situation.

Viola pulled up in front of the building where their condo was in their Temptress. She got out of the driver's side and went to the passenger's side and opened the door and helped Kiki get out. Thought Kiki struggled a bit, she could move a lot better. When she said that she would be better in about a day or two, she was clearly not ready, at least she didn't think so. She needed a little more time.

"How are you feeling?" Viola said.

"I think I'm fine now," Kiki said.

"Well, I'm glad to hear that," Viola said. "Let's go inside."

The sisters went into their condo. Kiki limped a bit, but things could have been worse. Viola watched as her sister moved a bit and guided her to the couch. Kiki got to the couch and sat down.

"Hey, I have an idea on how to get back at the Syndicate," Viola said.

Kiki looked up. "What? What do you have in mind?"

"Listen, I heard somewhere that the Saints fucked shit up at Safeword last night," Viola said. "I even heard that they took over the place and took some of the girls there. Also, remember that a boat was supposed to come and bring in some more women for the business?"

"Okay, what's your point?" Kiki said.

"I think we should help the Saints," Viola said.

Kiki quickly looked at her sister at a moment's notice. "Are you serious?"

"It shouldn't hurt to try," Viola said. "We have targets on our backs and we lost our rightful positions to those two assholes. We got to do something about this."

Kiki nodded her head. "You're right."

"I'll make a call to them soon," Viola said.

Both sisters hugged each other. It was time to fight back against the Syndicate.