A Little Gratitude and Some Disappointment

Author's note: Okay, so I am not jumping ahead into another mission chapter just yet. I know I have developed a habit of this, but really, it doesn't hurt to have some interludes as well.

DISCLAIMER: This chapter will get rather dirty. Read it at your own discretion.

Some hours had passed since Vince had taken out the Morningstar, or at least the interim leader. He knew that Phillipe Loren was still out there somewhere and was more than ready to really take him down. But he knew that he needed some time, with the Morningstar being only 1/3 of the Syndicate, he needed to find a way to take down the Deckers and the Luchadores. Even then, the Syndicate had connections in various parts. So was he only looking to just take them down in Steelport?

On top of that, STAG had been seen patrolling the areas, along with the Steelport PD. That attack from the previous day felt more like an act of terrorism, as they just went in shooting with no regard for any civilians or anything. What exactly was their plan? Vince even wondered about a sniper. Was this person connected to the Syndicate? STAG? He wanted to know. But he wasn't about to let that affect him.

He lied around in his bed at the Saints HQ. Though he took out that guy Andre, it was mainly because Zimos had some issues with him, but he wanted to let another person know about this. This person even gave him her phone number. He wanted to tell this person. He called this person.

The phone rang a bit and then went through. "Hello?" a female voice said. She sounded like she had a Spanish accent.

"Luz, it's me, Vince, the leader of the Saints."

"Oh, hello," Luz said.

"I just need for you to know that your boyfriend Andre has disappeared," Vince said. "He had a little accident."

"Oh, don't worry about that," Luz said. "When I found out that he was going to auction me off as a sex slave, I was ready to leave, but then some of his associates kidnapped me."

"Oh, okay, I see," Vince said. "Well, I just needed to let you know."

"No, wait," Luz said. "How about if we meet up and talk more about this?"

"What? What do you mean?" Vince asked.

"How about if we meet up at the Heron Hotel in Loren Square?" Luz said. "I have been staying over there for the past couple of nights."

"You've been there this whole time?" Vince said.

"I couldn't go back to my apartment just yet," Luz said. "Come on by, we can talk and I will definitely show you my appreciation for what you've done."

She gave him the number to the room she was in. Could this be some kind of proposal? He wasn't sure about this, though he did acknowledge this woman's attractiveness despite her bad taste in men. But he wasn't saying no to this, either. He looked around and saw that Pierce and Oleg were playing chess. They've been doing that as of late.

"Hey, Boss," a male voice said. Vince turned around and saw that it was Johnny.

"Where are you going?" Johnny asked.

"Just out for a bit," Vince said. "I think it's time you call me Vince."

"Oh, you want to be called by your real name? I'm cool with that," Johnny said. "Anyway, where are you going?"

"I'm just going to take a drive, maybe visit an old friend," Vince said.

Johnny smiled a bit. "I know when you talk like that, you mean something else. Okay, who's the lady?"

Vince wasn't in the least bit surprised that Johnny saw through his bullshit.

"Do you remember Luz Avalos?" Vince said.

"Luz? Wasn't she Angelo Lopez's girlfriend before you blew him up on that plane and wasn't she with that Colombian drug lord Manuel Orejuela as well?" Johnny said.

"Yes, her," Vince said. "She said she wants to thank me for saving her from her asshole boyfriend, even though I kind of know what she wants."

Johnny gritted his teeth and hissed a bit. It was in the sense that he was skeptical about all of this.

"Relax, this isn't Tanya Winters we're talking about, or even that bitch Jessica," Vince said. "I don't think Luz would try to shank me the moment I turn around."

"Just sayin', Boss, I mean Vince," Johnny said. "But really, you need to go in protected, in more ways than one."

"I'll keep my eyes open," Vince said and then entered the elevator. He took a Kobra with him, as well as some other protection.

He got into his purple Phoenix. It was a surprise that his Phoenix didn't get destroyed when he parked it by the park in Ashwood when STAG came in. He sat there not knowing what to think about this. It was a surprise that the two reunited under those circumstances at Safeword. He was not one to pass up sex with a stripper or a hooker, depending on the day. He even had some trysts with some of his fellow Saints. He even came close with Shaundi one night, but she was too high for anything to get any further.

Though he saw the attractiveness of Kinzie, as well as the DeWynter twins, he wasn't sure. Though he had some feelings for Shaundi, he knew that they weren't together, but it wasn't like there wasn't any sexual tension between the two.

But at the same time, he needed to keep his eyes open. Why did Luz invite him to a hotel room? It was clear to him, but at the same time, could she be setting him up? Then again, he spared her that night when he took care of Angelo Lopez and the rest of the Carnales. Yes, he was ordered to shoot, but he didn't go after her. He even protected her against the Ronin. He had nothing against her, but even the idea of her going for a French pimp was a bit weirder than Mexican or Colombian drug lords. Then again, pimps have money and maybe that was why.

Also, in some ways, he needed some release. But he first he needed to what was up.

Vince pulled up to the front of the hotel. He went to the elevator. He remembered the room number Luz was in. He went up and walked down the hallway. This was a nice place. He knocked on the door. The door opened. Luz stood there in a red bathrobe and looked stunning, like she put on some makeup. She had her hair done up in a certain way, almost similar to her days in the Carnales.

"Oh, hello," Luz said. "Come on in."

This type of place seemed nice. Luz had stayed at a place like this. Vince lent her some money for the hotel room, even though she had some already. It seemed she went all out before she decided what her next move was.

The lights were a bit dim. Vince saw a bucket with a bottle of champagne on ice, as well as champagne glasses nearby. He figured that this wasn't a trick or anything like that, but he still needed to be alert.

"So, Luz, what's going on?" Vince said, trying to play it off like it was nothing. "Why did you call me over here?"

Luz walked over to the bed nearby and looked down and then looked up at Vince.

"I want to thank you for what you did," Luz said. "I know that I am not a good judge of character when it comes to men. I will say that Manuel was the only one who treated me good, but then he cut me off. I did get back in his good graces at some point when you got those cars, as well as dealt the drugs, but it didn't last long. I know that we didn't really get along, but at least you watched out for me when I handled the drug-dealing back in Stilwater. I also didn't expect to see you at Safeword. I heard you guys were in Steelport when one of your friends came to me at my shoe store. I feel like I owe you."

Luz started moving her body close to Vince and rubbed her hand against his face and then to his chest.

"Whoa, whoa, what are you doing?" Vince said.

"I want to express my appreciation for saving me, protecting me, everything," Luz said and moved her face in to kiss Vince on the lips.

Vince felt a little funny but then started to get into it a bit. He had put his left arm around her and started rubbing through her black hair a bit.

He quickly backed away. "Stop, I can't do this," Vince said.

"Why not?" Luz said. "I can tell you want it. I even felt it." Luz winked and gave him a smile.

"Not sure if this is right," Vince said.

"Oh, come on," Luz said as she loosened the sash on her robe and slowly pulled her robe open. She was wearing a rather revealing lacy red bra and also a lacy thong. It looked like she bought this set from Leather & Lace.

"Tell me you wouldn't go for this," Luz said and slowly got out of that robe and stood in a rather sexy pose.

Vince looked at her from head to toe. Her bronze skin, her curvaceous figure with her perfectly balanced hips and her round and natural breasts, the lingerie she had on really made him start feeling weak in that moment.

"Come on, let's have a drink first," Luz said with a smile.

"Nah, I got a better idea," Vince said and slipped out of his jacket and went forth to give Luz a kiss on the lips once again. Both of them moved their faces in different directions before Vince moved his face right to Luz's neck and then to her chest.

So much heat within, as Luz closed her eyes and moved her head back as Vince moved his face down to her breasts and then guided her right to the bed. He continued to go down as he kissed and licked her stomach and her belly button and moved his face even lower.

Though Vince was skeptical about this initially, he hadn't had sex in a bit. So maybe this was his way to release all of that pent-up sexual energy. It was probably because he was too focused on the war against the Syndicate to find any time to relax, including stuff like this. Even Zimos would have offered one of his ladies for him to cut loose a bit.

He wasted no time in taking off his shirt. Luz quickly started rubbing Vince's pectorals and abs and went down to undo his belt, unbutton his pants, and unzip his purple jeans. Vince remembered that he still had his shoes on, so he slipped them off, as well as took off his socks.

The fire was burning. Vince wasted no time in turning Luz around with her back to him, as he went to town on running his hands up and down her torso and then up until he gripped her breasts. It was crazy for him to be in this situation considering this woman was romantically involved with one of the leaders of Stilwater's oldest gangs, at least until they became a memory. It was definitely a case of some repressed sexual energy that he needed to let out. Though it was possible that he felt a slight attraction to Luz, otherwise he wouldn't have gone over to do this.

He was still behind her. He went ahead and unhooked her bra. She moved her arms around and she helped get her bra off. She turned her body back around and smiled. She pulled on the waistband of Vince's purple and gray briefs.

"You wear purple all over, huh?" Luz said.

"You still rocking the red, even though the Carnales are nothing but a memory," Vince said.

"Perhaps…," Luz said and put her hand down there.

"Tell me one thing, Luz," Vince said in a somewhat seductive tone. "You wanted some of this when you saw me the other night, didn't you?"

Luz chuckled. "Oh you better believe it. Eres muy grande, papi."

"Oh, you say I'm pretty big, huh?" Vince said. "I know some Spanish, señorita."

While Luz continued to work her magic, Vince returned the favor by doing the same to her. Her mouth opened, her eyes closed from the sensation. Their body heats increased by the minute, they felt the need to go straight for it.

"Fuck me," Luz said.

"Really, I thought the same thing," Vince said. He picked her up and put her back first right on the bed.

For both of them, this wasn't a case of making love, but the chemistry in bed may say otherwise. Though Vince had been having thoughts of Shaundi as of late, he didn't want to lose focus, nor did he want to make things awkward between them, even though he knew he had to let her know sooner or later. It was crazy because he also acknowledged the attractiveness of the DeWynter sisters, as well as Kinzie, who was attractive in a geeky way. Aimee and Lucy were a couple of other attractive women on the team, but he didn't see them that way. Even Venus offered her services to him and he said he wouldn't mind. So why did he go right for Luz?

Luz was right on the bed. Vince went forth to pull down her thong. He pulled down his briefs and went for his pants to get a condom he had on him. He wasn't going to do this raw. It was a lubricated condom, too. Luz wanted it. This seemed to be her way of thanking him, but in reality, it seemed a little more than that.

Vince went right in. He was ready to go to town. And he did. Both people were in major heat. It was about as hot as being in the middle of a desert in the middle of the summer.

It wasn't without changing positions. Vince pulled out. Luz got on all fours. Vince went right behind and starting going to work. He even pulled her upper body a bit up and played with her boobs once again.

He just kept going until both people moaned and broke away from one another. They reached the climax.

"Wow, that was great," Luz said.

"Tell me about it," Vince said. "It had been a bit since I had fucked a woman."

"I wouldn't have guessed it," Luz said.

"Be honest, was this really your way of thanking me for all those times?" Vince said as he sat on the bed with her. "I almost wonder if you wanted some of this when you saw me in my birthday suit."

"It was," Luz said. "I hadn't been treated that good by men in a long time. Manuel was pretty the only good one and then, well, you know. I want to know something and you should tell me now: why were you naked at that S&M club?"

"You remember there was an auction going on, right?" Vince said.

Luz nodded.

"Well, that pimp Zimos, he is a part of my crew now," Vince said. "He wanted to help put the hurt on the Morningstar, as well as get more women for his business. He had me go in and he was going to auction me off as a sex slave. It was all part of the plan."

Luz looked away. "I see now. I heard that you guys have become quite a big deal over the years. I even went by Planet Saints a few times."

"You ever try any of their shoes?" Vince said and chuckled.

Luz gave him a tap.

"You know, that is one thing we do share," Vince said. "We both have a fascination with shoes. Maybe not as much as you, but I know you have quite a thing about footwear."

"That is true," Luz said. "I am running my own shoe business now, as you already know. That guy Pierce Washington came to me one day."

"You know, since you dated Andre, is there anything else that he wanted you to do regarding the Morningstar?" Vince said.

"I know that he helped finance my business a bit and that the Morningstar protected my shop," Luz said. "But he never got me involved in any of their shit. Besides, I still had some money from my cut of the drug running back in Stilwater."

Luz paused a bit. "He also hit me a few times, but I wasn't sure if it was a pimp thing or if he was having a bad day. When he talked to me about doing something on the side like being one of the girls at Safeword, I told him no. I couldn't do it. He forced me to do it against my will recently."

"Well, the Morningstar is pretty much done, we can work together and I can have some of my people protect your business," Vince said.

"Sounds good," Luz said.

"You have changed over the years," Vince said.

"Yes, I know," Luz said.

Both people put their clothes back on. Luz wore the same dress as she did the night of the auction. Vince took off in his Phoenix and looked around saw Luz driving out of the parking garage. She was still driving the Magma that she had years prior. He told her that she could stay at the penthouse with them for a bit, at least until things clear up with the Morningstar, because even though the Morningstar was done, there could have been a few people left, as well as any other gang in the Syndicate going after her. She'll be well-protected, too.

3 COUNT CASINO

A meeting was called with the three leaders of the Syndicate. Even though Killbane had a tower for the Luchadores, as did Matt for the Deckers, those buildings were on Saints territory, despite there being connection to the Syndicate.

Phillipe Loren sat down at a table. He had Norman and Pete by his sides, as well as Zoey, Clara, and Lillian behind him. It turned out it wasn't them with Andre that time when he was taken out. They were all that was left of any muscle within the Morningstar.

Matt sat there as well, close to Phillipe. Killbane sat close to them as well. Matt had some of his bodyguards with him. So did Killbane. Phillipe looked up at everyone.

"Excuse us, everyone," Phillipe said. "We need to discuss this in private."

All of the bodyguards and muscle exited themselves out of the private room of the casino. Though Killbane was known to be egomaniacal and short-tempered, he knew that Phillipe was above him in the ranks, at least in terms of power within the elite leaders. Matt sat there and looked down. He was mainly their hacker and did lead the Deckers to a point, but not always when it came to enforcement and protecting their turf.

But before the remaining Morningstar muscle left completely, Zoey leaned towards Phillipe and whispered something.

"Just letting you know, Mr. Loren," Zoey said. "The Saints think they took us out, but we'll go after them, as well as Viola and Kiki. They're with the Saints now."

Phillipe looked his subordinate in the eye and said, "We're going to discuss more of this later. We have an even bigger matter to discuss right now."

Zoey nodded her head and proceeded to leave the room.

"Mr. Miller, Mr. Killbane," Phillipe said. "I understand that you guys hadn't done your jobs in taking out the Saints. Because of that, most of the Morningstar has been weakened, if finished. The Saints have proven to be more of a nuisance than we thought at first. Some of my other leaders and businessmen have been killed. Barry's body was found earlier. I thought we had agreed to let the Saints know that they weren't welcome and that we rule Steelport. But now look at what's happened. They took over most of the businesses of the Morningstar. It's only a matter of time until they shift their focus on the rest of us."

Matt trembled a bit when he heard that. Though he respected Phillipe, when it came to failure within the organization, he had little tolerance for it.

"Mr. Loren, sir," Matt said. "I have reached an understanding that while the Saints had made their mark on Steelport, they haven't focused on the rest of us. I had thought-"

"Quiet, Matty," Killbane yelled. "You do realize that the Saints fucked over our other businesses. We should just take hit them with what we got. They haven't taken all of us down!"

"Killbane, please, Matt was not finished yet," Phillipe said and shifted his attention to Matt. "Please continue."

"I'm just saying that because we also have this new problem in Steelport called STAG," Matt said. "We should find a way to convince them that the Saints are the problem, which would make our fight a bit easier. STAG stands for 'Special Tactical Anti-Gang.' It seems that this unit is supported by Senator Hughes and Ultor."

"Senator Hughes?" Phillipe said. "How did she get the okay to do this?"

"I'm getting to that," Matt said. "There have been some problems with the Saints. Remember when the bridge was destroyed? She called in for this organization to come and clean up Steelport. From what I also understand, they have the support of Mayor Reynolds."

Phillipe gritted his teeth a bit. "I knew I should not have left. Though that plan for the tower worked, but something tells me that I have lost focus on trying to keep the government off our backs."

"One more thing, sir," Matt said. "I think I have a way to ruin the Saints."

An evil smile grew on Killbane's face when he heard that.

"Oh, Matty, do tell," Killbane said.

"I would like to hear this idea of yours, Matt," Phillipe said.

"Well, you see, Killbane has an interview with Jane Valderamma soon," Matt said. "I think that we can make Senator Hughes and STAG see that the Saints caused the destruction of the bridge."

Killbane chuckled a bit when he heard that. It was in a sense that he liked what he was hearing.

"Now you're talking, Matty," Killbane said. "Nobody can ruin my image. So now we'll ruin theirs."

Phillipe sat there with his finger to his chin and smirked at Matt's idea. "Good idea, Mr. Miller. You really are a genius."

"Thank you, sir," Matt said.

Another note: Okay, I'm going to level with you on some stuff. Regarding the sex scene, it was kind of an experiment and also a way of providing some downtime into this story a bit. I know that I have done bits with Vince (The Boss) and Shaundi, but they're not together, and this sequence was mostly based on pure lust, though I'm not generally opposed to an idea of anything else involving Luz.

Also, I don't know if I'll do that many scenes like that for this story, but I am not opposed. This isn't really a ship fic and when it comes to erotica/smut, it usually depends with me if I want to do one. It was kind of gratuitous, but in some ways it wasn't.

I also know that I have made a habit of talking about doing a certain thing next but then skipping over. Well, in this case, I'm going to try to do things a bit interchangeably. So there will be some bits with STAG and The Syndicate.

The three female Morningstar members aren't dead. I didn't want to make them go out like that and I didn't do anything with the other two guys. They'll appear again soon.

So yes, next up will be the Saints trying to mess with STAG for sure. Stay tuned for that one.