Disclaimer : I don't own GTA3. Some of the characters in this fanfic are based on or taken from the game. Others are of my creation. I called the main character Jake because I found the name suited. I also made him a little bit less cold-hearted when compared to the game.

Chapter 5 is up. Please read and tell me what you think. I would really appreciate heaps of praises, but constructive critisism is also welcomed. I wouldn't get better otherwise.

Authors Note : While I appreciate the encouragement I'm getting, I'm not getting many reviews. Please, if you like it, leave an encouraging note. If you find a mistake, correction is appreciated. If you don't like it, flame me. But please, leave something. Feedback is welcome and wanted, whether positive or negative.

Thanks to those who have already reviewed, that is to say : KW, SPAZ, Phill, GTS, MazdaLover, MatrixNikcon and eyelinerboy (my first reviewer ;) ).

This chapter, like the 2 before it, is less action and more plot devellopement. Action will come, promise (in other words, don't kill me yet).

One last point : in this story, Maria is Salvatores daughter. In the game, she's one of his ex-girlfriends. My mistake. Thanks to Phill for the correction.

CHAPTER 05

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It was already dark at 8 o' clock, when Jake arrived at the outskirts of the red-light district. Driving the Sentinel, he felt pretty safe. However, someone had seen this car, but Jake didn't know if that someone had had the time to get his licence plate. He drove again to the radio stations parking, making sure it was empty before shutting the motor off. He got out of the car and opened the boot. Removing the bottom, he opened a box containing several false plates from several different states across America. Taking of the old plates and replacing them with the new, he felt slightly more secure. Closing the boot lid, he returned to the driving seat, placing the old licence places in the glove compartment. He had done all this by the light provided by the nearby street lamps. It wasn't much, but it provided enough light for him to see without letting other people get a good look at him.

He started the motor and set off. He passed in front of Luigis place, a quite well-kept building in the center of the red-light district. Jake passed in front of it, turned left and turned left again, turning into a small courtyard. He parked the car well enough for it to be hidden from anyone looking into the courtyard, and got out. Locking the car, he headed for the stairs that led up to the roof of the building.

Reaching said roof, he had a clear view of Luigis strip club. It was also a peep-show haven, and other things Jake didn't bother to think about. Hell, this WAS the red-light district. Luigi also had quite a few girls walking the streets, but this was the base.

Glancing at his watch, Jake saw that it was half past eight. Luigi usually arrived about this time, so Jake kept vigilant. Sure enough, after about 10 minutes of dilligent watching, Jake saw 2 Mafia Sentinels arriving. They would always come from the park, since the road opposite Salvatores house more or less went straight down to the park. The cars were basically boosted Sentinels, with tinted glass windows, without forgetting the extra armor and thicker glass. Handgun bullets had little chance of getting through. Heavy machine gun fire would stand a good chance, but it was a bit conspicuous to be walking around town with a machine gun under your arm.

Waiting 10 minutes, Jake left the roof and headed towards Luigis back door. He never went through the front, that was the customers entrance. Jake knocked on the door, and waited. A small hole opened in the door, and a hencemans ugly mug peered out at Jake.

"What do ya want ?"

"I'm here to deliver a message to Luigi, for his ears only."

"Who from ?"

"Jake."

The hole closed, and Jake heard the thug leave the door. After a couple of minutes, the time to check his weapon and remove the security, Jake saw the door open and Luigi stepped out. The door was left open, and a thug was behind him. A big one. Probably an ex-American football player gone wrong, Jake mused.

"Benny here says you gotta message for me. Something personnal ?"

"Yeah. Word says you sold me to the Cartel, after having my car bugged. What do you say ?"

Luigi blanched a little, but it wasn't very noticable under his tan. He managed to keep his voice calm, as he said "I think you shouldn't listen to the word on the street if it starts saying stupid things."

"That's not what I think. I happen to trust this source. Especially on subjects such as this one."

Luigi slightly closed his eyes, and with a cold edge to his voice said "You trust this source more than my word ?"

Jakes voice didn't falter, neither did his eyes as he said "Yes."

"Then I think you need a lesson. Benny …"

The thug stepped menacingly past Luigi, who looked at Jake with an evil smile on his lips. Jake took a step back, giving Benny enough room to get down all the steps leading to the door. As soom as both his feet reached the ground, Jake moved. He knew it was a cheap move, but so useful. He snap-kicked as Bennies right knee, forcing Benny to go down on one knee in a lot of pain. Jake then sent his right fist into a cross punch, landing it into Bennies solid left cheek. Benny fell. Hard. Not enough to knock him unconscious, but enough to incapacitate him for a couple of minutes.

Jake, seeing Luigi move, quickly drew his automatic, leveling out at Luigis head. He was a professional, and had no trouble drawing faster than the pimp that was his adversary. Luigi stopped all mouvement, barely daring to breath. A snarl came to his lips. "You think Salvatore will like you pointing your gun at me ?"

"You think he'll appreciate your trying to hit on his daughter ? Someone he doesn't even deem worthy to keep as an assistant."

Luigi looked shocked at this remark. If he had been expecting anything, it surely wasn't that. "How …"

"Like I said, pimp-boy, the word on the street."

Luigi couldn't think of anything to say or do. Jake walked up the short flight of stairs and removed the small beretta Luigi kept in a concealed shoulder-holster before pocketing it. Without removing the gun from his target, he walked down the steps. Jake looked Luigi directly into his eyes as he said,"If you ever so much as think of doing something against me or Maria, you won't live to see the next day. I can promise you a lot of pain before dying, too."

"So it was Maria."

"You so much as look at her wrong, you won't have time to react before I'll see you get a first-class ticket to hell. And I have no qualms whatsoever. YOU should know that as well as anyone."

At this remark, Luigi nodded. Benny was well enough to get up, but he still kep his hand to his cheek. The beginning of a bruise was visible under his fingers. Jake kept the gun trained on Luigi as he was leaving, only putting it away as he reached the overhanging leading towards the street, at which point he quickly put his gun away and ran towards his car. He didn't bother looking back. Luigi wouldn't have the time to act before Jake could get away. Jake ran to his car, quickly entering, starting the motor and driving off into the night. Anywhere but here would be safe at the moment …

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Jake drove away from Luigis, forcing himself to breath evenly to calm himself down. Jake hoped that Luigi would learn his lesson. If he hadn't, Jake would have to take care of him, and it was likely to become messy.

His pager brought him back to his senses. Jake reached into his pocket and brought out the pager. It was from Donald Love, rich and powerful businessman. Drove a good deal, too. The jobs Jake did for him weren't too hard, and the pay was good, too. A useful ally, all things considered. The scyscraper that served as his house, gym and office block was just next too the subway exit, which was an added bonus. Donald wanted to see Jake at 8 o'clock, tomorrow morning. Jake considered, and decided to take on the job, whatever it was. He would need time to think before he made a ersonnal move against the Cartel …

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"Good morning," Jake said, entering the room Donald Love used as his office. A half-ring desk of polished black wood, screaming "expensive", stood in the middle of the room. Donald was seated behind the desk in a suptuous leather seat. You couldn't call it a chair, given the size of it. And it looked incredibily comfortable.

Donald looked up at Jake and a small smile came to his lips. "Ah, Jake. Just the person I was waiting for."

"Well you did call."

"That I certainly did. Please, take a seat."

Jake sat down in a chair opposite Donald, and got himself comfortable.

"I'll get straight to the point. I have an acquintance who periodically drops by St Francis airport. He owns a small plane company. And to help him financially, he does me favours, such as bringing packages away from or to Liberty City. He has been doing so for quite sometime. Tomorrow morning, at 6, he will be touching down. At quarter past 6, he will have parked his plane in hanger 6, and will leave the plane for half an hour. I want you to go and collect the package for me. The passanger plane door will be open, and the package will be hidden in the parachute of the passanger seat. You will, as soon as you get the package, bring it here. Is everything clear ?"

"Very clear, sir."

"Good. You will, of course, be paid. I will be seeing you tonight then." Saying these words, Donald stood up. Jake followed, and turned to leave the office …

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Jake had had no trouble entering the airports hanger area. A hefty tip to the security agent would allow at least an hours silence. Jake could, of course, just killed the man, but that would lead to too many risks and complications. Jake was driving his Sentinal, as the engine was probably the most silent of his cars, but that didn't make it the least powerful or the slowest. Not quite as boosted as his beloved Stinger, it wasn't far off. And the additionnal extras were of a different nature. Drining behind the hangars, he turned of his headlights to be even more discreet. There were very few people working, and all stayed close to the main building.

Arriving to what he supposed was hangar number 6, Jake drove up and parked behind the building. Cutting the motor, he didn't lock the door in case he had to make a quick gettaway. Pocketing the keys, he quietly made his was around the building. Arriving in front, he looked around. And didn't like what he saw. 2 Cartel Cruisers. And 2 Colombians talking rapidly in Spanish. Jake was too far away for him to hear what they were saying. And the only words that did float over made no sense when put together.

Jake took out his desert eagle, and waited. When he saw no one other than the 2 Colombians, he brought the gun up, took careful aim, and fired. The first shot hit the one facing in his (general) direction straight in the face, forcing him to reel back The other barely had the time to turn around before a bullet made contact with his chest, sending him sprawling. Jake could hear shouting in the building, and could easily distinguish swear words. A lot of them. He headed towards the door of the building, when he heard a motor being gunned to life. Jake barely had the time to think 'Damn' before a van came crashing out of the entrance just 3 metres ahead of where he was standing. Jake barely had the time to read "Pan Latlic" before the shots started to be fired. Jake had to jump back, since the more advanced Colombians could have a fair shot at him. Landing – badly – on his back, he had to roll over to get up. Once up, however, he was fully functionnal. Gun trained on the entrance, he quietly but quickly snuck up, being careful not to present himself a target to anyone. Doing so, however, meant that he use his left hand.

Using his right hand, he carefully removed 2 grenades from his inside pocket, placing one in his outer pocket. Gripping the pin between his teeth, he gently pulled it out, but kept the latch in place.

Jake advanced rapidly onto the hole left by the escaping van, firing a few shods as he advanced. Upon reaching the hole he threw the grenade inside, hearing the dull metallic clunk, as well as several less common curses in Spanish, before an ear-splitting explosion was heard. Jake still had 8 shots left in the clip, and planned on making good use of them. He ran into the hole, doing his best to asses the situation. There was quite a lot of smoke, but that didn't stop Jake seeing the bodies, lying around in un-natural positions. He saw some mouvement, and quickly brought the gun up to level, firing twice. The first shot caused the person to spin around, the second hitting him in mid-spin, making him fall and leaving no doubt as to his state.

Once the smoke and dust cleared, Jake saw that everyone present wasn't in a state to act, even if they were lucky enough to be whole. Jake didn't have any time to ponder, so he quickly made his way towards the plane. It was damaged, part of the wing having been ripped off by the explosion. Opening the passanger door, he went to take the passangers parachute, …, only to find that it wasn't there.

Jake first reaction was to suspect a set-up by Love. But that's just being paranoid. Jake could see the parachutes bag on the floor. Picking it up, he found it to be empty.

Then it hit him : the gettaway van. It must have been carrying whatever was in the bag. Jake exited the hangar and rapidly made his way towards his car. What was written on the van ? Jake tried to remember, without much success. Entering the car, Jake remembered : Pan Lantic. The construction site near his flat. The Colombians. It made sense. They must have known that something interesting was coming, and made the necessary arrangements to get the merchandise before Love. They somehow had it in for the businessman. Well, there's only one place to go … Jake thought, starting the engine and heading off …

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Arriving on the construction site with one of his cars would be a bad idea. First, it could easily be recognized, or worse, bugged for future reference. It could also be damaged or stolen. And givin the amount of work Jake put into his cars, he really didn't want that to happen. So he opted for another option : steal another car. It wouldn't have to be the fastest or the flashiest of cars, just good enough.

Jake was acquainted with the parking lot attendant, which was only a 5 minute walk from his appartment. Leaving his car in the garage, Jake walked in the cold morning air while the sun was making itself visible through the early morning fog.

"Morning Fred." Jake said through the window to the half asleep attendant.

Fred, the attendant, fell of his seet trying to sit up, landing quite painfully on the floor on his cramped 'office'. Mumbling some well chosen swear words under his breath, he slowly got up. "Morning Jake." He managed to mumble, in between some more swear words.

"Get out the wrong side of bed did we this morning" Jake said with a grin.

"Wrong side of the chair more like it" was the answer.

"Hows things ?"

"They were fine till you decided to give me my wake-up call" Fred grumbled.

"Tell ma, are there any cars in here ?"

"It's a parking lot, what do you think there'll be ?"

"Har de har, very funny Fred. You know what I mean."

Fred scratched his chin and though for a minute. "Well, I think there's a Stinger in there, and the odd Sentinel, but if you're looking for what I think you're looking for, there's nothing else that would interest you."

"I'll take a Sentinel. Where is it ?"

"One of them is on the second floor, not far from the lift. Lazy fat bugger came in here late last night, stinking of alcohol. And he's a bad tipper, too."

"Ah, so HE'S the new love of your life, then ?" Jake said with a grin.

"Get out of here, idiot. And hurry up with it."

Jake stepped in the parking ad headed for the lift. Stepping in, he quickly got to the second floor. He didn't really have to go far to get there. Looking around, he had just enough light to spot the silver Sentinel, sitting between a Rumpo and a pickup. Walking over, he took out a long thin piece of metal from his inner pocket, called a 'slim jim', and quickly slid it between the door frame and the window glass. After a few seconds, he latched onto the opening mechanism and pulled, opening the door.

'Phase one : completed sir !' Jake thought to himself, completing the thought with an imaginary salute. Opening the door, he quickly entered. He knew he had about 10 seconds before the alarm went off. Thanks goodness, thanks to Joey, he knew that there was a code that could be entered into the build-in radio which cut off the alarm. Quickly punching in the code, he waited, holding his breath in case the alarm went off. 10 seconds … silence. 20 seconds … silence. After 30 seconds of silence, he breathed once again. Putting his slim jim back in his pocket, he took out a screwdriver and a small hammer. Placing the screwdriver before the ignition, he sharply his it with the hammer, forcing the screwdriver into the key slot. With a quick twist, the motor awoke, sending slight vibrations through the cars frame.

After getting comfortable, he set off, quickly exiting the parking and heading towards the 'Pan Lantic' construction site. It was too early for anyone to be working, so the first sign of life would be where the action was. He knew where there was a hole in the fence. Well, a damn big hole really. Big enough to let his car through. He went in, keeping the noise of the motor to a minimum so as to attract the least attention possible.

Driving over, he saw a van near the lift leading towards the upper levels. Stopping near the van, he cut the motor and exited the car. Moving towards the lift, he quietly got in, drawing his gun. Pressing the only button, he crouched down to provide a smaller and better protected target, in case anyone saw him.

After what seemed an eternity, but which was only 2 minutes in reality, he arrived at the top. Stepping out of the lift, he held his breath and strained his hearing. He could hear voices, towards his left. Edging towards the voices, he could distinguish 2 people talking, both voices seeming familiar.

Finally, he was close enough. Whipping around the pillar he was hiding behind, he saw …

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Authors Note : Okay, for once, I left you with something of a cliffhanger. There's a simple reason for that : I don't know what whould follow. I have several possibilities, and am hesitating which one to follow. I'll be needing input. If a don't get any demands, requests, or otherwise, I'll choose. But a little bit of interactivity never hurt anyone.