(A/N: Where we see the slow fall apart of Isaribi's loyalty to the Lost MC.)

Note: For the LCI chapters, bold text is Present Isaribi commentary.

TWG:R

~The Dirty Work Arc~

Chapter 11: Liberty City Isaribi Chronicles 3

[Two Weeks Later]

2008. A year where friendships were made…and were tested. I have made new friends in the McReary family lately. Helping one of their boys out, all the while my old friendships were being tested.

"Hey, so how's things with Michelle?" Isaribi asked Niko as she was working on her motorcycle.

The two were in the little alcove that was their apartment's backyard with the night sky lit up by streetlights. Helicopters flying about to keep the city full of noise.

"Good. Spending time with her has been pleasant." Niko remarked.

"Tempted as I am to tease you on that…." Isaribi said before putting her tools away. "We need to see Elizabeta. Today's the day she said."

[Blow Your Cover/Buyer's Market]

Niko fluffed his track top as Isaribi went up to her apartment to change, settling to wear a plain white t-shirt under her Lost MC jacket, gray pants, her fingerless gloves, and a pair of dark Hinterland boots. She tied a black bandana around her head before leaving with her backpack to join Niko on the way to Elizabeta's.

I had gotten a text from Johnny to meet at the same party. This was the first time my loyalties crossed.

The party was in full swing. Drinks and drugs galore, but Isaribi and Niko were here on business. Isaribi noticed Trey Stewart among the crowd.

I mean no one would believe that I saw Kay Hartman at that party, but there she was slumming it with the rest of us. It's not like she can get a fix of drugs at Maisonette 9.

Carmen Ortiz was grinding on Elizabeta only for Isaribi to whistle to get Elizabeta's attention.

"Hey, Niko. Isaribi." Elizabeta said before sending off Carmen. "How you two doing?"

"Good." Niko remarked.

"Surround yourself with cocaine and the assholes will follow. Oi, Johnny, come over here." Elizabeta said as Johnny got off the couch.

"Hey man." Johnny said coming over before seeing Isaribi. "Isaribi."

"Now, Johnny is sitting on a big pile of heroin. I don't go near the stuff, professionally, but I found him a buyer. We're nervous. Can you go and oversee the deal?" Elizabeta remarked as Niko assured them that he could do it. "Thank you."

"Well I have to go pick up the stuff. I'll meet you there." Johnny said before leaving.

I was about to go with Johnny, but Elizabeta had stopped me from leaving for me and Niko to meet Playboy X. You see, she wanted to hire me to act as protection for X. As he and Niko were leaving the party, she took me aside.

"Look Isaribi, I need you to make sure in case anything goes down, X is out of there. I don't trust him not to snitch if he gets bagged by the cops." Elizabeta said before handing her five grand. "Payment's upfront to show I'm serious about this. Now get going."

If she was paying upfront, she meant business. As I walked out to catch up with Niko and Playboy X, they were already in Playboy's gold-colored Patriot.

"Yo, the deal is at Cassidy Street in Schlotter." Playboy X said before she got in the back.

"Then let's go." Isaribi said.

I had mostly kept quiet while Niko and him talked. Looking back, all that conversation did was show how much of a prick the man was. But I was being paid to keep the idiot that was X alive.

"Not yet. I got shit to set up. But I'm going to need a cat like you real soon. Gimme your number." Playboy X said. "You too, Isaribi. I've heard plenty about you."

I handed him my number. Simply put, like Niko, I was down for work that paid. My time with Niko was really only making me realize how being an 'independent contractor' was far more beneficial. Hadn't helped that because Brian Jeremy was the secretary meant he controls the funds…and I routinely got fucked in that regard. I had made sure to make a call to a buddy to drop off a car a distance away for me.

The three had arrived at the spot for the meeting. Isaribi got her surgical mask on before putting on her Russian army cap.

"Crib's on the third floor." Playboy X said before noticing Isaribi's jacket. "Shit, you didn't say you were a part of the Lost? Boyfriend in the system or something."

"No, this is my jacket. I'm a member." Isaribi said heatedly.

"I didn't think they let Asians, let alone women in their ranks." Playboy X remarked as they entered. "You can't be respected well there."

I wanted to defend my group back then, but even then I knew I couldn't. Some of them respected me…but it was not the majority.

Isaribi just got her sawed-off shotgun out and cocked it, preferring to be silent.

"I figured it would be like that. Buyer's some Asian dude named Charlie." Playboy X said as Niko raised an eyebrow.

"Like in Vietnam?" Niko asked.

"Yeah, money. Exactly like the movies." Playboy X said as Isaribi raised an eyebrow.

"Part of any gangs?" Isaribi asked.

"Claimed to be a part of the Jaoming family or some Triad shit." Playboy X said as they went up the stairs.

There was Johnny, leaning against the walls with the duffel bag of H slung over his back.

"You guys ready?" Johnny asked.

"As ready as we'll ever be." Isaribi remarked.

"Let's do this." Niko said, cocking his shotgun.

"Nothing like doing a dope deal to make you feel alive." Johnny said as the four entered the meeting room.

Word to the wise, if you're an undercover cop. Act like you belong to the role you're playing. I never understood why he cracked so easily, all Charlie did was act like a nervous idiot to get himself a bullet. Honestly, I was really pissed about it.

It was a trap, and Isaribi was beyond angry. It did not help that Johnny up and ditched them without warning.

I'm still salty he left a sister in the wind with no warning.

"LCPD! Freeze moth-"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Isaribi roared, firing several rounds of her SMG into him. "You wasted my time and made my job harder."

"They're expecting us to come down the same way as that biker dude. Clear the way for us on the floor above and we can escape on the roof." Playboy X said as Niko and Isaribi nodded.

Isaribi walked up to Charlie, who was bleeding out, and stomped on his wrist. Isaribi promptly snatched his wallet, his badge, a flash drive, and his gun before smashing a Molotov cocktail on his face.

"Shouldn't have asked about my mask, Charlie." Isaribi said as Charlie burned.

His suffering ended when Niko blew his face off with his shotgun before swapping to an assault rifle to shoot down incoming NOOSE agents.

"Path to the roof is clear. Let's go!" Niko said as Playboy X took the lead.

"Follow the money." He said.

Niko and Isaribi snatched ammunition and cash along the way up. Isaribi was going for headshots before pistol whipping a mook off the roof before Niko knifed another. Playboy X had fired rounds, but it was clear to Niko and Isaribi that his aim was subpar.

"Roof's clear, but the heat's on the way." Isaribi said. "There's a nearby green Cavalcade FXT. We can take it and get out of here!"

"Ain't the heat going to be lookin-"

"No, Playboy. It's mine. Niko, you drive!" Isairibi said as they scaled down the roof.

They got in the truck and Niko drove them across the Algonquin Bridge which was oddly empty at that moment. Not that the three complained as they lost the cops, and Playboy X requested to be taken back to his crib in Northwood.

"Damn, can't believe the buyer was a pig. Shit man, I'd fucking die before being collared by a fed." Playboy X remarked. "You take a bid on a heroin beef, and you ain't seeing light for a long time."

"Yeah?" Niko said, raising an eyebrow.

"A future in max isn't a future at all." Isaribi said, shaking her hand. "A slow death…"

"Any of your friends on the inside?" Niko asked him.

"Yeah, my man Dwayne Forge is in on a crack beef…"

As he went on about how everything changed and all that, I was thinking about Johnny ditching me. I was pretty pissed about it, but I was glad that Henrique was there for me. When Niko and X were done talking, the radio went on about the terrorist threat in Algonquin being lifted. Soon enough, we dropped him off on his crib.

"I'll holler if I need your asses." Playboy X said before getting out and going inside the building.

Niko had driven the two to a nearby clothing store in the area, Modo. Niko was eager to see what new options he had.

"We should probably get some new clothes, my treat." Niko said as Isaribi smirked.

The two went in. For Niko, he came out in a new brown ski jacket, brown pants, and brown moccasins. As for Isaribi, she came out in a blue and white striped shirt under a black ski jacket, a pair of black jeans, and white tennis shoes. She even got herself a new sport duffel bag to carry her things.

We split after that, and Niko took the car. I was not too worried walking the streets as I was on familiar turf. My cell phone rang with a call from Roman.

"If it isn't my favorite employee, I got some good news for you. Bellic Enterprises is back in business thanks to the insurance. New cab depot and a new fleet of Cavalcades as cabs." Roman remarked.

"Meaning I still have a job?" Isaribi asked.

"Of course, you do! I'll text you the location for your new apartment." Roman said as she balked. "You've always had my back and Niko's. Mallorie sees you as family…and honestly so do I. So I got you an apartment on Colony Island. 531 Presidents Ave, a real good suite. Your new cab is in that building's garage. Now we can call me even for the debt you helped pay, and you can call it a bonus."

To be called family was something I had craved so much. It was what solidified my loyalty to the Bellics, and what started to crumble my loyalty to the Lost. Roman has simply done what Johnny was failing to do. Have my back.

"Thank you, Roman. That means a lot to me." Isaribi said, trying not to cry. "After I get some things dealt with, how about me, Mallorie, Niko, and you go bowling? I could use it."

"Of course, I'll send you some shares of our new stock. Later on, Isa." Roman said before hanging up.

Her phone would ring again with the call from Elizabeta.

"You ok, Umi?" Elizabeta asked. "Buyer's UC."

"Yeah, I got out safe. No thanks to Johnny. He ditched me." Isaribi remarked sourly.

"Fuck me. I can't believe Johnny ain't got the back of one of his brothers. I'm sorry to hear that, I'll tear him a new asshole when I call him. Playboy get out ok?" Elizabeta asked.

"He did. His shooting is shit. No wonder you hired me." Isaribi said as she could hear Elizabeta laughing.

"Yeah, I'll have work for you soon." Elizabeta said before hanging up.

"Isaribi!"

Isaribi turned to see two familiar faces in a black Cavalcade pull up.

"Armando. Henrique." Isaribi said, smirking. "I was actually about to call you Henrique to give you my thanks. You came in clutch. I had to give the car to a buddy of mine, so it didn't go to waste. Mind giving me a ride to Bohan Armando? Bridges are open."

"Hell yeah, get in." He said as she got in. "So what's up?"

"Just got out of a jam with NOOSE and the FIB. Long story short, someone was selling heroin and they didn't check if the buyer was undercover." Isaribi said as Henrique snickered.

"Let me guess. He was nervous, awkward, and asking too many questions. Probably wearing a stupid Hawaiian shirt." Henrique sharply said.

"You can't be-"

"Actually, Armando…he's right on the money." Isaribi said to a surprised Armando.

"I may not be all that brainy, but I can pick up on cues." Henrique remarked.

"Ok, I'll concede. By the way, where in Bohan am I dropping you?" Armando asked.

"Joliet Street." Isaribi said as he was on the bridge.

"Hey, you still rolling with them bikers?" Henrique asked. "I never understood why considering they don't really respect you."

"Some of them do…I got Estelle and Danica." Isaribi said with a weak defense.

"Do they respect them?" Henrique asked as she went quiet.

"Honestly, not really. We're treated as the little league. And with the current leadership…it's gotten worse. I'm seriously questioning why myself…especially when I find others have my back better than me." Isaribi said wistfully.

"At least we do, even if you have tits." Armando joked.

"Bite me." Isaribi sniped.

He dropped me off and I was on my merry way. I just needed to grab a few things from my Bohan apartment and the house I stash vital stuff before getting on my Diabolus to go to my new apartment. That's when Estelle called…

"Yo, what happened? Heard cops were crawling in Schlotter." Estelle remarked.

"Johnny left me to hang to dry against some cops. The deal went bad. Buyer was a pig." Isaribi said.

"Brian Jeremy's blaming you for it, and I had a feeling it was bullshit." Estelle said as Isaribi scowled.

"Considering I had to work to help clients alive, it wasn't my fault. I wasn't even one handling the sale!" Isaribi said furiously.

"I know that. Angus and the ones who have a brain know that. Billy's been giving me and him odd looks and it's fucking unnerving." Estelle said as Isaribi snarled internally. "Hell, Danica is really pissed with Billy and Brian. Look, I need to go…later."

It'd be when I was crossing Leaper's Bridge when Billy called. I was not in the mood for him, but I answered anyway.

"I heard about what happened, and let me just say what Johnny did was not kosher." Billy said as Isaribi crossed over to Colony Island.

The irony is now that I think back on it, he probably wanted to keep me around to do more dirty work for the Lost. I'll give him this, him calling before Johnny did was probably a smart move on his end.

"Before you continue, I want to say I need you for a special job. A congressman needs a favor, and I was going to send just Johnny, but…I want you to lead on this one. I should be giving you a chance as you are a real brother in our chapter. I mean…sister." Billy said as Isaribi sourly pulled up at her new living space. "It's a fancy club in Middle Park, Jouster's. Name's Tom Stubbs."

He hung up.

[Politics]

I headed to my new home, dropped by stuff off. I swapped my ski jacket back for my Lost MC jacket and my tennis shoes for my boots before riding off to Jouster's. I wasn't doing this for Billy, but for Congressman Stubbs. I did not want to get on his shitlist and I damn well knew that Billy essentially threw me and Johnny at him to save his own ass. I don't think Billy knew that I actually did know him or that I had been to Jouster's before.

Isaribi arrived at Jouster's to see Johnny talking to the maitre' d.

"Ahem." Isaribi said, clearing her throat. "Excuse me, I'm here to see Tom Stubbs."

"Ah yes, he's expecting two guests. Pleasure to see you in so long, Miss Umi." The maitre'd said as Johnny raised an eyebrow. "He's in the day spa getting some back work."

As Leavis was showing them to it, Johnny asked why Isaribi was here and he was surprised to hear Billy sent her.

"Mr. Stubbs. Your guests."

"Thank you, Leavis." Stubbs said as a masseuse worked on his back.

Leavis took his leave.

"Ah yes, you must be Dave Grossman's friend." Stubbs said.

"Yeah, we're old friends." Johnny said sarcastically.

"And you, young lady, are Isaribi Umi. We've met before." Stubbs said as Johnny turned to her. "You're a friend of Danica's."

I had met him before. Being a friend of high society meant the means to get into high society events. I had met him at one of those. Until that day, I had not met him naked…and I didn't need that mental image. I don't care how big his johnson was. He basically was railroading us to kill his uncle so he can inherit the family trust. For a corrupt man, he was surprisingly upfront about it. Hell, I'd call him one of the more honorable people in Liberty City…ain't that fucked up.

"All right, Mr. Stubbs. We'll get it done." Isaribi remarked.

"Actually, Johnny can handle my uncle. I need you to handle his daughter, Isaribi." Stubbs said as Johnny left. "A real spoiled brat, a socialite who will put the family trust to waste."

"Go on." Isaribi explained.

"Currently, I have a grand-niece because of her. She's obviously not caring for the kid…but refuses to let her father have custody. Decent man, he works in my campaign."

"I'm guessing she treats him like shit and is bleeding him for child support. Also, it would be in your best interest to see that she's no longer living." Isaribi said. "Where can I find her?"

The bitch was partying it up…at Maisonette 9. The ironic part was he sent me on my way with grenades and his phone number. But, I found her in Middle Park having wrecked her car. She crashed her car, crushing a homeless man in the process. She was unconscious, making my job all the more easier.

Isaribi promptly stole the money on her, counting at least 50 grand before leaving several grenades in her seat. She rode off not even looking back at the explosion as she called Stubbs.

"Already?" He answered.

"She practically caused her own end. I'm sorry." Isaribi said.

"Truly a tragedy. There's a package put out at the front desk at the club. Pick it up and have a good night. Come by the club again soon." Stubbs said before hanging up.

I'd get my payment and headed home. Johnny would succeed in his mission and I headed off to bed. Turns out I'd miss a call from Ashley. Not like I cared. Apparently, she needed saving. The next day, I was taking doing a few cab runs in the morning to make some money before spending noon at the bowling alley with friends.

At Firefly Island, Isaribi was among the group playing an intense game of bowling. Roman, Mallorie, Niko, and Michelle were all in the midst of playing a game.

"Damn, Niko. You're leading with three strikes in a row." Roman said as Isaribi landed a strike. "But that's not going to stop me."

"Well you keep going even after things go to shit. That's why you can't play cards with me." Isaribi joked as Mallorie chuckled as she came up to take her turn.

"So, Isaribi? How's things at home?" Michelle asked. "Any boyfriends?"

"No, still single and still have no family…well I do have you guys. I've been finding solace in this lot more than people I've known much longer…" Isaribi remarked.

I did not notice the look at Michelle's face then. I thought it was guilt for making it awkward, but now I think she was guilty for what she was doing to me…to everyone. Being a spy will wear on your conscience. Considering how close she was to Niko, I don't doubt now she was getting more and more comfortable with him…all the while feeling guilty. But I brushed it off and we got back to the game…which Niko won.

"Ah, bollocks. I was so close…but no cigar." Isaribi said with a sigh.

"Thanks for coming to keep me company…I know it's not too safe for you to be in Broker." Michelle said worriedly.

"No problem. How about I take you home?" Niko said as Michelle took his hand.

They left and Roman opted to call one of his cab drivers to get him and Mallorie. Isaribi walked out to get to her Hellfury and headed off. Her cell phone rang while she rode.

"Hello?"

"Isaribi."

"Danica. What's up?" Isaribi asked.

"We need to talk shop. Where can we meet up?" Danica said quietly.

"Colony Island. The graveyard…I live in the area." Isaribi said before Danica hung up.

(A/N: Went on a bit too long, but I had a lot to cover. We go back to the present when we build up on the cult Yara has left behind…and their conflict with the Espilonists.)