Hello! Got another chapter for everyoe's enjoyment! Thanks for the continued support. Please remember to comment and leave suggestions. As always, special thanks to LynGuerra for all the positive vibes and encouragement. Also, I owned nothing but the original characters, so please don't sue me..blah blah blah.
Becky sat on the couch in her apartment with Ghost sitting right beside her. On the coffee table in front of them were four disassembled Vice-9 pistols laid out on top of newspaper to keep the table clean. While she didn't mind being at the hideout, sometimes in felt like she was inside of a tomb, especially due to the lack of natural light. And while some of the crew were installing some additional lighting to remedy this issue, there was something special about the light shinning through her living room window that outmatched all the neon lights they could possibly ever install.
Through a contact of Cassie's, they managed to acquire some special black-market conversion kits for their pistols that made the trigger pull easier and allowed the shooter to change between standard, semi, and full-auto fire. Cassie had been so impressed with the work they did clearing out the Samedi stash houses that she covered the cost for the kits. Becky truly enjoyed having Ghost around to talk to. Brooks and Alice bith made her nervous, while most of the other female made her feel like she was talking to a big sister. While that was alright some of the time, there were moment where she just wanted to talk to someone who she could relate with. Like her, Ghost had a brother named Jason who also had been a gang, though not the Saints or the other 'Big 3' that existed five years ago. He had been with a crew called the Street Reapers that mostly did a lot street racing. The came into conflict with the Rollerz who wanted the small piece of turf to store their cars. Jason and his crew fought back and were all killed. And much like herself, Ghost was an extremely skilled mechanic, which made it a no-brainer why the Boss assigned her to assist Rodney with the secret car warehouse setup.
"I wonder if the Boss only assigned me to this job to make my brother happy." Becky wondered aloud "You know how he feels about me being with the Saints."
"Then he better fucking learn to deal with it, because you're not going anywhere." Ghost replied as started cleaning the gun barrel "The Boss isn't going to tolerate this shit, and neither will any of the other ladies. Besides, there two equally important reasons why you were picked. The first being that you acting as the go between for Rodney's old contacts. Since he still technically a fugitive, its not like they can meet at the local coffee shop for a chat. And since you know about car parts and what they sell for in both stores and back alleys….you can ensure we get the best possible deal."
"And couldn't you or Monster handle that?" Becky asked and she started cleaning a pistol receiver "Seems like either of you could have done the same thing."
"Monster's not a mechanic. Thus, the reason Monster's coming along is strictly as muscle." Ghost placed the barrel down and started cleaning the magazine spring "Same thing goes for me, although I'm 'mechanically inclined' as they say, Which leads into second reason the Boss assigned you to this gig."
Becky gave her a side-glance "Which is what exactly?"
"To get Rodney used to the realization that you're a Saint and that you're not going anywhere." Ghost explained "And to somehow help your brother get it through his thick skull that you're not some defenseless child that needs his protection. Rodney still see a little sister that he needs to protect, and there's nothing wrong with that. However, he's going to have to adjust to this realization before you beat the shit out of him."
"You've got that right." Becky finished assembling her first gun and moved on the cleaning the second "If you don't mind me asking…..was it like this with Jason?"
Ghost shook her head "He was more of a 'you by falling down how to get up' sort of big brother. And since we lived in a rough neighborhood and he couldn't always be around, he taught me how to defend myself. Jason was always worried that between rival gangs and regular assholes, someone would try messing with me. And while I still agree that homie is out of pocket, just remember he doing it out of love."
"I know that's the reason why and I truly love him for it. However, when he does that sort of thing only to me…..I don't know…" Becky sighed "Its like he's saying that I specifically can't pull my weight or defend myself. He doesn't pull that with the Boss, you, Cassie, Shaundi, or even his girlfiend-not-girlfriend Alice."
"Don't worry about it. Rodney will come around before long." Ghost reassured her "And then you'll look back on moments like this and laugh about it."
Before Becky could answer there was a knock at the door. Both women instinctively looked over at the iFruit tablet on the coffee table and saw an image Cassie holding two large brown paper bags.
"Just a second!" Becky called out as she walked over and opened the door "Hi Cass! Glad you could make it over. Come on in."
"Thanks.I brought the sushi…." Cassie placed the first brown bag on the kitchen Island "….and the night vison googles."
She then placed the second bag on the coffee table next to the 4 reassembled guns. Becky and Ghost went to wash up, while Cassie eyes locked onto Becky's iFruit tablet with an amusing curiosity. When the women reemerged from the bathroom, she couldn't help but smirked.
"Nice little security system you've setup here." Cassie remarked "Really impressive quality."
"Thanks. Just trying to stay one step ahead." Becky blushed from both pride and embarrassment "Since we broke the other Saints out of jail, I figure is only a matter of time before the cops show up looking for Rodney and asking if I've seen him. Since they don't know I've joined yet, I want to keep a low profile but also make sure nobody watching me. So I setup some wireless cameras around the outside of the building in places where the vehicles could park. I've also got another two covering the hallway and my front door."
"Smart thinking." Cassie smiled "I'm as stoked as everyone else that we're slowly rebuilding our strength, but one slip up and it's all over for us. It's good that you're being precautions against possible threats."
Becky beamed "Thanks Cass."
Cassie smiled "No problem. Before we do anything else, lets dig into that sushi before it gets cold."
The women gathered around Becky's kitchen island and started unpacking containers. As they ate their food, the women discussed various tasked the Boss had assigned them. Due to their various connections, Pierce and Shaundi oversaw surveillance on the rival gangs and law enforcement. Since it was still too risky for Cassie or Brooks to participate directly, they had taken to teaching some of the Saints how to tail vehicles and people while also spotting potential tails themselves. Alice has taken to teaching a few people about basic field medicine and how to patch people up. While nobody had delusions of matching her skills, it would at least give someone a chance at surviving in the event that she wasn't around or worse yet, they were unable to make it back to the hideout. Which left Johnny, Joey-D, and few other skilled fighters teaching hand-to-hand combat in additional to how to shoot (with more than the occasional assist from Cassie, Brooks, and even Mei in this department).
The conversation finally swung back around to what Cassie would have Ghost and Becky assisting her with that afternoon. Maero was still in hiding after the attempted 'Hit' that took place outside of Piratez Tavern. This absence had resulted in some of his more legit contacts not being paid. One of them had decided that they were willing to cut their losses with the Brotherhood and were open working with new partners.
"His name is Arthur Genco of Genco Wholesale Foods and it seems that he deals in a lot of the produce that get delivered to supermarkets." Cassie Explained "However, since Maero in typical blockhead fashion only ever wanted beer and tattoo ink from him. And since he can't ship large containers with just these items, Mareo paid extra up front for less goods. Told Arthur that if the Brotherhood ever needs regular goods, they can just steal them from supermarkets."
"There's stupid and then there's short-sighted Maero." Ghost sighed "So what sort of goods are we talking about anyway?"
"Everything from crates of milk, eggs, bread, flour, and cereal to premium uncut meat for local supermarket delis and butcher shops. He can also get other items like cleaning supplies, non-prescription meds, shoe polish, the works." Cassie smiled "And if we're asking for more than fucking booze he can actually put together custom orders. So we're not getting random containers of whatever his people packed together and hoping the crew will be able to use what's inside."
"That sounds like a really good connection to have. It not like we can drive whole foods and purchase half their produce section." Becky reasoned "Not mention that a common military convention states that an army marches on it's stomach."
"Not to mention that some of us need to start from places other than Freckle Bitches." Ghost agreed "They keep eating that fucking garbage and it won't be difficult for the Ronin, Brotherhood, and Samedi to pump bullets in them cause they'll be too fat to dodge them. Also, if our friendly Chief of Police gets desperate enough he might start stationing officers at various Freckle Bitches locations in the hopes of catching some of our members."
"I could totally see it now." Cassie laughed "The said thing is that would actually work with catching a good portion of us. With Johnny being probably the first person that they apprehend and place a pair of metal bracelets on."
"Just imagining how tomorrow morning's front newspaper is going to look would be too embarassing." Becky snickered "It'll be a photo of Gat being hauled away by four cops holding his arms and legs while he's handcuffed with a
Freckle Bitches cheeseburger sticking out of his mouth."
At this image all three women broke out laughing at the thought of Gat trying to finish one last burger before being thrown into a squad car. Once their amusement subsided, they resumed talking about the business at hand.
"While I'm all for working out a deal that keeps the crew well-feed. However, whenever something appears too good to be true, it usually mean that's something's not quite right with the deal." Ghost crossed her arms and lowered her head in thought "There still two really important details to all of this arrangement that I'm still trying to wrap my brain around."
Becky raised an eyebrow "Don't keep us in suspense. What's about this deal has you so worried?"
"First, what's to say this isn't some sort of trap to catch us?" Ghost asked "With two of his laid out on metal slabs and the third being radio silent, he probably figured by now that his attempts of infiltrate the Saints for a second time have failed. What's to say this contact isn't someone with the SPD trying to zero-in on where we're holding up?"
"Fair point." Becky acknowledged worriedly
"Exactly." Ghost nodded "Then that brings me to my second question: Assuming that Arthur is on the level, why bring his business to the Saints? Even if the Brotherhood have proven to be unreliable, why not take this offer to the Ronin or the Sons of Samedi? Both gangs are more established than us and could probably spend more up front. Right now, we're just getting by on a few front businesses we purchased and selling stolen Loa Dust from the Samedi. How come this dude wants to partner with a gang that wasn't even active until a few months ago?"
"Those are all perfectly good questions that I'm more than happy to answer." Cassie replied as she opened a beer "Let me assure you of something before we go any further. Arthur checks out 100 percent and we don't have to worry about him being in line with the SPD or another gang. I looked into him and Shaundi did a background check on him as well. He is who he says he is. Arthur's even been in newspaper a few times in Liberty City because of charity donations and other philanthropic contributions he's made to other organizations."
"So being someone so well know means he can't pretend to be someone he's not, since a simple web search would give him away. I guess that rules out Troy using him to find out where we're hiding." Ghose acknowledged "Isn't it that much more of a risk doing business with us?"
"The whole 'I support worthy causes' thing could just be a smokescreen." Becky pointed out
"What do you mean?" Ghost asked
"Think about it. The same way we're washing our money through legit businesses, he uses the donations as a tax write-off and gets his money back. Only now its as clean as a whistle and will hold up to IRS scrutiny." Becky grabbed a beer from the fridge and sat back at the kitchen island "Not to mention the added bonus of making more business contacts also benefits him greatly. Even if most of them are honest hardworking individuals, there's bound to be a few who will offer new smuggling opportunities. Of course, should Arthur end up doing business with the wrong person or group, he's looking at both a heavy jail sentence. Not to mention that his reputation as a honest and charitable businessman would be left in tatters without any possibility of ever being recovered."
"Which is why he's being just as careful with this meeting as we are." Cassie explained "Arthur can't afford to have the public know that he's doing business with violent street gangs. His other 'not-so-reputable' customers might decide they don't want any affiliation with someone doing business with the Saints. Which could really hurt his bottom line, even if this isn't exposed to public and law enforcement."
"Which brings me back to that original question I posed." Ghost interjected anxiously "There's a little profit and a very high risk in wanting to do business with us. Now with all that being said, what's Arthur getting out of this deal with the Saints that outweighs all the risks."
"Revenge" Cassie replied nonchalantly
"Against who?" Becky asked
"Just an old friend of mine that I haven't seen in a while." Cassie smiled "Troy Bradshaw"
Both women stared at Cassie in complete shock as finished eating her last piece of yellow tail. She smiled at them mischievously before continuing.
"Arthur's desire for revenge against Troy are both professional and personal." Cassie explained "Arthur was controlling a section of the docks back when the Saints were battling in out for control of Stilwater. When we locked down the city, his profits more than quadrupled. Mainly because he was no longer paying the Westside Rollerz protection on his shipments and the Colombians moved away from the docks after they started making moves with the gang. The VK were never an issue for him, so they never factored into the equation. With the Saints running things, the profits were pouring in from both the legitimate and illegitimate business."
"Until fucking Dudley Do-Right showed up and had everyone wearing purple arrested up locked up." Becky said darkly
"That's right." Cassie confirmed "After the Saints were rounded up, the police started to investigate the docks. The busted a lot of shipments he had coming into Stilwater. Apparently, Arthur's covert business loses ranged in the millions and profits never recovered. He's bringing in even less from his side business because the costs of paying off the local gangs would put him in the red otherwise. However, if a level-headed gang that offered reasonable terms were controlling everything in Stilwater…"
"…then it would be like the good old days in terms of profits." Ghost concluded "He might even be able to pull in more money since he'd be working with us directly."
"You nailed it right on the head." Cassie nodded "So for miniscule investment that makes him a profit. He's got a fucking golden opportunity that basically gives him a license to print money."
"Ok. I understand now why going into business with us would be so appealing. And why it would be a magnificent middle finger to Troy that he could restart his dealings in Stilwater in earnest and make back his profits tenfold." Ghost concluded "I can see on the business side this would be perfect revenge on Troy for disrupting his operations."
"It still doesn't explain the personal side though." Becky chimed in "So what happened in that regard that Arthur wants revenge on troy."
"Apparently Arthur's son Jeffery was murdered in a drive-by shooting by a member of the Ronin. They caught the guy responsible for the murder and everything was on course for a conviction." Cassie stopped to gulp the last of her beer "But then Troy contact the pervious district attorney and arrange a deal for Jeffery's murder to receive immunity exchange for testifying against a member of the Brotherhood in some auto theft case."
Ghost's jaw dropped open from shock and disbelief while Becky swore loudly. The idea that someone would a get clemency on a murder for something as insignificant as auto theft seemed unbelievable to them.
"How many of the Saints we rescue were doing heavy jail time for non-violent crimes?" Becky raged "But some fucking samurai wannabe on motorbike kills a civilian and walks?"
"Troy had delusions of taking down the Sons of Samedi through legal means." Cassie shook her head sadly "The main defendant in the auto theft case was supposed to be a member of the Samedi's inner circle and one of their top lieutenants. They thought that if they could convict him, they might get his to turn on the General, who leads the Samedi. Which is sound logic on paper for all intensive purposes. However, they really should have found a better way of doing this."
"What happened with the auto theft case though?" Ghost asked "After giving such a bullshit deal. did they at least get a conviction?"
"Shortly after the Ronin member testified, the Samedi lieutenant hung himself in his jail cell." Cassie explained "And since the Troy and the district attorney already got what they wanted, they couldn't go back on their deal. So, thanks to Troy's interference, the District Attorney's office walked away with no convictions and both gangs going about their business as usual."
"I understand why this guy wants to hurt Troy in any possible way he can." Becky acknowledged "When are going to meet this guy?"
"Tonight. At the pier on the outskirts of town overlooked by the old quarry." Cassie replied "McCormick will be joining us as well. Ghost, you'll come with me to meet as backup. Becky, you and McCormick will post up in a high place in the Quarry overlooking the meeting point with sniper rifles. The night vison googles will also help in this regard since there's supposed to be a great deal of cloud cover tonight. Remember, even after gathering all the info we have, negotiations could still go sideways. He asked that we only bring the negotiator and the driver. Arthur's also doing the same thing. The reason that two of you will post up a good distance away. If things get heated and this dude or his driver starts shooting, you and McCormick light their asses up. Only….and mean only if they start shooting unexpectedly. If shit starts going sideways or some unexpected visitors show up and I want you and McCormick to get the drop on them, I'll use the code word 'Moonlight'. All of this is simply a security measure to ensure to surprises."
"Works for me." Ghost said "We can confirm all the information we want, but there's no telling what will happen until we meet with this guy. There's no way of telling if everything is on the level with Arthur or there's another reason he's looking wants to meet the Saints."
"Exactly." Becky agreed "He might even in some sort of screwed up logic blame the Saints for what happened to his son. Although that might seem like a really paranoid assumption to make."
"Not at all." Cassie assured her "Just because your paranoid doesn't mean you're wrong. Hell, if the Boss were a bit more paranoid, she wouldn't have been blow up with the fucking Alderman."
Cassie glanced at the time on her phone and then looked towards Ghost and Becky. "Let's get you both familiar with the night vision equipment and radios."
A few hours later Becky and Ghost were waiting inside a parked bootlegger for Arthur to show up. After going over the plan again, they met up with McCormick and drove out to the meeting location two hours in advance. The reason explained by Cassie was to make sure there were nobody lying in wait for them before the meeting. Once they carefully swept the area for any potential enemies, Becky and McCormick took a sniping point in the Quarry the overlooked the entire dock and stretch of road leading up to it. McCormick was behind a modified McManus Sniper rifle with night vision scope and Becky had night vision binoculars. Becky would handle spotting potentials enemies for McCormick to shoot and would keep scanning the area for any potential threats. Cassie gave each of them Bluetooth earpieces so that the keep in touch with each other. It would also provide the snipping team the ability to hear the entire meeting with the dock team and their contact. More importantly it would allow Cassie the ability to give them the code word in the event something went wrong, and bullets start flying.
Cassie adjusted her earpiece "Let's do a comms check one last time before Arthur arrives."
"I can hear you loud and clear" Ghost confirmed
"Same here. Got the McManus zeroed in and ready to go." Confirmed McCormick
"Receiving you loud and clear Cassie." Becky confirmed "And not a moment too soon either. Looks like our friendly neighborhood smuggler is arriving. I've got a single bootlegger approaching the dock."
"I see them." Cassie turned to Ghost "It's showtime."
As the vehicle slowed as it entered the dock with the driver turning off the headlights. Out of the car passenger side came a man with skinny build in his early 50s exited the vehicle. He had black hair that had been slicked back and finely trimmed. He had a pale complexion that looked almost ghostly under the moonlight. From the driver's side came a man about 6'4' with a bald head and neatly trimmed black soul patch. Much like Arthur, he possessed a pale complexion though not as intense as Arthur.
"Good evening. I'm Arthur Genco of Genco Wholesale Foods. But of course, probably you already knew that." He gestured his open palm towards his driver "This is my right hand man and bodyguard Mr. Finch. Now which one of you ladies is the leader of the Saints? The one the call the Archangel?"
"The Boss isn't here. My name is Cassie. You'll be dealing with me instead." Cassie nodded towards Ghost "And this is my associate Ghost. I'll be handling the negotiations on the Boss's behalf."
Arthur frowned "Well this is a little disrespectful. With all due respect, I thought myself and the Archangel would be able to talk. Leader to leader, rather than having to talk through subordinates. No Offense of course to yourself Miss Cassie or to Miss Ghost either. However, I was led to believe that see would be here person."
"None taken Mr. Genco." Cassie kept her face expressionless "However you must understand that with everyone on the lookout for the Archangel, she must coordinate moving around the city with the utmost caution with the Police and three rival gangs looking for her. Also, and I say this with no offense intended…..our Boss wasn't about to show up to some remote area with a meeting with someone she doesn't know and hasn't done business with. So whoever 'led you to believe' that she would be here was clearly misinformed or simply told you what you wanted to hear."
"Looking at the bigger picture, I guess it was unrealistic to believe she would be available to come in person." Arthur shrugged "Still, what's the worst that can happen from meeting with a new potential contact?"
"Getting blow sky high and almost drowning would make anyone a little cautious about meeting anyone they don't know." Ghost replied in a deadpan tone "Especially in case of someone who everybody is looking for, regardless of whatever reasons they have."
Arthur winced "Oh yeah. I forgot about that."
"You have the luxury of forgetting, our Boss, not so much." Cassie replied "So let's discuss the terms of this arrangement and we'll see where things go from there. And please know that while I have authorization to negotiate on behalf of the Boss and the Saints, we will not agree to anything that involves human trafficking, forced prostitution, or murder of civilians. If there's something along those lines that you want, I'll have to speak with the Boss about it. Do we understand each other?"
Arthur nodded "We understand each other clearly. That seems more than reason to me."
Cassie smirked "Good. So lets hear more about your proposal."
"As you already know, I have been dealing with the Brotherhood to bring supermarket surplus for the gang. But their leader's a bit shortsighted to say that least and now refuses to pay for his last shipment of goods." Arthur explained "I want you to either steal or destroy the last order I delivered to those thieving cutthroats. In return, I supply your organization with all the food and drink you could possibly handle. From fresh bananas, to chopped sirloin. And from toothpaste and mouth wash, to shampoo and bug spray. All for a nominal fee of $640,000 per container that's shipped for your people. And the payment will unnecessary for the first 10 containers you request."
"Do you have any idea where the Brotherhood stashed their last shipment from you?" Cassie asked "Any information you can give would help speed up the request."
Arthur shook his head "Sadly I'm afraid I don't have any information to offer in the regards to it's location. Otherwise I would have completed the task myself to send a message to those double-crossing fools."
"Fair enough." Cassie conceded
"I hope there won't be a problem for your organization to complete this task." Arthur's eyes narrowed "Or is this too much to take on right now?"
"Not at all Mr. Genco." Cassie smiled "I work with talented bunch of outcasts who pride themselves on being able to adapt in order to complete requests. This situation is no different."
"That's a relief to hear young lady." Arthur's expression softened "Does my offer pique your interests and that of your organization?"
"You propose very interesting terms." Cassie nodded approvingly "This sounds like a generous offer. But allow me to present my counter-offer. You make the fee an even 500k and only give us the first five containers free. The Saints will also provide security to the docks you use in Stilwater. Once we've regained full control of the City, you drop the price to $400k and we'll provide transport security to any shipments moving across the border. Sound good?"
"I would be lying young lady if I said I wasn't impressed at your negation skills." Arthur smiled and extended his hand "You tell your boss that we have a deal."
"Thank you very much Mr. Genco." Cassie reached out and shook his hand "We'll be in touch once it's done."
"I'm sure you will." Arthur made his back to his car "I'm looking forward to the Saints regaining full control of Stilwater once more."
Cassie and Ghost both proceeded to get back into the bootlegger. After McCormick and Becky confirmed that were in the clear, they drove up towards the quarry and picked them up. As the group made their way back to the hideout, Cassie thought about the agreed upon terms. If Arthur Genco was half as resourceful as she thought he was, then there was no doubt in her mind that they not only wanted this deal….but more importantly, they needed this deal. Cassie was as prideful as anyone else in the Saints, but understood that outside aid and alliance would not only help regain their lost glory but also make them capable of standing completely on their own.
"That was much easier then expected." McCormick remarked "I didn't expect any ambushes, but you never know. Although I'm curious to know why he didn't bring up his murdered son or wanting to settle the score with his killer and quite possibly Chief Bradshaw."
"He not's and idiot." Ghost rolled her eyes "Would you request a contract killing from a bunch of people you only know by reputation? Also, whose to say that the meeting wasn't setup by the SPD trying to nab him on something? Genco could have been meeting with a bunch of cops dressed in purple."
"Then what about Cassie?" McCormick retorted "There no way he could mistake the person who tried to whack Troy Bradshaw of being his underling."
"Not a lot of people outside certain circles know about my rep homie." Cassie pointed out "If Troy's bitch ass hadn't spilled the beans about me, I might've been regarding as some random chick in purple during Gat's attempt on his life. I also might have been able to break Gat out of jail but instead I end up getting caught as well."
Everyone in the car was silent for the next couple of minutes. Finally, Becky spoke up from the back seat.
"What do you think about this Genco guy?" Becky asked her "It seems like someone in his position should not only be capable of locating and retrieving his goods that weren't paid for by Maero, but also be prepared to use force against him."
"I highly doubt that Genco doesn't know where his goods are." Cassie replied "I'm willing to bet anything that Genco's people are probably staked out with their eyes on those goods."
All three stared at Cassie with Curious expressions. We she noticed the looks on their faces so couldn't help but giggle.
"What makes you say that?" McCormick asked "Also if he knows where they are, why not take them back himself?"
"Genco's got a lot of connections with the government and the private security sector. Not to mention that Genco has a security team comprised of PMCs that he uses for international security on his goods. With those resources, he could have gotten everything back the same day he found out that Maero wouldn't pay up." Cassie explained "However, he wants to know how capable the Saints are when it comes to getting a task done. Especially when barely any information can be provided. If we can handle this task, then Genco will probably feel more comfortable trusting us with other tasks that are more important and possibly require more subtlety. Remember, he's not know publicly as criminal and would like to keep it that way."
"Like find the person who killed his son." Becky chimed in "Since the guy's been laying low, he figures the Saints can take him out. Assuming he ever trusts us enough to make the request."
"Add he doesn't have to worry about it possibly being traced back to him due to using the Saints. If some trained soldier is suspected of killing gangbanger, it might raise questions. But even if the Saints are suspected, nobody's going to think twice about it. It'll be a miracle if this Ronin scumbag's death is mentioned in the papers."
"I still don't like the idea of taking on this request." McCormick rubbed his forehead in annoyance "Didn't we send those SPD asswipes after Maero so that the Brotherhood would be too preoccupied with getting revenge than bothering with us? Afterall, there's still the Ronin and Sons of Samedi to worry about."
"And since we've been clearing out there stash houses, it not a matter of 'if' but 'when' they decide to retaliate." Becky pointed out "Were the roles reversed, do you think that we wouldn't have tried getting some payback by now?"
"Let's also not forget that there's still Troy and the SPD to watch out for." Ghost chimed in "Even if most of these morons are underestimating us, you better believe that Troy won't make that mistake. Despite there being three other gangs already setup, he's going to make wiping us out his top priority."
Lily laid on her bed in the Saints hideout. Following Mei and Gat's suggestion she moved out of her apartment and into their base to avoid any run-ins with the Brotherhood, who still controlled that neighborhood. The rooms in the converted hotel were all bigger than the entire apartment she lived in, thus making the relocation to the hideout a very noticeable upgrade. This would have been perfect if not for the text message she received that morning from the clerk that helped her changed her name and hide her identity. The clerk Mick Bateson had agreed to her request after she agreed to pay him double what she was told it would cost. Annoyed, Lily looked at the message again with great frustration as though to will the words displayed on her screen to say something else.
"We need to talk about the payment you made to me. Meet me at the intersection of Miller and Broadway. IF YOU DON'T SHOW UP…SOME OF YOUR DADDY'S OLD FRIENDS WILL COME LOOKING FOR YOU."
Weighing her options, she decided it was best to play it safe and see what he was going on about. On the off chance his was telling the truth, she could afford to have any of her father's less reputable clients looking for her and possibly making issues for the Saints. She changed out of her Saints purple for a pair black cargo pants, a white blouse, and a blue hoodie. In the unforeseen event that Mick was attempting to blackmail her for more money, she wouldn't be handing him a golden opportunity to inform on the Saints to the SPD or some rival crew.
She also stashed a Vice-9 into the front pocket of the hoodie for protection and placed her Shepard revolver into one of larger pockets. Finally, she tucked a switchblade into the waistband of her pants as a last resort in case she somehow lost control of her guns.
After walking several blocks and catching a cab to the meeting location, Lily stood at the intersection waiting for Mick. If this were an ambush of some kind, it wouldn't take much for someone to speed past and spray her with machine gun fire. And considering that her father had help some of most despicable criminals escape justice, there were a lot of possibilities for someone wanting revenge on Lily in place of her father.
Lily was shaken out of her thoughts as a gray service van came to stop in front of her. In the driver's seat was Mick wearing a smirk on his face that could only be described as perverted. He was easily over 300 lbs with a body that appeared more like a walrus than a human. He had short blonde hair that he slicked back with hair grease. He also had light grey eyes and pale complexion, which combined with everything else about him almost made Mick seem like a walking corpse.
"Hello Kathrine!" Mick smiled, which only seemed to make his appearance more unseemly "Hop into the back and well…"
"First off….don't say that name anymore. Especially in public you dumb fuck." Lily barked "Second, even a five old is taught never to get into a van with strangers."
"So you're really not going to come in willingly?" Mick asked disappointingly
"Not a chance motherfuc….."
Lily suddenly felt a jolt of electrically hitting her from behind as she collapsed to ground and world went black.
