Sirens blared loudly, pedestrians screaming, talking sounds like she's underwater, the smell of gas, the tinkling of glass. 'Hard to breathe, head hurts, it's cold. Why am I feeling… Oh shit!'
"Miss, just hang on. Can you tell us your name?"
The big day. Twenty-four hours remaining.
There were piles of paperwork on her desk. For the days she had been gone, it piled up. Much more than she realized. Maybe she had been slacking a bit. There was shit on what the Brotherhood has, shit the Ronin has, and what they, The Saints, have or what it was they had. When they forced the Samedi out, they took over the drug ring. That wasn't the problem: the inventory, stock of weapons they seized from the Samedi were missing, during the attacks the Brotherhood stole some.
Now Kyouki needed to organize the crew to find where they had stashed them. They needed another site to drop close by but obscure that, in case of another scuffle, they would lose nothing.
She sat with a thought that tiptoed in, wondering if Donnie knew where the other hideouts of the Brotherhood were, if they had others.
Her people were looking, Carlos' people were looking, but the red metal heads seemed to just vanished off the streets for now. Ky had a sinking feeling that Shogo would have a hand in with the monstrously large gang leader.
"Nah. He wouldn't Uncle would have clued me in. Wait. No, no. He wouldn't. Shogo can't be that dumb." Kyouki shook her head. She needed to sort this mess she had out.
No days off.
It seemed to be what was going on now that Maero was free to walk the streets. Ky hoped she would have heard from Troy by now. He seemed to be busy. She would have to go in person at some point.
Tomorrow she would be busy, so that would be a no go, she can go to his house on Saturday. Noting that what she plans to do, she went back to work. She needed to get this done. Gat was going to be spending time at Ramon's house and Ish was hanging with Kyouki.
Sitting in her office, Ky was still poring over the paperwork in front of her, pen in hand, a notebook jotting down money cost. She needed an accountant. "Hm." Came from her once every so often.
Extortion, robbery, protection rackets, and arms trafficking. That was what was in the reports, and what she found in the database, of the police HQ and from Carlos and his crew. Wedging her way into getting the locations and items stolen, as well as their shit, was now the task. Thoughts interrupted when Pierce had come in with another stack of papers in hand, grinning ear to ear.
Kyouki raised an eyebrow and just watched as he placed himself in the chair across from her. "Oh, come the hell on in. I'm doing nothing in particular. Have a fuckin seat. What is it Pierce? I'm working." She bit out.
Ky then went back to reading. She was almost done–still early enough for the sun to be up, and needed to check up on a few more things before she met up with Johnny about tomorrow.
"Nothing much Boss, just the accounts from the last two weeks, and with numbers looking this good, I think it is time we… You could start investing in a few things." He waved the stack he held in his hand.
Ky looked up and waited for the man to continue before she kicked him out. She was already having a nagging feeling and didn't need Pierce's chipper attitude to spoil her already decent mood.
The dark-skinned man cleared his throat. "Right, well, the profits from the Loa Dust are turning out great. The designer drug is a hot topic now that we turned them into edibles. I saw this shop that could be a front, it is down by the University… We could buy it and make twice as much."
Ky nodded slowly. She liked the sound of it and let the man continue.
"As far as investing, you look good, and I know I look good, and there are some people who we pass out on the streets and they try to dress like us…"
Ky just stared at him. She felt her phone vibrate, looking to see whom it was she immediately picked up.
"Meet you where? Yeah, I'll be there soon. Later." She hung up, slipped on her shoes, and headed to the door. Knowing Pierce was in the middle of talking, she finished his thought for him.
"Pierce, listen, now is not the time for this. I have Maero breathing down our necks and are you not keeping an eye on the Ronin?"
Pierce opened and closed his mouth. She was right; he was supposed to, but they made no noise so he figured the Ronin was not much or a priority. The brotherhood, he had a slight run in, though it was nothing as serious as the others. He nodded. "Yeah. The Ronin aren't doing much. And this will be beneficial."
"Alright. Make me believe it. Get back to me on it. Just make sure you are on the job I left to you, hmm?" Ky clapped his shoulder, then hustled out to meet with Carlos. Phone to her ear. She was just that quick on the phone with Javiar. "Hey Javi, I need you to look into a few things for me."
Standing on the platform waiting for the train was not something she had in mind when she drove to the waterfront. She called to have her car picked up, leaving nothing to chance with the Brotherhood lingering about. As loud and ostentatious as they are, not seeing them since she's been back nagged at her. And she was still waiting for the train when she knew her car was on its back at the garage.
"I swear the first thing I do when I take over this city is fix the fucking transit." She grumbled. It was colder out tonight, and that irritated her more now. She has other things to do.
It wasn't much longer a wait as the train dinged its arrival and pulled to a stop in front of her. People getting off and on.
Get on the train.
Ky read in a text she almost missed, then boarded the train as the text from Carlos asked of her. "Thought he was…" Looking up and down the car, to see her youngest lieutenant isn't where he said he would meet her.
"Damn." she muttered under her breath. Kyouki looked from one end of the car to the other a second time, sighing saw someone during her second sweep closing the door of the next car.
The man was wearing a black shirt and royal purple track pants, black sneakers with dark shades. Ky raised an eyebrow when the man nodded at her, then took a seat where he had entered.
'No shit.' Ky smirked, looking to see if anyone else on the train was paying any attention. They were not. She walked up, joining him on the sickly orange seats.
Trying desperately not to laugh at how amusing this situation is, she figures what-the-hell. Clearing her throat–and containing giggles. "The Saint of all Saints stands?"
Carlos also cleared his throat. "In Purgatory." softly answering her. Sitting back once more.
Kyouki closed her eyes. Tears wet her eyes as she took a deep breath. Her nostrils flared as she desperately tried not to burst out laughing. "Seriously, you are lucky as shit it's you. This isn't a spy movie, Carlos..."
"Sorry... I thought someone was following me." Carlos answered.
"Maybe you been watching too many spy movies. What reason you dragged me out here?"
Carlos looked around. "I got nothing."
Ky looked over and leaned over to whisper to Carlos. "What do you mean?"
"After what you did with Donnie, no one is talking." Carlos whispered back.
Kyouki sighed. "That's what this is about. But you sent in reports."
"Yeah, those are old, all of what we dug up before. Some of the new stuff was just after Maero got out. Shaundi told me to tell you that Jessica goes to the university. And that's it."
"So you have nothing at all? Jessica, that's the only thing we have to work with?"
Carlos nodded, sat back and thought for a few, and he leaned in closer to his friend. "I did hear something about a shipment, but other than that, I have no details. That was, uh… before the explosion, me and Ren overheard some people talking like that Friday at a truck rally."
Ky nodded. "That's better than nothing. How's Ren? I have had little time to go check on her." Ky was staring out of the window of the train.
"Good, she's good." Carlos nodded. "She was right back to gaming. I think it helps to take her mind off the accident. I told her we will get back at them and she agreed."
Kyouki looked at her watch. She looked up and got this genius level idea. "Carlos, oh boy, if this works, it will go down in history." Ky stood up and crossed the narrow walk of the car to glare out of the window.
Carlos mimicked what she was doing. "What is it, Jefa?" Carlos looked out and saw nothing but the nuclear power plant across the ocean.
The train pulled to a stop, the other passengers got off, Ky grabbed Carlos' hand and led him out into the chilly night air.
"Maero said he has a lot of canvas left. Right? I'm about to splatter paint all over it." Giving Carlos' hand a squeeze, she pointed to a car. He popped she drove him home.
Carlos was confused. He wasn't sure what she was referring to with what Ky had said. There was nothing but the power plant and water in sight. They both went into the house and Ky greeted Ramon and Carlos' mom, stopped to chat with both Johnny and Ramon and then headed to the penthouse.
Before she left, she smiled at Carlos. "Carlos, don't worry. I'll make sure that Maero pays for what he did to you and Ren if it kills me." Ky reassured the youngest member of her crew. "Johnny, Ramon, look into it and see you both tomorrow. Night."
Carlos just hung his head, feeling that he may not be cut out for this life. Maybe he should let his brother know that, let him take over for him. No, he can't do that. He won't, Maero ordered the explosion. He can feel it.
Kyouki was right. It may not have been as simple as an accident. He got hurt and Ren got hurt. They sought him out.
Nothing about Maero and his crew seemed right at all. What they learned from his being in jail to feeling firsthand what Maero is all about was not sitting well. He has to avenge Ren, and prove he is just as capable to Kyouki, if not more, as his elder brother.
"Yo, Louie. Yeah, Ramon. You working at the power plant, yeah? Shit, I need a favor."
The day after tomorrow, Maero was going to have an awesome new tattoo, courtesy of the Third Street Saints.
"Ky so sorry, I had been really busy. I just got the message when I cleaned up. What's up?"
"I figured. Ok, listen, the explosion at the garage. It was Maero and the Brotherhood. They have been attacking us and now suddenly they stopped. I don't know what it's about, but I need you to lock them up."
"I can't just lock them up. Isn't Maero still in jail?"
"No he broke out…"
"When!'"
"A week ago or so?" Ky could hear Troy groaning in the background. He wasn't happy to hear it.
"The fuck are they doing over there at the pen?" He said aloud. "Who the fuck just breaks out? This is the second time."
Kyouki's eyebrows went up, and she smirked. "Well, you broke me out." And she went to say that she then broke Laura out, but that would be telling on herself.
Troy said nothing. He knew what he did. And he would do it again too. "Ok, I'll see what I can do. Just don't fuck with him."
"How do you mean, exactly?"
"Kyouki…"
"Well, his girlfriend insulted a friend of mine in front of me and nearly called me something highly insulting. And then coated my car in red paint and refused to apologize, so I shot her…"
"You fucking what?"
"Paintball gun, you know… Anyway, that's all you got out of that? I didn't start it." She could practically see Troy squeezing the bridge of his nose. "So, you can bust them with anything? I can't have my people harassed."
"Woman. Yeah, yeah. I'll drag them in. Just don't do shit else, aight?"
"Bet. Thanks."
"Got in touch with Troy. The gang will be safer. I am sure this will just eat at him."
Aisha looked over at Kyouki. "You love pissing people off, don't you?"
"Don't kink shame, you freak, you're one to talk."
Aisha laughed loudly. "You like it."
"I pled the fifth ages ago." Ky smiled.
They had a manicurist doing their nails for tomorrow. As small and this was, Kyouki wanted the best for Aisha and Gat. The Groom and his Bestman should be on their way out to the stripclub Ky used to work. A gift from her to him.
"Tomorrow morning, we have the hair and makeup, and by midafternoon I can claim you two on my taxes."
Aisha laughed again. "But it's just the four of us." Ish said.
"And?"
"Yeah, I know. Are you sure about this?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Ky asked seriously.
"Because I'm marrying your best friend."
"And best friend is marrying my best friend."
Aisha looked over at Kyouki again. Before she could speak, Kyouki made her think.
"You two are really important to me. And even though we like… do stuff, it doesn't, shouldn't change how we are. You are my third family. Without my Obachan here, you have been looking out for me and mine, and I owe you and Johnny so much for it. My uncle may be here, but he is acting all funny. And the James' are back, so I got them…"
"And the 'Nightclub'." Ish added.
Kyouki snorted. "They are growing on me."
"I love you, girl." Aisha smiled, tearing up.
"I love you more. What do you want to watch tonight? And besides, aren't you two sorta common law?"
"So you're just making it official? I don't care what movie. We just plan to answer questions with questions?" Aisha asked, thinking of the game they were playing.
"I did ask first, right?"
"Maybe?"
Both of them and the nail techs had a laugh.
The DJ was hot, on fire hot tonight. Kyouki made sure there were plenty of ass and titties for Gat to watch tonight. None could touch him. He had no problem with that at all. He paid no attention to any of them he was enjoying to music. They couldn't tell if he was watching them either way. His shades provided the no eye contact he set up. His mind was mostly on his girls at home without him. But the music. Yeah, he would enjoy just that, and the drinks.
"Hey, shawty, what I gotta do to get you home?
My jeans filled with guap and they ready for shones
Cadillacs, Maybachs for the sexy grown
Patron on the rocks that'll make your moan
One stack c'mon, two stacks c'mon, three stacks c'mon
Now that's three grand
What you think I'm playin'? Baby-girl, I'm the man
I invented rubber bands…"
The next song that cut faded in bumped. The other guys in the club were losing their minds, the girls working the poles, the lap dances on the floor, they were eating it up. Bills flying everywhere, drinks being poured, and the night was normal at best. No punches being thrown, no emergency calls. Gat was wondering if Ky set that up too.
"So fresh, so mufuckin' clean
If a booty's a drug, then I'ma fiend
She slangin', like a damn drug dealer
Nice size booty, but I wish it was bigger
She pretty, like a 9 to 10
She wit it, and so is her friend (c'mon)
Shake it like a salt shaker (shake it like a salt shaker)
Maybe we can talk later (maybe we can talk later)
I'm dirty Murph, I got a lot on my mind
Like funeral line booty's got a lot of behind
Sometimes I like it shook and sometimes I like it stirred
But I also like a tattoo on top of that curve
I like that, do it again
Next time all my girls bring a friend
Work with it, go and twerk with it
Girl, Nelly said let Murph dirt hit it"
Bass cranked, Gat and Ramon nodded to the beat, chilling in the VIP lounge. Greeting people who waved. Buzzing in Ramon's pocket alerted him.
"Yeah? Hold on." Shouted over the music. Tapping Gat, he pointed away from where they sat. Weaving through people, beer in one hand, made it outside. "Alright yeah? You did? Perfect. You know where Purgatory is? Nah, serious it's the pad Jefa owns." Ramon listened to his friend and let him know where it was.
"Yeah, there's something too. I'll tell you when I see you."
"Aight. Be there in an hour." Hanging up, he headed back in.
Gat was talking to a few people when Ramon walked back to their seats. "Oh shit! Dougie, Rasul! Wassup? Hell ya'll come from?" Shaking their hands in greeting.
"We in the industry now." Rasul stated proudly.
They filled Ramon in on the conversation. "Oh, word?"
"Yeah, came home for talent." Dougie said, licking his lips at the girls dancing around, rubbing his hands together.
"Oh, don't ever change." Ramon laughed. "G, need to dip. Got that shit Jefa needs." Sobering a second.
"Jefa? What happened to Little?" Rasul questioned.
Dougie chipped in. "Yeah, Gat was just saying ya rolling with the Saints still."
"For life! No doubt. But yeah, no clue where that man is. But Li is running the show." Ramon announced, leaving a tip.
Rasul remembered. "Shawty with the fatty is alive?" Surprised with the leadership change.
"Watch ya mouth." Johnny warned. Dropping a few hundred on the table.
"My bad. But uh, what's good? Got room for a few more OGs?" Showing off the branding on his left arm.
"Fuck yeah."
With that, the four men left for Purgatory.
"Yo? The fuck she needs with that?" Dougie asked, pointing to the box strapped tightly in the back of the pickup.
"Didn't ask. And I don't want to know. Go check the place out. I got to do this quick."
Ramon had everything he needed: respirator, gloves, goggles, and an extra jumpsuit. He had the ink, gift box, note and mixed. Carefully, he poured the toxic contents into the tiny paint cups, capping them tight. With the newly made tattooing ink, sent it on its it's way to Maero.
They poured more drinks. Ramon disposed of the protective gear and was well inside with a beer in hand. He knew and Gat knew Kyouki was up to something, whatever it is none of them knew. Ky wasn't one to share to keep the fallout minimal.
Louie filled Ramon in that Dex was questioning the top plant workers about gathering waste. As Louie had seen firsthand the "books" one day when he went to turn in his reports. The man came in every few days for the past few months.
"What the hell he was doing?" Planning to tell Ky when he sees her.
With a shake of his head, Louie shrugged. "It's off the books. But they're there. No company name tied to it and you need that to even get your hands on… nevermind." Remembering the small cargo, he lifted. "Whatever he is doing, it can't be good." Stating they really need better security.
Six hours remain. Things are quiet for a while. But it doesn't stop. The text messages chime every so often. Mostly looking for people in Carlos' crew. As it has been only a handful of hours since Kyouki had a very special gift delivered, she was eager to know if Maero likes it. Of course, that paled by the fact she and Aisha were getting ready for a life altering decision on Kyouki's insistence.
"Ya know, I was thinking." Ky started.
Aisha chuckled. "Oh boy, dangerous mind at play."
"I can't call this dangerous. Is a thought. Now you only get married once, but there's so many dress options and locations and I guess I would end up like Elizabeth Taylor, cause I want multiple weddings."
"That… um, hmm?" Aisha tried to object, but she was right.
"Right?"
Ish found it. "But what about me and Johnny?"
"Ok, ok. Yeah, I'm treating you like a pair of dolls. I admit it. I also admit I'm hella mad this isn't as big as I would like. With you being dead and all."
"I will ask you this one more time. Is this marriage alright with you? I am perfectly happy with what we all have."
Ky sighed. "Yeah. He isn't mine. Hasn't been with me as long as you two have. My best friends are getting married. Is, how to say it? Oh! Like great cake icing, the one from the store."
"The whipped icing? Yeah, I can see that! Still, are you sure?"
"Yes!" Kyouki answered, exasperated. She didn't mean to sound snappish, but it bothered her to think Aisha doesn't think it would be anything but ok.
The both of them dropped the subject. Ish was certain it bothered her bestie. And she was wondering if pushing this marriage was for pushing Johnny further away. The sex between the three of them has been indescribably amazing, but everything seemed sudden. Too sudden. Not once in the past several years had she considered marriage. There was no need. The motions of marriage were there. Johnny comes home, dinner, cuddles, Johnny locked up, late night worries. The only thing new was Kyouki. Ish came to terms with it long before she said anything to anyone.
Getting up, she cleaned her body and dressed. Aisha had much on her mind and she was growing frustrated. She didn't know how to tell Ky she didn't need to do this. It's something most people imagine growing up. Much like her troublesome music career. When things got tilted after King left, she saw the ugly. If something happens after this marriage…
"I need to go to my sister's. I left something I will need." Aisha said, slipping her shoes on.
"Let me get dressed. I'll take you."
"No. I need the space. Keys?"
Kyouki handed Aisha the keys to the black car. Following her to the door saw her out. "Our appointment is at 10:15. Uh, if…"
"What?"
"Nothing. I'll meet you at the stylist's place, then we'll head over." Ky stood behind the door, holding it for Aisha to walk through. "See you later."
"Ai..sh.. Jam..es. Wha…"
"Ms. James, you were in an accident. We are going to get you out. Can you squeeze my hand?"
"No… I have… to… go, I'm ge-get..ing mar..mamaAhhhhh!" Pain bolted in her back down through her legs, a feeling of fire running up and down. She screamed again. Squeezing the worker's hand.
How long had she been there? She came from her sister's. Ish was there for three hours, plenty of time to get to the appointment and let Ky know whatever decision she had for them will be alright. When she was just pulling up to the light, reaching for her phone and heard the roar of a monster, the world was then upside down.
Panic took her tears. She needed to go, pleading with the EMT to call Kyouki, or Johnny. But nothing she said sounded coherent. The pain shooting was poignant, cutting into her thoughts. Her mind felt like it would split in two. Aisha needed to let them know she was safe.
"Lady Akuji, it's 10:35."
"Just wait, she'll be here." Kyouki settled the stylist. "She said she would. She can't still be mad. This is my fault." She added to herself quietly.
Kyouki assumed Ish was having cold feet, so when she didn't show on time, an extra ten-minute wait is nothing. Twenty minutes roll by. Now Ky is worried. Maybe she won't show. "Yeah, she will. But…"
Ky went to her purse and grabbed her phone. Ringing the phone, no answer, the voicemail answered. Ky rang again. The sound of sirens and shouting, a man answered.
Ky dropped her arm. Every thought in her mind faded in an instant. Snapping back into reality, she asked where they were headed, across town to the hospital in Union Square. Hanging up, her hands shook so much as she scrolled to Johnny's number.
"Pick up, pick up, pick up! Oshiri Ish was in an accident! I'm heading to Stillwater Memorial."
In a revealing turn of events, the legendary pop singer Aisha was in a car crash early this morning. Sources say she is in stable condition and will be here at Stilwater Memorial Hospital. Years after being officially declared dead. This accident is probably one of the most famous car crashes, with an abundance of media coverage car crash photos circulating in the press.
Driving a 2000 Nelson W140 was what onlookers say, plowed through like a drunk college girl at a frat party, flipping once settling on the roof. Though at the time no one knew who was in it, many now assume that this was a purposed hit of the former pop sensation.
When asked, Chief Troy Bradshaw declined to answer if he knew that (until recently) Aisha was still alive. We will keep you all up-to-date on the condition of the singer's condition. For now, thoughts and prayers go to her and her family for a speedy recovery. - Channel 6 News Room.
