Jack from the Row

by Jack Saint

Nathan is a fifteen year old teenager, revolted by the world and its justice. Brilliant, intelligent, cold and taciturn, his destiny is turned upside down when he is accidentally recruited by the Third Street Saints, a street gang that preaches for a better world for the Saints Row ghetto. For the best and especially the worst.

9. 1-8 : King of pain

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Chapter 8 - King of pain

November 1995 - Sunnyvale Gardens High School.

Jack's expedition the day before had not been totally useless. After his confrontation with the Vice Kings, he succeeded in obtaining some very useful information, in particular to have located alone the hideout of Tanya, the madam of the enemy gang.

Of course, this information would not remain current for long and Jack ruminated behind his school desk waiting for the saving hour that would finally make him join Johnny and the guys. It was clear that as time went on, he was less interested in school.

- I have your homework from last week," the teacher announced. Some of you have made an effort, but unfortunately not all of you have done so.

- What homework? Jack whispered to Tyrone.

- The math one you probably didn't do.

- Yeah, probably. He's a pain in the ass with his homework all the time.

- There are 17 of you with a terrible grade. And two who apparently didn't even bother to do the assignment," the teacher announced.

- Oh well, that's okay, I'm not the only one," Jack whispered to Tyrone with a touch of misplaced pride.

- So, you'll stay after class for a graded paper.

- Oh no! Jack exclaimed as he stood up, I don't have time!

- Collins. In addition to your terrible behavior, your grades are nowhere near what they should be. So I suggest you get your act together quickly. You're expected after class and any breach will end up in a disciplinary council, you've been warned.

- Fuck," Jack huffed as he sat back down.

Jack glared at his teacher, who didn't take offense.

- Relax, you're so nervous right now," Tyrone told him quietly.

- I don't have that much to do, he's a pain in the ass.

- But you should have done his homework! You're excellent in math, and on top of that, you could have given me a hand...

- Why, did you mess up?

Tyrone held up his paper with a red F on it.

- Ah, shit. I promise we'll work together, but I really don't have time for this right now.

- I know, Nate. You don't have time for anything but your own weird stories.

Jack felt sorry for his friend. He knew he was a real motivator for him, and his absences made Ty anxious, which greatly affected his studies. Before the Saints, Jack and Ty had motivated each other, and were a real support to each other. Tyrone was sinking without his friend, that was a fact.

The clock struck for most of the class, but like his fellow students, Jack sat there tapping his foot nervously.

- Well, now that we've reviewed the lesson, I'll give you another chance to do better than last time.

- Sir," complained one student. It's too hard...

- Yes, but you're in a Magnet school, the level is high. If you're here, you're supposed to persevere and succeed.

- In my previous school, I was first everywhere, now I'm struggling, it's nonsense...

- No one ever said it would be easy. You are the elite of tomorrow, the weak have no place here. You can go back to your old school and boast that you are the first one everywhere. You can easily be the first in mediocrity, it is not a guarantee of quality. So stop whining and get to work.

The teacher laid out the papers, face down, against his students' tables.

- You have two hours. After that time, finished or not, you're done. I advise you to concentrate and think.

- Can we go out when we're done? Jack asked.

- Yes, but Collins, I'm warning you personally, if you don't do this assignment or turn in a blank copy, I'll report you and your behavior.

- But I'm going to do your stupid paper, damn it, why are you getting so upset right now.

- Your language.

Jack muttered something incomprehensible and resigned himself to silence. The teacher invited his students to turn in their papers and got a wave of "Oh no..." from his students.

- Fuck, not that... Tyrone grumbled, already sweating profusely.

- Reasoning by recurrence, great... Jack added, not happy either.

- Read again, take your time, I repeat, you have two hours, encouraged the professor.

Jack didn't waste any time and started to scribble on his paper while Tyrone tried to understand even the statement. He broke into a cold sweat when he saw that she had double-sided exercises.

- What is this devilry... He sighed.

Resigned, Tyrone began to try to do something, seeing that all of his classmates were working on their paper. He glanced quickly at Jack, who seemed hyper-focused.

The teacher was quietly reading a science journal on his desk when after about twenty minutes, one of his students stood up, copy in hand, and walked towards his teacher, bag on his back.

- Is this a joke, Collins? Didn't I make myself clear?

- Yes, you were.

- Finish your paper, I assure you I'm not in the mood to negotiate with you.

Jack took a cigarette out of his back pocket and put it to his lips without lighting it.

- It's finished, you can check it. I'm leaving as agreed.

Stunned, the teacher grabbed his student's copy and began to read its contents. On almost four pages, all the exercises had been done and solved.

- Is that all right? Can I go?

The teacher was speechless and the other students were seething with envy.

- Go ahead, Collins. If it's right, I'll be amazed.

- That's right, who do you think I am?

- Let me check first. You can go ahead.

Jack put on a annoyed face and headed for the exit. As soon as he was in the hallway, he ran towards the parking lot so he could get back to Saints Row to finally get in on the big operation of the day.

Radical change of atmosphere while arriving near the church of the 3rd street. If usually, the place is full of life, it resounds only the admonitions of Julius this day, which Troy makes the expenses.

- At the whores? What the hell, Troy, what's wrong with you?

- It's okay Jul, they're happy, they got laid, no one died...

- But finally... But I don't even know what to say, I find it so surreal.

- You think it's surreal that they're fucking but you think it's perfectly normal to put handguns in their hands so that they can shoot the first asshole that comes along. You're living in a different world Jul. At some point, it might make more sense to control them a little rather than have them explode for no reason at all. What do you want in the end? That they rape girls in the street because they think they're above it all? Did you see the carnage at Prawn Court, is that what you want? You want the city to end up on fire?

- You're confusing everything, Troy.

- I'm not mixing anything up. They don't have to do anything. They're still young, it's bad enough as it is.

- The whole point is to make things better.

- You're not making anything better, Julius. You're creating war machines that are going to blow up in your face, that's all.

- Troy, I appreciate you voicing your concerns, but I've got my lost boys under control. I'd like to keep them focused on what they need to do.

- No one can handle this kind of pressure. I mean, look at them. Kids, losers, guys with no charisma, nervous guys, we have too many different profiles and emotionally unstable guys.

- That's our strength.

- You don't want to listen to anything Jules, it's tiring.

Julius and Troy couldn't agree and both began to get upset. Jack's appearance on the scene settled everyone.

- Oh boy! You're just in time! Said Julius, delighted to escape from the conversation with Troy.

- What's wrong? Jack asked, not very reassured.

- Not at all. By the way, how are you feeling? Troy asked.

- About what?

- Oh I don't know. Did you sleep well last night for example?

- What are you talking about, Troy?

- We haven't talked about our last trip together. Julius thinks it was a bad idea, but you? What do you think, smart-ass?

- What do I think? I don't know, what do you want me to say?

- Troy took you to the prostitutes, is that true? Julius asked.

- Yes, he did.

- And the bastard cost me dearly! Troy added. He took advantage of it!

- Am I being blamed for something here? Jack worried.

- No, don't worry. It's just that Troy and I don't share the same interest in questionable outings. You know that in real life, it doesn't happen like that with women? They don't just lie down with the first guy they meet for a ticket.

- Oh yeah? That would be the first time," Troy laughed.

- He paid for it, I didn't ask for it," Jack defended himself.

- I know, son, I just wanted you to hear that this is not real life. You're not a man if you don't know how to seduce a woman," Julius explained.

- Or another man," Troy corrected with a touch of sarcasm.

- Okay... I don't know what you want from me, but I came to see Johnny. I have a lot of information about the Kings to share with him.

- Like what?

- You didn't want to deal with the Kings with us, it's not your concern.

Julius was very pleased to see Troy get the brush-off from his protégé. After all, he was right, it didn't concern him.

- Well, that bodes well... Johnny's in his office, the smart one," said Troy, a little offended.

- I'm going to join him, we've got work to do.

- Okay, okay.

Jack went to join Johnny when he was stopped by Troy.

- In real, kiddy, you enjoyed it, didn't you?

The smile Jack tried to hide was explicit enough to satisfy Troy. He nevertheless answered him with a wink. Only Julius was not amused.

In his office, Johnny was rummaging through a multitude of papers in his junk armed with a baseball bat and was delighted to see Jack, whom he greeted with a handshake.

- It's a good thing you showed up, I was going to leave without you. I'm not sure what to get for a weapon today, but I don't know... I'm not really in the mood for the bat actually. You see, the hardest thing for me is to find the balance between firepower and personal enjoyment," says Johnny.

- For me it's all about the balance. I like the Beretta that Troy gave me, but I'd like something a little classier. Like a .44 magnum or a chrome Desert Eagle. I like pistols as much as revolvers actually.

- Nice, but clearly a small bladed weapon gets the job done. Speaking of jobs, I have some information.

- I have some information too.

- Oh yeah? Cool, but first, I've got news! I talked to Dee-Dee a little bit yesterday about her capture and I heard that Tanya is screwing people in every sense of the word. She's banging King's bodyguard, but damn, I can't remember his name.

- Anthony Green aka Big Tony.

- Oh, yeah? Oh yeah, maybe that's it! Anyway, she's also banging the accountant, Warren Williams as soon as Tony's back is turned. The only person she's not leading by the cock is King. So I figured we could screw the Vice Kings by taking care of Tanya.

- Yeah, I thought the same thing. I went to Prawn Court. The Kings were running some kind of brothel in a hotel, the one Dee-Dee was supposed to go to. So I went to check it out. It was indeed full of VKs.

- You went there alone?

- Yeah.

- You're sick, man, you should've had your ass off.

- I'm here, you're not going to lecture me too.

- I seem to be your father? So, you found Tanya? Wait, do not tell me that you shot him ?

- I wish I did, but I didn't. She's not holed up in Prawn Court, she's in an abandoned police station. She's running her business from there.

- Seriously, she's not in her brothel? That's a hell of a lot of information you're giving me! We're going to take my team and go straight there!

Excitedly, Johnny picked up a shotgun and stroked it explicitly.

- Oh yeah, we're going over there. Oh I like that ...

- It's so disturbing when you do that...

Johnny grabbed his best weapons and motioned for Jack to follow him. Inside the church, he called out to six other Saints, including Johmarcus, the tattoo artist, Skylar, who had just losen his virginity, and Kendrick, a well-known figure in the gang.

- Gentlemen, that bitch Tanya has benn lucky so far, but now she's ging to suffer Follow us, we're going to the disused police station to bust some of these motherfuckers!

- But isn't she at Prawn Court? asked Kendrick.

- No, I know for sure she's not," corrected Jack.

- Oh yeah? What's your source bro?

- I get some Kings by myself the other night. I'm sure of what I'm saying.

- Oh, because it came from you? Shit Johnny, he's not reliable.

- What do you mean I'm not reliable? Fuck you, motherfucker, where do you get off telling me that?

- All right, all right, calm down. At worst, it'll give us an out, says Johnny, posing as team leader.

- Because that's all we have to do is walk around? Kendrick grumbled.

- Ken, Jack is reliable.

The two young men glared at each other. They already knew they were going to hate each other before they even worked together.

The Saints wasted no time in getting into three different cars and heading for the police station.

- I know he's going to bust my balls, that asshole Kendrick," Jack whispered to Johnny who was driving.

- Nah, he's cool. And you don't care, we're not asking you to be his friend.

- Well... It's a lot more reassuring to know that a guy's back up than to have to keep an eye on him so he doesn't shoot you in the back.

- That's true," admitted Johnny. Stay with me then. I've got a fucking boner, I'm so excited that I'm finally going to take care of that biatch.

Jack cautiously stepped away from Johnny.

- The Vice Kings! They're here! Johnny exclaimed as he approached the police station. Damn, you were right!

- Because you thought so too?

- There's our boys ! Come on, let's drop some Vice Queens.

The Vice Kings, probably as young as the Saints, immediately sensed the danger of so many purple cars approaching their hideout. They took up fighting positions, waiting to see what they were up against. The Saints fired first, hitting a King who fell to the ground screaming, and soon both sides were exchanging gunfire and shouting. Hidden behind their cars, the Saints remained cautious.

- Damn, I can see why you didn't want to take your car," said Johnny, realizing that the car he had borrowed was riddled with bullets.

- I love it too much, I wouldn't want it to get damaged," admitted Jack.

- Not like Tanya's face when I'm done with her.

- You've got a really weird fantasy about her.

- I do? Ah, maybe.

Jack didn't try to understand any further and shot toward the retreating Kings in the building.

- She can't escape," Johnny reminded them.

- Don't worry, I'm on it.

Jack was the first to emerge from his hideout and motioned for the others to follow him. He ordered Johmarcus and another Saint to watch the windows while the other four camped by the door.

- How many VKs are there? Kendrick asked.

- I count about ten, and I see Tanya," Johmarcus informed, looking out the window.

- She's fucking here!" exclaimed Johnny as he ran straight into the police station.

- Damn it Johnny! No!" said Jack.

As soon as he entered, Johnny fired in all directions, forcing the Kings to hide because they didn't understand what was happening to them.

- What the hell are you doing? Kill them," a female voice shouted.

The inside of the building was in ruins, covered with yellow tags celebrating the Vice Kings. But more importantly, Tanya was standing there and was horrified to see that she was the target of this enemy gang. She ran for cover, but Johnny ran after her. Jack tried to cover his tracks.

- He's going to get himself killed, the fool! grumbled Suge, a young Saint.

- I have to follow him, can you cover me? Jack asked.

- Yeah, I got it, go ahead, Playa.

- What did you call me?

- Playa. You're quite a player. Go on, I'll cover you.

Jack huffed and Suge suspected he had been praying inside. He got up and ran after his friend, shooting towards the Kings. He managed to join Johnny in a large room where he was holding up Tanya, who seemed strangely serene.

Jack immediately sensed the trap, but he didn't have time to say a word before he was grabbed from behind by a powerful-looking man who disarmed him. The man locked his arms, preventing him from breathing. Jack struggled but gradually lost consciousness until he ended up on the ground, unconscious.

- You better drop your gun, honey," Tanya said to Johnny.

- If I were you, I'd listen to the lady.

Big Tony, a tall black man, stepped out of the shadows and loaded his gun at Johnny, who was now in a position of inferiority.

- Well, of course you would, you're bein' her bitch...

- Watch your fucking mouth," Big Tony snapped.

- Hey, no reason to be hostile? Johnny snarled before dropping his gun.

Now at his mercy, Big Tony was able to search Johnny without him objecting. He found a 9mm gun on him, which he tossed to Tanya.

- He packing anything else?

- Just some rubbers, I was hoping I could get some of William's sloppy second," Johnny replied with a big, petty smile.

Tony didn't like that, so he smacked him in the back of the neck with his rifle butt. Johnny fell to the ground, and found himself next to Jack, who wasn't moving.

- Guess I hit a nerve," he grumbled, rubbing the back of his head.

- Do yourself a favor, stay down and shut up. You 3rd Street assholes think you're so smart. Well check this out: We're not impressed. Hell, the only reason you've gotten this far is because King let you. We led you right to where we wanted you, and now the police are gonna finish your ass for good, just the way we planned.

- Which explains why your bitch lost Prawn Court. You got no one to back you up. And you know the best part? It was just one of our guys that got you to fold. All of 'em!

- You gonna let him talk about me like that? Tanya got angry.

- Don't worry honey, I got this.

- Exactly Tanya, shut the fuck up," said Johnny as he stood up.

- I thought I told you to be quiet," Tony repeated, losing his patience.

- I got shitty hearing..

That was too much for Tony to take and he shot Johnny in the knee and he fell to the ground screaming.

- And now you got a shitty leg.

On the ground, Johnny was holding back tears because he was in so much pain, but in the confusion, he approached Tony and pulled a knife from his pocket and stabbed it into his tormentor's leg.

- So do you !

The two men rolled on the ground, exchanging punches. Jack regained consciousness and, a little gasping, tried to figure out what was going on.

- Save yourself! Go Now! Johnny yelled at him as he saw that Tanya was ready to shoot his friend.

But Tanya didn't let her guard down and loaded Johnny's gun before aiming it at Jack. Without trying to understand, he rushed towards the young woman and pushed her before jumping out the window. Jack fell heavily to the ground but didn't have time to whimper as Tanya shot him through the glass, forcing him to flee.

- Honey, we better call King... Tanya worried.

Tony threw two more powerful punches into Johnny's face, and he fainted and signaled to Tanya that it was time to call their leader, who called a meeting with his Lieutenants to review the situation.

Much later, Big Tony and Warren William were waiting in the Vice Kings' meeting room. A man, about 40 years old, black, very classy with an undeniable charisma and stature entered the room and took his seat. It was Benjamin King, the undisputed leader of the Kings and Julius' former best friend. He was strangely calm and collected, despite the situation.

- Gentlemen, thank you for coming so quickly.

- We really have a problem with these sons of bitches..." Warren began.

Benjamin motioned for him to be quiet.

- How much did the studio incident cost you, he asked, calmly.

- The incident? Warren took offense. I'm sorry, I thought some asshole blew up my business. I didn't realize how much they ...

- How many? King said impatiently.

- Including the part that's dry because of Aisha's death, we're talking millions.

- Okay. There are several contractors who owe us a favor. Convince them to help us. That takes care of the building. For Aisha, let's just put out a collector's box set. People love that shit. That should cut our losses. How's Tanya's doing?

- Not so good, Mr. King," Big Tony confessed in shame.

- I'm very unhappy, Tony, you told me she could fix it.

- It's not her fault, we're really in trouble with the Saints. One guy came into Prawn Court all alone and went berserk, did a lot of damage. And just now, the same guy came back with an armada of Saints to kill us. They're crazy!

- One guy by himself, who is he?

- I don't know. A damn kid. I couldn't even describe him to you.

Benjamin took his head in his hands and sighed.

- Can't you handle a kid?

- We caught one of Julius' lieutenants, so we're keeping him at the apartment until we can get him.

- Well... Benjamin said, a little doubtful.

- That's what I'm talking about," Warren interjected. How much longer are you going to let those bitches disrespect us? The studio, Aisha and now Tanya being fucked by a kid, where the hell are we?

- Everybody, calm the fuck down. We're not going to go to war every time some loudmouth gets hot.

Just as Warren and Tony were ready to retort, Tanya stormed into the office.

- We need to talk about the saints.

- Thank you," Warren encouraged her.

- They've taken Prawn Court.

- They? Benjamin repeated. Isn't it more like one guy, Tanya? How could this happen?

- How the hell do you think it happened? Warren exploded. We need to regroup and ...

- What we need is for you to shut the fuck up," King said impatiently, standing up. Do you understand?

- Yeah...

- What?

- Yes, Mr. King.

Benjamin couldn't stand to be disrespected and Warren knew it, so he calmed down immediately. Benjamin sat back and thought for a few seconds.

- I'm going to ask Monroe to put pressure on the Saints. While they're busy, it should be easy to take back what's ours. Everything else is business as usual, okay? I'm going to go over to Hughes' house.

- The mayoral candidate?

- Yeah, the mayoral candidate.

- And what do we do now?

- We wait.

- Hold on, dawg. The motherfucker's still here, what do you mean we fucking wait?

- What I mean is, you're gonna sit your fat black ass down and wait, because I asked you to. Don't worry about the one that got away, the 5-0 will take care of him.

- Oh so while you're chilling, the Saints keeps jacking us. That's great, that's a killer plan.

- Shut up, Warren," Tanya hissed.

- Calm down, you little bastard, added Benjamin, still in an unruffled calm.

- Come on King, this is bullshit. Let me get a crew together. I could roll into the Row and drop all them bitches. I'm telling you...

- No, you're not.

- But Mr. King! Tony's got their Lieutenant and the freak who got away is hurt, so...

- I said no. Don't make me say it a third time. Warren, my man, you got the music scene locked down. I need you to bring in the chedder, not get shot down because you think you got something to prove.

- But I can do this!

- Maybe, but we don't have time for that. The cops are going to bust the 3rd Street guys for us and we've got Julius' lieutenant. Everything is going our way with now, so just relax. Your time gonna come, Warren, but not right away.

Warren looked away, trying not to explode.

- Do you understand? King repeated to his man.

- Yeah... Yeah, we straight.

- What about the asshole we caught? Tony asked.

- The Saints will probably be looking to get him back, so we'll have to be careful. For now, we'll keep him under wraps as a barter currency.

- I'm warning you, I'm not going to put up with that bastard for long," Tanya grumbled.

- You'll do what I tell you to do. For the moment, we do as we said. I don't have the slightest doubt that it must be panic at Julius'. We have to take advantage of it. This meeting is over.

Indeed, in Saints Row, it is a time for concern.

Julius ruminated, thinking of a plan, while Dex put an ice pack on Jack's shoulder and he winced.

- Are you going to be okay?

- I think I dislocated my shoulder, I can hardly move it without pain.

- At the same time, you jumped from the window, Johmarcus said.

- You're lucky you didn't get your ass shot off in the process," added Dex.

- It wasn't supposed to happen like that. We were supposed to stay together. Now, in the excitement, I wasn't careful enough.

- Come on, sit down now son," Julius said. We've got to think about this.

Julius wasn't particularly happy with his men and was seriously starting to doubt them.

- We need to locate Johnny first," Dex started.

- And there aren't fifty people who know, Tanya or Tony must know where he is.

- And I think Johnny screwed up when he told Tony that that bitch was cheating on him with Warren," Jack informed. He's probably all over her now.

- Oh yeah? Shit, that's not good news," grinned Dex. Well, if Tony's always on her back, the only time he won't be watching her is when she's overseeing the reconstruction of the studio. That would be the perfect time.

- Every day, that bitch gets a ride to the construction site in a limo and sneaks off to bang Warren before getting a ride home with Tony. While she's busy blowing him, you take care of the driver and take his place. When she's done, she'll ask you to take her home," Julius explained.

- Okay, the idea is for me to go to Tony's," Jack realized.

- Absolutely, it'll be easy for you to find Johnny that way.

- But... I go alone?

- Look son, you can do it. We'll take care of the problem with the cops. Since today, they've been hanging around us a little too much and arresting our guys. It's not right, I really feel like King bribed the cops to mess up our business. So we're gonna play it cool. You go undercover, we'll take care of the action. You can handle that bitch Tanya without any trouble. And Tony, you take him by surprise. There's no reason for this to go wrong.

Yet Jack could see a thousand reasons for it to fail, but he was careful not to say so. Dex's compassionate look didn't reassure him...

Still sore, Jack left the meeting and headed for the exit of the church. He lit a cigarette before seeing a familiar figure standing in front of him.

- Oh, hi Aisha.

- Jack...

The young woman didn't look well, and Jack was sure she had been crying before coming here.

- Please find Johnny..." Aisha begged.

- I will, don't worry.

- But he was okay? Did they hurt him?

- I'm not going to lie to you, Aisha, he was shot, so there's no joy in that.

- What...? Is he dying?

- No, I wouldn't go that far, but he has a serious knee injury. It's not that bad. I mean, he's not going to die right away.

Jack is sinking and Aisha is worried.

- I beg you, bring him back alive...

- I'll do my best, you can yell at him yourself for running in like an idiot.

Aisha smiled, but could not calm down.

- Don't tell him I was worried.

- You two are unbelievable...

Much later, in front of the remains of the Kingdom Come Records studio, a luxurious limousine pulled up next to the foreman who was at work.

- Hello, Ms. Winters," greeted the worker.

- Is Warren here? Tanya asked without greeting him in return.

- He's in the back.

Tanya turned to her driver.

- Keep the car running. Knowing Warren, I should be back shortly.

In the distance, Jack and Dex watched the scene discreetly.

- Okay, I see Tanya. She's heading to the back of the building," Dex said, looking through binoculars.

- And the driver?

- He's taking over the wheel. I think he's going down the street.

- Okay, I'll take my car, we'll block him at the corner. Stand by.

Without waiting for an answer, Jack got out of Dex's car and went to get his own.

Tanya's driver was quietly driving down the avenue, unaware that he was being followed. And just as the plan indicated, Dex passed him on a corner, out of sight, and forced him to loot. Behind him, Jack's car prevented him from making any maneuvers to escape. In any case, the poor man hadn't noticed the trap that had just closed on him.

- But you're moving the car, right? he shouted to Dex.

Before he could shout a second time, Jack pointed a gun at the man's temple, who froze in terror.

- Get down from there," the Saint ordered.

Terrified, the man did not ask for help and obeyed. As soon as he stepped outside, Jack hit him hard in the neck, knocking him unconscious.

With Dex's help, they undressed the unfortunate man before locking him in the trunk of their car.

- How do I look? Jack asked, dressed in the man's uniform.

- Tanya's stooge," mocked Dex, patting him on the back.

Jack bent over, his shoulder still sore.

- Damn man, excuse me, I completely forgot!

- That's fine, that's fine, lied Jack who had well pain.

But he did not have time to lament. Jack got into the limousine and turned the ignition back on.

- It's going to be okay, I can't go with you, but I'll be close by if you need me. Just be careful, and if Johnny's already dead, get the hell out. You don't have to die too.

- Okay... Okay. I'll be fine.

- Hang in there man.

Jack ran his hands over his face before starting the limousine. He went to stop near the studio where Tanya was already waiting for him, looking annoyed. Indeed, his business with Warren had been most expedient.

- Take me back to Tony's, I'm bored," she ordered her driver.

Docile, Jack answered her order, thinking strongly that she was really a first-class pain in the ass.

- What a wanker this Warren is, he has a big one but he's really a premature ejaculator. He is definitely useless, she mumbled in the back seat.

Jack listened, with a definite urge to laugh that he managed to contain.

- Well, actually, it's still early and I've got time before I have to meet Tony. I could go shopping. Take me to Leather and Lace.

This didn't help Jack, but he had no choice but to listen to Tanya. He took her to the lingerie store where he had to obediently follow this woman he hated.

Inside the store, Tanya behaved like a fucking capricious princess, driving the saleswomen crazy. She finally calmed down and opted for a very provocative set, in red and black lace with fishnet stockings. If Tanya was a dark bitch, she was also a very sexy woman whose curves Jack could admire in the reflection of the mirror. Believing herself alone, Tanya executed a small lascivious dance, in order to inflate her sex-appeal. Jack did not miss a second of the spectacle and felt the temperature rising. He wanted very much to join her but knew perfectly well that it was not question. But with his hormones helping him, he totally fantasized about the ruthless and sexy Tanya. At the moment when this one, tired of admiring herself from all angles, was going to unhook her bra, under the lecherous and very interested look of the young man, a saleswoman broke his only hope to see Tanya naked.

- She is not convenient your boss.

- Isn't she...? Ah... No, not really. But she's so hot, he said in a low voice.

Jack would have given anything at this moment to be able to relieve himself even alone, but the saleswoman bothered him with her sympathy and Tanya left the fitting room well dressed.

- I buy, she said.

Jack swallowed his desires and tried to refocus on his goal. Tanya passed in front of him and ordered him to follow. He considered the young woman quite differently and could not concentrate his glance other than on her buttocks.

If Tanya had indeed succeeded thanks to her ass and manipulated all the men with it, Jack realized that he was as weak as them, and that he either, would not have said no to a moment with the sultry Tanya.

But she didn't care and ordered Jack to take her back to Tony's. Fortunately for him, the GPS indicated the address, which allowed him to keep his cover intact.

Tony lived in a big, fancy building in the city, guarded by a horde of Vice Kings. Following Tanya's lead while carrying her packages, Jack made his way through the security system and up the stairs until he arrived at Tony's apartment. As Tanya reached for her keys in her purse, Jack dropped all her packages on the floor and put his hand on Tanya's shoulder, who turned around, annoyed.

- Fuck, touch your a...

Before she could finish her sentence, she found herself on the ground, knocked out by a punch. Jack entered Tony's apartment, where there was an eerie silence.

There were no Vice Kings here, and apparently no Tony either. Jack moved cautiously for fear that he would appear from behind a wall. He slowly armed his pistol and searched the living room without finding anything. Nothing in the next room either. But when he entered the kitchen, he did recognize his accomplice, Johnny, tied to a chair, whiter than ever.

- Johnny! Jack whispered to his friend.

At the mention of his name, Johnny looked up and saw his friend. The look of relief on his face left no doubt that he was in despair over his captivity.

- Jack! You're back!

- Are you alone? Where is Tony? Jack asked as he began to undo the bonds that bound his friend's hands.

- He's here, I'm sure he's in the house, I didn't hear him come out.

- Shit, let's hurry up then.

Unfortunately for the two friends, Tanya had already recovered from her assault and was moaning in the hallway.

- Tonyyyyyyy," she whimpered, dragging herself across the floor as if her legs were broken.

The Saints couldn't see Tony, but they could clearly hear him coming out of a room like a toilet or bathroom. Jack did not have time to free Johnny and prepared to shoot Tony while hiding in the kitchen.

By reflex, Tony entered the kitchen like a fury, thinking that his prisoner had run away, but he was not surprised to be greeted by a bullet that lodged itself right in his arm, with a scream of pain. Tony immediately took cover and Jack ran after him, knocking over the chair Johnny was being held in.

- Don't mind me. Take the bastard down!

In Tony's apartment, Jack remained cautious and well hidden, well aware that it was very easy from his position to get shot.

Tony was well hidden behind a door, ready to defend himself. But Nassim the mercenary had briefed his boys well, and Jack checked first to see if his enemy was hiding and came face to face with Tony.

- Damn, the freak! Tony recognized him.

Jack felt flattered and as a result became careless. He didn't anticipate that Tony would jump on him and both men fell heavily to the ground. Wanting to help, Tanya joined the fight and armed with a standing halogen lamp, she hit what she thought was Jack's head with all her might. Unluckily, she hit Tony's eyebrow, and he bled to death as he ran away. Jack grabbed Tanya who found herself a few centimeters away from his face. She also recognized the unbearable Saint who was ruining her life. On the other hand, she didn't see the backhand that Jack inflicted to her and that put back her KO. Got rid of Tanya, Jack followed the traces of blood and found easily Tony, who had taken refuge in the kitchen. He was threatening Johnny with a kitchen knife.

- You are pathetic... Jack said to him, but he was not reassured.

- You Saints just made a huge mistake...

Jack didn't let him finish his sentence and fired two bullets that went straight into Tony's skull and he fell to the ground.

- Damn it, my ears! Johnny yelled, unable to hear anything. Fuck, I'm finally going to have hearing problems.

Jack hadn't really thought about it and was also holding his head with both hands, suffering from tinnitus.

- Hey, not to be pushy or nothing, but I wish someone would get me out of this fucking chair!

Realizing that his friend was still restrained and on the ground, Jack ran over to him to untie him with the knife that was lying next to Tony's dead body.

- Damn, it was time.

Johnny tried to get up, but his knee, stained with dried blood, immediately hurt. Seeing Tony Green's dead body on the ground, Johnny flew into a rage and emptied the magazine of Jack's gun into it. His friend stood by, watching as Tony's face was destroyed by the bullets. One of his eyes had exploded and was dripping pitifully down his eye socket in a pink pool of mixed brain and blood. Relieved, Johnny handed his gun back to Jack.

- Thanks," he breathed.

- I'll take you home.

- Not so fast, I heard Tony say he had some heavy artillery behind him. I'll call our guys and have them bring all this stuff back home. After all, this badger won't have any use for it.

- That's right.

- Hey, where the hell is that little bitch Tanya?

Intrigued, Jack helped Johnny support himself with the wall and returned to the scene of the confrontation. Tanya had disappeared and had probably run away without asking for help. Before leaving, Jack went to the hideout Johnny was talking about and found himself in front of a full array of weapons of war. Shotguns, automatic weapons, assault rifles, grenades, all kinds of military gear was there, laid out before his eyes. Jack's face lit up and it was with a surprising casualness that he did his little deal before returning to his friend.

- Did you find anything? Johnny asked.

Jack pulled out of the back of his pants a brand new .44. Magnum and two Desert Eagles, unchromed, but very nice.

- I love them already," Jack smiled at him, very pleased.

Johnny chuckled and with relief, he finally left Tony's apartment where he had thought he was going to die.

His loyalty to the Saints was at an all-time high, but more importantly, his friendship with Jack grew even stronger. He couldn't see him less than three months ago, now he was convinced that he was the most reliable person he had in his life and that he was the dearest friend he had ever met.

The Saints had no trouble securing Tony's apartment and were happy to bring back supplies for the gang. Johnny was admitted to the hospital where Aisha looked after him.

Jack returned to Third Street Church as a hero, where he was congratulated by every member of the gang.

- My boy, I am so proud of you, this is a real success for you, for us and for all the Saints, congratulated Julius, full of joy.

- Thank you, but Dex helped me," Jack corrected.

- I didn't help you at all, man, you did it all by yourself. You had balls, bravo.

Seeing all the friendly faces around him reinforced Jack's belief that he now belonged in a family where he was an important member. As everyone congratulated him, Jack didn't hear a sound and let his mind wander to the happiness he had always dreamed of.

- Boys, boys," Julius called out to calm everyone down. If today is a victory, we didn't win the war. The Kings are still standing, but they're getting weaker by the day. So let's not let our guard down, more than ever we must be careful to deal them the fatal blow.

All the Saints chanted Julius' name, fists raised to the sky. All united in the same fight.

The euphoria eventually wore off a bit and Jack felt tired after this crazy day. As he sat on the steps of the church smoking with Dex and the other Saints, Julius joined them.

- It's been quite a day, hasn't it, boy?

- Like you said, I'm exhausted," Jack said with a yawn.

- You've earned some rest. I talked to Aisha on the phone, Johnny's fine, his knee isn't as bad as we thought it would be. He'll be able to recover without any worries.

- Good, I would have been pissed off to push his wheelchair.

Julius and the Saints laughed as they imagined what a crazy scene this could have been.

- Can I take you out to lunch? Or a drink, or anything else you'd like? Julius offered.

- Oh Jul, I'd love to, but I promised a friend I'd help him tonight.

- Oh yeah? On which business? Jack, you need to rest, it's important. You can't overdo it.

- On recurrence reasoning.

- What? Julius asked, taken aback.

- Reasoning by recurrence. That's math. It's for my classes, we're working on it right now, and my roommate is having a hard time.

- What is this devilry...?

- Well, it's not that complicated, it's a form of reasoning aimed at proving a property concerning all natural numbers.

Dex and Julius looked at each other warily. They hadn't understood a word Jack was saying.

- I've always been a sucker for math," Dex admitted. So this stuff here is witchcraft to me.

- I like it. But at the same time, I'm a math major, so it kind of speaks to me.

- What grade are you in?

- 12th grade.

- Oh yeah? We're the same age, so I wouldn't have believed it.

- I don't think so, I'm way ahead. I'm in a magnet school.

- I don't even know what that is.

- It's a school for geniuses," Julius explained.

- But seriously, are you a genius? Fuck," said Dex, impressed.

- Genius is a bit of an exaggeration. It's for people who have facilities," Jack corrected, not a little proud.

- And you're buddies with Johnny, but what the fuck do you have to talk about? He's as dumb as a box of rocks.

- Yes but I like him! He's cray cray but I think he's pretty cool!

- The guy's got balls, he's handsome and he's a genius. Honestly, it's not fair," said Dex, laughing.

Jack was very appreciative of Dex's compliment.

- I'm going to go now, I've got some math to do.

- Sure, kid, but my offer of a night out still stands, anytime.

- Cool, thanks Julius.

- And again, I'm really proud of you. You ran this operation like the big men would have. I am truly amazed at your abilities and intelligence. Keep it up, and maybe one day you'll be much more than just a recruit to the Saints.

- Oh, maybe a promotion soon ? " said Dex, excitedly.

Jack didn't say anything, but everyone could see that he was having a hard time keeping from smiling. His eyes were shining with joy and pride, but he just nodded his head in approval. He greeted his friends and drove back to Sunnyvale in his Ford.

The sun had already set over Stilwater, and in the Frat Row boys' boarding school, Tyrone was tearing out what little hair he had left on his head at a math exercise he couldn't understand.

The door to the room opened as he expected to spend the night alone again.

- Hey roommate! exclaimed Jack as he entered the room.

- Well, a returner," said Ty, happy but still upset by his friend's behavior.

- Still struggling with recursive reasoning?

- Man, I don't get it... I swear I'm trying. I'm tired, I don't want to do this anymore...

- Oh well, if you want, we'll see tomorrow.

- Because you'll be here tomorrow?

- Yeah, I'm taking the day off.

- What day off? We have class tomorrow.

- I know what I mean.

- You're the only one.

Jack went to wallow on Tyrone's bed, glancing at his homework. He quietly lit a cigarette.

- You're in trouble again Nate. If the hall monitor smells your cigarette, you're out.

- Oh, I don't care, you know I'm going to get my mother's house back soon?

- Oh yeah? How come?

- She's moving to Wisconsin with her creepy husband, so she's leaving me her house. I didn't want it, but in retrospect, maybe it's the right plan to be safe.

- Really ? What about your little brother ?

- He'll have better luck than me living with them, at the same time, it's not that complicated. Your calculation is wrong, N can't be equal to 2 if S is 1.

Tyrone winced, he had spent hours on that damn calculation.

- But don't you have to wait until you come of age to live alone?

- I'm emancipated, I'll be considered an adult. Responsible and independent, it's laughable when you think about it.

- Does she have the right to do that?

- My father agrees too, what do you want me to do in the end? They'll never really care about me, I'll never go to a children's home again, I'm fine with it.

- And... You don't mind?

- No," Jack lied.

- But you're going to leave the boarding school now?

- I guess so. I'm tired of being told all the time what to do, when to do it, that I'm not allowed to say this or do that. My whole life it's been like that.

- I see...

- Don't be upset about that Ty, you're almost 18, if you want, you could live with me, we'd make a cooler roommate than here.

- Seriously?

- Yeah, seriously. Your variant is wrong here, you didn't put it all down.

- I'm sick of math tonight," Tyrone said, snatching the paper from Jack's hands. You know what, you're right actually. I'm sick and tired of people always being on my back. So, give me a smoke.

Amused, Jack handed him his pack and Tyrone went to lie down next to his friend so they could smoke together.

- I brought back some surprises for you, my friend," Jack said, digging into a white bag he had brought into the apartment.

He pulled out a well-stocked bag of weed as well as cans of alcohol.

- Dude, we'll be expelled if we get caught here.

- Well, yeah, definitely! Jack said, laughing.

But the two teenagers were too happy to defy the prohibitions and lit a huge joint by opening two cans of beer that they clashed before drinking.

- We're never going to make it tomorrow," said Ty, who was starting to feel the effects of the joint.

- Are we really that close? Jack replied, not in a better condition. You know, Ty, I'm getting tired of school and all its bullshit. I feel like I'm discovering real life right now, and it feels good.

- Ah, your famous friends the Saints.

- We arrested a guy yesterday, a first class bastard whose girlfriend was trafficking in human beings. See, I felt like I was doing something good.

- Be a cop, man.

- No, you're stupid. And how do I get high?

The two friends went into a fit of laughter.

- I fucked two chicks too.

- You're not serious?

- Yes, I swear, at the same time.

- But no, who?

- I don't have a fucking clue," replied Jack, laughing.

- But where do you fuck chicks like that, are you kidding me?

- I swear I'm not! It was really fucking cool actually. Sex is really crazy in real life.

- Now you're on fire, you're going to become a serial fucker.

- I would love to! But actually, I realize something. Something I've never felt before.

- What?

- For the first time in my life, I feel like I exist. And you know, I feel like burning life at the stake, even if it means dying tomorrow. I want to get drunk, get high, fuck everything I can, open my mouth when I have something to say, spend lots of money on bullshit. I want to be respected, to be feared. I want everything, absolutely everything.

- It's okay, you're not a complicated guy.

Jack took a long drag on the joint, closing his eyes before swallowing the smoke.

- No, actually, it's not that I want it all. I'll have it all. One day I'll be the one to rule this city, I promise myself.

Tyrone glanced at his friend who seemed so sure of himself. He didn't tell him, but tonight he wanted to believe him.