.
Chapter 15: Loyalty.
December 1995 - Gat Apartment - Saints Row.
"Growing up as an inner city brotha
where every other had a pops and a motha
I was the product of a heated lover
Nobody knew how deep it screwed me
and since my pops never knew me
my family didn't know what ta do with me
was I somebody they despise
curious look in they eyes
as if they wonder if i'm dead or alive
poor momma can't control me"
For the past week, Jack had been comatose on Johnny's bed, not really knowing what to do with his life. The recent events had drained him completely and he had no taste for anything.
Jang-Mi had been horrified by the state he had reappeared in after the altercation with his stepfather. She showed extreme patience and gentleness to take care of him and make sure that he did not sink psychologically. She did not hesitate for a second to sacrifice her savings to take care of him in the hospital, so much she feared for his eye which had become red under the blows.
Jack stayed in the hospital for five days and two policemen visited him at his young age. He didn't talk to them, inventing a phony brawl between young people in the row, and no one insisted.
Nevertheless, Jack could count on some well-known supporters. Julius stayed with him for hours, trying to change his mind, to make him feel good about himself and to make him understand how proud he was of him. Troy was not to be outdone and tried several times to convince him to file a complaint against his stepfather. He was not fooled, he had felt immediately that the blow of the brawl was phony and knew well enough his protégé to be convinced that he would have since a long time to shout at the scandal and at the revenge if it was only a fight between street gang. More surprisingly, Lin paid him a quick visit, bringing him a cigar and a bottle of Russian alcohol which they shared during a break.
Without the Saints around and underneath her cold and haughty exterior, it seemed to Jack that Lin was much more sensitive than she appeared and loved her few hours in his company.
Of course, Dee-Dee would run to Saints Row Hospital as soon as high school was over, to support her boyfriend through this complicated time.
If Jack didn't have an official family anymore, he still had the one he had created and held on to that.
He came out of the hospital with the support of Johnny, Aisha, Skylar and even Tyrone with bruises still very visible on his face and a bloodshot eye, but now safe for his vision. This strange eye gave him a funny look and his friends took great pleasure in teasing him about it.
Jack decided not to return to school right away, upset by the latest events.
He would never see his brother again, his father had died without anyone telling him.
This was a lot for a young man to take in and he spent the week sleeping in Johnny's room.
It was in the middle of the afternoon that Johnny stormed into his room, slamming the door as usual.
- Dude! We got Tanya, she's back in Stilwater! he exclaimed, cheerfully.
- Seriously?
- Yes, I swear! Some of the Saints saw her in King's old loft, she's holed up there, that fat bitch.
- Have you been there yet?
- No, Julius doesn't want us to go in front. He says the way the place is laid out, we'll get smoked before we can get up there.
- And we have no other plans?
- Well, I said we could put in some C4 and...
- Let me guess. Jul said no," laughed Jack.
- Absolutely! He's abusing, frankly that would have solved the problem.
- Mostly it would have killed everyone in the vicinity.
- Collateral damage. There's always some.
Jack stretched and rubbed his face. The pain was almost gone, but the scars of his altercation with his stepfather were still visible on his skin.
He got up from the bed and put on a t-shirt and a large hoodie.
- You can stay and rest, you know," Johnny assured him. We'll take care of it.
- I worked my ass off on this case, so don't think for a second I'm going to leave all the glory to you.
- Does that mean you're back on the job?
- That's right," Jack decreed, fastening the belt of his black jeans.
- Ah cool! I'm glad. I admit that you were a little sad these last days.
- But yes of course, you were especially nervous that you could not see Aisha alone since I was squatting in the room.
- Yeah... Also. But not only that!
Jack didn't take offense and stifled a laugh while putting on his shoes.
- We've wasted enough time, let's go to the church on Third Street.
Nothing had changed in the neighborhood except that the church was home to new faces every day, all wearing purple. Julius' recruitment campaign was effective and the Saints were becoming more numerous every day.
Jack was delighted to meet his small team and gave each member a hug. In the distance, a young black boy dressed in purple gave him a discreet wave. It was Danny-Boy, the converted King.
- Jack, come in my office," Johnny suddenly shouted.
Without waiting for his friend, Jack did so.
- I've been talking to King," Johnny began. It looks like Tanya's takeover isn't sitting well with everybody. The Vice Kings are fighting among themselves, so it's time to take them out for good. King said he'd follow us, I hope he hasn't gone soft.
- Don't worry about me kid, I'll take care of myself," King said as he walked into the office with a shotgun in his hands.
- Yeah, well, what I'm saying is, since you showed up, all you've been doing is opening your mouth.
- I've smoked dozens of fools before. I don't add to the count unless I have to.
- Damn, that's just great," Johnny snapped, realizing that King wouldn't get his feet wet again.
- I said, don't worry about it.
- I don't want you bitching out when you see your crew.
- They're not my crew anymore, son. That's why I'm here, remember? So shut up, take your gun and try to keep your knee away from the bullets, okay?
As Johnny opened his mouth wide for a retort that never came, Jack stifled a laugh that he tried to cover with a cough when his friend gave him a glare.
Benjamin King left the office, very satisfied, with his rifle on his shoulder.
- You heard the cooky sonofabitch. Come on, let's roll," said Johnny, already tense even though he had just gotten up.
The three men headed for Benjamin's yellow car, parked right outside the church. Other purple cars were already waiting, engines running.
- I'm driving," Johnny said.
- Nobody drives my car," Benjamin calmly replied.
- Maybe not at your house, but at the Saints' we're all about sharing property. I'm driving, whether you like it or not.
Benjamin frowned and then smiled a petty smile. He handed the keys to Johnny, who wasn't feeling well, and sat behind the wheel, looking discomfited.
- So ? Start the car," Jack said impatiently.
- What kind of car is that?
- What's that car?
- It's not an automatic.
- No, it's not, big boy. But you know how to drive a manual, don't you? Benjamin asked wryly.
And so Johnny found himself sulking in the back seat.
- If we're going to find Tanya, we need the code to her elevator," Benjamin informed them. It's the only discreet way out, but without the code, we can't get into her apartment.
- How are we going to do that? It'll take us hours to find it," Jack grinned.
- She tells her fashion consultant everything.
- Her fashion consultant?
- Yeah, some European asshole. His name is Stefan and he owns a fancy clothing store in town.
- Oh fuck, I feel like I love him already," Johnny says happily.
- Is he going to be there for sure? Jack asked. We shouldn't show up unless we're sure, we probably won't get a second chance if we screw up.
- That's a good point, kid, but how do you check that? Says Benjamin.
- You have a cell phone, right? Give it to me, I'll call someone right away.
Benjamin took a huge Sagem cell phone out of his pocket and handed it to Jack who hurriedly dialed a number.
- But do you know Stefan? Johnny asked, surprised.
- Ty? He's your favorite roommate. Yeah, I'm fine thanks. Do you remember the store where we went to get our costumes made for the end of year ceremony? Yeah, I do. What was the name of the store? Impressions? Okay, cool, and can you look up the number in the phone book, please? Yeah, I'll hold.
- Good one, Benjamin admitted.
- Hmm. Okay, I got it. Thanks, buddy, see you in class, I'll be back tomorrow or the day after. Yes, bye.
Jack dialed a second number and after two rings, someone answered with a strong foreign accent.
- Hello," said the Saint politely.
- Hello, this is Stefan, owner of Impressions, the clothing store where you buy clothes, you see. You saved me from looking at your ugliness by calling me on the phone and Stefan thanks you, but you can't hide behind the phone forever, no... You come to Impressions, the clothing store, at the usual times. By the way, you look great. But it won't be free, I'm not doing charity, okay? Okay, bye.
Stefan hung up without even giving Jack time to say a word.
- What's wrong with this guy?
- Did you find him? Johnny asked.
- Yeah, but he's crazy.
- Why?
Jack called the number again and this time put it on speakerphone to share the conversation with his teammates.
- Hello, this is Stefan, owner of Impressions, the clothing store where you buy clothes, you know. Okay, are you paying attention? All my clothes are 15% off. It disgusts me, you're stealing from me. Did I take 15% off from the genius that is Stefan? No. Do the clothes make you look 15% less than perfect? No, they don't. You'll come to Impressions, the clothing store, and steal from me while I'm horrified... Okay, okay, bye.
The two teens burst out laughing as Stefan hung up.
- He's magic! I feel like we're going to have so much fun! Johnny said, wiping away a tear.
- The guy talks about himself in the third person, he's a good guy," added Jack.
- Do you know where he is? Benjamin asked, still very serious.
- Yeah, Impressions store in Nob Hill in the High End Retail district north of the city. It's a luxury or custom clothing store.
- Nice going kid.
- "Do my clothes make you look 15% less than perfect?" Imitated Johnny in the same monotone Stefan voice.
- "No, they don't" replied Jack in the same tone before bursting out laughing with his friend.
- Stay focused, never underestimate your enemies, Benjamin warned them.
- He's going to attack the guy when we enter his store. He's going to see two gangsters in baggy clothes, he's not going to understand anything.
While Benjamin was tense on the steering wheel, the two Saints seemed much more relaxed and sang rap music with the radio while making signs with their hands, whose codes they did not master at all and reproduced only by mimicry.
They arrived at the north island of the city, then at Nob Hill and Benjamin parked in front of the Impressions store. It was indeed an upscale establishment, the neighborhood being rather reserved for the wealthy.
Johnny was the first to enter and his style immediately stood out from the rest of the clientele. First of all, because he always had his brace over his pants and especially because his more or less white shirt and his endless purple jacket didn't give him much style.
- Mister ... ? A saleswoman dared timidly.
- I come to see the ...
- Who do you think you are, barging into Stefan's store like that? Said a voice behind Johnny.
The Saint turned around and saw a man, not very tall, puny, well-trimmed moustache and beard, dressed in black pants and a ridiculous pink shirt.
- Wait, let me adjust my glasses to see how horrible you are," continued Stefan with an air of disgust. Oh, you better come to Impressions, the clothing store, to look better. I can't look through these glasses anymore, urgh, they're stained with your horror.
- You must be Stefan...
- Of course I'm Stefan, now get out.
- Oh, I sure hope you can resist, Johnny said as he cracked his neck and approached Stefan.
The man was terrified and turned to his saleswoman before addressing her in French.
- Est-ce que vous attendez que Stefan attrape le SIDA lorsque cet individu posera ses mains sur lui ? Appelez la police ! ( Do you expect Stefan to get AIDS when this man puts his hands on him? Call the police!)
- Vous ne bougez pas, et vous n'appelez personne. (You don't move, and you don't call anyone)," Jack replied.
- Stefan is cursed.
- You work for Tanya Winters, don't you?
- How can you be French and dress so badly," continued Stefan, staring at the young Saint.
- It was my day off. But I like your store, I really do, I'll probably come back.
- Si tu t'en vas maintenant avec ton affreux ami, je te ferais une réduction de 25% puis tu m'arracheras les yeux pour que je n'ai pas à voir mes vêtements sur des pauvres. (If you go now with your ugly friend, I'll give you a 25% discount and then you'll gouge my eyes out so I don't have to see my clothes on poor people.)
- C'est tentant. Mais non. (It's tempting. But no.)
- Does he give you the code for the elevator? asked Johnny, who didn't understand the conversation.
- No, he's offering us a 25% discount if we leave.
Johnny turned slowly towards Stefan who started to tremble. He ran away screaming and trying to escape from the store, he was caught by Benjamin's powerful grip on his neck.
- Stefan can't die before the next Fashion Week show! Stefan defended himself, believing his argument to be very convincing.
- Then you will quickly answer our questions, threatened Benjamin.
He didn't let go of Stefan's throat, who was suffocating, and headed for his car.
- Playa, Johnny, each of you take a leg.
The two boys got into the car, holding Stefan's head upside down outside the car.
- And now you're going to tell me everything I want to know, understand? ordered King.
With these words, Benjamin started the car and the two Saints took a malicious pleasure to make brush the head of Stefan against the asphalt whereas this one howled of terror.
- Stefan knows fashion, not gangs!
- And Stefan knows Tanya too, so you'd better talk. Give me the elevator code and I'll let you go.
- Stefan didn't do anything to you! If you let me go, I give you a 5% discount!
- What ? But before it was 25," Jack reminded him.
- Que quelqu'un aide Stefan," whimpered Stefan in terror.
King made a sudden movement with the steering wheel, forcing the two Saints to hold back and banging Stefan's head on the car door.
- Tanya doesn't tell me anything! I just like her shoes!
- My arm is starting to hurt," said Jack.
- You and your friend with the ugly haircut are going to let Stefan go!
- Is he talking about me or King? questioned Johnny.
- Well, you, Johnny, obviously," comforted Jack.
- My hair is not horrible.
- Now you are going to stop speaking about you in the third person or for the principle, I throw you by the window, Benjamin irritated.
- No! Don't mess up my face. I can't look common!
- You're completely insipid, man," Jack pointed out.
- Ah My God, you have a red and green demonic eye, Stefan is in a nightmare! Why do you hate beautiful people?
- Mais tu t'es vu ? Tu pues la merde, mec.
Excited, Johnny let go of Stefan's leg which made him push a sharp cry.
- I begin to lose patience Stefan... Benjamin reminded him.
- And me, I'm close to letting go of him, damn, he has the physique of a phasme but he's fucking heavy.
- Last chance Stefan...
- Ok, ok, ok! The code is 3131. Please, don't hurt Stefan!
- Thanks for your cooperation. Playa.
Benjamin didn't need to say anything more than Jack understood. He let go of Stefan, who crashed to the pavement, screaming, and everyone took their seats in the car.
- Aurevoir Stefan ! Au plaisir ! Said Jack, for the last time.
- Towards the Vice Kings' penthouse," said Johnny, excited to get it over with.
Jack lit a cigarette, looking very relaxed.
- This is it, Playa. You're ready, right? Benjamin assured him.
- Shouldn't we be asking you that?
- King, the only person in this car I care about is you. Johnny added.
- Then you don't know me, son.
- That's why I'm worried.
- Your faith in me is very encouraging.
- Yeah, I like to be positive in life.
Benjamin was very nervous. Dealing with his gang was no easy task.
He had founded the Vice Kings in the late 1970s, when Stilwater, and especially the Sunnyvale area, was going downhill, especially with the growing influence of the Carnales, who had brought drugs and crime into the neighborhood.
Even then, Benjamin and Julius were two great dreamers.
Hard workers, lovers of life, and even though King knew that Julius was following him mostly for the sake of his sister Angela, they shared the same sense of justice and respect.
King had managed to enlist all of the neighborhood's teenagers to fight back against the Carnales, and fueled by a desire to defend their own and their property, the Vice Kings quickly gained a foothold and drove their enemies from their neighborhoods. Victory was complete in Julius' eyes, but not for Benjamin, who, intoxicated by power, continued to chase the Carnales through the city. Julius no longer shared his ambitions and angrily fled to Saints Row, ending their fruitful collaboration.
Over the next few years, King increased his gang's influence and income and decided to focus on more or less legal and legitimate enterprises, with less exposure.
It was a perfect opportunity for the Carnales, led by the Lopez brothers, to regain their place in the sun.
It was also at this time that the Westside Rollerz made their appearance in the city without anyone paying attention to them at first.
The three gangs quickly went to war with each other, each claiming territory, and the situation in Stilwater quickly degenerated, turning entire neighborhoods into unsanitary ghettos and driving out the wealthier residents. Once the violence spread throughout the city in the early 1990s, Julius couldn't stand the daily grind of being mugged on every corner or shot.
So he founded the Third Street Saints, after the address of the place of worship that served as his men's headquarters.
At first discreet, Julius was inspired by the methods of his old friend to build his gang. It took him longer, but today, the Saints were becoming more and more important in Stilwater.
Benjamin had only learned of the gang's existence after the incident with Aisha and knew from the start that defeating Julius would not be an easy task.
Not that he was afraid.
But the friendship was still there.
And so were the shared dreams.
Perhaps after more than fifteen years at the head of a criminal enterprise, it was time for King to pass the torch for good. But not without settling all his affairs first, of course.
As his mind wandered, he couldn't help but glance over at his two young teammates. Jack and Johnny were laughing and chatting with each other and for a moment he saw himself as a young man with Julius.
They too had been two young boys, accomplices and friends, forced to survive the streets and take part in the fight for a better future, and seeing his two boys, even younger than he was when he started, King came to realize that his lust for power and greed had only made things worse in Stilwater.
The convoy arrived at Adept Bay, in the Downtown District. The Saints parked in a large parking lot, a bit far from the penthouse, so they could arrive in force and not attract attention too quickly with all those guys dressed in purple. The place was huge and probably full of armed Vice Kings ready to shoot.
- Ugh, the Kings don't mess around, do they, said Johnny.
- That's years of work," Benjamin defended himself.
- I can't believe we live in a crappy church.
- The Saints are still too young to be on the level of the Kings.
- And yet, you've been fucked over.
Benjamin sighed, tired of Johnny's constant reminders of his downfall. He reloaded his shotgun and motioned for the Saints to follow him toward the building.
Most of them tied purple scarves around their faces and stormed into the penthouse. The Vice Kings immediately returned fire and an exchange of bullets and screams echoed through the place.
- The first thing we have to do is clear a path to the elevator to get to Tanya," King shouted to the Saints.
- I'm the boss here," Johnny reminded him.
- Where's the elevator? Jack asked, much more willing to listen to Benjamin.
- Up and to the right, just past that staircase.
- Come on guys, let's go up and smoke everything! Johnny ordered his men.
The Saints obeyed obediently and fired in the direction of the Vice Kings who were defending their last headquarters tooth and nail. As they passed by the lifeless body of a very young man dressed in yellow, King could only see that it had all become a terrible mess.
- King, is this the cream of the crop of your gang? Johnny said, full of irony. Hey, you there! You don't think you had what it took to stop me?
- Shit," shouted a young boy in yellow. King brought all his bangers!
- King! Are you going to do something or are you going to let them shoot at us while we watch?
Benjamin was seething inside. He would have gladly put a bullet in Gat for his insolence and disrespect, but this was not the time to settle scores with the Saints. So, with a heavy heart, King got up and armed with his shotgun, fired into the crowd, wounding and tearing apart those who were once his allies.
- Stay down, you fools... He grumbled as he watched his men fight to the end.
But the Saints were less merciful and finished off the men who were dying on the ground, spurting blood.
- Hey, don't ruin my shirt, I have a date tonight! Johnny grimaced.
Beside him, Jack shot a King who was pointing his gun at Johnny and splattered him with more blood.
- Oh great, now I have to take a shower! he sighed.
- We're going to kill you King! shouted a group of Vice Kings up the stairs.
- I'm from Sunnyvale you idiot, don't you think I know how to take a bullet? Benjamin retorted, supernaturally calm.
Impressed, one of the boys dropped his gun before running away and Johnny shot him in the back.
- A bullet in the back is as good as a bullet in the front, right?
- He dropped his gun," Jack pointed out.
- Zero mercy. We said we'd get it over with, we'll get it over with.
Suddenly, the lights went out, plunging the penthouse into darkness.
- They cut the power... Benjamin sighed.
- Yeah, well, it's not going to do them much good. People bleed just as well in the dark," Johnny agreed.
- But that means the elevator won't work. We've got to turn the power back on," warned Jack.
- The kid's right," conceded Benjamin.
- Oh well, great... That's all we had to do," sighed Johnny.
- The good news is that Tanya is stuck too. I know where the breakers are, follow me.
Several Saints followed Benjamin to the basement, before Johnny tripped over a body and ran down the stairs with a scream.
- What a jerk," Benjamin sighed.
- Johnny, are you okay? Jack worried.
- Oh my fucking ass! he groaned. And I sprained my fucking ball!
- No, stop, you're fine.
- What do you mean I got nothing? Look how crooked my brace is! I'm sure I've become sterile too.
- Well, mankind will get over it, don't worry.
- And my dick has to be operational, because tonight I'm need to score with Eesh and ...
- Johnny, you're fucking rambling! Get up now and turn the fucking breaker back on!
Vexed, Johnny got up and limped to the panel to turn the power back on.
- How old is Johnny? Benjamin asked.
- Nineteen, why? Jack replied.
- Can you really be that stupid at that age?
- Sometimes, I'm tired of him too.
The two men looked at each other with a dejected look as they listened to Johnny talk about his testicles and his atrophied manhood in general indifference.
With the power back on, the Saints took up their positions and overwhelmed the dwindling Vice Kings. Many of them went on to detail without asking for help, totally forgetting their commitment to loyalty to the gang.
They were finished, everyone knew it.
After gallons of unnecessary bloodshed and far too many deaths on both sides, the elevator was finally secured and Benjamin, accompanied by Jack and Johnny took their seats.
The latter was particularly excited at the idea of fighting with Tanya.
- Where! He shouted almost to King not knowing which button to press.
- The penthouse.
- I'm gonna skull fuck that bitch.
Jack at the bottom of the elevator, held back a laugh before speaking.
- Hope you don't mind hepatitis.
- What?
Benjamin smiled and a little "ding" told him they had arrived. Only Johnny lingered before coming out, wondering what his best friend had meant...
Immediately after getting out of the elevator, Benjamin was attacked by a King who was hiding at the exit. His punch didn't even make his former boss blink.
- Very cute, but you don't know who you're dealing with, do you?
With one hand, Benjamin lifted the terrified King by the neck.
- How did a redneck like you get into the gang?
- Hey, he's peeing himself! Johnny pointed to his enemy's wet crotch.
He was just a kid, and Benjamin didn't kill kids. He threw the boy into the elevator and continued on his way.
It was Jack who cooled the two new Kings who stood between them and Tanya.
- You've got some serious guns," Benjamin observed.
- Yeah, they're yours, actually. I stole them from Anthony.
- Are they Desert Eagles? The Humvee of handguns: Flashy, bulky, ridiculous.
- I like them and I'm used to them by now," answered Jack, a little offended.
- That's the main thing, boy...
The three men arrived in front of the office of Tanya of which Johnny broke the door with a violent kick. This one opened with a bang and they rushed inside the room.
Tanya was sitting there with her feet up on the desk, looking quite relaxed.
- I know guys who can't get enough of me, she said with a charming air.
- I've had more than my fill, bitch! Johnny retorted, advancing towards her.
- It's over girl. This time, you're not going to be able to fuck your way out of this one," Benjamin said calmly.
- That's cute, honey, that's just precious.
Tanya rested her feet on the ground and wondered why her men didn't come to her rescue.
- There's no one left," said Jack, who understood Tanya's distress. You are the last one.
She froze for a few seconds before realizing.
- Okay, okay. Very well, she said.
But far from letting herself be dismayed, Tanya took out from under her desk, an assault rifle that she pointed at the men. But they were not fooled and knew very well that she will not let herself be taken without reacting and they shot first.
Tanya received a first bullet in the shoulder, then another in the chest, which threw her backwards. The bullets exploded the glass behind her and she lost her balance and fell through it, holding on to the ledge with one hand.
- Please! Don't ...
- Oh Tanya," Benjamin said as he slowly stepped forward. Do yourself a favor and die with some dignity.
She looked at her former boss with terror. She was doomed, no matter what she said or offered.
You never betray a gang leader.
Benjamin lifted his foot and placed it gently on Tanya's hand as she desperately tried to hold on to life. He gently shifted his weight to his leg and soon the pressure became unbearable for the young woman who let go of her grip and fell to the ground with a scream.
The two young Saints bent down to see her fall.
Tanya tumbled more than 30 meters into the void with a terrible and desperate scream before crashing into a car parked below, whose alarm was activated on impact. Even at their height, they could see the blood that had spurted all around her, leaving no doubt as to her condition.
- Within two meters, she was right in the garbage," Jack assured them, crouching down and not at all impressed.
- It's too bad for the car. We'd better get out of here, the cops will be here any minute," said Johnny.
He gave Benjamin a fatherly slap on the chest before motioning for Jack to follow him.
- Are you coming, King? Johnny said impatiently.
- Okay. Let's go," he said, realizing that the Vice Kings were now definitely history in the Stilwater landscape.
Still on the lower floors of the penthouse, the Saints cheered their lieutenant with shouts of joy and euphoria. Johnny waved his hand, proud of being the first to pull off a masterstroke within the Saints. No one had wanted the Kings' file but him, and he had done it.
For the first time in his life, Johnny felt useful, and competent at something after years of being told he was a bum. He thought about his father and wondered if he could have been proud of him.
He had always been a stand-up guy, probably wouldn't have approved, but Johnny's involvement in the gang went far beyond any moral considerations.
He had finally made something of himself, and his peers were cheering him on.
Jack remained silent, although he would have been just as, if not more, effective than Johnny, but he didn't try to steal Johnny's thunder and lit a cigarette without really realizing that the case was finally closed.
Only Benjamin looked concerned. How could he not be after all?
The bodies of his former men were still warm on the ground. Over time, Benjamin had become a formidable businessman, but he couldn't imagine what would happen next. What was he going to do with his life...?
- Hey, I know what you told Julius an all, but why don't you stick around and roll with us ? Johnny offered. I'm sure he wouldn't mind having you around.
- I wouldn't bet on it," Benjamin replied.
- But we could find you a nice, comfortable spot with the Saints.
- Johnny, I'm pretty sure he'd rather die than lose his stripes," said Jack, very sure of himself.
- It's not about power, boy.
- No, it's your pride that won't stand for it. You're not our leader King, you're nobody's leader now and you never will be again. You killed your men, that's definitely the end of you.
Benjamin, with his impressive stature, undeniable charisma and unshakeable iron fist, was speechless in front of this fifteen year old with a face covered in bruises.
However, he was right, he was finished and he had very few options left for the future.
- Well..." said Johnny, uninterested in Benjamin King's future direction. You think you can find a way back to the Row on your own?
- Yeah, don't worry, I'll go home with one of the guys, why don't you go back to the church?
- Aisha... Pussy call, you know?
- Huh hum.
Johnny took his leave of his friends and rushed to the parking lot to meet his fiancée.
- He's a virgin, right? Benjamin asked.
- You don't know the half of it.
- But," he realized. But wait. Aisha was his girlfriend, the singer on my label?
- Yes, that's right, he's still with her.
- But Aisha is dead!
- Well, you might have been fooled, King. We set up her death so you'd let her go. She couldn't stand being under your thumb anymore and needed to get her freedom. She knew you weren't going to let her go, so she called on us. You know the rest.
Benjamin remains dumbfounded, shocked to have been fooled like a rookie.
- You did well, my boy. I wanted to tell you that. I don't think I've ever had to deal with someone as ingenious as you in my fifteen-year career. I am so sorry that Julius discovered you before me. I think you are impressive and incredibly cold-blooded.
- Um, thank you.
- And you're still so young, can I ask how old you are?
- I'm fifteen.
Benjamin almost choked.
- Fifteen?!
- Yeah, I look a little older because I'm tall and have broad shoulders. But I was born in 1980.
- You look... Jeez, you weren't even born when the Vice Kings were created. I can't believe you. You probably wouldn't have done what you did on your own, but clearly the Saints wouldn't have made it without you, that's an absolute certainty.
- Maybe, yeah.
- You were born to be a leader or someone important son, be sure of that. Julius is very lucky to have you on his crew.
With the events with his parents still too much on the young man's mind, he failed to take Benjamin's compliments as he deserved.
Jack's mental health was slowly deteriorating, although he was still coping at the time.
- I'm sure we'll hear about you again someday," the teenager told him. Maybe I shouldn't say this, but I think your organization was more coherent than Julius'. But then again, things being what they are, I'm tied to him for life now, sorry.
- Don't be sorry, kid. You'll make your mark on the city, I'll bet.
In an attempt at peace, Benjamin paternally placed his hand on one of Jack's shoulders and patted him. He allowed himself to be patted, even smiling.
- Here, I don't think I'll be needing this anymore.
Benjamin tossed him a set of keys, which he caught in extremis.
- What's that?
- The keys to the penthouse. You can't possibly pretend to run the city with one stash, and a rotten one at that. Your boys are street boys, some of them will need a roof over their heads, and you'll need people to watch over the neighborhood from now on. You'll make good use of them, I have no doubt about that. Goodbye Jack of the Third Street Saints, it has been an honor to meet you.
Benjamin King did not look back and disappeared into the streets of Stilwater.
Now he was just Benjamin, the fallen king.
Jack refused to follow his men to the Third Street Church, still too affected by his own personal problems. He wandered around Saints Row, finding a drink and a smoke and looking for a place to rest. He couldn't see himself returning to Jang-Mi's house, especially since Johnny apparently needed the room.
With the cold weather lingering on the streets, he naturally headed for Mission Beach and soon arrived at his parents' house.
His father, Alphonse Collins, had bought it - somehow - in the late 1980s. Jack didn't remember much about it, being in foster care at the time.
He didn't set foot in the house until 1989, at the age of nine, when he was finally allowed to return home.
He had not had a very good time there. Totally traumatized, he had to learn to live with a family that had never raised him and quickly felt that he was coming into the home at a bad time in his parents' lives.
His mother worked like a madwoman, while his father drank and smoked and laughed all day on his couch.
Alphonse was not a good guy and more than once Jack had caught him with women other than his own, cheating on her in the marital bed.
The child he was was lectured to keep his mouth shut forever and Jack had to live with this secret that he wished he never knew about.
His father lived on petty theft of all kinds. Shenanigans, a lot of them, mainly petty crime, but that wasn't enough for him anymore. He dreamed of being in the mafia, head of a clan where money would flow freely.
But Alphonse was a loser and never managed to get beyond the stage of a ridiculous robber. Only 24 years old at the time, he had already been sentenced to six years for selling drugs to an undercover policeman, but that didn't calm him down, he just understood that he had to use a different method. That's why he bought guns, which he regularly polished on the kitchen counter.
- You see, son. This is how you command respect.
- It's not wrong to kill people?
- What you talking about? You've killed before. You are my son! It's in our blood!
Alphonse was a deplorable paternal model in addition to being a bad husband. Too immature but above all too carried away in his excesses, he often had difficulty in having a lucid perception of reality.
- You're so handsome son, you're my perfect look-alike. What you are going to fuck later, I guarantee it to you.
It must be said that the main quality of Alphonse was his very particular physique. Tall, with well-defined muscles, short chestnut hair, a three-day beard and, above all, incredible emerald green eyes that he had had the good idea of leaving to his son, who was probably the spitting image of him, with slightly finer features.
Alphonse was tattooed from head to toe, and not always with taste. He thought he was a famous gangster, but was mostly a drug addict.
- I'm going to tattoo your name Kaleb, because I'm proud to be your dad.
- My name is Nathan...
- Uh, hell yeah. N-J, that's what I meant, I don't know why I said that.
The more time passed, the less Alphonse succeeded in what he was doing. He was regularly mired in money problems that he couldn't get out of.
- Damn it, Nate. You know what, you're going home alone.
- Why?
- Just go ahead and lock the door behind you, okay? No matter what happens, you don't open it for anybody. Come on, son, run!
At the age of ten, Nathan did not try to disobey his father and complied. He looked out the window and saw a sedan pull up next to his father and six men get out. He was beaten and left almost for dead on the ground. It was his son who had to call for help.
- I don't know how we're going to make it on the hospital bill...
- Mother... I wasn't going to let my father die...
- No, you don't have to put up with this, Nathan. But you know, I can't even pay the mortgage on the house. We're not making it, we're really not making it...
Money problems were a constant theme in the Collins family, and Tamara and Alphonse did nothing but fight, and the young father was now constantly on crack and alcohol, closer to a wreck than a man.
- Your mom wants to kick me out N-J.
- What...?
- Honestly, you have to convince her that she should keep me. Tell her what you want, cry in front of her but don't let her kick me out.
- I don't want her to kick you out, but she won't listen to me...
- Okay I see... You want me to leave too.
- What! No, I don't.
- Yes you do, Nate. Look, every time I ask you something you don't want. You even told her that I took that prostitute last time and that she was the one who stole her jewelry. You see you're a snitch and you just want me to get out of here.
- I had no choice! I never gave anything else up!
- You hate me, you're just like your mother. You hate me, you just want me to die. So if that's the way it is, I'm out of here.
- No, you're not! Don't go! No, Daddy, please don't go!
- Oh yeah, you want me to stay? Beg me then if you want me to stay.
- I beg you, I beg you dad, don't go... Don't go...
- Again.
- Daddy...
- Fucking kid. Come on stop crying. It's okay, I believe you.
When he was 11 years old, Nathan was not only psychologically abused, but also physically abused. Alphonse had two Rottweiler dogs, Brigand and Hades, which were very poorly trained. He used them on a daily basis to protect himself and to gain some respect with the two dogs around him. But ravaged by his worries and drugs, Alphonse was becoming little by little crazy.
- Hey N-J, do you want to play a game ?
- What?
- Come here.
The young boy hesitated.
- Come here, I'm telling you, you fucking kid! Okay, okay. You see that bowl over there?
- Yes, I do.
- Well, that's your lunch. If you want to eat, you'll have to be faster than my two babies.
- What the...?
- Well, it's simple. The first one to the plate will be the one who eats, it's simple, isn't it ?
- I have to fight with the dogs ?
- No, not fight, just run faster. Come on, you're ready, on the count of three I'll let them go!
Nathan quickly developed a panic fear of the dogs, because all three were equally hungry and every day this cruel ritual pitted the child against the dogs, who would stop at nothing to eat. He was bitten twice on the arm, in front of his father who was hilarious at each fight.
- Run, little son of a bitch, it will make you a man. And stop crying, you're annoying me!
- Why the fuck are you making me do this! I hate your fucking dogs! I hate you too!
- Ah here's your real face. You're just like your mother. I always knew it ...
The day Alphonse undid the belt of his pants and slammed it against his son's skin marked the beginning of the end.
- Listen, my boy... If your father beat you, you have to tell us so that we can stop it.
- Answer the police, please, Nathan. I've filed a complaint against your father. He won't hurt you anymore.
- Mother … Is he going to go to jail?
- I hope so, he's ruined our lives enough.
- Nathan, it's important that we know what your father did to protect you. He needs to be punished, you understand. That's why we're here. And your mother supports you.
- I just...
- Come on, Nathan, damn it!
He was going back to prison.
- He's got me...
The child wasn't even eleven yet, he couldn't imagine for a second being the one to send his father to prison.
After so many years in foster care, after going through hell, he needed his parents.
- He never touched me. I don't know why my mom told you that. My father is innocent. None of what you said happened.
All those memories...
All the regrets.
All the hatred.
Cigarette to the lips, Jack opened the door of his parents' house.
It looked empty, Herode, his mother and Oliver had left, as expected.
On the other hand, he recognized well there the revanchist spirit of his stepfather. There was really nothing left, almost no furniture, no household appliances and the radiator in the living room looked like it had taken a big hit, leaving it destroyed on the floor.
Jack went upstairs to his room. He wasn't too surprised to see that everything had been vandalized. All that remained of his bed was a pile of boards and papers strewn across the floor. Herode must have had so much fun...
Indifferent, Jack pulled his mattress down to the living room but was annoyed to find no blanket. He fell heavily on it and stayed there for several minutes, staring into the void. Only then did he reach into his shopping bag and pull out a bottle of whiskey, which he began to drink alone.
He was interrupted by the doorbell and was intrigued to know who it could be.
When he opened the door, Dee-Dee appeared smiling at him on the stoop.
He smiled back at her.