NO INVITATION

"So, I guess even the Bowery asks things of you. If you know where he is," Mandy said, sticking close to John as Robin navigated them through the rougher parts of the city.

The area around them wasn't nearly as extravagant and put together as the places they've been to. The buildings were dilapidated by the looks of it and entirely dominated by the homeless population that made use of what's been left behind in the past. Honestly, the place kind of reminded Mandy of her own upbringing. Before she was brought in by Marcus, the people around here looked almost exactly the same as those she was raised with. Having the same problems and whatnot.

The longer they traversed through the rugged slums of the Bowery's territory, the more of a crowd they gathered behind them. Almost like a silent warning. John had noticed it a while ago and kept Mandy and Robin close in case things went wrong. Luckily, it didn't look like they planned to attack them. Just observe.

"Everyone owns Marie and I a debt to be paid. You ask something of us…we expect something in return," Robin said, sounding completely at ease and unbothered by the amount of attention they were getting. His calm demeanor was the type one could only gain from being in the same kind of business John and Mandy were in. Robin had never spoken of his past to anyone who wasn't his wife, but they could tell by how he carried himself that he had…experience.

Robin took a sharp turn and strolled casually into an old building, heading immediately to the rooftop where the sound of humming pigeons and flapping wings met their ears. By the looks of it, they were messengers that carried phone chips in little pouches on their backs. It was such an old way of getting things around but easily the most inconspicuous.

"I was wondering why everyone's been whispering in my ear that a storm was coming," spoke a man with a cool tone. The Bowery king, a withered-looking man dressed in raggedy clothes, turned around and flashed Robin a grin. "The three most dangerous people in the city had come to visit. Never a good thing when Robin Ancelet comes out to play with John Wick and Mandy Rose acting as guard dogs."

Robin gave him a smirk. "Try and be at ease. The only way this situation can be bad if my wife came instead of me."

The Bowery didn't need to give it much thought. Knowing how intimidating and confident that woman can be, he could do nothing but wholeheartedly agree. "Marie-Laura Ancelet. Now…that really would be a bad thing," he muttered with a sharp nod.

"I'm not here for you though. These two want to talk to you," Robin said and stepped aside.

The Bowery then turned his attention to John and Mandy, snickering a little at the absolute state they were in. Bruised, battered, and exhausted-looking. "Is that so. You guys aren't really good at retiring."

Mandy shrugged. "It's a work-in-progress."

The Bowery nodded and looked among his people. "Mr. Wick doesn't remember, but we met many years ago, before my ascension... When I was just a pawn in the game. We met and you gave me a gift, the gift that would make me a king. You don't remember, but there I was, standing in an alleyway. I didn't even hear you comin'." His grin never fell as he reached up to his collar and pulled it down, revealing a long scar running down his neck. "You gave me this. Gift from the boogeyman. Perfect for every occasion. But you also gave me a choice. Pull my gun, shoot you in the back and die. Or keep the pressure on my neck...and live," he said darkly. "And so you see, I survived. No one sneaks up on me anymore, thanks to you. I am all-seeing and all-knowing," he finished with an elusive tone.

"Then you know why I'm here," John began.

He nodded. "Santino D'Antonio, yes. Your contracts went wide. That's bad for your health. What's the number up to now, Earl?" The Bowery looked over and saw Earl holding up 7 fingers, gesturing between John and Mandy. "$7 million each! Damn! It's Christmas. We're going to Applebee's after this," he said with a wild, child-like grin.

"We need your help." John took a step towards him, and almost every man on the roof flinched and reached for their weapon, not pulling it but looking cautious. Mandy eyed all of them and moved swiftly in front of John. "You have eyes begging for change on every corner in the city. I'm thinkin' you can find Santino. I need you to move us. Underground. Get us to him."

The Bowery looked at him for a moment before turning his head and shouting to the heavens. "How sweet it is! The boogeyman begging me for help. Well, of course, John. Yes, John. Whatever you'd like, John. Would you like a back rub with that, John?" he mocked.

Mandy narrowed her eyes and stepped past John. "This isn't up for debate. You're going to help us," she said with a deadly serious voice.

The Bowery wasn't one to shrink away from anyone. Not even Mandy Rose. He eyed her suspiciously and marched right up into her face. "Is that a threat, Mandy? Why the fuck would I do that?"

John, thinking quick, grabbed Mandy by her shoulder and gently pulled her back to his side. He didn't let go of her, though. He kept a firm grip like she was a mad dog ready to pounce. "Because we're the only ones that can help you."

The Bowery eyed them. "You're gonna help me out?" He then started to laugh. It was so loud too that it even managed to overwhelm the rowdy city noises. He never stopped laughing as he motioned them back inside, all the way to their weaponry room. "That's downright upright of you, Mr. Wick. You sound positively magnanimous. But look around you. How much help does it look like I need? It seems to me that the real question…is who in this cruel world of ours is going to help you?"

Robin cut in. "Don't play coy. Even you have to admit that there's a storm coming. For everyone under the table," he warned him.

The Bowery stripped off his old, dusted coat and pulled on a silk robe." I understand the concern, Robin. I really do." He gestured everyone into a more private space for them to speak. "Killing someone who has a seat at the high table does create a problem. But that's their problem. After all, none of my people sent Gianna D'Antonio to the hereafter." He made a motion of the cross over his body and pointed ominously to John and Mandy.

"That being said, Santino has her seat now," John said, taking a seat across the desk the Bowery was sitting at. "And he wants the city. When he's done uptown, you think he's gonna stop at 14th street?"

"We'll just have to take care of ourselves."

Mandy cocked a brow. "Oh, yeah? How long do you think you're gonna last, huh. You kill that spineless prick…then the Camorra, and the high table are gonna be gunning for you. If we kill him though…then they'll be on us," she proposed.

The Bowery leaned over the table and spoke in nearly a whisper. "He's offered 7 million each for your lives. 14 million is a lot of money."

John nodded and lowered his head for a moment, thinking quietly to himself what he and Mandy would do. There weren't many options, and it seemed that this was the only course of action they could take. Santino was their goal, and they'll get to him one way or another. "So I guess you have a choice. You want a war? Or do you wanna just give us a gun?"

The Bowery looked to give it some though, but never once lost his smile. He looked at Robin, and the man only shrugged, showing his support by walking behind John and Mandy and placing his hands on their shoulders.

That small action spoke volumes. If Robin of all people was willing to stick out his neck like this, then that was more than enough to convince him.

"Somebody, please! Get these two a gun!" The Bowery declared.

"Kimber 1911, .45 ACP," the Bowery said while opening two cases with identical guns inside. He grabbed one magazine from the case and handed them to Earl to put in his pocket. "Seven-round capacity. Each."

Mandy stared blankly at him. "They both hold seven rounds?" she turned to John and Robin and saw them both wearing a displeased look. "You kidding me?"

"7 million gets you seven rounds each. That's a million dollars a round, Rosey," he said while grinning at her. "I know you'll make good use of them."

John and Mandy looked beside themselves before giving in to the Bowery's ridiculousness. They couldn't complain, and because of the bounty on their heads, there weren't many people left that would help them. And going underground was safer than Mandy's original plan of 'going through the front door'.

"Most expensive bullets I've ever shot," Mandy grumbled while loading her only magazine into her pistol. She tucked it away and looked over to Robin standing beside her. "What about you? You gonna head back to Marie after this?" she asked.

Robin nodded. "Yeah. After I see your descent into hell. I'll make sure to give Marie your regards," he said with a sarcastic smile before patting her shoulder and becoming more serious. "Be careful out there," he said sincerely.

Mandy's expression softened. "Right. You be careful too." She opened her arms and hugged him tightly, burying her head into his shirt, which smelled of expensive cigarettes and cologne. "John, let's go," she said while pulling away.

John nodded, and they headed to an elevator with Earl waiting inside. They stepped into the rickety old contraption and stared back at Robin and the Bowery.

"Your descent into hell begins here. He's at the museum. Earl will guide you. Do be careful on your way down. Oh, and remember…you owe me," the Bowery said.

Mandy scoffed. "I'm not sure that's a good idea, but whatever." She shrugged her shoulders as the elevator grate closed and began to lower. Mandy smirked one last time at Robin and waved at him before disappearing below.

Once they were gone, the Bowery's smile dropped for the first time, and he looked at Robin with a grave expression.

"I do hope you know what you've done…leading them to me like this," The Bowery said with a dark warning.

Robin sighed while reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out a cigarette. He placed it in his mouth and lit the end. "I do…" he said while taking a breath of smoke and releasing it out. "And your point?"

At first, Bowery looked perplexed but chuckled and patted Robin hard on the back. "I swear…you and Marie are just as Crazy as Mandy is. Then, good luck, Mr. Ancelet. You're gonna need it."

A small hatch in the floor popped open and was shoved aside so Mandy could peek out. She looked around quietly and found herself in a dark storage room of the museum Santino owned. She grabbed the edge and pulled herself up before reaching back in and helping John out. They both stood up slowly and tuned their ears to the sounds of chatter and live music. It sounded like an active party was going on in the main room right outside.

John motioned for her to stay close as they slipped out of the storage room and attempted to blend in with the party-goers. Glancing around, they saw a few guards among the many faces. They must've been expecting them because it took no time for them to get noticed. Still, that didn't stop their hunt.

Mandy looked up and finally spotted Santino mingling with a guest. He looked quite handsome too. Wearing his best suit that was hand-tailored by Maire-Laura and Robin. It fit him perfectly. A perfect suit for a funeral, Mandy would say.

John and Mandy motion to each other and begin to head for him, hands steady and close by their weapons. Santino looked up at that moment and immediately grew as pale as a ghost when he saw them. The music finally ceased to play, and the crowd parted, exposing Mandy and John in their frightening and silent glory. Everyone held their breath and didn't speak. Waiting for the inevitable.

Mandy looked around at everyone and laughed a little. She took a couple steps forward and looked Santino right in the eyes. "No invitation…but we're here," she said, sporting a wild grin.

All the guards around Santino watched Mandy and John like a hawk. In a blink of an eye, the two deadly assassins pulled their weapons simultaneously and fired upon them. The guards quickly hauled Santino away as John provided cover for Mandy. He fired off all seven of his rounds in a fraction of a second and took out all the guards trying to surround them. At the same time, Mandy shot at the guards that were trying to take Santino away during the chaos. She aimed quickly with her pistol and fired multiple rounds into their heads. Yet she only managed to nick Santino in the shoulder before he disappeared out of sight. He was hurt though. She could hear his outcry of pain echo throughout the room as he made his escape.

Redirecting her attention, she turned around and covered for John by firing the last three rounds into the armed security that was trying to close in on them.

John jammed his empty pistol into a guard's throat before pulling him down into a tight hold. He twisted his weapon out of his hand and used it to shoot him. Now taking it as his own, John looked over to Mandy and saw her picking up a pistol that one of the dead security guards dropped.

"Check?" John asked while pulling out the magazine to see how many rounds were left inside.

"Check," Mandy said while doing the same.

John nodded and took the lead, making sure Mandy was close behind him as they marched on, heading deeper into the museum after Santino.