Hello!
Apologises for the late update! Ive had surgery and my baby has been poorly! But she's at daycare so I figured I'd get this done :)
I always forget how much I love writing until I come back to it :)
Anyway without further ado.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own characters.
The next few days were rough, planning for the meeting, it was being held in Citiesville- a sort of neutral zone been territories, so the surrounding territories were on high alert. They had to hold their own to prove they were the ones running the place. Boomer and Butch had led the majority of the dealings they had planned while Brick remained back. Boomer and Butch had heard whispers of Brick's absence that was slowly gaining more interest, especially to the Townsville gangs.
The Rowdies never showed weakness. Never.
Now the next obstacle the boys had to face, were the girls.
They had to ask Bubbles and Buttercup to take care of Bella for the weekend they would be out of town. A request that would be tricky to navigate.
"And if they ask why? Which they obviously will!?" Boomer was sat on the couch with his arms folded glaring at his older brother who was watching Bella on the play mat on the floor.
"We say it's for business."
"And when they ask what kind of business?"
"Then you bat you pretty blue eyes at the blonde, screw her and leave her in 'pre-fucked' bliss with no questions asked." Butch interrupted sauntering in and jumping on the couch opposite his younger brother with a bag of popcorn in his arm. Boomer glared hatefully.
"And what about Buttercup?" He shot back deflecting the comment about Bubbles to one side. Butch snorted.
"Leave her to me."
"None of you are hooking up with the girls."
Butch and Boomer looked over to see Brick still watching Bella who was babbling quietly on the floor.
"Tch. Selfish." Butch muttered. Brick shifted his blazing eyes.
"What?"
"You. Always gotta have everything, don't like sharing… not even Powerpuff Puss-YE-OW!" He yelped, rubbing his arm were Brick had singed him with the fire. His hand steaming form the power Brick gave a pointed glare.
"Don't even go there."
A tense silence fell over the brothers as Butch continued to lick his wound. Boomer found his voice first.
"Back to the original issue. The girls, they won't let it go-"
"It aint their business."
"Did you tell her."
Brick clenched his jaw. Boomer's eyes widened and Butch stiffened.
"You did, didn't you! Brick?!"
"Look! Yes. She knew but-"
"What the fuck are you playing at?" Butch jumped to his feet, Boomer not far behind.
"We never tell anyone!"
"You realise how much shit we're in?!"
"Not to mention the girls will definitely know!"
"You've really fucked us over here Brick."
"Yeah!"
Bella let out a wail at the loud voices which caused Brick to stand and throw a nasty look at his brothers.
"ENOUGH!"
The three Rowdies glared as Bella whimpered.
"Remember who you're talking to." His tone deadly and red eyes blazing. "Yes. Blossom knew. Yes I told her. No she didn't tell anyone, including her sisters. We came to an agreement. End of." Fire licked at his lips as his anger rose.
"Why did you tell her?" Butch was glaring hard, he felt betrayed. They all swore to keep their business close to them and no one on the outside knew. The whole Brick banging Blossom thing? Yeah he let that slide.. the guy can get his dick wet with whoever. But when it came to the family business, they stuck together. They didn't rat each other out. The old saying…
Snitches get Stitches.
"I didn't. She found out."
The boys looked bewildered as Brick continued. He gave a heavy sigh and sat back down as Bella settled.
"She was here-"
"WHAT?!" Boomer shrieked causing Bella to stir. Brick glanced at his daughter and back to his brother.
"Do you wanna know or not?!" He snapped. Boomer closed his mouth and huffed on the couch, Butch following him eyes narrowed.
"I'm sure you're both aware of what her profession was…"
Both his brothers remained silent. Brick cleared his throat. "Well then, Blossom Utonium-" The name left a bitter taste in his mouth. "Is or rather was-" It's like she's dead. "The head of Townsville PD's detective unit."
This caused the two Rowdies to straighten.
"Hold on!" Butch held his hands up. "You're telling me you were banging the chick that came this close-" He indicated to the small space between his fingers. "To busting our asses on the Jaimeson heist?!" Boomer just stared.
"Yes."
Boomer hissed between his teeth while Butch looked disgusted.
"You told the fucking head of the detective unit that was on our tails that it was us she was after?!"
"Right, I've had about enough of your fucking tone. Either put up or shut up until I've explained! I'm still in charge around here." Brick snarled pointing a finger at Butch putting him back in his place. Butch felt his heckles rise as the subconscious challenge and his eye started twitching.
"Butch…" Brick warned. Butch grit his teeth before looking away trying to calm his rising temper. Boomer looked between his brothers and back to Brick.
"Well how did she find out?"
Brick flicked his gaze back to Boomer.
"Well do you both remember the Jaimeson heist?"
Boomer nodded and Butch turned back to face him, his expression stony.
"Well… there's a reason that even though we absolutely should have got busted… we didn't…."
The room was cool, The Boys and their two associates were waiting in a conference room on the 14th floor. The hotel was rather sophisticated, something Brick especially embraced. They were in their 'negotiating' uniforms which generally consisted of a shirt or t-shirt under a dark blazer.
Efficient, effective and respectable.
The Hotel 'The Marriott' was firmly within the boy's grasp, allowing them access to all aspects of the building. Meetings like this were not uncommon and the boys always paid their debts should things get a little 'rowdy', breakables were usually removed from the rooms in advance, but that didn't always stop them.
Brick was currently looking out over the city from the modern floor to ceiling windows, tinted naturally, to allow a full and comprehensive view of the world below. He had his hands behind his back as his brothers and two associates conversed quietly.
The two that were with the boys were some of the very few associates the Rowdies had recruited. Deadly but trustworthy. Driver and Dixon. Driver was from London and was sporting a buzz cut and was standing at a respectable 6"2, he was a well-built man and a skilled hit man. His punches were the strongest the boys had seen from a normal human plus he was an objective man, give him a mission and he got it done swiftly, quietly with no questions asked. The boys liked him, he was very valuable, a lot of other gangs had their eyes on him but his loyalty to the Boys provided him with some expensive rewards.
Dixon -also from London- and also sporting a buzz cut, stood at the slightly shorter 6 foot. You wouldn't be faulted for thinking Driver and Dixon were related, and you'd be right. Because they were Twins. Dixon was an excellent computer and tech geek and was able to provide a lot of the paper work when handed to him by Brick. The more confidential and harder hacks were handled by Brick personally but in times of need Dixon was his right-hand man. He was extremely smart, but the guy had a blood lust in him that rivalled Butch on a bad day. Yes, the guy was smart and deadly, together the Twins were an unstoppable force only coming second to the Boys. The boys had other associates of equal standards, but the Twins were respected and trusted within the Rowdy circle and accompanied the boys as back up when required.
The room held a big glass oval table which did have chairs lined round the outside, they were now piled up at the sides of the room and out of the way. The sun was high in the sky breaking through the room and sending long shadows across the floor.
"No, he didn't speak either, so we sent him back with his ear stuffed into his pocket and a few of his teeth around his neck." Driver explained his cockney twang strong. Butch was listening intently with glee while Boomer's eyebrows were almost hidden in his hairline.
"Dude!" Butch high fiving Driver who smirked.
"So that means that Carillio doesn't know about the hit. It's got to be this guy Frost is bringing in." Boomer's eyes were narrowed in thought.
"Good. I fucking hope so." Dixon muttered his face like stone.
"Hey, you keep sneering like that your face will stick." Butch snapped.
"Fuck off." Dixon snarled, Butch smirked and started walking to the other side of the room.
"Man, where is Frost?! He's 30 minutes late!" Boomer checked his watch again and looked over to Brick who hadn't moved. "Should we call him?"
"No."
"But Brick-"
"I said no. They'll be here."
"What if we-"
Knock-Knock
Everyone -except Brick- turned to look at the door. Boomer looked back at Brick and rolled his eyes.
"Show off." He muttered.
Butch looked at Driver and gestured with his head to the door. Driver nodded and walked over.
Brick was watching a man down below on the street collecting some flower from the local flower store. Brick knew the owner, Mrs Richards. Nice woman but holds secret poker tournaments in the underground basement of her store. The man paid for his flowers and waved before stepping out into the road and disappearing through the throngs of people and out of sight. Who were the flowers for? What were the flowers for? A loved one? A grave? The kitchen table? Flowers held a lot of different meaning, some better than others. Flowers were precious.
"Boss."
Brick rolled his shoulders and peeled his eyes away from the moving world below and turned the greet his guests. In front of him were 2 men and a woman, 2 of the men were wearing dark blue blazers while the woman wore a similar one only shorter along with a mini skirt and stilettos. Another man was blindfolded, tied and gagged.
Butch gave a smirk and a wink to the woman who gave her own flirty wink back, clearly the two knew each other.
"Katie."
"Butch."
Brick glared at the captive man before turning his attention to the bulky brunette.
"Good to see you Hunter." Hunter nodded in acknowledgement.
"Same to you. Now shall we get down to business?"
"Of course."
Hunter nodded to his associate, who dragged the captive man into a waiting chair which had been placed close by and ripped his blindfold off. The man started blinking rapidly his brown eyes wild and distorted. He had a head of full thick black hair and the forming of a beard, he was wearing a ripped brown leather jacket and black pants. His shirt under the jacket was torn and dirtied, Brick could have only imagined the struggle he put up.
"What do you want?" The man hissed, Brick walked over and looked down at the man. He couldn't have been older than mid-twenties.
"Information." Brick's tone was like steel.
"I don't have information." The man snapped, his tone becoming aggressive as he struggled against his restraints. Brick leaned down so he was eye level with the man who stiffened before visibly flinching back from Brick's frightening red glare.
"Oh, I think you do." He sneered before standing up right. "Jaimeson… right?"
The man looked at Brick confused and then round the stares of the other men and woman in the room.
"Depends who's asking."
"I'm asking!" Brick snarled leaning closer again causing the man to flinch.
"I-I sometimes go by that name." He stuttered before swallowing thickly. Brick stood to full height glaring deadly at the man who was cowering before him.
"Of course you do." Brick muttered. "Now I'm going to ask you some question and you're not going to lie to me are you?"
Jamieson's eyes scanned the room as Butch stepped forward with a malicious smile on his face wile Boomer's hands crackled with electricity. Jaimeson shook his head quickly. Brick sneered. Coward.
"Good. Now, yes or no. Did you hack into the Rowdy mainframe?"
Jaimeson looked around, his forehead starting to glisten with sweat. He swallowed and took a deep breath before glaring back at Brick.
"No."
The crack was sharp causing a few people to flinch. Jaimeson's head whipped back, the red hand print already starting to form on his cheek.
"Wrong answer!" Brick's voice was rising in anger, he shot over and grabbed the back of Jamieson's neck so he was staring deep into Brick's eyes.
"Do not lie to me." Brick hissed. "I know you hacked into the mainframe, I know what files you looked at. What I don't know is if you told your boss." Brick's voice was low and deadly, Jaimeson tried to pull away but Brick's hold was like steel. Jaimeson's face remained hard as he refused to answer.
"I'll give you 5 seconds to answer before Driver over there…" Jamieson glanced behind to see the man taking a step forward. "…starts ripping out your fingernails one at a time."
Jamieson went pale, Brick let go harshly and stepped back allowing Driver to get closer. Jaimeson looked between both men still refusing to answer. Driver reached into his pocket and pulled out a rusty set of pliers.
"Well then won't this be fun?"
He grabbed Jaimeson's hand who was furiously trying to struggle away. Just as the tool touched his hand Jamieson cracked.
"OKAY! OKAY! I-I TOLD- DEAN! DEAN KNOWS!"
Driver looked back at Brick who twitched his head and Driver released the man's hand, Jaimeson's breathing was rapid as he tried to calm down.
"Dean huh?" Brick turned around and walked back over to the window. The room was silent, waiting for the next instruction. The Frosts looking at the Rowdies for the next move. Boomer slightly shook his head.
The minuets felt like hours before Brick turned his head to Dixon.
"Make it quite."
Dixon nodded and swiftly walked over to Jaimeson, his voice was muffled before a sickening 'crack' filled the room along with a heavy 'thump'.
"Well not that, that wasn't fun-" Hunter began.
"I was so much fun!" Katie squealed, the bloodlust in her eyes dancing.
"We have other shit to manage."
Brick turned back round and nodded to Boomer who walked over to a briefcase and passed it over to Hunter. Hunter passed it to his associate who held it while Hunter opened it. The case was filled with green notes and white bags. Nodding satisfied he closed the case.
"Pleasure doing business." Hunter smirked.
Brick nodded and began turning back to the window.
"Before we go-"
Brick stopped mid -turn before looking back at the Frosts who were now huddled together. Out of instinct the Boys and the Twins drew closer also. Brick raised an eyebrow slightly waiting for Hunter to continue.
"We were wondering if you guys would be interested in another deal?"
Brick's interest spiked and he fully faced the other gang indicting he was listening. Hunter gave a small smirk and nodded to his associate.
"We have a mole in the Southside who's told us a big haul is coming in though the docks on Thursday."
"Why would we waste our time on a simple haul? We have plenty stock, why should we help you?" Butch crossed his arms, he hated working with other teams, unless it was to double-cross them.
"I think the bigger question is why do you need our help? Hauls aren't exactly maximum effort?" Dixon asked. Brick looked back over to the Frosts. Dixon was right.
"Right you are..." The associate continued. "However this isn't a straight forward haul- turns out someone high up in the mayor's office has ordered this particular shipment."
Now, now this was interesting. Hauls were simple drug heists, a shipment came in on a gangs orders and occasionally another gang would try and intercept the haul, whoever came out alive wins the haul. Simple. The shipments were always private, the police and government had invested millions into tightening the cities security to prevent hauls, but they always managed to slip through the cracks. To learn a haul was coming in under the order of a government official was interesting... and big. For someone high up to risk everything for a haul was rare, extremely rare. Meaning whichever gang could intercept would be in for a big reward. It made sense the Frosts wanted help, they wouldn't stand a chance to intercept alone.
Hunter Frost was smart, which was one of the reasons Brick was content to work with the guy... for now. The Frosts had assisted the Rowdies on occasion -such as this- and now and then the Rowdies had returned the favour. It made sense to be on good terms with a handful of gangs. To be completed isolated with everyone as an enemy was a foolish move. You needed allies once in a while otherwise you would never have peace. The Frosts were one of the very few gangs the Rowdies 'trusted'. While they were happy to work together you always had to be careful for a double-cross. They weren't uncommon.
"Why would an official request a haul?" Boomer asked.
"Turns out it's not just your standard drugs in this particular shipment." Katie spoke while admiring her nails. She looked up at the boys and smirked. "It's Steel."
The Rowdies eyes widened. Steel was a new drug on the scene, gave you one heck of a high and was currently selling for millions. Steel was extremely rare and difficult to get your hands on, the majority of it the Southern America with trickles of it reaching further North. And by trickles it was just that... trickles. The production of Steel was a long drawn out process taking nearly 10 months to make a grams worth. Hence the extortionate selling price.
"Someone is hauling Steel?!" Butch's jaw was nearly hitting the floor.
"Where is your information from?" Brick asked. Hunter reached out and passed him a folded bit of paper. Dixon automatically intercepted to check the paperwork first. He scanned over and nodded before passing it to Brick. Brick's eyes scanned over the information and looked back at Dixon. "Do you agree?" Dixon nodded.
"Very well. If this is true- which for the time being I have no reason to think otherwise, then we-"
Chheezzzzzz
Brick, Boomer and Butch all automatically turned to look at the air vent located in the top left-hand corner of the room. No one else moved. Hunter turned his head to try and look where the boys were looking, as did everyone else. Only super-hearing was picking up on the noise.
"Butch, discuss terms with the Frosts, I'll be right back." Brick ordered before marching out. "Prepare to evacuate." He muttered so low so only the boys could here and left the room.
Brick left the room and looked up and down and the seemingly empty hallway. His eyes wandered to a small security camera perched on the ceiling and instantly started moving. He knew the hotel was under his control so whoever was spying was doing it themselves.
Brick could hear scattered footsteps and picked up the pace, he rounded a corner to see a body fly round the corner at the other side. Brick used his super speed to catch up and just caught as the store room door shut.
Bingo. Trapped like the rat they were.
Brick walked slowly to the door taking his time in making whoever dared spy on him sweat. He placed his hand on the nob and allowed a sick smirk to spread across his face.
"Three… two.. one…" Brick muttered before throwing the door open and stopping dead in his tracks, the blood draining from his face.
"BLOSSOM?!"
"Well why am I not surprised."
Blossom was stood with her arms crossed and a deadly scowl on her face, almost as if she was scolding a child.
"W-w-what are you doing here?!" Brick spluttered. Seeing the chick he was banging pretty much busting him as an underground crime lord was not good. Especially when said chick was a goddamn Powerpuff girl!
"I could ask you the same thing." She hissed.
Brick straightened and closed the door for privacy.
"This is none of your business Bloss, you need to leave."
"None of my business! Ha! Brick! This is my job! Do you know how long I've been on your case for! I can't believe how stupid I was not to realise you were behind this!"
"Behind what?! I've laid low!" Brick barked back.
"Laid low?! Brick there have been a rise in killings on Townsville streets for the past 3 months! You think that's laying low?! I can't let you get away with that!"
Brick pinched the bridge of his nose in despair. "Just listen to me woman! I have been laying low and by the sounds of it I've been doing your job for you and actually finding the gang responsible! Unlike you!"
"What is that supposed to mean?!" Blossom snapped feeling her face flush in anger.
"It means that I don't want any dealings spilling over to the streets any more than you do! It puts people like you on my tail and that's not something I need!"
Blossom remained in a stony silence her arms crossed tightly to her chest, her bubble-gum pink eyes scanning his face for any trace of a lie. She had gotten good at that recently. Brick took her silence as his opportunity to continue and get his boys out of there.
"Look, me and the boys are onto who's been orchestrating these killings and we're so close. But you gotta butt out."
Blossom felt her heckles rise. "You are joking right? Did you fall asleep when you missed me saying this was my JOB?! I have to stop whoever is doing this!"
"Blossom I don't have time for this! You're pride needs to back down! Can't you just trust me that I'll sort this out?!"
Blossom was taken aback. Trust him? Did she trust him? They'd been 'seeing each other' for the past 5 months. Trust was not something she associated with a RowdyRuff. Not to mention a RowdyRuff crime lord. How could she put her morals to one side for a Rowdy Ruff? She bit the inside of her cheek in frustration.
"I- I can't do that Brick. Look, I can let you slide this once but only if you tell me what you know."
Brick gave a silent scream. Gods this woman was infuriating! If he wasn't worried about her side busting his boys then he would be seriously turned on by her determination. He liked a fiery girl. But now was not the time for her to become difficult. She stood staring at him, arms folded and her weight resting on her back leg. Minx. He was a good head taller than her and often liked how she had to look up to glare into his eyes.
"Bloss, don't be a bitch. You're getting into heavy shit, you need to quit while you're ahead or you're gonna get hurt."
"Aw ickly Bricky getting worried?" She mocked in a baby voice. Brick felt the smoke fill his throat at the jab. "In case you forgot, I'm a Powerpuff Girl! I fought the Devil when I was 5. I'm pretty sure I can handle some pesky human gangs."
Brick felt like pulling his hair, he could hear muffled voices on her walkie talkie. Words such as 'in position', 'waiting for your word' and 'surrounded' made Brick's gut clench. His boys could not get caught he had to think fast. He grabbed Blossoms upper arms and slammed her back into the wall. She gave a grunt and Brick felt a pang of guilt. Hm that was new, he was banging her - he didn't have feelings for her. He became serious.
"Look. I'm not going to tell you again. We are going to sort out these killings. I will end it. But you have to stay out of it, your getting involved in extremely dangerous territory, territory you can't control. I'm being serious Blossom, back off." His eyes were hard and deadly. She knew deep down that he was being serious but the leader in her was refusing to listen, she was always in control.
"Brick I-"
She was cut off with Brick's lips on hers. Her eyes widened in shock but the intensity of the kiss pulled her under. It was strong and powerful and intense, she couldn't help herself. I was Brick fucking Jojo goddamn it! Brick on the other hand knew what he had to do, he could hear the voices over the talkie becoming more urgent. He knew they were outside the door the boys were in as Drivers voice very lightly filtered through. He had to act.
He pulled back with both of them breathing heavier, he put his hands on Blossom's face and made her look him in the eyes.
"Bloss, call your guys down. Come on! Let me sort this, you have to trust me. I'll get it done."
The conflict was dancing in her eyes. "I- Brick... I can't- I-"
"Boss we need your command!"
"All in position!"
"Blossom. Please. Don't do it."
Her eyes flickered to the door and back at Brick the moral war wrestling inside her.
"You'll get it done?" She asked, her voice small.
"I promise."
She bit her lip and looked up in despair. Brick slowly released her face.
"Can you get them out of that room without leaving threw the door?"
Brick could have kissed her again but kept his celebration to himself. He gave a firm nod.
"In 10 seconds?"
His eyes winded and he stepped back. He rubbed his hands and shot a flame at the smoke detector, in seconds the fire alarm blared and Blossom stared at him for a few more seconds before she whipped out her talkie. "NOW, NOW, NOW!" She yelled still staring at him as he looked back. The alarm was loud and shrill as the two stood locked. Blossom's talkie crackled, she pulled it out and pressed.
'Not here Boss, they must have scarpered.'
Brick released a big breath he didn't know he was holding. That was fucking close.
"Okay. Thank you." Blossom responded and put the talkie back. "1 week."
Brick cocked an eyebrow. "What?"
"1 week Brick. To get the job done or I'm taking you all in."
Brick sucked in a deep breath through his nose and exhaled smoke. He nodded.
"Deal."
Blossom nodded and started moving past him smirking.
"What are you smirking at?" Brick turned as she passed him.
"Ironic don't you think?"
Brick thought about it and rolled his eyes. "Hardly."
Blossom gave a small laugh with her hand on the door handle.
"Well, it's not like I don't know where you live." She mused as she exited. Brick allowed a smirk to grace his face as it grew and stretched the reveal his teeth as the door shut on him.
"Oh the irony."
Once again sorry for the delay! Motherhood is so demanding! haha but I haven't forgot about you guys!
If you liked, pop us a review ;)
Love
Cornelia.x