Author's Rant: Enjoy!

Fast Deals

Atem left a clear message in the school halls about how he felt about the Red blood's intrusion in his gang life. That following Monday morning most of the front parking lot was filled with squad cars, one fire truck, an ambulance and a slew of police officers. Yellow caution tape sectioned off Upper A, B, and C Hall. I was able to bypass the streaks of graffiti, staking claim on lives and insults.

What I couldn't handle was seeing Shadi hanging by his stomach lining like a gutted ornament. It was all I could do not to gawk when I walked by and saw how gruesome the scene was. Blood slowly dripped off his toes like melting wax. Nothing on his naked body was left without a cut of some kind. His eyes were gouged out, ears sliced off, his heels cut deep enough that it may as well have been a clean shave, no hands and his tongue sat right below him.

Atem sent him on a first class ticket to hell and made sure to get rid Shadi's ability to speak, run, steal, hear, listen or see his way there. Pegasus got word of it and stood amongst the police speaking with Zane about the details. He spotted me, made direct eye contact. I nodded and went on my daily duty.

I had to let things rest for a while. Acting now would only stir the already boiling pot. My next mission wasn't scheduled until the end of the week. Pegasus text that he would have my instructions ready by tonight. According to him, this next assignment would put me in Atem's good graces even if it were only for a brief instant.

That's all well and good about Atem. It's Yami I'm worried about. He's more astute then Seth . . . he'll smell my bullshit before I can even get the thought done.

"You have time to explain your strange behavior?"

I glanced behind my locker door and rolled my eyes. Phoenix never was the type for subtle conversations. He'd rather there be an audience of people there to witness his emotional meltdown. I wasn't up for the interrogation. With all the shit that's going down, the last thing I need is a distraction.

"There's a dead body in the hall, and you're worried about my attitude?" I chuckled. "Sounds like someone needs to get his priorities straight." I shut my locker and secured the lock.

I expected Phoenix to be trailing behind me too. One look over my shoulder and he's hot on my ass.

"I have my priorities perfectly in order, thank you. I never liked Shadi anyway and if you ask me, the bastard got exactly what he deserved, but don't change the subject, Heba Muto." Phoenix snatched me by my arm and shoved my back to a wall. "Three weeks go by without a word from you? Why's that? Too busy hanging around your new friends? Or is sniffing after Yami's ass getting old?"

If I didn't know any better, I'd say I heard some jealousy in there somewhere. Yeah and pigs will fly over my head in a few minutes. Phoenix didn't have a thing for anyone he considered less beautiful then himself. I sighed and continued walking. I really don't have time to babysit his ego.

"Lay off," I grumble. "I already got enough people nagging me."

"What other people? Surely not Hassleberry and I and it sure as hell isn't the coach. We haven't seen you at practice in days!"

I frowned. "Since when do I answer to you? I've been busy."

"With?"

"Phoenix, damn, what's with the 4-1-1? I told you what's been goin' on. Chill with that. Isn't class about to start anyway?"

"No shit, Sherlock. We have the same period." Phoenix fell in step beside me much to my dismay. "Hassleberry's not gonna be in school today. Bet you can't guess why."

No, but I bet he'll happily inform me.

"Any guesses? No? Well, I'll tell you."

See?

"He got jumped after practice the other day by some blue bloods. His left eye's swollen and his right wrist is broken. Coach says he's benched for the next few games."

I paused mid-step and shot Phoenix a look. "He was jumped?"

"Yeah," Phoenix's expression softened as he stared down at the floor. "Some goons came by picking on some of the school kids from down the street the day before. Hassleberry beat up one of their friends. The next day they retaliated. It was five to one." Phoenix lifted his head with a raw shine in his eyes. "The assholes didn't give him a chance to stand up. God knows I wish I was there. I could've done something to help. . ."

The rest of what he said fell on deaf ears as my mind traveled back to my best friend.

Hassleberry was jumped? I wasn't there to help him. The blue bloods did it. "Fuck," I whispered, rubbing a hand down my face. No doubt that probably came from them being heated about that Shadi business. I hope that wasn't the case, but it's likely the reason.

Now more than anything I wanted these thugs dealt with. "Damn, Phoenix."

Phoenix stopped talking and looked at me.

I stared back, seeing something small and confused in his gaze. I reached out and squeezed his wrist. "If I'd known I would've been there, you know that."

Phoenix said nothing for a few moments, looking off to the side. That peculiar look was there again. I can't identify it even when he turns and openly looks up at me, laying his hand on top of mine.

"Hit me if it'll make you feel better." I offered my cheek. "Go on, I don't care. I deserve it."

There was hesitation. I saw his fist rise out of my peripheral, but a gentle shove pushed my face to the side. I looked back to see Phoenix smiling. "As much as I want to pound your face into the ground, no, you don't deserve it. I know you probably have some insane reason as to why you're shutting us out Heba . . . that's why I can't stand not knowing what's going on with you. You know I—that we're always here for you. Don't ever doubt that."

"I don't."

"Then tell me what's going on? Maybe we can help. If it's got anything to do with—"

"No," I shut down whatever ideas were brewing in his head and dropped my hand. I shouldn't have gotten caught up in reconnecting with him. That's my mistake. I closed my eyes and immediately remembered my mission. I took a step back, shaking my head. "I don't want either of you involved. Keep away for a while, will ya? I got some things to sort out on my own."

"Heba—"

"Phoenix, just keep away. I got shit to handle. I don't need y'all involved." I gave him a hard look. He bristled and his expression melted. My heart skipped a beat and I wish I could change that defeat set in his gaze, but its better I make my conditions clear. It wouldn't be permanent. It'll be just until I get this bullshit over with and if I'm blessed enough, I'll gain their friendship back.

I turned my back on him, knowing he was still there.

I waited for him to show up for class. Minutes ticked by, blending into hours. Phoenix never came to any of our classes. I closed my eyes, plowing my fingers through my hair. I guess this is it then. Another bond I had to shiver for the sake of my task.

"Excuse me."

I blinked, frowned and looked to the side. A girl's standing next to my desk. I focused on her face and recognized her as the one Atem had raped under the stairs. I hadn't see her in school in days. I didn't even know she had this class or if she did.

"You're Heba, yes?"

I blinked again and mentally slapped myself in the face. "Yeah, yeah, I am." I grew suspicious. "Who wants to know?"

The girl ducked her low, blushing. "Me. I never got the chance to thank you for saving me that day. That was really brave of you." She spoke in a slow, crisp manner and a slight accent that was too soft to catch. I hadn't had the time to notice when we first met, but she's a pretty petite thing.

Probably a good 5'3 and sweet chocolate skin, a while mane of brown hair and big bright eyes. If that hadn't already attracted me to her, those ample curves sealed the deal. I hated thinking that way, but I can see why Atem was laying it on.

I eased out of my desk and started gathering my stuff. "Don't mention it," I mumbled. I slung my book bag over my shoulder. "Try to stay out of their way if you can." I started towards the door.

And she came right behind me. "Um, my name's Eboni."

"Cool." I kept walking.

She did too. "Me and my family haven't lived here long. Only six months. We're from overseas, Luxor, Egypt."

Which may explain why I never seen her before and that accent. Still, I don't get why she's telling me all of this.

"Your Atem, he's Egyptian as well. I sought him out in hopes of finding familiar grounds with my own people . . . I thought I could find it with him . ."

"Uh-huh." I weaved through the thong of students trying to lose her. Luck wasn't on my side though. She managed to keep up with me with those little thick legs, following the same path I used. I reached my locker and turned the combination on the knob.

The girl braced her back against a neighboring locker and stared down at her shoes while I stuffed my books in.

"I thought I could trust him. This place, he rules it like the cruel men from my home country. Atem took advantage of me. He and his family. I thought he was different. It's not the way of a true Egyptian to treat others with so little respect—"

I slammed my locker door so hard, it startled her into standing straight. "Look, Eboni right?" She nodded briskly. "I don't know where you got off thinking I gave a damn about your life story, but we have a counselor for that. Get it?"

Eboni widely blinked her eyes at me, lost in translation.

I tilted my head back to blame God for this predicament. "Get lost. Beat the pavement. Kick rocks. Any of that ringing any bells?"

Still nothing. She tilted her head.

"Get the hell outta here!" I snapped and again she jumped, fingers trembling, bottom lip quivering and her grip tight around her notebook.

She bowed, whispered, "Sorry, I'm sorry, I-I just thought that—"

"Ya thought wrong, sweetheart. I'm not looking for a girl or friends. Go home."

Big, green eyes, glossed and it was almost my undoing. I reached out, Eboni brushed passed me and hurried away without another word, rubbing her eyes.

A hard knot formed somewhere in my chest, threatening to burst when her shoulders began to buckle. I heard her crying, saw the way she would flinch as soon as a guy looked her way. I sighed and scratched my head. I'll get a bald spot at this rate. I would've gone after her (the old me would have), but that'll encourage the wrong idea. She'll be all right. Hopefully.

My phone buzzed in my back pocket. I pulled it out and typed in the passcode.

Duke will have your next assignment ready for you. Expect the delivery at 7:15 tonight.

Back to business. I checked the halls for Eboni again. She was gone. Good. I turned on my heel and went out the double doors.

Duty calls.

I jackknifed up from my sixtieth push up when a firm knock hit the back door. I snatched my towel from the floor and wiped the sweat off my face. Duke was standing there, dressed like a little Godfather, rolling a pair of dice in his hand. He looked me up and down and then my home.

He pushed past me and helped himself to the couch by the wall and crossed his feet. "The boss sent me."

I sucked my teeth. "Get outta here, really? I thought you came over to play dollies."

Duke shot a nasty look worthy of a crime lord before flicking an envelope my way. "Read it, memorize it, and follow the instructions down to the last period. No mistakes, got it?"

I stopped opening the manila folder inside the envelop and glared at this kid. "Don't you have homework or something? No curfew? Parents?"

"What is this, an interrogation? I don't owe you any explanations." Duke sassed and smirked at my drop mouthed expression. "Try not to be overwhelmed. I know I can be intimidating."

"Ha! Fat chance kid." I flopped down on the couch next to him and started flipping through the pages. Maps, information, profiles, receipts for clothes, detailed dialogue, etc. "Damn, Pegasus thinks of everything."

"Of course he does!" Duke gushed cheekily. "Mr. Pegasus rules the city. No one's better than him."

I sat back and closed the folder. Duke was rocking his legs over the edge of the couch, casually looking at everything in the living room. "You really like that guy huh?"

Duke's cheeks burst into a blush. "No, I respect him is all. He's the only one who thought I was worth anything."

I leaned forward to get a closer look at the information in the manila folder. He wanted me to wait a while before acting. Post it notes were stuck to the corners of each page. I guess extra details in case the plan went astray. It's scary how thorough this guy is. It makes me think, if he knows Yami and Atem so damn well, why did he wait this long to act against them?

As I scanned over the middle pages, I heard Duke shifting near the wall. I looked up, watching him stare at a picture of me, Yugi, our parents and Granddad on a fishing trip. My eyes immediately zeroed in on Yugi's pudgy face. He was about four in that picture, and missing his front teeth.

My heart tightened. God, I missed that kid so much. I'd give anything to see him running down the hall to sit next to me. I'm still getting use to haunting silence in here. Around midnight I'd hear Granddad waking up to go to the bathroom and eating ice cream. Usually Yugi would have already snuck his way into my room and slipped between the sheets.

I never kicked him out. I liked having him close. Made me feel important, made me feel like I was important to someone without all the extra effort. My eyes stung. I wiped my hand over my eyes to keep them dry. Duke picked up the picture and turned it in every angle, like he expected to find a secret compartment.

I sniffled. "Ya mind? Pegasus didn't send you over here to be nosey, kid."

Duke flipped me off. "Shut up. I'm just lookin'." He put the picture back and shoved his hands in his pockets. "That kid's a cry baby. All he does is bitch and moan about coming home."

My head snapped up, but I didn't say anything. Duke was looking down at the floor, rolling his feet on top of the other. He looked every bit like a little kid just then, mischievous and wondering if he'd get in trouble for it.

I closed the folder, lips tight and stood up, ready to end this visit. I was damn near close to slapping this kid like a ping pong. I opened my mouth, but Duke was already talking.

"Yugi asked me to be his friend." Duke sent to the wall and leaned against it, folding his short arms. All that black hair fell over his eyes. "He didn't even wait for me to say no. He started following me everywhere and askin' dumb questions. Like I have time to play house or whatever, pfft." His hair lifted, and a smile crept across his face. "That's the first time I had somebody to play with. I almost don't wanna let him come back here. At least with me he can have all the room to play and food to eat. . ." Duke shrugged. "Not that it matters, 'cause all he does is cry about coming home."

The tension fell off my shoulders. Yugi's love hadn't lost an inch for me. He still wants to come home.

Duke glanced around the room as if he just knew someone was around to eavesdrop. "Mr. Pegasus adopted me when I was three. He told me right away I was gonna be put to work and make something of myself otherwise I'll just be another statistic to add to the city's deceased youth. He makes me do all my homework before every mission and plenty of chores. In exchange, he gives me freedom to do whatever I want. I got as much pull as Zigfriend."

"Is that right?" I snorted, smacking the folder in my palm. "Thanks for sharin' your sob story." I walked over and slapped on the back of the head so hard I bet he could taste the pain. "Now get the hell outta, here. I got work to do."

Without warning, he cocked his leg back and kicked the fuck out of my shine. He ran outside before I had the chance to snatch his little ass back, but I'm glad I could give the little dick something to agonize over.

I sighed and sat back own to read through the manila folder. Large pictures of the Blue Bloods were stuffed in another folder, a smaller one. They were stacked in order of authority: Atem, Seth, Yami, Isis, Mahado, Mai and down the ladder.

I spread their pictures out on the floor and matched their profiles beneath each one. The documents held every single thing private detail about them: allergies, blood type, recent medical shots, current relationships, past relationships, possible murders they were responsible for, individual enemies and connections from strongest to weakest.

My eyes kept going back to Atem and Yami like magnets. I was drawn to those stoic expressions and bright eyes. Yeah, it's their eyes that angered me the most. Both were sharp and devouring. With Atem, it's more of a thrill. With Yami, there's an empty care for the victim. Only, I know I saw something else in Yami's gaze years ago.

He was a broken kid back then. What was a kid doing in the hospital alone, I never found out. Doesn't matter though. I stuffed the pictures and information together in a single stack and stood. Pegasus had in the corner of the manila folder, WAIT TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY.

In between the time, I'm supposed to stall and stay out of sight, out of mind. Go to the gym, work out, recite the dialogue written, and practice the signature hand signs and handshakes for both gangs. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. It's going to be a long night.

Those two weeks went by pretty fast.

My instructions were to wear the clothes Pegasus had ordered specifically for this assignment. One of his crewman arrived five hours before I was supposed to make my appearance downtown with a large Macy's bag. The tags had the Gucci emblem printed on the side. My eyes bulged. These were crazy expensive too. There was a bicolor stonewashed denim shirt, some strange leg- loose fit khakis, and a box with a pair of the flyest Retro Five Jordans I've ever seen in my life. These haven't hit the market yet I bet.

Pegasus wasn't playing around with my expenses. I'm sure he's basing these on Atem's tastes. I guess if I'm going to get his attention, this would be the way to do. I pulled out the rest of the gear to go along with the outfit: a gold chain, a thick diamond studded gold bracelet, and a bottle of cologne and lotion.

I pulled out a list of extra instructions. I'm supposed to wear my hair a certain way; freshly washed, combed down and braided over my shoulder. "Damn," I grunted. There's so much. I took a deep breath and stood, moving on autopilot.

I hopped in the shower to clean up, washed my hair and fashioned it in the style ordered. I finished getting dressed and sat down to study over the dialogue, body language and reactions to staged events. It's a lot to absorb. I folded the folder and thought over what I was about to do. It had to go exactly as it was written down. No mistakes. I had to go in with a clear mind. I closed my eyes, relaxing, losing the tension in my body and then stood.

I locked the door behind me and started down the dirt road. Without Hassleberry, I had to hoof it downtown to the Boom. It was an hour long walk. Pegasus could've at least provided a ride, but he said too much could lead to suspension of my connection with the Mediums.

After enduring that tedious trip, I saw the horizon of car lights and felt the ground trembling from the bass of the cars. It was extra rowdy tonight with plenty of scandalously dressed girls, plenty of guys eyeballing the hell of them and a whirlwind of music booming from North to South.

I strolled down the sidewalk, blending in with my peers. I nod to a few I walk by when I'm beckoned to join in for drinks. The clothes speak for themselves I see. One thing most folks have in common is an expert eye on quality. Right now, I'm likely walking in clothes more expensive then the rims on their cars.

A girl dressed in a lime green mini-skirt, jet black leggings and sheer white mid drift, sashayed up with a come heather smile. She gripped my upper arm with manicured nails and pushed all of her 36 CC cups against me. She smelled sweet and fruity.

"Mmm, wanna take this party elsewhere?" she purred, sweeping her finger under my chin.

I smiled. "Name the place."

"I know a good one. Nice, quiet and plenty of room." She planted her soft lips against my jaw as her hand skated down the front of my chest. Then that same hand creep to the space between my legs, thumb tracing my zipper line.

I kept my face neutral, sucking in through my nose and out the same way. My chin laid on top of her head as I scanned the road.

"Which one?" I whispered.

She pressed her lips near my neck. "See that blue Audi down the street. Walk three paces, turn right and flick your wrist." Kisses feathered down my neck, up my jaw and on my cheek.

I shivered. "Keep it up baby, you might not make it to the car."

She snorted and giggled. "Please, you can't handle me honey."

"Wanna find out later?" I walked three steps and turned to wave my wrist. Not even a moment later the lights on the Audi flicker twice before the bass in the truck started erupting like a volcano.

I nearly went deaf from how thick the sound was as it slowly crept down the street. All eyes turned to it, every single one. My chest swelled, even if it was a façade as the whispers started to flee my way.

"You see him?" the girl whispered.

I glanced up above the car. Yeah, just as Pegasus had said in his folder. Atem and Yami were in the McDonald's parking lot staring right at the car, me and the girl. Their eyes narrowed. I winked and sunk inside before I could see their reactions.

Inside the coolly air conditioned vehicle were three of the sexiest men I've ever seen in my entire life, all dressed in different shades of blue. They were various ages and races, one in the back seat and the other two in the front. It was cramped squeezing in, but the girl adjusted herself to shift herself in my lap and stretched her legs in the other guy's lap.

As soon as the door shut, the driver moved his rearview mirror to catch my eye. "Pegasus said you know what to do from here, yeah? You need to be briefed?"

"Nah, I'm good."

The passenger chuckled darkly. "Ya better be. It ain't often I have to work with amateurs."

"Mr. Pegasus has us scooping out the premises for a few phony scrubs," the guy in the back said. He held my attention the most with the dark orange unruly hair tucked beneath a Braves baseball cap and thick arms folded across a Braves t-shirt. His lone red eye peeked from beneath, zeroed right on me. I shifted in my seat. He had a voice like smooth steel. "You say you don't need to be briefed? I say we do it anyway Jason."

The driver grunted. "It's a waste of time, Sly. Just let'em work on his own."

"If he fucks up, we'll be ready to sweep up the mess fa'sho," the passenger chimed in.

"Don't talk about me like I'm not here." All eyes turned to me. I stared each one in the eyes. "I got this. Just focus on your part or do you need to brief me to make sure you have all of your shit in order?"

The one called Sly with red hair, shifted around to face me fully, unfolding his arms. I tensed. He leaned in, breathing over my face.

"Don't get cute, kid. We've been in this business a whole lot longer than you. Trust when I say, we're the last ones who might wet ourselves in this." He smirked cockily before unbuckling his seatbelt. "Just make sure to keep your dick tucked in after this."

"Fuck you." I rolled my eyes.

The car rolled to a stop. I looked out the tinted windows. We drove straight through the Boom and into a less lit area. This park of downtown had a park similar to the floral one. It wasn't as well kempt and the city never bothered to fix the busted street lights. Only one or two still flickered to life. There wasn't a citizen in sight. It was an open, dark, series of stony sidewalks, overgrown grass and wooden benches with faded paint work.

The driver and passenger jumped out. I hopped out with Sly. The girl had stayed inside. As ordered, she took the car away, leaving the four of us here alone.

"Right, let's do this."

I sucked in and exhaled fast. I heard Sly stalking up behind me. So I'm guessing he's my partner in all of this. Out of the corner of my eye, that driver Jason and the passenger strolled over to a nearby tree, braced up against it and started talking. I didn't wait for him to tell me what to do next. There was a stone slab table nearby.

I looked around, keeping watch of any witnesses. There weren't any. Just as Pegasus promised. He managed to keep this section of town clear. I turned around. Sly had his hands shoved in his pocket, eyes hauntingly reminding me of a certain someone else with a gaze that red.

"Ain't no sense in waiting, yeah?" A hot throb tingled in my gut when he said that. Blood buzzed in my ear. I glanced over my shoulder just as the jingle of his belt buckle began to loosen around his waist. I swallowed and decided not to think about it.

I followed suit, unfastening my pants button. For some reason, I couldn't seem to get it out of the hole. My hands were shaking, my heart thumping like a wild animal in a cage.

Sly's laugh rumbled near my ear. "Look at 'cha, shaking like a leaf caught in a hurricane." His fingers slapped mine away to finish what I started, easily flipping the zipper down and tugging the rest of the way. I blushed, annoyed, no better than a virgin.

He gripped my chin and angled my face up. "Nervous?"

I scowled. "Hell no."

"Then come wit' it."

I held my breath as he moved in. His thick lips pressed into mine, popping all the air in my lungs. I instantly relaxed and fell into rhythm, remembering my role in this. Sly had no problem molding into his as well, cradling my hips between his hands and bringing me close to feel the hefty erection between his thighs. That's a whole lot of packing downstairs for me to handle. I was secretly hoping we actually got that far to see who'd last longer than who.

Sly's hands shifted, fingers flexing until they tucked beneath my ass cheeks and lifted. I sighed into our kiss with ease, but all my comfort changed when one of his fingers started drifting near no-no land. I parted from the kiss, looking around to be sure we were alone before speaking.

"Hey, I ain't say shit about bein' bottom."

Sly licked the corner of my mouth. "Like hell it's gonna be me." He nipped the side of my lip before dipping his tongue back in my mouth. I bet it was to keep me from saying shit else on the matter.

But he was determined to get this ball rolling. He was backing me toward the stony table until the back of my legs hit. A gentle push had me sitting and laying back. He propped one leg up on the bench and hiked himself up to over me. I froze from the lust haloing around his eyes. It was enough to make me want to reconsider this plan, but orders were orders.

And just as Pegasus said, it worked like a charm. When Sly moved to grind his pelvis against mine, I heard a car softly passing by and identified it right off the bat.

"You see 'em?" Sly whispered.

I nodded, unable to speak since he was sucking on my g-spot.

"Make it good for 'em."

Make it good? I couldn't fake it if I wanted to.

My head rolled the side for Sly to continue kissing his way down my neck. Atem's car stalled by the curb of the street, tinted windows hiding his dark lust within. I smirked. It was just as Pegasus described in his letter when instructing Heba on the purpose of this mission.

Tempt a man enough and he'll walk bare foot into hell. At least that's how the saying goes. Atem is no different from red blooded man. Hated or not, he's expressed a great interest in you. If seeing you as a threat was intriguing enough, imagine how he might react to seeing one of his own men captivated by someone he deems off limits? No one wants someone who isn't wanted by others. He'll try to take you by all means. It's your duty to make it hard for him.

I frowned. 'But what about Yami?' I remembering thinking.

The letter had an answer for that as well.

You needn't worry yourself about Yami. You've already managed to ensnare him with your allure. Yami puts on a tough guy act for the show. He'll fall in line with the rest of the sheep. Just as soon as the Shepard gives the say, you'll be well into beginning the real work.

I couldn't remember ever being able to convince Yami was an ally, but Pegasus seemed to believe I'd already done enough to get. Didn't he remember what I said before? About Yami keeping a close watch on my every move? Hell, he was probably watching me as we speak—

"Ah!" I clenched my teeth hard. Sly was something else. He had no shame in showing how deep into this act he was willing to go. He had his hand shoved inside my pants and massaging my dick with skill. "Damn, take it easy."

"What's the matter? Can't hang?"

"Fuck you." I caught his earlobe between my teeth and sucked. Sly failed to keep that hiss from escaping his mouth. As if he was some sexual expert. Ha, I had him just as he assumed he had me.

"Yo Sly!"

Uh-oh. Show time. I cozily laid my face into Sly's neck and watched as Atem and Yami approached from the car, Atem leading the way with a none-too-thrilled expression on his face. I felt Sly's hand creeping up the back of my shirt, pricking the skin with his nails.

Sly cleared his throat, casually moving from between my thighs to greet Atem and Yami with the secret handshakes.

"Yo, what it do, boss man? How goes it?"

"Not much to it." Atem tilted his head to the side to get a good look at me. "What the hell you doin' with this clown?"

"Oh?" Sly looked at him funnily. "I didn't know there was a limit to fuckin' asses, sir."

"Don't be smart, Sly. Ya know I told everybody to keep your hands off this one. Pegasus has him rigged." Atem looked me up and down anyway with the kind of heat that could light a cannon on sight. "Ditch 'em and get back to makin' that money flow."

"Aww, Chief come on, I was just 'bout to bust this nut."

I tugged on Sly's sleeve. "Babe, let's go somewhere else. This spot just got a little too crowded for me."

"Hold on." Yami pressed the palm of his hand into Atem's chest, gently guiding him to the side. "How'd you two meet?"

Sly pretended to blush sheepishly. "Well ya see, I kind of met 'em a couple of weeks back. He was eyeing me and I was eyeing him. I approached. He was feelin' it and the rest is history." He laughed outright, scratching behind his head like a child explaining his crime to the parent. "But if it's a problem, I'll call it quits . . . too bad though. He's got a nice lil' somethin' somethin' tucked away in these britches." To emphasize his meaning, Sly dropped the hand on my back to the rim of my pants and sunk two fingers in my boxer briefs.

I sighed, roughly shoving Sly to the side. I stood up, adjusting my pants. "What the fuck is this? I didn't know you had a rulebook on who you can and couldn't fuck, Sly. If you gotta check in with the boss like this, I'm not really feeling it."

Yami looked me up and down, scowling. "We aren't his keepers. It's more for his safety then yours. We could give a damn why he wants to fuck you."

"Tsk, that's not how it looks from my end." I rolled my eyes dramatically. "Sly when you get a chance, hit me on the hip, yeah? I'm gone."

"Come on baby, don't be that way! It was just gettin' good!"

"Whatever, laters!" I chucked the deuces up and started walking away.

Atem damn near looked confused as hell looking between me and Sly like he'd missed the burnt bridge between us. Sly started in one direction and I went in the other. When I reached the middle of the park, now solo, I started counting backwards in my head.

Three . . . two . . . one—

"Heba."

Not the person I expected to speak first, but all the same, I turned around to acknowledge Yami with a quick nod before I kept walking. Yami rushed ahead to cut me off, folding his arms across his chest. I cocked my eyebrow up, staring him down.

"Is that supposed to scare me?"

"How did you meet Sly?" Yami said, getting down to business.

"I thought he already explained that."

"Conveniently leavin' out some details." Yami snorted. "Why don't you elaborate on a few for me? Make it sound a little more convincing."

Atem appeared next to Yami, wearing a less than interested face. In fact, he looked like he was ready to go back to what they were originally doing. Whatever that was.

"I don't believe I owe you any explanations. If you want to get off on how I fucked him into the ground last week or how I sucked him off by the school the other day, then go ask him. Sly's never had a problem talking about his sex life. You know him better than anyone else don't you?"

"More than you realize," Atem answered, fishing around his pocket until he retrieved a neatly wrapped blunt and lit it. He took a single, long drag before exhaling the essence into the air. He light stepped in front of Yami, and then a smile wider than a croc's spread across his face. "That's cute though. Keep on playin' these games, boy." Atem outright laughed.

I frowned, confused.

Atem inhaled and blew the smoke in my face. He reached out his hand and clapped it against my cheek. "You tell Pegasus, the next time he sends out another flunky, I don't plan on being so nice about keeping him alive."

I sucked in without warning, eyes wide.

Yami closed his eyes and chuckled darkly. "What brand of stupid did you take us for?"

"Pegasus's schemes are so old news, it's pathetic." Atem stepped forward, showing all of his teeth in a deadly grin. He wrapped his arm around my neck and tugged me in tight. He gripped the blunt in his mouth and passed it over to Yami who gladly accepted and took a healthy drag for himself. Atem blew the bad smelling smoke in my face.

I couldn't think ahead of this. Maybe they were just guessing, trying to bait me into confessing. I coughed, shaking away the foul stench. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Atem tightened his arm. "We've got eyes all across this town, fool! You think we don't know when we're being played? I knew since the bathroom incident your shit was hot. We've been watching you ever since! So here's the deal, you tell Pegasus I don't have to hide shit from him. I'll tell you what's gonna happen in the next couple of months."

Yami froze. "Is that wise?"

Atem ticked his teeth. "And if it isn't? What's Pegasus gonna do? He can't kill us. We're more useful alive than dead." Atem's arm hugged my neck tighter. "Tell him there's a plan in order to kill the Red Eye Spades boss. We're laying his own crew out and building the set from the ground up with a new leader in mind."

I pretended I had no problem breathing though it was a stupid ruse to keep up because I was about to pass out. "That's a crazy idea. Do you even know who the red blood boss is?"

"Nah, and neither does Pegasus. He oughta to be grateful. After we do away with the Red Eyes, I'll have my baby Yami move in."

Yami folded his arms, eyes proudly closed at being identified as the potential leader of the Red Eyes.

I blinked bewildered at the pair. That was there plan? But why? They hated the red bloods with a passion. . .

Atem's grip loosened. I took the chance to pull free and put some distance between them and me. These two were insane, taking on such a wild job.

I tugged the collar away from my windpipe, eyeballing these two carefully. "So, how do you plan to get that done with Pegasus hot on your asses? You know he's got more pull than the both of you."

"I'm not banking on him trying anything until the shit hits the fan. So let him do whatever he wants. So long as it doesn't mess with my money and crew, he won't have shit to worry about."

I paused, thinking to myself. This was straying a bit far from my role, but. . . "Lemme help you out with that plan."

"Like hell," Yami answered right away. "We don't need anyone getting in our way. If you honestly think we'll trust you—"

"Chill a sec, babe," Atem said, interrupting the rest of Yami's rant. "This could be fun. I gotta hear this. What makes you think we'll trust you after knowing good and damn well you're one of Pegasus's dogs?"

I clenched my fists. I shot off at the mouth without thinking. This was so far off script it wasn't even funny. I had to think as fast as I mouth moved.

"I have my own agenda with Pegasus. It ain't got shit to do with either of you, but you just so happen to be caught in my plans. So think about this. How long have you been planning this job? Weeks? Months? You say you don't care if Pegasus is in on your plan, but if you know the old man well enough, once he learns about this, he'll stop at nothing to put an end to it. I could keep him off your asses until you finished what you need to do."

"You're preaching to the choir here," said Atem. "I've got tied ends all over Pegasus's domain. You'd just be an extra. Gimme something more to go on."

Think, think, think. "What if I said I wanted the red bloods dead as much as you."

"And why would that be?"

"They attacked my family, fucked up my business. I want in on dishing a little pay back." It was the half truth.

"OK," Atem said, slowly. "We all want a piece of the red bloods for one reason or another. . . I'm still not convinced.

"Damn it, I'm trying to get in because I want revenge!" I shouted a lot louder than intended. By now, Sly and the others will have detected a problem in this plan. Well, it's too late to back down now. "You weren't there to see how they disrespected me. That kind of humiliation deserves retaliation."

Atem glared like I was the shit stain beneath his shoe. He sucked his teeth while knocking the dust from his smoke. "Getting revenge isn't gonna solve nothing. Hell, you'll feel good about, there's no question there, but afterwards, you'll have regrets."

"No I won't."

"Yes you will. I know your type. You're acting on pure anger, nothing else. You don't get in my crew based on pure ambition to get back at somebody. This ride is for life."

"That's a sacrifice I'll make." I said immediately.

Yami and Atem shared a look, eyes narrowing and widening and closing in a silent language only they understood.

Yami refolded his arms. "What do you think?. . . it's risky."

"It's up to you, babe." Atem stalked over and heavily draped his arm around Yami's shoulders, hugging him close to his side. "I don't make any decisions unless you're cool with them."

Yami stared carefully at Atem for a long time. I turned away to give them whatever privacy they needed, though deep down I was praying for a way out of this mess. I sunk myself in some deep shit and didn't know how I was going to get out of it.

Atem blew out the last bit of smoke from his blunt before discarding it to the side. He chuckled. "Alright playboy, we'll get back with you on that." He creepily looked my body up and down before stalking away down the sidewalk.

Yami's glare lingered a very long moment, like he was looking for a way to rip the truth right out of me. His smile scared me more than Atem. He cocked his index finger out and bent his thumb in a trigger motion.

Right between my eyes.

He turned on his heel and left right behind. I closed my eyes and dragged my hands over my face. I just dug my hole so deep there's no way in hell I'll get out now.