Chapter 5: Steel To Rust

Shay studied the room in front of her. It was the most amazing room she had ever seen in her life. A copper chandelier hung in the center of the sky-high ceiling, while large copper sheets covered the walls and floors. In the far left corner of the room a King sized bed sat; Gage caught Shay looking at it and grinned wickedly.

"Don't get any ideas." She warned.

This time Trevin smiled.

"I know it's nothing special but-" Gage started as he slung a luggage bag down by the couch that sat in the middle of the room.

"Nothing special? Have you seen the average home for a Ruster?" Shay clenched her teeth.

"No, but we could change that…why don't we stop at your place? Just the two of us." Gage winked.

Shay rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I will be coming back tonight to check on you; so don't go anywhere." She leaned up against the door frame.

"Why are you leaving?" Trevin asked suddenly.

Shay eyed him quizzically.

"There's someplace I need to be." She said simply.

"Why don't we come with you?" Gage stood next to Trevin and smiled.

"I don't really think that's a good idea." Shay stuck her hands in her pockets.

"Why not?" Trevin smirked lazily.

Shay almost gasped; his smile had more of an effect on her than she could have ever imagined. She forced herself to look away from his lips and shook her head.

"Fine you want to come you can come…but if either of you cause any trouble you'll wish you were never born." She threatened as she stepped away.

"Yes mam." Trevin saluted her as he followed.

"So that's Leader's devil spawn." Cary glared as he poured Shay a glass of whiskey.

She laughed and turned around to find a group of women swarming Trevin and Gage.

"I would have never recognized him. I mean damn he's a looker; you should introduce us." Cary leaned his elbows on the bar and rested his hand under his chin.

"He's not gay Cary." Shay shook her head with a smile.

"How do you know? Did you jump him?" Cary's eyes widened.

"Cary, I think you're forgetting that that's Leader's son." Shay gulped down her drink and handed the empty glass to him.

"Shay, I think you're forgetting that he's helping you kill his father. Now if you ask me I'd say that definitely erases the unfortunate family tree." He refilled her glass.

Just then someone sat down next to Shay; she stiffened as she glanced to her right.

Trevin ran his hands through his hair and looked at her drink.

"Whiskey…I like a woman that can drink." He smirked.

Shay looked up at him and took in his eyes. The shocking blue orbs put her in a trance.

"Shay aren't you going to introduce us?" Cary said as he examined Trevin.

"Trevin, this is Cary. Cary this is Trevin." Shay shook her head and chuckled before she swigged her entire drink.

"Nice to meet you, Trevin. I must say you sure picked a wonderful gal. Shay can drink her own weight in scotch, she's the best damn fighter that's ever been since her 20 years of life, and let's be honest she's easy on the eyes." Cary's smile grew as Shay gave him a deathly glare.

Suddenly Cary looked up from them; his smile disappeared.

"Shay; your man's here." He said as he turned around and made himself busy.

Trevin turned around. A tall man walked into the bar; he looked like he was in his late 50's with his graying hair slicked back and a small beard growing on his angular chin. He had on a silver suit that looked too nice to belong to a Ruster.

"Stay here; and whatever you do don't let him see your face. He'll recognize you instantly." Shay warned coldly as she stood up and walked over to the man.

Trevin snapped his gaping mouth shut and focused his attention on hearing their conversation.

"Shay; how are you child?" The man asked sweetly as he embraced her in a warm hug.

"I'm doing good Sylvan. I take it you got my message?" Shay took in a deep breath.

"That I did; and here is your share." Sylvan discreetly pulled a white envelope from his suit pocket and handed it to her.

"It's all there I trust." Shay stuck it into her pocket.

Sylvan nodded put his hand on her shoulder; a sad smile took over his features.

"I want you to know that if I could do something I would. You're like a daughter to me, Shay."

Trevin swore his saw a tear slip down Sylvan's cheek, but quickly looked away.

"Don't worry yourself about me. It'll be over soon; then you'll have to find yourself a new sidekick." Shay crossed her arms over her chest.

"They will have big shoes to fill. No one did the job better than you." Sylvan patted her back and began to turn away; pausing by the open door.

"Oh and Shay…"

Shay looked back to him.

"Tell you're mother I said hello."

She nodded slowly and shut her eyes tight as Sylvan left.

When Shay sat back down Cary let out a labored breath and refilled her glass for the third time.

"You told him?" He asked sadly.

Shay nodded silently again and drank the entire glass in one gulp.

"Told him what?" Trevin's brows furrowed.

"Nothing…I'm going outside for a smoke." She said absently as she walked away.

Trevin huffed and met Cary's eyes.

"Who was that man?"

Cary pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

"She'll kill me if I tell you." He shook his head.

"Who was that man?" Trevin repeated again.

Cary gave him a long stare and clenched his teeth.

"God you're good looking. Alright fine...but this stays between us. His name's Sylvan Slayer."

Trevin's eyes widened.

"The Sylvan Slayer? Mob boss Sylvan Slayer?" He whispered in shook.

Cary nodded.

"What…does she work for him or something?"

"She's his hit man…or hit woman…or…well whatever…he goes to her when he wants someone gone."

Trevin covered his mouth with his hand.

"Wow, so when you said she was a good fighter…you really meant it. How long has she been working for him?"

"About 5 years. Shay works at the Power Plant too, but every Ruster knows that's not enough to get by…especially with all the fusing she's had done. Desperate times call for desperate measures." Cary explained as he dried a glass and set it on the bar.

"Wait go back; you said she's had a lot of fusing done?"

Cary eyed Trevin's confused expression.

"She hasn't told you?"

Just then Shay walked into the bar; her spicy aroma now clouded with the smell of smoke.

"What haven't I told him?" She asked Cary with a frown.

"Nothing. I was just curious about your friend. Cary refused to fess up." Trevin shook his head innocently.

Shay watched him suspiciously, and clicked her tongue.

"Alright." She mumbled as she turned around to find Gage still surrounded by women.

"Come on Romeo, sorry to break up the love fest but I still have another stop to make." Shay pulled the collar of his shirt; lifting him up to his feet.

"I see you like it rough. I can do that." Gage flashed another flirtatious smirk.