Love Struck Eternal
Chapter 15 - What say you?
Sam's POV, The next day.
Rosco had the day off and here I sat watching over him as he slept in for the day. I barely slept myself. My mind was racing with countless questions and problems swimming throughout my thoughts. I had issues deciding what part of me was going to be able to work through this. My dad may be an asshole, but he was right. I had to leave if I wanted to stay safe, but Rosco was my friend and that's what made it hard to do.
Mocha sat on my lap on the floor as I had my phone sitting on the ground next to me and my laptop resting itself on top of her back for support. For the last hour I've been looking over the network. I wanted to know exactly what I was dealing with. Yet the site itself had very little to go on apart from a customer support number which at a time made me laugh. A site who makes most of their money off murder has a customer service rep? That blew my mind, but also made me think about other options.
Rosco was on here and he was listed for fifty five thousand dollars. My good half just wanted to listen to my dad and uncle and just move on and go to school, but the bad part of me recalled how good I felt doing that small heist with Twig. I really got off on making that money. Something had to be off in my head for me to enjoy breaking the law. Something so off it made me ask myself if I was capable of doing it again. I had a good paycheck sleeping right in front of me. All I'd have to do is…..?
But that was the problem. I wasn't going to win a direct fight with a man his size. I'd struggle winning at any fight really, but I had some ideas to avoid that. However even if I did do something like this; I have no idea how to even claim the bounty. I'd have to talk to someone who knew…...someone like customer support? I didn't know the rules. I don't even know if someone with no military background could work on here, but with Rosco out of it, I picked up my phone and put in the number. For a good two or so minutes I held back from dialing. Was I really going to contemplate this? After everything?
I had to. I had to start somewhere. I needed experience and I needed to somehow get more money. I didn't plan on finding a legit job out here, but this…...maybe this is something I can do to compensate for that. Or at the very least this could buy me time. I'm not listed on the site yet and maybe if I start out on the right foot I could keep it that way. But when I hit dial; almost every rational thought left my mind. Up until someone answered saying to me in a very scary yet relaxed tone of voice.
"This is operator twenty seven, may I confirm the name of whom I'm speaking with? Is this a….Samantha Diskov?"
"Yes sir." I replied respectfully back. I heard what sounded like keys on a keyboard being hit after I gave my answer. No longer then a moment after did the man state to me.
"You aren't a client with us that much is clear when I run your name through the system. May I please have the reason for this call in a few words?"
I felt like I was talking to a robot somewhat. As if this was an automation asking this of me. So maybe with that in mind I replied bluntly.
"I have some questions involving potential employment. Or whatever you consider this field of work to be."
Giving me a small chuckle the man replied.
"This "field of work" is simply described by most as bounty hunting. Private contracts, with private payouts. No one works for the network. We are simply the middleman in a world full of unsolved mystery and problems. Ranging from small beefs to the more major world conflicts. We provide the means to get things done off the books. A way to solve problems and at the same time offering everyone who is willing a heavy paycheck for potential repeat business."
My eyes looked back to Rosco at this point and I figured to play it safe and get up and leave the apartment. I stood right outside the front door as the operator proceeded to say to me.
"Now typically our business is done through PMCs and other trained contractors. Normally we don't bother talking to anyone outside of that circle, but seeing as you called I'd like to at the very least give you a fair chance to speak. So please Samantha Diskov, how may I help you today?"
"I don't…...I don't know how to really go about saying this. I have…..I mean I know the location of a person who is currently on your website. I…..I think I can potentially close it."
"Name on the contract?" The man asked quickly as I carefully replied.
"His name is Rosco. He was posted by the M.E.A.F."
"Ahhh yes I see. Says he's currently located in the US. If you know this man's location and think you could go about closing it; I'd suggest thinking twice. The United States is a closed contract location, which basically means that most PMC's will refuse to engage in open conflict due to legal allegations and the complexity of the punishment if a contract got out of hand. Now that doesn't stop everyone mind you. Closed contracts can be pursued but there typically is a high risk of failure and or a very high chance that an individual could face punishment or ultimately death."
Jumping ahead more than I planned, I informed the man on the other end of the phone.
"I'm willing to accept those complications."
He took a second to say something else, but very soon he asked me.
"You're not currently part of any military organization or private military company correct?"
"No sir." I replied as he then asked.
"So you'd be interested in applying as a lone contractor then?"
"Yes." I replied as my heart was racing.
With the line going silent, I took a second to run my hand through my hair. I wasn't all too sure about this now. I was scared even as the man soon came back to say to me.
"We can go about setting that up for you. Only problem standing in our way is the fact that according to my records you haven't had any military duty. Now your father is Raptor Voltz correct? Mother is Zeta Diskov?"
Widening my eyes I replied.
"Yes sir. How did you…..?"
"We know everything about everyone Samantha. It's our job. It's how we run our business so well. Now please don't let that spook you in any way. As far as I can tell your name is very clean. Not much to really target you on, but despite your family members it's odd you have no experience outside of being a scholar. Congratulations by the way on the scholarship."
"Thank you?" I replied in confusion as I was completely caught off guard by how much he knew about me.
"You're very welcome, but the matter is still current. No experience, no training, and very far from home. Now it's not my place to know every single detail about your life, but I can assume you came to the US to follow more schooling, yes? Now if that's the case you'd be making a very awkward turn by asking to do business with us of all the people who could help a growing scholar like yourself. Is this a matter of money?"
"Partly." I replied which returned a prompt and swift follow up from the operator.
"Well we can surely provide that much, but the matter is your ability. This Rosco is a trained killer. He has been for years according to the data in front of me. Out of respect for your father Samantha, I'm gonna be honest and warn you that going after a man like this will probably be your undoing and I know well enough to think you're dad wouldn't wanna have his only child get killed doing something as…..well as dumb as this."
Giving off a weird look at his statement I questioned.
"What do you mean out of respect for my father?"
The operator chuckled and quickly replied.
"It's not important. What is important is asking you again. Is this really a risk you want to take?"
"Yes." I replied as I looked down at Mocha who was sniffing my shoes. Once our eyes locked did he say to me.
"Well legally I can not stop you. However due to the nature of this, I'm gonna have to interview you in person. When would you like to meet?"
Now I was stuck. Unsure of why this was happening, I asked him back in confusion.
"An interview? What's that for? Isn't that what we're doing right now over the phone?"
"Don't you wish it was that simple? No this is simply you calling us to ask questions about a potential future in our business and despite that and what you may think of us as an organization, we do not risk business on first time contractors without knowing in certainty that their first contract will be a success. We can't afford problems and your contract also happens to be involved in the US. So it's even more important that we get this right on the first shot. Now without the need to fear or worry Samantha, I can meet with you whenever you want. However the place will be of my choosing. Is that okay with you?"
My heart was now at a standstill. I had every impulse to just hang up and never do something like this again, but at the same time I contemplated the money I could make and the need to prove yet again another person wrong. I could do this and maybe this could be a way to get what I want. I'd need money. A lot of money if I ever planned to see viper venom again. That and I would need a way to find it. Getting involved with this kind of business could surely lead me to people with such access. Maybe not another Rosco, but it's my only real idea right now to go on. So without warning I replied to the man.
"Yes. That's fine. Where do you want to meet?"
"Ahhhh let me see what we got here. Are you familiar with the area yet?"
"Not really." I replied honestly which got him to chuckle and ask me next.
"Well judging from your location I can see a few good spots. A few restaurants, a bookstore, a…..?"
"The bookstore! I know where that is." I informed him mid sentence. Just happy I had some idea as to what he was talking about, the operator replied.
"O'leary's? You know it?"
"Yes." I replied.
"Well I can be there within the next twenty or so minutes. How about you?"
"I can be there in ten." I stated back quickly as I got Mocha to mush forward.
"Well let's make this as simple as possible. You'll get there before myself if ten minutes is the case. You just head inside and find a nice little spot to rest yourself. I'll introduce myself when I get there, but do us both a favor and make sure you're as secluded as possible. No need to discuss our business among the average folks who may just be there enjoying a good read. Yes?"
"Yes sir." I replied as I left the building.
"Then I'll see you soon. Goodbye."
Once he hung up I let out a deep breath and looked down at Mocha to say to her.
"When we get there baby I need you on your best behavior. Okay? Just stick close to me and keep yourself as calm as possible."
"Braf!" She replied happily as I smiled and looked back up to focus on the trip ahead.
By the time we got there I was looking for the man on the phone expecting him to be there. In fact, I looked at everyone for probably longer than I should. I had no idea who he could be. No idea of the age, species, or just sheer appearance. Would this dude be a soldier like Rosco? I had no clue as I entered the store to see only a few people around, most of which just being older shoppers browsing around the shelves.
Mocha stayed right next to my left leg as I decided to just relax and find a spot to settle down that looked somewhat concealed from the rest of the store. But the only spot I had to work with was over in the section where they had a few tables tucked away so people could sit down to read. There was another person sitting a few tables away from me but it was this older fox who had to be in her eighties. I doubt she'd be a problem.
Mocha sat under the table and after a few minutes I managed to relax a little. Every aspect of my brain was thinking over what would be asked of me. I had little to go on. I'd be willing to bet this wasn't gonna be standard interview questions.
"Excuse me?"
I jumped slightly as I heard a voice speak out behind me. I turned in my seat to be head level with a rabbit. The same black rabbit with two green eyes who I recalled knocking over on my last visit to this very store. He was wearing more or less the same outfit I recalled him wearing last time as well. Except the shirt was now a dark blue plaid pattern instead of red. With a small book in his left hand; he reached out with his right to say to me in a somewhat unsure tone of voice.
"I'm sorry if I spooked you. I didn't mean to sneak up on you like this. I just wanted to introduce myself seeing as last time we met I was planted on the ground. Hehehe."
My face turned red as I took his small hand to reply.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to run you over like that. I was just in a rush and I…..?"
Giving me a shake of his head and another small chuckle, he begged me.
"Don't worry about it. I'm just messing with you. My name is Jari. Nice to meet you."
Shaking now, I said back to him with a sense of relief that he was still cool about me knocking him down.
"Sam."
"Are you here by yourself?"
Shaking my head as we let go of one another, I replied to him while looking under the table.
"No actually. I'm with this little one here."
Jari widened his eyes happily as Mocha came out to greet him from under the table. Mocha was nearly his fucking size. It became even more clear when she tried to jump up on him to kiss his face. Almost immediately I reached down to grab her by the collar and order.
"Oh Mocha! Don't….?"
She got down pretty fast and as she did Jari again said to me.
"It's okay. She's not causing any trouble. Is she a service animal?"
With Mocha taking a chill pill, I replied.
"I like to think of her as one yes."
"That's amazing. What breed is she?"
"An Arabian wolf." With his eyes opening up he questioned.
"Oh my god seriously? Where did you get her?"
"From my father. He had one of his own back when I was just born. She passed and Mocha here was her only child."
Jari seemed very sweet and genuinely interested in me, which I was normally not accustomed to when it came to meeting new people for the first time. In fact this was going pretty well; all things considered. I normally sucked at small talk, but he just seemed sweet. Maybe it was the size difference or because we technically already broke the ice back when I steamrolled him. Either way it felt nice knowing I wasn't in trouble.
"That's crazy. Wow. Well hey, I can see you're waiting on someone; so I'm just gonna get heading out. But it was nice meeting you Sam. Hopefully I'll see you around?" It came to me as a question. Unsure of how to respond, I just replied after some stumped thinking.
"Maybe. It was nice meeting you too. Stay safe out there."
"You too. Both of you." He said back as he left for the front door.
Once Jari was gone from my sight, I went back to trying to calm down. That little guy just scared me so badly and that's only because I was still nervous inside about this meeting. Yet I had no other choice now. The guy was gonna show sooner or later and till then I'd have to find a way to keep cool. As I did I looked back at Mocha to command.
"Sit back down hun. Good girl."
Mocha obeyed and for the next few minutes we just waited. Next thing I knew; I watched as a few different faces came through that same entrance. One of which got my attention more than the others.
A tall light blue cat with two brown eyes and dressed in a very well kept business casual suit. His shirt was just solid white and he had a slim black tie. No jacket, but in his right hand was a small laptop. He took a moment to stop by the front desk and at which point he was pointed in my direction by the employee manning the counter. I quickly got the memo. He must be the guy. With a gentle smile on his face as he approached, I reached down to urge Mocha who saw him coming.
"Stay."
I knew she heard me and when the guy was within a few feet of me he stopped to look down at her before saying a word. I just kept my mouth shut and my eyes on him as he chuckled and said to me nicely enough.
"Well I see you don't follow orders too well Sam."
I had a feeling he was joking, so I calmly replied back as he made a move for the seat across from me.
"Oh don't give me that. Who's she gonna tell?"
The cat laughed as he got his computer down. Once seated and comfy, he looked back into my eyes to state.
"I know. Figured it's a nice way to break the ice on our first meeting. How are you?"
"I'm good." I lied. I was scared to death. I almost couldn't believe I was here right now actually going through with this. The cat from this point believed my response and rightly so introduced himself.
"My name is Minky. I'm an operator who solely works with the network. I'm among the majority. You'd be surprised how many people do what I do. However I believe I'm the best at it. Now of course it's random who gets the call, but in this case it appears I was the closest. So of course now that I'm here I would like to again talk about your concerns. Or should I describe it as an interest?"
"I need money. I need money and I need experience." I informed him bluntly.
"Yes of course, but you have a scholarship. You could instead focus on getting a legitimate job and making legitimate money at that. Why now have you changed your mind? Do you even have an interest in college? Your parents must have some expectations for you. You're what? Eighteen right? Why start your life on the wrong foot by taking this kind of a chance? You must have a reason. What is it?"
Looking Minky right in the eyes I replied.
"Things have changed. Over the last few weeks I've grown to have problems. One of which is being trapped with a drug enhancer that was passed down by my parents."
"Viper venom?" Minky questioned as I simply nodded.
"You're a user? What grade? Standard, imperfect, or perfect?"
Turning my venom on I replied.
"Perfect."
Minky was already hard at work on taking notes. As he did he said to me.
"Well that's very interesting. I assume it shouldn't be a shock. Your parents are both users as well. No doubt it was given to you at birth. Now even though that's not entirely a good thing, it does at the very least help you stand out on our site. Sometimes PMCs or other groups look to hire perfect users like you. They pay a lot of money to do so as well. But of course you're also not trained. So in practice you're a perfect user, but in reality you probably have no idea how to actually fight. So it cancels that out for now. Have you thought about joining the army back home in Iraq? Surely that would be a great way to get started."
Shaking my head I replied.
"Up until recently I wasn't interested in becoming a soldier. At least not like my dad was. I have my own goals and back when I was in Iraq I honestly wanted to practice science. More specifically the drug itself. Viper venom."
"Practice? Practice what?" Minky wondered as I calmly explained.
"I didn't know I was a user till maybe a month or two ago. I did some research and I have others in my family who have explained it to me. How the drug works, what it does, and what it's made from. I want to change the process. During some time I was alone, I even managed to advance myself. Before that I was what you call imperfect."
The cat began to laugh. It wasn't loud by any means. It felt like he was laughing at my statement. As if he didn't believe me. After a few moments more, he stopped himself to wonder.
"So let me get this right. You found out only recently? And when you did, how did you know you were imperfect?"
"I lost control. I lost control and I passed out. It happened a second time too."
"And you claim you're perfect now? There is no possibility if you were just imperfect a month ago. You can get better at controlling it, but you can never be perfect. It's genetic. One hundred percent genetic."
Going into my pocket, I pulled out the one and only case of viper venom I had left. I had it hidden away with some of my clothes that my uncle didn't bother to check and thankfully I had one dose left of my recipe and four of the normal ones. The cat knew no better so I calmly asked him.
"Are you a user? Imperfect?"
Just smiling he replied.
"No. I'm not a user."
I just had to go for this. Even if it meant taking a risk. So I reached in to take my dose out of the case. I felt my dad's personality kick in when I ordered the cat sitting before me.
"Give this to someone who is. That won't ever be a problem for them again."
"What are you trying to tell me?" Minky asked bluntly.
"I'm telling you to trust me. You are like so many others. You see my age and my experience and you just think I'm crazy or stuipd or both. I figured it out."
Minky's face was still looking at me like he thought all of those things. I knew the truth and I was telling it to him. Yet despite my gusto, he replied back after pushing the case back to me.
"I'm sure you did, but I'd rather not take the chance. What you're suggesting can't be done. If it was simple then the world would have figured it out ages ago. Keep your doses to yourself and stop trying to strong arm. You barely know what you're doing to begin with when it comes to the network. We don't take kindly to anyone with muscle. You listen to us. Or more specifically me. You got that?"
I wanted to punch this guy. He was like Zandro. He didn't think anything of me or my ideas. Not even if the proof was standing before him. All he had to do was take a chance and maybe things could have been completely different. Instead he muscled me back and now I had to fold my hand and play by his rules once more. I even managed to push back out my show of respect by replying.
"Yes sir."
Minky just stared at me as I put away my case of venom. After a few seconds he asked me.
"So where is Rosco? Where is he and how do you plan to do it? You can't win a fight with a man like that. You can't afford to be too loud otherwise you'll have the police on your ass in under two minutes. And that's just two things you need to consider telling me. That's if you plan to convince me you're capable anyway."
Putting my venom away, I refocused my efforts and replied to his concerns.
"He's living in an apartment off of Highland park. Only a few minutes up the road. Apartment forty two on ironically the fourth floor."
"What's he doing?" Minky asked as I carefully replied back.
"Keeping his head down? I don't know."
"You left the middle east around the same time he did. Am I wrong?" Minky wondered with a small smile as I widened my eyes.
"Now that's a little ironic. Don't you think?"
Minky kept himself composed as I sat back and questioned what to say next. The cat took one more look at me before reaching down to pet Mocha on her head as she looked for my reaction. Seeing that I was clearly hiding something the cat went on to inform me.
"Your record is clean. As of right now. But…...I'm sure there is a story here I'm missing out on. Now I'm not asking or telling you to tell me, but I will have you know that lying to the network or refusing to be truthful will cost you your life a lot faster then any bullet will. So all I ask for Samantha is for you to be honest with me. You know Rosco right? You have a reason to be here with him? A backstory to tell?"
I was cornered. He had me so I just decided to take his advice and nod my head to his curious questions. Minky simply smiled back because he knew he had me on something, but like a man of his word he didn't ask me anything further. Instead he just said to me as his followup.
"I'm gonna give you a chance. One chance. You have twenty four hours. I'll ask no more questions. You get rid of this "attached string" and I'll clear your name through and allow you to work for us."
"And if I don't?" I asked him back. With our eyes locked he replied.
"Then this is the last time we'll see one another. I'll lock you out. No business with the network will be allowed and you'll of course still be a target that can one day be posted for sale. How does that sound?"
My eyes went to the table as he waited patiently for an answer. After a few seconds he added on to his last statement.
"The network will not help you if you get into trouble doing this. The cops? That's your problem. So do yourself a favor and cover up any tracks you leave behind. You won't be staying in the country for long if you get labeled a murderer to the public. Are you listening to what I'm saying Samantha? One chance. Proof of the kill will be required. Pictures work the best. Send them to this number and we'll talk again if everything blows over smoothly. Alright?" Minky asked me as he began to stand up from the table with his laptop. Looking back up at him curiously, I questioned.
"What about the rest of the interview? You barely got any information."
Shaking his head he replied.
"That's where you are wrong girl. I got a lot more than you think. The things I needed to fill in were filled in. The other blanks? Well that's not important if there is a chance you'll never have any business with us again after this. You prove yourself and we'll finish where we left off. Sound fair?"
All I could do was nod as he took his first two steps passed me. However he stopped and whispered without looking back.
"You're not your father. Stick to your wits. Not your guns. Your life will be much easier when you learn to be yourself. Trust me."
I couldn't help but feel a little mad as he gave me advice that closely resembled my uncle's. However what could I say or do now that it was out there?
Minky left the store and not soon after did I collect Mocha and do the same. On the walk back to the apartment I questioned what the network was capable of. Minky just met me and it seemed to me like he had a lot of information. Then all my thoughts shifted to Rosco. I had the rest of the day to figure this out. It was that or to just walk away and walking away sounded good at any given time, but I was neck deep and I had only one chance at making this happen for me. I just had to keep thinking about the plan I had in my head. Do this and you'll have an open door. Even though Minky doesn't believe me, I could still find someone who might. So long as I start getting on the grid. And if for some reason this didn't pan out the way I had it going in my mind, I could at least take the money and maybe buy some time in the spotlight. Someone had to be out there that would want this first. I just had to try and find them.
Raptor's POV, Iraq.
"Are you gonna come over for the meeting? It'll go a lot better for her if you're there Peek to defend what you saw." I informed my friend who was getting ready to head back home.
"I can't. The girlfriend will kill me."
"Okay." I replied as I let out a sigh and asked another question that my mind needed answers to.
"Where did you move her to? Is she safe?"
Peek took a moment to respond but when he did he said back to me calmly.
"She's safe. We found a place that was closer to some of the schools she wanted to visit and it's in a good neighborhood. She's fine man. Just trust me."
His words gave me hope that everything was gonna get back on track. However I still had to worry about what Char and Zandro would say once the stolen gear was back in our hands. I'd have it in the morning and from there I'd go talk to them about what happened. I had a story all laid out for when the time came and I prayed my word was gonna be good enough. Without Peek there, I'm just worried is all. I thought to myself as he went on to tell me.
"I gotta let you go. My flight leaves in five minutes. I'll call you tomorrow and you can tell me how it went."
"Okay. Be safe." I begged him as he chuckled and replied back before hanging up the line.
"You too man. Tell Zeta I'll catch her around another time."
Once the call was done and over with, I laid back on my bed and looked up at the ceiling. I was shaking slightly. I was always worried Sam wouldn't be ready to leave home, but in reality it seemed I was the one who wasn't ready. I cared too much and it fucking bothered me that I never truly apologized and god knows how long it will be till I get that chance again.
My mind was swirling around a million thoughts all at the same time and even with my powers I couldn't get it to stop. The worst one in there was a question. A question I shouldn't ever have to ask myself, but there it was.
Just how close was I to my father and his way of thinking? How alike were we now that I had a child who grew up with enough time to see me for who I was? Was I making the same mistakes he did? Was I just like him? Is that why my daughter feels the way she does and ran away? I had to be and the longer I contemplated it the more I believed I was just like him. I did all I could when she was a baby, but once she took her first few steps into being an adult; I just somehow and somewhere lost my way as her father. I could have been better. I could have paid more attention to what she was trying to show me. I could have done so much more and it drives me fucking insane to think I'm just like my dad when I was her age growing up. Now my questions turned to one and with my eyes shutting I asked it in my head.
When did my father lose his way? Or…...or maybe he didn't. Maybe it was just me. I was blind by rage. I hated what he was because it took away from me. I was selfish and after years of blind agony, I broke and took the easy way out. Maybe I could have been a better son. Maybe I could have listened to him. Maybe I could have tried to see the bigger picture, but…...but…..but how could I when it was so long ago and I was barely able to understand myself?
Sam's POV, Later that night.
"Arms up." Rosco ordered me as he was teaching me how to block some basic strikes.
We've been at this for a good hour and thankfully he was going easy on me. He was striking me of course, but not with all his power. And thankfully on top of that he was taking his time placing his strikes and stopping to show me how to physically defend them. In all honesty, it was going well. I was starting to get the hang of it. Now as we were nearing ten o'clock Rosco stopped to ask me.
"You've been good with the venom. Any issues since you made and took that dose?"
Shaking my head I replied.
"Nothing yet."
The tiger nodded his head and handed me a glass of water. I took a sip and handed it back to ask him.
"Don't you have work tomorrow? It's getting late."
Smiling he replied.
"Yeah your right. We can pick this up tomorrow night."
Wiping my forehead, I took my chance and asked him as he collected himself and began to walk to the bed.
"You wanna get a shower?"
I saw his face change to laughter and with it he asked me back.
"You tryna tell me something? I barely broke a sweat."
Putting my back to the bathroom door, I smiled back and replied.
"Well I did."
Rosco's eyes lit up as he began to sense something was off with me. I also sensed I grabbed his attention so I continued by telling him bluntly.
"And I don't care if you're covered in sweat or not. You worked earlier and I don't wanna sleep next to a guy who smells like this city."
The big guy turned around now and very slowly took a step towards me. With my smile remaining, I asked him again.
"So? You can sleep on the floor if you don't wanna."
Once standing in front of me completely the big tiger looked down into my eyes to mumble back.
"Well the floor here sucks and I guess…...hmmmm…..I guess there is room for two in there."
Very sweetly I leaned up to kiss him on the lips. Rosco from this point was hooked and without needing to try, I guided us into the bathroom to start the shower. Almost instantly when I turned around to fiddle with the knobs, I felt his hands grab me from behind. His right hand spun me back around once the water was running and from there we began to make out.
"Fuck…...Samantha?"
"Hmmm?" I mumbled as I got his shirt off.
Feeling my body up and down as I slipped off my shoes, Rosco disconnected his lips from mine to ask.
"You ever think you'll want kids?"
The question caught me off guard completely. However as I thought of an answer he already had my pants unbuttoned and halfway down my legs. He even stopped himself halfway through the process to press his face in between my legs to smell my crotch. Putting a hand on his head, I gently pushed him an inch back to reply with uncertainty.
"I don't know. It's never crossed my mind. Mmmmm."
The tiger gently came back up to meet my eyes. I was turned on enough to think bad enough of the situation.
"Why you asking?" I asked him back as I reached down to undo his pants.
Once his dick was out he replied
"Because I know shit may be hard for us right now, but if you give me some time? Like a month or two. I should be getting shit together with this local PMC who's looking to hire someone like me. If I take the position I'll get my name blacklisted and my contract locked. It's good money for us and you won't have to worry about looking for a job. Just let me handle the money problems we run into and you focus on your schooling and I'll keep us safe."
With my hand on his dick, I questioned with a smile.
"This sounds like a fancy pitch."
Nodding his head and taking his right hand off my ass, Rosco pushed out a singular claw and put it to the bottom of my shirt. I just kept staring into his eyes as he gently pulled his claw all the way up my shirt, ripping it in half. When it hit the floor he admitted.
"You can call it that, but I see no reason to hold back. You have a future and a good head on your shoulders. I have a good one with plenty of money in the foreseeable future. It might not be right away, but why not try and put a kid in you early?"
"I'm eighteen." I replied as he chuckled and quickly whispered.
"Nice and fertile then."
With my back hitting the water a second after, I pulled the cat in with me to admit.
"True, but…...I'd rather take my time when it comes to something like that."
"You seem to get off on risks though." Before I could get fully submerged, Rosco pulled my hat off and flung it across the room. Then he asked me.
"One time?"
My eyes looked back down at his manhood and very carefully I bit my lip. With his argument valid and sensible, I remembered my goals and replied.
"Not tonight."
The tiger still smiled because he knew he was getting something by the end of this night, and thankfully that was enough for him to respect my decision.
With my hair getting washed over my eyes, I listened as he replied back happily.
"Okay. I understand."
"Thank you." I giggled as we got down to business not a moment later.
Ten minutes later.
Rosco carried me over to the bed because even once the water turned off he planned on taking me again. I didn't plan to stop him because fuck it felt good. However when I hit the bed I focused my efforts on getting close to the nightstand where I had a new pair of pants waiting for me.
Rosco thankfully was fully focused on making out with my tits as I slipped my hand in between where my pants met the nightstand. I felt a needle slip in my grip and from there I quickly wrapped both my arms around his back.
"Your so fucking hot Sam." He mumbled to me through his horny state as I stared up at the ceiling where the fan and lights met.
Mocha this whole time was just laying down across the other side of the room just watching this go down. However she didn't know what was to come and neither did I, but I had to do this now. I wouldn't get another chance.
My head was fighting my hands and my hands were fighting the needle. My life was flashing before my eyes and with each memory came the reality of what I was thinking. I had no choice. I had to. I fucking had to. But this guy was so nice to me. He had my back. He was trying so hard to make me happy and even pictured a future after this. How could I do this to someone like that?
"Sam?"
His voice broke through my head and with reality coming back I replied as he lifted his head off my chest.
"Yeah?"
With our eyes locked he smiled and admitted.
"I think I love you."
My world stopped. My heart stopped. My emotions froze and I struggled to speak. He just continued to stare at me as I felt the needle in my grip rotate to his neck.
I think he was expecting me to say it back and that's probably what sent me over the edge. Without even thinking, I moved my left hand out from my side and grabbed him by the neck. Rosco for a moment must have thought I was making a move since I didn't say anything back, but the second I slammed the needle into the left side of his neck did that outlook change completely in his eyes.
"Aghhh! What the…..?"
Rosco turned his head so fast to see the needle in my hand. From there he flew off of me and questioned.
"What the fuck did you do?!"
I couldn't move. The tiger's eyes were red and with his body still pinning me down he began to panic and scratch his neck furiously as his skin began to bubble. I could only stare at him as my heart was beating out of my chest. Rosco however began to scream. Blood started to pour out from his nose and even his eyes.
"Aghhhhh! Fuck! Jesus fucking Christ! Aghhhhhhhhhhh! What did you do to me Sam!?"
I tried to move out from under him, but his weight kept me where I was as I replied.
"I'm sorry! I'm so fucking sorry, but I need the money!"
Rosco's eyes were melting. His screams were starting to get out of control so I reached over to grab onto one of our pillows. However by the time I went to move; Rosco swung downwards with his right fist and for the life of me I had no clue how to defend myself from that. I lost the pillow and my lights when all I felt was his knuckles connecting to my left eye.
"Braf! Braf! Braf!"
"You fucking bitch! I trusted you! You…...aghhhhh!"
The blood coming out of him now began to cover me as he again swung hitting me square in the right side of my mouth. Mocha was under me at the bottom of the bed and she knew I couldn't move after being clocked twice like that. So without question she jumped up and put her first two paws on my back to get a grip and using her mouth she bit down on the back of my neck and began to pull. I thought she was trying to snap my spine, but somehow she yanked me out from under Rosco and with all my weight I hit the floor and looked back up to see Rosco screaming for his life. His entire body was covered in bubbles and it only took seconds for those bubbles to pop. The skin on his face was melting off and once I saw bone getting exposed; I made haste and picked back up that pillow I once had and tackled him down onto the mattress. I had to shut him up, so I used all I had and even my venom to keep him pinned under me. Mocha was on the defensive as I ordered the dying tiger.
"Shut up!"
You could still hear him screaming from under the pillow, but after about thirty seconds he stopped moving. I was bleeding a bit from out of my mouth and left in shock from what I just did. Mocha jumped back up to grab me by my hand and unable to speak I somehow followed her till I was standing near the desk where my bags were.
There was so much blood. The bed was soaked. I couldn't…...I had no idea what to…..oh fuck me. I thought to myself as I stumbled back into some clothes.
"Braf! Braf!"
Struggling to get my phone together, I knew I had to get pictures for Minky. Once I had the camera on, I approached the bed and quickly pulled the pillow off of Rosco's head. What I saw scared me. I had an idea as to how deadly venom could be, but I wasn't ready for this level of death.
While I took the pictures I thought about how I did this. All it took was mixing two full doses together. Two normal doses of venom. I couldn't help but wonder how I survived my custom dose. I lowered some of the drugs in that dose I took and whatever I changed must have been the key difference between life and death like this. I couldn't figure it out for sure right now and I had to go. I had to run from here. But I had to clean up any traces I left behind before that.
Stumbling to the kitchen, I used what I had to move the stove out from the wall. I got just enough room to access the back and in about a minute I disconnected the gas line and pushed the stove back in place. Mocha was staying right by me the whole time and once I had my bags together I ordered her.
"Let's go Mocha. We need to go."
I unlocked the door and took one last look at Rosco before reaching into my pocket for a disposable lighter I had. Without even thinking I just lit it and tossed it over to the kitchen. Little did I know how bad the explosion would be, so when the gas went up; I got hit with enough heat and pressure that it sent me over and Mocha ran for the hills.
The fire alarm in the building went off and before I knew it I was on fire. Flames covered the base of my right arm and I felt like my face got hit with battery acid.
"Aghhh! Aghhh! Fuck!'
Smacking my arm till the fire went out, I panicked and somehow got back up to start running. Mocha was waiting for me by the stairs and so were a few other tenets who were running from the fire. We blended in with the crowd and before I knew it we were outside and looking back at the building which was now on fire completely.
Once my eyes had adjusted, I began to feel nothing but a stinging pain all across my face. I started to cry from it, but at the same time began to run from the scene. Once halfway down the street, I looked over to see firetrucks coming. When they passed me I turned on my venom and tried to heal myself like Peek said was possible. I think it was working because in minutes the stinging went away and I was making the right back towards the bookstore. Mocha was so concerned with my health she kept barking as I was clearly broken. However I had to go to my phone to see if Minky had messaged me back and thankfully he did; telling me to meet him outside the bookstore.
By the time I got there he was waiting in a red SUV. He saw my condition and once I was inside with Mocha in the backseat he asked me.
"Do you need medical help?"
I was so wiped out from trying to use my venom; so without a doubt I replied.
"Yeah….please."
The cat got us moving and I could barely pay attention as we drove. Halfway through the drive he said to me.
"You did a good job. I'll open up an account for you as soon as we're done treating those wounds. The rest of the interview can wait. But you did do a good job Samantha. Just know that."
I couldn't find any words to say. I was just shaking in my skin as he let out a small sigh and drove us the rest of the way to what to me looked like a compound. A really nice compound that could be mistaken for a mansion. There were men standing outside the gate and as soon as we pulled up one of them came to Minky's window to ask.
"What's your business here today?"
Nudging over to me, he replied.
"We need to see the doc. Is he in?"
Looking over to me, the guard replied.
"Yeah. Pull in and head inside. I'll call you through."
"Thanks." He replied back as we were let through the gate.
All I could do was focus my attention on the area around us as we pulled to the front of the main building. Each man or woman I saw was wearing nicely kept dressed clothes with some part of it being the color blue. Once the car came to a stop, Minky got the door for me and said while leaving Mocha in the back.
"There's a man here who can help you cover those wounds. Let's go inside and I'll make the introductions, but Sam? Don't get the wrong idea and say anything out of place. This isn't the place or the people to fuck with right now."
"What do you mean?" I questioned as he calmly went on to wonder.
"You know anything about the US? If you do, do you know anything about the mob?"
My eyes widened and quickly I replied.
"I know a few things, but I didn't think it was an actual thing still going on."
Minky smiled and nodded his head as we got moving into the main building. Keeping his eyes out, he went on to say.
"Well it is and these guys around here are the real deal. Watch what you say and who you do business with because these guys will sell you out or kill you if it means they get something out of it. We're gonna do our best to avoid Don Cora."
"Why?" I asked him as we turned into a nearby hallway. Stopping in front of one of the many rooms in the hallway, Minky replied bluntly while knocking on the door.
"Because he's a loose cannon. Just trust me. You'll be glad you missed him."
Minky's words fell short when the door opened that he knocked on and behind it stood a fairly built light brown hedgehog with a small white patch of quills along his right ear in a full blue suit and matching fedora. His eyes were locked onto the cat and he smiled wide as he asked.
"Missed who?"
Minky was caught off guard completely as I narrowed down what was happening. This had to be the man in question. He got nothing more out of Minky and with his silence golden, he turned his attention on me. He lost his smile completely when he saw my eyes staring back at him.
mT Shadow.