The Devil's Price

Pain. That's all that Calvin could feel. He couldn't remember all that had happened, only flashes of being on the ground, bleeding out a lot of blood, his friends and family rushing him somewhere in a car. Then… nothing. Nothing at all. That, more than anything, scared him. It was almost like he had died, and yet there were no golden fields to greet him. No big cat with a beard ready to answer all of life's mysteries. Not even a light to follow. But now, slowly, his senses were coming back to him. Mutterings and murmurs from strange voices, and now he could feel his own body. It was sore, like he had just worked harder than he had ever worked before. The pain in his side was persistent.

Willing himself to figure out what was going on, Calvin slowly opened his eyes, pupils constricting at the harsh light outside the window. As he did so, a bright figure hovered in front of him. She was all dressed in white, reaching out to him. Was this an angel? No, he was still alive. Calvin could decipher that much. He could tell by the form that it was a woman. Was he home in his bed?

"Mom…" His voice forced out as he reached out for the figure.

"No sweetheart. It's Elsa." The former nurse said as she changed out his bandage. She noticed him stirring as she cleaned the wound and took a moment to try and coax him back to consciousness.

"Oh…" Was his response. "I wish she was here."

"She would certainly be upset seeing you like this, I can guarantee that." Elsa replied.

"W—what happened?"

"You were shot. The others decided to come here instead of going to town. Quite the gamble on Ethan's part, but it paid off. If they went the other way you might not have gotten into surgery in time."

"Shot?"

"You don't remember? You and Ethan were working in a field. He said he went to get something from the barn and then someone shot you from the trees."

Cavin didn't seem to completely register what she was talking about, so Elsa went back to work. "You'll remember eventually. Okay, this is going to sting."

The iodine burned as it contacted the stitched-up wound. Now Calvin was fully awake, groaning and gritting his teeth as Elsa did her work. He did get a chance to look down and see the damage to his side before she could apply the fresh bandages. "How bad was it?" He asked.

"You were lucky. It severed an artery but Ivy was able to keep it pinched shut until they got you here. Besides damage to the muscles and tendons, the only other concern is bone or bullet fragments in the organs."

"Will I recover?"

"You being awake is a good sign. But we need to wait and see if the wound gets infected."

"I'm in Defiance then? I should call them."

"Now, I will call them. You should rest. Ivy will be glad to know you're awake." Before she could get up to leave though, Calvin's hand caught Elsa's. She looked down and saw a scared boy who didn't want to lay there by himself. Sighing, she sat back down, putting away her medical supplies.

"I almost died, didn't I?"

She hesitated to respond, but decided he could handle the truth. "It was very close, yes. Rocky had to give up blood. I took as much from him as I could without risking his own life."

"Oh God…"

"And the car wasn't exactly clean, either. Ivy was terrified, but brave. She helped me work all through the operation to remove bullet fragments."

She could see it all processing in his mind. His own mortality. The same look in his eyes were in so many others a decade ago. Young men like him who were reduced to casualties of war. But Freckle was no casualty of war. No, that bullet wound was the "devil's price" as her brother put it. "Are you okay?" She asked him.

"I—I don't know. What do I do now?"

"Recover. After that, well, I thought you were done with the rum running business."

"I wanted to be. We thought it would be safer if we made our own. Ethan said…"

"Ethan was wrong, Calvin. He tries, but no one is perfect. He and Rocky both blame themselves for what happened."

The memory came back to Calvin in that moment. "I told Rocky that it wasn't his fault. I really should speak to them."

"I'll let them know. Maybe they can come see you when you're well enough to move around. Now then, if you don't know what you should do next, at least you've got some time to think it over."

Big Decisions

Rocky waved "goodbye" to his dad as we dropped him off at the run-down old shack, he called a home. Both of us slid down into the car's seat and hung our heads low from exhaustion. It was worth the effort though because now there was a game plan to strike back at the Green Ones. Our combined wits plus Rocky's "improv" skills were going to give us a much-needed victory in this newfound war. But now we had to decide what we'd do for the rest of the night.

"We should find Miss M. She'll be happy to see you alive, Ethan."

"I agree. But there's someone else I should see first."

"Ivy?"

"No, Isabella. We'll find Ivy tomorrow."

Pulling up to the house, I didn't quite know what to expect. I was looking forward to it no matter what though. I had been needing to see her ever since that first shot was fired at Freckle. Letting the car idle, I got out of the driver's seat and gestured for Rocky to take my place. "This shouldn't be too long. Would you mind waiting here?"

"Go get her, tiger." He said with a smile before sliding over and making himself comfortable.

Ringing the doorbell, Isabella answered after a brief moment. We stood there, staring at each other. I could see all kinds of emotions on her face, but mine only had a smile.

Slap.

I held my sore cheek as the smile disappeared quickly. "Well it's good to see you to—" She stopped me dead in my tracks with a long kiss on the porch.

"What the hell were you thinking?" She asked as we sat down on the couch.

"Bella, I've made a lot of mistakes in the last two days. What was it specifically that's got you so upset."

"Leaving us!" She said, sitting down and wiping away tears. "Do you have any idea how devastated Riley was? Rocky? Me?"

I could barely look at her in shame. "It was never my intention to die, I can promise you that."

"Of course it wasn't. I know you didn't mean to hurt us, but you did. Did you really have to stay on that bridge and fight them all by yourself?"

"At the time it was all I could come up with."

She sighed, shaking her head. "Ethan, rum running isn't for you if that's what you do when you're backed into a corner. We can't lose you! Look at all the people who depend on you. All the people who love you. I knew that what you do for a living is illegal and dangerous, but I thought you would find a way out other than some pine box floating down the river."

"I hurt you, and scared you, didn't I?" I said earnestly.

"Yes, yes you did."

"And I'm sorry for that. Rocky and I have decided that it's time to walk away from the speakeasy."

"Really? Oh, I thought we'd have to argue about that for—"

"But we've got a problem. The Green Ones are going to keep coming after us. Well, not you, I hope. But Rocky and I are going to still be targets, perhaps even Freckle and Ivy."

"What are you saying, Ethan?"

"I'm saying I can't walk away from that. I'm in a war now, Bella. We're going to keep being hunted until we kill the hunters."

"You can't possibly fight an entire gang by yourself…"

"I'm not by myself, Bella. I've joined forced with a more powerful gang ran by a guy by the name of Santino. It might take a few weeks, but the alliance he is building up will be able to run the Green Ones out of town for good." I could tell Isabella was less than impressed by the idea.

"Ethan, I—"

"I need you, Bella. I need something to look forward to when this whole mess is done." I said as I hugged her tightly. I could feel her lean on my shoulder as I pulled her in.

"I want to get married, settle down, and live with you Ethan. But how is this war going to end?"

"If only I could give you and answer…"

We sat there for several minutes, any anger or resentment fading away with the last of the light outside. She finally made a decision for herself. "I'll keep an eye on the girls, but you can't let yourself get killed Ethan. And I don't know if I can bear it."

"I'll find a way, Bella. Can you put some faith in me?"

"I will try. Now, I assume that was Rocky in the car?"

"Yeah, he's keeping the engine warm."

"You two boys had better find a way out of this mess. And for the love of God go see your sister. She needs you as much as me."

I climbed into the passenger seat of the car and took off my hat, looking it over. The old thing was worn and weathered, just like me. Some of my own blood was now staining the lining of the hat, courtesy of the shrapnel pieces that pierced my scalp. Hopefully the small cuts wouldn't scar over.

"So how did that go?"

"Eh, about as well as could be expected."

"She was mad with you yesterday. Nothing quite like a woman scorned."

"I didn't betray her, Rocky. But I did scare her, and I never want to do that again. Be honest with me, were you all hurt when you thought I was dead?"

Rocky thought about it for a while before answering. "Yes."

"I really have been a fool then. If I had been thinking ahead more, we never would have gotten into that situation."

"Well, Ethan. I suppose we have the chance to think ahead properly this time around, don't we?"

"Exactly. This second chance is a gift. An opportunity to do things right. Let's not squander it. Now, do you think Miss M is back at the Sable estate, or down in the speakeasy?"

Rocky and I rolled into the speakeasy twenty minutes later. What we were about to do wasn't easy or enjoyable in any way. Rocky had been loyal to Miss M ever since she picked him up off the street. I had only been here a few months but felt protective over all these people. Unfortunately, protecting loved ones often means sacrifice, and in this case, we were going to sacrifice one of the few things that gave our boss true happiness. Walking through the door, the others looked at me like they were seeing an apparition. "My God, it's Ethan!" Wick exclaimed, causing the band and Mitzi to look our way. "Have you seen Riley and Joseph yet?"

"I did. This morning, but it was after you and Mitzi must have left to come here. Say, what's with the dead atmosphere?"

Mitzi, ever precise in her composure, walked up to us with a cigarette in her hand. "You were starting to worry us, hon. Rocky was quite upset thinking you were dead, as were the kids."

I could only hang my head in guilt and shame for putting everyone through this. The next line drove the point home. "Isabella is not exactly happy with you either." Mitzi continued.

"I'll call her as soon as we're finished here,"

"You had better. One thing Atlas never learned was that women hate it when their the last to find out about something like this. And speaking of Atlas, I think we need to talk. Zib, mind coming to join us?"

"Good, because I got something to say as well."

All of us sat down at a booth in the empty speakeasy. I prepared to drop the bad news on Mitzi but couldn't quite find the words. Mitzi also looked like she was fumbling with how to say what she needed to get off her chest. I decided it was best to be direct and to the point, but we ended up stumbling over each other's words.

"Rocky and I are quitting." "We're closing the Lackadaisy."

"What?" I asked after I registered what Mitzi had just said.

"You and Rocky are quitting?" She asked, sounding a bit hurt.

Zib stepped in to get us back on track. "Neither one is exclusive to the other. Ethan, Mitzi and I were talking yesterday. With one of you injured and the other dead, there's no way this place could keep going."

"But, Miss M, you love this place?" Rocky asked, genuinely concerned for the woman he cared for.

Mitzi gently grabbed Rocky's outstretched hand and patted it. "I saw how much you were grieving for Ethan, hon, and I don't ever want you to have to go through that again. Of course I love this place. It makes me feel like Atlas is still here… but he isn't. We'll close Lackadaisy if it means keeping my boys safe. You have other responsibilities now, Rocky. Putting you or young Joseph at risk is the last thing I want to do."

"Now there's the Mitzi I know." Zib said, sitting back in the lounge chair.

"But you two were going to quit?" Mitzi asked.

"Quit the Lackadaisy. But not you, Miss M. We'd never turn on you. What does Wick think of all this?" I asked with enough volume to catch Wick's attention.

"Though I'll miss this cavern, all things must come to an end someday. I would rather see this place be shuttered than burned down."

"So we're all in agreement then?" Zib asked us.

"Yes." "Aye." "It's for the best." We said in turn.

"Good. But that means the band needs to find some new employment."

After thinking about it for a bit, I had an idea. "Oh, I think we can find you a few gigs. You know, enough to keep you guys fed and warm over winter."

"There is one thing I want to do, though, before we close up shop..." Mitzi said.

"Oh, and what's that?" I asked.

"We've got all this extra stock. Why don't we have one big celebration? Dirt cheap prices on all the drinks? All those people who have been coming in regularly will get one last chance to see this place. Once all of our alcohol is gone, we'll lock it up."

Rocky's eyes dilated at the thought of performing for people like the speakeasy was back in it's heyday. "That's a great idea, Miss M!"

"Agreed. It's not like we want a bunch of alcohol stashed around here where people might try to break in and steal lit. And I know a few boys who can help us with security."

Just then the phone rang. Mitzi got up to go get it, leaving us three to ourselves. Zib pulled out his cigarette and leaned forward. "So, what about the goons after you guys? Closing this place up won't help you much there."

"I know. That's why we joined up with Mordecai, the Santino gang, and the Russos. We'll be hitting a target at the end of the week.

"Boys! Calvin woke up today. He's alive!" Mitzi yelled from across the speakeasy. No other news could be sweeter to our ears. Rocky perked up, and it was as if life came back into his eyes.

Good News

The professor droned on and on about the latest lesson in a forgettable literature class. Ivy could hardly stand the boredom, she had grown too used to her excursions with the Lackadaisy crew. But the warning she received was very clear. She could not leave campus until she could attend a hearing with the discipline board. Her father was going to be here in a day or two from Kansas City and together they were scheduled to meet with the dean. No doubt he would be displeased.

All in all, it had been a terrible week so far. Her choices finally catching up to her, Ivy had to endure not only the intense pain of not knowing whether Calvin was even alive, but also the gossip and snickering of the other ladies in the dorm hall. Ivy's head hit the desk surface as she gave up, just waiting for the last two minutes of the class to finally be over. At least she could see Alena and Isabella at lunch in the student commons. The bell finally tolled, delivering sweet relief. Hurriedly getting up from her seat, Ivy made for the door and to some small semblance of freedom. As she exited the building, in a blur she was swept off her feet and held tight by Rocky who danced with joy.

"Oh Ivy! It's a beautiful day, isn't it?!"

"Rocky, put me down!" She demanded, slapping him with her paperwork. Rocky did as he was told, but the smile didn't fade from his face.

"What are you even doing here? Whatever it is you and Ethan want, there's no way that I can—" Ivy paused as she did a double take. I was right behind Rocky, hat in hand and a few bandages on the side of my head. In the blink of an eye Ivy pulled me in, hugging me tight. "Ethan! But… how?"

"Long story, Miss Pepper."

"Oh, it was quite the miracle! He had to fight the river, and a mud bog, and then stormed into Santino's office demanding assistance from Heller and the rest of them. Then he swooped in and—"

"That's not how it happened. But I guess you could call my survival a miracle of sorts."

"A second chance! We're not all doomed after all." Rocky added with excited glee.

Ivy looked between us, shaking her head in confusion. "What is he on about?"

"Oh, Rocky was just about to get to the good part. If seeing me again made you that happy, you'll be over the moon with the latest news."

"What? Come on, boys, spit it out!"

"Freckle is alive!" Rocky shouted at the top of his lungs, drawing plenty of unwanted attention.

"He's going to make it, Miss Pepper. You and Elsa did it!"

"Pump the brakes there, Rocky. He's awake, that's not the same as being healed."

"But he's not going to die now, right?" She asked me, ignoring Rocky as he danced around us.

"Rocky! Control yourself." I ordered before turning back to Ivy. "Well, it's a good sign anyway. His prognosis is a lot better now than before. I'm sure it would do him some good to see you again."

"Well that's just great!" Ivy threw up her hands in frustration before burying her head in her hands. Rocky and I looked at each other in confusion, but soon we both helped her to a bench underneath an old oak tree. "So, are those tears of joy?" Rocky asked, sheepishly.

"Oh Rocky… Of course I'm happy Calvin is alive and on the mend. But I'm stuck here, remember? I can't see him unless he comes here."

"Well, if he keeps recovering like he's supposed to, I imagine in a week or two he'll be well enough to travel." I suggested.

"That's not the only problem though. Dad will be here soon. How am I supposed to explain to him that my boyfriend is a gangster and related to the craziest violinist on this side of the river?! No offense, Rocky."

"None taken!" He beamed, choosing to believe that it was a compliment.

"That is an issue. Unfortunately I don't think Rocky and I would be of much help."

"No, you wouldn't. He doesn't know all the things I've been doing outside of class."

"And we'll strive to keep it that way. By the way, you don't have to worry about dancing down in the speakeasy. Miss M decided to close up shop."

"What? But… That was her life."

"Without her valiant rum running crew, it's a dream that can never be…" Rocky lamented. "Don't worry though Miss Pepper, there's going to be one last hurrah once all the dust settles."

"Yep, and we plan to make sure there's enough refreshments for everyone." I added.

Ivy could hardly believe it. All those years of coming to the speakeasy, basking in it's warm, inviting glow… it was over. "What will you two do now? How are you going to make money?"

Rocky shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, Miss Pepper. We'll just have to improvise."

"We've got enough saved up to last us a while and keep the kids fed. But I'm going to be taking the fight to the Green Ones. I don't want the rest of you involved though. So best stay on campus."

Ivy wasn't exactly pleased with the situation. "So what, I don't get a say in this at all? You can't possibly expect me to sit back and do nothing while you take care of the people who hurt Freckle."

"Ivy, that's exactly what you are going to do." I said, annoyed. "You, Alena, Isabella, the kids, Freckle, all of you are staying out of this. Even Rocky is only going to help in a limited capacity."

"But…"

"No. For once, you people are going to listen to the war veteran. Besides, Viktor wouldn't want you involved in this. I know your father wouldn't want you involved. And Mordecai insisted on you and Alena staying clear of the shit that's about to go down."

Ivy held her tongue, looking at me with a hurt expression not unlike the one Riley would pull on occasion. But I wasn't budging on this. Them getting involved almost got them all killed and that was one mistake I wasn't about to repeat.

"Ah, don't feel bad, Miss Pepper. It might be boring here on campus, but it is perfectly safe! Also, isn't about time for lunch. Where should we go?"

"Well, I was going to see Alena and Isabella in the dining hall…"

"Great! Let's get going! Maybe they'll still serve pancakes!"

To Catch a Spy

Mordecai poured over the big map of the city, writing down notes on the movement of the Santinos and Russos. He could now add in the operations of the Green Ones, including where their paths might cross. Sera and Nico were acting like they were disinterested in the boring stuff that seemed to consume their former colleague. Meanwhile, John and Fresina busied themselves with a game of chess in the corner. While technically Mordecai's superior, he knew the cat needed silence to do his best work. The Savoys didn't much care though.

"Hey Monsieur, I thought the big boss was going to be here?" Nico asked Fresina while putting out the last of his cigarette.

An audible growl emitted from Mordecai. "He's attending to some different business, now what part of this silent room made you think speaking was warranted?"

"I'll speak my mind as it so pleases me, cher." Nico growled back. "Besides, you ought a know how to work with us in de room."

"Fine, if you require something to occupy your mind, then perhaps I can trust you to write down the following locations and times…" Mordecai said while tossing the Cajun a note pad and pencil. "Of course, that's assuming you are literate. Or perhaps that is a bad assumption?"

"Jus cause I don't speak all fancy like you, cher, don't mean I can't read or write dem words!"

"Mordecai, don't insult the hired guns. I'm sure Nico is capable of what you're asking him to do." Fresina said between moves, before realizing a new strategy of attack against John. "Though I must ask, what exactly are you doing with that map?"

"I suppose I didn't explain myself properly the first time. We want to find a spy, and the best way to catch a spy is to lay a trap."

"Yeah, but our spy could be any of a hundred people."

"Not likely. The higher on the ladder someone is in a criminal organization, the more likely they are to be a traitor. There's simply too much incentive."

"Sounds like someone we know, eh brother o' mine?" Sera said, pulling out her dagger to pick her teeth clean from earlier.

"My actions were motivated by something you two couldn't possibly understand. And for what it is worth, as much as I disliked our partnership in the field, I still would not have turned on you like you two turned on me."

"We were following the orders Moreau gave us." Nico responded. That wasn't exactly impressive to Mordecai.

"I shouldn't be surprised. He was even more twisted and you two. Killing mere children after already achieving victory was a complete waste of my time."

"Oh come now, cher. We all know that wasn't the reason why you wouldn't pull dat trigger."

"It is true, Ethan and I were working together. But we had an agreement to not compromise each other even if it meant one of us were to die."

"Yet you wouldn't let that girl die. What's her name? The little feisty one?"

Little feisty one was a surprisingly concise description of Ivy Pepper. Mordecai paused in the middle of his work, thinking back to that first day the girl found herself in the middle of the workshop with Viktor and himself. Sure, Mordecai didn't want anything to do with Ivy. With the benefit of several years of experience and the perfect vision of hindsight, he had a more nuanced opinion of that first interaction. Her seeing the gun was his fault entirely, and it was gross negligence on Rueben's part to bring her along in the first place. Part of the reason he left New York was to keep the more innocent members of his family, particularly his youngest sister, away from the life of crime he found himself in.

"The name don't matter though. The point is you got sentimental." Sera curled her lips at the insult. Mordecai snapped out of his inner thought and scowled at her from across the room.

"It was not sentiment which prevented me from carrying out those orders, Serafine. If I were sentimental, I would not have crippled my former colleague. And if he had been in that quarry, I promise you he would have taken that machine gun you are so fond of and bludgeoned you to death with it. I certainly would not have stood in his way for you. So make no mistake, witch, I am not sentimental. I have moral obligations, something you know very little about.

Nico grew angry and hearing his sister being called a witch, but Mordecai anticipated this and turned it on him as well. "But I suspect your brother knows a thing or two about morals, don't you Nicodeme? Every brother who is worth a damn has them. I will bet you want to kill me right here and now for insulting your sister, correct?"

Nico stood his hand, sitting back down, glaring at the cat and waiting for an excuse to pounce on this traitor who stood before him and had the gall to insult his kin.

"Then perhaps at least you and I have some understanding of each other. It was my job to protect Ivy as she is Atlas May's goddaughter. Mitzi May was Atlas' widow. And, as much as I dislike the woman, her safety was a priority in performing the duties of my job. Some parts of that job did not conveniently end for me when Atlas met is fate. There is no one alive, much less some pompous detective, who could compel me to violate those duties. If that bothers you so much, then we can sort it out right here and now. You have your guns, and I have mine…" Mordecai said, letting the light shine off the polished walnut grip of his 1911. The Savoys knew full well what he was capable of with that pistol.

That last sentence worried both John and Fresina who were ready to defend themselves and keep a firefight from erupting across their whole headquarters. But Mordecai was quick to seize the opportunity and use it for a peaceful resolution.

"…or you two can accept that I had and still have duties to fulfill which extend beyond the shallow enticement of money or fun, which is all you two seem to be gunning for even after being ran out of town by your enemy. Luckily for us all, that former enemy is now an ally. Breaking that alliance for something as cheap as revenge would be a level of stupidity that even I think is beneath you two. Now, if you are quite finished with trying to get a rise out of me, I suggest we all get back to our jobs."

Sera could barely contain herself, but Nico stopped her, sitting back and opening up the notebook without even saying a word. With a huff, Sera relented, settling back down in the couch to simmer while John and Fresina went back to playing their game. Mordecai adjusted his glasses. "I apologize for calling you a witch. I honestly do not know what the proper term is for people in your position within the Voodoo religion. Now then, Nico, here are the locations, dates, and times."

Mordecai then had Nico record several locations before transcribing them into individualized paper orders on the typewriter, sealing them in envelopes and addressing them to each lieutenant in the Santino and Russo gangs. The two mobsters finally had some interest in what was going on when they saw the different orders. "What's all this, Heller?"

"You want to catch the spy, don't you? Then we need to set a trap."