Maero sat in his cell in the penitentiary. Contemplative. Over the past few years, they have fed him on what was going on outside of the isle prison. Processing everything that had happened from the time he heard of Li freeing Gat from the death he was certain to get when the judge slammed down her gavel. He was free walking the streets in his city. Maero sat, as his flaming angel paid a hefty sum for the best lawyer to get him out.
"What a waste of money." Maero grumbled. Stated to the smaller man after the case was dismissed.
They denied his eligibility for parole once more, based on the physical evidence of surveillance footage at the store, that Maero "missed" when he was "helping" the shop clerk.
The lawyer was not what was present on Maero's mind; it was how. How did Li get out to free Gat? Was she out in hiding? Did she break out years ago?
The pen was abuzz with the past rumor recirculated about the Penitentiary Ghost. "That was Li. That was the shit that they were doing." So in his cell, he pondered.
While he appreciates what Jessica had done for him, he needed to take his place in society once more. Maybe joining forces with the Saints and The Brotherhood would take out the Ronin. Together will be a stronger front. Unfolding his arms, he stood, towering over all that stood before him. Like a large bear standing on his hind legs.
Li, the right hand of the Saints, was chumped by the Ronin, and Gat has made much noise with that casino robbery. "Damn. I wish I had my people on that. So, who really is their leader?" He decided. Lunchtime in the cafe was his cue, time to see what the news is with the Saints.
Carlos and Ramon were full time busy, crazy busy with customers. They built a small fanbase with their custom works. From paints to decals to interior, everything. Ren helped them out by coming up with a website that drew in plenty more customers.
Ky had one order. "No, Saint Promoting."
Ramon knew what that meant, Carlos and Ren had to ask. "It means that we are a legitimate business. If we promote the Saints here, it could mean trouble later on. That's why we work here and are not near HQ."
Ramon Mendoza has been with the Saints for years. He joined around the same time as Gat and Dex. The three went to different schools only ended up joining when their neighborhoods were more than littered with drugs.
There were plenty who lost a friend or family to Los Carnales, in the days before Ramon's parents came to Stilwater, more to VK pushing back and while Johnny, Dex and Ramon saw the shit that was happening around them as they grew, it wasn't until they were older that they wanted to join the fight.
Carlos was still in elementary school when Ramon had joined the Saints and then a few years later met Kyouki, who was young herself. That did not stop her from bringing Los Carnales to their knees. Then the Rollerz and Vice Kings, those who didn't submit to the young woman, met an unpleasant end by the force of the Saints.
You had to earn your keep with Kyouki. They helped rebuild the neighborhood. They subjected all of Saints Row to violence. And when the dust settled, the city was free to breathe. Now they are doing it again. Older, wiser, still holding the city together. Kyouki now has his younger brother, whom he shared stories of, tackling the Brotherhood.
"She ain't the type to mix business and Saints." Ramon wiped his hands. "You got anything on Brotherhood?"
Carlos shook his head. "Well yeah, I think we overheard Jessica was getting Maero a lawyer for an appeal?"
"Yeah, that shit ain't happening." Ramon scoffed.
Ren and Carlos looked at each other.
"That means, the way he beat those shopkeepers, he would have to pull a Jefá and Gat. He ain't getting out. Crazy vato swole."
"What you mean?"
"He in there now cause he was running for Kimo, Hector Lopez." Seeing his brother and girlfriend expect more of an answer continued. "You too young to remember but Maero was like, no you never saw Gat… hold up… Maero took notice of Victor cause of his ink, here." Ramon reached into his pants pocket and pulled his wallet out. The plastic cover on the small photos had seen better days. Handing a few pictures over to his younger brother showed what Gat and Ky looked like when they were younger.
Ky hardly changed, while Gat…
Ren and Carlos burst out laughing. Ramon had a chuckle. "Yeah, he was skinny man." When Ramon sobered, he went back to working on the car he was in. "Yeah, I was in the yard with Maero vato covered in tattoos now and big." He gestured how huge Maero is. "Well, now that I think about it, Luz is back in town."
"Who?" Carlos asked, looking up from the photos.
Ramon wiped his hands off and closed the hood. "Angelo's ex. I had to do a car for her. Yo, call Jefa, tell her that Luz is in town."
Across town, Johnny and Kyouki pull into Lisa's driveway. The entire ride there, Kyouki stole glances at the man, her best friend, her best friend's boyfriend, who she had one night with. She would look out of the window of her side of the car.
"You good?"
"No."
"Did junior not please you?" He grinned, looking over at Kyouki.
Kyouki held her breath. Her heart was speeding up. "No."
"Then what is it?" He asked as they pulled to a stop.
Ky opened the car door, stepped out, headed to the front door, and knocked.
"Ky tell me."
She was embarrassed, angry and wanted to not have given in. The thought of his touch, his body against hers, made her sigh in a way that sounded erotic. Reaching to ring the doorbell, it opened with Aisha on the other side with a pleased look on her face.
"How are you happy about this?"
"Call me Cupid." Aisha teased, letting them in.
Kyouki teared up. Turning to face the both of them, she shook her head. "I guess you don't care about how I feel. I'm over here feeling like utter shit and this is not what I wanted."
"Hun…" Ish went to hug Ky, but she was rejected.
"You decided my feelings for me." Groaning motioned to the couch. "Sit. You two need to know a few things." Ky angrily wiped her tears.
Gat went to say something, and Ky raised her hand.
"Screwing with her was me to out of my mind to stop. Screwing him was not something I expected. Yes, I have feelings for you, both of you, but I'm not even sure what it is. Yes, I let it progress further. Gotdamnit!" She went from looking between them both to pacing while she twisted her hair.
Aisha looked at Gat, who did the same. Maybe Ky was right. "Babe, how about we forget it happened? We don't speak on it." Aisha suggested.
Ky stopped, looked at Aisha, stunned. Her mouth went to form words. She shuffled emotions, snorting finally with a grin. "Yeah, yeah. That's not quite how that works."
Gat stood up to go get a drink. Ky plopped down next to her girl and sighed. "You two need to get married."
Of all the crazy things that Kyouki has said, this one request was confusing.
"Why? Was Johnny… he ain't hit it right?"
"No, I want more, that's not what I… need to say. I..." Ky stopped. Never a loss for words, but she had been thinking. Seriously thinking. The paperwork she had folded in her back pocket, the same paper from the night before that attested her nightmares.
Johnny came and sat next to Ky. The weight shifted. "Perfect timing." She cleared her throat. Looking away to a painting on the wall. She let Johnny know what she just said to Ish.
"What for?" Gat nudged her back, looking over at Ish.
"My sanity."
Ish chimed in. "Ok. What brings this on, though?"
"I started drawing up a will. It was some of what I had started in Japan. I brought that paperwork over. Hell, even Lee was skeptical." Ky chuckled to ease her tension.
Aisha didn't like the sound of it. Took Ky's hands and gave them a squeeze. "You're worrying me. What is this about? Tell me."
Ky felt Gat snake his arm around her waist. She closed her eyes and sighed. "It's almost that time of the year again. And… If it wasn't for Johnny, my family would have had nothing." Even when she was busy these past few years, she could feel the date approaching.
It was an uneasy feeling, like ice water down your back on a freezing bitter day. No matter how hard she distracted herself, it would be a constant reminder on the radio or out in the city for Hughes.
Aisha nodded. Her "Death" Anniversary.
"Johnny knows now. That my father's name is mine. Also, I need you two married for at least a year, so in case anything happens to me. You two and my James' side will be set."
Johnny heard what Ky was asking. He didn't disagree with it. He had a feeling that's not all she has to say. Johnny pulled her closer and whispered in her ear.
Ky nodded. "Yeah. Here." Ky pulled the folded piece of paper out for them to read. On her feet again, she paced.
Her phone rang. "Hey Carlos. What? I'm alright. Who? Well shit, you know where? He did? Go find what she needs and I'll meet you there in an hour. K bye."
Johnny waited until she hung up. "Fuck this mean? The Ronin was trading with Rollerz? They targeted Lin and you cause of it?" Gat sounded as if he was going to go out and beat Joseph and William.
"Chill. Yes, somehow my uncle found out I was running with the Saints. He pulled from the Rollerz and was going to have dealings with us." Ky took a breath. "The downside was I ended up dead. But this is just like with the Carnales. Remember the shipments we got back for Manny?"
Gat nodded, and Ky nodded in return. It was the same thing, except there was no one aiming for her. "Do you know if we still have any contact with them?"
It didn't matter, it can always be renewed, maybe. Ky went to the front door. Before she could leave, Gat stopped her.
"So, how much do you know about the Oyabun?"
"Focus on getting hitched, something small if you want to keep it private. I'll be back for you later."
Carlos headed out over to the store where Luz worked. Ramon had offered the address, then after dropping Ren at home. He came to the strip on the boardwalk. There weren't many people out. Carlos took a short walk from the car to a little shop next to Branded. The bell overhead jingles when the door opened.
"Hello, welcome to Heel to Toe." A woman in her mid-thirties walks out, a pleasant smile on her face, a red flower in her unswept hair. Her accent laced with a Hispanic laughter.
"Yeah, I'm looking for a Ms. Luz. I dunno her last name. My Boss sent me." Carlos said in his return greeting.
"She not here. Who, may I say, is looking for her?" The woman behind the counter froze to the spot.
Carlos didn't think to ask for a last name. He nodded. "I didn't mean that to sound like she's in trouble, sorry." Carlos quickly apologized. "I'm with the Saints." He whispered the last part. "My Jefa would like to speak with her, if you can let me know when she will be in."
The woman behind the counter relaxed, looking at the young boy, nodding her head. "I'll let her know."
"Gracias. She will be here later for information on Ms. Luz. Thank you." Carlos left a stunned Luz in the store.
Thoughts formed. It's been years since she heard of the name Saints. She recalled the leader being a man, though she could not remember his name. The young man who was in the shop said the leader was a female. Luz had nothing to worry about. The boy assured her that the person coming just wanted to talk.
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. She missed Manuel. The only reason she was there at the shop was, as she found he had taken an interest in another woman. A much younger woman. Luz left because he asked her sweetly. She needed to stand on her own. If she could bring him seven cars the color of the rainbow, she was welcomed back.
"Six left to go. It will be another four years."
Luz went back to the stockroom and, passing a mirror hanging, she stopped to look at herself. She pulled the corners of her eyes, ran her fingers along her slender neck. Luz was still attractive. But maybe if she had a bit of work done.
The bell alerted her to a customer coming in. "Welcome to Heel to Toe." She forced a smile as she once more stepped from the curtains.
"Luz?"
"Yes?"
"[Why are you here? I thought you were in Columbia?]" The way the woman spoke was like an old friend.
The voice sounded familiar. "I'm sorry, do I know you?" Seeing the young man in the store once more.
The customer removed her glasses as she looked around. "Still with last season's collection. But these are cute." Grabbing a pair of black and purple heels from the stand.
"Oh my God." Luz covered her mouth. She knew that Angel of Mercy.
"Carlos, this is Luz. Luz this is my brother Carlos. You are hiding? I would have never expected you here."
Luz didn't know what to say, really. She was looking in the face of a dead woman. Barely from her stupor, she blurted out why she was in Stilwater once again.
Ky thought for a moment, placing the stunning heels on the counter. "He asked me not to kill you. Now you have been cast aside. Something doesn't seem right about that."
"It's true. I found him with another woman." Luz wrapped the shoes in a box, and watched as Kyouki picked a white pair out for her to wrap.
"Alright. Makes sense. But, if you are free. We need to talk."
Luz thought about it ask she wrapped the second pair before placing both shoes in the store bag. "Manuel said that I could come back if I got him a few cars." Aloud, it sounded ridiculous.
It took her a few years to save for the one and take care of herself. She spent all she had to have the one car customized. There were hardly any customers that came into the store as it was. Before she realized she was gripping the bag tightly in her hands. Tears trickled from her eyes.
How did she end up like this? How could she go from Angelo to Manuel? Sweet words, kindness. Money. Now she had none but her life and she knew Manuel would never take her back. She sobbed, biting her lip to control herself.
Ky looked at Carlos, who did not know what to do.
"Luz was the girl of Angelo Lopez. She was a sweetheart then, but Angelo didn't realize it. He went to leave her when me and Dex went after him. As she came to the airport seeing the wreckage, I left. I killed him because he tried to kill us. Mostly because he hit her."
Luz covered her face. She could only cry remembering those many years ago. When she thought she lived the high life. Kyouki retelling what went on. She was grateful, even though it was hard to listen to.
"There is liaison, Manuel Orejuela. He is smooth. He could charm a woman into feeling she's on top of the world. And literally taking candy from a baby, started stealing Luz from under Angelo. Like I said, he asked not to have her killed when we took Angelo down. But now la senorita has graced Stilwater once again."
Carlos listened intently. Ky placed her hand on Luz's shoulder, bringing the woman to focus on her. "Why are you here?"
The Spanish flower wiped her eyes and sniffed. "Drugs. I'm now working for the Cartel."
Kyouki nodded. "Carlos. You have Laura's number?"
"Yeah." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled the number for Ky. Handing the phone to Kyouki. She just looked at it, then at Carlos.
"Not for me, for her. This is where you introduce the two women. Let me show you. Luz. You come work for me. I'll buy out this place, but with one condition."
Luz looked up, confused, wiping her wet eyes once more. "What? I can't. What about Orejuela?"
"Fuck him. If he sees that you are making it on your own. He'll come to you. If he finds out, you will be working for me, for the Saints. He will come to you."
Luz exchanged glances between both Saints members. What she was hearing sounded too good. Could Li be once more her Angel? With several quick nods, she agreed. "What is the condition?"
"You let Manny know we will do business. I will have you send some samples of what we have to him and you can tell him that if he still wants the cars, Li will send them."
Luz chuckled. She came from behind the counter and hugged Kyouki and then Carlos. "Thank you. Thank you."
"No need. You're a boutique lady, after all. I have two others for you to meet, Shaundi and Ranja. We'll go over contracts and anything else you may wish to know."
Carlos gave Laura's number and Shaundi's. Ky patted Carlos on the shoulder. "Did you take notes? Also, aren't you supposed to be in class?"
Carlos blushed, forgetting he needed to hurry with an assignment. The young man excused himself and hurried home.
Ky turned back to Luz. "Hey, I meant what I said. You don't need someone like that in your life. Your mind is your own. When you start doing for you. Only then will you see your worth. Come by Purgatory, soon."
Ky left Luz with much to think about. Ky also placed a call to several friends who loved shoes.
Kyouki had the car radio turned down low. She was hearing the traffic and wind as she headed back to Lisa's to collect Gat and Aisha. The past few weeks, the past twelve something hours have been emotionally draining. Old wounds brought back to light. New feelings she needs to put away. Luz in town. She can once more open trade with the Cartel, hopefully. She hasn't spoken with her uncle. He was giving her some space. With so much going on at once, maybe a wedding was in order.
"No. Just an excuse to put distance." Ky said out loud. "So mad at them. Wait… oh hell, now I'm talking to myself again."
It still irritated Kyouki about Aisha pushing Gat on her. She'd figure out later how to go about this feeling, it seemed that with every positive feeling she has about someone, there is always something screwing it up. Maybe she's cursed. "Still? Nah, that doll is gone and everything is fine. As long as uncle is keeping the Ronin in check. I don't have to." Ky felt better not having to babysit her cousin.
Having a laugh to herself, she then sighed. "First things first. Dane, and Uncle Kazuo." Because she now has two weddings to attend, unless she can get out of the proposal she inadvertently agreed to.
Ren had been busy with a new project. It just came up one night while she and Carlos had a gaming date. She set up everything at home. Getting the heads up that Ms. Noel would not be home for a while. Between school and helping at the garage, she would be home with nothing to do.
Loading up the PC, she made a new gaming friend after reading up on a new multiplayer game she had been meaning to try. Her eighth and final video had just been completed and uploaded.
"This is ReneGamer back with that hot game Zombie Uprising! Now I am new to making videos still, but there are several Easter Eggs that I have found while playing. And next week I'll be covering a new game, a Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game. Join me and let's see what it…"
Ren was gaining a small fandom. The second it was on YouTube, it started getting comments and thumbs up. Playing it back, she was satisfied and went to play her game before bed.
"Suggested by my buddy R4gn0r0k… This is ReneGamer. Catch you in the web! Peace."
Across the Globe, internet gaming is still new, but just so happens to catch a young boy captive. His new favorite is the disembodied voice of a female he is slowly idolizing.
R4gn0r0k has logged in.
Hey kid, ready to explore? -
- Morning Rene! Yeah! i cant belive ur playing the game I asked.
Lol. Np, show me all the cool stuff.-
The Penthouse welcomed its owner and two beloved guests.
"Ta-da. Even though you two are on my hit list. This is my new place. And I fully suggest you make use of it."
"Oooh Ky, this place is huge!"
"I know it's like twice the size of Purgatory. It's quiet though."
"I miss my little house. But I'd be more than happy to stay. Right Johnny?"
"Yeah, I get to have my girls in one place. Fuckin A."
"You two still need to decide. I'm not kidding. I already talked to Aunt Mimi. I'm just waiting for you two now."
The weekend allowed for talking and relaxing. Gat, Aisha and Kyouki came to a full agreement. Kyouki, Ramon, plus the judge will be the only witnesses to the marriage. With Kyouki having to pay a judge from revealing Aisha's status as living. It will also keep her under her and Gat's protection. Ramon has been sworn to secrecy. No one, not even Carlos, Pierce and Shaundi, is to know.
Monday morning, Kyouki was running to the courthouse with Johnny to get information for the marriage. Aisha didn't need to be there. Ky took Aisha's i.d, other identifying paperwork and a briefcase full of money. They could be married in the next coming week.
"So when are you going through the trouble of doing this with me?" Johnny smirked later in the evening.
Ky smirked back, much to Johnny's surprise. "I'm already engaged." With a shrug as she continued munching on her bag of chips.
"What, you're going through with it?" Came from both Aisha and Johnny.
With a roll of her eyes and a sound of a huff. "You know. I may have agreed to Dane's asinine proposal."
The mood of Tuesday was anything but pleasant, as it brought an unexpected guest on the mainland.
The ding of the elevator could not open quickly enough as she left the Penthouse. Kyouki had received a call from Carlos early in the afternoon, with Ramon calling asking if he needed to go with her.
They had contacted the junior member as he was on his way to class that the leader of The Brotherhood wanted a face to face with the Saints leader in the Stilwater Caverns down by the warehouses.
Ramon told Carlos to stay where he would be seen. He didn't like how Maero's pawns knew Carlos and where to contact him. The elder Mendoza son was feeling he needed to be there as well. But Kyouki reassured him she was picking Carlos up and they will be fine.
Maero isn't known for his kindness. How that crazy fuck walked out of the prison, as big as he is was much more worrisome.
The drive was nerve-racking. Just the call she received on the way to her destination disturbed her. With her uncle summoning her because Dane was disturbing him. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. She just agreed to a lunch date tomorrow afternoon. This doesn't present a problem. It opened an opportunity to break the engagement, citing she never explicitly agreed.
Hanging up her cell, instantly dialed Aisha. Thoughts going over the benefits of Dane's proposal. "He isn't the CEO, so I wouldn't gain anything. He is a figurehead. I'll be going to lunch with him tomorrow and then I'll take you out for a spa trip." She pulled up to collect Carlos.
"Seems to me Dane cares enough to ask for your hand."
"Talk about it later. Love you, bye." Hanging up once more. Greeted Carlos as he got in.
Carlos explained on the way how a few of the Brotherhood came to him. Kyouki and Ramon discussed it. That was unnerving. Carlos will need to be watched, accompanied. If they can single him out when needed, they surely know of Ren.
They came to the tourist trap, hopping out of her car they walked in the storefront that led to the lower section that is the caverns, thinking why anyone would want to visit such a dank place as this, she saw several people at the bottom of the staircase sipping a drink and munching on a hotdog.
"Yo, where is this Maero, and where is my grub?" Lightly punching the kid in the shoulder.
"Hey, I found out that he has just escaped and is on his way, so why don't we tour the place til he gets here?" As they stopped at the concession area.
Ky looked around. There were patrolling guards throughout, most milling about on their phones.
"Alright, not exactly my ideal date spot, but if you insist." She shrugged as she placed her order.
Carlos choked on his drink, blushing furiously. "I-I wasn't, this isn't… R-ren?" Carlos sputtered
Ky just smiled and paid for her meal. "Come on, let's try to meet up with this Maero. I think we need to do some serious shopping for you."
Carlos breathed a heavy sigh of relief–then looking down at the outfit he wore, shrugging as they walked the ambient lit hole in the ground.
As the two were walking, chatting up on business at the shop and his schoolwork, relationship with his girlfriend, they both stopped to see a large man wearing a prison jumper meditating within the cavern. No guards were present in this section of the immense underground, just a few people who dotted along the pathways.
Aside from their murmured chatter, the sounds of dripping water echoed.
"Boss, there he is, I think." Carlos pointed out, and he quickened his steps. Kyouki followed behind silently and allowed the young man to handle the conversation.
"Maero?" Carlos tested the resting man's name.
The man sitting with his farms folded opened his eyes. Seeing two people before him like subjects, he smirked. "Yes."
"Maero, I would like you to meet Ky. Boss, this is the leader of The Brotherhood." The boy grinned slightly.
With a nod of her head, she greeted the fellow leader. "I hear you're just getting out and want to meet. Shall we discuss here or?" Kyouki tilted her head to the side, waiting for her question to be answered as she looked around the wide man. Still no guards. She extended her hand in greeting.
Reaching out to shake the small woman's hand, he affirmed that this is the leader of the Third Street Saints, possibly. He knew her reputation, but Gat; he seemed more the one to lead.
The man stood. He was hulking over both her and Carlos. If Carlos were to sit on her shoulders, his head still wouldn't reach the top of his without reaching.
"Woah. Big." Kyouki whispered. Nudging Carlos, who grunted, as he craned his neck in agreement.
"We can discuss business after we get the hell out of here. And you look good for a dead woman." Maero snorted in response.
Ky nodded. "Thanks, I've been getting that a lot."
They made their way through and to the surface without one bullet being fired. Maero led them the way he came. There were guards passed out.
'That's what happen.'
She and the two men with her breathed the fresher air out of the damp underground. Maero walked a way to a large truck. "Follow me." He ordered.
The ride through the industrial area with its many running machines, you can see the smokestacks still in use. Carlos was worried about following the man after seeing the guards unconscious on their way up. He was about to say something when they were pulling to a stop to the hideout of The Brotherhood.
"So what was it like being out like that?" Maero asked. Curious about the woman who supposedly died.
"It was just like if I am talking to you now, but in random times and places, so when I woke up knowing five years had passed, shit scared the hell outta me." Ky answered the question as they made their way into the building.
Carlos was impressed or intimidated as they walked through the sea of pierced, tattooed persons that littered the outside of the warehouse. "Man, it's like a coked up sideshow."
Massive trucks being shined up, looked at and gushed over. Music blared, some overlapping.
Maero patted him on the shoulder and chuckled. "Pretty impressive huh?" as they walked through everyone nodded in greeting, or said a word to draw the giant's attention. All seemed to be glad to have him back amongst them.
Examining the building as they walk in, the whole place is one big ass garage, and one truck being worked on. The man working on it caused Ky to pause. Shuttered, regaining control over her urge to attack, Kyouki noted she would pay him a little visit later.
No sooner than Maero entered the door a pale slip of a woman flew past Ky and Carlos, bumping past them to land in Maero's arms.
"Baby, you're home! They just called me to tell me." Came a squeal of delight. Maero kissed her as if it were just the two of them.
Ky turned her head, sipping her iced tea. Carlos took the opportunity to look around.
"Baby, later. We have guests." Then cleared his throat. The woman hopped down and turned to greet the newcomers.
"So sorry about that, hi I'm Jessica." The red head said, pulling the strap of her top on her shoulder up. Before extending her hand.
"Kyouki and this is Carlos." Ky shook the woman's hand firmly.
Jessica took a long look at Kyouki. She was curvy, gorgeous, has an accent she couldn't place and her eyes were striking. A major tinge of jealousy crept as she went to shake Carlos's hand. She paused, drawing her hand back. "You know, I had a housekeeper who looked just like you." The red head woman grinned then taking Carlos by the hand to shake it.
Ky's eyebrow rose. "Hmm." Was all she could say. Her disposition faded from pleasant to cautious.
Kyouki pulled Carlos behind her. He wasn't sure what to say. He felt uncomfortable after that exchange.
Maero growled. "Jess…" Cautioning her as he handed her a large wad of bills.
"What? I was just kidding. To break the ice." She shrugged as she chuckled.
"You are turning green. Go count it." Maero hushed when he swatted her behind and apologized for her rudeness.
"No shit! Maero, welcome back. The fuck you, get back. Did Jessi plan work?"
"Matty, brother. We'll discuss that when our company leaves." Clapping the blond man on the back.
"Dude, who is the piece? Aye hop on, let's get some inking done." Came from a blond man leading them further in towards the back. Taking a seat with a tattooing needle coming to life in his hand.
Maero took off the torn shirt he had and tossed it on the workbench behind them. "The 'piece' is the Leader of the Saints."
"Shit, my mistake. Hey." He greeted instead. Others already watching them near snapped their necks.
Ky nodded. "Y'er. Uh. I hate to come and go, but." Her nose turned up as the needle was pressing into the larger man's skin. Even Rusty's could be deemed exceptional with sanitation.
"Yeah. I was going over this idea. Aside from how the hell you broke out to free Gat. It seems you are down to business of the bat. What I wish to talk to you about is a merging of gangs. A joint effort to take out the Ronin. A commendable job taking those Samedi down. Not even I would fuck with them." He prattled once he was being injected in the inking chair.
This was the first Carlos heard of it. He noticed the tattooist, heard the name Matty, grinned, nudging Jefa.
"You're Matt Kopieren, the lead in the 'Feed Dogs'" Carlos was awed.
"Tattooist, guitarist slash singer." He buzzed the needle a few time turning to grin at Carlos, going back to work on inking Maero.
"My buddy here is a better tattooist than a guitarist. That's why he leads with it."
"Bruh, not cool." Matt exclaimed.
Maero chuckled. "All true bro."
Carlos stood watching, admiring, as Matt worked. "Maero, you have a lot of ink." Carlos pointed out. Noticing the intricacies of the black and red lines that covered all of Maero's arms and chest.
"I got a lot of canvas friends." Maero admitted proudly.
Ky didn't mind bullshitting if she was offered a seat. So she waited a bit, sipped her drink, noticed it was watery, swirled her cup. "So this merger, what are the conditions 50 - 50?"
"Oh, something reasonable, of course. How about an 80–20 split? With Brotherhood on the high end." Maero was calm about it. No inflection of jest.
Ky's eyebrows shot up. Carlos's eyes darted from Maero - and him being inked. To Kyouki, he had seen her famous temper first hand all over Shaundi. He hoped she didn't plan on open season right here.
"Woah… big." Kyouki's phone buzzed, and she went to answer. "[Yes? 80 - 20.]" She pulled the phone back from her ear and pressed the speaker.
Maero looked up. 'Asian language?' He heard come from her. His eyebrows rose when he heard laughter on the other end.
"Fuck shit kind of deal is that?"
"Fuck shit kind of deal is that?" Saying the same thing Gat did. She pointed to the phone mimicking, 'I knew he'd say that.' She mouthed, "You asking me like I offered it." Kyouki sneered out.
Just then, Jessica walked back with her arms folded. "It's better than nothing for a lame cunt like Gat and washed up has-been nigge…"
Kyouki's eyes narrowed, her lip curled. "So fucking help you if you finish that." Low warning, Kyouki was already up to her eyeballs with the insults.
"Jessica!" Maero barked. The woman slinked back.
"Who the fuck said that? Where the fu" Ky took the speaker off.
'Twice, that was twice this skinny bitch threw an insult.' She obviously had no fucking clue who the hell she was talking to. "Ok, I see. Heaven help you. If you finished that, he would not have been able to save you. Gat hold on, Carlos hold this." Handing the phone to Carlos. "Racist is it? Maero, this tick belongs to you, right? Train her. We won't be tolerating that shit here."
"Who the fuck you think you are talking too." Jessica once more went on the defensive, ignoring Maero's warning. He grabbed her wrist to pull her closer to him.
Ky's eyes latched so quickly to glare at Jessica, Maero shielding her would have burned through him. An eerie smile found a home on the Saint's leader's lips. She sipped her tea. Barking a laugh that was as cynical and phony as she could muster, her drink spit it out 'accidentally' all over Jessica's face. Carlos backed up, paling.
Using her most dignified voice. "I shall not deign to tell you how absolutely absurd you are. Thinking for one moment I would accept a merger after... No, no, I wished my ears deceived me. What did she call you a housekeeper and me almost out of my name? While the "split" such as the one you so graciously offered was negotiable. I shall, however, leave your humble… dwelling, before you further insult my comrades, intelligence or I. If I were not a Lady I would gladly show you a split. Carlos vamonos." Two breaths. One breath, she both insulted them, the other checked Jessica. Ky tossed her empty cup in the trash, purposefully aiming at Jessica.
Turning on her heel exited the building, leaving a furiously astonished couple gawking at them behind.
Maero grabbed Matt's arm and sat up in his seat. "The fuck is wrong with you, Jessi?"
Jessica wiped the sticky tea off, murmuring apologies to her boyfriend. "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me."
Once in the car and a good distance away, Carlos snapped out of his shock, "Boss, did you just?" He didn't finish his thought when Kyouki hit the steering wheel.
"Hell yeah, the fuck he thinking, he is lucky I didn't skin him or his little racist bitch up too. G hanging up. You heard it." The Third Street leader was fuming.
The profanity she used - on the way back to the Barrio - would have made a sailor blush, along with a string of words Carlos couldn't understand.
He hung his head. "Boss, I'm sorry. I didn't know that was what he was going to offer." Carlos felt like he failed in his duty, he was asked to get information on the gang to the south, and his runner - never informed him of what was really going on. Carlos shook his head.
"Nah, nothing to worry about. I'm sending people to watch over you. That runner of yours, send to me. I have something for him to do." Kyouki scratched her head. "That bitch better think again, but I doubt he will teach her a lesson." Ky patting Carlos' shoulder. When she saw him home. Seeing him in as the door closed behind him, she called Ramon.
Carlos did as told, called his boy that the Boss needed to see him.