I reworked this so many times to get it to this point. It is shorter than what I normally do, but it flows and works out.
There is still nonstop action ahead. I think once I get it out of my system, it can slow down. Maybe. Who knows. Thoughts?
aaaaaa
The brightness of the cloudless sky burned his eyes as he stared up at it. There was a weight pressing against his body that should be worrying him, but he didn't care. Muted screams of his name, people running for their lives, and the pounding of feet as Mitt ran into his line of sight- none of it got his mind working correctly.
"Francis?! Detective Rosen?" Mitt crouched next to his fellow officers and tried to tell whose blood was whose. There was too much of it for his comfort level.
"We need to get you out of here sir!" A security guard pulled on the Mayor's arm and Mitt's knowing they were too exposed on the steps of City Hall. And there was no telling if another shot was about to be taken.
"I'm not leaving them behind!" Mitt called out, shoving the arm off of him and checking for a pulse on one of his best detectives. As soon as his fingers brushed along her neck she shot upright, pistol going from person to person as she checked her surroundings. There was a wild determination in her eyes as she scanned the dispersing crowd.
"Rosen you need to take it slow, you've been shot." Mitt held his hands up when she pointed her gun at him hoping she was all there and not stuck in lost memories of her time in the military.
"I will address it later. Francis? Are you hit?" Avia had yet to climb off of her perched position on her boss and she tried to look him over while ignoring the stinging pain of her shoulder and neck. The struggle to holster her gun caused a hiss to leave her lips, but she would protect her boss if it was the last thing she did. Her good hand trembled as she patted Francis' cheek, "Boss? Come on, focus!"
"I'm- I'm okay I think." Slowly his eyes lowered from the heavens to meet the scared eyes of his detective.
"I need to get you to cover. Can you move?" Her fingers trailed down his face to his neck, searching for where the blood was coming from. There were smears of it over his neck and a decent splotch on his dress uniform. A heaviness began to press against her head, and she nodded forward some to shake it loose.
"I have a medical team enroute. We need to apply pressure to your wound." The security guard dropped down at her side, taking off his jacket to use it as a makeshift bandage. Gunfire scattered the crowd into different directions, forcing people to charge the government building to get out of the way. Mitt grabbed the Mayor's arm and shoved him in the direction of the oak doors.
The FIB spokesperson pulled his own gun and returned fire once he spotted one of the shooters, "Get them to safety!"
"Ochoa, I am going to need you to run like hell." Mitt removed his own gun from the holster and shielded the Mayor as they took off toward City Hall's main doors.
Avia slumped to the side of her boss and shook off the all-encompassing exhaustion that wanted to drag her under. LCPD cops were working their way to them through the crowd and armed men. Bullets zipped past them in all directions, striking people and the concrete steps. She fisted her hand into Francis' jacket and pulled on him to sit upright, "Come on boss. Let's get out of here."
Francis ignored the shaking of his body as he locked eyes on the gunshot wound on his detective, "Rosen…"
"Boss we don't have the time- I need to get you out of here." She shifted to her knees and willed her legs to work, "I am going to give you to the count of three before I start dragging you out of here."
"Look out!" The security guard yelled out and opened fire toward the man that was charging in their direction.
The man used his handgun and fired once, killing the security guard with the last round in his gun. He chucked it to the side and pulled out a knife, never once slowing down on his direct path toward Francis.
"Boss! Run!" Avia shoved against the ground and used the boost to get to her feet just as the man reached them. He tackled her to the ground, using his body to subdue her, and flipped the knife in his hand to get a better grip on it. Her reaction time was sluggish and delayed, but she caught his wrist as he slashed down at her with the blade. The move shifted his weight on her, and she used it to her advantage and rolled him off of her.
Her training kicked into gear, and she immediately pulled her gun, firing twice to stop the treat against her and Francis. With her plummeting energy she stumbled to her feet and wobbled on her trek back to where Francis was now standing, his own service weapon drawn and at the ready, "Get inside the building- I can cover you better there."
Francis had to nearly catch her as she fell forward into him, but she simply adjusted her feet and pushed against him in the direction of City Hall, "Detective Rosen, let me help."
"My… My job is to- to protect you." Her words slurred together, and she shook her head to clear it of the haze that was settling in, "Move."
Two armed men climbed the steps and prepared to open fire. Avia lifted her weapon and took aim. Air burned her lungs as she sucked in a breath to steady her hand and keep them in her crosshairs. She knew she wouldn't be able to kill both of them before they emptied their magazines into them. Francis would hopefully be able to kill the other one, but she didn't even know if he could accurately hit the man in the head before he himself was struck.
"Get down!" Anton yelled out as he and some of his men rushed up the handicap ramp at the side of the building.
Avia heard the command and dropped to her knees, firing her weapon at her target. Anton lined up his shot on the run and fired at the other man, making sure to not have Francis in the line of fire. The bodies dropped to the ground, and he spotted another gunman in the distance and signaled to his men to fan out and do what they did best- terminate their enemies.
Her legs tingled and started to fall numb. The pain in her left arm flashed over her and pitched her stomach violently. Her fingers refused to move when she willed them into a fist. She dropped her eyes to where a warm sensation slid down her arm. Blood saturated her navy blue sleeve from her shoulder down to her hand. The frayed ends clung to the torn flesh of a bullet hole.
"I'm not leaving you out here. Let me help you up." Francis tucked his weapon away and slipped his hands under her arms, hauling her to her feet. He had witnessed Ron and Avia confess their feelings to one another and he wasn't about to let Ron down.
She didn't want to admit it, but she didn't think she would be able to make it inside before passing out. The effects of blood loss were clouding her thoughts and ability to function. Wearily she looked around them for anyone that could harm them. Anton's team was doing a decent job of taking the focus off of her and her boss. The faintest of flinches raked through her when one of Kenny's men was shot in the head.
The person lifted their rifle from their kill and aimed at her and Francis.
"Boss!" Avia shoved at Francis, catching him off guard, and he tripped over his feet on his way down to the ground. The first bullet barely caught her thigh, before the second one nicked her injured arm. The pain rocked her off balance, collapsing her legs beneath her. The cold concrete greeted her and welcomed her into its embrace.
Francis rolled to his side, redrawing his pistol and pulled the trigger as fast as he could. Each bullet hit the target and they crumbled to the ground. Immediately he crawled over to his detective and tried to render aid. She was breathing shallowly and blinking slowly. "Stay with me. Focus on my voice and stay awake."
There was so much blood everywhere and he frowned at the sight of it. She had jumped into the line of fire twice for him, and that thought felt heavy as it crossed his mind. Just who wanted him dead this badly that they would openly target innocent people in broad daylight?
"Is she dead?" A heavily accented voice asked him from a short distance away.
"No but she is bleeding out." Francis gripped his pistol a little tighter when they approached him. He did not know this man and couldn't be sure he wasn't there to finish him and her off.
"I saw some of your medical crew parked on the side street. I can help get them to her." Anton refused to show any outward signs of worry, but with how pale Avia looked, he knew time was precious.
"We'd be better off carrying her to them. That way they can just load her up and get to the hospital." Francis felt some of his reservations lessen with how the person kept their weapon pointed down at the ground, stayed several feet away, and had offered to help. And he could use the help now.
"I will carry her." Anton made to move forward but stopped when Francis aimed his gun at him, "I am not your enemy. I am Kenny's fourth in line."
"I think you mean Niko's…" Francis lowered his gun and slid his hands under Avia.
She cracked her eyes open just enough to see him before closing them again, "You can trust him boss…"
"Save your strength detective. I got you. Just think about getting to see Ron again and how pissed he's going to be if you can't tease him anymore." Francis heaved her up into his arms, trying to not jerk her around too much and make her injuries worse. She was lighter than he was thinking, and it didn't take as much effort to stand up. The man who claimed to be within Kenny's, now Niko's, organization shifted his rifle into a ready position and nodded to him to lead the way.
"Boss…" She weakly grabbed his shoulder when he started moving, trying to not laugh at the mental image she got of her partner scolding her for getting injured on the job.
'That's my job, not yours Rosen…' His voice wafted between her ears, and she tucked her face into Francis' neck as the pain of hurting him in any way was almost as bad as the fresh wounds on her body.
"Hang in there. Help isn't too far away." Francis shushed her and ignored the fear that trickled down his back. More men carrying weapons started to flank them as they hurried along the edge of the building.
"Where do you need to go after this?" Anton matched Francis' stride and signaled to his crew to keep their eyes open. There was no way they had killed all of the attackers. The wound on Avia's arm looked to be from a large caliber round and he had not seen anyone carrying a sniper.
"What do you mean? I will probably ride in the ambulance to the hospital with my detective and then check in with my boss from there. I don't think the Mayor or Mitt was the intended target. I'm probably the safest back in the hospital with Niko." Francis glanced at the man who joined his side and debated why he was even talking to him about these things.
"Agreed. I will have the men follow the ambulance and ensure you two get there safely. I have something I need to do." Anton scanned the rooftops in the area and spotted a flash of light, "Stay with the deputy commissioner. I will capture the sniper. Update Georgi as soon as you arrive at the hospital and let him know her status. Niko will not be happy. Tread carefully."
"Yes boss." One of the guys answered him and caught up to match Francis' pace, taking Anton's role and spot.
aaaaaa
Gordon peaked out of the window behind the curtains and stared at the street corner. It was unusually quiet and not busy for a Thursday. The lunch hour rush in Dukes tended to irritate him, but not a single car rolled down Savannah Avenue. Aleksei was due to show up at any moment and he was dreading having to introduce him to Gerry.
"Roy said it's all quiet on his end of town, but he said something happened on the news." Gerry walked into the room after checking on Kenny. Every time he came and went from the kitchen, he was reminded of how important keeping the house safe was. The doc had all but moved into their living room to keep a close eye on his patient.
"Did he say what it was?" Gordon closed the curtain and went to get the television on. 'Knowing that man it's probably something stupid…'
"A shooting during the Mayor's announcement." Gerry lowered down into the armchair and waited for Gordon to turn on the news. He hadn't been paying attention to the news as of late, so he wasn't sure what announcement was needed.
The doc entered the room at the mention of a shooting, "Hopefully no one was killed. If it involves the Mayor, then I assume your brother would be there." His heart began to beat faster at the thought that one of his friends at the station were gunned down on the local news.
"Francis has nine lives. He's fine." Gerry grumbled as the screen came to life and Gordon flipped a couple of channels before landing on the news.
"Terror strikes the city once more! This time an assassination attempt on the Mayor's life! During the announcement of ex Deputy Mayor Bryce Dawkins' removal from office a lone gunman fired at the podium narrowly missing Mayor Ochoa. A police officer rushed the steps and tackled Deputy Commissioner Francis McReary to the ground as the shot rang out. Our cameras managed to capture the heroics before the attack became dangerous to stay there. It is unclear of the status of the female officer at this time, and we will update you as more information comes in. Mike Whitely, Weazel News."
The news footage cut from the anchor's desk to the captured footage of the shooting. The screaming started before Avia yelled out about a sniper, running up the steps and toward Francis. They watched in shock as a bright spray of blood splattered off her as she tackled Francis. It went back to the news anchor room, "We got reports of more gunmen showing up right after the shooting and started to target the Police Commissioner, FIB spokesperson, and the Mayor-"
Gordon muted the tv when he heard a car door slam outside the brownstone. A text vibrated his phone and he quickly read it.
'Outside. – Aleksei'
"Kenny's man is here. I'm going to let him in and let him do his thing." He handed the remote to Gerry on his way to the front door. It creaked loudly as he opened it to come face to face with Kenny's finest sniper. It was a relief to see him standing on the front steps of the McReary home. The news report of the shooting confirmed to him what Georgi was saying. There was an active hit list and Gerry was in danger.
"Where is the roof access?" Aleksei glanced around the interior of the foyer and nodded when Gerry poked his head around the corner.
"I see you came prepared." Gerry shook his head and waved the man inside.
"Pakhan is here. You are here. There is no such thing as too prepared." He adjusted his assault rifle in his hands and shrugged his shoulders. The large sniper rifle was slung across his back as well as a shoulder bag. Silently he crossed the threshold into the home and took in his surroundings.
"There was an attempt on Francis down at City Hall. Georgi said there was an attack at the hospital too?" Gordon closed the front door and followed after Aleksei. He hadn't received a ton of information from Georgi, and he was curious as to what happened and how they knew there was an assassination list with their names on it.
Aleksei stopped walking and stared at Gordon, blinked slowly a couple of times, before looking to Gerry, "He has not informed you?"
"No, the call to get to the house was more focused on getting Gerry protected, and of course guard Kenny." He had seen the tightening of Aleksei's hands and knew he was uncomfortable with the current subject. 'Just what is going on?!'
"We have not received an update since the last round of messages. Someone attacked Kate at the hospital. We were notified to secure other high priority targets and I was given specific instruction to guard Gerry, Patrick, Kenny, and you. Anton said Avia was shot and he was going after the sniper-"
Tires screeched outside the home before the sound of roller doors being shoved open echoed.
"Get to the dining room!" Aleksei barked out before gunshots broke the windows. He charged up the stairs to find a way to the roof. It would be his best option in order to know how many were attacking and give him a chance to eliminate the danger.
Gordon, Gerry, and the doctor huddled behind the wall in the dining room, now makeshift ICU for Kenny. Glass shattered, the television sparked when it was hit, the sounds of wood splintering grew in intensity the longer the bullets kept striking the house. Gerry shoved the doc in the direction of the kitchen trying to get him away from the opening of the dining room.
"Is Packie still in his room?!" Gordon yelled over the noise, hating that he jumped every time the wall was hit.
"Yes!" Gerry waited for a lull in the shooting and dashed over to the plastic curtain to check on Kenny. The last thing they needed was Kenny getting shot while he was completely helpless and vulnerable.
"Help me turn the bed so it is more protected by the walls!" The doc held the curtain up and beckoned them to enter and help move equipment out of the way. Together the men wheeled carts, the computer stand, the IV trees, to the side before heaving Kenny's bed to be parallel with the dining room wall. Immediately the gunfire started up again and they were forced to duck down behind the metal medical cart.
"Just how many can there be?" The doctor opened one of the drawers and pulled out a loaded submachine gun.
"Hand me the gun and stay behind cover. They will more than likely try to enter the home next." Gerry held his hand out to take the gun and prepare himself to return fire. His usual pistol was in the kitchen and there wouldn't be the time to get it. Gordon untucked his pistol from his waistband and nodded his understanding. They were going to have to hold off whoever was attacking and protect Kenny at all costs.
"Are they here for Kenny?" The doc started to shake the longer the gunfire kept going. He was not used to the action, and he was beginning to panic.
"No idea. But let's not let them find out if they don't know." Gerry crawled out of the plastic room when the shooting stopped for them to reload. He reached the side chest of drawers and yanked one open, searching through the table linens to find anything else to help fight the shooters off. The metal of the rounded grenade bumped his fingers when it rolled out of its resting place. 'That will do…'
"Come on Gordon, I think it's time we greet our visitors."
Aleksei swung his leg up and hauled himself over the ledge of the roof. The loud gunfire spurred him on, and he prayed a stray bullet wouldn't hit his boss or the leader of the Irish mob. The scratch of the shingles felt uncomfortable under his hands as he crawled toward the front of the house. When the firing ceased, he lifted up to his knees, pulled the sniper rifle to his front, and lined up his first shot. There were two run down looking vans parked in the middle of the street with a handful of men reloading their rifles.
"Idiots…" Aleksei evened out his breathing and fired the first headshot. Without hesitation he changed to the next target and went about pulling the trigger and trusting his instincts.
The loud clap of a sniper echoed through the house and signaled to Gerry and Gordon they had an opening. Gerry pulled the pin of the grenade and ran to the front window in the living room. Glass crunched beneath his feet from the window, tv screen, and the glass coffee table. The curtain rod was only held up at one end and the cloth was shredded from having taken multiple bullets. He wound up and chucked the metal orb at the closest van, immediately taking off for the dining room to not be near the blast.
Aleksei caught the movement in his scope and swore as he dropped down to lay flat against the roof, covering his head with his arms, "Damn Irishmen…"
The explosion lifted the van as the concussion blast ripped through the metal frame. A large fireball expanded in every direction catching some of the men on fire who had not been throw back with the initial shockwave. The van's fuel tank ruptured a split second after and added to the roaring fire that was spreading to the other van.
Screaming bounced off the buildings and got Aleksei moving to make sure no one was left alive. If Anton was successful, there would be no need to capture any of these men. Using the large scope, he surveyed the damage from the grenade and who all was left for him to pick off. Several bodies were motionless on the pavement and didn't need his attention. The ones that were still moving, were either on fire and flailing about, or running off to take cover.
Silently he began to follow them with the rifle waiting for the perfect opening to strike.
"That should show them to not show up places they aren't invited to." Gerry dusted his hands off and helped the doc get to his feet.
"My word you people live such exciting lives." The doc shook his head and willed his body to stay calm and focused. Kenny would need to be checked and the meds rotated.
The cocking of a shotgun sounded off before the backdoor lock and handle were blasted into a million tiny pieces. It snapped open with a firm kick and a man entered the kitchen, tactical shotgun lifted and ready to fire. He spotted Gerry, Gordon, and an elderly looking man standing in what he thought would be their dining room. Target spotted, he swung the gun in their direction and fired.
The buckshot peppered Gerry and the doctor, knocking them to the floor. Gordon yelled as he took cover behind the metal cart and opened fire on the gunman. Anger and fear slammed through him as he emptied his magazine in the direction of the person who shot his boss.
The assassin rolled behind the kitchen island favoring his gunshot wound to his leg, "You're a better shot than what Robert told me." He raised his voice when the firing stopped. He lifted the shotgun to his lap and worked a couple shells into the feeder. He'd wait for Gordon to get confident then blast him when he came looking for him.
"Robert couldn't even fire an assault rifle when he left Liberty. What would he know anyway!" Gordon released the empty magazine, letting it clatter to the floor, and reloaded his pistol. His hands shook violently, and he flexed his fingers to try and regain control. He needed to stay levelheaded… At least until the threat was eliminated.
"He knew plenty. You should really stop flirting with Kate and make your move already. It's rather pathetic watching you pinning over her. Robert told us she has a boyfriend, but hey! You never know when she might change her mind. You could always play the best friend role when she is grieving over his death." The last slug clicked into the feeder, and he cocked it in place, "Women love the shoulder to cry on types."
"You tried to kill her. Kind of hard to make a move on someone who is dead." Gordon silently took a couple of steps toward the kitchen watching the island intently for movement or the ability to shoot. He spotted a trail of blood on the floor to the furthest side of the rectangle island, "But you'll get to see your buddy soon in hell."
"Nah. I don't believe in all that nonsense. Hell is in a desert halfway around the world." He scooted over the tile and propped himself in a better firing position. 'That's right… just keep talking and giving away your position…'
"Ex-military? And here I thought soldiers had honor and a code. Pretty messed up you go around shooting up innocent civilians who did absolutely nothing wrong." Gordon shifted toward the stovetop range and creeped closer to the person he wanted to see laying in a pool of their own blood. Gerry and the doc both were too silent for his liking, and he feared the worst.
"What the actual fuck happened?!-" Packie ran into the kitchen with his submachine gun at the ready and looked ready to start yelling at everyone. He had seen his brother laying on the ground and freaked out. He needed to make sure there was no one else in the house and that's when Gordon's voice reached his ears from the kitchen.
The gunman took the opening and slid out from behind cover, aiming to where his other target was located.
The shotgun blast boomed loudly in the smaller space of the kitchen. Packie ducked down as the buckshot sprayed the ceiling tiles above his head. Gordon fired his pistol and managed to hit the man in the arm, smirking when they swore as he once more hid behind the island.
"Still with us there?" Gordon taunted.
"Got a shotgun shell with your name on it. Hey Patrick, how good of you to join us, makes my job easier to do now that I don't have to search the house for you." His arm was completely useless to him now. But he could still fire the shotgun with his other hand when the time came.
"Well you know me! Always here to help out." Packie waved to Gordon to let him know to go one way, and he'd go the other.
Aleksei dropped down from the roof of the kitchen and trained his rifle at the open back door. He had heard the blast as he shot the last of the crew from the vans. On silent feet he climbed the back porch steps and peered through the window to have a better idea of what he was about to enter. He spotted someone on the floor bleeding and barely holding a shotgun correctly, Gordon working his way around the island, and Packie doing the same in the other direction. 'They don't know what he's going to do! Someone is going to get shot!'
He flicked the safety off his rifle and barged into the kitchen, firing at the man on the ground. The body slumped over on the floor, the shotgun clattering out of his hands, and silence descended throughout the house.
"Are you hurt?" Aleksei threw the question in the direction of Packie and Gordon while studying the man on the ground as he approached him. He had never seen him around the Petrovic territory or on any of their watch lists. He used his shoe to turn the face up to get a better look. 'No neck tattoos…'
"I missed all the action I think." Patrick shoved the safety on to his submachine gun and sighed heavily with how badly the house was destroyed.
Aleksei lowered down and shoved one of the sleeves up the dead man's arm and spotted what he was looking for. His insides grew cold with the number and tags listed.
"The shot missed me but…" Gordon lowered his weapon and ran back toward Gerry and the doctor. He had nearly forgotten how dire their situation was.
"Call for medical assistance." Aleksei rose up and had chased after him fearing the outcome. If he failed at keeping them safe… He fought the shudder that came with having to face Niko with the news. He dropped down at Gerry's side and checked for a pulse. It was there but weak.
"We can't take him to a normal hospital. He's supposed to be dead- err. Well, you know what I mean. Hidden under ground." Packie lowered down by his brother and looked at all the tiny specks of blood that littered his shirt. A tightness squeezed his chest at the pained look that Gerry sported.
"It's that or he bleeds out. Our normal go to is right here." Aleksei shifted over to the doc and checked for vital signs, "And he is no longer an option…"
"No… Doc?" Gordon knelt down and tapped the doctor's face to try and wake him. 'This can't be happening…!'
"I am sorry for your loss." Aleksei pulled his cell phone out when neither of the other two were calling 911. Gerry had a small window to pull through, "Who is Gerry's second in command?"
Gordon dropped his head and felt extremely sad with the death of their long time doctor. His mind was reeling with who all would need to be told- LCPD would probably want to investigate, Kenny will have their hides for letting it happen… Aleksei's question tore through his spiral and he snapped his attention to Packie. He would be in charge.
"I guess it would be me…" Packie slouched back on his legs and matched Gordon's blank stare, "Unless I give the title to you?"
"Hi yes, I have numerous dead bodies outside the house and a grievously wounded man inside the house. I need medical assistance as well as police to secure the scene. Yes, the address-"
"Why would you ask that of me! It's your right to the title." Gordon ignored the phone call Aleksei was making to the emergency line. For some reason anger wanted to burn through him. He had devoted his entire life it felt to serving the McReary's and supporting his friend. Now it was just being passed along like an open bottle of cheap whiskey?
"Gordo, I don't want this life. I want out. I want to move away and just forget it for a few years. I feel like I am slowly losing it. Derrick was on to something by leaving for the homeland. Everything is out of control now. I mean just look around you!" Packie flung his hand out at all the bullet holes, Kenny still resting on the hospital bed, the fire that was still burning on the van, "At what point is enough, enough?"
"I have a firetruck, ambulance, and police on their way. My team will need to move Kenny to another location before that happens. So I will need an answer to who is taking over for the time being for Gerry. There is still present danger to you Patrick. And that danger is not because you are in the chain of command for a mafia." Aleksei hung up the phone and placed a hand on the young man's shoulder.
"This life is never easy- it has its moments of fun and good times, but to walk away? Now would be the time. Just know that I would back you fully if you take over. Our two affiliations are aligned and have a mutual agreement. It is your responsibility to name your successor with your absence and I will let it be known to everyone else." He looked to Gordon and regarded one of Kenny's friends, "If you take the title it would make Kenny proud."
"Packie come on man. Don't do this…" Gordon pleaded with his best friend to stay and work through it all. This was not a time to break away and bow out. Things were going to quiet down at some point… right? This wasn't forever.
"Tell my brother to call me when he comes to… I'm sorry. I place you in charge of the Irish Mob until a time that Gerry can once more be at the head of the table." Packie patted his friend's shoulder and slowly stood up. He just couldn't do it anymore. So much death and danger had him strung out and worn down. With one last look at his brother, he turned on his heel to go upstairs and pack some things.
"Boss I think you need to call up your second and start informing the powers that be within the mob. My men are here to move Kenny. Is there a place you prefer?" Aleksei clasped Gordon's shoulder in a show of respect and acknowledgement that he was now calling the shots. He would send the update once Kenny was loaded into their van and on the move.
"The compound. We will be able to secure and lock it down. It may give our enemies the heads up that Kenny really is in a life threatening condition, but I don't think anywhere is truly safe. And do we know which hospital they will take Gerry to?" Gordon turned to the back door when he heard footsteps.
"Where shall we take the boss?" A man came to stand at Aleksei's side and wait to be given orders.
"The compound. Meet the new head of the Irish Mob." He motioned in Gordon's direction.
"Good for you. The title suits you." He smiled and nodded his head, "I'd stay longer but we need to get Kenny loaded up. We passed a ton of cop cars on our way here."
"Get going and let me know once he is settled and we get him another doctor to watch over him." Gordon returned the gesture still not believing he was in charge and essentially equal to Niko's status…
It was not something he ever figured he would ever be. 'Is this how Niko felt the night Kenny gave him the ring…?'
"Can you meet the police out front and stall them for a minute to give us the chance to get Kenny out safely?" Aleksei heard the sirens getting closer. They needed to get moving or it was going to be one extremely awkward conversation between everyone.
"Yes, but I'm not stopping the medics, Gerry needs the help." Gordon lifted up off the floor and headed to the front of the house, "And have someone wait here at the house till Packie decides on what he is going to do next…" He would not leave his friend defenseless in a crisis. He saw the confirmation from Aleksei and disappeared into the wrecked front foyer.
"The man is marked as second. That means there is still at least one more person out there." Aleksei waited for Gordon to leave the room before telling his men what he had seen on the dead body, "Get to work on Kenny, I need to make a couple of calls."
aaaaaa
The water flowed softly down the West River, carrying boats to and from their destinations. The usually murky looking water reflected the near perfect sky above it, giving it a mirror like finish. The breeze caressed his cheek in a comforting manner, and he had to sigh at the emotions that ripped him to shreds. The pier had been empty, and Bryce's boat was nowhere to be seen. It was just another reminder that he was truly gone from his life.
"Why…? Why did they have to find out?" Bernie whispered in pain as he watched the boats drift over the water's surface. He kicked his foot out in frustration and let it drop back down off the edge of the pier. They used to meet up here and sit on the this very edge and talk about their wishes for the future. How they wouldn't need to hide and keep everything a secret. He had gone to the one place he felt the closest to Bryce at.
So many beautiful words had been exchanged in hushed, awed tones between kisses and caresses. If he tried hard enough, he could picture the way Bryce had looked last night seated next to him, hot chocolate clasped in his hands, steam curling up from the piping hot liquid, dancing across the sweet smile that graced his lips.
It was peaceful, welcoming, and where he wanted to be alone in.
It had been tempting to go to Niko's apartment when Kate offered, but he wasn't ready to face the music.
And he didn't want his problems and drama to distract from the job Niko now had. The snort disappeared into the atmosphere. His friend, his comrade, was now so powerful and protected that it left him wondering where he stood in the grand scale of it all. The man he had met as Kenny's second looked capable and ready to jump to Niko's defense.
But so was he, right?
He had been watching Niko's back for far longer and knew how to back him up. It was like he was being replaced. The tears welled again, and he harshly rubbed at his eyes. He didn't need to go down that road again and make a scene. His heart could only take so much before it left him feeling hollow.
Kate had been a comfort he was not prepared for. She just accepted him for who he presented the world and never once questioned where they stood with one another. And he knew Niko appreciated their friendship and connection. It was his own personal makeshift family and a tug at his heart made him want to get up from the cold, frozen wooden pier and sprawl out on their couch and poke fun at Niko and rile up Georgi.
Then there his thoughts went back to Niko and everything they had experienced together growing up in life. The games played out in the surrounding forests, the meager meals they scrounged up in order to feed their families, the larger than life trips into town before the wars broke out…
Numbing nights spent scouting the enemy territory, shoulder pressed against one another for warmth and protection. Wishful dreams thrown out into the stillness knowing that's where they would die- never meant to gain fruition.
"Is it so wrong to want to be happy?" Bernie lowered his head and stared at his reflection in the water, "Niko is finally getting to get glimpses of it, I had it, Roman has it and won the game called life. Were we meant to be cursed our whole lives? I thought I had clawed my way out of the ditch and into a new world…"
"I had found true love… And it has left me."
A creek from one of the wooden planks snapped him from his thoughts and he rolled to the side avoiding the knife that sunk down into the wooden guard pillar at his side. The grain splintered with the impact, and he darted his eyes up to his attacker and felt his old life flow over him.
"You picked the wrong day to mess with me!" Florian gracefully got to his feet and dodged the next strike from the man wielding a serrated knife. The rage flared to life within his blood, and he sidestepped again with the attack. All his sorrows and pain turned to ash as he tumbled back into old habits and thoughts. He had been the one who taught Niko in the beginning.
"And it'll be your last day!" The person furiously swiped his knife at this target, getting sloppy as his attempts were batted away like it was nothing. Holds changed, strikes shifted rapidly between fighting styles, but nothing seemed to land on his mission.
"Maybe for you." He caught the wrist and twisted, forcing them to drop the knife. He stepped into his space and slammed the edge of his hand into the throat, crushing the Adam's apple into the windpipe. They stumbled away gasping for air and wheezing. Florian kicked the man in the crotch, "This is for ruining my quiet place!"
Quickly approaching footsteps caused him to turn and defend against the next attack. The blade slashed too close to his face for his liking, and he narrowly caught the second man's wrist as he went to stab his side. Florian used the momentum to turn them all to the side so he could kick out the knee of the man that had nearly ruined his face. He dropped to the pier with the odd angle and Florian disarmed them of the knife and jabbed it to the hilt in the neck.
The knife sank down into his back and he grunted with the pain that surged to life along his spine, "You did NOT just ruin my fourth favorite work out ensemble!"
Florian jerked the knife free from the gurgling man's throat and flipped the blade into his hand, took hold in the familiar stance, and threw it at the person who had stabbed him. Smirking as they crumbled down to the slowly turning red pier. Blood droplets spewed everywhere from the fatal neck wound. He would not be forgiving in his kills. Each one would hurt. Each one would be his way of unloading.
His way of surviving.
This would be his bloodbath and rebirth.
"I don't like knives," The last man at the steps leading down to the pier lifted his pistol, "Guns work better."
Florian stumbled backwards as a bullet slammed into his shoulder. His foot slipped off the end of the pier and he tumbled into the water below. His arms thrashed wildly, attempting to swim up to the surface. His lungs burned with the lack of oxygen. His vision darkened against the pain the blade was causing him. Every time his arm moved, it tore more of his skin and muscles. His eyes desperately looked around him for something to help him, but all there was, was darkness and cold.
How had his victory been stripped away so quickly?
'Just like my love…'
He knew he was about to pass out, and as soon as he lost control, he'd inhale water and drown. The struggle was abandoning him the longer he struggled to hold his breath.
'Niko…'
As he drifted down to the bottom of the West River he tried to look up and see the sky one last time. To have one last glimpse of the peace he had once held and known.
The ripples of his fall obscured the vision that was his and Bryce's hideaway. And his heart lurched one final time in pain before acceptance greeted him with open arms.
A figured jumped into the water above him blocking the view before everything went black.
The person hurriedly swam down to him and grabbed his arms. He let his feet hit the rocky bottom and used it to springboard them back to the surface. He kicked as hard as he could, as fast as he could, knowing every second endangered Florian. They broke the surface, and thanks to the tide, it wasn't difficult to lift Florian out of the frigid cold water.
The waves and buoyancy that lifted them helped to maneuver their bodies in the direction of the escape ladder that looked rusted beyond repair but would have to work.
Using the partial ladder, he climbed them up to the bloodied pier and plopped Florian on his side. His sharp eyes scanned the pier for more enemies before hauling himself up and over to Florian's side. The water had soaked the windbreaker material of his outfit and made it difficult to know how much blood had been lost.
He worked quickly to remove the knife from his back, frowning at the kbar knowing the internal damage would not be pleasant. Anger simmered under the surface, and he flipped the knife and threw at the person who had gotten the lucky shot in. It sank down into the back with what should have been a rewarding squish. But the warmth spreading over his hand from the now freely bleeding wound snapped him back to the task at hand.
He yanked the zipper down on his motorcycle jacket, reached into an internal pocket, and pulled out a couple of wound clogging packets. Mentally he hoped they weren't ruined from the little dip in the water he did. The heavy leather was somewhat water resistant. At least the rain or snow had yet to crack the smooth surface.
"Come on. Work your magic." They ripped open the packet and dumped the entire sandy material into the stab wound. He rolled Florian to his back and repeated the process on the bullet hole. Satisfied that the clotter would do its job, he started chest compressions and CPR.
He could hear shouting in the distance and knew he only had a few more minutes before he'd have to make his escape. Determination settled in his bones, and he put more weight behind his compressions.
Florian gagged and sputtered, water dribbling from the corners of his mouth. Air once more trying to enter his waterlogged lungs.
"That's it. Keep coughing." They rolled Florian to the side and winced knowing patting him on the back was probably doing more harm than good. But he would assist for as long as he could before running off.
"The shot came from over here! Hurry!"
Dark eyes lifted off of Florian and to the top of the hill, it was time to go. Silently he reached over and picked up his sniper from the pooled blood of the man he had shot in the head. He had seen Florian fall into the water and reluctantly dropped it on his mad dash to jump into the water.
"Who?" Bernie coughed and weakly asked the question as he came to. But it was getting harder and harder to stay awake. The bright sun blurred his sight of the shadowed figure above him.
"Rest easy comrade…" Darko hesitated before deciding it was okay and placed his hand over where he knew their matching tattoos rested. He heard more shouting and gave his arm one final squeeze, then stalked off the pier and toward his waiting motorcycle.
aaaaaa
One Love!