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TWG:R
~Endless Possibilities Arc~
Chapter 108: Liberty City Isaribi Chronicles 15
[The Impossible Trinity - Museum Piece/Collector's Item/Not So Fast]
Liberty City, 2008. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I knew I was coming into a shitshow so I came strapped and made sure I came with body armor. I was not catching strays.
"Hey, alright man. How's it goin'?" Johnny remarked.
"Hey, good to see you again." Niko mused.
It did amuse me that Niko could even say that considering we merked Jason…and what'd we end up doing later.
"Yeah likewise... uh, let's hope this goes a little better than before, yeah? Come on, let's get inside." Johnny remarked as they entered the building.
Isaribi had been waiting inside having overheard their idle chat dressed in all black with a tactical edge to it.
"Ok, you're here. The buyers have arrived and they're all on even ground…" Isaribi remarked with a sigh. "Let's get this over with."
"What's with the ge-"
"Johnny, save the questions for sometime never. I want to get this over with." Isaribi said shutting him down. "Come on."
"What's with the attitude? No need to be a total bitch." Johnny said as Isaribi darkly glared at him.
I sorely wished I could have shot him, but I couldn't. Regardless, we got up to the spot in the museum. If I didn't really have much to say about the Jewish Mafia, it's because I don't have a lot to say about that they were just the buyers to me. Besides, I was already fucking them over by snitching out the deal to Luis and Tony in the first place. So when Luis came in through the window blasting, I was ready.
"Just get the shit, man. C'mon!"
It was chaos. Niko immediately looked to Isaribi asking if she knew this was going to happen.
"Don't tell Ray…but yeah I did. Ray's the idiot for trying to sell diamonds that were originally stolen." Isaribi remarked.
We fought our way through but Niko was a complete beast in that fight. The utter carnage he made even got Johnny to admit a bit of fear in him. I gave a nod to Luis as he made his leave, and I went after Johnny considering he had the money. In the process of doing so, I had to even shoot a few of Ray's guys just so I didn't get shot by them.
"Fuck Ray, man. Fuck all of 'em here." Johnny remarked.
"Yeah. Fuck 'em. I guess we're rich then." Jim said.
"Hold on to it, brother." Johnny shot back.
"You can bet your balls on it." Jim eagerly said as Johnny rode off.
I wanted to confront them, but I didn't. Jim basically signed his death warrant by not telling Johnny that maybe stealing Ray's two million was beyond stupid. I had a choice to make…and I decided to make it. It'd damned my friendship with Estelle…but I didn't care anyone.
[Was It Worth it? / No Way on the Subway]
Isaribi rode away unnoticed as Ray called her up.
"Isaribi, I want answers."
"The deal was shot to shit and Johnny stole your money." Isaribi said without hesitation. "He handed it off to Jim off Exter and V. For what it's worth, if not for a few factors…your plan would have worked."
"I'm surprised you're being honest about this. You're not covering for Niko given Johnny-"
"I'm not covering for Niko. Niko nearly got killed in that shitshow and Johnny just tried to pin the blame on him to save his own hide. And given the likely matter that he was banking on me getting killed too, I'm not exactly very pleased about any of this!" Isaribi angrily stated.
"Ok…ok, I believe you. Look, you and Niko came over to the restaurant." Ray stated before hanging up.
When I arrived at the restaurant after a change of clothes, it'd be when I'd met the only member of the Pegorinos I actually respected…Phil Bell.
"You sure this guy's alright? You check him out? Her too?" Phil asked as Niko and Isaribi came in.
"I'm tellin' ya the guy's good. Hey, here he is right here. Phil, Niko. Niko, Phil. And let's not forget, Isaribi." Ray remarked as the two took a seat.
"So you're the guy who got jumped for a couple million? And the chick who middlemanned the shitshow?" Phil mused.
"Yeah. You gonna pop me for it?" Niko snarked.
"If you are, not the face. I'm not dying for a closed casket." Isaribi sniped.
"Ha ha... no. I've heard good things. Some aren't friends... but y'know... what are you gonna do?" Phil stated as Niko snarked about the company kept.
"So about the money? I assume you got people on it and you want us to run point guard?" Isaribi asked seriously. "The boss has to get paid…and such."
"Yes, you're on the ball." Phil remarked.
So we were sent out. Plain and simple, I was being sent to murder Jim. It was a pretty epic chase, but it came to an end with Jim on the ground and a biker crashing face first into a subway car. When it came to finishing Jim, Niko and I did it together. There was no going back from this. I told Niko to take my bike to get out of the area. I would take Jim's Zombie and bandana before riding back to Alderney. I arrived at the clubhouse right as Ashley and Johnny were at the front talking…or at least finished talking. Ashley was leaving…and I confronted her when she was a good enough distance away.
"Isaribi, you…oh my god…is that Jim's…"
"Yeah, it is." Isaribi said. "Get on, I'll take you back to your apartment. You owe me answers anyway."
"I don't know if I shoul-"
When I offered 500 dollars, she complied without question. Long story short, she cut ties with Ray…or really he cut it off with her given she's no longer useful. Billy's apparently going states for a sweetheart deal. That pissed me off to no end, but given I had Stubbs as a connection…I knew I had help at least. I dropped off Ashley, paid her off, and left to do the hardest thing I had to do that year. That being delivering Jim's bike and bandana to his family. Estelle and I were already falling out of our friendship…our little trio was becoming just me and Danica. Danica, at the very least, dropped everyone to join me in doing this. In hindsight, she kept what happened from getting worse.
"You're sorry! That's all you have to say, you backstabbing bitch! Some sister you are…you let my father di-"
Isaribi grabbed her by the throat before slamming her against the door.
"Shut the fuck up! If you want to blame anyone for this, it's Johnny. I wouldn't have gotten involved in the fact that your dad got killed had Johnny not stolen the two million in the deal. He left me to die and you have the fucking nerve to snap at me!"
Isaribi threw her into the coffee table before pulling a deagle aiming down at her face.
"You killed him, didn't you?" Estelle asked, getting up. "Just like you killed Jason."
Isaribi grabbed her by the collar and asked her a simple question.
I asked what she could do about it. I made it clear to Estelle that I had connections above Johnny's that very easily made them disappear if I wanted to. At that point, I wasn't really scared of what Johnny could do at this point because I had people who actually had my back.
"So here's what's going to happen. I'm going to walk out that door…and out your life, forever. You and your mom are going to not say a word of what happened today because I will find out if you do." Isaribi said darkly. "Got it?"
Estelle nodded as Isaribi let her go as Danica and she went back to the door.
"Fuck you both." Estelle spat.
That would be the last I'd see of Estelle. Considering the Lost didn't seem to find out I was involved in Jason or Jim's deaths, I'd assume Estelle either kept her mouth shut or her mother made her. Either way, whatever criminal career she had was done. Not that she had what it took…but it was a dark time. The only good news was Luis getting the diamonds and the pay from the jobs. Even then, I was in no mood to celebrate. I sat at X's penthouse out on the patio looking out at the city when I got a call…from Stubbs.
"I heard what happened." Stubbs mused. "Sorry to say that's just how life is…"
"I did what I had to do. The junkie revealed Billy's apparently going states…got anything on that?" Isaribi asked.
"Yeah, I'm working on getting on the information. I'll be in touch." Stubbs mused before hanging up.
[Late Checkout]
I had one more job for Ray that night before me and Niko would cut her business ties with him. That would be a massacre at the Majestic Hotel of Issac Roth and his diamond dealers. That was nothing to write home about because I made it easier by borrowing Brucie's helicopter to fly over to the penthouse suite for me and Niko to land on the roof to kill them all. I only spared the girlfriend because she was smart enough to dip. I was wearing a mask either way. Regardless, we got away…job was done and so was I for the night. I ended up going drinking with Niko…I don't exactly remember what happened after that. Just the morning after…
[Weekend at Florian's]
Isaribi groaned as she rubbed her sore head as she looked around. She was on the couch of the South Bohan apartment as Niko was facedown on the floor.
"What the fuck happened last night?" Isaribi said before finding her gun had been clearly used.
The radio had gone out about last night's massacre at the Majestic, but also a murder of several dozen Lost bikers. I don't know if I had anything to do with it, but I like to think that was a possibility. Regardless, Niko and I got ourselves cleaned up and ready for the day.
Isaribi fluffed her sand colored flight jacket as she shoveled cereal in her mouth. Niko had asked if she was okay.
"Niko, yesterday was a reminder of the people who truly had my backs." Isaribi said warmly as her phone went off. "Shit, I got to take this."
Isaribi went outside the apartment to answer Gay Tony's call.
"Hey Isa, you all right? I heard it was a shitshow." Tony mused.
"It was. I got screwed over by the Lost again…fucker left with the money leaving me and my partner to nearly get killed by the Jews and the mob." Isaribi snarked. "Only reason I'm alive is because I planned ahead."
"But it worked out." Tony remarked. "Luis wanted to check on you himself but the cops…"
"I get it. I'm fine…and just laying low. I'll call you in a while." Isaribi said before hanging up.
Niko came out of the apartment telling Isaribi that Ray called with information on Florian Cravic.
So off we went, using X's old Patriot for the occasion. When we met Talbot and we learned of Florian's other name…things got awkward because while I didn't know a Florian Cravtic…I knew of a Bernie Crane.
Niko hit the brakes.
"You knew?"
"Hold up, I didn't know he was Florian. But in hindsight, it adds up. I know of a Bernie Crane because I work occasionally at Hercules. I can take you right to him." Isaribi explained.
"So I can go and my debt's square?" Talbot asked awkwardly.
"Yeah, you can. Tell Ray we're square." Isaribi said as Talbot was quick to bolt.
"Where is he?" Niko asked her.
"At the corner of Ivy Drive South in Middle Park West.. He works as a lifestyle coach and personal trainer…" Isaribi said as Niko hit the gas. "But you may not want to hear it…I don't think he's the guy who screwed you."
"What makes you say that?" Niko asked icily.
"Because it's a betrayal on that level…fucks you up mentally. You don't function normally after doing something like that." Isaribi stated. "But there's a small chance I could be wrong…I just want to take sure you don't end up killing an innocent man given you said it was either him or Darko."
"Isaribi has a point." Roman said as Niko sighed.
"Well, we'll get answers today!" Niko roared.
We pulled up to the place. It was already awkward enough given apparently Danica had a place in the building. So she saw us come up and saw Niko kicked the door in calling out for Florian.
"Ok, you two have some explain-"
"Danica, it's cool. I'll handle this!" Isaribi remarked as Niko called out for Florian. "Yo, Bernie…you got some ghosts from your past!"
"Isaribi, what are you…Niko…Roman, what are you guys doing here?" Bernie remarked.
Niko could see it…Bernie had changed from what he was. My words had sunk in as I had to do damage control to calm everyone down. And in turn I had to properly introduce Niko and Roman to Danica.
"I'll make an express order for the door." Danica offered. "Niko can pay me the grand to get it."
Niko forked it over. Bernie had explained how he had reinvented himself as Isaribi explained in full how they knew each other. On the one hand, Niko left the apartment one part stressed and the other part assured. Roman and Isaribi followed him out.
Niko had wanted to be left alone after that. I don't blame him. I had a feeling that UL Paper knew Darko was the one and I'd end up getting the phone call later from Niko confirming it. However, later in the day, we'd be called back to Bernie's for something urgent.
[Hating the Haters]
That urgency was some homophobe deciding to pick on gay men. Now given I swung both ways, I was more than happy to put a bullet in a homophobe's skull. So there I was in my jogger's get up trailing along with Niko, Danica, and Bernie. Yeah, Danica wanted in. The moment that fucker came out with a bat, we swooped in.
"What the hell?"
The gay basher noticed that Bernie had three very armed and pissed off friends looking to kill him. He promptly bolted only to get shot in leg thanks to Danica, dropping his bat.
"Come on, I'm just doing my civil duty of beating up faggots!" He pleaded.
"Civil duty? Oh I'm about to do my civil duty on your face!" Isaribi said as Niko dragged the poor bastard out of sight.
We rained hell on him. Danica had the bright idea to bring silencers. That bastard would be found hours after we left, riddled with bullets. I kept his baseball bat as a personal trophy. I suppose I could say the day went well after, but I'd be lying. Aside from all the Gracie shit…which I was doing everything I could to minimize my involvement on either size…I'd be staring down the end of the Lost.
[Get Lost]
I'd get that call from Stubbs with the information. While I didn't give a damn about Johnny being implicated, Billy wanted to implicate Angus Martin too on a major drug operation. Fucker also wanted to try to pin something on me. I wanted to get involved but Stubbs had words for me.
"I already dealt with looking into what Billy thinks he could pin on you…unlike the drug operation…it's bullshit." Stubbs stated. "I can easily get you cleared…but I need to do something for me."
That something was basically going to the Alderney State Correctional Facility which the Lost were already breaking into. Frankly, to any of the mooks there…I may as well have been a Lost MC member without a patch as I rode on Billy's Revenant. The funny thing is…the fucker that Stubbs sent me to kill was already killed a stray bullet doing my job for me. I was not going to look a gift horse in the mouth as I went in to find Billy…and I did as Johnny held him at gunpoint. I didn't waste time.
BLAM! Billy hit the ground with a bullet in his stomach due to Isaribi before Johnny could shoot him himself.
I didn't say a word but Billy saw me as I rode away blending into the crowd of chaos. I wasn't sure if my shot was fatal given I heard Johnny empty a magazine…but I like to think it was. Regardless of what happened, Billy was dead. I managed to get far away enough to change out of those clothes and stash the helm at the Alderney apartment. As far as the world knew, I was never there. I took my last ride to the clubhouse to see what was left of the Lost burn that building to the ground. I would have felt bad, but I felt nothing but relief. I didn't leave completely noticed as Angus saw me ride away…not that mattered anymore. The Acter branch of the Lost was finished.
Isaribi rode out leaving Acter once again as her phone rang to which she answered to hear Angus's voice.
"So, it's over." Isaribi said.
"That it is." Angus stated. "But I suppose this is a good thing for you at least. Nothing holding you back…it didn't have to come down to this. Our brothers, our club…"
"Your brothers and club. Angus, they never respected. Never had. If they'd listened to be…Billy and Brian would have been put in the dirt before they could fuck everything up. And so would Ashley…but no they didn't fucking listen. Johnny can enjoy what his actions brought him…I've cut him loose in my mind for good." Isaribi remarked. "He won't change…."
"As much as he says he cut Ashley loose, I fear he may truly not. And if he really hasn't, I'm ready to cut him off. But either way, we're cutting ties for good too." Angus remarked. "I do have one last thing for you…remember Johnny's Hexer that got shot up in that deal gone wrong?"
"Shit, you're letting me have it? I couldn't…" Isaribi remarked.
"If anything, Johnny doesn't need it given the collection he's amassed himself. I'm texting you the location of where it is. Take care of yourself, kid." Agnus stated.
"Angus, thank you for having my back through all of this. But what will you do now?" Isaribi asked.
"I'll figure something else out." Agnus said before hanging up.
I made sure to stash that bike somewhere safe from where he put it but I would get one other call that day. One from Stubbs asking if the job was done which I confirmed to which I got wired a decent payday for it.
"I hope you'll be open to taking more work from me. Johnny didn't seem to be interested." Stubbs mused as Isaribi crossed the bridge.
"Fuck him. If you need me for a job or two, I'll be interested…but I'll be walking my own path now." Isaribi said.
"That so? Seems all this has hardened you significantly. I suppose I should at least give you a warning about Ray. His organization is on the edge of imploding soon…so watch yourself kid." Stubbs said before hanging up.
I wasn't surprised. If there was one benefit, all this let be dodge a particular job with Ray Bulgarin that according to Luis was utter chaos. Not that I would be able to help dodging them.
(A/N: It took fifteen entries, but it's finally done. The Lost and Damned's story arc is complete and I set up the explanation for how Isaribi has both Billy and Johnny's bikes. In the end, Isaribi leaves the Lost fully inching closer to be the professional we meet in the present day. In terms of how many missions are left to cover: Niko's got 19 while Luis has six.)
But we aren't done yet, double feature!
