♛Cameron Dawson ♛

There seems to be a lot more movement by the gang than usual, members loitering about outside, in the parking lot and even more so in the common room that's uncomfortably packed. Whatever Jack called everyone in for is clearly important and a big deal which is either good news or really fucking bad news.

Harley has a permanent irritated scowl on her face as we enter the loud and boisterous room. It seems that she's still annoyed at me. Although that might be to herself because she helped a Kings member and despite me understanding why she did it- the girl was pointing a damn gun at her- if Jack finds out we're as good as dead. And it's going to be a painful one.

"I'm not stupid Danté!" She had exclaimed in exasperation after I expressed my concerns. I didn't bother arguing, knowing nothing good would come of it but it seems that she's still mad at me. However, she does glance at me in concern when there's shouts of discontent from the crowd and I frown, pulling her into my side as we move further inside.

Members shout at one another, yelling and banging going around like a bottle of whiskey. Sounds of disbelief and anger escape the room and just by the looks on everyone's faces, I can tell that this isn't good news. The tension in the room is insane and Harley squirms by my side, unnerved by all the commotion and angry yelling. I glance around before finding Katalina standing further in a corner, out of the crowd, and watching everything silently however, even she has a strange look plastered to her face. Like this whole thing is stressing her out and she's trying to figure out a solution.

With my hand wrapped around Harley's, I lead her to the Mexican girl. She doesn't notice us so when I touch her elbow to grab her attention, she jumps slightly before visibly relaxing when she sees us. Katalina seems to have a natural knack of being calm in stressful situations- from what I've gathered- so to see her unnerved and concerned makes my stomach twist with unease. She wrings her hands together, tapping her foot impatiently and I frown.

"What's going on?" I ask and she opens her mouth to respond before getting cut off by Jack who stands on the bar table, clad in a blue suit, and everyone looking up at him. The shouts and murmurs settle down as Jack slips his hands into his pockets. He has a solemn calm look on his face, his lips turned downwards.

"As most of you have heard, the Kings have being on our side tonight." He begins and the crowd murmurs. "And by doing so, they have killed one of our very own members- Josh."

Shouts resonate throughout the room, most people shouting out gruesome things that should be done to the Kings.

"We all know the rules- if they step into our territory, we make sure that they don't walk out without an eye missing or without having to be dragged out by their corpse." Jack exclaims angrily, speaking with so much conviction that even I can't help but be absorbed into what he is saying. The crowd shouts again, announcing their agreement before Jack holds up a hand to quiet them.
"Tonight, I want each and every one of you here to patrol the area. To patrol our territory. These are our streets and I'll be damned to let those cunts come here as if it is their own and kill one of my fucking members!"

Another wave of yelling from the crowd.

"Tonight, we are going into their territory too and you hurt anyone you can get your hands on. No entering houses- not tonight, that will be another day- but any Kings members in stores or on streets are to walk away with an injury. Do you hear me? They killed one of us so we'll hurt all of them."

The response from everyone is deafening and I frown as everyone grabs what they need and joins whoever before leaving the gang in a bid to go and hurt Kings members. Turning to Katalina, I see her gnawing on her nails before Ramiro approaches us, a bit breathless.

"So we have to go about stabbing people now?" Harley says incredulously, her hands already trembling by her sides. Ramiro nods, looking awfully pale. It seems like we're not the only ones who are dreading such acts of violence.

"You guys want to join us?" Katalina asks. "It's safer like this. Plus, you don't really know that side."

It's a subtle look- but one I notice all the rest- as Ramiro seems to pass Katalina a warning look, lips pursed although his sister pays no mind. I nod anyway, simply because she's right. We don't know this area well enough and getting lost on a night like this isn't an option.

"Alright." Ramiro says, pulling out his car keys. "Let's get a move on before Jack takes our eyes out."

****

The car is filled with something I'm not quite sure what to call. It's almost like a mix of concern, worry, fear and tension. But there's something else... dread, maybe, I'm not sure. Harley chews hard on her lip beside me, looking out the window as we drive around the opposing gang's territory. It's harder to point out who is a member with it being dark but I doubt that the members care- they'll hurt anyone they can get their hands on. This side is by far more lively than that of the Slithers. There's people flowing in and out of restaurants and stores, sitting at a park that has an illuminated water fountain. The streets aren't dead quiet as we pass quite a few. It's not a ghost town and that means that the damage Jack wants to inflict tonight will be even worse than expected because there are so many people.

"Where are we stopping?" I ask them and Ramiro meets my gaze in the mirror.

"A grocery store."

"How exactly are we supposed to do this? Just walk up to them and say 'hey, sorry I have to stab you' and plunge the metal into them?" Harley says in a cynical tone and Katalina shifts in her seat, uncomfortable. 

"No, we're not doing that. We're going to the store and while you two try and get everyone else out, Ray and I will deal with the Kings. Last thing we need is having to drag your body out."

The hostility and irritation makes Harley frown but she doesn't comment and the rest of the car ride is silent until we pull up to a store. From what I can see through the glass windows, it seems to be selling clothing and there are quite a bit of customers, telling from the few cars in the parking lot. When Ramiro has parked the car, they immediately climb out and before I can join them, Harley is grabbing my hand. When I look to her, I see her eyes wide with fear and almost pleading.

"We can't let them kill them." She says softly and I frown. "If that's what Ray and Katalina are going to do, I need you to understand that I cannot let them." She says and I understand what she's saying and, for a moment, I feel my chest swell with love for her. For this selfless, compassionate and reckless woman.

Pressing a quick kiss to her lips, I cup her cheeks. "Deal with the other people, I'll make sure that the members get out without them knowing."

A relieved but still slightly worried smile slips onto her face and she nods. "Please be careful."

I nod before we both climb out, Ramiro and Katalina cutting their conversation short when we approach them. Ramiro seems to study Harley with concern and Katalina glances at me for a moment too long, making my stomach squirm with the thought that perhaps they heard us. But I know they didn't. Not with the volume we were talking at.

Without any words exchanged, we all enter the store. The whiff of fabric and new clothing hits my nose and I look around the pristine store. It sells a variety of clothing- from casual items to fancy dresses and suits. The floors are a shiny marble that reflects the lights above and our footsteps click along the floor. Katalina glances at the man behind the counter and smiles, saluting him by placing two fingers against her forhead as a form of greeting. He returns the gesture with a a forced smile, eyes looking between us with- no doubt- suspicion.

The store is big which means that splitting up is easier. Next to the man is a picture of the setup of the store and I make note of the emergency exit.

"Ray and I are going this side," she says softly, jutting her chin out to the right side. "Go left. Figure a way to get everyone else without a bandana or Kings jacket out."

Nodding, we split up. Harley and I go to the left, standing behind the racks. She seems to be growing uneasy by the second and I grab her arm to get her attention.

"How am I supposed to get them out?" She asks breathlessly and I glance at the rack behind us before pulling out a blue waistcoat. I pull the tag off and then slip it over her bare arms.

"Pretend to be a worker and that the store has to close early because the boss has an emergency."

She nods shakily and I pull out a gun after looking up and down the aisle. "Here." I hand it to her. She stares at it, gulping before shaking her hand vigorously.

"I don't... I dont want to use that."

"Well you might have to. You don't have to kill anyone. Just shoot a leg or something to have a headstart. Don't wait for me. I'll meet you back at the apartment if anything happens." I say quickly and she nods, gently taking it from me and slipping it into the waistband of her jeans. I walk away then, taking a deep breath to compose myself before strolling along the shop at a leisurely pace as if I don't have a hidden agenda. At the end of one aisle, I see Harley speaking to a girl with a wide smile before the girl walks away in the direction of the door.

When I reach one of the aisles, I see a guy with sandy coloured hair looking through leather jackets. Taking a deep breath, I slip my hands into my pockets and walk down the aisle quickly. The guy notices me instantly, immediately taking a step back. I throw my hands up in surrender.

"I'm not going to hurt you man. But there's Slither members that will. You need to get out of here." I say in Spanish immediately, keep my voice low. He narrows his green eyes at me.

"Why the hell should I trust you?" He responds and I shrug.

"You shouldn't. But you will or else you're not leaving here alive."

He studies me for a moment before glancing around. The man gives in.

"Where should I leave?"

"Follow me." I say, quickly making my way to the emergency exit. Glancing over my shoulder to make sure we aren't being followed, I bump into someone and stumble before looking down to see Katalina. But when I see the girl behind her with a bandana wrapped around her head, my eyes narrow.

Suddenly the emergency door is opening and Ramiro emerges, breathing heavily. "Okay, I got Arden out-" but he cuts himself off when he's standing between his sister and I who are watching each other. The wide eyed Katalina gulps and I hear someone else appear from around the corner and I see it as Harley out of my peripheral.

An awkward silence washes over us all and then it clicks. The fact the Ramiro are both Latino, the fact that they have never spoken lowly of the Kings, how they've never seemed fully loyal to Jack, how Katalina knows so much about them, how she's always managed to get Harley out of a situation with them...

"You're both double crossing the gang aren't you?" I let out as a breath of a laugh, completely at disbelief. I can't believe I missed it. All the hints that were there- right in front of my face. Their lack of loyalty to the gang should have being the clearest one of all.

All the members look at each other, especially Ramiro and Lina. The two siblings both open their mouth to say something although Katalina gets it out first:

"We have a proposition."

•••
The cat's out of the bag- what do you guys think?

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