"Episode 16 - Survival of the fittest." 

Even though my head was down, I kept adverting my eyes to Capone and Alvarzo. He was a tall, fit man with salt and pepper hair and a clean face. I picked up the thin manila folder I had on him and every other person that came in or was about to and started reading.

He was another one of those rich kids who inherited their father's company. Three arrests records but no convictions. Feds managed to close in on him for tax fraud but he beat that, including a murder rep. 

A hit and run where he stated that he wasn't driving and that the car was stolen from their garage. Some of his friends alibied him out and the poor woman who died never got any justice.

The husband tried to sue him and submitted many complaints to the police but they did nothing. She left two kids behind who were under the age of five. A sick churning in my stomach reached my throat. I had to clenched my teeth together from saying something or doing something that I might regret. Her name vibrated on my phone.

Elena: I'm mad as hell you left me in bed alone. It's not every day I sleep with a man without fucking.

My mouth lifted to one side.

Me: I'll fuck you when I get back. Long and deep. You won't be able to walk tomorrow.

It was a promise.

"I DON'T GIVE A DAMN." Alvarzo jumped up, slamming a palm down on the table. Capone stood too.

"YOU GOT PEOPLE COMING AFTER ME." He shot back.

Suddenly gun fire erupted and I immediately pulled out my gun. I jogged to the other side then stopped. Something about the scene didn't seem right. Instead I turned and pulled my gun at Alvarzo.

"What's up man." I patronised him. "It's ironic to have people pulling triggers right when you came in. Don't you think?"

His eyes turned dark and his hand went straight to his back. I knew that move so I pulled. Twice. He convulsed back like he was kicked in the chest and went down with a thud. Blood gurgled in his mouth, the gun laid inches away from his fingertips. His white shirt absorbed the blood, the diameter getting bigger and bigger. The smell of zinc hit my nostrils and I salivated on it.

"Now how did you get that past security?" He was gasping for breath and I stood over him with a gun over his crimson chest.

The gun battle was still active but with the crew outside, I knew we were perfectly safe. Taking out my phone I dialled 911, ignoring her messages. I wanted to take a picture and send it to her but I didn't want to show her my sadistic side yet.

"I'd like to report a shooting at Capone Enterprise." I cut the call and turned to a very shaken Capone. "You need to call the police commissioner or the mayor or whoever your friends are. Personally. This is self-defence anyways so it should blow over quickly but I need you to put pressure on them." I ordered Capone and holstered my weapon.

"You're ordering me?" He paused, annoyed with himself and me.

"I'm telling you what to do so the feds don't come knocking at your door and dig out whatever you need to hide." I was not in the mood for his crap. There was a difference between businessman mob boss who inherited their riches and the ones who worked their way up from nothing. Capone was used to people doing his dirty work for him where as those people, people like me, we worked, killed and ran to get to their spot.

"Don't speak to me like that."

"I just saved you, didn't I? Now you need to protect yourself Boss." I winked at him, insinuating that if I went down, I'll take him down with me. Rolling his eyes, he picked up his own phone and searched through his list before finally hitting the call button.

I picked up mine and found her text, sitting there waiting for me.

Elena: Challenge accepted. How's your day btw, what's the plan for today?

Me: I just shot someone who tried to kill your dad.

Elena: AGAIN? I'm disappointed in you. I walked away smiling.

Me: Don't worry. Seems like we'll be back soon so I'll see you sooner, rather than later.

I finally put my phone away and waited around for the whole scene to play out. It took about half an hour for someone who looked remotely important to show up in a suit in this scorching heat. He looked at Capone with a smug smile and I leaned back in my seat with a huff.

It was going to be a long day.

"Oh! Fuck. Not you again." Capone grumbled like a man-child.

"I wish I could say it was good to see you again but it never is..." He paused. "Is it?" His head turned towards me, eyes assessing me with diligent.

"You're new and who might you be?" He walked towards me, eyes adverting towards the dog tag. It must have jumped over when I removed my tie.

"Gabriel Hayes." I pointed at my dismantled gun that I laid out on the table.

"Nathan Ross. You're head of security, I heard." He nodded his head towards the door. "Would you mind coming with me." Nodding, I followed him.

He had the typical marine haircut. A surge of respect bubbled at through me. He survived the war and now is working his way up as a Fed.

"You a Marine?" He asked as we walked along glass walls to the back which looked like a conference room. I didn't pull out the knife I had stuffed in my boots.

"Navy SEAL. You a Marine?"

He took a sip of bad coffee from his paper cup before replying. "Special Agent now but yes. We either die or move on, right?" His dark hooded eyes and strong jaw added to his dangerous demeanour, that he tried to hide with a smile. I'd spent enough time with the South Korean Army to recognise his heritage.

We ended up in front of a long conference room with foggy blue glass with sliding doors. We entered and Nathan pulled an electronic jammer out of his pocket, the green light switched on. Suddenly, his hands wrapped around my collar and slammed me up against the back wall.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING WITH HIM?" He whisper-yelled, his true self seeping out through the wrinkles of his forehead. The creases around his mouth and nose reminded me of an angry lion. I didn't fight him

"My job?" He pushed me back and my phone vibrated, catching his attention. "That's my girl."

"You're a fucking SEAL and you're working for a scumbag like HIM?" He spat at the ground but finally let me go.

"He's giving me millions. You give me more and I'm yours." I smirked fixing my collar.

"He's a coward who can't his get his hand dirty because he's a scared little bitch and makes people do his dirt work. WHY THE HELL someone like YOU who protected and served this country, would do that?" He pointed his finger at me.

"You're a military man, right?" I casually sat down, making sure he knew I wasn't worried at all.

"Gunnery Sergeant Nathan Ross, 6th division. I protected this country and I come home to find these scumbags are calling all the shots and YOU'RE helping them." He sounded disgusted.

"It was time I got something back from all the sacrifices I made." I patronised him. I rubbed my eyes, the tiredness weighing my down.

"Be my informant."

"HELL NO." I exclaimed. He paced the length of the conference room, the glass table eating up majority of the space.

Then Elena's thrashing body floated through my mind. He would know how to dig up buried past. I had no loyalty but my obsession for her was making break my own rules.

"Fine, I'll give you info on a large shipment of guns being taken through New York but I'd need you to give me information about Elena Capone." I sat back and assessed the security cameras. My mouth was facing away from it and so was his.

He turned towards me slowly, an understanding finally sinking in.

"That's your girl." He nodded slowly, considering the offer over.

"Yup." I popped the 'p', rocking back and forth in the grey ergonomic chair. "You get me everything you have on her and I'll get you the shipment."

I knew Capone was in the clear because it was Mr. Oni, one of the head of the Yakuza and a councilman who made the deal. Ross would find a way to incriminate them by themselves. He looked smart enough.

"Okay fine, I'll give you everything I have on her BY FRIDAY and I'll need you to give me what you have on that damn gun shipment." I nodded my head.

"Deal."

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Edited by Camilewilson