Moving into a foreign hood around this city was always something,especially if you have gang affiliations. It gets difficult to get around without being jumped, but being a widely known connect and intel in the entirety of West Coast has it's perks.

When I received the news that I was going to be running the new underground in Freeridge, I already knew what I signed up for; Including the rivalry between The Santos and The Prophets.

It was one of those OG rivalries that MADE the place what it is today... That's why we cater to both as a neutral business to carry on the neighborhood's flow and in return, in some ways more than one, I was protected by everyone along with the business.

Though all business aside, I'm not much of a fighter anyway... well not in a normal scenario. I'm more of a pacifist, unless the situation calls for blood, which it rarely does for me.

But not today.

Today, the universe had it out for me.

~18 hours ago~

Waking up in the morning I already knew what I had to do for the rest of the day.

Get dressed, get something to eat, and go over some deals with the Santos about the incoming arms shipment that they wanted to have a part of, then speak to the Los Fantasmas about the drug bust that happened in their territory under their watch. The day was pretty straight forward to me and should end no sooner than 6pm. The quicker it's handled, the less commotion it would make.

Today I'm meeting with one of the Santos' heirs: Oscar Diaz or what everybody likes to call him, Spooky.

From what I've heard about him through the vine, he's not one to be fucked with and I believe it based on the results.

I walked out of my temporary estate and made my way to the car waiting for me at the front and upon arrival the men scatter to open the door and ready up for the drive.

" We're off to the Santos, Jefe?" Gregorio asked, eyeing me through the rearview mirror.

"Yeah. but before that, I'd like something to eat. tell everybody to pull up at Dwayne's before heading straight to the meeting... a burger sounds good right now." The driver nodded and started up the car, all while speaking the orders into the radio.

The house I was staying at was just in the outskirts of the hood so it wasn't going to take long to get there.

I was sitting still, observing the houses we were passing by when my phone started ringing in my hand.

I picked it up.

"the shipment is here... but some putito ratted it out to the cops so we have less than an hour to get it out of here-" He was interrupted by chatter in the background.

Fuckin' hell.. I really just want that burger.

I sigh and wait for the man to continue so it could be resolved.

"-ORALE GUEY! I'M TALKING TO HER NOW." I hear a huff of exasperation on the other line.

"Lo siento, Señorita. What do you want to do about this." There's a slight pause and all
noises stopped.

"Put all of it back on the trucks and drop it at the plant in Santa Monica. Tell Ramirez I sent you and I'll wire him some to keep it there until this gets resolved without getting the cops involved."

I pulled out my other phone and go through my contacts as I wait for a response; A click of a tongue and some loud orders in spanish being called out to the rest of my men at the old dam.

"What do you want to do with the snitch?"

"I'll handle it, just call me if you hit a bump." I hang up and pocket the phone and scroll through the other.

I click on a contact and press call.

If you want something done right, better call big brother.

It rings a few times, no answer. I was about to put the phone away when I received a call back.

"What's up, sissy. How's the hood treating y-"

" Send the girls to Freeridge. We have a rat problem."

"No hello? no besitos even? 'mwah mwah' Big Bro?" You could hear the slight offense in his voice wrapped up in humor, but I didn't have the time for jokes.

"Daniel.."

"Okay, okay. I'll send them over. Tan serio."

"Thank you."

"Man, no wonder dad got you handling that area. You get shit done." I chuckled.. They did say I was the serious one. In reality though, I just wanted minimal effort for big moves.

" Not without your help, 'mano. Well I gotta go. I'll let you know how it goes."

"alright. Stay safe, Karina. Te quiero."

"Te Quiero." we both hang up.

I take a breath and look at the mirror.

I guess I'll have to delay the burgers.... or do I?

"Gregorio, change of plans." The old man turned his head to me, then back at the road.

"Drop me off at the Santos and you guys go get some burgers. I can't afford the time to eat right now, but just bring some over to theirs."

"No problem, Señorita."

~~~

This must be it... it's not as grand as I imagined but it's not too bad either.

I lift a hand to dismiss my details then made my
way to the pathway of the house. The front porch was littered with men with beer, lounging at the old couches laying around.

they eyed me carefully, some murmuring some "wassup mami" on my way, which I easily shrugged. I approached the least bothered one, who seemed too young to be in the life.

"Is Spooky here? we have business to discuss." The kid studied me then nodded. I feel like I've seen him around with some of his friends but I might be wrong.

He stood up from the stoop then made his way to knock on the door. It opens to reveal a lanky looking man, probably in his late 20s.

"Compa, it's lil spooky and the lady from the other night." The man steps away from the door to make way and I nodded in appreciation. He does the same and closed the door on his way out.

"Give us a moment." Spooky instructed, Cesar obliged and disappeared into one of the rooms.

He motioned for me to take the seat across and I do.

As soon as I sat down, I felt comfortable enough to start the meeting off the bat to get it over with.

"We're going to have to delay the excha-" A small chuckle interrupted. I shot Spooky a questioning look and he just smiled.

"is there a problem?" I asked, worried that I might be dealing with a clown.

"No, no. It's just you really are all business... but continue." He nodded encouragingly, fixing his face.

Oh, wow.

My brother might be right.. that made it sound like I have a stick up my ass.

"Oh... yeah.. anyway, we have to postpone the exchange due to unforeseen circumstances... somebody ratted out on the delivery. The cops are off the rail now because I had the shipment moved safely and  immediately. But now I need to find the snitch."

I put my hands together infront of me and give the man a small smile out of politeness. His eyes shifted from the blocked out window then back to me before getting out of his seat.

"If that's the case, considered it handled-" Spooky seemed calm, but his tone was stern.

Before he can finish, I stood from my own seat and took a step towards him.

"I don't think you fully understood what I meant. I need you to give me names of the possible loose canons and I'll see to it what punishment they deserve."

He stayed quiet, head held high like an aristocrat as he carefully studied my demeanor; Probably deciding if I was worthy of respect or if I would actually get the job done.

Same old shit with guys like this.

"This won't affect our deal... but if that person disrupts ANY of my operations again because they're not found, consider any and all order of businesses involving the Santos- Terminated." He scoffed at me while he sauntered to my direction, taking up the remaining space between us before stopping just mere inches from my face.

I was desensitized to these kind scare-tactics; People trying to oversize me and intimidate me has never really worked out well for them... but upon closer speculation, he didn't seem scary at all. He was actually kinda... cute?

What the fuck, Karina.

"What made you think it's one of mine?" He leaned just above my ear and whispered , no trace of sarcasm or even passive aggressiveness in his tone and snapping me out of thoughts.

"For all we know it's one of yours." He continued.

"You couldn't be any more wrong." I shook my head.

"How so, mamacita? Yours sign an agreement or somethin'?"

"My men KNOW what happens to rats, Oscar Diaz. Does yours?" I taunted him through gritted teeth, which earned me a chuckle.

"Fair enough."

A knock on the door forced both of us to step away from each other and the door swung open to reveal Gregorio holding plastic bags.

"Jefa, you still want the burgers?" He lifted the bags and I made my way to retrieve them.

"Thanks... wait- here, give these bags to the guys on the lawn." I hand Gregorio the other bag and keep one to myself. He nodded and closed the door.

I turned back around and find Oscar eyeing me curiously.

"It's not polite to come to a house empty handed.... Burger?"