‘Okay.’ Hazel cheered with delight. ‘But only if you do what I say when I say.’
‘I promise.’
***
Chelsea watched as the nurses escorted her daughter away. Cassie was slumped over in a wheelchair. She probably wasn’t even aware that she was in the hospital. Chelsea quickly pushed away all horrible and negative worries that suddenly spread like weeds in the garden of her mind. This was not the time for putting out bad energy. She had to be positive. Cassie was here to be treated.
‘...you have any questions?’ finished the Doctor.
Chelsea hadn’t caught a word of what he was saying.
‘When can I get her?’
‘It will be roughly six weeks,’ said the shaved head older man.
‘Six weeks?’ Her tone was filled with sadness.
‘You’re daughter must be quarantined during the treatment process. The drugs will lower her immune system and make her susceptible to other illnesses. Six weeks is the shortest time frame we can offer you based on the money you have. Ideally, we would keep her in for eight to twelve weeks, but as long as she rests up, she will be fine.’
***
Jake nearly jumped out of his skin, as one of his men fell backwards through the kitchen door. Wide eyes looked at the bloody mess on his abdomen. The man looked up at him, his face full of shock and fear. A hand reached out, pleading for help. Jake stepped away. Pans were knocked from a silver countertop, as he started for the back door. His heart was thumping wildly in his chest. If he didn’t get out of here now, he would be dead.
He ran through the long kitchen.
It looked like something that should be in a restaurant.
Shaky fingers fumbled with the door handle.
The cold night air froze him to the spot. A barrel of a gun was shoved into his face.
Jake did what came naturally. ‘I’m sorry. I will join the Murdock Empire. I...’
‘You’re not invited,’ said Travis, with a grin.
The gunshot echoed throughout the kitchen.
***
Danny quick-stepped down the corridor. Unconsciously, he scanned doorways, just to double check that nobody was about. He approached Fiona’s desk. A deep sense of focus poured from him like heat from a fever. A serious expression was etched into his facial features. He didn’t have to say anything. They had already discussed the next move. A quick glance around proved that nobody was within earshot. A few people talked a little further down the corridor, as they exchanged paperwork and spoke figures. He gave the order with a nod of his head.
Fiona picked up the phone and dialled a number.
There was no going back now.
***
Jillian sank into the bubbles. A deep sigh escaped her lips, as every single muscle in her body relaxed. She had made the bath as hot as she could handle. For a brief moment in time, she forgot about everything that was happening. Her mother had always taught her to enjoy the little things. Embrace those moments of joy and happiness, as you never know when the next one will be, and at this moment in time Jillian really didn’t know when the next one would be. She was in a difficult situation. She was alone in a foreign city. She was the prisoner of a young man with a childish goal. Her husband was no good. He cared more about money than her. What options did she have? Help JR, or escape with Liam? That wasn’t the best prospect in the world. She could stay with JR and watch his decline into madness.
There is another way...
JR wasn’t the crazed lunatic she had thought him to be.
Is he in over his head?
What if she helped him?
What if she used him like everyone had always used her?
Could she help JR to achieve his goal in a less bloody manner?
She could have money, fame and security.
Was it possible?
Could she be that devious to manipulate him?
Was that even wrong?
Could she feel guilty about doing such a thing?
***
The world media sat before him. Cameras flashed, as notes were scribbled. An array of microphones covered the podium. The room was packed with people, squashed shoulder to shoulder, from wall to wall. Those at the front remained seated, as camera crew’s transmitted live footage from the back of the room. Marcus took in a deep breath and steadied himself. The next minute was going to change the course of history.
‘This is a brief statement. There will be no questions,’ announced Marcus. ‘From this moment forward the Riggs Crew is disbanded. John Riggs Senior is no longer in control of North City. I am the principle leader of North City. The Riggs Crew is being reformed into the NCPD or the North City Police Department. We are going to restore peace and security to this great city.’ Several of the journalists raised hands, whilst others called out questions. The intensity of the camera flashes increased. Marcus ignored them and spoke louder. ‘In twelve months we will be creating local elections throughout the city to help make this city better for our communities. We will distribute our wealth to the local governments, which will answer to me and will be under the protection of the newly formed NCPD. I would like to thank my father for his great work. He has laid the foundation that we will build upon. I extend an open invitation to all crews, all gangs and all communities to come forward and join our new political family. In extension to this I offer Jasmine Murdock peace. I will push forward a ceasefire with the Murdock Crew. I want to work together to create a better, brighter and securer North City. We will never have a similar incident to the North City Airport situation. I have my best men negotiating with the hostage takers, and we hope this situation will be peacefully resolved. We are entering a new era, my friends. North City is going to become a place of peace, healing and knowledge. We are funding new hospitals, new local governments, schools, colleges and universities. All people of the world are welcomed! North City welcomes you. Thank you very much.’
The room went into an uproar, as a hundred questions were thrown forward.
Marcus Riggs headed from the stage and straight out the door.
Melissa’s smile said it all.
***
Her cries filled the interior of the car. Chelsea held her newly born baby close to her breasts and sobbed her heart out. The tears wouldn’t stop. The baby started to cry, too.
‘Please, God,’ said Chelsea. ‘Please don’t take Cassie away from me.’
She rocked back and forth.
The pain in her heart was immense.
She needed Riley. She needed his arms around her.
Why was everything falling apart?
***
He surveyed the twelve names upon the list. River made a clicking sound with the inside of his mouth. It was time to start making some decisions. The first choice was obvious. George and Belford are going to be the two people he will let go. They simply had no future at the store. It was a harsh thing to do, but they can only blame themselves. The next decision was almost as easy. Who would be the next manager of the Eat Easy Express store out of town? It had to be Kerry. She was over qualified and experienced for the job.
Someone knocked on his office door.
‘Come in.’
The door opened to reveal Kerry.
She greeted him with a welcoming smile.
A big part of him wanted to tell her the fantastic news right now. He knew for a fact that she would be over the moon with delight, but he had to wait. It was the professional thing to do. It wouldn’t be fair to Ashley and the others if he told Kerry this early. He had to make it at least look like it was a tough decision or morale in the store would be awful.
‘Do you mind if I come in?’ asked Kerry.
‘Be my guest.’
‘Okay.’ She closed the door behind her.
***
‘Is this everything?’ asked JR.
He surveyed the map, the list and the phone numbers. Liam had highlighted a dozen locations across North City where he had money, cars, drugs and
weapons stashed. The grand total of which came to nearly a million pounds. That was more than enough to help fund JR’s push for supremacy.
‘That is everything.’
‘And we have your contact list?’
‘You have everything.’
‘Not quite everything.’
‘What more do you want from me?’ asked Liam.
‘I want Jillian.’
‘And you will let me go?’
‘I want her,’ said JR.
‘You can have her. She is nothing to me.’
‘I wasn’t asking,’ added JR. ‘She will be mine.’
‘Whatever. I just want to get out of here.’
‘And you will.’
JR removed his handgun from the holster on his hip.
‘Wait, we had a deal.’
‘We had an agreement,’ JR correct, ‘but I have changed my mind.’
‘That isn’t fair.’
JR raised his gun.
‘I have given you everything!’ Liam protested. ‘You can’t do this. You can’t...’
A single gunshot removed the top of his head. Blood, gore brains and snot sprayed across the office wall. JR released a sigh and holstered his gun. He turned to one of his men. The man didn’t even blink at the madness.
‘Take this lump of shit away. And bring her to me.’
***
The car pulled into the alleyway and stopped. The two men at the back of the white van had to shield their eyes from the glare of the headlights. Anne turned to her sister. She was sitting in the front passenger seat of her car.
‘I will be back in two minutes. Do not get out of the car and do not unlock your door.’
‘Okay.’
Anne left the engine running.
The ex-cop popped the boot and stepped out into the cold night air. She hugged her long brown coat around her body. Without a word the men approached. Anne didn’t even bother with any pleasantries. Her boots crunched on the snow, as she headed for the boot of her car. She had the boot open by the time the two men got to her.
A delicate hand was held out.
What the man didn’t realise that Anne’s other hand was resting on the gun strapped to her hip. She made it look like she was trying to keep herself warm, but one wrong move and she would shoot both of these men without a second thought or a moment’s hesitation. The taller of the two men slapped a wad of cash into her palm. The man was clearly an addict. His constant fidgeting, gaunt features and needle marks up his arm were a clear giveaway. Anne stepped back. The two men started to unload the boxes of white powder from the back of her car. She gave the cash a quick count, but it was a pointless exercise. These men were good for the money. They were loyal clients. Plus, they wouldn’t be stupid enough to underpay her. Travis and Anne made sure to make examples of anyone that tried to screw them over. The rotting corpses were still hanging from the bridge today.
***
Eyeballs rolled back, as the smoke was inhaled.
Ariel moaned, erotically.
‘This lust dust is in-fucking-credible,’ she said.
‘It is good shit,’ confirmed Karl.
He had melted into the couch beside her, his head resting on the back of the couch, as he stared up at the ceiling. Ariel took another drag before handing it back to him. Unconsciously, he looked out the corner of his eye at her. Her erect nipples were pointing out through the fabric of her dress.
‘You’re tits look so good,’ he told her, as he lifted the joint to his lips.
‘You think so?’ Ariel looked down at her breasts. She could barely contain her smile. The low cut dress had been worn for this very reason. She knew Karl loved her chest. Ariel licked her lips, as she shuffled in her seat. Her panties were soaking wet. This was the power of the lust dust. It sent you off your head and made you feel so fucking horny. ‘How do they look now?’ She pulled down the front of her dress and yanked down her bra. Her large plump breasts stood completely exposed.
‘Good enough to suck.’
A large bulge was sat upon his lap.
Ariel’s delicate fingers quickly found it.
‘Why don’t you suck them?’ she said, her eyes looked heavy but full of lust.
Karl did not need telling twice. He held the joint in his left hand and swooped down towards her breasts. Ariel gasped with delight, as her nipple disappeared into his mouth. He sucked hard and with such passion. She could feel him consuming the peak of her breast, as his tongue danced and rolled around her sensitive nipple.
‘That feels fucking good,’ she moaned.
Her fingers began to pull down the zipper of his trousers.
***
River was oblivious to how nervous Kerry was. He hadn’t even noticed that the top two buttons of her blouse were undone and that her cleavage was on display like a bestselling product in a shop window. Kerry didn’t know if she was pleased about this or not. She had entered the room fully intending on seducing River and securing the transfer, but her confidence had left the building. It wasn’t that easy to seduce River. He was her friend. Nevertheless, she pushed forward with her plan.
‘I was wondering if it was possible to steal you tomorrow night.’
‘You need help with something?’ he asked, with a raised eyebrow.
‘I am moving some stuff out of the attic, but I can’t ask Travis or Chelsea to help me. I am going to give the majority of the stuff to a charity shop, but I have boxes of Samantha’s old toys and clothes. I thought you and Ariel may want them for Alisha.’
‘That is really kind of you,’ he replied.
‘Do you think you will be able to help me? It wouldn’t take long.’
‘I can help you,’ confirmed River. He was secretly pleased to delay going home.
‘Excellent. Do you want to pick me up tomorrow before work? We can drive in together and then head back to mine afterwards.’
‘That works for me.’
‘Thank you, River. I really appreciate this.’
***
Gunshots echoed into the dark sky, as a firing squad gunned down a line of prisoners. That was all of them. The remaining soldiers of a defective crew were dead. Jasmine wouldn’t have to worry about any follow-up or revenge attacks. Travis stepped away from the viewing crowd, as his cell phone began to ring. The screen indicated it was Jasmine’s number.
‘Hello?’
‘Hi, Travis,’ it was the cute secretary.
‘What’s up?’
Travis looked up, as Elizabeth walked by him with a phone to her ear. His eyes were glued to her ass cheeks. Naughty ideas popped into existence, as he thought up numerous ways to do things of a sexual nature to her ass.
‘Jasmine requests you at the palace.’
‘I’m on my way.’
***
What was her answer?
JR was sat in the leather chair with his feet propped up on the desktop. His eyes seemed to study every inch of her face as if he was trying to unlock the thoughts within the depths of her unconscious mind. Jillian thought about things for one long drawn out moment. If she said no, he would kill her. She didn’t know this, but JR wanted power. He wanted her to submit. He wanted her to know that he owned her. The boy was mad.
‘Liam said you can have me?’
‘Yes. He tossed you aside,’ replied JR.
‘I see.’
‘You are still free to leave, Jillian. I am not claiming you.’
‘You would let me go if I wanted.’
‘Yes,’ he nodded his head, but she knew it was a lie. ‘So, will you leave, or stay with me? I will be good to you.’
No one had ever said they would be good to her.
No one had ever given her a choice.
Where would she go in this harsh world? She had no home to go to. Her family had betrayed her. Her mother had died many years ago. The same damn cycle would just simply continue. Someone would just pick her up and force her into marriage. JR was giving her a choice. JR was offering something
she had always wanted. JR was offering her freedom of life or death.
‘Okay,’ said Jillian.
‘Okay?’ he asked.
‘Okay.’
‘You know what this means?’
‘Yes.’
‘And you know what I want you to do for me?’ he smiled.
She reached up and pulled her t-shirt off over the top of her head. There was no hesitation or delay. Jillian had spent her life fucking men she didn’t love. It was the only way to survive. A black bra cupped her firm perky breasts. JR was practically drooling. His eyes were wide with delight. She slipped her fingers into her sweatpants and pushed them down her smooth legs. JR lifted his feet off the desk and pushed back his chair. A look of lust was in his eyes.
‘I know what you want. And you can have me,’ she told him.
‘I will be good to you,’ said JR. ‘I will treat you right.’
‘I know you will.’
He headed around the desk towards her.
***
Marcus looked through a gap in the open door. The briefing room was a hub of activity. Every single phone was ringing, as secretaries and admin staff handed out paperwork, read from pre-written statements and answered or deflected hundreds of questions. A hand slipped into his palm. Marcus looked down at the hand and then up at its owner. Melissa greeted him with a big beautiful smile.
Did she know how he felt about her?
Her smile was like the rising of the sun. It was an incredible thing to witness.
She gently squeezed his hand.
‘You have done well, Brother.’
‘We have done well,’ he corrected her.
‘We have done well, haven’t we, Brother.’ Her smile grew even wider. Unconsciously, she flicked back her red hair away from her eyes. It was a simple thing, but something Marcus had always found attractive. ‘I am ready for whatever comes our way. I will stand by you forever.’
‘I know you will.’ He let out a deep sigh. ‘Get me father.’
***
A little-wet nose absorbed all the new scents it was experiencing. Hazel held the lead, as the puppy explored the back garden of dead soil. There was no grass, no flowers, and not even any weeds. Anne did wonder what the puppy was so crazy about. It had caught a whiff of something. It pulled on its lead, nearly choking itself once or twice, but it quickly learnt its boundaries.
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