by K. Walker
JP and Chrissi exchanged a glance. She shrugged, then nodded toward him. He let out a sigh and then turned back to me. "Apparently the suits looking for you ain't Feds. They’re child protective services. Apparently, there's a man named Lucas Cabot lookin' for you, claims he's your legal guardian."
I blinked at him, trying to process what he'd said. It wasn't that unusual for CPS to be looking for me. I was only seventeen, after all. Still a minor. But this Cabot guy? Who the fuck was he? He certainly wasn't my guardian, that was for damned sure.
Mom had never told me who my father was, no matter how many times I'd asked. All she'd tell me was he was dead. Cancer, she'd said. And Mom was a lot of things, but she wasn't a liar. She may not have told me everything, but anything she did tell me was always the truth. That was our deal with each other. We never lied. It was our bond.
I didn't tell her everything either, even when she'd asked me straight out. I'd never told her about JP. Never told her about a lot of the guys I'd hung out with. She'd have never approved, and I didn't want her to have to be the good mother and try to keep me away from bad influences.
Besides, the guys I hung with might not have been on the right side of the law, but I'd never had to question whether or not they had my back. They all ran with JP, but even if I hadn't known he'd castrate anyone who laid a finger on me, I'd have trusted them.
JP turned back to Chrissi. "See if your girls know anything about this Cabot. If he's from around here, I'm sure one of them has heard something."
Chrissi smirked and nodded. When she looked at me, she winked again. Running the girls on the street wasn't just about the money they brought in; those JP certainly put his share of their earnings to work. No, it was the information they fed to Chrissi, and thus JP, that really made them a valuable part of JP's network.
According to Chrissi, the best way to get information out of a guy was to suck his dick. Once his balls were empty, he'd tell you whatever you wanted to know. To them, whores weren't people. They were just holes to fuck. So they never thought twice about anything they'd say in front of them.
I wasn't sure if that was really true, but according to JP, it was what gave him the edge around here. And considering he was only about five years older than I was and controlled a good chunk of Compton, I didn't doubt his word.
"I'll see what the girls know and tell 'em to keep their ears open." Chrissi sat up straight, then stood, with far more grace than I could ever muster. She sauntered over to JP and then ran a finger down his cheek. As far as I knew, she was the only one JP ever let get that close to him. "And if I hear anything, you'll be the first to know."
With that, Chrissi headed out, probably to get some sleep. No doubt she'd been awake all night. She didn't work the streets anymore. She still slept with the occasional client, but she usually saved herself for someone important these days. Instead, she spent her time teaching the new girls the ropes and keeping an eye out for them.
As scary as JP was when he was angry, Chrissi was worse. The last guy who'd abused one of her girls. Well, let's just say they found parts of him all over town once she was done with him.
I looked over at JP, hands balled into fists, as I tried to figure out what to do. Part of me still wanted to run, to get as far away from here as possible. I wasn't sure who this Cabot guy was, nor did I really care. If he was looking for me, I didn't want anything to do with him.
"We'll figure it out, don't worry," JP smirked, then walked over and threw his arm around my shoulders. "You just let us handle everything, all right? Chrissi'll keep her ears open, and I'll start asking around too. Nothin' goes on in this city without me knowing about it."
That was what worried me. Something was obviously going on, and he'd only been getting bits and pieces of it. Normally, if someone new was sniffing around, JP knew about it right away. It was how he kept his boys out of jail and on the streets.
So who was this Cabot guy and how had JP not heard about him beforehand?
"What about CPS?" I asked, focusing on the more pressing issue. If they got their hands on me, they'd either turn me over to this Cabot guy or, at the very least, stick me in some shitty foster home. Neither of those options was appealing, which was why I hadn't gone to school since shit had gone down.
"I'll give Paulie a call. See what he thinks," JP said with a nod. I could already see a plan forming in his head. He wasn't one to just sit back and wait. He liked to be proactive. So did I, for that matter. "He'll know who to talk to and figure out what your options are."
Paulie was actually Paul Markon; the lawyer JP used whenever he or his boys got into trouble with the law. From what I heard, he was good at what he did. Very few of JP's boys ever spent very long behind bars. With any luck, he'd be able to pull some strings and get CPS to back off.
If not, there was always my backup plan. I didn't have a lot of money, but I had enough to at least catch a bus out of California. But it'd be helpful if I had some extra cash.
"Put me to work," I told JP, squaring my shoulders. I didn't care what kind of work he needed me to do. If he needed me out selling or running product, then that was what I'd do. And if I had to work for Chrissi. Well, then I'd suck up my pride and do what needed to be done.
Mom had never let her pride get in the way of putting a roof over my head and food on our table. I wasn't going to let it stand in my way either.
JP smirked and shook his head. "You gettin' antsy, sittin' around with nothin' to do? Alright, I got some stuff I can use you for." His grip around my shoulder tightened as he led me through the living room toward the kitchen. He sat me down at the kitchen table, then brought a laptop over and set it in front of me. "You know how to use Instagram?"
I blinked at him. Instagram? Silently, I nodded. Didn't every girl know how to use Instagram?
"Good. Here's what I need you to do..." He opened the laptop and pulled up folders full of pictures while he talked. He wanted Instagram profiles set up for some of the working girls. It was Chrissi's idea apparently, to bring their operation into the modern era. They'd still have girls working the corners, but they'd be the newbies.
The more experienced girls would be posted online as "models" and "escorts." Richer clients would be able to shop at their leisure and find the perfect girl for the night or weekend. Not only would it get the girls in front of more men with deep pockets, but it'd make it easier for JP and Chrissi to track the Johns and make sure their girls came back in one piece.
I looked at him in surprise. I'd never considered something like this before, but once again, JP was ahead of the game. Just because he looked like a thug gangbanger out of a movie didn't mean he was stupid. "What else you got planned?" I asked him only half-joking.
But he smirked at me. "You know UberEats?" he asked. I nodded, though I'd never used it. "Got some boys cookin' up an app of our own. Why risk hangin' out on street corners waitin' for customers to show up when they can just order online? They order and we bring the drugs to them. Gotta have an invite to get on to it, help keep the cops out of it. Makes it safer for everyone."
Shit, that was impressive. I couldn't believe I'd never thought of something like that. Then again, other than the occasional weed, I never really wanted to buy drugs. But I figured not having to hang out in public places with a ton of drugs on you was probably worth its weight in gold. I could only imagine how much JP would be paying someone to develop that kind of app for him, but considering how much he'd save not having to constantly have lawyers bailing out his dealers and having them lose product any time they got busted, I was sure it was a miniscule amount.
There was a lot of money to be made in drugs, after all. In this shithole world, especially this shithole town, everyone was looking for a way to escape, even if it was only temporary.
"Gotta keep up with the times," JP said with a smirk. "If I don't do it, someone else will and I'll end up out on my ass. Can't let that happen, can I?"
I laughed and shook my head. Mom never would've
liked me hanging out with JP, but she would've admired his forethought and dedication. Plus, as far as brutal ganglords went, JP wasn't bad. He didn't terrorize people for no reason, didn't force people to work for him. He'd shoot you in the head without a second thought if you betrayed him, but he was fairly forgiving when it came to mistakes. The first time, anyway.
Which lead to a lot of loyalty among his men. They knew how bad some of the other gangs had it, with leaders who'd shoot you just for looking at them the wrong way. Not JP, though, which was why I'd never once doubted I was safe here with him.
Any other gang would've already had me in heels and a miniskirt down at the gas station. And, if it came to that to survive, then I'd do it, but that was my absolute last resort. Still, if I played my cards right and it did come down to it, I was still a virgin. If Chrissi played her cards right, certain men with deep pockets paid good money to deflower a virgin, and that'd likely be enough for me to move completely across country and start over.
But that was a problem for later. Right now, I had other work to do. Work that didn't involve me spreading my legs for strangers.
Chapter 6
"No one knows anything?" JP asked. He was sitting on his old couch, feet up on the coffee table, frowning. Chrissie was seated across from him, delicately draped over the loveseat, a bottle of beer in her hand.
I could see both of them from where I was sitting in the kitchen, still working on setting up the profiles for the girls Chrissi had chosen for this new venture. They wanted me to get it set up so one person could easily manage all the accounts, rather than the girls themselves having to do it.
She shrugged and then took a sip of the beer. "None of the girls have ever heard his name before. He's not from around here?"
"Then, where the fuck's he from?" JP growled. It didn't take a genius to know this was frustrating him. He didn't like someone moving into his territory without him knowing about it. "I haven't heard back from Paulie either."
A loud knock on the front door made everyone jump. Chrissi sat up straight and turned toward it, frowning as she set her beer bottle down and picked up her purse. "You expecting someone?" she asked.
JP shook his head, eyes locked on the front door. "Paulie, maybe? He usually calls ahead, though. And the boys know not to show up without shootin' me a message first.”
Both Chrissi and JP stood at the same time. When Chrissi tossed her small purse back onto the loveseat, I noticed she had a small pistol in her hand. My mouth went dry as JP adjusted the one in the waistband of his jeans.
The knocking came again, louder this time.
JP marched open and threw the door wide open. I stood and walked over to the kitchen doorway, curious to see what was going on. "The fuck you want?" JP spat at whoever was in the doorway. I couldn't see who it was from where I was standing.
Chrissi moved toward the window, lifting the blinds to peer through them. I could just barely make out two black SUV's parked in front of the house. Chrissi must've seen something else because she winced.
"John Paul Williams, I presume?" The man's voice was deep, with a very slight accent to it. When JP glared at the man, he chuckled. "My apologies. You prefer JP, correct? You run the C-Kings, right?"
"Who's askin'?" JP shifted slightly, and I caught a flash of silver as he pulled out his own handgun. "You got some balls walkin' up on my place like this."
The man chuckled. "My friend, I suggest you look over my shoulder."
JP went tense as his gaze shifted. He muttered something under his breath, then slowly put the gun back in his jeans, bringing both hands forward to show they were empty. "Alright. You got some firepower; I'll give ya that. So whatchu want? I don't keep much here."
Curious what would make JP change his demeanor so quickly, I slipped out of the kitchen to stand next to Chrissi. When I peered out the window, my mouth went wide. Standing by the SUVs were three men, each one wearing body armor and holding rifles. They looked like military soldiers. Definitely not cops. Even the SWAT teams around here didn't have gear like that.
"I believe you have something that belongs to me," the man said next.
JP snorted. "What, you think you can just walk up in here and jack my product, that it? Think that'll give you control over my turf? It's gonna take more than that to control territory 'round here."
The man laughed again. The deep sound echoed through the house. JP may have been talking nice, but I heard the edge in his voice, the implied threat. The man had the firepower to walk in and out of here with whatever he wanted, but that wouldn't be the end of this.
"My friend, I assure you, I have no interest in the couple blocks you call your turf. Nor do I care about the paltry amount of drugs or cash you keep here. You're a smart man. I'm sure everything is kept off-site anyway. No, I'm here for something different."
"What?" JP spat. He was losing his patience, which scared me more than anything. If JP decided to try his luck, it could easily turn into a bloodbath.
"Isabella Innes. Where is she?"
JP pursed his lips as he looked the man up and down. Then, he shrugged. "Don't know. Never heard of her."
Again, the man laughed. That sound was starting to make me nervous. Anyone else would've been shitting themselves, talking to JP like that. But not this man. He was so confident, so sure of himself. It was an attitude that could only lead to trouble. "No point in playing stupid. I know she's with you. Otherwise, why would your working girls be asking questions about me? And why would your lawyer be going down to the CPS offices to talk about her?"
JP frowned and practically growled at the man. He'd been played, and he knew it. Everyone knew who his girls worked for. And everyone knew who Paulie worked for. It wasn't hard for someone to put those pieces together and know he was involved with me. "Whatchu want with her?"
"I'm her legal guardian. She's coming home with me."
JP laughed now, grinning and shaking his head. "Man, you trippin' if you think you just gonna walk in here and try that shit with me. Don't know who you paid off at CPS to get them to agree to it, but that ain't gonna fly here."
"I didn't have to pay anyone off." I heard the man moving, then the sound of paper unfolding. "This here is a court order placing Isabella Innes in my care after the unfortunate murder of her mother. So, you can either turn her over to me, or I can have every cop and Fed this side of the Mississippi tearing this place apart. And not just this place either. Your stash house two blocks away. The warehouse outside town your lawyer has in his name and the motel your girls like to bring their clients back to."
JP's hands balled into fists again. There was no more laughter, no more smiling. JP was done playing games.
When I went to walk over to him, Chrissi grabbed my wrist and stopped me. Silently, she shook her head, then pulled me behind her. I wasn't one of her girls, but apparently, that wasn't going to stop her from trying to protect me.
"You're a smart man, aren't you, JP?" the stranger asked. This was Lucas Cabot, most likely, though I still had no idea who he was. "Let's say you reach for that gun again. What do you think is going to happen? There's a small chance you can pull it before one of my men can grab you—small chance. And there's an even smaller chance you might be able to shoot me before they stop you. And then what's going to happen, Hmm?"
JP didn't move; he just stood there and glared at the man. JP knew damn well what would happen if he lost his cool and drew his gun again. The men outside with rifles would tear the house apart, looking for me, probably shooting anyone who stood in their way.
And if this man really did know as much as he claimed about JP's operation, he could take down the entire gang. Even if he couldn't, if he stormed in here and killed JP, the other city gangs would swoop in like vultures to carve up his territory. The only reason the C-Kings were able to hold turf was because of JP. Without him, the gang would crumble and be absorbed into the others most likely.
And where would that leave his boys? Where would that leave Chris
si's girls? The other gangs weren't as good to their people as he was.
And that was all assuming this Lucas Cabot didn't just kill everyone for wasting his time. While he was polite and obviously well-spoken, he didn't strike me as the kind of guy who would balk at getting his hands a little dirty.
"So, where is she?" Cabot asked again.
JP glanced toward Chrissi and I. Whatever he meant to convey with that glance, Chrissi understood. She pulled at my arm, trying to drag me toward the kitchen. No doubt she wanted to get me out of there in case things really did go south.
But I wasn't going for that. This was all because of me. I hadn't wanted to cause JP any trouble, and now I'd brought trouble to his doorstep. If I ran, this man would no doubt keep hunting me. And if I ran, he'd probably blame JP for it and come for revenge.
I couldn't let that happen to him. I wasn't going to be the reason JP ended up in some kind of gang war. He had enough shit on his plate to deal with without my problems being stacked on top.
Chrissi frowned and shook her head when I pulled my wrist free, but I was determined now. I wasn't sure who this Cabot guy was, but I wasn't going to let him hurt my friends.
I marched up behind JP, glaring at the man standing in front of him. The guy was tall, easily a foot taller than I was. He was older, with a bit of grey in his beard, but even beneath his tailored suit, I could see muscles. Under any other circumstances, I'd have called him handsome. Right now, though, I just wanted him gone. "What do you want with me?"
When the man's emerald green eyes landed on me, he smiled. It was the kind of smile that'd make women swoon, no doubt. "Ah, there you are! Good, now we can get your things and get you out of here."
"What do you want with me?" I asked again, annoyed at him just flat out, ignoring my question.
His smile dropped ever so slightly. "As I'm sure you heard me telling your friend here, I'm your legal guardian now that your mother is gone. So that means you're going to come with me instead of staying here."
