Lexington Avenue, NYC
02/02/2016 11:40am

"The boss will see you soon." A man, huge and towering stood over Vinnie.

He was wearing a suit and a pair of shades. Vinnie eyed him up and down, but decided not to say anything. The man nodded and left. Vinnie watched him leave and sighed. He glanced round the small waiting area.

He was in one of the most affluent areas in Manhattan, seeking help from a man he knew was dangerous. A man his father had advised him not to cross, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

He waited fifteen more minutes and the suited man reappeared and opened the large, oak doors for Vinnie. He stood, dusting his suit off and walking into the office.

Art work lined the walls. Across the way was a small fountain and his eyes travelled to the far end of the room where a man was seated at a huge desk with a woman on his lap. He was whispering things to her and she giggled. The man noticed Vinnie and touched the woman's shoulder. She smiled, silkily, like a satisfied cat, then got up. She walked by Vinnie, swaying her hips as she did.

The doors were shut and Vinnie was left with the man opposite him. His name was Abaddon Slade.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you this morning, Vincent?" Abaddon grinned.

Vinnie steeled himself and took an unsteady breath. He knew he could just walk out of here without speaking to the man opposite him, but it was now or never.

"I come to request your help." Vinnie said, and Abaddon smirked.

The suited man was still in the room and he raised an eyebrow under his shades then glanced at his boss. Abaddon laughed then and stood, walking towards Vinnie.

"I've waited a long time for this moment," He chuckled. Vinnie seemed to relax at that statement. "Your father kept me out of all his business deals. Vinnie, you're like the son I never had."

"Really?" Vinnie asked.

"Oh yes. So, name your reasons for being here and I will endeavor to help you." Abaddon grinned.

"I believe my assassins have betrayed me." Vinnie said.

Abaddon frowned and glanced at the suited man, who looked like he was deep in thought then his face seemed to light up in realisation.

"The four headed demon, sir." He said, and Abaddon nodded, lips forming a thin line of interest.

"I have heard of them. Marco trained them before his unfortunate passing, did he not?" He questioned.

"That is correct, sir." The suited man replied.

"And they have betrayed you, such a shame when people do that." Abaddon tsked.

Vinnie nodded, but felt slightly uneasy about the conversation. He wished he'd bought Donnie, but Donnie would never have agreed to this. His brother would have called him a fool.

"And how can I help you, my son." Abaddon asked.

"I would like you to help them complete their mission." Vinnie said.

"And what mission is that?" Abaddon said, frowning a little.

"They were to capture a young lady for me. The congressman's daughter, to be more precise." Vinnie replied.

Abaddon nodded and turned to the suited man, who stepped forward.

"I will obtain the girl through whatever means necessary." He said.

"Well done, Malik. Do be careful though, I hear the four headed demon has fangs." Abaddon replied, and the suited man bowed.

Turning his attention back to Vinnie, he smirked and grasped Vinnie's shoulders, simply saying, "The deed will be done."

******************

Nobody uses payphones to talk anymore, but they still existed, dotted around Manhattan like strange, red reflections of the past. Paul contemplated this thought as he inserted some change into the one near Times Square.

He lifted the reciever and the phone rang once, then twice and then it got halfway through a third ring before someone picked up.

"Hello." A male voice said.

His voice faltered and he slammed the phone back onto the reciever, taking deep breaths and glancing at his Chuck Taylors, before exiting the phone booth. He leaned against the glass, pulling out a cigarette and lighting up, taking a few deep drags.

"I thought you quit." A voice said, and he glanced round.

Annaliese was standing there, a grocery bag on each arm. She was frowning though, silently judging.

"It was a New Years resolution." Paul replied.

"A payphone, eh?" She asked, raising a brow. "Nobody uses these nowadays."

She got no reply, apart from a slightly angry glare. Annaliese sighed and shifted, adjusting the weight of the bags on her arm.

"Here, let me help you." Paul said, reaching out. She handed one bag over and they started walking.

"Were you trying to call your dad again?" She asked, and she glanced over.

The assassin said nothing, instead choosing to shrug with an air of indifferance. Annaliese had no family because her parents had died. The assassins had no family because they had to abandon them. It was cruel, twisted truth, but it stopped any of their family getting hurt.

Annaliese knew that Paul's mother had died a while ago, leaving only his father alive. Every now and then, Paul would attempt to reach out to his father, but could never work up the courage to speak to him.

"He would still love you. He's your father, afterall." She reasoned.

Whether she had touched a nerve, Annaliese couldn't be sure. Paul looked away and she fought with herself. Should she reach out and console him?

"I can never talk to him. I think about how Mum would feel and I know Dad would disapprove." He replied, looking back at her.

A spark of emotion was in those hazel eyes. Annaliese nodded and smiled, slightly. She had always been close to Andy and his friends, had always shared a bond with Nikki and Dani, but had never really tried to get close to the assassins. Maybe now would be a good time to try.

"I always cook too much food. Would you like to join me for dinner?" She asked.

"Yes, I'd like that." Paul replied.

The two of them carried on walking. Annaliese waited to see if any more vulnerabilites came out, but no more did. She knew he'd try again to contact his father and this time she hoped with more success.

*********************

Diamond Club, Hell's Kitchen
02/02/2016 12:50pm

"God, fucking damnit." Andy swore.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Ashley sighed.

He had noticed that Andy had been preoccupied most of the morning with his face buried in his phone. Andy lifted his gaze and glowered at Ashley.

"It's Abbie. We had a talk on Saturday and she won't answer any of my calls." He snapped.

"Maybe, she's pissed at you." Ashley replied.

Andy's eyes widened and Ashley groaned, leaning his head on the bar. He couldn't believe any one could be so clueless.

"She really likes you." Ashley said.

"I like her too." Andy replied.

"Not in that way, stupid." CC said, walking by.

"You kissed her, right?" Ashley said, and Andy nodded.

"Well, she clearly has feelings for you and you rejected her." Ashley continued.

Andy groaned and rested his head on the cool wood of the bar. Ashley couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"We can't be together." Andy said, lifting his head.

"Why the hell not?" He said.

Andy looked furious for a moment, but his features softened a little.

"In this line of work, do you really think that's a good idea." Andy said.

Ashley looked nonchalant and this served to infuriate Andy more. Of course, Ashley would say that. He was always sleeping with girls and had no qualms about girls being involved in his life. Not too long ago, Ashley's girlfriend, Kina had worked behind the bar. They had split amicably and remained friends.

Andy had always been slightly jealous of Ashley's easy-going nature and ability to maintain normal relationships. Andy's last girlfriend had been a girl he met in Los Angeles. Her name was Juliet. She was an amazing girl, but they just hadn't worked and she'd got engaged to someone else when it became apparent that Andy's heart just wasn't in it.

Andy's relationships never lasted and he'd given up trying to find someone. Ashley seemed to be watching Andy with a mixture of concern and amusement.

"You can't be alone forever. You and Juliet didn't work so you need to move on and find someone else." Ashley said, plainly.

"Easy for you to say." Andy snapped.

"Hey, come on guys don't fight." Jinxx said, walking over, a guitar hauled over his shoulder.

Andy pouted, then stood, storming away. Ashley sighed and rolled his eyes again. Jinxx sat down on the stool that Andy had vacated.

"He's so stubborn." Ashley said, pouring himself some Jack Daniels.

"He'll figure it out." Jinxx replied, taking the glass before Ashley could.

Ashley glared then grabbed another glass and poured some more whiskey, sighing and drinking it. He glanced at where Andy had gone and debated on following him, but decided against it. Andy needed to cool off and think about what he needed to do next.

Notes