Diamond, NYC
22/01/2016 09:45am

"I can definitely pay you," The guy said. He was short with dark hair and tanned skin. "Your boss knows I'm good for it."

Andy was leaning against the the bar, eyeing up the guy with distrust. Vinnie had made a deal with the Mexican Cartel today and this guy had appeared quite early to start taking the drugs. He was skittish man, who seemed ill at ease about the whole thing.

The money would usually be paid in full, given by one of the Cartel leaders that lived in NYC, but instead they'd sent this guy with no money. It was peculiar. The guy knew Vinnie though. Andy took in his nervous appearance and his eyes went from his t-shirt and scruffy jeans, then to his trainers.

They were an odd choice for a drug courier. They were pure white with little black lines down them. They looked expensive.

"Nice shoes." Andy said.

"Thanks." The guy replied.

Andy nodded at Ashley and he moved forward, grasping the guy's neck and shoving him against a nearby wall.

"So, are you a cop?" Ashley asked.

"Nah, man, I ain't no cop." The guy squirmed.

"That's real funny," Ashley chuckled. "You know who'd love that joke; Il Serpente's assassins. They'd cute off your dick and feed it to you."

The guy struggled harder and Ashley could have sworn he nearly wet himself. From somewhere in the background, CC laughed a little.

"I swear I ain't a cop," The guy insisted. "I just sell some of them on the side."

Ashley looked back at Andy. They shared a surprised expression before Ashley turned to glare at the man.

"You sell the drugs? This is the good shit, it's not laced with anything. Are you giving the cartel a cut of your profit?" Andy said, standing next to Ashley.

"Nah, man. Just selling a bit to get by. The cartels get enough money." The guy whimpered.

Andy groaned and turned away, glancing at CC. He sighed and slipped off the stool, picking up the phone to call Vinnie. It didn't take long to get through.

"Good Morning." Vinnie's tone was crisp and clear as though he'd been awake for hours.

"Hey boss, it's CC. Listen, the guy they sent sells the drugs on the side. What do you want to do with him?"

There was a pause, then Vinnie spoke, at last, "Is he giving the money to the cartel?"

"He only sells a small amount of the drugs, I think, hang on," CC lowered the phone and glanced round at the terrified man. "How much of the drugs do you pocket, and don't lie."

"40%" Came the answer.

Jake made a noise of disbelief and CC's mouth parted in shock. He lifted the phone to his ear again.

"Did you get that?" He asked.

"Yes, I heard him," Vinnie sighed, then he seemed to get over his shock. "Take out the garbage."

CC nodded and hung up and glanced at all of them. No one spoke for a moment, waiting on the answer.

"He said we should take out the garbage." CC said. Ashley's mouth tilted in a smirk and he turned to look at their captive.

"I guess your luck just ran out, didn't it?"


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Two Swans Motel, NYC
22/01/2016 10:00am
Abbie POV

"So, does this place have a band? Ya know, that plays the backing music for you?" Vic asked.

I glanced up at him from my bowl of Coco pops. Kellin was sat next to me, nearly falling asleep over his bowl.

"I never thought of that." I said, panicking a little.

I should have informed them that i usually just used my guitar. i didn't need a backing group since I had Lucky.

"You should probably tell them." Vic said, and he sat down, nudging Kellin.

"What! I'm awake." Kellin shouted, sitting up, nearly sending the bowl flying.

"Good point." I murmured.

I knew it was a bit short notice, but I slipped pout of the chair and made my way to my room, slipping on jeans and a t-shirt. I grabbed my trainers, putting them on as i walked, nearly falling over.

"Be back in a few." I called.

"All right," Vic said, then he must have turned to Kellin. "Wake up."

"I'm awake, damnit."

I laughed and shrugged on my coat. The air outside was chilly and a brisk wind made me stumble a little. I jogged down the street, avoiding the people on their way to work. A business man dodged out of my path and shot me a look. I glared back, but carried on walking, ambling down the same back alley and down the street towards Diamond.

As usual it was open, but I paused at the door for some reason. A chill went through me, like I shouldn't be here, but I pushed it aside and pushed the door. I stepped in and lifted my head. The sight that met me made my blood run cold.

There was a guy on the floor. His throat had been slashed and there were patches of blood spattered across the rug. My eyes widened and I could taste my breakfast coming back up. My gaze lifted to meet Andy's. He was standing over the man, knife in hand. He glared at me as though I was interrupting something that was infinitely less bad.

"W-what is this?" I squeaked out.

I went to leave, but the door was shut and I turned to look at Ashley. What had I just stumbled into? Who was that poor man?

"Sorry, Abbie, but you can't leave." Ashley said, and he looked a little remorseful.

I turned to look at Andy again and he was staring at the body as though he hadn't just murdered someone in cold blood, like he thought the body had just materialised out of thin air.

"Get rid of it." He snapped, and I realised he was talking to CC and Jake.

"Ok." CC said, smiling a little.

The body was rolled into the rug and picked up, carried away as though it had never happened and I was left in the room with Andy and Ashley. They shared a look and I wondered if I'd be next on their hit list.

"W-who was that?" I asked. Why did I ask? I guess I couldn't think of someone as an 'it'.

"He was drug dealer. He pocketed some of the drugs and wasn't giving all the profits to the cartels." Andy replied, casually.

"So, you killed him?" I said, well my voice became higher and I realised I was scared.

I could feel my legs shaking and I could still taste my breakfast. I forced it back down. I wasn't going to show fear to these people.

"He was decieving the cartels. They would have tortured him, better a quick death." Ashley said, and he walked over, standing next to me.

"And that's it. I'm next, right?" I asked, terrified out of my mind.

"No." Ashley said, and Andy scowled at him.

"You saw the body. I'm still deciding what to do with you." Andy snapped, walking over so we were, sort-of, face -to-face.

He was so much taller than my five foot six height. I forced myself to meet those cold, blue eyes.

"Well, we can't kill Abbie. It'd look suspicious." Ashley said.

"We could give her to the assassins." Andy suggested, and I nearly threw up then.

"No!" Ashley snapped, and he sounded very resolute regarding this.

Andy scowled at me as though I was the biggest inconvenience ever. Eventually, he sighed and looked at Ashley.

"Fine, Abbie stays so long as she doesn't say a word," He, then glared at me. "If you tell anyone what you've seen today I will hand you over to our assassins. They are far less merciful than myself or Ashley."

I bit my lip and nodded, struggling to hold back the tears. Andy walked away and I was left with Ashley. He stayed motionless for a moment before glancing at me.

"Hey, you all right?" He said, nudging my shoulder.

"No, I feel ill." I snapped, not meaning to.

He sighed and walked over to the bar, motioning for me to follow. I reluctantly did so and he rounded the bar, pouring me a shot of whiskey. He set it down and smiled slightly. I accepted and downed the drink. It was a bad idea to drink before noon, but I was in a state of shock.

"Feel better?" Ashley asked.

"I will after another." I murmured.

He smirked and poured two this time and we both downed them together. I glanced at Ashley. He smiled again and I managed a weak smile back.

"You have assassins?" I whispered.

"Don't worry, they're not as scary as you think," He chuckled. "They're Brits."

"Cool, how long have they killed people?" I asked, regretting it already.

"A while now. They're nice guys though. You might get to meet them one day," He replied, grinning. "Paul hates this place though. Last time he was here he said it smelt like piss."

I nearly laughed at that and stopped myself. Ashley seemed to sense my mood changing and he poured another two shots. We downed them and I was starting to feel a little drunk.

"They're looking for a congressman's daughter." Ashley said, snorting out a laugh.

"Fuck, New York's huge. They'll never find her." I laughed.

I slid off the stool and Ashley rushed round, supporting me. He walked me back to the motel and reminded me of my show tomorrow. Once he was gone, I curled up on my bed and cried myself to sleep as the effects of the alcohol began to wear off and reality set in.

Notes