Day 182 - Unwanted Allies

 Unwanted Allies

 Matthew Ryan Fischer

 

The raid at Dante’s had been successful enough. Dante’s crew was divided, decimated and scattered. No one expected him to rebuild any time soon. 47 was thrilled to be back in action and killing again. The Cleaners had proven capable enough. Von’s drugs worked as expected with minimal side-effects. Everyone was pleased except 66.

“Take the win,” remarked 47.

“You almost died tonight.”

“You would have saved me.”

“I don’t know if I could have. You don’t know.”

“Brother, we did it. We’ve got an army. No one is going to touch us now.”

“We didn’t even get Dante. If we can’t wipe out a simple crew, how are we going to do against the families.”

“That’s for the bosses to figure out. Tonight, we celebrate.”

47 wasn’t lying about that. The bars were packed and it seemed like the entire crew was there. Von’s men passed out designer-party drugs. There were any number of illicit substances to abuse, the music was deafeningly loud, and the vast majority of the women there were likely to have been paid to make sure the men had a good time.

Kimi found 66 and 47 and called them to a private room where Von waited. He congratulated them on their mission and expressed his condolences for the soldier who died. “We’ll never forget his sacrifice.” Which seemed like empty platitudes, especially when it seemed like Von didn’t know the man’s name. Von just seemed excited that his drugs worked and his benefactors were excited to pay top dollar for more amped up soldiers.

“You two are my generals. I will get you as many foot soldiers as you need. I know your past, your numbers, and I respect that. We respect that. This city will respect that. I have plans, so many plans. And I need the two of you to lead my army into war.”

66 had no desire to march into a gang war, let alone start one. This trap seemed to grow deeper by the day and he could no longer see any sunlight. He was sure 47 was onboard. 66 didn’t want to betray him, but he wasn’t going to throw his life away over some drug dealer’s ambitions. He would have to be careful, but at his first opportunity, he would need to find a way run.

Von walked towards a side door.

“It’s time you two met someone important.”

The door opened and two men entered. One, an older well-dressed man, and another, who 66 assumed must be his bodyguard. 66 recognized the other man – he was the one who had been shooting up the town while wearing the fake 22 tattoo.

“Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to the man behind the man. This is Gideon.”