Damn Loyal

Katherine showered. The soot washing away. Her lungs hurt. Thinner than her sister. Angry. Damn it…

They escaped the warehouse. But some were left to burn. The gun fight had been brief. Dmitri taken back.

They lost. The explosion caught them off guard. Victor playing rough.

Katherine cried in the shower. Alice… She wished her father had been here — maybe he would have saved Alice. Maybe she’d still be here cracking lame jokes and innuendos. Fucking hell…

She stepped out of the shower.

They had returned to the strip club. It had been closed for the night. Many disappointed regulars. Jackson stood by the front with some security. Watching for any signs of further retaliation by the Volkov. He had lost his phone at the warehouse. He hoped the fire melted it — because it would be trouble if the police found it.

“Asshole!” Sasha slapped Jackson in the face, “I fucking called you!”

She had tears in her eyes. He pulled her into a hug and she melted.

“I thought I lost you…” she cried.

Nadia stood behind awkwardly. Side stepping. Deep in thought. She now understood why Alice had asked her to leave The Pony. This life of crime, sex, and war was dangerous. But she needed clarity. Left out of the picture. On a need to know basis.

“Nadia… It would be best if you go home,” Jackson said, “I can ask my driver to take you —“

“No…” she said.

Jackson hesitated.

Nadia looked him in the eye, “I loved Alice. I really loved her. I stood by her then… I still stand by her now…”

Jackson smiled, “Sweet girl… You have courage. I respect that.”

They went inside to sit down. Smoking. Cooked up some pizzas and chicken. Nadia not really touching her food. Anxious. Tired. Anticipating.

“Nadia… This is the Moorfield Crime Syndicate… We are trusting you with this information. Once you are in — it is hard to back out. Do you understand?” Jackson said.

“Yes,” Nadia nodded.

Katherine sat down, “I am the head of the crime family. We traffic ****… Run the sex industry… And many other legitimate businesses. But we have a rival mafia to contend with. The Volkov. They run their syndicate ruthlessly — unethically. They kill and **** for pleasure. They sexually ****. The Moorfield is different — we have rinciples that we hold dear…”

“The Volkov killed Alice…” She said, “We will get our vengeance…”

Nadia took a deep breath, “I’m in… What can I do?”

Katherine smiled, ”I can see why Alice chose you… You are damn loyal…”

Nadia blushed. She felt all eyes on her.

Jackson smiled, “Well… If you are sticking around — then we better show you how to fight…”