"Hmph..." The bright sunlight shined through my window like a spotlight. I gripped the covers and quickly yanked them over my head before running my fingers through my hair. A light breeze rushed through the window, making the curtains dance in the early morning sun. For a moment, I lay there relaxing before pulling myself out of bed and into the bathroom. It had been a year since Caliber's death, and everything was slowly starting to feel normal. I looked at my reflection in the mirror; my hair was much longer now and a bright red. My skin was tanned, and I was slightly curvier than before; I smiled softly at myself and took a deep breath before starting the day.
After a long shower, I got myself ready; I slicked my hair up into a high ponytail and dressed, wearing a black sports bra with high-waisted dark blue skinny jeans that flattered my curves. On my way out, I slipped on a pair of black heels, then grabbed Caliber's gang jacket as I made my way downstairs. Thanks to the guys, Emily and I had finished remodeling the house, and Charles had moved in. As I walked into the kitchen, Emily and Charles were slowly dancing to some slow jams; I leaned against the doorway, watching them as a small smile spread across my face.
They had gotten together after I took over, and Charles spent more and more time around us. Charles was more glued to Emily's hip than mine; even though he was my right-hand man, they were inseparable. I watched as Charles twirled Emily around the kitchen, and she giggled non-stop. Once she realized my presence, she quickly stopped, paused the music, and smiled at me. "You don't have to stop on my behalf; enjoy yourselves." It seemed like everyone was walking on glass around me; due to Caliber's death, everyone thought I was afraid to witness love.
I walked over to the breakfast they had cooked and dished myself up before stepping outside. The morning air was light and crisp; I took a long deep breath before sitting to enjoy my breakfast. The soft sound of birds chirping filled the air, along with the distant sound of cars zooming by. The paused music had now resumed, and I smiled, knowing that Emily and Charles were enjoying themselves again. My phone buzzed, and as I yanked it out of my pocket, I saw it was the guys checking in with me after their morning routes.
I finished my meal and returned inside, setting my dishes in the sink, Charles was sitting at the table eating alone, and I guessed Emily was getting ready. "You ready to start our day, lover boy?" He gave me a small laugh and nodded, "Always boss; the boys checked in with me just now.
After we leave the gravesite, we have a meeting with the councilmen before we head to the warehouse." Today was Sunday; every Sunday for the last year, Emily, Charles, I, and a few guys went to Caliber's grave and took a minute to update him on what was happening. I knew they used it as an excuse to tag along with me to ensure I was okay. To be honest, I was, each time, it was easier to walk away, and now I could talk about him without crying; I just missed him more than anything. After a while, Emily joined us back in the kitchen, and we headed out to the gravesite. Everyone was already there waiting for us; we joined and made our way through the graveyard until we came to stand right in front of Caliber's tombstone. Along the way, we picked up some roses, and before we started, I removed the old dead flowers and replaced them with new ones before smiling softly.
"I'll go first..." I looked at Emily as she smiled, and I nodded as she stepped forward. "Hey Caliber, It's Em... as always, I want to start by saying I miss you. Even though you made it hard for me not to tear your head off your shoulders, I miss your stupid insults." I let out a small chuckle as she continued to talk; one by one, everyone took turns talking to Caliber until it was my turn. Everyone walked by his tombstone, gently patting it, leaving me alone to speak with him. "Hey Cali... gosh, there's so much going on with the gang I'm not sure if I can handle it all.
I feel like the Mayor instead of a gang leader; of course, the dirty work has been limited a bit." I sighed softly and looked up at the sky, "It's like everyone is looking at me and needing me all the time. Maybe I bit off way too much than I could chew." I focused my eyes back down on his tombstone, and I smiled slightly. "I miss you, Caliber; everyone has treated me like some charity case since you left. Emily keeps telling me it's time I stopped wearing this." My gaze fell on my engagement ring, and I twisted it around my finger. "Maybe she's right; maybe I should try to be happy again." The sun beamed down on me, and I smiled before nodding, "Yeah... she is." I slowly walked over, kissing my hand, then placing it on the tombstone before returning to the car and leaving with everyone. We made our way to the Mayor's office, and once we arrived, a short man in a suit showed us inside.
I looked around as we sat in the office; it was nicely furnished and decorated with pictures of past mayors. Charles, I, and two of my other men sat in dead silence until the door swung open. "Rachael! How wonderful to see you again; I'm truly sorry about the wait." "Oh, it's not a problem, Mister Mayor." We stood to greet all the councilmen as they followed behind the Mayor then we all took a seat." "To get straight to business, I called this meeting because we have urgent matters in the south side of town. A new gang has moved in and is giving locals problems."
"Now, with all due respect, we agreed that my gang and I would take care of the locals, charity work, donation, ectara; and we'd stay out of the crime part." I shook my head as I shifted in my seat a bit. "Yes, I completely understand that, but twenty deputies were shot and killed in the last week. It's a situation we can't control." Charles and I looked at each other briefly before he gave me a slight nod; I sighed and looked back at the Mayor. "Fine, we will take care of your problem; I suppose with you asking this favor, you've taken care of mine?" The Mayor nodded at me before handing me an envelope; I nodded as Charles looked at me curiously. "Pleasure doing business with you; come on, boys, let's go."
The rest of the day we spent at the warehouse, the guys spent their time goofing around and hanging out while I was upstairs in Caliber's office. Well, now my office; it was weird to call everything mine now. My office, my gang, my men, my warehouse, and my responsibility; I sat at my desk, staring at the blank envelope. My mind went blank as it was all I could focus on; I needed to open it and know. 'KNOCK, KNOCK' I quickly grabbed the envelope and shoved it on my desk before clearing my throat. "Come in..." The door opened, and I looked up at Charles as he looked at me curiously. "Why do you keep looking at me like that?" "Why are you hiding things from me?" I looked away, and I just shook my head.
"I don't know what you're talking about." He shut the door behind him before taking a seat and glaring at me. "Look, I don't care what you don't tell the guys, but I'm supposed to be your right-hand man; you're supposed to keep me informed." "As I have been, everything you 'need' to know you do." We were now glaring at each other; the tension in the room was so thick I swear I was suffocating. "Fine, Emily wants you to come out with us tonight... the guys and I have decided to go clubbing to relax. I know you haven't been out since-" "I'll be there... just send me the time and place."
A few hours later, I found myself standing outside a club downtown; Charles was right; I hadn't been out since the shooting. I looked around and took a deep breath before walking up to the bouncer as he let me into the club. The music boomed loudly, and the crowd was thick; people danced and cheered everywhere. I went to VIP, knowing everyone was waiting for me when I arrived. As the enclosed section came into view, I saw everyone drinking and having fun; all I could do was smile and join them. Emily was the first to notice me, and she rushed over, hugging me tightly.
"Rachael! Oh my gosh, I'm so glad you came out tonight! Here I've been saving these for you..." She handed me two shots, and I looked at her before relaxing; without hesitation, I gulped down one shot and then the other. "Ugh!" We laughed as I joined in with everyone dancing and drinking; it had been so long since I let my guard down and enjoyed myself. My short yellow lace dress stood out in the crowd; it complimented my curves so well that whenever I looked up, I met the gaze of some strange man eyeing me. For some reason, it felt good to be wanted and to be seen again. In the middle of my dancing, one of my men tapped my shoulder.
"I'm sorry, boss, but we have company." I watched his eyes fill with worry, and suddenly, a tall, built man with dark brown hair and honey eyes appeared behind him. "Blood king..." I looked over at Charles as he was now glaring, and it was directed at the man. "Who the hell are you?" My attention was now on the tall man as he stepped into the VIP section with a slight smirk. He stepped up, standing toe and toe with Charles, "Charles, we meet again. I heard about the fall of your leader. Does that make you in charge now?"
Anger rushed through my body, and I quickly butted between them both. "That would be me, and as I said before, who the hell are you?" His gaze dropped down to me as he towered over me. "You? You're messing with me, right? Come on now, princess, step aside and let the grownups talk." He reached for my cheek, and I gripped his wrist tightly. "Careful... next move you make, I'll take it as a threat, disrespect me again, and I swear you'll regret it." He quickly snatched it away from my grasp, glaring at me before smirking and stepping back. "She has fire in her eyes... I like that. I think it's time we get acquainted."
"This isn't the place for that..." Charles nodded at the security guard, and he led us to a private room before closing the door. It was now just Charles, the so-called blood king, two of my men, and myself; the room was dark and lit with red lightning. "Who the hell are you?" "I'm Tony, also known as the blood king, and you are." I watched as he took a seat, smiling at me arrogantly, "Rachael..." Silence fell over the room, and I realized he wouldn't tell me what he wanted until everyone was gone. "Leave us..." "Rachael..." "I said leave us, Charles." I looked up at Charles as he heaved and nodded before leaving the room with everyone and closing the door.
"Leave it to Charles to be so dramatic about everything." My attention turned to him as I folded my arms across my chest. "Start talking before I lose interest in you; who are you?" "I've already given you my name, love." "I don't give two shits about your name; how the hell do you know Charles, and what are you doing here?" He studied me momentarily, looking me up and down in a way that made me uncomfortable, but I kept my composure. "Charles, Caliber and I go way back, we did some business together a few years ago, and after a few jobs, things went south. The money went missing, and Charles convinced Caliber it was because of me." "Was it?"
A smirk spread across his lips as he avoided my question. "As to why I'm here, well, I am having trouble with the new gang in town, and I could really use help." "The blood king cowering to another leader for help..." His smirk turned into a cold expression as he stood and got right up in my face. "I don't cower... little words from a friend disrespect me again, and I swear you'll regret it." I pushed my way passed him before taking a seat, and I looked at him. "Tell me what you know about this gang, then? What exactly are you having problems with?" "Some of my female members have gone missing; this morning was the fourth."
He pulled out pictures laying them in front of me. "The leader of this gang is known for kidnapping women, raping them, and then killing them. We haven't found any bodies yet, but I'm sure he has them." I looked at each picture carefully, shaking my head; what could a gang leader gain from raping and killing women? I thought momentarily before looking at him, "How do you suppose we could help you? You want me to risk putting my girls in danger?" "You shouldn't look at it like that... you win some, you lose some." "Ugh, you're pitiful; the answer is no. Leave me and my gang alone, or you'll have more than one gang to deal with."
I made my way to the door, but as I opened it, Tony reached around, slamming it closed; turning around, I found him inches away from my face. "I'm sorry... I was trying to lighten the mood, but my men and women are my family. I'd do anything to take this bastard down. I don't ask for help often, but when I do, you can trust it's genuine; I'd fight for the safety of your people just as I'd do for mine. So please, Miss Rachael."
His bright honey eyes stood out in the lightly lit room; the red lights made his skin glow. I felt my face grow hot, and my breathing hitched as I stared into his eyes. I could tell he was being genuine; I knew he meant every word he said. Maybe I'd regret my next decision, but all I could say was, "Okay, fine... we'll help you."