Walter left us to make the proper arrangements for the job. He was likely returning to the estate for the night to bring in a crew. Before he made his departure, I made sure to tell him to grab Iggy on the way back. Iggy may not have been made, but having lupus on our side would do us a huge favor. Besides, I had to make good on my promise to let him accompany me. As a lookout, for the most part, if any heat came down, I didn't want him getting in the crossfire.
"Please excuse me," Yasuo said as he stood from the table. "I have some preparations of my own to make. Feel free to mingle and enjoy more drinks until I get back." Yasuo took one of his bodyguards with him as he left. On the other hand, Yayoi had been staring daggers at me since I'd sat down. Without Walter or Yasuo here to say talk about something to distract me from noticing, I'd better address it.
"So... Yayoi... Is there any reason you're trying to blow my head off with your eyes?" I hoped she just hated me or something. I could see it considering we were to be married, consent being questionable.
"Majima-san... Get us some more blood," Yayoi ordered, then reached into her clothes and pulled out a frightening red mask. It had pointed teeth, yellow eyes, and a wicked smile. She placed it on her face and then pulled it to the side. Suddenly, the pain in my chest grew enough to warrant some worry. The bodyguard, Majima, stepped out to get us some more blood to drink. "Murcielago Boy... What are you?"
That wasn't the line of questioning I'd wanted to hear, but it was better than being hated. So I decided to humor her. "I'm an 18-year-old Paradigm bastard with no magic and a knack for making people push up daises." Which was the entire truth to my knowledge. Since I didn't know who my mother was.
Yayoi leaned forward in her seat. Her eyes narrowed like she heard me insult her or something. "You lie, Gaijin... There's no way you don't know. You can feel the resonance, can't you?" I didn't know how to answer that. Thinking back on when I met Queen Jeanne, I can say that this pain is what she's talking about. But I didn't want to acknowledge anything I didn't know about completely. I'd be beaten to the punch as I opened my mouth to speak. Francis bowed her head toward Yayoi. "Lady Yayoi, would you allow me to speak on Lexi- Alexander's behalf." Yayoi's gaze shifted to Francis. Then she gave a slight nod. "I can confidently say that Alexander has no idea what you're talking about."
That was an interesting choice of words. Even though she just saved me from whatever Yayoi was on about. That only created more questions than I had before. Yayoi sighed as she leaned back into her chair. Majima returned with two more glasses of blood and a cup of tea for Francis. We each sipped our drinks as he sat the cups down for us. By the time Yayoi and I finished, Walter came back.
"Alright... Our preparations have been made," Walter said. "We'll be ready to make our plans for tomorrow." Good, something to get me out of this mess. "That's great to hear, Walter. You make sure that Bethany and my new toy are coming?"
"Bethany?" Yayoi's brow raised as she looked at Francis again. "His shotgun," the latter answered for her. "He tends to name his guns. I'm sure he misses Wanda, the Mauser he came here with." Yayoi looked puzzled, the earlier glint of scrutiny disappearing from her eyes. My face fell in my hands as the embarrassment overcame me.
"It was a habit I picked up in the Trenches. Just don't pay it any mind." Walter and Francis let out a hearty chuckle at my expense, and even Yayoi giggled a little. "Ah, I see you all are getting along," Yasuo said as he returned. "Please follow me. Your rooms are ready.
The three of us followed Yasuo out back from where we came. At the door, Majima returned our weapons, and two cars pulled up. Walter, Yasuo, and I got in the first car while the ladies got in the second. Yasuo and Walter discussed how the Murcielago family's legitimate business was coming. My family owned a few restaurants and some cigar stores. That second bit was more for Dad since he puts away cigars like they're going out of style. We'd reach the hotel in no time, and as we got out of the car, I started paying close attention to Francis and Yayoi. The two looked like they were getting along, which was good. This marriage business was already awkward enough with the concubine stipulation.
The hotel was called "The Lotus," and I had to hand it to Yasuo. He knew how to treat his guest. The hotel was a little small, but what it lacked in size, it made up for in luxury. Yasuo went to speak with the manager while we waited in the lobby. There was a bunch of nice-looking furniture and a sweet dining room on the ground floor. The more miraculous part was how many paradigms and humans were mingling with each other. They were probably bloodgivers like Becca.
"Alright, I have your rooms in order," Yasuo said as he returned to us. "Please, enjoy your stay here at the Lotus." As Yasuo started heading for the door, the thought began to occur to me as to how in the world we would have a change of clothes. We didn't bring any on the way to meet with Yasuo. But before I could answer the question, Yasuo was already absorbed in business with another of his associates. Looking at Walter, who looked just as confused as I, we shrugged and watched as the ladies went ahead of us.
"Maybe they know something we don't?" The question's answer became more apparent once we saw them disappear up the stairs. "Perhaps we should just follow their lead," Walter said as he looked around. So that's what we did, to the fourth floor, where the ladies would take the door leading to the halls. Another Yakuza member dressed in a white suit awaited us when we went there. He bowed and said, "Gentlemen, your room is just down this hall. We have provided clothing for your stay."
"You gave us clothes?" I asked, "But how?" The Yakuza didn't answer immediately, instead beckoning us to follow him to the room. It was the fourth on the right, and a lovely suite was inside. There were two beds, a desk, two chairs, and a large closet filled with clothes. "Yasuo retrieved your measurements from your last physical. You two were the easiest to find clothes for. The Shaman is probably getting sized for the clothes she will be gifted now." Another thing my dear old man forgot to mention.
The Yakuza bowed and then left us to our own devices. Walter sat at a chair near the desk, and I plopped on the bed. "Goodness, tonight has been full of surprises," Walter said as he loosened his tie. "If I hadn't known any better, I'd say Yasuo was more like a hotel manager than a crime boss."
"Don't let him hear you say that. Besides, I'm sure there's a reason why the Isoarashi are everyone's friends." I loosened my tie, too, and reached for Wanda. Checking the gun, I found all the bullets were still inside. Then I checked if the safety was still on. Good, they didn't mess with my gun. I then took the bed closest to the door, carefully considering the view from it to the bed. I didn't want to end up like those poor Irish pricks.
"Anyways... how many guys are we gonna have for tomorrow?" I asked as I put Wanda underneath my pillow. "I'm thinking we need ten or fifteen."
"Counting Francis, myself, your friend Iggy, and you. Fourteen in total," Walter answered, putting his gun underneath his pillow as well. "The job shouldn't be too difficult. But with the recent rise in Vampyre attacks, Drakon has ensured we're well armed."
"My Old Man is worried?" I asked, almost laughing at the thought. "Blood Psychos are too chicken-shit to mess with us in a group." I expected Walter to laugh off the notion with me, but the lack of even a weak smile told me otherwise.
Walter approached me, leaning close to my ear as his eyes stayed trained on the door. "The Barnes family to the city's south has had some casualties in the recent attacks."
"You're kidding!?" I hoped he was joking, but he shook his head. The Barnes family was another of the significant players in Iscariot City. They were a small-time family that moved in from Harlem after our existence got revealed. They mainly kept to themselves apart from their bootlegging routes from New York and Louisiana. It's ironic because Becca is related to one of their guys by marriage.
"I'm afraid so. That's been the one thing that's consistent about their attacks." Walter sat on his bed, beckoning me to do the same. We both leaned in when I did, getting close enough to whisper safely. "Listen, Alexander. I won't lie to you. The only reason why I'm telling you all of this is because you're a captain now. It's your job to know these things for someone of your station. The first lesson in warfare for those of higher stations is information is a better weapon than a gun. That is your first lesson."
If I hadn't known the Isoarashi family, I'd have been skeptical of this lesson. From my experience, a gun gets you results. But considering all the Isoarashi knew about us and how accurate it was. I wondered what else knowing the right thing could do for me. Yet, simultaneously being taught this lesson infuriated me, as Francis knew something I didn't.
"Alright, I'll take your word for it, Walt. Is there anything else I should know?"
Walter began removing his shoes, then undressing to his boxers and t-shirt. "No more lessons for tonight. Dawn is approaching, and you've gotta earn the respect of your new soldiers tomorrow." Walter laid his glasses on the nightstand, then pulled his covers over him. So I followed his lead, and the next two nights were going to be exhausting to deal with. It'd take me a while as I'd been running through what the plan might be. I'd drift off once I figured out what I wanted to do.
The next night, Walter and I meet up with our friends in a meeting room in the hotel—at least ten guys, including Iggy, who seemed too excited to be there. The Isoarashi siblings and Francis sat in our meeting since they would be involved. Yasuo had gotten us a blueprint of the warehouse where the meeting would occur and a drawing of the surrounding area.
Most of these guys I knew from my days taking care of business for dear old Dad. At some point, I'd run into some of them cleaning bodies or driving get-away cars. But they all had something in common. They didn't look thrilled about me being their leader. The scowls and crossed arms were all I needed.
"Ahem, Gentlemen, I thank you for coming today to discuss business," Walter said, pacing back and forth in front of the group. "Know that your service to the Isoarashi family is a service to our Boss. But I will now turn it over to your captain."
As Walter paced by me, he patted me on the shoulder and gave me a wink. I was worried about how to handle leading a group of men like this. I was a grunt, a footsoldier. I was better at following orders than giving them. I could feel my nerve start to waiver, so I reached into my pocket and took out my pack of cigarettes. I looked to Yasuo for a moment for permission, and when he nodded, I went ahead and lit it. After a short huff, I started thinking of what my Commander in the West would say at times like this.
"Alright... I want to start by being upfront with you guys. None of you expected me to take charge of any family operation. Hell, I wasn't either. But if we work with each other on these things, we'll handle it. We aim to ensure the Isoarashi siblings make it in and out in one piece. If we do that, we'll get a nice paycheck. But how I handle my jobs is that I make sure I'm confident that I'm alive to be able to spend much cash."
Some of the men started listening now. Guys who either cared about too much money or had some debts to settle. Here came the hard part: the guys who saw me as the runt or were loyal to my Father.
"Now the boss won't be happy if either of these two loses even a hair. So from this point forward, your fuck ups are my fuck ups and vice versa, capiche?"
Everyone generally understood that. So it was time for the final piece of my persuasion. Going over to the drawing, I took a pen and began drawing points along the map, specifically at the points in the surrounding warehouses and the meeting spots.
"Since there's thirteen of us, we'll be able to cover much ground. Five of you will be placed on top of the surrounding warehouses while five of you patrol the warehouse. You big man," I said, pointing to the relatively large fellow in the third chair. "What's your name?"
"Silvio," he replied, his tone gruff and hoarse. "Right, Sil, you'll be in charge of what we'll call the spotlight division. Anyone suspicious enters the premises. I need you to make sure we know about it."
Silvio nodded, his brow raised, seeming impressed about something. Then I looked at another guy sitting at the other end of the table. He was an older gentleman with a huge scar on his face. Pointing to him, I say, "Alright, out with a name."
"Vito," the older gentleman said, almost attempting to stand. He honestly looked as though he could've been my drill instructor. "OK, Vito, I'm gonna lend you my friend Ignacio over here," I said as I pointed to Iggy. "He's got a good nose. So make sure you use him to your advantage."
I honestly hated to put it that way. But in this case, Iggy could get away quickly if the heat came.
"Anyone got any grievances on how this will all go down?" Scanning around the room one last time, I began to take notice of the faces in the room. Some were old, and some were young. Some wore nicer clothes, and some looked like they'd just got off from working at the factories. I'd reached the desk in front of the meeting room and opened the drawer, pulling out a sheet of paper. I wrote Spotlight and Patrol and then put Silvio and Vito's names underneath them while writing numbered slots. The number two for the patrol team got taken by Iggy.
"Alright, I'm gonna pass this around. You pick which slot you want. Once you write your name, that's it."
The group gave me a collective nod. While I didn't think I had their respect, I thought I'd earned their attention, at least as the paper made its way around the room. I finished my cigarette. By the time Vito brought it up, I'd be nearly done smoking.
The way it went was the Spotlight team comprised of Silvio, Chris, Leo, Jimmy, and Mike. In contrast, the Patrol team comprised Vito, Iggy, Al, Lucky, and Enzo. I went around the room to learn who they were, to keep it memorized. When I was done, I stepped back up to the front of the room. Gentlemen. It's been a pleasure meeting you all. The meeting is at midnight tomorrow, so be there an hour early. Walter, Francis, and I will arrive with our charges within the hour. Is that understood?"
I got a volley of "sures" and "Yeah, whatever you say" from the crowd. I decided that it would have to do for now.
From this point forward, Walter took over for me, telling them about the stake rounds and the iron they'd get to pack. I'd let them get to that while I cared for something else.