Mercedes POV
We got to a lonely street, Lincoln and Kelsey already arrived before we did.
"Why did you bring Mercedes here?" Lincoln asked Luca.
Luca turned to me.
"She wouldn't stop being a stubborn pain in my ass"
"Are you making her a part of the team?" Kelsey asked folding her arms. Kelsey would be described as the dark skin version of Wednesday Addams because of her looks.
"No. Mercedes is only here because she won't stop pestering me. And she won't go in with us" said Luca.
"Why? I told you I was going to the pirates with you, not escort you to some street and wait out" I wasn't going to come this far and not know the whole thing right?
Luca hissed.
"Mercedes you're not coming with" Luca said trying to keep his cool.
"Yes I am. Or I'm telling mom you've been skipping classes to go to the pirates" I threatened.
"You won't" Luca's snarled.
"Okay" I shrugged, turning around and slowly walking away.
I heard them whispering, not long after I heard Luca called.
"Mercedes, wait."
I flashed a victory smile before turning to them, hiding my smile
"You can come with. But don't even think of opening that mouth of yours to say anything in there or to mom and dad. Am I clear?" Luca warned sternly
I gave an understanding nod
"Behave yourself in there, I know you" Luca pointed at me, his eyes sending warnings
"I get" I rolled my eyes
We followed a corner which led to an alley. The smell of cigarette smoke and cheap cologne filled the air.
A group of rough-looking men, adorned with tattoos and scars, eyed us with interest– the pirates
"Luca, my man!" one of them called out, a burly guy with a thick beard.
"Vinnie," Luca replied, his tone neutral.
Vinnie approached us, his eyes scanning our group. Vinnie's gaze lingering on me.
"Who is the new girl?"
Luca's jaw clenched.
"Mercedes, my sister."
Vinnie chuckled. "Ah, family, huh? Well, let's get down to business."
He led us deeper into the alley, stopping in front of a graffiti-covered door. Vinnie produced a key and unlocked the door, revealing a cramped, smoke-filled room.
The air inside reeked of desperation and decay. A group of men, all with varying degrees of tattoos and scars, eyed us with a mix of curiosity and hostility.
Vinnie gestured for us to take seats.
"We've got a job for you, Luca. One that requires... particular skills."
Luca raised an eyebrow. "What kind of job?"
Vinnie leaned in, a sly grin spreading across his face.
"We need you to retrieve a package from a rival crew. They're holed up in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town."
Kelsey spoke up, her voice low and even.
"What's in the package?"
Vinnie shrugged. "Don't know, don't care. What matters is that it's worth a lot to us, and we're willing to pay top dollar to get it back."
Lincoln frowned.
"This sounds like a setup."
Vinnie's grin grew wider.
"Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. But you're going to do it anyway, because that's what you do. You're our go-to crew for... delicate tasks."
Jude whistled softly
"That's a tall order. What's in it for us?"
Vinnie smiled, a cold, calculating smile.
"it's not your first time working for us, is it?"
Luca exchanged a look with Tyler, Jude, Kelsey and Lincoln before turning back to Vinnie.
"We'll do it. But we need more information."
Vinnie grinned, a flash of gold in his mouth.
Vinnie nodded, producing a folder filled with photographs and documents.
"Everything you need to know is in here. You've got 48 hours to get the package and bring it back to us."
As Vinnie handed Luca the folder, I felt a shiver run down my spine. Something didn't feel right about this job...
We left the pirates area and we were now by the main road
"Is this how you've been earning the money you do?" My eyes fixed on Luca's but he kept mute.
"Answer me Luca!"
"Who do you think will employ a high school boy?"
Our argument was getting tensed and his friends could only watch, feeling the heat.
"Caleb is struggling out there to pay his fees in college and mom? How much does she earn as a nurse to pay our school fees, feed us and take care of the bills?"
"This is the only way I can earn to support mom and Caleb"
Luca is trying to help, but this isn't the right way. This is a very danger path.
"Luca, how do you think mom is going to feel when she finds out about this?" My voice smooth and steady
"Who is going to tell her, you?"
I looked away unable to say anything
"Mercedes" Tyler placed a hand on my shoulder
"None of us enjoy doing this. We're all trying to assist our parents and trying to help ourselves. We won't do this forever"
I turned to Tyler
"What if you all get caught either by the cops or some other bad people?"
"Well... Let's say it's become a normal thing for us to always run away from them"
The next moment was terrifying. The cops arrived and everyone scattered in different directions.
I was shocked and didn't know what to do. Luca grabbed my hand and pulled me along as we ran.
"Come on, Mercedes!" he yelled.
We weaved through the crowded streets, trying to avoid getting caught by the police. I could hear the sirens getting closer and closer.
Suddenly, Luca pulled me into a narrow alleyway. We stopped to catch our breath.
"What just happened?" I asked, my heart still racing.
"The cops must have been tipped off, they were street thugs around" Luca replied, his eyes scanning the alleyway.
There's always a game of chase between the cops and some thugs and black niggas. The cops shows up, picking anyone they find around, innocent or not.
Tyler, Jude, Kelsey, and Lincoln appeared at the end of the alleyway, out of breath.
"Everyone okay?" Luca asked.
They nodded, still trying to catch their breath.
Luca nodded. "Let's get out of here."
As we walked, I couldn't help but think about how I had stumbled into this world. I was just trying to uncover the truth about Luca's activities, but now I was in deeper than I had ever imagined.
And somehow, running away from the police was fun to me
"Mercedes, I know you're upset," Luca said, his voice low.
"But you have to understand, this is the only way"
I looked at him, feeling a mix of emotions.
"I understand that, Luca. But this is too much. You're risking your life, and the lives of your friends."
His friends exchanged glares at themselves
Luca sighed.
"I know it's not ideal. But what choice do we have?"
I shook my head.
"I don't know, Luca. But I do know that I'm not going to let you do this alone."
Luca's eyes narrowed.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about joining you," I smiled
Luca looked at his friends and slowly they began smiling with a nod except Tyler who had the same expression as Luca
Luca turned to me
"I dunno M_"
"I'm in" I walked pass Luca and went to his friends as they welcome me into the team
"Mercedes are you sure you want to do this? It's dangerous" said Tyler sounding concerned
"I'm sure"