No Guts, No Glory

*Jay*

I wanted to kill Jericho. I know why Joseph just banned him, but would his daughter not be better off without a man like that as a father? I was shaking all over when we walked out of that courtyard. I took my orders to deal with the security here. I didn't want to. I wanted to kill him. I went to talk with the men but had zero respect for the men in this territory. The blatant disrespect. Hector wasn't too bad, but his men are dumbasses. I walked to the security room, and everyone made a path for me. Since Joseph made me head of security, they all must respect what I say. I looked around, seeing Nine, which I hadn't seen in some time. "Hey there Jay, how are you doing brother?" he said shaking my hand. We were trained together, and he was a good student. I decided to put him in charge of protecting my family. He gave me word of a few others he trusted, and I took him at his word. I called for men from the city to come help. If Tomasso is planning something, I want to be at more than full security. "What's your name?" I asked the new guy that Nine told me seemed to be more nervous than most coming through our security training. "I am Niko Sir" He wasn't real young, but fresh bait in our brand of work. "I need you to take a couple of these men to the front. Watch everything closely out there. Report to me every hour, and don't fuck up." He nodded at me quickly, like an assistant going for a coffee run. I grabbed his arm firmly and looked dead in his eyes. "Don't fuck it up!" The boy was terrified, but the best way for him to learn was to be thrown into the fire. I sent out a few with more seniority to ensure he doesn't get anyone killed, but I put him at the helm. After I got everyone situated, I headed for the kitchen. Henry was cooking, and I wanted something to occupy my mind. Watching that young boy cook is like watching a musical. He is very entertaining. He looked back at me and half smiled, knowing that I enjoyed watching his craft. I am not homosexual, though I think some of the men think I am. Joseph knows I am not, well the inner circle does since he publicly scolded me over Sandra. I love her, but now she is like a sister to me, not anything more. When I could hear her moaning loudly from the room they shared, I could admit it wasn't easy. That is all I will admit though. I understood why he was doing it, but it seemed unnecessary to me. I rolled my eyes and focused on the cook.

After the screaming stopped I heard the two of them coming for food. I always try not to look directly after them after I know something has happened between them, avoiding the pure looks of joy. It makes me sick. I watched as people started arriving for food. Henry could bring an army in with the scent that comes from his kitchen. He truly was an artist. I waited for the love birds to arrive but they didn't. Suddenly I heard yelling in the hall. "Listen, you Italian bastard. If you come near any of the women in the brotherhood, I will kill you myself. You will die a slow and excruciating death." I ran to the hall. Sandra looked up at me and had fear in her eyes. "What this fucks problem?" I asked instantly pissed off. "You know what you stupid bitch, why don't you come after me," I said intentionally to get his focus on me. I don't think Joseph caught on at first. He glared at me. I could hear the man take the bait on the phone. "Who is that fucker talking to me with such disrespect?" He asked rather loudly, I assume so I would hear him. "Tell him who I am boss, tell him I will kill him myself. One on one, in the city." I yelled back. "You are hearing Jay, he is one of my men," Joseph said finally catching on to my plan. He looked at me rolling his eyes. If I took the focus off of Sofia, and the women, and put it on myself we could go back to the city. Leave this fucking place and go home."I will meet that little mouthy cagna, in three days, in the city. I will beat him to death with my bare hands." Tomasso yelled out fully enraged now. I laughed out loud after he hung up the phone. "Jay, why would you do that?" Sandra said smacking my arm hard. I watched as she shook her hand instantly regretting her choice to hit me. "Hurts doesn't it, hitting pure steel?" I laughed, and she rolled her eyes. "Okay, Superman." She said. "Jay, I understand why you did that, I do. I can't let you meet him alone. I won't lose my family to that fuck." It felt good hearing him call me family. I am not sure I will ever get used to it. "Smoke, Listen, I can take him with one arm behind my back. He doesn't have half the training or a quarter of my strength." I said still half laughing at Sandra. "You can, I know, but he knows who you are Jay. You look like a damn Olympic god. He isn't coming alone." Joseph said looking worried. That was weird for me as well.

"You could send a drone out first." Nine spoke up. Joseph looked past me to see who was talking, then looked at me. I nodded. "This is Nine, we were in training together years ago. He is very good at his job as well. I have put him in a position to protect our royalty." This would explain how much I trusted him and his ability. "I'm listening, Nine?" Joseph said walking past me and closer to the tall buff Ken doll. I laughed a little to myself. I used to call him Ken. He was tall, creased, and tan. Blonde hair and a square jaw. He looked like a life-size Ken doll. He looks a little older now, but he still has that surfer boy look going on. "Yea Ken, explain." He put up his middle finger and led us to the security room computer. "I can send a drone around the area and check for an army, or weapons. I can scan his body and his friends. I will know who killed who with what and where." A clue reference, how original. "Okay, Ken was it? You can keep my big brother safe? You come to the city with us." That was the queen who spoke, she made rules now too. Also, something new to get used to. Nothing about it bothered me though, Sandra was brilliant. Nine shook his head but shot me a dirty look knowing that the nickname Ken was sticking. I laughed out loud. "Okay, Why Ken?" Sandra looked at me, hands on her hips as she asked. "Doesn't he look like a Ken doll to you?" I said turning to walk back to the food. "Oh yes, he does. Ken is it." I heard Nine behind me say, "fuck" and we all started laughing. When we got back to the kitchen everyone had sat down. Sandra sat and Henry reached her a plate. The same with the rest of us. Zeus was smiling, telling me he must have talked to his woman. I don't trust her either. "How are the women?" Joseph asked. "They are enjoying each other boss, doing well in the safe house." He said smiling like a schoolgirl. "Henry this mean look amazing," Sandra said making him burst with pride. "Thanks, Sis." While we ate Joseph explained to Hector that we had a plan for Tommasso. Hector agreed I would kill him. I thanked him for his confidence. "We will be taking Nine with us back to the city. He will now be a part of our team. I know you are glad he can lend a hand." Joseph said. He always had a way to make decisions for people but making it sound like they are the ones making it. Hector smiled, "Anything for the cause boss." Sofia didn't look as pleased but kept her mouth shut.

After we ate, we all went to the office. "Do you think this will work Ken?" Joseph said also adapting to the nickname we had assigned Nine. "Yes sir, I do." He answered respectfully. Joseph turned to him and smiled, "Smoke." He reached out his hand. "Hello Smoke, I am Ken." Sandra and I laughed so hard that we almost cried. "It's still weird when you laugh," Henry spoke up and said. I smiled, " I think a lot of things are weird since MIss Sunshine showed up." She spun around to look at me instead of the drones on the computer screen. "HEY!" she yelled out. "I didn't say it was a bad thing, Queen. I think you saved us all." I said smiling at her with a wink. "She sure did." We all agreed. She turned a shade of red before hiding her face into Joseph's chest. "Superwoman." He said leaning down to kiss her forehead. We heard a commotion in the hall, hearing angry voices. When we walked to the doorway a woman stood there, furious, yelling in Hector's face. She was small, with coal-black hair and piercing blue eyes. "Where is my brother Hector?" She asked angrily. "Who is your brother ma'am?" I said walking out to meet her blow. "His name is Raymond. He is young and doesn't need to be mixed up in this bullshit charity case crime." Phew, she was feisty. "YOu heard the woman, where is her brother?" Hector looked up at me and I winked. "Come with me" I looked at her waiting to hear her name, something about her interested me. "Celine." She said looking up into my eyes. I watched as she relaxed some when we made contact. It was strange, and I didn't like it, so I looked away. I placed my hand gently on her back and led her to a chair in the foyer. I turned to Hector. "Find her brother."