Manhattan

*Joseph*


I immediately pulled up the tracker on the new car. I doubt Sandra knew it was there, but we installed it in case the car was stolen, or hijacked. It looked like she was heading down Bermont Avenue, which told me she wasn't coming from the store. I shook my head. “Let’s watch out for Sunshine, I think she is coming to us.” I heard many words at once coming through my comm. Everyone was upset at the thought of the queen showing up at this battle. I didn't respond, my own heart racing, I could hear it beating in my ears. Ken got out of the vehicle and went to the trunk. He pulled out a large case holding two different drones. He had set up a remote access camera in each control for the drones. He reached both drones to Jackson, who was now standing beside him. I thought Jay would help him, but it seems it is Jackson. I got out and walked over to the two of them. “Are we ready for flying?” I smiled at Ken, but inside I was on fire. Worried about Sandra. Why would she do that? Why didn't she stay where she was safe? I shook my head, making them look at me funny, but knowing I should have known better than to think she would listen to anything. “Something wrong boss?” Henry was walking up behind me. I looked around me trying to remember I was here to lead an army of loyal men. Men who are willing to walk into a situation they may not walk out of for one another. Not for money, land, or oil. Simply in defense of what we have built here.

“Do you want me to go looking for her? I can follow the GPS straight to her?” Henry was worried. I was also pleased these men had shown so much concern for my future wife. Just thinking of her being my future wife lifted my spirits. It made me feel like nothing could go wrong. This is going to be okay; everything is going to be fine. “No, she will not make it in time to be in danger.” Henry seemed hesitant but nodded in agreement. I watched as the two drones flew through the air, heading towards the meeting spot. The technology was so impressive that Ken was running telling me I needed to keep him close in the future. He showed me on the screen that there was indeed a group formed behind where Tommasso stood waiting for Jay to show. “That’s what I figured he would do. Coward.” I slammed my hand down on the SUV hood. Jay and Zeus were now walking towards us. I updated them on what we saw on the screen. Both inquiring about Sandra before accepting my decision to let her come and walking back to update our other men. After a few moments, men started pouring out of the vehicles behind us. Everyone was covering themselves in gear and weapons. We looked like a literal small militia. Suddenly I was surrounded by questioning eyes. I realized all these strong brave men were looking to me for some sort of sage advice or rousing speech. Still, all I could do was be worried about Sandra.

I took a deep breath and started to speak. “I am so sick of these fucking Italians disrupting my business and my men's homes. I am tired of our women being harassed. Tommasso is too much of a coward to have a fair fight.” Zeus chuckled a bit and I looked over at him. “Have you seen him? Jay? Look at him...” He walked over to Jay and patted him on the arm, “He is freaking huge. Sunshine calls him Hulk” Now the others were laughing. I chuckled a bit too, under my breath. “Well, I am not afraid of him,” I said shrugging making the laughter grow. I hushed them and shook my head. “Are we ready?” I was looking mostly at Jay, who nodded and started to walk in the direction of Tommasso. I stopped him, shook his hand pulling him in for a hug. “Be safe brother” I said quietly, he nodded and turned continuing to walk away. I looked back at Ken and told him to watch the other men. “If they breathe in the direction of my brother, we move in.” Ken looked up at me and shook his head in agreement.

We all waited patiently for Jay to begin speaking. We all stood silently. I watched Ken closely waiting for him to signal us to go. Nothing was happening and I was getting impatient. After several minutes I heard a noise in the comm. “Hello Tommasso, I am Jay.” Tommasso cursed in Italian. I looked at my phone and noticed the GPS had been turned off in the new car. She found it. What is she thinking? I walked around from the crowd of men and called her phone. No answer. “What the fuck is she doing?” I said out loud, gaining the attention of Zeus. “Boss, I think Tommasso is trying to get out of this.” He shook his head, “I told you he would be scared.” He laughed. I realized I wasn't even really listening to the conversation in my ear. Ken yelled that some of the men were moving towards the road. “He is stalling.” I said jogging towards the group. “It's time to move.” We all started stealthily walking towards Jay’s location. Every branch breaking and leaf crumpling makes me nervous. I told everyone quietly to be slow and be as silent as possible. I didn't want something to spook Tommasso making him do something we will all regret. I took a deep breath and continued to move. When we got to the border of the open land, I could see Jay standing there. Ken signaled the direction the men were coming from, and I told everyone to be ready. “I don't need to fight. I need calm. I need blood for my blood.” Jay told him it wasn't going to fucking happen and stepped closer to him, challenging him. I wondered if he would step back or stand his ground. I watched as his eyes traveled around Jay. He was definitely waiting for his men to show. I walked out.

“I knew. I knew big King brother wouldn't let his man come alone.” Tommasso said suddenly pulling a gun and pointing directly at me. He laughed. “I will kill the king, and this will all be over.” Jay stepped in front of the gun, but I told him not to. I walked closer. I could feel the burning of the last time I was shot. The gun looked heavy in his hand. Tommasso wasn't a big man, or a strong one. These peak crew fucks truly seem to lead with weapons. That is not something that I have ever wanted for my men. This calls for it though. We train physically. Weapons are messy. Don't get me wrong we had an arsenal, and dabbled in trade and sale, but I never wanted us to have to carry all the time. I felt the hair rise on the back of my neck. I refused to let him hear or see my fear. I took more steps towards him and the barrel of his gun. “I know you have an army in those trees. I have one of my own in the ones behind me.” I pointed all around the trees behind Jay and me. The man’s eyes got wide, and fear flashed in them. He must know I have more men than he does. He isn't a stupid man. “We don't need to go that far. I kill you and everyone else get home for a snack before bed.” Jay stepped in front of the weapon again, not listening when I told him not to. “You are a little bitch, Tom, standing there with that gun. Why don't you fight the King? Like a man would?” It had been some time since I trained. I don't know what Jay was thinking. For whatever reason Tommasso was thinking about what he said. I looked behind him to see his men slowly walking out of the woods. I heard Zeus in my ear ordering our men to do the same. They had created a ring for this fight. This fight I wasn't sure I could handle. Tommasso turned, suddenly reaching his weapon to a man who had walked up behind him. He started to strip off his shirt and jewelry. So, I did the same. “You can win boss, He is weak, and scared. He can't show it in front of his men, but he knows this is a mistake.” I nodded before turning back into the large circle of men. I walked up to him quickly. Before he could start running his mouth again, I drew back my arm punching him directly in the mouth. Everyone on my side cheered. A horn blew, and my heart stopped.