CHAPTER 145 Disappointment

*Cristos*

Xavier led us through the warehouse to an empty office space that had a small sofa, a desk and an office chair inside. He motioned for us to take a seat on the sofa while he sat down on the edge of the desk with his arms crossed in front of his chest, glaring at each one of us.

"I want to hear it... all of it," Xavier said. Joy and Kiki opened their mouths and both spoke at once. I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead, feigning a headache, as I listened to the two girls tell Xavier their version of what happened at the gas station.

Xavier scratched his head then raised his hands to stop them. "One at a time, you two," Xavier shouted, then pointed at his sister. "Kiki, I want you to start. You said you needed to put up a VSAT system. You brought one with you?!"

"Yes, I did and I know what you're thinking... Why in the world would I need to bring something like that, right? You see, dear brother, I haven't been completely honest with all of you," Kiki said in a small voice. Joy and I turned to face her, wondering what she hid from us. She sighed, scunching her face in shame.

"Last night, when I told Primo I was the one who cracked the code, I lied. I didn't necessarily break the code all on my own. I had help from Dina," she admitted, placing a finger in between her teeth like a little girl caught with her hand in a cookie jar. Xavier ran his hands through his hair, his frustration apparent. Then he shook his head while looking up at the ceiling, as if he was asking God, 'Why me?'. "I'm sorry, X, but I really wanted to come here and Dina needed a portable VSAT system. So I promised to bring her one, if she told Primo I broke the code on my own."

This was just great. I was played by two of my own. Not only was I careless, I was clueless as well. I made a mental note to scold Dina for going behind my back.

"Cristos will decide your punishment, Kiki, since you work for him," Xavier said, looking at his sister sternly. "If you worked under me, I'd send you packing. I hope Cristos will take my suggestion into consideration." Kiki's worried half-smile instantly turned into frown.

However, her eyes suddenly lit up. I grimaced, wondering what bright idea popped into her head.

Kiki, I knew, didn't want to go back home. Whatever was going through that clever brain of hers, it was likely she had thought of something that would make her indispensable to the group. She was both cunning and scheming.

And I wasn't wrong.

"Before you guys get any ideas and send me home, may I remind you Joy, a.k.a. Virtue, already told Liam she was on her way to pick me up. So it'll look really bad if I don't show up with her, yes?" She asked, a sly smile playing on her lips.

Xavier glared at his sister, clenching his jaw, obviously restraining himself from strangling her.

But Kiki had a point. She had to stay.

This was my first time to see this side of Kiki. She was a manipulative woman. No wonder Xavier didn't want her under him. She was a handful.

Unfortunately, we had no choice. Xavier reluctantly nodded his head in agreement. Kiki's lips curved into a big, bright smile until she saw my pursed lips and my narrowed eyes. Her happy expression faded, quickly replaced by nervousness.

"Where was I again? Oh yeah, back to my story," Kiki said, coughing to hide her distress. "Uhm, when we lost cell service, I decided to assemble the VSAT system so we can get in contact with you and so I can continue my satellite tracking. I know we were only supposed to survey the area, including the gasoline station, but I wasn't aware that dump was a front. X, if there's someone you should be mad at, it's me. I was the one who told Primo to stop there. I was also the one who instructed Joy to enter the convenience store and scout the premises... while I put up the satellite dish. If it's any consolation, I checked before Joy entered the store. I only saw an elderly person inside. None of us suspected there were people living underneath the convenience store."

"Hold on a sec," Xavier said. "You didn't hoof it to the gasoline station?" Kiki smiled sheepishly at her brother before hitting her forehead with her knuckle.

"I forgot, X," Kiki admitted. "It's been a while since I've been in the field. Fuck! I should have done recon on foot."

"And did you check the back?" Xavier asked her calmly.

"No, I was busy-"

"Enough! Your first day here and you're already a huge disappointment," Xavier told his sister, cutting her off. "Capo Bastone Cristos Primo, did you happen to check the back? Did you even bother to check the entire perimeter? Don't tell me you didn't do your homework."

"Xavier, that was why we were driving through the area," Joy reasoned. "Kiki was making a recording of satellite imagery as we drove. The satellite images we obtained prior to Kiki's arrival were obscured."

"I'm sorry... Are you Capo Bastone Cristos Primo?" Xavier asked, eyeing Joy with contempt, his voice dangerously low. She shook her head. "That's right, you aren't an Underboss. You're a soldier. So why don't you keep your mouth shut, soldier, and let the Underbosses do the talking."

"Xavier!" Kiki exclaimed loudly. She only used Xavier's name when she was trying to stress a point. "Show some respect! Joy killed two men and wounded one other all on her own!"

"Oh yeah, she did? And who put her in that situation in the first place? Hmmm?" he asked, looking straight at me. "That's right, Cristos, you did... by listening to my two bit sister. You're the Underboss, the leader, therefore you should get all the blame," Xavier pointed out, standing up from the desk. He began to pace back and forth in front of us. "Remember what I said this morning about you being as reckless as Sebastian? This proves me right. You were only supposed to pick up Kiki and come back. But no, you had to go and make up your own plans. And you know what irks me the most? You... deciding to tell me last minute." He threw his arms up in the air, utterly frustrated. "Cristos, this was why I wanted satellite images and information before heading over there. What were you thinking?!" Xavier yelled at me.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking," I said quietly, feeling small. I bowed my head low, placing my hands on the top of my head, wanting everything to just go away. But the damage had already been done.

Tears began to fill my eyes as I remembered how terrified I was... thinking Joy had died.

"While I was ramming myself against the door, I actually thought Joy was dead. It scared me so much I literally thought my heart was going to stop." I quickly wiped my tears, embarrassed I was showing emotion. "Shit just got real, Xavier. I don't know if I can go through something like that again."

"What do you mean *you don't know if you can go through something like that again*?" Xavier asked.

"I mean I can't do this any more," I answered, finally making the difficult decision to leave. "I'm heading back to California. You can use my men at your disposal, Xavier." I took Joy's hands in mine. "I hope you get your revenge, Joy, I really do. I love you so much, but I can't do this anymore."

Joy raised her beautiful blue eyes and stared into mine, searching for the truth...

While I only saw disappointment in hers.

"It was just one minor setback, Cristos," Joy reasoned, hoping I'd see it her way. "Mistakes happen. Look at me, Cristos... I'm fine. I did what you trained me to do. I didn't hesitate... and my acting has become convincing." Joy placed her hand on my cheek. "Look how far we've come. Don't back out now. I still need you."

"But I just can't, Joy. I just can't bear the thought of you dying in my arms. Xavier's right. It was all my fault. I was complacent. I forgot the first rule... Stay vigilant at all times," I said. "I'm so sorry, love, b-but I've made up my mind. I'm going back home. I can't make another stupid mistake."

"Xavier, help me," Joy urged, hoping he could convince me otherwise.

But Xavier just stood there, caught off-guard at my sudden decision. Kiki had to stand up and punch him on the arm to get him to speak.

"A Blood Disciple never runs from a fight, Capo Bastone," Xavier reminded me when he finally spoke. "And if mistakes have been made, we need to accept them, learn from them. It makes us better men. I may have been too harsh on you, but we can't afford another mistake."

"I'm not running from the fight. I-I j-just can't..." I tried to explain, but I couldn't find the right words to tell Joy I was frightened at the prospect of her dying because of me.

"You are running... period," Joy said, taking her hands out of my grasp and standing up. She was angry with me. "Xavier, Kiki and I need a ride back to New Salem after we've had a snack. We have a dinner date with Liam at five-thirty and Liam is rarely late."

And without even a glance, Joy gestured to Kiki to follow her out of the room.

Joy opened the door, but suddenly stopped. Without even looking at me, she spoke.

"Cristos, when you get to California and you happen to see my parents, please tell them I'm busy with work in New York and I miss them," Joy said gruffly and walked out.

"Primo, am I allowed to stay?" Kiki asked, hesitating to follow Joy. She knew she was in big trouble.

"Shadow her," I said. "Wherever she goes, you go. Got it?"

"Yes, Primo," Kiki replied gleefully. She bowed and quickly left the room.

I stood up extending my hand to Xavier. He took it and we shook hands.

"Good luck, Xavier. Give me a call if you need something from Los Angeles," I said, pulling my hand from his grasp, but he wouldn't let go.

"I'll allow you to leave, but under one condition," he said. "You need to tell Sebastian you're leaving. That shouldn't come from me." He released my hand and patted me on the shoulder. "You're the second disappointment of the day. And it's not because of what happened at the gas station. You guys did good under the circumstances. I just wanted to scream at my sister."

"How long have you been sitting there?" Sebastian suddenly asked me, interrupting my thoughts. I didn't even notice him move. He was seated upright, with a concerned expression on his face.

"Too long," I answered.

"How long have I been asleep?" He asked.

"Twelve hours, give or take."

"Well, you look like shit and I'm hungry. Get me some grub and let's talk."