Ramon looked curiously at the Saints Leader. "So you speak how many languages?" Ramon prodded when they stopped at a light.
She coughed. "A few. Let's leave it at that."
" Bueno Jefa, bueno ."
"Thanks for taking me to get looked at, and not pushing what happened unlike other bull headed peoples. I'm not really ready to talk about it."
"How's the hand now? Good thing there was nothing broken. You gonna be alright like that?"
"Yeah, I'm right handed. It will heal."
Riding along a familiar song came on the radio as they rode, Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz - Lost Boyz, Li looked to see if it was cool to touch the volume, getting the nod, turned it up, she sang along, Ramon smiled knowing the song and sang along.
~Purgatory.~
The music was good tonight as they just pulled up to Purgatory. Ramon parked after letting Li out. She didn't want to go home just yet, and figured she had a few clothes to change into as she moved from her small apartment.
Li went right to the bedroom to change, there sprawled on her bed, two bodies going at it, she didn't know what to say, her mouth to the floor, wide eyed she saw the dragon tattoo scrawled along his shoulders and along his neck when he sat up, 'Oh shit!' Her mind screamed. She turned quickly, pulling the door behind her quickly.
Was she trippin' or was Gat fucking somebody who wasn't Aisha? 'No... shit…' Her back pressed against the door. She tried to shake the image. "No, you didn't see that. Call Ish…"
She fiddled for her phone but couldn't get it out of her left front pocket. She went to go down to her office and saw Ren sitting with Carlos when she peeked over the balcony. Hurrying down the stairs, she noticed everyone seemed quiet. It was mildly depressing.
"Ren?" Li's eyes closed as she tried to not run back and kill him.
"Oh Boss, Hi, you alright?" She was sitting next to Carlos, who looked up in greeting.
Both stood looking her over. Her face said it all. Something ain't right.
"Boss, you aight?" Pierce came over.
Li forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm great. Where's Noel?" She dragged out voice was hard.
Ren nodded. "She went up to talk to Gat."
Li closed her eyes and breathed out heavily, her anger deflated. Chuckling, she patted the girl on her shoulder, nodding. "Ramon will be in soon." Pointing to Carlos.
Turning, she went to the bar. She now needed a drink. "Who the hell keeps turning the music down?!" Li cranked up the music another dance song was playing. Reaching around, she looked for something to focus her mind. Gat was almost a dead man.
Changing her mind from the drink danced from behind the bar over to Pierce, taking his hand. "You remember this one?"
Crush on You - Lil Kim playing over the new sound system that was installed. She poked at Pierce, prompting him to sing.
"Yo, I be buyin' 'em V's, so all my girls be eyein' Cease Comin' backstage, dyin' to get pleased you got me, I rock thee, Versace and linen while you stop your grinnin' wit' bunch of foxy women."
The others grooved along, Li popped her arm on Pierce's shoulder, dancing with him.
"Ayo shorty, won't you go get a bag of the lethal I'll be undressed in the bra all see through. Why you count your jewels thinkin' I'ma cheat you? The only one thing I wanna do is freak you. Keep your stone sets, I got my own baguettes and I'll be doin' things that you won't regret. Lil Kim, the Queen Bee, so you best take heed. Shall I proceed?"
The room was on their feet dancing, nodding, singing along, as their leader and lieutenant performed for them.
Slowly forgetting about the incident from earlier. Soon, the couches and chairs were moved to make room for a dance floor.
The lights turned down low, music bumping, and bodies pressed together. Some new song came on. The beat was hot, Salt Shaker - Ying Yang Twins Featuring Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz. They made a circle of people around Pierce and Li who did routines to some songs.
~
Gat emerged from the room after a while, leaving Aisha resting. Seeing Li dancing with Pierce and several others from the crew... No, what he saw, Li grinding on Pierce.
Li felt it, someone watching her. She turned and looked around, seeing Gat standing there watching her near her office slowly turned her back to him. She raised her bandaged wrist above her head, Gat squinting, already frowned; he walked down to the first landing. He watched as she looked over, making sure he saw her turn once again to the rhythm of the song, look over her shoulder coyly, flipping him the bird as she rolled her hips.
"Fucking show off." Gat broke out into a smile as he watched her. As she turned her head, he rolled his eyes, so she caught them. He snorted, going to grab a bottle of water. Gat watched them all dance as he grabbed two others, tossing one to Kyouki as she approached. "So, are we gonna talk or you wanna keep fighting?" Johnny asked over the music.
Drinking a bit after she opened the bottle looked him in the eye and shrugged. He nodded and headed back to where he came, with Li right behind him.
Opening the door, Aisha was sound asleep. Placing the water on the night table, he saw Li in the doorway across from him, watching from the corner of her eye. Li shifted her weight, heading the way up and out of Purgatory. He watched her purposefully slow her pace, stopping every so often to drink a little water. Just as he would get close enough to pass her, she'd take two stairs at a time.
Once outside, she nodded in greeting to the guards, then headed to the garage. Gat following as he made sure if she was leading him to a place they could talk, possibly.
The keys dangled in her left front pocket. She turned a hip to him; he reached down, taking the key opening the door. Li took a drink. She stood in his way when he went to go past her. It wasn't until she finished her bottle did she then move into the building.
He closed the door behind them. She spoke, "The day you decided on what you wanted to do, you did it."
Gat looked confused, she pulled the car cover the Venom sat underneath. She stopped pulling the back. He hadn't seen it in years. She was still beautiful.
Li opened the door and sat behind the wheel. "You kissed me and handed me the keys. Knowing I was dating Troy." She ran her hand over the steering wheel. "I'll ask you again, what is the matter with you? Why do you make comments about us being together, Aisha is your..."
"Pussy. I'm with her because I couldn't save you."
Li paused. Her beast was rising again. That's not the first time he has said this. Getting out of the car, she closed the door, her hands tingling. "Sorry, could you say that again?"
Gat opened his mouth and Li slapped him hard, her face unreadable. Gat threw the water bottle in his hand aside, picking the woman up, callously slamming her on the hood of the Venom, pinning her under him.
She gasped for air. Pain shot through her shoulder, and he was heavy. He had her legs positioned so she couldn't push him off her. Glared at him, going to wipe that irritatingly smug look off his face tonight. She balled her fist. He could have insulted almost anyone else, her even. He insulted the wrong person.
Gat caught her by her elbows after her first swing. Squeezing, she laughed. He had tickled her, but she didn't stop trying to fight him off. They slid from the hood of the car, falling to the cement floor as he protected her head from hitting on the way down. He laid there on top of her, shifting to hold her arms down.
Nose to nose, Gat knew her tricks to escape. Not giving her an inch to move from under him. He growled. "Stay down." Holding her wrists in one hand, he propped himself on his elbow. Angry honey eyes glared at him with fire as he forced her to lie beneath him. He wasn't backing down either. Johnny knew why she was so angry. "Troy never deserved you."
"And you did?" she tilted her head as best she could.
Licking his lips, he be damned if this brief spat didn't spark something. "Yes."
Scoffing, she smiled. "You killed 300 something people for me too?" Kyouki wiggled to move, but firmly placed his body atop hers. She was stuck.
Gat could smell her lilacs and peaches. "Yes, 387." He was getting hard again. He wondered if she could feel it too?
Her eyebrow rose slightly. "Bit obsessive?" He was heavy, and she felt like a trapped animal. Kyouki wasn't kidding about Gat and his powerhouse punches. He was just holding her in position and it was no effort for him. God knew how much he irritated her so.
"No." Shaking his head as he shrugged.
"All to get to Troy?" She frowned, what she saw a while ago, and their current position made her tingle.
He was looking at the position they were in, if he just moved. She felt warm. Hearing a gasp escape her, Gat knew she was biting her tongue. He smirked. "I'll do it again." Backing up to sit on his heels, he let her go, his hands defensively held up. Gat's body was awake against hers. Somewhat glad it was just enough light in the garage that she wouldn't notice the bulge in his pants.
Li sat up, scooting back, never taking her eyes off him, and tilted her head. Through narrowed eyes, she was at a loss for words.
Gat seized the opportunity. He will play this game, and only with her. "You're rich?" His back was to her. He went to pick up the empty water bottle.
Took her a minute to hear him through her wild thoughts. "My family yes." She looked away, rubbing her neck.
"You're Obachan, not your biological grandmother?"
"Yeah..."
"You speak more than what you did today."
"No. I'm sor-." Li caught herself close to apologizing.
Johnny quickly continued with his questions. He didn't need her apologizing. "Your name is?"
Clearing her throat. "Kyouki Irissa James."
"Irissa. That's cute." Gat nodded, Li shrugged. Gat rubbed his chin, thinking if there was anything else he should ask.
Seeing his car once again, he went to get into her. The only woman who listened to him adjusted the seat, hopped out, pulling the tarp off to unblock the muffler, sliding back in the driver's seat, turned her key and nothing. He tried again.
Li stood brushing her behind, flicking her shirt free from the dirt, her body hurt, running her hand up the hood of the car, leaned on the door seeing his confusion, made sure he was looking her in the eye, "She won't start because you want her to. You'd have to wait for her to get parts first… Then you might not like her after. Also, if you won't listen to what I tell you. Who is really running the Saints then?" Li turned from him, leaving him sitting where he was without another word.
Sitting there, he watched as she left. "The fuck she talking about?" Crossing his arms, he thought awhile about what she said before getting up and locking up the garage. Ish needed a round two.
~*S.P.D*~
Troy had been trying to get more information about Kyouki. Li was a nickname he was sure, and he had no leads other than her family names of Wong and James. The thought hit him. He hurried to the files department.
"Hey Chief, what brings you down?"
Troy made sure he had who he needed. There could have been something he had missed. "I need the files on Lin Fan, William Sharpe, and Joseph Price."
"You need that now?" asked the department clerk.
"Nah, tomorrow on my desk by Monday."
With a sure nod, the clerk had jotted down the names. "I'll get that to you soon as I can."
"Thanks."
~*Purgatory.*~
Kyouki was heading out for the day when she caught Shaundi leaving out as well. "Shaundi, quick question? Do we have people over in Stil U?"
Shaundi shrugged. "Yeah, no. Maybe?" She had sent people, she was waiting for news back from her informants. "You found something?"
"I think I figured the 'how' we are going to do something about them." Kyouki waved, leaving her orders for the young woman to tackle. "Let me know soon, thanks."
~*T. Browns Nutty Coffee, Stil. University.*~
It had been two months since Kyouki started "working" as a substitute Professor in the Advanced French course when the previous Professor took ill. Slipping in, it was a piece of cake. Shaundi had given Ky a rundown of the Professors there at the University. One caught Kyouki's eye as she was leaving the Dean's office, who was another former Saint.
The better part of her students were Saints members. Feeding her information as they were trying to get a definite lock on who was distributing around the campus. Shaundi called in a few times, checking on how she was. Ky said that one of the other Professors had been cuddling up to her, and she was about to go on a date with the man for more information.
"Boss, you seriously going to sleep with people?"
"Unlike you, Cause Mr. Washington told me, I don't. I've other means. I need to go… Here he comes."
Professor Donovan Calahan was the other language teacher teaching the transfer students English, handsome, a few years older by the slight grey at his temples, but young enough to have dealings with the Samedi to have probable leads. He had taken an interest in her when he noticed her sitting in the same spot in the cafe he frequented himself one morning before classes started.
"Good Morning Ms. James." He nodded.
Kyouki smiled, looking up from her phone, adjusting her glasses. "Mr. Calahan, Good Morning. Join me?" She gestured to the open chair across from her.
He kindly took the seat as she removed her glasses, laying them on the small circular table between them. "I just got off the phone with my girlfriend, jokingly said I'd ask you out for drinks this weekend." Kyouki kept the soft smile, resting her chin on the back of her hand. "What do you say?"
Blushing slightly, he smiled kindly. "I would like that. Where would be good for you?"
Feigning a thoughtful look. "How about Pussies 7:30pm this Friday or Saturday?"
"Friday will be fine, and here I was about to ask you." He smiled
Kyouki chuckled, nodding. "How sweet. See you this Friday, Professor." She politely excused herself. Her tight black pencil skirt needed straightening before she headed out of the building. He and a few others watching her walk out.
~*~
Kyouki needed some backup just in case shooting a text out to her 'bodyguard'. She scheduled an appointment for two at the salon during her lunch break.
> Johnny, meet me at Pussies @7 on Fri. Dress like you have money.
~*Shear Intensity, Glenview Hill aka Nob Hill.*~
Giving Aisha a last second call was dragging the woman with her. They hadn't had a day at the salon in ages, and then it was Aisha's treat. Now it wasn't for fun, but for work. Kyouki's reason for doing this she didn't want anyone else going to work undercover. She learned her lesson with that. Tamping down the invasive thoughts, Kyouki and Aisha were going to enjoy a work related day to themselves. Kyouki had decided that she alone could not take the time to tackle her hair. She considered cutting it, but she could hear her family now.
"So what are you thinking, hun?" asked the stylist.
Ky looked herself over in the mirror. "Straighten? Yeah."
"You wanna cut too?" the lady asked as she felt the texture and checked Ky's ends.
"No, well… Can you not chop it off, something not noticeable?"
"Yeah, we can do that."
~*August of 97'*~
When Li returned early from her scheduled trip, they suggested she stop dressing as a tomboy, mostly by her doting uncle, and improve her attire. She agreed, as she was to represent the family now. Also, per the wish of her uncle.
Li came back with credit cards and cash in hand, deciding that she could do a little better with her appearance as it was her late birthday gift. She headed to the salon and got a full makeover. Kyouki had her hair done, manicure/pedicure, and minimal makeup. She felt good.
Then she took herself shopping, she bought herself, and wore a black miniskirt, she had her eyes on–showing off her lovely well toned legs; she purchased a black pair of ankle strap heels, along with a white long-sleeved dress shirt and argyle purple and black V-neck sweater vest.
Li brought a ton of clothes, fruit scented body oils, shoes, jewelry and other accessories to match, and feeling right proud of herself she headed to her home near the church and unloaded her items, walking over to the HQ she nodded to several as she passed, one coming to find her as Johnny had been looking for her.
"You needed me Gat?" She stood in the doorway to his office, covered in posters of a scantily clad Aisha and other females. He was sitting with his feet on the desk, polishing and cleaning his guns and knives.
When he looked up, he was at a loss for words. When he laid eyes on her, she was breathtaking. She wasn't the one to go around dressed up, but she wasn't wearing her baggy clothing either. He's a tit and ass man, but now Johnny didn't think that many curves lived on the human body. And other than Aisha's tight body and that body for all to see posted all over his walls. He had nothing intelligible to say.
~*S.R.1*~
~*Purgatory*~
They came back to the underground hideout. Kyouki had two outfits ready for herself and Aisha. Kyouki's hair was immaculate; silk press, she wore a mid ponytail with a slight curl at the end. French tipped nails with tiny gems along the line of color sparkled. She donned a halter open back nude metallic mini dress that stopped so short, if she bent over, everyone would know what color underwear she wore. Silver open-toed heels, silver hoops and silver anklet completed the look.
When Aisha watched her dress, she questioned just how her breasts did not fall out staying in place.
"Double stick tape, and magic." Li gestured as Aisha burst out laughing.
"All of this is for?" Ish helped her pick out a coat. It was getting chilly out now that it was near Thanksgiving.
"Information, thank you for going with me, I'm sure you and Johnny need a new place to play." Li teased as they grabbed their coats, clutch, her keys in hand, they headed out of Purgatory, she needed to get her black work car.
Aisha laughed. "I said I was sorry. It was one time!"
"I do not care. You aren't living this down. One time too many In My Bed, ya nasty!" Mock anger she snorted when they came walking into the garage. "Hey, Lugnut and Wrench, car please. Oh, hey Ren."
Li spotted Ren, near Carlos, and held her hand out as she took the keys from Ramon. "Thank you, sir."
"You look good, Jefa, Noel. Ya'll going on a date?"
"Work related." She dropped the coat, tossing it in the back, and turned around posing. Ramon and the other whistled.
"Don't hurt em too much." Ren called, swatting Carlos's shoulder for staring.
~
Throwing up the peace sign, she pulled off. "How long have they been seeing each other?"
Aisha went to question who, but when Aisha always brought Ren out with her when she came to Purgatory, she hung out with the brothers. "A month."
"That's adorable. Thinking of training Ren, I remember how she would hold the sword. She asked me, but I haven't had time. How's her studies?"
"Better, but she is having trouble with the math."
Ky said. "Yeah… that's uncommon."
Aisha looked over and rolled her eyes. "Did you just…"
Kyouki shrugged. "I'm just saying, I'm decent at math. First of the many things taught, gotta count the money and all on the fly."
"You are a trip."
"Having fun?"
"Always."
"Good, it will just keep getting better." They laughed. Li went over the plan she had to get her man to give her the information she needed.