Chapter 20: Hits and Misses

History: After the Seven Continents gained immense power, they required that everything be documented. From financial records to family history, all gangs must have documentation. Certain people within the gangs were hired to keep records of gangs when bosses refused to do as such. Some were family members. Some were assistants who were granted freedom if they did so. The Seven Continents didn’t care where the documentation was, so long as they were shown proof.

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James felt something snap in him when he watched her press into Dexter. And the way Dexter savored every part of her, pushed his anger through the roof. She thanked him again and stopped next to James, keeping her eyes forward.

“The next time you rat me out to her like you did this time, and I will personally find your house and burn it. Your office is still up for debate,” she murmured to him. “And when this is over, don’t be surprised if we are in an all-out war,” she said.

His eyes looked to her cold ones, just like the night when she pushed him away. She tugged on Rory’s sleeve and the two left James and Tommy to deal with Dexter.

James walked up to Dexter as he was still relishing in the kiss, “She really is something isn’t she-” Dexter chuckled, until James’ fist connected to his jaw. Dexter hit the ground with a heavy thud and Joel drew his gun, but was disarmed by Tommy and held in the same arm lock Rory had him in earlier.

“You trying to fight me, Brooks?” Dexter cracked. James grabbed him by the collar and gave him another hard punch to the jaw. And then another until Dexter was spitting blood.

“We had a deal.” James’ eyes were grim and his tone hot. “Hunt down and destroy the product. Nothing more.” he put another fist to Dexter’s eye this time. He then let go of him as men began arriving. Dexter pushed himself up and dusted his clothes off.

“We had a deal, but my loyalty belongs to Miss Wells in the end. If she wants Miss Eve taken by force, then she’s taken by force.

“I don’t give a damn what she wants. We specifically had a deal that they would not be harmed.”

“You’re asking a lot from a gang boss, mate. Who knows, next time I might kidnap her for fun. I enjoy her company. Wouldn’t mind enjoying parts of it every night.” he provoked. James threw another punch and could hear guns loading behind him but he ignored them. He got down on one knee so that he was eye level with Dexter on the ground.

“If she goes missing, and you touch her, then I’m wiping you out. No documents, no permission from the seven. You and your men will cease to exist in a hellish fire,” his voice was low. Dexter slowly nodded and the boys left.

“And I’m taking one of your fucking cars. It will be returned tomorrow,” James shouted.

***

“That was pretty heartless of you, Penny,” said Rory, relaxing in his seat. Penelope ignored him, flipping through the books as though they were treasures she had stolen. “What are those books anyway,” he asked, taking one off her lap.

“Dexter’s library,” Penelope answered. Rory read Bartholomew Wright on the spine and felt his stomach drop.

“This… Where did he get this?” Rory shivered.

“I’m not sure. He said he didn’t use the library often so it has to be his father’s collection. Our names are left out of it.”

Rory breathed a sigh of relief and flipped through it, “Thank God, but we still need to burn it.”

“And we will. But not until I’m done reading it along with the others.”

“Who else do you have?”

“Brooks and Wells. These books have detailed locations of their operations and shipping routes. What’s odd is that many contain a few recipes that don’t seem like something they would write down publicly.”

“Jesus Penny, do you realize you have a gold mine,” Rory’s eyes opened wide.

“Never say I’m not an opportunist brother,” she made a sly smile. The two laughed together and even Marlene giggled.

“Come to think of it, how much he charge you for these?”

“Not much, just a kiss and a chance to piss off James.”

“You truly are evil,” he shook his head in amusement.

“Yeah. That’s one word for it,” Penelope’s smile faded.

***

Rory said his goodbyes and hugged his sister tight, happy that she was safe. When he left, Marlene did the same and broke down when she did. Penelope comforted her and sat down on the couch while Marlene cooked dinner. She continued reading the book on Emma Wells and slowly began piecing how she wanted to tear her enemy apart. A smile played on her lips when she thought back to James’ expression from earlier. And just as quickly as her smile appeared, it soon faded when she thought of the pain in his eyes. “I didn’t go too far. Just enough,” she tried to convince herself. But all she wanted to do was ask him why.

Over at the Brooks home, James was sitting at a desk with his head in hands. He hadn’t moved since he left and told Tommy to pour him Brandy and nothing else. Tommy later made dinner but he refused to eat and just smoked. He kept thinking about the pain in her expression. He felt that shift again after he thought he fixed something between them. It didn’t feel like a game anymore, just a collapsing floor that continued to let him fall. After his third glass, Tommy spoke up as he refilled his drink.

“You know sir, it’s not the end of the world if the woman you like doesn’t like you back. It’s certainly not worth damaging your liver,” he said.

“I don’t even know what this is Thomas. It feels like I’m going through heartbreak with a woman I never had. She wants to be so fucking difficult and yet I love every moment I’m with her. And out of anger, I gave her private thoughts to someone else. I think at this point I just want to be alone,” his shoulders slumped.

“That would be best, sir. Should I call Miss Wells and tell her you’re breaking off the relationship. Seriously, I don’t mind,” Tommy was already reaching for the phone.

“No. I’ll be seeing her in person. But first, I have to do something a little drastic.”

“Like what?”

“I have to balance the game with Penelope.”