Episode Thirty-Five

"Go in or escape reality?"

Shane faced the corridor leading to the bedroom; listened to the enraged hissing coming from that direction, imagining the look on his mom's face as she and Tony's mom faced the contents of the closet. At least one automatic weapon, a katana courtesy of the yakuza, and several pistols were stashed in there.

"Escape reality," he answered Tony promptly.

Tony blew out a relieved breath as they both turned away and escaped to the backyard. "Just so you know," he said to Jared the moment they were outside and stopped by the grill where Caleb, Damien, Jared, and Ryuu were posted, "blaming it all on you."

"Excuse me?"

"It's all your fault. You brought this here. It's your responsibility to talk to Miss D and my mom about it."

"What the bloody hell are you talking about?"

Billy leaned into view from the corner of the house, closest to the patio where he'd posted to smoke and basically become a wallflower. Mai was with him and also peaked around to see what was going on.

"It's also your fault the yakuza are our friends," Tony went on with a quick look at Ryuu while Shane was edging away from the door to hide behind Damien. "And not just any yakuza. They might as well be called the freaking Royal Yakuza! Oh hey, and one of the Big Boss's, right here, just chilling sharing beer. Also on you."

"Tony!" snapped Damien. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Who brought this?!"

All those in the back yard turned towards the house to find Daisy and Lauretta standing in the doorway. Daisy held the automatic rifle in her hands, and she looked livid. "Which one of you brought this into our sons' home?!"

Two things happened at once. Jared rushed over to snatch away the weapon from Daisy- she was not holding it correctly- and as he turned back to the yard, eyes scanning around to see who had actually noticed the weapon in her hands, he and everyone else saw Billy streaking across the lawn away from the house. Luckily Billy's retreat distracted most of those who didn't need to know.

"James!"

"Angry moms?" Billy shook his head and kept running; he didn't even try to go for the backdoor leading into the alley; just jumped and deftly cleared the fence to disappear. At least it was only a back alley and not someone else's yard. Not that the man probably would have cared about that.

Shane forgot about being scared of his mom and broke down laughing with Damien and Caleb.

"Damn he was fast!" Caleb exclaimed between laughter. "Did you see how fast he moved? And he jumped like a freaking deer!"

Ryuu thought Billy had a very good idea. In fact, it was the most sensible thing to do right now. Run away from angry moms. He wasn't allowed to get angry back, was he? A hand wrapped around his bicep and he turned to find Jared giving him a hard look. He understood that if he should leave Newton alone with this as Billy had he would not be walking away from this house in one piece.

He was a Boss, but even he knew he wasn't indestructible when it came to Newton. Jared could kill him if he really wanted. Besides, what kind of Boss would he make if he let a couple of little American ladies frighten him into running away? His grandfather would be appalled should he… on second thought Ryuu was almost certain his grandfather would have called Billy wise and taken off right after him, leaving his underlings to deal with it.

Caleb snickered. "Ah man, that was great. That guy gives zero fucks. You're right, Dame. He's definitely sticking around."

Jared focused on Daisy and Lauretta. They were staring at him accusingly. Which was understandable. But he was still uncertain how to handle this. "Erm… James did it."

Mai shook her head as she rejoined them. The guys continued to laugh while Ryuu glared at him. "That is not-"

"It's mine!"

Jared and Ryuu spun around to find Stella bustling up. Once she was standing between them, she grabbed the gun from Jared's hands. What was more shocking to Jared was the way she was holding it. Stella was holding that automatic weapon as if she had ample practice with it.

"I'm so sorry, Miss D! But I was told what was happening… guess I got scared. Let it get the best of me, so I brought this…"

"Holy fuck," Damien hissed to Caleb. "I'm giving her a million dollars. She's sticking around too."

"Mmhmm," Caleb agreed, not wanting to speak in case he missed anything. Stella was clearly lying and even though she was doing a good job of it, no one would buy it. Not now. Miss D wouldn't for sure.

"This is yours?" Lauretta asked in disbelief, eyeing the fresh faced young woman who looked as if she'd never seen a gun in her life.

Daisy crossed her arms over her chest, shaking her head. "Where did you get a gun like that, Stella?"

"Um… mail order?"

"You have to let Irish recruit her."

"There's a good explanation for this," Jared went on with a narrowed look at Ryuu. He took the gun back from Stella and moved forward, herding Lauretta and Daisy back into the house away from the backyard and everyone in it. He shot a really nasty look at Tony on the way since the man looked way too amused right now. "I would also like to point out the trouble you could get your sons into by not taking a moment to think about why the weapons were stashed away from sight in the first place. You know what else is going on."

"I don't want these things in our boys' house!" Daisy exclaimed.

"It's for their protection. And I'm not the one you should be yelling at. Tell it to Shrod." Daisy sucked in a breath and then she glared hard, giving him the same look she sometimes gave Shane when he'd crossed the line. Miraculously it was working on him too. "I take that back."

Toyama stepped in behind him. Pinned the ladies with a cold look. "Most of those are mine. They will be gone by morning."

Daisy was somewhat intimidated. Lauretta gave him the stink eye. Ryuu thought it was no wonder Tony had never seemed intimidated by him or by the knowledge of his standing in the organization. But Tony was also a man who firmly believed no one was above another. Except for maybe Shane. Tony put Shane on a fucking sky-high pedestal. The man adored his fiancé.

"Are you making my son do illegal things, Jared?"

"Only what it takes to keep him safe, Miss D. I swear. I love Shane and Tony too and whatever it takes to make sure they survive this, then I will see it done."

Ryuu studied the side of Newton's face, surprised. He knew more about Jared and Billy now, more about their backgrounds, and for the machine to come out like that so easily and without hesitation… but then, these people were his family, weren't they? Billy needed this.

Jared's declaration seemed to have a drastic impact on the two ladies before them. Their faces softened incredibly, they nodded, and then went around into the backyard without another word.

Ryuu balked. "That's all it fucking takes?!"

Jared met his eyes dead on. "Sometimes all it takes is honesty," he said while handing over the rifle to him. He pulled his phone before Ryuu could answer, having received a message. Then he went to the front door to open it. Ryuu saw Shrod walking up the pathway.

"Are you his fucking butler?"

"Aren't you your grandfather's?"

Ryuu made some sound, like he understood, and then they both focused on Shrod as he made it to them. Shrod was dressed in street clothes, the first Ryuu had ever seen from him. He stayed long enough to greet Shrod before taking off back to the party, sensing the two had private matters to discuss. He put the gun back in the closet before going outside.

Once outside he grabbed his beer and a fresh one before walking across the yard and leaning against the fence when he got to it. Right next to the door leading into the alley. The group in the yard weren't really that loud. In fact he could hear music blaring from some streets over. In the direction of the alley, a couple of dogs were barking. Pretty normal stuff. It wasn't normal for Billy. "It's settled now. Shrod showed up too."

"This is bollocks. It's like they want trouble. Let's all gather together in one place. Right. Really smart."

The words were hissed from directly in front of him, just on the other side of the fence.

"They are not the type to hide. They have lives to live still. Same reason why we don't hide, yes?"

"This is different."

"Lighten up, already," Ryuu ordered as he hung the fresh beer over the fence. Billy snatched it up and downed half of it.

"I did that and look what happened. Damien was almost killed."

"That was not your fault."

"How'd I miss his favorite fucking car, huh?"

"Maybe you were distracted," Ryuu muttered.

"Yeah, maybe so," Billy returned lowly and with an edge.

Ryuu's eyes narrowed, understanding this was going elsewhere. Somewhere he didn't want it to go. "You'll let a mistake keep you on your back, Irish? That how you fucking roll? Like a pussy?"

"Fuck off with that shite. Don't know fuck all about me."

"I know all I've seen you do since Shrod's attack is cry."

They were staring at each other through a slat of the fence. Billy wasn't wearing glasses now and Ryuu could see the warning clearly. "Should it be now? Come out into the alley. I'll kill you."

"That's going to be private."

Despite the fence, they were still close. So close Ryuu saw the effects of his softly spoken words reflected in those eyes. The instant understanding too. Ryuu didn't regret his words. This was a truth. This was the path they were going down whether Billy wanted it or not.

Not surprisingly Billy stepped away and Ryuu felt his blood pumping. He always got what he wanted. No matter how long it took. He never lost. "Running away again?"

Billy kept backing away. "I'm not here for fun. Gotta job to do."

"Fun is not the word I would use for this."

Billy had a temper on him. Ryuu figured that out long ago. He liked the Irish's temper, very much. Cause it was like a bomb and you were burned, but it didn't hurt. No, for Ryuu that bomb was pleasure. And when Billy lost his temper he was completely himself, he wasn't pretending. No walls whatsoever. Billy unknowingly put himself on display.

"Really do like the kitten," he went on flatly when Billy remained quietly defiant. "But I think you should rename him."

Billy paused, narrowed his eyes, knowing Ryuu was trying to get under his skin and doing a good job of it. "To what?"

"Pussy."

"FUCK! YOU! TOYAMA!"

Billy went off, cursing the yakuza in Japanese, having every single person in the yard pausing to look at the back fence to see what was going on. Billy's Irish accent sometimes jumbling up his words in such a way that even those who spoke Japanese couldn't understand what he was saying. But the meaning was clear either way.

Jared winced and then shifted, muttering, "fuck me," under his breath. When Damien, Tony, and Caleb looked at him in question, he shook his head. "Billy's coming after me next. Riku!" he called to the group consisting of he, Shane, their freshmen friends, and Red. "Go tell your cousin to back off right now."

"No fucking way. He's excited," Riku called back. "There's no way I'm fucking with him right now. He'll get mad."

"Jesus."

"He is excited," Mai reiterated quietly, her smile stretching from ear to ear as she studied her brother's back while he continued to stand there listening to Billy shouting at him and pretty much the whole damn world.

"Doesn't look like it," said Tony.

Damien nodded along. "He's not even moving."

"Still as a statue," Mai agreed. "Very excited."

The men then turned as one to look at Shrod, who had been standing only a few feet away. He looked startled upon this move, and then angry. "Why would I have the answer here? Do I look like an expert on this sort of… thing? I don't know Toyama well enough to know why him standing still as a statue indicates excitement. The Japanese are strange sometimes!"

Beside him, Mai giggled. For a split second Shrod colored, looking mortified. "Sorry, Mai. Didn't mean anything bad by that."

Mai knew that, which is why she laughed again and hugged him.

Damien laughed at his dad. "Yeah, you're right, Daddy. You wouldn't know sexual tension if it hit you in the face. Which it is. All the time. Right now too."

And of course this had Shrod glaring daggers at his son, who was entirely unbothered. His dad then moved away some to speak with Jerry and the other grown-ups. Damien then began rubbing his hands. Miss D was here. She was not leaving until he'd poured confidence into her. "Where's Sheera? I need her."

Shane appeared back on the patio, looking slightly ticked off. Held up his phone. "She's just pulled up with Jake. They brought more chairs and a fold out table," he announced, glaring at Shrod the entire time, and then disappearing inside to go help with the furniture.

Damien leaned against his lover, whispering, "get Daddy plastered tonight please."

Jared took a moment to contemplate this. Immediately he knew Damien's motives but it was wise to weigh the pros and cons of involving himself in this particular scheme considering it involved Shrod and Miss D. Aside from that though, he had his own bone to pick with Shrod and he did want the man honest and relaxed when he confronted him. And it's not like he hadn't purposely gotten Shrod drunk before either. He knew exactly how to do it.

"It's done."

Damien smiled that smile and planted a sloppy wet one on him before stiffly dashing into the house after Shane.

"Dude, seriously. Stop catering to his crazy plans," Caleb implored with a shake of his head.

All Jared did was hand him a credit card. "Liquor store. You know what Shrod likes."

Caleb took the card as he stood, still shaking his head. "This isn't ending well."

"Take Ryuu and Billy with you."

Caleb froze just at the backdoor and then slowly turned to pierce Jared with an incredulous look. No one was surprised by this and no one blamed him either. "Are you fucking insane? You want me to put those two in the close confines of my Jeep right now?!"

"Yes!" Mai squealed.

Tony threw a sharp loud whistle. Billy stopped ranting and Ryuu turned just slightly.

"And now Ryuu's angry," she declared when her brother's sharp eyes focused on them.

Caleb laughed, but that fear of his lady's brother was back in his eyes. "Yeah, no. Not happening."

"Then just take Ryuu," was Tony's dumb suggestion.

"I don't care if he has been nice to me lately. This is a perfect opportunity. To get rid of me on the way and say it was an accident, say we were attacked by that bitch's people. Like he's wanted to since the moment he met me. Call me crazy," he dared Mai.

Mai's smile dropped away.

Tony laughed. "C'mon. He wouldn't go that far."

"Do you people even remember who he is?" Caleb demanded of Tony and Jared. "You can google him! Type in Toyama Ryuu and then tell me I'm exaggerating!"

"Billy then. Jesus. You can't go alone," Jared said finally.

"I'll be fine."

"No."

Tony was also shaking his head. "Shane won't let you leave alone. Try though. You'll have him breathing down your neck. He's already pissed Shrod came alone."

"He's not the only one," Jared muttered.

Caleb blew out a breath. "Billy then." He was fairly confident he would survive this trip with just Billy.

---

Shortly thereafter he was in his Jeep, Billy sliding into the passenger seat, stony faced. Jared hadn't needed to persuade his friend all that much to come. Billy was probably thinking of this as escape. He'd just backed the Jeep out of the driveway and threw her into drive when the back door was wrenched open and Ryuu slipped in directly behind him.

Caleb stiffened in horror. "Motherfucker."

Ryuu kicked the back of his seat and Caleb might have jumped and released some type of unmanly noise. "Go," was the order.

Billy twisted around. "Is this how you're doing this? This how you play?"

"Hnn."

"Get outta here, Ryuu!"

Said man kicked out again. "I said go."

Man, why are they both in my Jeep? What the hell kind of sick joke is this? What did I do, Lord?!

Though it was funny and kinda cute, Ryuu chasing after Billy like this. Did Billy even realize… For someone like Toyama, that just didn't happen. He didn't do the chasing. Still, Caleb did not want to be involved in this situation. Shit was probably going to get blown up.

"Heya," Billy nudged his arm. "Relax and drive. You'll survive this. Won't let him accidentally shoot you."

Ryuu snorted, shook his head, and continued to stare out the window. "You drive my sister around in this shit?" he asked after a few silent minutes of driving.

Billy twisted back around, looking excited now. "You cursed in English!"

"Never said I couldn't. Just better not to."

"I'm working to upgrade soon," Caleb muttered in reply to Ryuu.

"Still will not be good enough."

"Oi! Don'tcha be takin this out on him, fecker. I'll tell the kid!" Caleb glanced in the rearview mirror just in time to see the yakuza wince. "And don't listen to him, boyo," Billy went on to Caleb. "You take care of your bird just fine. She's happy. What more do ya want, Ry—put your fecking seatbelt on!"

Ryuu groaned and dropped his head back to stare at the roof. And still he put on the seatbelt.

Caleb pressed his lips together. Tried concentrating on the road. Yeah, they need to fuck already. They just straight up skipped the courting process and seemed to be in a relationship already without even knowing it. That's why they're always moody with each other. They ain't touching yet. No wonder Riku always looks like he's about to laugh his ass off whenever around them. He had to try really hard not to laugh himself to keep from being shot in the back of the head.

"Why are we going to a liquor store anyway?" Ryuu asked.

"You complaining?"

"Not that kind of party."

"It's not really. Just getting a couple of bottles of Shrod's favorite. Damien's got some crazy plan and freaking Jared is going along with it. You need to talk to him, Billy! He feeds Damien's crazy! That shit needs to stop!"

"Yeah, that's Dec. He loves crazy."

Caleb groaned. "Knew those two together was a bad idea. Don't get me wrong, they're great together, but it's a very bad idea."

Billy grinned, nodded. "Dec's not crazy, not really, but he loves the crazy shit. When we were kids, being turned into freak kid soldiers, Dec enjoyed it because it was crazy shit. Don't know how we made it to age twelve, honestly. Most of our class didn't. There were ten of us in that group starting out, age seven. Only four of us survived to twelve. Only two of us made it to sixteen. And I only survived that far mostly because of Declan. Sometimes it got tiring killing the people you grew up training with. He begged me not to let him kill me…I was gonna let him."

Caleb didn't mean to react to that, but his head whipped to the side to look at Billy in horror.

"Yeah, oh yeah, boyo. That was the sweet sixteen ceremony for all the surviving sixteen-year old's of every class for that year. Let's see…" Billy threw his hands behind his head, looking at the roof. "Think there were…twelve of us? Four girls and eight boys. When the last of us finally turned sixteen, they pit us against each other to the death.

"Didn't want to fight Declan and I was just ready to give up by then, but he made me go on. Made me survive by fighting back just as hard. He knew they wanted both of us by that point, but if they saw even a little hesitation from me, a little weakness… Dec beat that shite right out of me, and we almost killed each other before the fight was finally called off." Billy went back to laughing. "Dec's a great motivator."

Caleb made sure not to react this time but only because he didn't want Billy to get uncomfortable or to not ever do it again, talk about his past. His life. The fact that Billy was talking so easily about it in front of him and Ryuu was something major, he thought. Looking in the mirror, Ryuu with sitting slightly forward. His eyes were still on the window, but Caleb knew he was listening to every word and was probably thinking the same as him.

"That does sound like some crazy shit," Ryuu murmured.

Billy nodded, but focused on Caleb. He was smiling and it looked real. "You people haven't seen anything yet, have you? Haven't really seen Dec work. What you've seen, not even a surface scratch. This woman, if she knew, would be running. And all those people she's hiring… if they actually knew who Jared really was, they'd run too. Because they know him, or of him. Dec's got a reputation in our circles. It's why he's left alone. Dec's not crazy but he's smart. That arsehole enjoys the crazy because he's smart enough to survive it. Naturally, I hung on to his coattails. I like crazy too. In moderation." He turned to Ryuu. "That's why he's called the machine. Throw whatever you want at him, it won't matter." Billy double tapped his head. "Nothing trips him up."

Ryuu leaned forward, dropping elbows to knees and then dropping chin to clasped hands. "Damien does."

"Oi, you're right on!" the man went back to laughing, his eyes wide. "Jesus, almost forgot about that. You've no idea how trippy that is, boyo. Swear to gods, I've never seen that before!"

"Damien has a way," Caleb defended.

"He does at that and I'm not complaining, mate. Not at all. I like the bloke."

"Why doesn't Jared just go after his mom then?" was Caleb's question. "Like, right now. If he's as badass as you're saying- and I believe you so don't look at me like that."

"You people," Billy muttered in some irritation. "He's got people to lose now. He's got something to lose now. He's gotta be careful, tie up all loose ends and there's way too many. I mean, I get it. He had people before, so he remembers what it was like." Billy straightened and then turned to stare out of his window. "It's what kept him from turning to stone… but we had to pretend. We always had to pretend."

Billy sounded like he was sinking into a memory again. Caleb wanted to ask so many questions, but he also thought about snapping Billy out of it, changing the subject. He didn't want the guy getting upset. And not just that, if Billy became upset it was a sure bet Ryuu would too and the yakuza would undoubtedly blame him for it. Then he'd die. Him being Mai's fiancé meant nothing to this dude.

"You think you could code me a portable quadruple backdoor with the option to add code once set?"

"You can't?"

"It's a quad, man."

"Sounds shady, yeah? Whatya doin with that?"

Caleb grinned. "Can you or not?"

Billy's lips quirked teasingly. "Could rob some types of banks with that. Once you added your extra code."

Both of them felt rather then saw the backseat passenger perk up instantly. Billy laughed out loud.

"I could but I'm not gonna!"

"Fucking pussy."

The yakuza was ignored.

"Sure, mate, I'll code it. Fill me in when I give it to you, yeah?"

"Deal."

They arrived at their destination shortly after. Probably a good thing as Caleb and Billy were having fun annoying Ryuu by talking tech shit, which he had no knowledge of. At least not the intricacies of it. He knew how to use it and make money off it, but that was about all. It didn't take them long to get what they needed. Both Billy and Ryuu threw in their own bottles. Caleb just rolled his eyes as he pulled out his wallet.

"You sell alcohol but not smokes?" Billy inquired with a wide-eyed look at the cashier. He was of course back to sounding American. When the cashier nodded, Billy spun around to face Caleb. "What kind of fucked up city is this? That makes no sense!"

"I-I don't w-want any trouble."

Caleb's attention slid back to find the cashier's hand was raised in the air and his eyes were pinned on the gun in Caleb's holster. His eyes then shot to Ryuu's pistols while his other hand started reaching for something out of sight.

Caleb quickly dropped his payment onto the counter and calmly raised his hands. "Sir, here's the money. We've got a license to carry. No need to get alarmed. Not here to rob you."

The guy stopped moving. Luckily he seemed the sensible sort. Cause he went back to looking at the whole picture and not just the weapons. "License?"

"Yeah. Wanna see?"

Ryuu looked like he wanted to punch Caleb in the face for even catering to this guy, then he looked like he wanted to shoot the cashier in the face for even questioning anything about anything. Clearly he was used to being able to walk around his own turf as a god. Billy was still hung up on the part where a liquor store doesn't sell cigarettes.

The guy studied the holsters worn and shook his head after another moment. "Believe ya."

"Great. Cause you could be seeing me around on occasion and I might be carrying still."

"Keep it in mind. You can buy cigs next door," the man told Billy as he finished with their purchase.

Billy slapped hands down on the counter. "That's not the fucking point, man!"

Caleb grabbed up the bag and pushed Billy away from the counter. Ryuu followed after, but not before giving the man such a look that he thought he probably should have called the police anyway. Billy ran to purchase smokes while Caleb and Ryuu went back to the Jeep. Caleb didn't want to chance going into another store and maybe running into someone without common sense. They were lucky the cashier listened to him about the weapons. Least Billy's was hidden beneath his t-shirt. He wasn't exactly comfortable walking around with a gun at all times, but he'd rather be uncomfortable and cautious than be caught without when he really needed it.

"Handled that like a wiz," Billy said upon returning.

"Didn't even think you noticed."

"Notice everything, boyo."

Caleb cracked a smile. "You keep slipping. Your accent."

Billy tsked. "Only around you lot." He jerked his thumb to the back. "And this arsehole."

Both Caleb and Ryuu wisely did not reply to that. But Caleb did see Ryuu in the mirror. Saw him smirking out the window. He wasn't really surprised Mai was so excited about all this. Ryuu was a lot more animated with Billy around. Nicer too. And open. Shane had some part to play in it, yeah, but with Ryuu most of it had to do with Billy.

He'd just pulled out onto the main road when Mai called. He put her speaker. "Why'd you do this to me, baby? Thought you loved me." Mai's sweet laughter filled the car. Billy snorted. "Yeah, ha ha."

Then Mai cleared her throat. She didn't sound amused when she next spoke. "Edrick called. He needs a ride. He sounded scared, Caleb. And he doesn't want Sara or Mom to know."

"Why'd he call you?"

"You're gonna get mad."

Billy wasn't surprised when Caleb pulled off the road so he could focus on the call. Caleb seemed to be the most responsible out of all of them.

"Where is he?"

Mai hesitated and Ryuu already knew that meant whatever his sister was about to say was going to piss her man off good.

"Mai?"

"Sharks."

"WHAT THE FUCK?!"

"Sweetie-"

"What the fuck?" he hissed as he peeled out of the parking lot and started speeding in the opposite direction towards the freeway. His tone had both Ryuu and Billy's amusement dropping away. And the fact that he was literally speeding down the road and had already ran one stoplight.

"You promised to pick him up no matter the time or place, Caleb."

"Never said I wouldn't get mad," was the lowly murmured answer. "Fucking Sharks?!"

"A girl lured him there and left him stranded."

Caleb's jaw clenched, and so did the fingers around the steering wheel. "Fuck," he hissed, clear nerves in his voice now. "Did he say who was there? Who he's with?"

"No. The call cut off. Haven't been able to reach him back."

"Mai, don't tell the others right now. Call you back as soon as I've got him."

"He didn't mean to end up there, Caleb. Don't be angry with him."

"Sharks, baby!"

Mai sighed. "I know. Be careful. Love you!"

"Love you too."

"Ani, you be nice too!"

"No promises," Ryuu replied and then rolled his eyes when it sounded like Mai blew raspberries at him. "Baka."

"Sharks?" Billy pressed when the call ended. "That's the place you set fire to."

"Yeah. Wasn't a big one. Wasn't trying to kill anyone with the fire. Just smoke em out for Jared. Wasn't enough to keep the place closed for long, unfortunately."

"And your brother…"

"He's only sixteen and sure as hell can't be in a place like that! Mai's right. He wouldn't have gone to Sharks on purpose."

As soon as they got there and parked in the lot across the street, Caleb pulled his piece. He checked the clip, made sure a bullet was in the barrel, and then holstered before opening the door and getting out. "Stay here. Not your problem."

"Fuck that." Ryuu climbed out after him. He sneered at the wide eyes aimed at him. "Your brother, yes? Mai loves your brother." And that was all. Course he didn't need to say what he and Billy were thinking. That Caleb was trying to downplay something. He was way more nervous then letting on. Way more tense.

"Okay, but Billy-"

"Nah," Billy laughed as he climbed out. "I'm coming, boyo."

"Huge fucking mistake. Maybe if you were dressed differently, they might overlook how completely white you are. But right now, the moment they see you… it'll be instinct to mess with you, man. Then I'd have to start beating down some people for being ignorant assholes and that will quickly and probably fatally escalate. You get me?"

"But, Caleb, I'm pretty. They'll love me." Billy stood there in his jeans and nerd t-shirt, wearing a serene smile on his face and batting his fucking eyelashes at him.

Caleb groaned. "I'm going to get into so many fights..."

Ryuu laughed and whipped off his leather jacket. He threw it at Billy, who deftly caught it and put it on, a wide smile plastered on his face now. That real smile. "Better?"

"NO!"

"If I give you that jacket will you keep it? Wear it?"

Billy locked eyes with Ryuu while fingering the sleeve. The jacket was slightly too big on him, still drenched in Ryuu's heat, his scent, and already he loved it, dammit. "Yeah."

Ryuu nodded and went about checking his guns to make sure they were ready in case something was to happen.

"I'll go in behind you two," Billy said as they grouped together at the front of the Jeep, his attention to the people hanging out in the parking lot across the street. "And then you can part like the seas and the fun will begin."

"What the hell?" Caleb cried in exasperation. "No! We don't want to entice anything. This isn't exactly a welcoming place for me either. It's why Eddie can't be here! There isn't any good reason why he would have been lured here!"

"We are wasting time," Ryuu muttered.

Billy nodded in agreement and gestured Caleb to proceed in crossing the street. As they crossed, the group in the parking lot adjacent to the club obviously took notice of their arrival. Every single head swiveled in their direction. Caleb didn't make any indication that he saw them, but he and his friends could hear them just fine.

"Yo? Yo, that's Reed, right? That tall fucker right there! Fucking Reed?"

"What's he doing here?"

"They know he's coming?"

"Shit."

"Better tell him Reed's here. Didn't come alone either."

Caleb also didn't make any indication that he'd heard that. Billy noticed not one of them made a move to approach at all. From body language they were all tense. But not in anger. Interesting. He didn't say anything when a bloke pulled out his mobile and quickly called someone.

When they got to the doors, Caleb hesitated. "I don't want to go to jail so can we please not cause trouble?"

"Diplomatic immunity," Ryuu drawled.

Caleb spun around. "Seriously? They gave you diplomatic immunity?"

"Legal business dealings with the International community affords many great advantages. My grandfather is a very clever man."

"That's sweet, yeah," Caleb said, nodding, "but it won't help me any." What dumbasses would give Toyama Ryuu diplomatic immunity?! They kind of deserve what they get then.

"Not true. When you are with me, I cover you."

Billy laughed. "Which means you can get away with pretty much anything right now. Let's move it, man."

Caleb would admit his heart kind of fluttered in excitement from knowing that.

They walked in and he held his breath. Most everyone was already standing, watching the doors. Waiting for them. The music was off and half the place looked ready to jump them.

"Caleb? What are you doing here, man? Haven't seen you inna minute."

"Where's my brother, Don?" he demanded of the big guy who approached them. He was about the same as Aiko, in body builds. Caleb didn't care. He dropped his hand to his pistol and let it rest there. Several people reacted by doing the same. But they didn't make another move. Billy understood what was happening even if Caleb didn't. These people had heard some things. He wondered if that were Dec's doing, Shrod's, or even Ryuu's grandfather because the yakuza did have some permanent fingers dipped into Allmsted.

"Place looks different," Caleb muttered to his companions.

It was cleaner, for one and there weren't people getting jacked up on nasty drugs at every table like before the fire. It looked like the Sharks before the Sevens got a hold of it. It looked like the Sharks he used to hang at before it got nasty, the place he had no problem bringing Damien and the others to once upon a time. When it was just a place to hang out at and have fun rather than fearing for your life over really stupid shit every five minutes.

"Your brother?"

"Yeah, my fucking kid brother. I know he's here so don't even try to play me."

Don turned, started talking quietly to the two guys who came up to stand with him; after a moment one finally disengaged and headed up the back stairs. The two remaining behind frequently looked between Caleb and Ryuu, the latter receiving just as much attention as Caleb.

Without that leather jacket it was clear to some they were looking at Asian mafia. Yeah, Ryuu was dressed like he owned the world and he was wearing one of those colorful dress shirts too but it was the tattoos snaking down from his rolled up sleeves and up towards his neck that made it obvious. And usually gangsters didn't walk around with guns in holsters either. Unless you were mafia. Even the street gangs around here were wary of Asian mafia.

Caleb thought maybe Ryuu's presence right now was a blessing. Maybe they could make it out of here without one fight—fucking Ryuu chose that moment to purposely step aside, revealing Billy to the entire place.

"What?! Ah no!" there was laughter, people spitting out their drinks, just basic dumbfounded expressions. Though many of the females were eyeing all three in delight. Most of them looked entertained by the goings on.

Billy acted like he didn't see any of this. Just started immediately moving around like he owned the place, casing it out. Noticing everyone and everything without looking like he was. He moseyed over to the jukebox towards the back hall while Ryuu took a sharp turn to the bar and ordered a drink.

"Can't believe this is here!" Billy went about searching his wallet for coins to stick them in the machine. He quickly went through the selections and chose. The mischief in his eyes told Caleb this dude was trying to start something. That became clear when the first twangy notes of some country song started playing. Billy started bopping like he was at a country bar and he had the dopiest smile on his face. Just his expression alone had Caleb snorting and swallowing hard to keep from laughing until his stomach exploded.

Reactions were instantaneous. People around here didn't like their music messed with, never mind the music was off in the first place. And country didn't go down well in this joint. Ever.

"Fuck." Caleb spun around, looking for Ryuu. Surely Ryuu could keep Billy in line for five freaking minutes.

But Ryuu was a lost cause since he was currently facing the bar with his head down, shoulders shaking tremendously while pounding a fist against the bar top. The fucker was laughing his ass off. Looked like he even spit out his drink, but he wasn't paying any attention to that or to the bartender wiping up the mess in front of him. Ryuu must have seen that retarded look on Billy's face too. Caleb would admit it was funny. Still…

He calmed down a little. No one was trying to approach Billy or the jukebox. Really strange. The crowd not really reacting the way he thought they would from the moment they stepped into the place. Why?

"Where's your girl, Reed?" someone called out. Caleb clenched his teeth. This always happened and he was about to get in trouble. "Love me some of that! Some of that fine ass!"

"Yo, shut the hell up," someone hissed. "You gonna get killed, D."

"Yall actually believe all that bull about him? This pussy aint gonna do shit. Man, call that bitch up, Reed. Let's have a party. Bet she'd like that. That white bitch too! I'd tear her up!"

"D, man! What the fuck?!"

Some females took exception to this and started yelling at D. Not a surprise since Sheera and Mai had met some of these people before and when together those two got along with anyone if they wanted.

Caleb was already moving at that point; he was going to hurt this fucker. But then he noticed the yakuza moving too, saw Ryuu's face, and decided he didn't want to get in the way. Mai's brother would reach D first and he was going to go through people if he had to.

Ryuu crossed the distance in the blink of an eye and came down hard on the man's face with his right fist; pounding him face first into the floor with one swing and following all the way down. The contact shook the floor and the sound made everyone jump back.

"Jesus, that was a nice hit," Billy murmured, unable to pull his eyes away. Ryuu's face was cold as ice as he straightened and then smashed the heel of his designer dress shoe against the unconscious man's face, probably shattering the jaw bone at that point if his fist already hadn't. Billy's heart started pounding. "Really nice, like a bomb."

The silence lasted for half a minute; people just blinking in shock, it happened so fast and only when Ryuu started Japanese raging at the unconscious guy did the reactions start. Most who had weapons lifted them, that instinctual need to protect themselves from a clear threat. A threat in their territory. Understandable but dumb.

One idiot actually tried to attack Ryuu from behind with a knife. Ryuu slid back and to the side and continued to turn, catching the attacker's wrist with his left hand as he did so and halting the knife attack. Simultaneously raising his right arm to the man's neck, sliding around, applying pressure—there was a half beat of absolute stillness before Ryuu abruptly changed his flow of motion; jerking down with his elbow, forcing the man's face into his rising knee. The knife dropped and that guy crumpled to the floor. No one moved. Most understood Ryuu had been about to break the man's neck and changed his mind at the last second for whatever reason.

Billy's heart was racing so fast now he thought he might be having a heart attack. "Oh my gods, yes. Let's do this!" he pulled Snoopy and his huge fucking knife and that wide smile returned. People moved back fast. "Wait! No, no. Don't run!"

"You brought another crazy white dude? What the hell, Caleb?"

Most eyes turned to the stairs at the back where a woman stood leaning against the banister. She looked amused as she studied Billy. Her hair was wavy and down to her shoulders. A pretty dark chocolate just a touch lighter than her actual skin tone. And her classy red dress clung beautifully to her body. Billy thought she looked out of place.

Caleb calmed down just slightly. "Aisha."

"Not crazy," Billy replied, reluctantly sheathing his knife at Caleb's unspoken and slightly panicked signal. "My friends are crazy."

Ryuu spit on D before turning to Billy. He ignored everyone else. Still no one was moving. They were all just watching and listening. "You are crazy, dumbass."

"That's not me, fucker! That's Dec!"

"Denial. And you said he wasn't crazy."

"Crazy is as crazy does."

Ryuu laughed, making everyone even more nervous. He pointed at Billy. "Then you are crazy."

"Fuck you, man!"

"Where you finding these guys, Caleb?"

"They're my fam. I want my brother, Aisha and I'm losing patience. His is gone," Caleb pointed to Ryuu, "and I know you know what you're looking at when you look at him. By the way, this is my lady's big brother," he announced to all. "Stupid gets punished."

There was loud murmuring and all of the weapons were put away. "It is true." "Can you believe that shit?" "Damn, glad I never went after him." "Hudson was a fucking fool."

Aisha pushed away from the stairs and almost every man's eyes were on her legs as she moved until stopping in front of Caleb. "Edrick's upstairs. He's fine, Caleb."

Caleb moved to climb the stairs, but Billy was suddenly there blocking his way. "Who else is up there? And why did they want Caleb here in the first place?"

Slowly a smile appeared on Aisha's face, her eyes flicking to a surprised Caleb. "Wash."

Now Caleb looked even more surprised. "George?"

Aisha nodded. Caleb carefully blanked his face. "What's he doing here?"

"Go up and see. He's waiting for you."

"It's cool," he said to Billy. I think. "Don't attack while I'm up there," he went on to him, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Billy sighed dramatically. "I'll try." Caleb narrowed his eyes and Billy laughed. "Not to. I'll try not to."

Caleb's eyes slid to Ryuu. The man crossed his arms and shrugged with a careless air. "I did not kill them. But no second chances."

Aisha studied Ryuu and then the crowds around them. "I think they get that." People started nodding, regrouping, going back to their tables and drinks. The guy with the broken hand had already fled the club and D, the guy unfortunate enough to have dishonored Mai in front of Ryuu was still lying on the floor. With Ryuu still there, no one was brave enough to go help him right now.

As Caleb ascended the stairs, Billy jerked his chin in his direction. Ryuu nodded and headed straight up after him. Two heart beats later, that woman, Aisha, sidled up next to Billy at the jukebox, pressing up tight against his side. He did not mind at all. She was beautiful and not looking for trouble. Something about this woman made her stand out, and it wasn't just her looks.

Still pressed against him, Aisha leaned over slightly to the jukebox, quickly changing the selection to some slow song. She pressed up against his front and started swaying with the music, laughing in his ear at the pout on his face from the music change.

"You're not American." When Billy eyed her, she smiled a sharp knowing smile. "Look at your face. Your features… classic straight lines. Not cute. Very fine. Whatever's in your blood, I bet it's 100%. I'm thinking… Western European? Come on, sugar. Let me hear it."

"I love people who surprise me." Her smile softened. "But you don't make any more assumptions, sweetheart. Don't ask any questions."

"I'm curious by nature."

Billy studied her, laughed. "Yeah you are. You also don't belong here."

"Some of us who do care about getting the whole picture, who work hard to rise up and out, it takes much longer than others if we want to stay true to ourselves. It takes longer to get out also if we don't have billionaires in our pockets."

Billy shook his head. "Don't go ruining the image with bitterness. You don't know him at all then. I get what you're saying, and you are right. You're a woman too so it's harder, but Caleb didn't take any handouts. It's not like that."

"Didn't he just get a condo?"

"Okay, that's different. He's already made his way and that was basically an engagement slash Christmas present. Wasn't something asked for. He works hard for what he has, for what he gives to his family. That guy doesn't take handouts lightly."

Now she was eyeing him. "Family, he said."

"He wasn't talking about me."

"You're defending him like he was."

Now he was studying her again. Shrewdly. "What's your game, lady?"

"It's funny. They only see the casing," she said about the club goers. Most of the men were glaring at him, but it was all jealousy now. "But they don't see the way you move, they aren't paying attention to what's in your eyes. Like…" she pressed in again to whisper in his ear, "the way you were watching that yakuza." She pressed in even more, her hips connecting with his. She bared her teeth. "That's not for me, is it?"

"You really don't belong here."

"But I do. This is my home, my community. Born here, raised in these streets. Still have family here and I'm not getting out until I've made it better. That's why Wash and I are here now."

"Here? You mean this club?"

"That's why we want Caleb," she went on without answering. Then she took his hand and began to lead him to the bar. "Buy me a drink?"

"Think I'd like to buy you ten."

They reached the bar and suddenly he was surrounded by women. Every single one of them. And he was in such a great mood he bought them all a drink of their choice. The men were getting salty and Billy was loving it.

---

Caleb got to the top of the stairs and immediately the people loitering in the upstairs hall dispersed. Most of them passing him to go downstairs. One guy pointed to the last door down. He glanced at Ryuu, not really surprised one of them followed him up. They walked to the door and Caleb hesitated.

"Don't know what's going on," he warned.

The amused smirk appearing on Ryuu's face was surprising. "I do. Go in."

Caleb opened the door. The room they walked into wasn't really that large. Just big enough for the round poker table set up for five chairs and some security camera screens set up behind that on a table stretching from one side to the other. Only two people occupied the room.

"Get out into the hall, Eddie," he snapped the moment he saw his brother sitting at that poker table with cards in his hands. Eddie looked fucking fine. Didn't look bothered at all.

Edrick opened his mouth. Caleb held up his hands. "Please. Please piss me off even more right now, bro."

Eddie dropped his cards and hurried out, knowing one more word was crossing the line.

Caleb brushed the front of his jacket aside and hooked his thumbs into the straps of his holster. Splaying the rest of his fingers out, he waited for the older black man to start talking. Wash George was a known figure in the community, older than his father would have been at this point. An entrepreneur, in both legal and illegal fashion. Once upon a time Wash wouldn't have been caught dead in a place like this. "Sir?" he prodded when the silence continued on. Clearly Wash wanted something so there was no point in wasting time. Wash was always after something.

Wash half smiled. It reached his eyes. "You're looking good, Caleb. Keeping yourself well."

"I am."

"Heard you finally popped the question."

Caleb allowed a grin. "Yeah. And then she made me promise to marry her this summer."

Wash laughed. "Your dad-"

"Don't talk about my pops. He sure as hell wouldn't like you bringing Eddie and me here under false pretenses. We're doing what he wanted. Staying out."

"Are you though?" Wash's half smile turned into a knowing smirk as his attention cut to Ryuu.

Caleb gestured to Ryuu. "Toyama Ryuu. Mai's brother."

Wash's expression changed. It was clear he hadn't expected Ryuu to be who he was. The man actually stood and bowed his head to Ryuu.

"You know who he is?"

"Word gets around when you come to town," Wash said directly to Ryuu and then made some sort of noise as he reclaimed his seat. He looked kind of nervous now. "Didn't realize she was an actual Toyama."

Caleb wanted to move on. "Place is cleaning up."

Wash nodded. "Recently some trash got taken out. And this place? The owner had enough so I bought it."

"Why?"

"A lot of times, when you're trying to do better, it takes baby steps. So I'm starting here. A place where he young blood goes. Keep it mostly clean here, maybe that will catch on."

"Kinda wishful thinking, Wash."

"I've been told that before. But it's possible."

"And why am I here?"

"To help."

"You mean get involved."

"If getting involved means helping, wouldn't it be worth it."

"No. It's gotta mean something. It never does around here. And you used my brother, man. Used my brother to get me here. You didn't think about calling first?"

"Please hear me out. You have connections we could use."

Caleb turned to the door. "Now I'm out."

"Listen," Ryuu responded as he dropped into a chair. "A minute."

Reluctantly, Caleb followed suit. "I don't want anything to do with this," he murmured to Ryuu. "I got out of here. Staying out. Around here, nothing good ever happens."

Wash was nodding, tapped the table. "We have the power to change that."

"How? By begging my rich friends to help out?!"

"No, not like that."

"There's no other reason why you'd want me here."

"Caleb, your dad and I were friends."

"And? I'm still no one. Nobody. You're wasting your time and mine right now. You're always going on about equality, but that shit needs to start at home, right. No one ever talks about that. About how we're as racist as any ethnicity. I'm tired of people playing the victim. There are real victims out there and most of them aren't here. Give me a reason to help."

Wash laughed. It was fond. "Sound just like your pops."

"It's true."

"In a way."

"Stop bringing up color," Ryuu murmured.

Caleb nodded. "Yeah! How about we fix other issues around here first, huh?" Wash seemed to get a little bit annoyed. "You said baby steps. Here you go."

The man straightened. "No offense, but I'd rather we keep this with ourselves," he said to Caleb and then turned to Ryuu. "I doubt the yakuza would or could help us. Your people aren't exactly for equality either, are they?" his tone dripped with accusation.

Ryuu looked at him; he didn't look angry, which Caleb took as a good sign though he himself was insulted on Ryuu's behalf. "That's bullshit!" he exclaimed in real shock. Then he turned and pointed to one of the video screens behind Wash. The one showing the bar where Billy was still there enchanting every single female. "He's in love with that skinny white dude downstairs! They ain't racist like you're thinking. At least not the Toyamas obviously…"

It took him a millisecond to realize he just committed suicide. Caleb pushed out of his seat and backed away from the table with his hands held up. "M-maybe not in love, but…shit, uh. I'm so sorry. Sorry, sorry, sorry…" cause now Ryuu was standing and he looked like something that comes out of a horror manga. He also had a gun drawn on Caleb and his finger already on the trigger.

Wash slowly stood too. His hands were also raised. "Don't do it," he said softly to the young Japanese man. "That will never leave this room. You have my word."

"Toyama, that was not out of disrespect. I forgot myself. Used to the others. They don't have to hide."

"Why are you still talking?"

"I didn't mean to do that to you! I don't want you thinking that's how it's gonna be. That you can't trust me."

"What do you care?"

"You're Mai's brother for one, and maybe," Caleb cleared his throat, looked away. Scratched the back of his head. "Maybe we're all starting to think of you as a friend and we'll probably be sad to see you go when you return to Japan."

"You?"

Caleb grew angry. Ryuu still holding that gun on him was partly the reason. "Dude, I've always liked you! Always, always looked up to you from the day I met you! Ask Mai! Even when you were an asshole right from the start! You were a fucking asshole to a seventeen-year-old kid, but I could still see you, man-"

Ryuu dropped his arm in stark surprise.

"You're strong, smart, and despite everything you do, business wise, you also really care. You hate when James pretends. We all see that. You hate it because you have to pretend too sometimes. But you know what, we see how Riku is and that's all you."

"Shut up."

"Yeah, you're right. Talking too much again."

Ryuu holstered his weapon and returned to his seat. "Not skinny. All muscle."

"Sure. Okay." Caleb blew out a breath as he reclaimed his seat, praising whoever was watching over him that he was still alive. Had to be Mai. Some astral projection shit or something. Whatever. He was still breathing despite his dumb mouth. "Listen, Wash. Even if I wanted to get involved, I just can't right now. There's…. shit going on. Some bad shit. Have to focus on that until it's over."

"Shrod's car bomb," Wash said with certainty. "Not an isolated incident I take it."

"No. And that's all you're going to get."

"You always talked about not carrying weapons around, trying to resolve things with words, and yet now…"

"Like he said," Ryuu interjected, his tone laced with impatience and warning. "Some serious shit is going down."

Wash nodded. He pulled out a business card and handed it to Caleb. "So like I say, this could be a great opportunity for you; for the communities around here, Caleb. Consider this me putting in with you, son. You ever need help, just call. We've got your back. You took care of Hudson and the Sevens. Most of us are grateful."

"No, Wash. Didn't have anything to do with that."

"Just keep us in mind, Caleb." Wash stood. Caleb did the same, dropping the card in a pocket. "Now get out of here for now and take that crazy white boy with you. Look at him," he pointed back to the screen where Billy was still entertaining the ladies. "He's doing that on purpose."

Caleb and Ryuu left Wash sitting in the room. "We're getting out of here," he said to his brother, who nodded and preceded them down the hall.

"You trust that man?" Ryuu asked quietly.

"No."

As they took the stairs, Ryuu looked at the man beside him, studying his face, reading his expressions.

"Can you speak Japanese? Understand it?" Caleb glanced at him, frowning. Ryuu stopped and blocked Caleb's descent with a hand. When he spoke next, he did so slowly, pronouncing every word clearly. "Can you speak Japanese? Understand it?"

"Some. Picked up some stuff from Mai."

Ryuu nodded and continued down the stairs. "You need to learn. Important. For the wedding… and other things."

Behind him Caleb sagged in exasperation. Did no one listen when he said he didn't want to get involved in this shit?! Yakuza or street gangs. But then his lips quirked and suddenly he was smiling big. That was a blessing! Ryuu gave a blessing! It wasn't the formal words usually spoken, but Caleb didn't give a damn about that.

They found Billy downstairs crooning out a love song to the women around him. The man had a smooth rich voice and he might have been using magic, cause every single woman looked hypnotized. Even Aisha and she was hard to impress. Caleb realized something as he stopped a minute to watch this, listen. Billy wasn't really pretending right now. He was enjoying these ladies' company and he wanted them to enjoy his too, but not as a man trying to get with a woman. He was looking at all of them, singing to all of them but he was also in his own little world too, at least as he sang. Another thing, the way he looked after Stella, Sheera, and Mai…

"We going or what?" Eddie demanded.

"You drop the attitude right fucking now. We'll go when James' is finished working these ladies over. Go to the bar and order yourself a milk."

Ryuu laughed at that.

"You suck, bro."

Billy was gonna walk out of here with phone numbers put anywhere and everywhere on his body, scraps of paper shoved in indecent places and Caleb was loving this. Ryuu didn't look bothered. Probably because he'd already realized what Caleb just did. Billy was just fond of females. This was surprising considering Billy's past, knowing how he'd ended up in an orphanage in the first place.

According to Damien, who had managed to get the story from the man himself, Billy's mother sold him for drugs when he was three years old. She sold him to an undercover. His mom was thrown in jail and because no family came forward to claim Billy, he ended up in the system. His mother died in prison four months later.

"Lord almighty, you handsome thing," Aisha purred when Billy finished singing; she and every other woman were fanning their faces. And yep, Caleb saw the fingers clutching scraps of paper or napkins inching their way to some part of the guy.

Billy flashed her a smile. "You gotta phone?"

"What?!" Now the saltiness was instantly from the women. They looked vicious. "No way, Aisha!"

"Why can't you go on sometimes?"

"You always take the good ones!"

Aisha ignored the crowd of frothing women and produced her phone. Billy moved her back towards the stairs where it was less crowded. "Special number. Do not lose it." She smiled and nodded as he punched it in her contacts. Her smile was one of bemusement as she didn't know why he would be giving her his number since clearly he wanted the gorgeous Japanese man with the fine ass and incredible temper. Not her thing, but she could see the appeal.

"Don't lose it," he stressed again. "And don't share it."

"Honey, I wouldn't dream of it."

Billy smiled that big smile, took the back of her neck to draw her closer. He brushed his lips against her cheek. "You call me if you ever need help. I'll pick up and it won't matter how much time has passed."

"Do I get your real name?"

"Ah, not this time," Billy laughed, pulling back enough to lay his lips on hers. "I see what's in your eyes too. Be careful."

Aisha's lips curled under his. "I was disappointed Caleb didn't bring Mai."

"Yeah. Nice ass for an Asian."

They both laughed at that. "Just like her brother." Billy's smile slipped and now she was studying his eyes, seeing way too much before he could cover. "You poor thing. Got it really bad."

"Whelp! Time to go!" he dashed over to the others just as Ryuu took a knee next to D. He was still where they left him.

Caleb wasn't surprised by this. No one liked D much. Still, he held his breath because D was just coming to; groaning and slowly pushing his busted face off the floor with shaking arms. Ryuu was right next to him, watching flatly.

"Can you still speak?" he asked without any inflection of anger.

D groaned again, peeling his eyes open. "W-what the f-fuck happened?"

When Ryuu punched D's face back into the floor, it wasn't shock following his actions. Now it was laughter.

"Dayum, D! Shut up!"

"Stay down, boy!"

Ryuu brushed off his hands as he stood and took the lead out of Sharks. As the four finally left the club, they started hearing heated words coming from behind. Guys asking what the hell their women thought they were doing and the ladies screaming back and laughing at the dudes' jealous faces. One lady shouted out, hitting it on the mark.

"What's the problem? He was really nice and respectful! Maybe if you treated me like a Queen too, I wouldn't be all over some white boy who clearly knows how to treat a lady right! Yall some raggedy asses! What we want with you?!"

Every single woman got on board with that line and Billy laughed all the way back to the Jeep.

---

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! Have a great day :D