Chapter 1
~*Somewhere in Japan...*~
It had been a long, ultra boring day that was almost over, so close Ky could feel her pillows and covers. The business dinner, the third that week, Kyouki had attended was winding down. She had sealed yet another deal that had left her with a smile. Her Uncle had left nothing for her to do other than enjoy her life. Oh she had things to do with the Ronin she prepared the name change as it was designed, but he reminded Jyunichi to just make sure she had shown her face to the public, and the branches that extended with the Ronin.
He watched the young woman in the rearview mirror with a smile, she was finally settled in, doing nicely, her Uncle would be proud.
The city lights glowed as the car whizzed by, Ky looked out of the window, bored, and sleepy. None of it truly interested her because she had to do this alone. Ky would be ready to go home within the next few months. Then the sudden chime rang through, tickling her leg with its vibration waking her from her drowsy state. A smile placed on her lips she sent a text back immediately.
~*Purgatory*~
The place to be. There were men, women coming in who wanted to be amongst the finest. So says Pierce.
It had been three years since Kyouki was last in Stilwater. Three long ass years, according to Johnny, who was about ready to pull his thick black hair out by the roots.
Bobby, Robert James, Kyouki’s cousin, was not holding the fort down and instead Johnny had to keep watch. He would rather be back in Japan where Ky was, but someone semi responsible had to keep eyes on the city, along with the Saints.
It wasn’t that Ky didn’t trust her cousin, or the crew to be well on their own. It was all fun and games, no serious problems to deal with because, as always, Kyouki left no room to fuck up.
So her city, her crew, and family should be just as she left them.
~
Their businesses were coming in and going out like clockwork. Ripping and roaring the streets on the race circuit was now the most common with the crew. Shaundi was little help and Pierce was living it up.
Bobby, all smiles and assuring Gat that it was ‘All good G!’
~
“They going to drive me up a fuckin wall!” Johnny slammed the office door as he went to sit behind the desk. He had sent Bobby out to do anything but be in Purgatory. Johnny decided that the kid needed to check the plant farm they had growing Southside near the docks. Nothing else. There and back, and it shouldn’t take all day. But it will.
Johnny reached for his phone, for the second time that wasn’t a pleasure call. Irritated to no end. The second she picked up. “When the hell you coming home? I ain’t doing this shit!” Not even a greeting.
Kyouki chuckled, then laughed on the other end. “He can’t be that bad.”
“You said he had it.”
“He did. Well, maybe cause I was there? If he’s still doing nothing but throwing parties, tell him I’ll be back in fourteen hours.”
“You coming back?” Johnny was more than hopeful.
Ky sighed. Johnny knew that sigh. “I’ve a few, no, several things that I need to get done here. I’ve spoken with… with peop… shit… have to go. I’ll call you tonight… your time.” Ky hung up.
Johnny looked at his phone and sighed. “Yeah…” getting up, he needed a drink and the perfect place? The bar downstairs. At least the booze was stocked, the club was neat. No complications, it’s just shit didn’t feel right with Ky gone. He knew she would be busy as hell, but every time he was on the line, she had to go.
It was like that when he was there, the woman knew nothing of being still, though, he can’t fault his girl for it.
~
Johnny lives in a foul mood now. When he headed to the steps leading down, he had his orders from the top. The Nightclub would be for another generation of money income, the daytime hours for cleaning and opening for the night and all he could see was The HQ littered with new Saints faces lounging around doing abso-fuckin-lutly nothing. “The fuck are ya’ll doing? Don’t you have shit to do?” Gat couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“Boss ain’t here, so we’re chilling. Besides, ain’t hurting no one.” One of the Saints chuckled, going right back to the game.
“Get out. Shit needs to be done, and this place needs to be cleaned. Or it’s your ass.” Johnny growled out, snatching the controller and snapping it in half. His tolerance for this bullshit was at rock bottom.
“Yo! The fuck wrong with you!” The young crew shouted, stepping to Johnny.
Another chimed in. “Yeah, Gat! The fuck man?”
~*Aunt Mimi’s*~
Tracy’s phone rang just as she set her load of laundry down. “Hey Ky!”
Ky had a half of a minute to call her older cousin. “Hey, sorry to bother you, but can you go check on Johnny for me, please? Bobby isn’t doing what I asked.”
“Yeah, no bother. Girl, I got it. When you coming home, we miss you.” Tracey asked with a pout.
Ky chuckled and sighed. “After I wrap up my business here. I miss ya’ll too. But business first. Ugh. Hugs and kisses to my kids and Aunty, I got to go.” Ky hung up.
“Ok, later.” Tracey sighed. Well, it was the weekend and just going to check on Johnny wasn’t too hard of a task. “Mom, I’ll be back in a bit. Can you watch the kids?”
“Yeah.” came from the kitchen. “Oh, run to King’s getting some drinks and snacks.”
“Thanks, alright. Mommy will be back shortly.” Tracey kissed the tops of her kids’ heads, grabbed her keys, and headed out.
~
Tracey bopped to the music playing as she went to one of the few known destinations in search of Gat. He wasn’t answering his phone, which meant he didn’t hear it. Tracey noticed he kept himself busy, much too busy. Kyouki had asked if she could make sure he didn’t overwork himself. And when the Boss asks, you agree.
Three places Tracey knew to find Gat, Technically Legal, Club Koi and Purgatory. He wasn’t in the first two. Tracey sighed. He never goes to any of the houses. Not Ky’s, any of them, and definitely not Aisha’s. That one she can understand, Aisha meant the world to her cousin and Johnny. So she parked and walked over to the club.
~*Purgatory*~
The autumn evening was warm, the last week of “Indian summer” and the streets filled with people tonight. Mostly Saints who were out handling business, that Tracey could see. Greetings passed respectfully between her and the guards at the elevator doors. They pressed the button for her, turned and continued keeping watch.
They finally turned it into a hot after hours nightclub. During the day, it was a regular hang spot for the Saints crew. But as Tracey descended to the lower levels, it was anything but.
Once the elevator doors opened, it sounded as if there was a war going on. She couldn’t make out any voices. It was loud. Glass shattered. Tracey hurried to the end of the corridor. The moment she hit the railing, her heart dropped.
The entire floor was a mess of spilled alcohol. Anything not nailed down was broken, with littered unconscious bodies and blood.
“The hell is going on?” Tracey screamed. Gat and some others were in the middle of a fistfight with ten other Saints. This wasn’t a normal canonizing. This was a grudge match. She rushed and yanked down the fire alarm. The siren sounded and water rained on the mob below. “What the fuck is going on?” Tracey re-announced herself.
Coming down to the main floor Tracey stepped over and around broken bottles and furniture. The group parted letting her through.
Johnny held a bloody fist up shaking his hand off and wiping his nose. “Clean this shit up.” He ordered.
~
Since the Saints had taken over Stilwater, there has been peace in the streets. It was so peaceful people could once again leave their doors unlocked in some areas.
Though over the last couple of months, things have changed. Fights break out amongst the very gang that helped Kyouki bring this unprecedented peace. Friends, supposedly, turning on each other at random times, several times a day. It got so bad that Troy was pressured by the Mayor, and as stressful as it was adjusting to the now pop up brawls within the city. Kyouki, he learned, was out of town.
~*Precinct 31*~
Out of breath, bursting through the newly renovated office door, came the latest report. “Chief, the Saints. They’re… fighting Downtown… became a war zone!”
Troy closed his eyes, exhaling, and he instructed more people to ensure the fighting was broken up. “Haul them in if need be. Send the wagons!”
~
Days dragged on, and the infighting was getting worse. Now Chief Bradshaw is under pressure with the people to curb the rise of violence and crime resulting from the apparent civil war within the Saints. There was no way in hell he could call Johnny. Not a chance unless hell froze over would he speak to him about what the Saints had been doing.
He needs a man on the inside, someone like how he used to be, just not attached. Troy was out of the door, headed to the Academy. There has to be someone he can place where he needs to see just what the fuck was going on.
Kyouki assured him that Johnny has been keeping watch with her cousin. When Troy goes to say that it’s bad and getting worse, she has to go.
Left with no other choice after the practical demolition of several storefronts, he is now looking to talk to Lt. James “Jimbo” Schlemmer, Chief Training Officer at the Stilwater Academy.
~*Stilwater Police Academy*~
The long drive out Troy thought of what could have triggered the infighting. Especially after Ky had said it was under control. He shook his head. He couldn’t think of that now. Troy also gave his word. He aimed to keep it. Troy went there knowing exactly who he would need. Someone with the stomach, the attitude, drive and willingness to investigate the Saints.
“Jimbo, someone for you.” Called the Academy officer who escorted Troy to the man he sought.
Troy gave a slight nod. “Thanks.”
The yard was expansive, much like he remembered during his time here, before he, too, plucked for undercover work. The lieutenant in question was berating one man, giving him hell as he ran the obstacle course.
Briefly acknowledged the other officer, who addressed him as he continued his verbal assault until Troy called out to him. “Schlemmer, a word?”
An unfamiliar yet familiar tone of authority signaled Schlemmer to note who was addressing him. “Chief, Sir. What can I do for you?” The training officer beamed, seeing Troy needing to speak with him.
Troy glossed over the recruits who were in the yard, running drills. “In private.”
“Sure, just a moment. Alright you maggots take five!” Schlemmer barked, a complete 180 from his near elated attitude toward Troy. “This way Sir.” Leading the way to his office down the hall.
