Helping Mr. Gang Leader
.Chapter 6: A little lie doesn’t hurt.Hagrid pressed further into Gianna’s personal space and Gianna had no idea what would happen next, only that it probably wasn’t going to be good.Whenever anyone from Infinite came around, it never was.“I assume you’ll answer my questions now?”Gianna breathed in deeply, then gave a nod.A dubious smile stretched its way out across Hagrid’s face. “Good. Very good. Let’s get started.”It was like this:You had to either be completely oblivious, or incredibly stupid not to understand who owned the area.Gianna had grew up in one of Sangrid’s most affluent neighborhoods. She had gone to private school, and rarely been exposed to the underbelly of the city. But even she, at least vaguely, had known about the gangs.And she had heard rumblings of Infinite.Infinite.All the gangs were a little different, with specific ways of running things, different rules, and methods of operation. The last thing Gianna had wanted to do was get into bed with any of them, but more specifically Infinite and its reputation.But the rent on the building for the clinic had been more than reasonable, it was in the perfect location, and Gianna wasn’t scared to stand her ground if she had to.But Infinite.They weren’t like what Gianna had heard about Mariposa, and not just from his brother, or about the fringe gangs like V.Infinite was headed by a strict, staunchly territorial and no-nonsense man named Maddox. Gianna had met him, and his right hand man, Clyde on several occasions, and absolutely not known what to think right up until she realized the depth and severity of the danger she was in.And that was before Gianna had even been exposed to Hagrid, who was Maddox’s enforcer who had an affinity for punishing people who stepped out of line.Gianna paid a tithe to the gang, a monthly increment for so called protection, but more for her own from them than anything else. And there was absolutely no getting around it.Hagrid had often remarked about her attractiveness. No doubt at the first missed payment, Gianna would end up disappearing from public view and cycled into the rumored prostitution ring they handled.Gianna understood that to be a fate worse than death.And now she had Hagrid sitting across from her, looking absolutely relaxed, if a little too pleased, holding Gianna’s wrist in one hand and tapping out an odd tempo with the fingers on his other. They’d migrated to the kitchenette just a few minutes ago, and Gianna’s guests were certainly making themselves at home.“Relax,” Hagrid said, all sly and coy as if she didn’t understand what would happen next if it went bad for even a second. “I’m just going to ask you a few questions about the guests you’ve decided to keep, and if you answer honestly and correctly, nothing bad will happen.”Behind them Gianna could hear Hagrid’s men rummaging through the cabinets, likely eating whatever they could find.“Like the kind that break in and startle me?”“Like those.”She gave him a grimace. “The same that eat my food and prowl around like thugs behind me?”Hagrid suddenly looked less pleased. But a second later he called out. “Hey, you guys, search the place. Take the men. Saint, you stay.”Feet shuffled on linoleum.“Now,” Hagrid continued, his attention back on Gianna, “would you believe me if I told you we’re been having a termite problem as of late? All kinds of vermin that doesn’t belong has been seeping into this territory, and naturally, Maddox is worried.”Gianna wanted to snort--maybe so hard she gave herself a nosebleed.Hagrid added. “These snakes and rats are slipping between our fingers whenever we try to catch them, and making things very difficult for everyone. Recently, we were certain we had a cap on the problem. Until, as fate would have it, they gave us the slip one final time.”“I don’t know what this has to do with me,” Gianna said carefully. “Other than the fact that I pay your boss a significant amount of money to make it safe for me to have this clinic. I pay, every month, exactly on time, and I never miss a payment. I’m never short and I rarely have grievances. Wouldn’t you say this is true?”Hagrid ignored her question and instead posed, “These rats ran away, leaving a bread crumb trail of panic and blood, and do you know where they ran to?”Oh god.Suddenly Gianna understood.“What I really want to know,” Hagrid said, his fingers pressing almost painfully into the pulse point on Gianna’s right wrist, “is why Mariposa ran right to your clinic? And did you treat their wounds?”Her heartbeat was thundering so bad in her head that the thumps were almost enough to knock her off balance.“I don’t have any idea what you’re taking. Honestly. Mariposa?”Hagrid made a clicking sound with his tongue, something that was likely supposed to sound disappointing, but only came out gleeful.“Was I not clear enough with you before? Lying is naughty.”Then Hagrid was squeezing even harder.He was crushing Gianna’s wrist in a matter of seconds, causing significant pain.Gianna refused to cry out in pain, but the grip was nearly unbearable.“I’m not lying,” Gianna grit out.“Then you’re saying that you didn’t have late night visitors?”There was no way she wasn’t going to bruise. And worse than that, Gianna’s chest was aching something fierce with her heart overworking itself.“That’s not what I’m saying at all.”She forced herself to stop and take several deep, even breaths. She needed to be calm. She needed to be smart. She couldn’t afford to mess up.“Then,” Hagrid said, and his grip finally relented enough that he could probably feel Gianna’s pulse again, “Go ahead and tell me about what we both know I’m talking about.”Gianna nodded down to her wrist and gave Hagrid her most scathing look, refusing to cower. “If you’re attempting to discern whether I’m telling the truth or not, taking my pulse won’t work.”Hagrid chuckled. “It hasn’t failed me before.”“But were you trying to monitor the heartbeat of someone with a heart condition?”Looking past Hagrid, Gianna told the man who’d remained behind.“I have medication in here, if you want to check to be sure. I have a heart condition that often causes my heartbeat to be irregular. It had nothing to do with whether I’m telling the truth or not.” She looked back to Hagrid. “But by all means, continue holding my hand if that’s what you truly want to do.”Hagrid release her wrist with a grimace and Gianna spied the red, agitated skin immediately. She was right.It was going to bruise, and then she’d have a hell of a job trying to explain the finger sized bruises.“Tell me about Mariposa,” Hagrid commanded. “And know that my patience and cordiality is gone.”“I have no idea who Mariposa is,” Gianna lied to him swiftly, “Other than the things I’ve heard about them. And when men broke into my clinic and set off my alarm, I had no idea who they were until much later. Yes, there were people who broke into my clinic, that much is true. But it’s not like I sheltered them. I’m not stupid. This clinic belongs to Infinite, not Mariposa.”Helping Mr. Gang Leader.Chapter 6: A little lie won’t kill you, or Will it? .Hagrid pressed further into Gianna’s personal space and Gianna had no idea what would happen next, only that it probably wasn’t going to be good. Whenever anyone from Infinite came around, it never was.“I assume you’ll answer my questions now?”Gianna breathed in deeply, then gave a nod.A dubious smile stretched its way out across Hagrid’s face. “Good. Very good. Let’s get started.”It was like this:You had to either be completely oblivious, or incredibly stupid not to understand who owned the area.Gianna had grew up in one of Sangrid’s most affluent neighborhoods. She had gone to private school, and rarely been exposed to the underbelly of the city. But even she, at least vaguely, had known about the gangs. And she had heard rumblings of Infinite.Infinite.All the gangs were a little different, with specific ways of running things, different rules, and methods of operation. The last thing Gianna ha
Helping Mr. Gang Leader .Chapter 7: a gang war isn’t that far away . “Tell me about Mariposa,” Hagrid commanded. “And know that my patience and cordiality is gone.” “I have no idea who Mariposa is,” Gianna said swiftly, “Other than the things I’ve heard about them. And when men broke into my clinic and set off my alarm, I had no idea who they were until much later. Yes, there were people who broke into my clinic, that much is true. But it’s not like I sheltered them. I’m not stupid. This clinic belongs to Infinite, not Mariposa.”“You treated them?”“One had some bruising,” Gianna relayed, as if having to think about it. That was Zeke. Not that Gianna was going to tell Hagrid anything, but Zeke had been the one with the facial bruising. He’d had the bruises that were so bad it was a miracle he hadn’t broken his jaw. Someone had punched him nearly hard enough for it to happen, and Gianna was willing to bet if it wasn’t Hagrid who was responsible, then it was one of his men.He l
Helping Mr. Gang Leader .Chapter 8: aren’t all gang leaders the same? .“Giovanni ,” Gianna said a little breathless. She made her way back to the kitchen, feeling nauseous, and in need of her medication. “You need to call me as soon as you get this. Hagrid … Infinite’s Hagrid, was just here. He came by and he was asking all these questions about Mariposa and I tried to lie, I think he believed me, but you need to call me. I need to talk to you.” She forced himself to stop, hating how scared she sounded. “Call me.”She swallowed down a large red pill and a small white one, drank half a glass of water and wished like hell she had gone out for drinks. She certainly wouldn’t take enough to be considered drunk, and with her medical condition it wasn’t something she could risk doing in general, but maybe if there had been any alcohol in her, she could have handled Hagrid with a bit more delicacy. She had let her anger and her attitude run away from her and said things she shouldn’t
Helping Mr. Gang Leader .Chapter 9: to be remembered .“Cypher isn’t like the other leaders, Gia,” Giovanni said; his statement making her frown. Gia scoffed. “Oh please, they are all gang leaders, what could he be doing differently?.” “He doesn’t just throw me into danger and expect me to keep myself afloat. My loyalty and dedication earns me a paycheck for a reason, and I’m even moving in with one of the members next month.”“That seems fast.”Giovanni shrugged. “Zeke and Jovani are getting a new place within the week, and well Rio needs a new roommate to help with the rent. I need a place to stay, so it just kind of worked out.”Trying not to wince, Gianna asked, “What about the other one? The one with the round face?”. “Sal?,” Giovanni laughed. “He would never live with the others, even if it means all the money he’s got goes to his bills. Sal, I know you wouldn’t think it to look at him, is pretty clean and quiet. He says the others are too loud and dirty.”There was worry
Helping Mr. Gang Leader .Chapter 10: there was nothing she could do about it.Between the two of them, and over the next half hour, they consumed an entire pizza. The meal, along with the easy banter and fun conversation, reminded Gianna of the better times they’d had. There had been a time, no matter how long ago it seemed, when Gianna had been less preoccupied, and more attentive to her brother.Maybe if she hadn’t let her need to help people and open her own clinic overtake her, Giovanni wouldn’t have been so deprived for attention that he turned to Mariposa.Before they left, and as Giovanni slurped up the last of his coke, Gianna said gently. “If this is what you want to do with your life, regardless if I like it or not, I will support you. I won’t turn my back on you and I will trust that you won’t hurt others. But this is a dangerous thing you’re a part of.”“I won’t hurt innocent people,” Giovanni promised. “In fact, I’m only with Mariposa because they’re the gang that’s
Helping Mr. Gang Leader .Chapter 11: It will always get worse: Until she die. With trembling fingers Gianna did up the tiny buttons on the blue shirt she wore, feet dangling down from the high examination table she sat on. It was always a little odd when she was on the other end, and terrifying, because it usually meant only one thing.“Okay,” Her doctor announced, coming through the door, a large manila folder in hand.“X-rays are back?” Gianna asked hopefully. There’d been a rush put on them, out of respect for how she’d done her residency at the hospital, but sometimes there was no telling how long they’d take, and Gianna very much did not have all day.Maria, her high heels clacking a little, nodded as she opened the folder to hold one up to the light. Her short hair bob listed to the side as she cocked her head before giving up on spotting the issue without a backlight. “Right on time, for once.” She headed to the white board across the room and slid the x-ray into place,
Helping Mr. Gang Leader .Chapter 12: it worked . Her father had always been right, even from the start. With her amazing scholastic performance, residency under the best oncologist in the country, and all the drive and ambition Gianna had bubbling up in her, she could have had an easy ride. She could have ended up at the top of her field already, seeing specialty patients from all over the world.But that wasn’t what Gianna wanted or valued.Her only regret was that the nature of her choices led to a considerable amount of stress, and therefore strain, on her heart. She was making herself worse, she understood. But there was no way to change anything, not without giving something important up in return.“Call your clinic,” Maria urged a few seconds later, a tentative smile pulling at her lips. “Then when you’re done, we’ll get you situated, bring the nurse in, and get this done. You’ll need to rest here for a while, but you’ll be out by later tonight.”Gianna caught Maria’s eyes
Helping Mr. Gang Leader .Chapter 13: and here comes Rio . Within half an hour she was up and standing, and just after that she was dressed and holding still so the nurse could tie his shoes for her. She attempted it already herself, but a sudden case of vertigo had sent her smashing to the ground and she had an egg at the back of her head to prove it.“Take it easy, will you,” Maria said as she came to see her off. She put the back of her hand to her forehead and cautioned, “You’re going to be a little dizzy and disoriented for the next few hours, but it’ll wear off. Come see me immediately if anything feels off, and don’t take chances with your health. I know you’re stubborn, but be a little less stubborn on this issue.”“Thank you, Maria,” She said appreciatively, and kissed her cheek in a way that had her blushing. “I’ll see you in September.”The sun was low in the sky when Gianna left the hospital. She was a little unsteady on her feet, and there was the barest hint of vert