Chapter 4

The conference room smelled like a mixture of body odor, urine, and burnt flowers. It was colder than the rest of the house, partly due to the lack of half nude people here. The windows all had their drapes pulled most of the way shut, giving the room hardly any ambient light. Oliver slowly opened each drape, brightening the room immensely. He then made his way to the end of the long table, gestured for Lucas and Emma to sit, then took a seat for himself. He was smiling at them with a twinkle in his eye.

“Ya-ya’s shop got a little hot. Apparently the fire department’s working on putting out the flames now, no one knows if Ya-ya was in there. If you ask me, I hope he was.” Oliver stated, still smiling with that twinkle. Lucas shifted in his seat but kept his same face. Emma was unreadable.

“He was there.” Lucas said coldly.

“Ah, that’s right. You did say you were going there this morning didn’t you! Well, you did a good thing. A stupid thing, but good.” Oliver replied. He pulled two cigars from his jacket and offered one to Lucas.

“Thank you, but I’d rather not.” Lucas said as polite as he could. When he said this, Emma got up and walked over to retrieve the cigar. Oliver cut the tip and lit Emma’s before repeating the process for himself. Emma walked back and sat next to Lucas again, cigar between her teeth. Lucas gave her a serious look, however she responded by sticking her tongue out then smiling. Lucas made to speak but was interrupted by the door opening rapidly. It was one of the body guards from the drive-way.

“We took care of Benson but there’s still staining. What should we do boss?” The body guard asked frantically. He was at least twice the size of Oliver, but coward beneath him still.

“Get Angel to help you out, she has a magical solution that works wonders.” Oliver responded calmly. Just then the other body guard entered the room laying the duffel bags from the Jeep on the ground then exited without a word. Oliver looked at the bags, then at Lucas and said, “Is that a gift for your stupid actions today?”

“Elijah refused to pay me what we agreed on when I had the car in his shop. He had the money in his shop. He tried to play me, so I took what’s mine and made sure it wouldn’t happen again.” Lucas responded, looking at the ground.

“You’re mistaken my boy-“ Oliver began, but was interrupted quickly.

“Don’t ever call me that!” Shouted Lucas, now staring into Oliver’s eyes.

“My apologies, but who in the fuck do you think you’re talking to? And in who’s house? I see that fire in your eyes Lucas. You know better than to bring that fire here!” Oliver’s voice was raised, but never lost any hint of calmness. He pulled a Desert Eagle pistol from the inside of his robes and set it on the table. “You killed my distributor, and burned the business I used as a front. I’m not entirely upset about it, I mean he was stealing and using my heroin. But now I have to find new ways of doing business, and it’s your fault. You can keep $100 grand for your troubles, but the rest is mine and you’ll be working for me now.”

“Working for you?” Emma scoffed.

“Is that a problem strawberry shortcake?” Oliver asked.

“Yes, it’s a big fucking problem Olly! We do cars not drugs.” Emma said, more respectfully.

Oliver stood from his seat and walked across the long room, past Lucas and Emma. He tilted a painting to the side revealing a hidden holo-phone. After moving his hand along the holo-screen a few times, the ceiling began lowering. The table now held thousands of tightly wrapped plastic bricks of black tar.

“Not anymore.” Oliver stated plainly. He walked back his seat.

“No.” Lucas said.

“Was I not clear?” Oliver responded calmly. Although he kept his voice calm, his face was growing more frustrated. “This isn’t an option. You will be doing this as I have planned.”

“As you planned?” Lucas asked puzzled. He shifted in his seat again.

“I told Ya-ya to short you. He told me you’d kill him, however I was quite reassuring. I did, however, know you’d kill him and empty the safe. You’re very predictable, and that makes for a secure distributor.” Oliver stated, the twinkle back in his eye.

“This isn’t true.” Lucas said in disbelief. He stood up pointing his glock at Oliver. Oliver was un-phased.

“Quick on the draw as always. But still so utterly stupid!” Oliver shouted, standing himself. He grabbed his Desert Eagle off the table. Lucas watched carefully as he did so, however Oliver pointed it at his own head rather than at Lucas or Emma. “I’m fucking invincible!” He pulled the trigger and the gun fired into the side of his head. Lucas and Emma were both stammering holding there ears. “Whoo! That’s always a rush! Carbon fiber infused skull. Fuckin’ hurts still, but not like a bullet through the head.”

Lucas looked over at Emma who was still holding her ears, but otherwise looked fine. He looked back towards Oliver. A million thoughts swimming through his head, all he could think to say was, “how much weight?”