Immortal

She's Got Balls (Chapter 11)

In all the years Dana had been affiliated with the Red Dragon syndicate, he'd never witnessed it in such a pitiful state. With no established leader to unify them, many once loyal, reliable men plotted against each other to see the individuals that they favored rise to power. Respect for the old well-established hierarchy had been worryingly dwindling and, with it, the syndicate's economic and social influence. Other organizations were taking this opportunity to rise above the Dragon, usurping political influence and taking control over more and more weapon and narcotic trade areas previously on the syndicate's grid. The fewer dedicated men working hard to maintain regular transactions couldn't be everywhere at once and, if this kept going, soon the damages would be irreversible.

Dana twisted his wrist, his gloved hand strongly gripping his motorbike's handle. The motor roared to life, echoing like thunder inside the large, dark, empty underground parking lot. The shaking between his legs made him frown inside his black helmet. He hated riding this thing... His cherished black Mercedes was currently loaded with Benelli semi-automatic shotguns, on its way to Alba city, in the hands of some snotty gorilla in his early thirties with half a functional brain and a missing thumb. He cringed at that thought.

Neo sure knew how to cultivate his popularity by keeping his small, but currently multiplying, army of loyal dimwits feeling useful, but Dana didn't like him borrowing his toys for this selfish campaign. Sure, he was Neo's right arm but there were limits, and Neo was currently pushing them. Their alliance was formed out of mutual respect, both syndicate veterans knowing neither one was below the other, not at the moment at least.

The man unhurriedly cruised out of the abandoned building, leaving behind two well dressed men sprawled on the cracked cement, small pools of blood forming below them. He accelerated as he got to the road, making his black trench coat violently sway behind him. He again frowned at the thick fabric slapping against his back.

Dana had definitely not been in a good mood for these past few days. There was nothing about his current situation that was going his way, nothing that he was genuinely enjoying. Well, except for the redhead. He found himself showing unfeigned curiosity every time he briefly chatted with her, to his own surprise.

He heard an unfamiliar ringing in his ears and soon identified it as a phone call redirected to his bike helmet.

"Yeah," he unceremoniously greeted the caller.

"How many?"

"Two dead. One was monitoring from outside."

"Same modus operandi then. Let me guess, buyers nowhere in sight."

"Correct."

"So my suspicions are confirmed. White Tiger's more intrusive than ever."

"Good thing I agreed to take the job, huh?"

"Don't flatter yourself too much." Dana grinned smugly to himself at the other man's words. He knew Neo needed him much more than he'd ever admit.

"Good call as always, Neo. As expected from a natural-born leader such as yourself." Neo swore he could hear the mocking smile in his words. It wasn't that Dana thought he was unfit for leadership, but his long term partner surely knew more about him than the average person, including his faults and flaws which he was so adamant about hiding.

He paused for a moment before changing the subject. "You'll be reporting on this ambush and we'll discuss future precautions at Whitiker's house at eleven."

"So Rocco's willing to host," Dana airily stated as he checked the watch on his wrist. It read 08:22.

"Did you think he'd refuse?"