Dirty Break (18+)

In Which Another Piece Falls into Place

Having never really considered what the life of a criminal would entail, Lydia was surprised to find that in this instance it involved a lot of driving. She was stuck in the back of yet another car, swapped out with some members of the Putnam family to throw anybody keeping up with them off the trail. Leon hadn't spoken to anyone for an age - and not to her for even longer. Conor had engaged in conversation at first, mainly to tease both her and Leon about what he had walked into, but even he had given up now, turning the radio on to cover the awkward silence. And it was very fucking awkward; the men flanking her obviously didn't want to offend anyone or cause any arguments by talking to or even looking at her; conversely every time she glanced towards the rearview mirror she found Leon's eyes staring straight back at her.

"Where are we going?" She asked when she could bear it no more.

"We're going to meet another contact before we head to the ..."

Leon quelled his brother with just a look, the eyes that returned to stare at her were angry, which quite frankly made her angry in turn.

"For fuck sake, Leon! What's it going to harm now? I'm not getting away any time soon, am I?"

"I don't trust fickle, little girls whose minds change more often than their panties, Lydia. And if I don't trust you, then you don't get any information from me - it's that simple."

"So this is all about fucking then? If I fucked you would you tell me where we were going?"

"I honestly don't think sex with you would be good enough for me to lose all of my ideals, Lydia. Lovely as I'm sure that pussy of yours is."

Her cheeks flamed at his crude words in front of his brother and their fucking henchmen. Tweedle-dum and tweedle-dickhead there looking back and forth between them like the slanging match deserved some popcorn and they were sorry they hadn't brought any. Even Conor gave his brother a searching look in response, but turned back to the road without saying anything. She should have known better then to spar with him in front of other people. When they were in private, she couldn't deny that his crude words excited her; that didn't extend to in front of relative strangers who were all his accomplices in holding her captive. Convinced that things would just escalate if she responded she stayed silent and crossed her arms over her chest, studiously looking away from the rear-view mirror.

**********

They, at long last, pulled up in a lay-by, where a car she could only describe as 'on it's last legs' was parked up. That and theirs were the only two vehicles in the space, so she was unsurprised when the door opened and someone got out. As the man straightened she could see his was possibly ten years older then Leon, his hair more salt than pepper, although he was tall and muscular. Leon waited a moment, but as the older man made no move towards them, instead leaning against the side of his own car with his hands in his pockets, he gave the nod to his men and they all started exiting the car. One of the grunts grasped Lydia's arm and pulled her out of as well letting go of her when Leon gave him a quelling look, although he stayed closer to her than she would have liked. As a group they set off towards the man who, despite being descended upon, did not look at all concerned - merely watchful.

"Briggs." Leon held his hand out to the man, who took it, shook it and dropped it just as quickly.

"What do you want, Valentine? Do you realise what would happen to me if anybody knew I was here with you?"

Lydia's ears pricked up at the question, distracting her from her fruitless search for some escape route. The Putnam's were obviously another crime family; they hadn't necessarily wanted to be there but their concern hadn't been being seen with a criminal element. This man was looking around as he spoke, as though to check if he'd been followed.