An Errant Prince

Replace a Bad Habit

When Kash's vision cleared, Sam was standing in front of him in the noisy club.

"What are you doing here?"

"If I avoided all the places I've done business or had fun in, I'd never leave my apartment. Sam scanned the club then guided Kash towards the end of the bar.

"How did you find me?" Kash pulled his arm out of the older man's grip.

"I put a tracker on you." He continued steering Kash through the throng towards the back exit.

"You what?" Appalled, Kash viewed Sam with angry contempt. "You're all the same, looking out for each other, spying on me. My brother is the only person I can count on."

"Listen, I no longer work for The Crown. I'm not holding you here. If you want to go back to your fiancé and your wealthy family, I'll drive you."

Two inked punks with multiple piercings stood up and blocked their path out of the club. The larger of the thugs growled, "There's a seat. Put your asses in it." He pointed to a corner booth near the restroom. When Kash and Sam hesitated, he pulled out a knife. "Sit down down, now!" Onstage, a heavy metal band started performing, their clashing noise drowning out the robbery.

Kash saw Sam's hands start to shake with fatigue. "Listen, we were just leaving. My friend here's not feeling well."

"If you don't give us your wallets, I'll take you by the collars and hurl both of you through a brick wall." He held the six inch blade up menacingly.

Sam fumbled in his pockets, coming up empty. He feebly raised his hand. "If you two gentleman would accompany us outside, I'll give you what you want. I need to go through my pockets."

"Make it quick! We don't want to miss Guerrilla Toss performing."

The four men exited the club into a dimly lit, graffiti infested alley, smelling of piss. Outside, Sam's demeanor morphed, from a trembling old man into a calm centurion.

"Put down the knife and walk away. We don't want any trouble." In a blur of motion, Kash saw the punk rush Sam, the vicious blade glinting in the neon light. He never saw Sam pull his gun. He only knew a shot had been fired when he heard a sharp rapport and saw the tattooed thug fall to his knees. 

"What did I say?" Sam yelled as the robber doubled over in pain. "You're lucky I only gave you a flesh wound." Inside the band raged on, an animalistic noise pulsing through the air. The smaller punk rushed to helped his mate to his feet. Leaning on his associate for support, they fled down the alley.

"Sam, you saved my life." Kash picked up the gleaming blade from the brick street.

"Considering the abuse you heap on me, I honestly don't know why I did."