How Things Are

forty-five

Lucas led us to the edge of town but they were there. The mayor and a few men behind him. I tried to make my expression as stone like Teedo and Lucas but after remembering what I saw the last time I was here I began to bite my lip.

That's just one of the differences between the Mafia and myself. Through all I've been through, I still lack confidence, whereas they stand here not with no worry. Even Joey is smiling.

They begin to speak to Lucas but I'm in the back so hearing them is difficult. The mayor seems angry through the words Lucas says. After calming myself I begin to focus so I can listen to what they are saying instead of the race of my heart beating.

"She needs to be judged for her crimes." The mayor says while stepping closer to Lucas

"And what crime is that?" I wish I was as patient as him at this moment.

"You know very much what crime she committed in this city!"

"There are no crimes or laws in this world." Teedo states "You're living in the past. We will do as we please."

The mayor's face begins to turn red with anger. "How dare you break my rules! This belongs city to me and you disrespect!"

"Well, look who's talking like a true gangster lawman."

Lucas pushes him further. I didn't hear the beginning of their argument but The mayor's men looked back and forth at the argument confused. They weren't expecting their leader to behave the way he was.
It seemed he broke a few taboos and Lucas was playing mind games.

"You were all so welcoming, then you allowed someone to attack what's mine." Lucas continues to taunt him. "She defended herself because you stopped showing your hospitality and now you demand me to give her to you."

The mayor becomes speechless. You could see the anger in the rest of their faces. Lucas was using their tricks against them. Now I understand Joey. Some of our men were even fake smiling as they were before.

"I see some of you holster guns." Lucas points out. "Those are a bit violent for a conversation among visitors."

"You're not just any visitors. We know who you are." One of the mayor's men reply

"Yet you speak to me like that." Lucas's voice becomes as cold as ice. Some of them take a step back.

The mayor growls "These are for our protection. We mean no harm to you."

He tries to throw himself together and turn the conversation in his favor. The fake smile returns.

"If you could just hand her over, she'll be properly judged. She's just a slave after all." He reasons.

This time I growl but before I step closer Joey grabs my arm. "Be patient."

"She isn't a slave." When Lucas says this everyone froze on both sides.

The mayor eventually laughed "What are you saying? What else would she be?" He looks back at me "Are you being kind and going to call her a bedwarmer?"

My cheeks turn pink but Lucas remains stone. "She's my swordswoman."

The look of disgust shows on the mayor's and his men's faces "Impossible. That's illegal!"

"There are no laws." Teedo defends me. I honestly don't know how to feel right now. I thought I'd be happy when someone besides the Mafia knew. It's a bit awkward and annoying seeing everyone looking and talking about me.

The mayor seems to have forgotten about Lucas and steps past him. A stupid thing to do. "She shouldn't hold a weapon. No woman should."

Lucas just watches as he walks towards me. I'm not sure what his plan is but I don't want this whole city against the Mafia for killing the leader. I just keep my arms to my sides as the mayor seems to have lost his mind passing between all these Mafia men to get to me.

"You are no swordsman. How dare you hold a weapon." He seethes. Spit came out of his mouth as he spoke.

I raise one eyebrow at Lucas asking him what he wants but he's unreadable. Youngblood smirked, and Joey was just picking at his nails. Are they all expecting me to handle this? He's the leader. This could end poorly.

"Hand over that sword."

I tilt my head. Is he stupid? Doesn't he know anything? "It's a Kitana."

There were some chuckles but this made him more angry. He tries to take it but I step away. When he tries again I step to the side. This continues for a bit until his anger seems to have reached a new level but I still haven't figured out what Lucas wants so acting would be stupid.

I've seen people this angry and it's usually best not to speak to them but perhaps words of reasoning might calm him down. "Um, how about you rest."

Well, that was the wrong choice of words. "You will listen and give me your sword."

I click my tongue "I told you it's a Kitana. And only my boss can take away my weapon." I probably wouldn't give it to Lucas though. It originally belonged to Simon. I just said to calm him down a bit but I chose the wrong words again.

"You have no boss, only masters!" He bites. "It's like he's trying to educate me. He reminds me so much of my father it ticks me off. I wonder if his slaves are locked away in basements too.

"My patience is wearing thin. You are losing control." I state and then he begins to grab for my Kitana again.

He isn't a fool. He hasn't drawn his gun. So he knows he's within a crowd who will act. Though he thinks I'm less than all of them, so he feels he has the right to treat me as such.

Before he can speak I take the hilt of my Kitana and hit him hard in the ribs. Harder than I did Joey. Enough so he falls on his knees. Then one quick knee to the face and he is sleeping like a baby. I'm not proud but Mr. Mayor would have held us here all day.

Lucas just turns around and continues to leave the city. We all do. The mayor's men snap out of their frozen state and run to his side. I glance back to see the shock in their eyes. I'm just happy Lucas called me a swordswoman.