How Things Are

fifty

The air smells thick of alcohol.
The rich sent Lucas drinks, not the booze Win and I stole. Though it may be well-known and famous. This sent breathing into my lungs now you could only get through Lucas.

Just breathing this air made my body tingle. The others had a twinkle in their eye they were trying to hide when the boss passed. This city truly gave them joy and pleasure. Even Teedo, who was all business, seemed to hum to the music playing in the closest building.

Everything Lucas gave me to wear before we left made me stand out. I was wearing a beater and baggy jeans with a belt for my Kitana. I looked like your local drug dealer. The rest of them either wore expensive suits or their casuals. Which made me wonder if I was wearing one of their spares.

It was hot. Every woman I saw wore very little or was naked. They seem to be advertising the building they stood next to by the small outfit they wore.

Their sweat from the heat made their bodies shine and drew more attention. I shook my head in disgust as Jr and Youngblood went over to flirt with some of them.
They either team up to hate me or argue with each other. Either way, we don't get along.

Even Teedo looked tempted, but he stuck by Lucas. I caught a bit of what they were discussing. Apparently, we're here so Lucas can save face. The other gangs found out that Derek had taken something that belonged to him.

Derek has a big mouth and seems to have been bragging about his small victory. Even told others that Lucas wasn't going to retaliate out of fear. Calling him a coward.

So here we are. In New Vegas, checking into the nicest hotels I've ever seen. Lucas owns this along with most of the city. Even if others wanted it, no matter how many lies Derek tells, it would be impossible to take. Mafia City is named after his family. Out of the big three families, he's the only one with a City. The other two just do business there.

When Bradva gave Derek the girl who ran away, Teedo told me they didn't know she belonged to Lucas. Even apologized with a business offer that Lucas refused to take. Business offers are a big deal between them. Getting mixed up in it wouldn't be good but it was the best way to apologize. Handing over cash to someone who doesn't need it would be insulting.

The hotel has a basement level suited for private meetings. If I could choose a word to describe the room, I'd say expensive.

The round table, I assume a symbol of equality, had a glass cover. When Teedo pressed his fingers on it a screen came into thin air. Just how much magic am I going to deal with by being with Lucas? Images of the cities we've traveled to were showing the more Teedo tapped his fingers on the table.

Is this what every round table does? It's the first one I've seen before. I step back and walk away

The chairs were soft and bright. They rotated. That didn't seem like Lucas so I assume he wasn't responsible for decorating this room.

There was a black L-shaped couch on the other side. Smooth to the touch, a short table between, which I refuse to touch. However, by the looks of it, I bet a chip of the wood from it would sell a hefty price.

On the other side was a bar set-up like the one in a few of the places Teedo has taken me. Except for priceless alcohols I've never seen before. Solid dark oak counter. It was classy. Best of the best. A half-naked woman was behind the counter already making drinks.

A few feet away was a card table. I could only compare it to a few other card tables I've seen along my adventures and travels with the Mafia, however, it was the best of them. The unopened card boxes had golden lining. They were Lucas brand with a dragon symbol. The table itself shines. Makes sense why they all wear sunglasses. The chips had an emblem I'd never seen before. It was beautiful. A lotus flower. Each color wasn't the one I'd seen in other gambling houses. Like the cards they had a golden lining

When Teedo said this place offers things others can't, was an understatement. I envied small-group gambling now. It was the only time I wanted to be like Winwrey and steal something I didn't need.

Lucas turned me around by my shoulder and could see the craving for theft in my eyes. It was a rare occasion I forgot to hide that emotion. I had to blink it away and smile. He looks amused for a moment before pulling me towards a wall by the door.

"Stand here. Don't move."

I glanced back a the beautiful lotus treasure then looked back at him and nodded.

"Tibby. I know that look. This is your spot. Stay. Listen. Don't speak. Understand?" He grabs my chin to gain my attention

"Is it really that obvious?" I say without thinking

He chuckles "Do I have to check your pockets before we leave?"

I gulp then shake my head. "No boss"

"Good."

He walked to the magic table and took his seat. Once again I couldn't pay attention due to all the images popping out of Teedos tapping fingers.

He seems to have been explaining our unfortunate road trip so far. There were a few disrespectful jokes hinted towards one another. A few threats. It was mainly about the explanation.

I was told they needed it in order to know Lucas was still in control and the rumors weren't true.

"Derek has been a growing threat to all of us Lucas." I heard once the shock of the magic wore off "Once he stole from your family he began gaining respect from gangs around his territory."

"Mr. Li you have been repeating the same sentence for the past hour." Teedo began grinding his teeth "We're handling it. It's only a matter of time-"

"Do you know what he did to me?" Li raised his voice "He threatened my family! Told me to my face if I didn't give him one of my supply routes he'd expose where I keep my best products!"

"Does he actually know or was it a threat?" Mr. Roman of the Bradva asks

Li waves his hand "I have no idea. I just gave him a false route to make him go away."

"Why didn't you just kill him?" Roman scratches his chin

"He said if he died today I would be exposed. I couldn't risk it." Finishing his drink he continues "I've looked to see if I have a rat problem to come out clean."

"So he was playing mind games" Lucas says and Li nods. "He really doesn't know."

Li nods again "Only those I trust get in."

He didn't explain how he checked or how he knew Derek was lying. It would be foolish to tell others about how they do their business. Due to the relaxed expression on his face he was confident.

"What about the false route?" Roman gave him

"It use to be useful to me until a few years ago. Their was a storm that made several bridges break. Along with the rock falls that now happen more often then not." He chuckled "It was already unusable in winter. Not even a skilled rock climber can survive what's left of it."

Roman smiled "There's the man I know. Heartless." He leans back "whoever Derek sends to check on it will fall to their death yes?"

Li nods "Hopefully he does it himself."

"I doubt it. He seems to play dirty through mind games and deceiving others. He hasn't risked his own life so far from the information we've gathered."

No matter how powerful he gets, he'll never be welcomed here. I thought.

They continue to discuss the topic of Derek and trade information.

Two hours later they head towards the card table.