Unspoken Bonds

Part 6: Close Calls

A week later, Kion found himself stuck with AJ again. The boss didn't even bother explaining this time, just handed them another package and told them where to go. Kion didn't argue, but he was starting to wonder if the boss had some ulterior motive for pairing them up so often.

AJ, of course, didn't seem to mind. If anything, he looked a little too pleased as he slid into Kion's passenger seat, his bag slung over one shoulder.

"You miss me?" AJ asked with a grin, throwing his bag into the back seat.

Kion didn't answer, pulling out of the lot without a word.

AJ snickered, leaning back and propping his boots up on the dash. Kion shot him a glare, and AJ quickly dropped his feet, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

"Relax, bro. You so uptight, you gon' pop a vein one of these days."

"Don't test me," Kion muttered, keeping his eyes on the road.

The first stop was across town, in a neighborhood known for being unpredictable. Kion parked a block away, scanning the area before nodding for AJ to follow.

The contact was waiting behind an abandoned gas station, his face half-hidden by the shadow of a baseball cap. He didn't say much, just took the package and slipped a wad of cash into Kion's hand before disappearing into the night.

AJ watched him go, his expression thoughtful. "You ever think about how shady all this shit is?"

Kion gave him a sideways look. "You just now figuring that out?"

"Nah, I mean like... we out here movin' shit for people we don't even know, half the time. And they trust us not to screw it up. That's wild, when you think about it."

Kion shook his head, already walking back to the car. "You think too much."

AJ followed, still talking. "Nah, I'm just sayin'. You don't ever wonder why the boss always got us on these runs together? Like, he tryna make us a team or somethin'?"

Kion didn't answer, sliding into the driver's seat and starting the car.

AJ sighed dramatically, slumping in his seat. "Man, you really know how to kill a conversation."

"Good," Kion replied, pulling onto the road.

The second stop was supposed to be simple: a quick handoff in a quiet part of town. But the moment they pulled up, Kion's instincts went on high alert.

The street was too quiet. No cars, no people, nothing but the faint hum of streetlights.

"Stay here," Kion said, his voice low.

AJ frowned, sitting up straight. "What you mean, 'stay here'? Nah, we a team, right?"

"Just do what I said," Kion snapped, already opening his door.

AJ hesitated, then grabbed his gun from the glove box and stepped out too. "Yeah, that ain't happenin'. If it's shady, I'm not lettin' you walk into it alone."

Kion glared at him but didn't argue, leading the way down the street.

The contact was waiting by a dumpster, his hands shoved into the pockets of a puffy jacket. He looked nervous, shifting from foot to foot as Kion approached.

"You got it?" the man asked, his voice shaky.

Kion nodded, pulling the package from his jacket. "Where's the money?"

The man pulled out a stack of bills, but his hands were trembling. Kion's eyes narrowed, and his gut screamed at him that something was off.

Before he could react, a car screeched around the corner, headlights cutting through the darkness. The doors flew open, and three men jumped out, guns drawn.

"Shit!" AJ yelled, pulling his piece and firing off a shot before ducking behind the dumpster.

Kion moved quickly, shoving the contact aside and pulling his own gun. Bullets ricocheted off the metal dumpster, the sound deafening in the narrow alley.

AJ leaned out, firing again. "Yo, Kion! We gotta move!"

Kion didn't respond, his focus on returning fire. He took out one of the men, his shot precise, but the other two kept coming, their aim wild but relentless.

"Cover me," Kion ordered, moving toward the car.

AJ didn't hesitate, popping up from behind the dumpster and laying down cover fire as Kion sprinted to the car.

"Let's go!" Kion yelled, throwing the door open.

AJ bolted, his long strides eating up the distance in seconds. He dove into the passenger seat just as Kion floored it, the tires screeching as they sped away.

The shooters didn't follow, but Kion didn't slow down until they were miles away, the city lights fading behind them.

AJ was breathing hard, his gun still in his hand. He glanced at Kion, his face serious for once. "You good?"

Kion nodded, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. "You?"

AJ let out a shaky laugh, leaning back in his seat. "Man, I'm alive, ain't I? That was crazy, though. You see that one dude? I clipped him right in the shoulder."

Kion shook his head, but there was a faint glimmer of respect in his eyes. "You ain't bad in a fight."

AJ grinned, his usual cocky demeanor returning. "Oh, now you complimentin' me? Careful, Kion. You might start likin' me."

"Don't push it," Kion muttered, but the corner of his mouth twitched.

They drove back in silence, the adrenaline still running high. By the time they reached the warehouse, AJ was back to his usual self, cracking jokes and acting like they hadn't just escaped a shootout.

As they got out of the car, AJ clapped Kion on the shoulder. "Yo, next time, don't try to leave me behind. I'm ridin' with you, no matter what."

Kion looked at him for a long moment before nodding. "Aight."

It was a small word, but AJ's grin widened like Kion had just handed him the world.

"See? I knew you liked me," AJ teased, heading toward the building.

Kion didn't respond, but as he followed AJ inside, he realized he didn't mind having him around. Not anymore.