The Hustle of Love

Chapter 16: Will love Survive

Kane Bellwether enjoyed the simple things in life. Red wine, bad reality shows, but he also enjoyed life's little gifts. Judy and Nick being hospitalized with life threatening injuries was one of those gifts. He gave a satisfied smirk as he watched the news report, Zootopia's mighty heros, reduced to nothing. Vlad had served as more than just a distraction, maybe Kane had underestimated him. Vlad might had just gotten rid of Kane's little pests for him.

"Mr. Kane! Did you see the news!" Mary came rushing into the room.

"I'm watching it now Mary." Kane replied, his smile never leaving his face.

Mary stepped next to Kane. She pushed her glasses up her nose a little as she watched the news with him. The footage was of the warehouse that the bloody crime scene had occurred at.

"They said Vlad was hospitalized as well, I hope that peace of meat dies on the table." Kane said as he took celebratory drink from his flask.

"Why do you say that Mr. Kane?" Mary asked

"If Vlad dies it will buy us more time. The ZPD will think the next few savage attacks are Vlad's men finishing up business."

"And if he lives?" Mary asked again

Kane began to chuckle to himself "Who will believe a man like Vlad"

"Good point sir." Mary said agreeing with her boss.

Suddenly the phone rang, Mary answered.

"Hello?... Sir it's Mr. Cal." Mary said handing the phone to Kane.

Kane smiled bigger as he he wrapped his hoof around the phone and placed it to his ear. He hadn't heard from the crime boss in some time.

"Hello Mr. Cal, have you seen our little distraction on the news?"

"Yes I have, and I want out. I'm done Kane, forget I was ever involved." Cal sounded almost scarred, it amused Kane.

"You're too late Cal. Once you're in, there's no way out. Unless you want to take the same route as Vlad."

"You're not hearing me Kane, I'm done! It was a mistake to ever get involved with you!" Cal hung up on that note.

Kane handed the phone back to Mary. He wasn't pleased to hear Cal was backing out, but he would deal with him later. For now, he just wanted to enjoy the moment. He starred at the TV as it showed the footage of Judy being loaded into the ambulance.

Judy awoke in the hospital, her eyes slowly opening. Her head and stomach hurt, he could feel the stitches in her. Her vision was clouded, but slowly coming back to her. At first she was unaware of someone being present in the room with her. She slowly became aware of it, she began to make out two figures at her bedside. It was her mom and dad.

"Oh my goodness Judy you're okay." Bonnie said taking her daughter's paw.

"Mom? where am I?" Judy asked

"You're in the hospital sweetheart, Oh I was so worried about you." Bonnie wrapped her arms around her daughter in a hug.

Judy hugged her mom back, she was still trying to regain her senses. All of her sudden her dad's irritated voice broke in on the happy moment between the two does.

"This would have never happened if she had left the fucking Fox." Stu snarled

Nick! Where was Nick at? Judy mind instantly began to race. She knew talking to her dad would be pointless.

"Mom where is Nick? Is he okay?" Judy asked pulling away from the hug.

"It doesn't matter where that bastard is!" Stu shouted