Gangsters

The Funeral

James dressed in his best black suit. Donning all black. Not a spot of white except for his skin. He fixed his tie one more time and looked at himself in the mirror. Even though he looked the best, he didn't feel the best. Putting on a brave face, he left his room and looked down the hallway at Oliver who just walked out of his room. Donning black as well and not a spot of white. The twins, Edward and Noah. Same. Daniel, he came out of his room. All black as well and looking stylish and like a little man. He felt a little bit of pride in himself. "Looking good." He told them. They gave a respectful nod back to him. He looked to his left at Kate who had walked out of her room and closed the door. Wearing a black silk dress to her knees, hugging her body. Black high heel slingbacks with open toes. Even her toenails were painted black. Her fingernails as well and a black sparkly clutch. She left her long brunette hair down. Straight. And had her make-up done with a smoky eye look. "If it wasn't my parent's funeral..." He said. She walked up to him with a frustrated expression and hit his back with her clutch as he braced for the hit. The boys chuckled. "Come on." He said and extended his hand out to her. She took his hand in hers and the boys left. The ceremony went all according to plan. Although James noticed that Kate would look around the odd time. "What's happening?" He whispered to her. "I just...feel like we're being watched." She whispered back. "We probably are." He whispered. She breathed in deep and let it out slow. She didn't exactly want this gangster life. Or to die. But she could not turn back now. Not after everything she knows.

After the funeral, they were all back in the house with guests and the mob. Everyone eating, drinking, talking. James was sitting at the dining table with his chair turned. Watching Kate in the kitchen with a few other women. She wasn't even paying attention to him. She was too focused on the ladies and what they were doing and telling her. He figured probably learning from them. How to now be like a gangster wife. And how to take care of the boys and what comes with it. He couldn't help but dream of her being his wife. After everyone cleared from the house and it was quiet, James gathered everyone into the living room with the fireplace lit. All the curtains were closed on the porch doors and the windows. "I will be sending ten of our members to take down ten of theirs. Tonight." He informed them all. "Does that mean you need ten graves dug?" Daniel asked. "No little brother. I wouldn't put you through that work." He said. Daniel exhaled and sat back on the sofa. Kate put her arm around him. "We will be leaving the bodies for them to see." He said. "They take from us and we will take from them." He said. "That's the way to do it." Oliver said and slightly played with the couch arm. "What if they come after us?" Noah asked. "They will die trying." James threatened. "We, rule London. And they will know that for damn sure." He said. "Now go on. Off ya go to bed." He told them. "You're safe." He assured. They said goodnight and hugged him each then left the living room. Except for Kate. "What does this mean for me?" She asked him. He looked at her. "You will stay here. Where it is safe. Take care of Daniel while I handle business." He said. "But what about us?" She asked him. He walked over and gently sat down beside her, then took her hand in his. "You're my Queen. My angel faced Queen." He said and gently stroked her face with his fingers. "And a Queen always sleeps with the King." He said. He kissed her tenderly. She pulled her lips in and had her eyes closed for a moment then opened them. "I, wish to not be intimate until after marriage." She said. "I could at least do that in honor of my parents." She said. "Anything you wish." He told her. She smiled. He was the one. He was her forever.