Fundamental Affair (IILWTE sequel)

Prologue

Quinn's P.O.V.

Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. I wrung my hands in an effort to loosen my nerves. It didn't work. Running a shaky hand down my shirt to smooth out the wrinkles, I eventually gave up on calming myself. Jason stood to my left, and Sage on my right. With encouraging looks, they gently pushed me forward. My normally porcelain skin paled slightly.

After attempting to tame my hair one last time, I shuffled forward. With one final glance behind me, I tentatively raised a fist, and knocked sharply on the door. Scuffling was heard behind the door. It took all of my strength to refuse the temptation of running away. After a few moments, the unmistakable sound of locks turning rang in my ears.

I was met with the sight of a scruffy man with a faintest scent of alcohol to his breath. A grimace colored my features as the effects of my actions hit me full force. A sharp pang of guilt cut through me. I attempted to give him a smile, but it physically pained me to do so. His eyes narrowed, and his putrid breath invaded my nostrils. 

" What do you want?" He asked me angrily. I visibly took a step back.

" H-hey, J-James." I stuttered.

After I fled the country with the Daniels' nearly three years before, I all but lost contact with my best friend. It was risky for the both of our sake's. If we were to be found, not only would the Daniels' and I be sent to prison for the rest of our lives, ( Jason and Rodrick would be sentenced to death.) but James would have been locked up too.

" What. Do. You. Want?" James gritted. I closed my eyes.

" What happened to you?" I whispered brokenly. His twitched.

" None of your damn business." He snarled. My eyes watered. What happened to us?

" Did you lose your job?" I whispered. James began to shake with rage.

" Shut your mouth." James whispered harshly. I had a feeling that his voice would break with outrage if he spoke any louder.

" I-I need your help." I pleaded hesitantly. His eyes darkened.

" What makes you think that I'd help you?" He asked while taking a step closer to me. I didn't hesitate to back up a bit.

" Because we're friends?" I asked. I was never one for pleading, but the situation at hand was serious. I was desperate. He snorted.

" Friends? What gives you the idea that we're friends?" He shouted while grabbing a fistful of my shirt. Jason was about to rush forward to help me, but I raised a single hand to pause him. I needed to get through to James on my own.

" James, I am done groveling. Believe it or not, but my actions just a second ago, that is the only sign of weakness I am going to show. There's not going to be tears; I'm not going to plead from my hands and knees. I am simply going to apologize.

" My actions have obviously sent you in a downward spiral, and for that, I am truly regretful of it. Yes, I am partly to blame, but you fucked up your life just as much as I did. So don't you dare get in my face, and start choking me with your rancid breath. Seriously though, did a skunk make a nest inside your mouth, and die, or are you just washing your mouth with jack?

" As for my needs of your services, I will politely ask you once more. If you choose to refuse my pleas, then yes, I will feel helpless for a moment or two, but I must move on. Time is running out as we speak. I will be damned if I get Vivian or someone else I love killed because I got into a fist fight; And won. Now, will you please help me, James?" I asked.

He stared at me with a dumbfound expression. His grip slackened. I made good use of that, and I released myself from his reach. With my arms tightly folded, I gazed at him expectantly. Jason's foot was tapping uncontrollably. He was clearly impatient, as was Sage. She was muttering under her breath. All I was able to catch was " Hurry up!", and " Is this guy really this dumb?". I chuckled slightly which roused him from his shock.

" Why should I help you?" James asked suspiciously.

" I know you were fired from the force. My whole 'shocked' act was a load of crap." I said nonchalantly. His facial expression mirrored a fish out of water. 

" How do you know about that?" He asked quietly.

" I did a little research, and bada bing bada boom, I learned all about your drinking habit. It's what got you fired wasn't it? You show up late and drunk off your ass one too many times, then the next thing you know 'your not qualified'." I informed with a smirk.

" Again, why should I help you?" James asked angrily.

" Since you don't work for Sanchez anymore, I was hoping you could help me with a little something without getting busted." I said.

" What's in it for me?" He asked greedily. Oh, James. You've changed so much.

" An escape from your pathetic excuse of a life. That, and it'll prevent you from a broken jaw." Jason hissed from behind me. I quickly silenced him with a deadly glare.

" There's that, and all the Italian babes you could ask for." I bribed.

It was true. The Daniels' family were hotshots back in the lovely country of Italy. So naturally being a part of said family, I was in the 'in' crowd. There were things I participated in. Some legal, and some not. So if I were to give the green flag for James, he'd be swarmed by the women. What man could resist?

" All I could ask for?" He repeated cautiously. Hook, line, and sinker.

" We won't be in Italy for very long. Just think, not only would you have the Italian women at your feet, but a whole different country of women, too. How does that sound?" I asked with another smirk.

" Am I getting paid?" He asked absentmindedly. 

I could have said no to his question and I'd knew he would still help. I could have. So when I replied with a yes, not only was he surprised, but me as well. I didn't count on paying him in the beginning. I was going to pay when the job was finished. That's just how your supposed to do it. Why did I barely trust him? Simple. Not because I felt he'd do a terrible job. No, but because I had a nagging feeling he'd blow it all, and run. Fortunately for me, the promise of foreign women was enough to keep his promise.

" So. Are you in? Or are you out?" I asked seriously. He looked me dead in the eye.

" What do you need me to do?"