Mobster Boy

16

The next day, Chance doesn't even give me the opportunity to see him before he leaves. I wake up to the sound of his motorcycle roaring off into the distance. By the time I head downstairs, he's long gone. "...Okay, maybe he's waiting to get something solid before he shares it with me..." Except I know that's not really the case. 'Did I do something wrong?' He doesn't really seem angry, just distant.

The worst part about being left behind is just the enormous amount of time on my hands. A few times I even attempted to email my parents, though I know they wouldn't respond even if all of this wasn't going on, of course. Emailing them was the first thing I tried when Chance told me they were gone for good. 'Beyond that, there's...' My contact list is pathetically short. Jazlyn trots up to me, leaning her full weight on my thigh. "A lot has happened, huh, Jazzie?" She woofs under her breath, tail wagging furiously. "So...do you know where everyone else is?" 'More than likely in their rooms.' 

I go to the living room to check for them, just in case anyone's lounging around. That's when I hear it, a single footstep in the hall. Pausing, I freeze in place, listening for it again. 'Is my mind playing tricks on me?' I'm on alert now, though, and as I travel through the mansion I can tell; someone is following me. Someone very good at concealing their steps. 'Another of Giovanni's goons?' It wouldn't be the first time...

If they're following me, they won't be expecting this. Turning heel, I charge down the hallway as fast as I can, retracing my steps to try and get to one of the doorways.

"Hey!" My stalker reveals himself just as I pass, and I wind up clipping his shoulder with mine.

"Ow..." When I look up, I see he has a gun in both hands. "Wait, Ash? It's just you?" The man awkwardly shuffles the gun in his hand, making sure the barrel isn't pointed at me.

"Hello." He smiles.

"Were you...following me?" Ash's eyebrows lift up, looking torn between guilt and amusement.

"Chance's orders." I frown.

"He put you on babysitting duty, huh?" Ash shrugs. 'Is the gun really necessary though...?' "You didn't have to keep out of sight like that. I thought you were one of Giovanni's people or something." I mutter, my frown deepening.

"...It's easier that way." I sigh and shake my head, but I can't help but be amused too.

"So where is everyone else?" Tilting the gun to the right direction, Ash leads the way down to the private casino. I hear the noise before we even reach the doors.

"Phaedra, you've got to be kidding me!" Marcus shouts, exasperated.

"It's not cheating if you don't get caught." She says slyly.

"So what happens when you get caught?" Hideyoshi asks.

"Take the money and run!" I crack the door open to be greeted by a rush of warmth and laughter, and a unanimous, loud greeting.

"Hey, Adrian! We thought you were out with Chance." I guess my poker face still needs work, because they immediately pick up on my bad mood. "Aw, did he ditch you today?" Hideyoshi frowns.

"Um...yeah. Sort of." I sit down at one of the empty seats, next to Marcus.

"He does that sometimes, likes to play Lone Wolf." He explains simply.

"Any idea what he could be up to?" The lawyer sits back in his chair, arms folded over his chest.

"If he knows what's good for him, he's out looking through the new car lot to buy me an apology." He scowls, pursing his lips.