Ashes - (Sequel to Dark Flame)

Ch. 3

"We're in." 

Those two words had been ringing in my ears for two days, and today was the day I get to follow up on our plans.

I met Zayn at his house; he greeted me with tea and a soft hug. 

No matter how 'tough' this guy may act, he's one of the sweetest men I have ever known.

"Okay, Juliet. Gimme the plans, and I'll do 'em." He said enthusiastically, taking a sip of his tea. 

"Well, that's the thing. I want to help." I said, almost choking on my tea. 

"Juliet..I'm not going to let you do it."

"Why?"

"I made a promise to Liam."

"About what? When?"

"Before he left. I promised him I wouldn't let anything bad happen to you or the baby."

"Look, Zayn, I will be fine. I promise." 

"Don't make promises you can't keep, Juliet." 

"Zayn, you can't protect me all the time. I have to learn to protect myself." I stated.

"Okay. Let's see how you can defend yourself then." He stood up and grabbed my hand. He suddenly put me in a headlock; not a tough one, but it hurt. "Come on! Fight back."

I did the only thing a girl could do in that situation.

I kneed him in his privates. 

Zayn fell to the ground, letting out a groan. I took my gun out of my back pocket and pointed it at him.

"Nice..work.." he said painfully. "We'll have to work on that though.." He said, pointing at the way I held my gun. I started laughing uncontrollably. "What? You think this is funny?" He stood up. 

"A little. I've never seen you cry before." I chuckled. 

"I didn't cry!" He laughed, checking his eyes for any sign of moisture. 

"I am just teasing with you, Zayn! Gosh, you are so gullible!"

"Am not." 

"You are too." He sighed back to this statement. "Hey, Zayn."

"What?"

"Did you know the word 'gullible' isn't even in the dictionary? Someone made up that word. It's slang for something.."

"No joke, really?" He asked with a serious face. I decided we could play this one out a bit. He began to search around his house for a dictionary.

"I'm joking, Zayn!" I laughed. He tilted his head and playfully tossed the dictionary at me.

"Ugh! You're impossible." He laughed, holding his side. I had never really seen him laugh this hard before. 

"Zayn, we have to get back to business." I laughed.

"Yeah, yeah. No more funny games, Juliet." He said.

"Okay, I need to to get the best men from the gang."

"All of our men are the best men." 

"Alright. I know you are going to say no to this, but at least hear me out."

"What is it?"

"I want all of you to wear bulletproof vests."

"Bulletproof ve- You're kidding, right?!" 

"I don't consider our men dying as 'kidding', Zayn."

"Fine, but if they take it off, that's not something I'm in control over."

"I guess I can deal with that. How did they feel when you said that we are cutting wages?"

"Cutting wages?"

"You know we can't deal drugs or rob people anymore, right?"

"We? Juliet, no offense, but you don't know the first thing about this gang. We have to make our money, some of these men have children to feed, y'know? Cutting their wages would affect their personal lives."

"Their records have been cleared, they can get real jobs, you know.." 

"Real jobs? This gang is a real job to me, and if Liam was here, he'd tell you the exact same thing."

If Liam was here.

I'm not going to lie, that one pinched a nerve.

I guess Zayn could tell by my facial expression that the comment upset me.

"Look, I'm sorry Juliet. It's the truth and all, but Liam probably wouldn't say that, because he knows it would upset you. I miss him too, but isn't this why we are doing all of this? For him?"

"No. It's not for him. It's for the city. The city that is a destination for girls like me. Girls who seek adventure, and wanted to get out of their countries to find it. I had this plan, you know? Go to classes, become a nurse, help people, get married, have a family..." I began to feel tears on my cheeks.

"You will get those things. You'll get married, and you already have a family.."

"Me and Leo? That's not a family."

"The gang. You have us. We won't leave you, okay? And when Liam comes back.."

"If Liam comes back.." I interuppted.

"When Liam comes back," Zayn continued where he left off, "you guys can get married and do family shit together, okay?"

I nodded and smiled. "What are we going to do about weapons?" 

"Always a fighter." Zayn said, patting my head. "Just like Liam. As for weapons, I was thinking about automatic 9 mm? For all the men."

"Sounds good...and I think they should carry pepper spray."

"Pepper spray? Seriously? That shit burns like hell."

"Exactly."

"I like the way you think." Zayn laughed and then high-fived me.

We finished our plans, and I began to drive to Mary's to get Leo, when suddenly I heard a gunshot, and then I felt one of my tires pop.

"Lovely to see you again, Juliet." I heard a voice say as I stepped out of the car.

sorry for the (sort of) cliffhanger and the short chapter! i've kind of had writers block on this story for a few days, but i promise i will update some time again this week!