Don't Beg

Chapter 3: Samuel

(Levi AKA Ginger above.)

I got 320$ for the phone. The way the man behaved I think he knew it was stolen but he probably didn't care. Once I exited the pawn store I stood on the curb. I turned and I saw Ginger's red pickup truck turning the corner. As it drove down the street I ducked so he wouldn't see me yet. Soon he was close enough and I walked into the middle of the street, making him brake abruptly just a few feet in front of me.

He stuck his head out the window. His red hair in full view.

"What the actual fuck man!?" He yelled. I smiled, and walked over to the passenger side door and got in. "Your a dick you know that?"

"Whatever." I sighed.

He put the car in drive and quickly sped forward but then braked causing the car, and my head, to jerk forward. I hit my head against the dashboard.

"Fuck!" I sat up and rubbed my head glaring at Ginger. "What the hell you asshole." He just smiled and continued driving.

Ginger, who's real name was Levi, was one of the few guys in the gang. Though personally I hated being called a gang because we operated much smoother. Unlike the stereotypical wannabe gang members who rob corner stores and sell drugs, we were apart of a black market organization called Scorpion. We were one of the smallest branches. Me and the gang which consisted of other boys and our ring leader/den mother; June Malone, worked for a boss; Clive Harrison who controls almost all illegal activity throughout the city and most of the state. Even he works for someone but I don't know who, we're not really allowed to know any more than that. But according to June the head of the Scorpion Empire is a guy named Michael. From the rumors I heard he's horrifying but a major badass.

Anyways, usually Clive gives June our assignments and we carry it out. This is pretty wide ranged as it could go from importing drugs and selling them on the streets, to weapon distribution, setting buildings on fire, robbing and whatever else he needs us to do. In return he provides us with necessities. All of us boys are orphans. Because of what we do we live well. We all live together in a big house with everything we need. That's how it goes.

In this case however Clive has asked for me alone. It doesn't happen too often but sometimes he'll request us in small groups but hardly ever individually. We all have certain skills that we use on our jobs which is how we ended up working for him in the first place.

My skills for example include manipulation, seduction and instinct. I can read people like a book and use the knowledge I gain from them to my advantage. Seduction is like manipulation except I take what I know they want and I give them small glimpse. It's like a worm on a hook and I'm the fisherman. Every single person is like an unfinished puzzle. Shape yourself into the missing piece and they'll feel completed and understood. Instinct is a bit harder to define. I'm not a super hero but I can always tell when something is off. This a minor thing compared to what else I can do but it comes in handy. I guess I'm what one can call a people person. Except I hate people outside us Scorpions. And then there's the stuff all of us can do some better than others, martial arts, basic weapon skills, burglary, larceny etc.

Levi stopped at a red light and turned to me. "Any idea what Clive wants you for?"

I turned to him, "No." I answered honestly. "Hope it doesn't take up too much of my time though."

"Please," he chuckled, "What do you have to do besides find your next screw."

"I take offense, I do much more than that."