Catwoman : Blood Heist

Chapter 7 : The Lucky Hand

The little bar in the slums of Gotham had heavy traffic; people were constantly in and out as they socialized among the loud music. A large crowd had just gathered outside the door of the bar - when Marcus Guzman had wandered in from outside cold.

The warm air felt good; the smoke from cigars and cigarettes were much more comforting than the cold wind that wept the streets of Gotham City. As the last few days of November came to an end, nights like these would only get that much colder.

Marcus made his way to the bar as he navigated through the crowd of people. There was so much commotion about. He could only imagine trying to get his hands on a glass of whiskey; he imagined the warm sensation of it filling the void in his stomach. But first he would have to practically fight his way to the front of the line. And when he would finally reach the bar to order a drink he would have to shout at the top of his lungs to overcome the loud music. That's if the bartender could actually hear him. The strain to his vocal chords would be well worth it though. Anything for that nice warm burning whiskey.

Marcus had managed to grab hold of the  attention of the bartender; quickly ordering back to back drinks. There it was - that warm feeling that trickled its way down in his insides as he swooshed it down.

As he closed his eyes to foster the moment; the chattering of people had dramatically come to a halt. It only took a few moments before the jukebox machine was oddly noticeable; some old classic rock song screaming among the crowd.

Marcus opened his eyes to see one of the bartenders nodding his head for Marcus to turn around, and he did just that - turn around to see what had made the world stop around him.

The people in the bar had either jolted out of the bar or stepped aside to make a perfect clearing for a group of people that stood at the entrance of the bar; the Lucky Hand.

Marcus guzzled his last shot of whiskey.

This wasn't good. No this wasn't good at all. The Lucky Hand had been making its way around Gotham, competing against rival gangs particularly Salvatore Maroni. Ever since the Batman had made his infamous entrance into Gotham - everything had gone straight to hell. Particularly,  the incarceration of Carmine "The Roman" Falcone. Which had  allowed other rival mobs and gangs to infiltrate Falcone's previous territories.

"We don't want no trouble." said one of the men behind the bar. Marcus hadn't really noticed him there until he spoke up. But the man speaking was a short stalky man - who, had presented himself forward with the notion, that he was a figure of authority.

"We only want him." One of them said as they pointed towards Marcus. There was five of them in a black suit and tie. The bar was dark but one of them he could make out as female while the rest he presumed were all male based on their figure and body stance.

"Whatever business you have, take it outside!" The short stalky man said. His voice carried a threatening manor to it.

A much larger man had appeared from the side placing his hand on the one suited woman. He was at least six feet tall, bald, and had a hefty beard. And a man with that appearance looked like he could rip a car door off its hinges.

"You heard the man!" he said as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

It was all so fast, but the suited woman had swung out a katana blade, severely severing his hand off as blood spurted out into the air. People cried out in shock as the man buckled to his knees; shrieking as he fell to the ground. The woman particularly moved from her stance.

The five suited figures stepped forward.

Marcus knew that there was only one option and that was to surrender to their will.