The Boondocks~My Other Half

Chapter 33: Under New Management

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Chapter 33: Under New Management

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Jack rolled his silver army knife in his hands. It was his favorite – given to him by an older agent when he was younger, an agent who he saw as a father figure. And unfortunately, and agent who died in battle about two years ago.

“Jasmine has double the bodyguards she had before around her mansion. They follow her all over the place.”

His uncle was speaking, but he was barely listening.

“Freeman’s been careful since his face was revealed. Jasmine’s been out in public only twice since she’s returned, and when she was, Freeman was never around.”

Jack eyes his reflection in the blade. He hadn’t combed his that morning, and so it was swept over his blue eyes. He flipped it backwards, looking up for the first time since the meeting started.

The best corrupt agents stood in a long line in matching black suits. Their hands were respectively behind their backs and their eyes stared anywhere but the White Shadow who was pacing in front of them. Unlike the rest of the soldiers, Jack was leaned on the wall, quieter than usual with his jokes and random comments that annoyed his uncle.

“Jasmine--”

“Jasmine. Jasmine. Jasmine,” Jack spoke up in a lazy tone, interrupting the Shadow.

The agents’ heads snapped towards him, shocked at his disrespect. The Shadow clicked his tongue impatiently. His face was stoic, but Jack could see the vein popping out of his forehead very clearly. “Something to comment, Agent?”

“Jasmine…Jasmine…Jasmine,” Jack sung again in a low tone, “sung the little birdy in his tree.” He heard a gasp.

Without bothering to glance at the soldiers, Shadow said in a cold tone, “Everybody out.” And they scurried out in less than a minute. Once the two were alone, Shadow made his anger very obvious. “I swear, boy—”

“Why’re you after Jasmine anyway?” Jack stood up straight and shoved his favorite knife into his pocket. “You took her once, and Tom DuBois made it very clear that he wasn’t going to release the prisoners even then for her return. So what exactly is your end game here?” When the Shadow said nothing, he went on. “First of all, our biggest threat isn’t some model. It’s the mafia.”

The Shadow laughed, tilting his head upwards. It was a laugh that reminded Jack of something heartless. He could compare it to a cartoon character – but it wasn’t like he was allowed to watch those as a kid anyway. He had to train to be perfect, after all.

When the Shadow finished his laughing phase, his eyes met his nephew’s whose eyes were hooded in a bored expression. “I hope you don’t mean that gaggle of Italians being run by that little girl.”

“You underestimate Selena.” Jack thought of the first time he met the dark-haired girl, when she thought he was just a random guy. He thought of when she smiled at him, all flustered and embarrassed, probably picturing their first date.

Then he compared her appearance to after he trailed her and Jasmine back to their hideout. To after he had Rocco killed, and Rosa thrown into his trunk. All to their last meeting where she held a blade to his throat.

Even a clown like Jack wasn’t blind enough to see how powerful she really was.

She wasn’t just a girl, is what the Shadow was forgetting.

She was the daughter of a fucking mafia boss. And she was out for blood.

“No, boy. You underestimate me.” Before Jack could process what was happening, the Shadow’s hand was around his throat and his body was being banged painfully against the wall behind him. All humor was gone from his uncle’s eyes. Jack sucked in the air he could manage. “Next time you interrupt me, ESPECIALLY in front of my men. I’m locking you in with the little bitch’s mother. You understand me?”