Guns and Mirrors

THIRTY-NINE

♕Harley Anderson♕

Ramiro takes me to a pub not too far from his house. It's small and quaint and one of the only ones I've seen in the area, allowing me to understand that it is quite locally popular. However, it's empty inside with all the people who are parked in the lot being in the diner next to it. Well, empty aside from a bunch of Kings members who stand around a pool table and play an interesting game I've never seen before.

Bruno takes aim at the white ball, shutting one eye and sticking his tongue out before hitting it and a ball rolls into a socket.

"Yes!" He cheers, throwing his hands up and Ramiro rolls his eyes. He's losing painfully.

The pub isn't anything fancy- its wooden floors and furniture seem to have been put to good use and there isn't really much of a colour scheme. But I like it. And I like the woman who owns it even more- Lady. She has short black hair, cut into a buzzcut and a tattoo of a crow around her neck. She simply wipes down the bar counter while we play pool and seems unbothered by the volume at which the members converse in.

"You really are a fool at playing." Bruno says to Ramiro and he hits the man on the shoulder, earning a laugh from him. Ramiro, Jee and Kevin remain on one team while Bruno, Adrianna and Keva remain on the other. However, Jee doesn't really do much except hit the ball, win and then sulk in the corner before repeating the process. Due to my lack of fluency in Spanish everyone tries to speak in English for my sake- which I really appreciate- while Jee makes a point to speak in Spanish. I can feel her dislike for me radiating off of her body.

"Oh quit tormenting him, Bruno. I don't support bad sportsmanship." Keva tsks, flicking her hair over her shoulder. Bruno rolls his eyes at Keva.
I feel somebody join me on the table I'm sat on and I look over to see the pixie-like girl- Adrianna- crossing her legs on the table. She pulls out a cigarette and places it between her lips, lighting it up.

"Don't be getting none of that cig ash on the floor Addy!" Lady exclaims, wagging a finger in Adrianna's direction. An innocent smile passes over her face and she exhales a cloud of smoke.

"Wouldn't dream of it, momma." She replies and Lady rolls her eyes in good nature before disappearing to a backroom. When she's gone, Adrianna shakes her head. "I've never met someone who owns a pub but doesn't support smoking. So fucking weird."

I laugh at her remark, looking back to the pool table when Ramiro lets out a big cheer and throws an arm around Jee, pulling her into his chest.

"Are they all always this boisterous?" I ask as they all laugh over Ramiro's recent shot. Adrianna shrugs one shoulder.

"Mostly. Except when they're working. They're almost unrecognizable. I mean, Bruno is terrifying when he's working but when he isn't... he's like a big teddy bear."

"What does Bruno do for the gang?" The question slips out faster than I can grasp it and Adrianna takes in a long inhale before blowing the smoke out to the side, away from my face.

"Hitman."

My mouth drops open and my eyebrows raise up on my forehead. I sat next to Bruno the first day I met the gang and he was and has being nice to me ever since. He's a ball of energy and kindness, such a gentleman. And yet his hands are scarred with murder?

"Kevin and Jee are the bait. The ones who play whatever role needed."

"Jee?" I whisper in surprise and Adrianna gives me a sideways glance of amusement.

"Shocking, I know. But she isn't always a bitter bitch, sulking in a corner. In fact, you wouldn't believe what a good act she can put on."

"So she isn't just being bitter because I'm here?"