Love, loathe, betrayal - a gang story

Chapter 7

"Basically, dad was part of a really high rank gang, 'The Soutas' he was the leader. Your meant to keep your home life and gang life separate but he didn't and rival gangs got news of where he loved and they wanted blood shed! They wanted revenge so that's what they did, they shot dad dead for what they did to them." Will and I are both in tears thinking back to dad "what did he do?" I ask wiping my face and Will looks down "he killed their leader because he was planning an attack on The Soutas!" My eyes are wide "dad killed someone?" Will nods "he had to though! He had no choice it was them or him" "how did we never know?" I stutter "he kept it a secret as I was, until now, I took over after dad died I found out a little before he was killed, he kind of saw it coming and now I'm the leader!" He states "wait, your the big bad boss everyone was talking about?" He nods "the one and only" he smiles lightening the mood "so they didn't want to sell me as a sex slave or anything?" Will giggles and reply's "of course not, they're good people at heart, rough along the edges but good people" he smiles rubbing his hand across my arm "so what have I got to do with all this?" I ask "well I can only assume that was Walter the man who you know," he starts and I look at my knees "he's the new leader of 'The Luxes' the rival gang that planned out fathers death! They must have seen you leave out compound and assumed you were something to do with us and took advantage of that, they might have thought you were a spy if you were too close to their hide out. The Luxe's are sick people and have no morals" he spits "you got that right" I hiss rolling my eyes and looking back as I hadn't run that far so I could still see the outline of the almost abandoned building. "I didn't want the gang life for you, I never did that's why I kept it from you and mum" Will explains "is that where you keep disappearing off too? The trailer park?" I ask things starting to slowly make sense and Will nods "being a leader takes a lot of commitment, I have to sort everything out from keeping a roof over peoples heads to organising attacks on rival gangs and making sure we are all safe and secure" "have, have you ever killed anyone?" I hesitate and he looks guilty and turns away from me. "I had to" he starts crying more now and I comfort him "why?" I ask "you wouldn't understand your too young." He snaps and I stand tall like that's somehow going to help my case "I'm 17 only two years younger than you and if I can handle everything you just told me I think I can handle this!" I scoff back, even on my very tiptoes I'm nowhere near as tall as my brother "his name was Alex, he was on our gang but he was a rat and fed all of our information to the luxe's, I had no choice, gang leaders have to do that kinda stuff sometimes." "You always have a choice" I say quietly "that's why I didn't want to tell you, you don't understand" he says "I understand I do but that's a lot to get your head around!" "I know he was a really good mate but I had to do what I had to do" we both fall silent "and I don't plan on killing anyone else unless I absolutely have too!" He says sternly then looks me dead in the eye "and I'd never hurt you!" I smile weakly "I believe you" he embraces me in another hug and despite everything he has just told me I hug him back tighter than ever. "I love you Will." "I love you too Flo."

After a short while Will breaks off the hug and holds my shoulders "I promise to avenge you but you have to promise me you will not tell anyone about what happened to you over the last few days, especially this conversation. Not your therapist, not mum and definitely not Layla!" He seems more serious than he has been this whole conversation if that's even possible. "But-" I start "Florence you can't if the wrong person finds out your my sister and are involved with the Soutas, one or both of us could be killed! Do you understand me?" He snows and I nod my head as he hugs me again "good. The gang will be able to protect you if you need it," Will seems hopeful "and you will always have a place there." I explain to him that Jordan had a room made up for me if I wanted it "ahh that's Jordan for you, he's got the best hospitality." He doesn't every know we're related and he was so compassionate thinking back to it. Well expect "both my hands were tied together!" My expression changes to one of annoyance "well that was only for safety aspects, you woke up in a strange place anything could have happened, trust me if you ever go back they will treat you with the upmost respect especially if they know your my little sister" he says with all sincerity. I don't have the heart to tell him I don't have any plans on going back and actually would rather forget about this whole weekend.