A Man of Service A John Wick Fanfic

Chapter 22

T/W – adult situations, implied violence, confrontation

John walked through the Continental until he came to the concierge desk. Charon was at his post as usual and greeted him warmly.

"I'd like to speak to the manager," he stated and was directed down to the lounge area. There he found Winston, glasses down to the tip of his nose and the New York Times in his lap.

"Winston," John nodded.

Winston looked up from his newspaper and seemed surprised. "Jonathan," he nodded back, folding the paper in half. "What can I do for you?"

"Maybe explain why you shot me," he replied, emotionless. "That would be a good start."

"If you'll excuse the expression, I was using one shot to kill two birds."

"And that means...what?"

"I was attempting to save your ass," he stated in an official tone. "You seem to step into trouble without even trying."

"Go on."

"You would be no good to the High Table or Anthony Tortorelli if you were dead," Winston informed him. "I was attempting to free you. Unfortunately, you fell over the building and were rescued by the Bowery King, all in front of the adjudicator."

"And it didn't occur to you that letting me in on your plan was a good idea?"

"No," he answered flatly. "It was a spur of the moment decision and it also needed to look genuine. I assumed you had a bullet proof vest on and I thought 4 shots would knock the wind out of you, perhaps fooling the adjudicator. I was wrong. Shoot me."

"Don't tempt me..."

"You have some powerful enemies, Jonathan. Your refusal to kill me and your relationship with Kate Callaghan will be your undoing, my friend. I hope both were worth it. The High Table and Anthony Tortorelli both want you dead at this point and between the two of them, there's no place to hide."

"I want out, Winston. And I'm willing to die trying.."

"A future with Kate is what your goal is? Getting out again because of another woman? You're very predictable, Jonathan, and you're doomed."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence."

"You are not thinking rationally. It was the same thing with Helen. You sacrificed everything and here is where you ended up....right back where you started. Why would you think the situation with Kate will prove any different?"

"I want a real life before I die. The fact that Kate is part of it is just sweet icing on a beautiful cake. If Helen had lived, none of this would be happening."

"Just your luck," Winston told him. "As the saying goes, 'if it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all'."

"I'm getting out Winston, with or without your help," John stated.

"Well, I will give you this – Kate is a powerful motivator. She's smart, beautiful and strong and I imagine when she loves, she loves with everything she's got. Knowing her as I do, I'd say that you're a very lucky man. I care for Kate a great deal and if you're what makes her happy, then I'll do what I can to help you."

"Thank you."

Winston nodded. "What's your plan?"

"I don't have one."

"That may prove problematic. You need to be smarter than Tortorelli or the High Table and that's a pretty tall order."

"I'll do whatever I have to in order to get out."