Melanin-Gxdess
Give up on your dreams and die.
"The Big House"
(Interpol Main Safe House)
Front Lounge
~ Tottenham, London ~
Arabella Bellamy
At the mention of needing a little chaos in her life, Ari raised a brow at him. Chaos was the last thing she needed after living so calmly the past couple of years. Dealing with the deaths of both of her parents so close together was chaos enough. "I think you and I both know that I probably don't need any more chaos in my life," she stated matter-of-factly. It was sure to be missed by the strangers around her, but he would know what she meant. J.J. then backed the conversation back to her mentioning that his siblings were ranked higher than he on her list. "Then let me take you to the krankenhauser, frechdachs. You're number three," she teased with a smile. She softly grabbed his chin between her thumb and index finger - thumb gently stroking his chin. "Plenty of time to work your way up." Ari blew him a playful kiss before turning her attention back to the group conversation. It was interesting listening to their history and how big their family was. A pang of jealousy slammed her in the chest, but she was adept at hiding how she felt. Ari had always been a bit jealous of JJ and his family but knowing that there were such much more of them brought it all back. All of the family she'd known was dead. She was alone in the world and would never know what it felt like to have siblings and aunts and uncles and even cousins. The smile on her face twitched but she willed herself to keep it together.(Interpol Main Safe House)
Front Lounge
~ Tottenham, London ~
Arabella Bellamy
Colin talked about partying and all of them going out together. Before losing her parents she had partied a lot when she was in Paris. It was a part of the experience and she enjoyed herself. After they died, however, the idea of partying and staying out late all the time no longer seemed interesting to her. There were times she and JJ went out together but even then she wanted to be home. Maybe this was her opportunity to get back into it all again. It was, after all, a new chapter in her life. Her attention was then grabbed by the same tension she'd felt earlier coming from Lucas, Collin, and Michael. She felt that maybe there was history there, that something was going on but of course she wasn't going to say anything. She glanced at JJ to see if he was feeling it too but then concluded he probably didn't. The boy couldn't even tell when someone was flirting with him let alone when others were flirting with each other.
Michael called her name, confirming that he was using the right one and she nodded her head. He assumed JJ had told her everything and she nodded, looking over at him. "Thought he was messing with me, but he did, yes." She then leaned forward with interest as he struggled to get his next statement out; question, rather. When he asked if the two of them were together she shook her head. "No, we're not." Most people would have been nervous about such a question or quickly jump to try and deny the allegations but Ari had remained cool, calm, and collected. The amount of people that asked them that had been aplenty and she was used to it by now. "I do consider him to be my best friend, but nothing more," she said honestly. She turned to look at JJ then, noticing the color of his face and for a split second she was confused. That confusion disappeared when Michael continued speaking and she turned her attention back to him. His warning and concern was touching, but it also worried her a bit. Had she agreed to something far deeper than she'd realized? Sure, she knew that there were... Dangers involved, but she didn't quite know the circumstances. A part of her now wondered if she should've come at all, but she hid it well behind her stony facade. "I understand," she said, clearing her throat. "I wouldn't have come if I didn't, but I really do appreciate your concern, Michael." She offered him a soft smile and nodded her head when he stated they should all be there for each other.
JJ looked at her, reassuring her that things would be okay and she reached for his hand in support - her own or his, she didn't know. The question was then posed of whether they were going to join or not and it was something that Ari was curious about as well. She'd never been one to get into trouble with the law or anything of that sort, so having moved with JJ where his family was had been... Interesting. And while it was all for a good cause, it was still an illegal business. JJ stated his answer then and when he did, Ari found herself slowly sliding her hand out of his. She wasn't sure what she was feeling just then, a heavy feeling settling in her stomach, but it came about when JJ mentioned he was thinking about it. Wasn't what their parents doing dangerous? With a chance of death or injury? Why would he want to put himself into trouble like that? Ari stuffed her hands under her thighs and looked down at her feet. After a few seconds of silence she shook her head. "Well, considering I'm just a baker, I won't be," she said lightly. "So if you ever want baked goods, I'm your girl."
"The Big House" - Upstairs Study
(Interpol Main Safe House)
~ Tottenham, London ~
Alexander King
Something about the way both Spencer and Bruce looked at him made his heart swell. Like they were both finally seeing all the hard work he'd done over the years to grow up and change his old ways. And it was a lot of work. For a split second during his journey, he'd thought he was about to slip up, but Kerry and his kids had gotten him through it. Even Trevor managed to help him out a little in unexpected ways. But now it was all paying off and his brother and uncle saw that in him. He'd probably gush about it to Kerry later but for now he was going to try and keep himself contained. When it was the Porters turn to decide who would lead them, Alex couldn't help but raise a brow when Syd decided he would. He knew the man to be erratic and emotional at times and wondered if he would be the best fit. However, with Roxie and Adam by his side he figured they would be alright... Right? He just didn't want the two families bumping heads again when they were supposed to be working together. The thought did stress him out a little but it wasn't something he was going to share with Syd across from him nor would he with Roxie or Adam. No, his reservations would be made known to Spencer and Bruce and to them only.(Interpol Main Safe House)
~ Tottenham, London ~
Alexander King
They then moved on to the contract and what guidelines they would need to follow. Roxie brought attention to the armored vehicle and Alex let out a chuckle. "You lot are actin' like we're goin' to war or somethin'," he stated before shrugging his shoulders. "Although, now that I think about it. When it comes to the Carters we basically are, right?" Alex continued reading down the list when Adam brought attention to some of the newer recruits and training. He agreed that some of them coming back to all of this would need it, though when it came to his own people he knew and trusted they could handle themselves. After all, they'd still been doing illegal work for him all these years. Spencer asked how they shaped up and if they were good enough and Alex shaped his head. "Definitely. I trust them to handle things when I'm not immediately present. I know one is downstairs - the other three are probably out on a job," he said in reference to Natalie, Albie, Lucius, and Archer. "But they're all good kids - I promise. They've proved that time and time again, but it does make me curious." Alex turned his head to Klaus. "This protection that we've talked about - it applies to them as well? They get contracts too, or are they protected through us?" Alex didn't want anything to happen to the four young adults who'd found themselves entangled in his family's mess. Sure, they were already doing some of his dirty work, but what they were now contracted to do far surpassed that.
Alex was then asked about the armored vehicles and if it would be necessary for them to use. He paused for a second, thinking about how much power the Carters had gathered and concluded that it probably could be. "Backburner," he said, rubbing his upper lip in thought. "Carter is a force and I wouldn't say no to extra firepower and defenses if necessary. Plus, I'm sure they could become useful in future plans - blend in with the police force here or something like that." He shrugged. There was nothing short of ideas when it came to how they were going to get rid of Ezekiel for good, even if they did sound far-fetched. Spencer spoke up then and the moment he mentioned Trevor working for Carter, Alex found Klaus' eyes. Alex knew the truth behind Trevor's employment but he wasn't allowed to say anything. Even if he wanted to he was afraid of how Spencer or Bruce would take such news. The raid had happened before any of them could work on repairing their relationship with the man, so it was understood that they didn't trust him. So when Spencer expressed his worry when it came to Trevor, he didn't quite know how to respond. "Erm," he started, clearing his throat, "I mean... Look, Trevor is... He's different now, Spence, but we'll get into that in private," he stated, not wanting the Porters to hear about their family issues. "Klaus," he said, turning his attention to him. "Anything else? I've got nieces and nephews to meet and a kid to make sure doesn't get in trouble."
The Laundrette
~ Hackney, London ~
Jakob Stewart
~ Hackney, London ~
Jakob Stewart
Jakob hoped his brother knew a bit more about the situation, but the moment he confessed he didn't Jakob tensed. It was bad enough that he was there unarmed but the idea of being somewhere and not knowing why made him uncomfortable. Damian then forced them to sit and Jakob complied, willing his girlfriend to do the same. He needed to play this smart otherwise there was a chance the three of them wouldn't walk out of the building alive. Damian started the intimidation act - restating the warnings they'd been given from day one. Jakob figured he and Abel had been doing a good enough job at it thus far. Daisy? He knew it was a struggle but surely she hadn't gone too far. That was his hope, anyway, and when he said the word, "Consequences," he turned to look at his girlfriend. "Daisy-," he started, only to stop when Damian demanded she stand up. Jakob's legs urged him to move, wanting to spring into action but when he saw the guns he didn't. He glared at them all and clenched his fists tightly together. "Don't lay a fucking finger on her," he threatened. He was normally level-headed - cool, calm, and collected, but when it came to the women in his life he was anything but.
The next few seconds seemed to happen in slow motion. When they brought out Justin, Jakob's eyes narrowed. At first, he didn't recognize him - the bruises and caked-on blood hiding much of his distinctive features. Daisy recognized him and shouted out his name and Jakob's heart dropped. Hearing her scream out for her brother was enough to make his blood boil and when Damian gripped Daisy's hair he jumped up from his seat sending it flying. He was reminded once more about the guns they were being threatened with and had to force himself not to do anything rash; despite wanting so desperately to. But Jakob was smart enough to know that if he did Daisy's life could very well be ended. That Abel's life could be ended. It was the only thing keeping him from jumping so quickly to force Damian to let her go. He watched helplessly as Justin was dropped to the ground and Damian explained what had been happening. They'd been torturing him for days he'd said. All to make a point to her.
Jakob wanted nothing more than to wipe that stupid smirk off of Damian's face. No, wiping would be too polite. Pound it off his face. That would make things a million times better, he thought to himself. One of the men then moved to wrap a cord around Justin's neck and Daisy began to cry out for him. "That's not necessary, okay?!" He couldn't help but plead on their behalf - something he'd never really done before he met Daisy. "Look, she's learned her fucking lesson, so just let them both go, alright?!" But his pleas were falling on deaf ears and he knew that. He knew, deep down, that what was about to happen was going to and there was nothing he could do to stop it. That helpless feeling was starting to really settle in and he didn't know what to do about it. He was struggling with the idea that Damian really would kill his mother or brother or girlfriend if he did anything stupid and based on the state of Justin he knew the man meant business. Jakob watched as Damian forced Daisy to look her now dead brother in the eyes - Jakob fantasizing about killing Damian with his bare hands; making him suffer the same way he'd made Justin and Daisy. He clenched his teeth so hard he thought they'd break and when she was finally released he ran to her.
With his arms around Daisy, he tried to soothe her as much as possible while still in the company of Justin's murderers. And as awful as he felt about it he knew they had to leave Justin behind. But later, he thought, later he was going to demand that Carter at least let them give him a funeral. "Leah," he said, only using her middle name when he was serious or on special occasions, "We have to go, okay?" Jakob tried his best to ignore the taunts of Damian as he worked to get Daisy back up on her feet. Jakob then turned his attention to Abel, nodding his head toward the door. "Now. Let's go." He was smart enough to know when to leave. It was cowardly to do considering their current circumstance and therefore didn't feel like one. Once he'd finally managed to get Daisy out of the building he walked down a few blocks to safety where there were more people about. Setting his girlfriend in a seat of a nearby outside dining table, he turned to Abel. "Look after her for a sec, okay?" He reached into his pocket for his phone, dialing his mother's number. While it rang, he held his phone between his ear and shoulder and placed his hands on Daisy's cheeks. "It's gonna be alright, Leah, listen to me. I'm gonna get you home and we're goin' to figure this all out, alright?"
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