The Reaper's Daughter (Book 1 Soldiers Series)

13

Johnny stood beside his car staring out over the Pier watching the sunrise while Sasha slept in the passenger’s seat. The cool breeze rolled inland from the ocean caressing his face like a long-lost lover. The fresh scent of salt water filled his nostrils, and he breathed it in deeply.

Los Angeles.

He was home.

The soft rays of red and orange stretched out across the water, dancing over the waves. It was a gorgeous sight he had not appreciated when he had lived there. After being gone for so long, Johnny could truly appreciate the simple beauties of home. Johnny opened the passenger’s door and reached inside. His fingers caressed Sasha’s cheek rousing her from her sleep. “We’re here.” He smiled taking her hand in his helping Sasha from the car.

Sasha settled into his comforting embrace looking out over the water. The soft light, the vibrant colours, and cool breeze were all so perfect. A simple romantic moment he had chosen to share with her. She lifted her gaze to the content smile gracing his face as he savoured the tranquillity, perhaps his last moment of peace from then on. “It’s beautiful.” She said.

“Come.” He smiled taking her hand in his; Johnny led her down to the beach walking along the water’s edge stepping just out of reach of the receding waters. “I used to come down here all the time when I was a boy.” He said moving toward the pillars of the Pier. “I usually slept right under there.”

“You lived under the Pier?” She asked finding the thought saddening.

“Well it was better than going home, at least until I got recruited. After that, I always had a bed to sleep in, food in my belly, and money in my pocket.” Johnny said drawing her into his arms once more. “It’s always fairly warm here compared to many other places, even in the winters, so it is not such a bad place to be homeless if you got to be.”

“But you just said you had a home, why didn’t you ever go back to it?”

“I was a runaway.”

“Why?”

Johnny stared at Sasha; he did not care to talk about his childhood. It was not that it disturbed him in any serious way; he did not care to dwell on it. This was Los Angeles; there were a million people with a sad sob story of terrible home lives and lousy parents. Some let it destroy them and others, like Johnny, simply escaped them. It did not make him special, nor excuse the choices he made afterwards. He always hated the ones that would go on and on about how hard they had it to justify their bad behaviour somehow or rouse some sympathy and pity.

Yes, he had it bad, but in his time with the Soldiers, Johnny had quickly realized that no matter how bad you had it there was always someone out there that had it worse. He could not change his past, all he could do was his best to provide his daughter with a better life than he had, and hope she would not have to suffer through the sights he and Ashley had.

“Because this is LA Sasha, the city of fallen angels, don’t let its beauty deceive you, the people here have no morals, no loyalty, and your grandmother would stab you in the heart while you slept for an opportunity to score some rock. This place may look like heaven, but it’s the Devil’s playground.” Johnny kissed Sasha’s forehead, perhaps more to calm his nerves than to sooth hers. “Come on; we should probably go find ourselves a motel.”

Taking Sasha’s hand, he led her back up the beach to the road. His pace quickening as he spotted a uniformed officer walking around his car, Johnny quickly repositioned his shirt down over the butt of his pistol that he had tucked in his belt behind him earlier. “Is there a problem officer?” Johnny asked politely and calmly as they reached the car.

“Is this your car?” The middle-aged man asked peering out from under his cap eyeing Johnny suspiciously.

“Yes Sir, it is.”

“You can’t park here.” The officer informed him taking out his pad of citations. “I’m going to have to write you up. License and registration.” He ordered reaching for his pen.

“Certainly.” Johnny reached into his pocket and removed his wallet. Selecting one of the many forged licenses and corresponding registration papers he had brought along.

The officer took them both; looking at the ID and then back at Johnny suspiciously. His gaze then moved to the license plate. “Mr. Walker, is it?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“You live here in California?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“But you have out of state plates.” The officer pointed out in an accusing tone.

“I just moved I haven’t changed the plates yet. I know I should, but I’ve just been busy. I’ll be sure to get them changed right away.” He lied scolding himself silently for not having remembered to bring the extra licenses plates.

“You reside at this address?” The officer asked tapping the fake ID against his metal clipboard.

“Yes.”

“Have we met before?” The officer asked stepping closer to scrutinize Johnny better.

“I doubt it.” Johnny smiled innocently, his fingers twitching as he prepared to reach for his gun. This officer was far too nosy for his liking.

The officer glanced over to his car taking a step closer. Taking a flashlight from his belt, the officer peered inside. Johnny reached for his weapon, finding the officer overly nosy for a parking violation. If he got a good look inside, he might spot the rifle on the floor of the backseat only partly concealed by the large duffle bag also filled with artillery.

Sasha’s eyes widened as she noticed Johnny reaching for his gun. Placing her hand on his, she shook her head disapprovingly. Walking over Sasha slipped in between the car window and the officer. A sweet smile on her face she batted her long lashes at him. “Officer please allow me to explain. I’m sorry, you’re right we shouldn’t have left the car here, but I’m visiting for the first time and…well, look.” She said gesturing to the rising sun and the sparkling ocean. “Look how breathtaking that is. I made him stop and show it to me. Granted he probably should have said no.” Sasha smiled wickedly. “But would you say no to me if I told you I wanted to go down on the beach and suck your cock.” The officer smiled and blushed, his eyes moving to the happy smirk on Johnny’s face. “Come on he’s only human.” She said innocently.

Johnny restrained the urge to laugh. He could not believe those dirty words had come from Sasha’s mouth. She did have a wicked side. “Ok, I’ll let you off with a warning, but next time find a proper parking spot and walk back.” He smiled handing the ID and paperback to Johnny.

“Will do,” Johnny said opening the car door for Sasha and walking around the front. “You have a nice night.” He said with a sly smile and got in. Watching the officer returning to his car through the rear-view mirror Johnny grinned at Sasha.

“That was close.” She breathed a sigh of relief.

“What the hell was that?” Johnny asked amused. He would not have thought she had it in her.

“I had to distract him somehow; it was the only distracting thing I could think of.” She blushed.

“You know he’s just going to go back to his car and jerk off now.” Johnny laughed.

Sasha slapped his arm playfully for the crude comment. “Don’t say that.” She scolded.

“Yeah,” He teased sliding one hand up his thigh toward his crotch pretending to be the officer. “Picturing you on your knees, oh baby, oh baby.” He chuckled and lifted his arm to defend himself against her retaliation.

“Stop that.” She smacked him again. “Just drive.”

“Hay when we find a motel… what do you say we get you on your knees.” Johnny teased taking another hit to the shoulder. “Or at least I’ll teach you to hit properly.”

“Cut that out.” She warned. “Now that we’re here what do we do?”

Johnny started the engine. “We don’t do anything. I’m going to see an old friend.”

***

The X-Factor nightclub was packed; entry granted only to those on an exclusive list and some of Los Angeles’ most beautiful people. Rumour on the street was that a Soldier Veteran owned the popular nightspot, but that did not seem to keep the patrons away. It was a profitable business, making far more than it should despite its success.

It was often a target for the IRS and the Worriers, a rival gang that often tried to raid Soldier owned establishments in the hopes to deal their enemy a crippling blow. People whispered that the Soldiers and the Warriors had been at odds for what seemed like forever but there was a war on the horizon, even Johnny could feel it coming, and he had just gotten back.

He had been in town for a day now and had spent most of it working the streets and slums for information, he hated walking into any situation uneducated, and it often decreased one’s odds of self-preservation. The word on the street had been that the two gangs had grown exponentially in the last decade. The city had become too small to prevent the two superpowers from clashing. There was nowhere else to expand without battling over turf and memberships that were clear to see. It was the same old cliché; no servant could serve two masters. One gang would have to engulf the other or kill each other trying. It could very well be the reason they had sought him out, the fastest way to kill a snake was to cut off its head, and he was the best in that particular field.

Johnny had also heard that the woman that owned the X-Factor was a shrewd businesswoman with a superb legal mind. She knew exactly how to manipulate the laws to her advantage, a useful tool when running a profitable front. Of course, Johnny knew the other side of her, the ghetto girl, the cunning and vicious scorpion beneath the glitz and glamour.

He knew them all, every last Veteran. Of course, he knew them all before they were Veterans. Johnny had been there in the beginning, when the Soldiers were still making a name for themselves when they were still claiming the streets. He knew all their strengths, their weaknesses, and more importantly, he knew what each was capable of. He knew better than to trust any of them.

Johnny had left Sasha at the motel, he was about to walk into the lion’s den, and he preferred to go in alone. He needed to know who had Jess and who his allies were if he had any. Though he did not necessarily trust her, she had been one of only two Veterans that had not been there the night Ashley had died. Johnny was banking on the history they shared in the hopes that she might prove helpful.

Crossing the crowded parking lot, Johnny bi-passed the long line of hopefuls and approached the doormen. Due to the threat of Warrior raids security was understandably tight. Mounting the steps one of the bouncers stepped in front of Johnny placing his hand on Johnny’s chest to stop him. The large man stood tall and brawny, a stern, mean look in his eye. “Get back in line bud; you ain’t on the list you don’t get in.”

“I’m sure I’m on the list,” Johnny said calmly lifting the lower corner of his t-shirt and pulling down on the waist of his pants to expose the tattooed crest on his pelvic bone. The man stepped aside and apologized for his rudeness as his colleague opened the entrance door. It was as Johnny thought, all Soldiers welcomed in all Soldier establishments, no waiting. His tattoo was an all-access pass to most of Los Angeles.

Johnny walked through the club surveying the layout, making mental notes of the exit locations and security positions. Should he need to make a hasty exit, he wanted to know which way was out. After plotting out the best escape route, he moved through the people to the bar and flagged down the bartender. “Where’s Saint?” He asked directly holding the bartender’s gaze with confidence. The man pointed to a table up high on a balcony level overlooking the dancefloor. It was the perfect spot for an executive to oversee their investment and conduct illicit business.

Johnny strolled toward the staircase leading up to the balcony, having to show his authorization once again mark to the thugs standing guard below. Climbing the steps one by one Johnny reached the spacious balcony level above. Tables, leather sofas, and chairs were arranged to view the floor below and the stairs as well so that their backs were never exposed and they were never caught off guard. The vast space filled with many people, some just there to party with the big wigs, some were staff.

Most of the faces he did not know, but there were two that he did, seated on the leather couch. To the right a medium build bald brother dressed in stylish evening wear, his black dress jacket draped over the back of his seat he smiled at the sight of Johnny. To his left a small, well-dressed Asian woman, her hair cropped short and styled with coloured gel turning the tips a dark blue. She peered at him over the rims of her yellow-tinted sunglasses. Her lips curved into a pleased smirk. Watching Johnny, she gestured with a flick of her wrist to have the balcony cleared. Johnny strolled across the floor standing only a few feet away from the remaining two as the area cleared out.

“‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me…’ hello, Reap.” She smiled.

“Hello, Saint.” He addressed her and then nodded to the man on her right. “Shank.”

“I didn’t believe Luda when he said he’d found you, that he’d bring you back. I was so sure you were dead.” Shank chuckled in wide-eyed awe.

Luda, well that was one question answered; he could not say it surprised him in any way. He and Luda had never been on good terms since the day Johnny brought Ashley into the Soldiers. Luda had wanted her as much as Johnny had, and Luda had never taken it well that Ash had chosen Johnny over him.

“I was dead, I’ve been resurrected,” Johnny said in a calm tone.

“And what exactly has brought the dead back to life?” Saint queried scooting forward on her seat, eager to hear what leverage Luda had that could flush out Johnny after so many years.

“They took my daughter.”

“So, the baby did live.”

“Luda has her, and I need to know where,” Johnny stated.

“We don’t know, but we’ll be sure to tell him you’re looking for him.”

“It’s good to see you again Reap. I want you to know it never sat well with us what the others did to you and Ash. Had we been there we would have had your back.” Shank said solemnly rising to his feet. Shank had been a good friend back when Johnny had been running with the Soldiers.

“They would have killed you too.”

“They would have been no match for the four of us,” Saint added.

“That would be why they sent you two away before coming after us.” Johnny grinned. “No worries, I don’t have no beef with you two. I’m only after Luda.” He reassured his old friends.

“Luda’s a punk, he doesn’t take care of business himself anymore, he sends his crew to do it, and he hides behind the young thugs. You got to go through them to even get to him. He has spent so many years behind a wall muscle; he’s gotten rusty. He’ll be easy… but they won’t. You’re going to need help.” Shank told him.

Johnny smiled; there was enmity among the ranks. It was possible he could use it to his advantage. “If I go after him…” Johnny began.

“We got your back.” Saint winked. “We’ll remind Luda what it is like to be street.”

“Are there any other Soldiers that feel the same way about Luda?”

“You mean do we have any troops of our own?” Saint grinned. “Luda’s not as big as he thinks he is. Consider the X-Factor a haven and our troops are your troops.” She opened her arms wide to illustrate her offering.

Johnny grinned. “What about support from other Veterans?” He asked knowing it was likely a long shot. They had tried to kill him once before they likely would not band with him now.

“Um, I think you’re out of luck in that regard, besides us I doubt you’ll get any Veteran support. They tend to bow down to Luda.” Shank told him.

“Then we’ll have to take them out along with Luda to avoid retaliation.”

“A pre-emptive strike.” Saint tilted her head curiously. “Are you planning on bringing down the Soldiers?”

“No, just the Veterans, at the end, that will leave you two in charge, being the only Veterans left to follow that is. You’ll have all the power.” Johnny grinned. “I’ll be in touch.”

Saint picked up her cell phone from the table and tossed it toward him. Johnny caught it in one hand. “Take it so we can contact you. I’ll tell Luda he can reach you through that phone about your girl. If you need us, the club and Shank are in the cell’s phonebook, as is the digits and addresses for Luda and the others.”

Johnny tucked the phone into his pocket and winked flirtatiously at the little Asian woman who lived up to her name. “Saint, I do believe I love you.”

“I know.”

Johnny turned and descended the steps. Shank took out his cell phone and punched in Luda’s phone number. When the line on the other end picked up, a sadistic smirk curved Shank’s mouth. “Guess who's looking for you?”

***

Sasha paced the motel room frantically. Johnny was gone for hours with no word. She was starting to worry. She had flipped randomly through the TV stations finding nothing to occupy her mind. Sasha had spent the last thirty minutes tearing tags off the clothing they had bought earlier that day and folding them to keep busy. It was getting late, so she changed into one of his t-shirts, it hung down to her mid-thigh. It was large on her tiny frame, but it made her feel better to feel something of his against her skin. Sasha crawled into bed tired but wound up from worrying she continued to flip aimlessly through the TV stations.

It was almost one in the morning before Johnny crept in trying not to disturb Sasha. He had taken a roundabout way back to the motel, checking his bearings and reacquainting himself with the city. There had been a few changes in the last eighteen years, but all the usual old escape routes were the same. On his tour, Johnny had breezed by some Soldier hangouts and some well visited Veteran spots that Saint had programmed in her cell phone. Some he remembered, and others were new.

The Soldiers had expanded their operations since his day. Most of the Veterans were well-established business owners, all fronts for more profitable business arrangements, but still successful by many legal standards nonetheless. The Soldiers had bought their way into a higher breed of criminal. They had evolved above the usual petty gang antics into well-organized crime. Wealthy and connected they quickly gained mafia status, moving into racketeering, smuggling weapons, and drug trafficking. Some rather lucrative deals, but none of which explained why they had taken Jess and brought him back to Los Angeles.

Yes, they would harbour resentment and wish him dead, this he knew and expected; however, they wanted something else from him. If killing him had been their only motive for seeking him out after so long they could have waited for him at home and with the element of surprise had shot him in the head as he walked through the door. Instead, they took Jess knowing he would follow. Jess was leverage, a bargaining chip, but for what? Who was it exactly they wanted him to dispose of that they could not do themselves?

Sasha was awake despite the late hour, and she crawled out from under the blanket and scurried across the bed on her knees to greet him with relief. Johnny sat on the corner of the bed and felt her arms wrap around his shoulders, her chin resting lightly on his collarbone. “I was worried. What took you so long?”

Johnny’s hand closed over hers keeping her arms locked around him, she felt warm and comforting, her sweet fragrances calming his mind and nerves. “I just took a walk, some primary recon.”

“The people you went to see tonight, are they friend or foe?”

“Friend is a strong word, their allies, taking down Luda benefits them as well as me.”

“Luda?”

“The most influential of the Veterans it would seem, you could almost call him chairmen of the board if they had one. If he goes down their stock goes up. It is like I said, loyalties are for sale, and everyone has an agenda.” Johnny sighed leaning over and unlaced his boots. Dropping one to the floor and then the next.

“What’s a Veteran?” Sasha asked trying to follow his explanation.

“The Veteran, um, it is like the guy at work that has seniority. They’re the originals, the ones that ran the streets when we started. They each hold a vote in the overall Soldier interest but have all branched out into their sort of subsections. Each retains a boss-like status among their subordinates. It is complicated.” He added giving up on trying to explain the inner workings of the organized crime chain of command.

“Did you find out where they might have Jess?” Sasha inquired releasing her embrace and sitting back on the mattress.

Johnny shrugged off his coat and draped it over a chair, pulling his shirt over his head. He laid it on top of his coat. “No, but I confirmed it must be Luda that took her. By now Shank and Saint have put the word out, and he knows I’m here.” Johnny took the cell phone from his pocket and held it in the palm of his hand staring at the blank call screen. “It is only a matter of time now until he contacts me, but it won’t be tonight.” He placed the phone down onto his clothes and then his pistol. Johnny unbuckled his pants sliding them down his legs and stepping out. He crawled into the bed beside her, sprawling out on his belly tired by his hike around town.

“How can you be so sure?” Sasha asked stretching out beside him; she pulled the blankets up over them and stroked his back. His eyes closed; he was exhausted between worrying and walking.

“He wants me to sweat.”

“Than perhaps you should oblige him.” She whispered brushing her lips over his neck bringing the tiny hairs to a stand. She knew how to take his mind off the terrible circumstances surrounding them. There was nothing more he could do now until Luda made his move.

He rolled over looking up into those deep soulful eyes, her perfect upturned nose and full lips, Johnny found it inconceivable that any man lucky enough to have Sasha love him would betray her with any substitute that could only pale in comparison. He considered her fiancé a fool. A self-assured i***t that did not know what he had until Johnny took it from him. Sasha leaned over to kiss him, and his palms framed her face pulling her closer as his head lift from the pillow to meet hers. She was the very embodiment of peace and tranquillity; heaven itself could not hold a candle to the time he spent with Sasha.

A life with Sasha was a feverish pipe dream, and Johnny knew it. He was bound for one of two fates in the coming weeks, death or prison, which in turn was death. He had done many horrible things in his past; he was assured the death penalty should he ever be arrested. Be it by the hands of the courts or Luda himself, Johnny’s life would end here in Los Angeles. When this came to an end, Sasha would go home comforted as yet another one of his victims and return to her life. She would marry, and he would be nothing more than a fleeting moment of insanity on her part.