Lollipop

Chapter 5: Payback is a Capital B

Rule 2: Destroy Property at your own risk. Anything broken is paid out of your own pocket.

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James and Tommy looked up to see how much damage the fire had done to their shop.

“It's a damn good thing we used good bricks. Right sir?" said Tommy. He looked over to a silent man who was seething. "Come on now, it could have been a lot worse." Tommy nudged, but James didn't budge. Some of his workers came up behind him to witness the damage. Many were in an uproar about the damage and when they were told who the culprits were, their voices rose demanding justice.

James turned to see all eyes on him and simply said, “It's fine. We're just going to be their new favorite customers."

And with that, the crowd fell silent with satisfaction.

***

It was almost time to close at Honeys when a few of James' men entered the store holding crowbars and bats.

The counter girl announced they were closed and the boys laughed before they began breaking shelves. One of them held up a gun to the girls before they could reach for a weapon.

When everything was destroyed, the boys hooted and hollered in victory back down to the Toffee House and the girls fumed.

“Miss Penelope is going to kill us," One of them groaned.

“You're half right." Penelope chimed. She had heard the commotion and saw her shelves destroyed, “What the f**k happened here?" she scowled at the girls who tensed up in fear.

“It's the boys from the Toffee House. They came in with a young kid and broke all the shelves," the other blurted.

“And a man was still in here. I think he was with the crowd when we got a crowd and stayed and-"

“Shotgun," Penelope ordered. Missy tossed her the gun from behind the counter without question. Penelope caught it with ease and pumped it, leaving without a word. Marlene charged right behind her, another shotgun in tow from the counter.

***

At the Toffee House, two counter boys by the name of Noah and Jack were about to lock up when bullets sprayed the windows, making them duck in cover.

“What the f**k was that?" Noah blurted. Another spray went through the door. Penelope then kicked down the door and opened fire into the Toffee House. Marlene ran behind the counter and held the boys up so they wouldn't try anything.

“The f**k are you doing you crazy cun-" Jack tried to shout over the gunfire, but Marlene shot a shell into the ceiling, demanding them to shut up.

Penelope used up every shell and called Marlene over to leave until she heard Tommy and James shouting from behind. She turned to Tommy checking on the boys as James marched up to her.

Penelope pulled another shell from her dress pocket and loaded it without a word, pumping the firearm and putting it right to James' chest in quick time.

“Have you gone f*****g mental?" he screamed. Marlene and Tommy were also in a standoff.

“No, I just had my shop destroyed and thought I'd return the favor." she huffed. Her shoulder was sore from the recoil but she kept her barrel steady.

“You lit my shop on f*****g fire!" James threw his hands up.

“Don't pull that shite! You tried to burn my shop down first!" Penelope argued.

“For the last time, I did that because. You. Are. On. My. f*****g. TURF." he was in her face now.

“And repeat after me. IT'S NOT. YOUR. f*****g. TURF. ANYMORE." she screamed back. They were both breathing hard when Jack cautiously raised a hand.

“Um… boss?" he peeked over the broken counter.

“What!" James spat. His eyes still on Penelope.

“...Can we go home?"

“Go," he growled. The counter boys ran out the door past Penelope. James leaned in so the gun could push into his chest, “This isn't over," he hissed at Penelope.

“I don't know about that. I'm pretty sure if I pull the trigger all of my troubles are over," she leered.

“Then do it." James tilted his head. Penelope could see his tattoo peeking out from his collar and her hands were slowly becoming unsteady the more she thought about how close he held her. She lowered her gun and he nodded, “That's what I thought."

“Yeah okay," she said. She curled her fist and punched him on the side of the face, catching his jaw. Tommy pointed his pistol at Penelope and Marlene took the butt of her shotgun and forced it into his ribs, making him drop to the ground.

James recovered and Penelope exhaled. As if all of her problems were released into his face. "Truce again? "she breathed.

“Not even close," he smirked.

“Have it your way. But pull some shite like you did at my shop today, and I will be right back here with something worse," she threatened. James could see her wince when she moved her right shoulder and chewed the inside of his cheek.

“Look, you and I both know we don't have the time to be doing this. So how about this, we let our workers duke it out while you and I get ready for the sugar trials. I want to win against you fair and square so I can watch that pretty face beg me for a piece of property."

“You can't be f*****g serious," Tommy spurted. Marlene offered him a hand as he tried to stand, but he ignored it, glaring at her.

“Serious as a heart attack. What do you say?" he held out a hand, making Penelope hesitant.

She shook his hand and he pulled her in for a hard kiss catching her off guard. She pulled away and tried to slap him, but he caught her hand this time, keeping a firm grip on her wrist. She tried to pull away and he gently kissed her hand making her body tense.

“Don't hurt yourself, love," he whispered, pressing his lips on her palm.

“Don't toy with me then," she whispered back. He let go and gave her a sly smile.

“I don't know, I think you like it when I do," he teased.

“I think you're forgetting we hate each other," she looked up at him trying to hide a smile.

“Hate, lust, whatever you want to call it,"

“Stick with hate," she said, putting her gun on her shoulder.

She and Marlene took their leave and James took Tommy to be patched up, getting an earful from his assistant when no one was around.

Per their agreement, only the workers waged war on each other. A few lives were lost, but not as many as there could have been. The next month came and it was time.

***

Deep in Britain's woods, a manor lit up the night sky. Guests arrived at this manor left and right and piled through the doors. The lighting was warm and music filled the air along with the chatter.

Penelope wore a black dress with a daring slit down her left leg. She sat at one of the tables sipping on wine as she looked for James. Not that she needed to know where James was. He was just the only one she knew.

“You're so funny Mr. Brooks!" a woman's voice pierced her right ear. She looked over to see a woman with platinum blond hair in a sexy red dress standing very close to James. She watched as her hand brushed his face and her grip tightened on her glass. A small crack formed on the side.

“Why the hell is she here?" Penelope thought.