The Laws Of Lust

Chapter Four- Kray-zy

His arms forced down at his sides, James was caught in the grasp of men who meant him harm. While looking out the blackened windows in an attempt to try and escape, a fist met with his face-forcing him unconscious. He would only awaken when the car came to a stop that forced him to crash against the seat in front of him. When being pulled back by a set of thick hands, James knew the extent of some of his wounds due to the blood staining the seat in front of him. For a moment, he paused in believing he would meet his demise this way. But thought of Poppy and how he longed to see her again. This had been reason enough for him to fight to survive. 

"The boss isn't going to like this…" one of the men spoke as James was forced out of the car, his hands now tied in front of him with rope. As his side crashed to the ground, he let out a grunt while the wind had been knocked out of him. 

"He told us to bring anyone who was suspicious." 

James was pulled up by the ropes binding his hands and forced through a set of double doors. The location had been abandoned but still well kept as he realized through the journey that he was in a hotel. Being drug up a few flights of stairs, he was finally brought to a large suite and left on the floor, the door closing behind him. One man who escorted him up the steps had remained with him as well, speaking to a man with his back turned from James. Low voices given in mumbled words filled the space around James before a pair of feet brought his attention to a set of shiny dress shoes. 

"How do ya know Poppy? Word is you two are quite chummy…" 

"I...don't…" he answered without any care of his well being, he simply desired to protect her. 

"He must be lying 'cuz he's married." The henchman spoke while noticing the band on James's left hand. 

"You must have gathered by now that we are not the kind of people that you mess with. I ain't askin' again."

"I was trying to help her find her friend...she is missing…" 

"Who?!" The henchman spoke, worry expressing through his entire persona. 

"She didn't tell me her name." James spoke earnestly, as if she had, he was not able to recall. 

"If it is Sophie-" the second man began as his alleged boss tried to intimidate him with a raised brow that quickly descended after a mutual quiet fell between all three of them. 

"Well we cannot very well have you telling everyone where we are…" with these words, the man he was brought to, the one who seemed to be in charge, lifted a gun to view. 

"What the bloody hell do you think you are doing?!" A feminine voice spoke as James could feel his heart skip a beat. It was her...It was Poppy. 

"What have I told you 'bout pickin' up strays…"

"He could help me find Sophie...he has...connections."

"What is he? Did you incorporate yourself with the fuzz?!"

"No Reg, he is a lawyer." This seemed to pick the lead's interest as he placed the gun back into his waistband and motioned for James to be stood upright. 

"First a doctor...than a drummer...now a lawyer…" James began to worry that this had been part of a large scheme of some kind due to these words.

"It is not like that with him."

"I don't care who you f**k on your time. But if you see something on him worth trusting...how about we share in that benefit?"

"Reg...he's got a wife…"

"So do many men we've...dealt with…" he spoke carefully with his words. Poppy stood silenced, her attempt to fight for him having been deflated by this poorly veiled threat. 

"I am going to guess you want to continue breathing…" James's eyes met with this man's after having focused on the floor and then Poppy. His heart sunk as he realized who he was before. "So you are going to help out The Firm."

"Which one?" 

"There is only one!" He corrected James. "My brother and I could use someone like you."

"You might as well kill me. I am not helping The Kray brothers." James spoke against him, his courage behind his words having impressed the vintage mobster. "I know what you've done...the people you have killed. I am not going to help you-" Reg now moved to Poppy, withdrawing the gun one final time before using the edge of the weapon against her cheek. 

"Not even for her life?" James had hoped to meet his end aside from being responsible for her life. He was too confused with the situation to truly understand the depth of his circumstance. And yet, above all, he knew he wanted to protect her. 

"What do you want?"

"Currently, your discretion. Until we call upon you. Then you will both keep your lives." Reg moved closer to him, keeping the fun pointed sideways towards Poppy. 

"If you think of going to the fuzz or doing anything other than what I say...you will end up as target practice for us...As you said before, it seems our reputation has preceded us…" Reg motioned for James to be released. Poppy remained behind for a handful of minutes before chasing after James who was now completely lost. 

"Allow me to take you home…" she pleaded after finally catching up with him. His eyes narrowed to her. 

"I didn't judge you when I first met you, Poppy." To speak her name with anger had pained him to a deep degree. "But you are wrapped up in the Krays?!"

"They help me with Ross…"

He scoffed. "Some help they are-" he commented upon the bruise upon her upper cheek from the back of their supposed protection. 

"They make it so I am untouchable." James knew this better than anyone. She was truly untouchable. Especially to him. "And you will be too of you help them-"

"Why should I trust you? I don't even know you. Besides...it sounds like you have done this before … a doctor, a drummer…"

"They act like older siblings protecting me...but I have had other men take interest in me."

"You think I take interest in you." He asked defensively, angry at his near death experience as well as the fresh questions that made him question her intentions. "I don’t even know you, you are just some dancer-" tears filled her eyes to his cruel words against her. 

"I thought you were different…" Her words broke his heart as she looked at him with a narrowed gaze before leaving him abandoned in  this dangerous city, run by the  powerful criminal mobsters the city had come to know. 

As James made his way home after the kindness of a few elderly men whom he asked for directions, he came to find Alice standing in their living room with the police. When her eyes fell to him, she launched from the couch and to him, her arms wrapping tightly around him. It was deduced by the departure of the police that she had called because of her husband's absence. Although he had imagined a life without her during the time he spent with Poppy, he was now thankful to have her to return to. As she was always safe for him, his heart, and his future. But he still felt unfilled as he laid by her side that night. 

The sound of the metal mailbox having closed at an odd hour had set his feet in motion to retrieve whatever correspondence was meant for him. Bringing a piece of paper folded quickly to view, he let out a breath when finding an address awaiting him. He knew without a doubt that this had been from The Krays- and whether or not he could change it, he was now on the other side of the law.