After Ryan and Aari left the cafe, they split up and went their separate ways. Ryan went back to their hideout and told Luna he had met briefly with Aari to find out more about what he’s like. But, their time was cut short because a gang of women came in, called The Bad Girls.

“Apparently they are from Montreal and they know you and I,” said Ryan, “the leader of the group came over to talk with Aari and I and she said they plan to kill us, when the time is right. She also told Aari not to get involved with us or they would kill him too.” “What did Aari say to that?” she asked.

“He told me that no small gang was going to scare him off,” said Ryan, “when he wants something, he takes it and stomps on anyone that gets in his way. I am going to meet him again for dinner at a restaurant he chose. He doesn’t want me saying anything to anyone, just in case the wrong ears hear me. He won’t be telling anyone on his side either. He didn’t like the idea that those Bad Girls found us this morning, I mean, how did they know?”

“I would like to know that too,” said Luna, “we need to be more careful when we talk around here. We have to remember that most of the men around here are more loyal to Ralph than to us.” “Yeah, we need to get rid of Ralph and his two main friends,” said Ryan, “then the others will follow us. I will talk it over with Aari, might be easier for him to do it.”

Later that evening Aari and Ryan met at the restaurant that Aari had written on that paper he had given Ryan earlier. They talked more about joining together against Luna and he asked Aari if he could take out Ralph and his two top friends. He gave pictures of the two men to Aari. Just then Ryan got a call from Luna who told him that Ralph and his two friends were dead, all found at 3 different locations.

“Well, I didn’t do it,” said Ryan. He then asked Aari but he said no, besides, he didn’t even know what Ralph’s two main friends looked like. “I would say that someone else is getting involved,” said Aari, “but who is it?” “I wish I knew the answer to that one,” said Ryan, “I mean, killing them in 3 different locations means someone had some very good information.”

“It also means that someone knows more about your organization than you think,” said Aari, “someone is giving us a message and we need to find out who it is, quickly, and get rid of them.” Just then the Bad Girls came into the restaurant and sat on the other side of the room. Katresa kept looking at them and smiling. “Do you think they could have done it?” asked Ryan.

“That’s possible,” said Aari, “but they seem like just a small gang. How would they know where to look for those men? And how did they know where to find us?” “The only person I told was Luna,” said Ryan, “and she wouldn’t tell them.” “Are you sure about that Ryan?” asked Aari, “She’s the only other person who knew we were meeting here tonight.

Someone had to tell those Bad Girls. You told me that with Ralph and his 2 friends gone, the rest of his gang would be loyal to you, or maybe just to Luna. That would leave you in a bad spot my friend.” Ryan sat there silently for a few minutes. “You know, I agree with you,” he said finally, “she has pushed me to find out how many men you actually have with you, since we only see 15 with you.”

“I have many more men than that with me Ryan,” he said, “I was planning to take this city away from all the smaller gangs floating around, I can’t do that with 15 men. I have 75 men with me and they are all very loyal, and they are a tough bunch of guys, we can crush anyone who tries to stand in our way.” “Sounds good Aari,” he said, “we might need those men of yours too.”

Then Katresa came over to their table, still smiling. “Missing some men Ryan?” she asked, “You should be more careful than that, after all, you could be next on the list Ryan.” “You are taking a chance showing yourself again,” he said, “especially with only 8 women in your gang.” “There are 12 of us now,” she said, “or don’t you know how to count. And I have many more available to me. Can you come up with 50 men Ryan?”

“If I wanted to, yes,” he said, trying to sound confident. “I doubt it Ryan,” she said, “but I would be worried if I were you, Luna has control now and she doesn’t need you around any longer.” She then went back to her table. “She might have a point with what she said,” Ryan told Aari, “Luna doesn’t need me now that Ralph is out of the way. That’s why I was stalling on killing him.”

“So she decided to do it for you,” said Aari, “she may have even hired those Bad Girls and pretended not to know anything.” “You are making more sense all the time Aari,” he said, “I think maybe I will hide somewhere for tonight.” Meanwhile, in another place a voice is heard. “Be patient, she will soon come into view,” he said…

To Be Continued.

©2025 Steve McLeod.