THE DEALING DEVIL.

“Yeah,” He nodded, before taking a sit by the bar. “By all means get that after this one then,” He shrugged, knowing that he liked his whiskey just as much as the next person but he also liked it spruced up just a little. “Nothin’ to tell you guys yet. Me and Miguel, we’re figuring shit out. I’m plannin’ on some big payback shit though.” 

♦

Emerson gave him a small sympathetic smile when he mentioned that he was worried about Kaley. She was only responsible for herself and a small dog and she was barely functioning lately, she couldn’t imagine what he was going through worrying about his niece.  “If you want I can reach out to her, me checking up probably wouldn’t be as bad as you doing it.” She offered, moving behind the bar to fix his drink before fixing one for herself as well. She handed him the glass before moving to sit down.  She didn’t really want to et to much into how she was feeling with any of the Devil’s. She wasn’t sure if any of them would really understand.  “I’m alright. Just trying to keep a bit of a low profile.”

//

Skylar laughed softly, letting her eyes rest on him. “Yeah, but I wouldn’t have been upset if you didn’t check on me.” She confessed, knowing Alicia was in worst shape than she ever could be. She hugged him, wincing softly with the pain in her shoulder. “How is she?” She asked softly as she pulled away from him, moving towards the bedroom. “Okay bossy pants.” She murmured as she walked through the bedroom. “I’m doing fine.”

“What a gem you are, Foster baby.” Margot purred after him as the man used his height to her advantage and fetched her the box that she had been struggling to reach. Once it was passed to her, Margot gave him a dazzling smile as a reward for his efforts, trailing her hand down his arm before shrugging a shoulder at his question, sultry facade fading into something more genuine and tired. “I was done, and yeah I had stopped by to drop off some food for everyone, but then… I was just in the way there. Figured I might as well come here and get some shit done… it’s not as if any of our asses are gonna sleep soundly for a while.” She reasoned with a soft sigh, nodding towards the door they had come in from before making her way through the threshold herself.  “What you by here though, my darling?” She asked over her shoulder as she approached the receptionist’s desk and sat the box down on top of it, clicking off the lid.

⁂

“I always expect them to do somethin’.” Liz told him, she knew the Royals were smarter than they seemed, but the stunt they pulled at the masquerade was almost too much. Really though, she was just glad that everyone was alright, that her friend and her- Spencer, had all made it out alive. “Oh we will, but we need to be smart about it.” The brunette nodded, though she knew her say in the matter wasn’t as strong anymore, but she still needed to make sure she wasn’t bringing her son into a world where the gangs were openly attacking each other. “I’ve been alright, everyday is a little closer. Doc says I probably won’t be on my feet as much soon, but you know me, I’ll be here until I physically can’t make it.”

“Guess so,” Or at least as close to a good mood as he’d get, honestly. “I’m just glad we’re gettin’ shit done. And that drugs are the way to go. Y’know, I was once told that was a stupid idea. Look at us now,” He smiled, “If you insist,” Most people didn’t like his drink of choice to begin with. He motioned to the nearest bartender, “Two old fashioned,” putting up two fingers in case they didn’t hear him. 

open starter / @rivalsofnycstarters​

With the first chance to slip away from the devils stomping grounds. While it was a place he felt the most comfortable throughout the city, it wasn’t exactly where he had wanted to be recently with what had happened. Most would probably think coming together was exactly what was needed and sure, he could agree it was, but with his frustration towards it and having to stand idly by - that just never went well for Adriel. He was about ready to pick a fight with some random idiot off the street just to let off some steam - that and so he wouldn’t go letting it off on someone within the club, even if some low prospect could use a good kick in the ass. Stepping out of the small shop just half a block from moonlight, newly bought pack of cigarettes in hand he worked on picking one from the box. Shoving the rest away as he began walking back in the direction of the club, although he had yet to decide if he was actually returning or busying himself up another way. The sound of his name ( or something to catch his attention ) coming from behind him had him snapping the word loudly before he could even turn around. “What?” Mostly because as big as the city was, it was still somehow so fucking small.

★

“Don’t ask questions you won’t like the answers too.” Was but all she could answer him without overstepping any boundaries that may have seen important information given to her enemy. It was as cryptic as it was unfair to the other. Alicia had hoped her silent warning would be enough for their conversation to be left to the wind, to prevent any further pain they were to cause one another. But of course the man was as every bit stubborn as he was all those years ago, a trait she had equally loved and despised because it made situations like their present reality all the more difficult than it needed to be. You can’t kill someone already dead. She allowed the words to stew as they echoed within her mind. Words that could almost be considered a threat if the woman hadn’t known better. A short yet distant chuckle fell from her lips and she shook her head, footsteps unfaltering as she spoke. “Si ese es el caso, le deseo suerte, porque no sería el primer asesino a sueldo en intentarlo y fallar.” That was if he could even complete such a mission, because the woman was of sound mind in knowing that if the tables were reversed she wasn’t sure she would be to follow through. Though as he continued, his next words hit something of a nerve with the woman. Running had never been a choice for the woman, it had been the only alternative to an early death at the hands of her previous employers. Perhaps had she not lost Eduardo and Maria her need to survive for young Samuel’s sake wouldn’t have been nearly as dominant as it was now. “He sido muchas cosas, pero cobarde no es una de ellas.” She shot back, though this time her tone was darker, irritation evident. “Si realmente creyeras que nunca pensé que valieras mi tiempo, no estaríamos aquí teniendo esta conversación.“

Time Skip

The gunshots continued to sound out, so much so it was all she could hear long after the firing was overcome by the sounds of rampant feet and fearful screams. Shaky hands lifted from her wound as she took in her now bloodied hands, it was a scene she had seen many times, bullet wounds unfortunately came part and parcel when it came to being a part of the gang or cartel for that matter. However this time it was her own blood, a pill that would have been hard to swallow was it not for the burning pain that seemed to slowly consume her to the point she was completely oblivious to the familiar tone in her ear until she was being lifted from the crowd. The move evoked something of a muffled scream from the woman as she continued to clutch at her wound. “Your familia did this.” She remarked, wincing once again as the gunfire continued. “Deberías irte, déjame. La muerte ya no me asusta.” The woman was mildly aware of another voice calling her name as eye lids fluttered closed, exhausting dragging her into its depths. 

@xander-medina​

It was terrible timing, but the sting of jealousy came when he heard the other male call Alicia ‘babe’ and then had to stand there while he kissed her forehead.  So, this was the new guy. Even with that feeling, he greeted the male’s nod with a nod of his own and applied the pressure on the wound. This night was going to be marked as the shittiest night in Alexander Medina’s life, and he was sure nothing was going to be able to top it. As they ran towards Foster’s car, he looked down at Alicia when she spoke of his family again, narrowing his eyes at her. “ Tu familia lo inició y tú lo ayudaste. Mis manos están limpias de esto.” His eyes looked away from her again, hating that they were this way even now when her future seemed so uncertain. It was agonizing, it felt as if he had been shot as well, and he couldn’t understand why it had to be this way. There wasn’t anything the man wouldn’t do for her, yet, she treated him like he had been the worst possible thing to happen to her. It didn’t make any sense to him, none of it, but he accepted every ounce of the confusion because it came with her. He had been seconds from telling Alicia that he was not going to leave her, that he couldn’t no matter how hard he tried, but then the other male mentioned going to Moonlight, Xander knew he needed to become the villain in the story once more. It doesn’t matter anyway. He thought to himself, scanning the grounds for someone he could get to take his spot in the car. “Moonlight.” He repeated, nodding at the other man. He glanced down at Alicia once more, pressing the slightest bit more of pressure on her wound in an attempt to control more of the bleeding. “Sabes qué, lo haría todo de nuevo, incluso sabiendo cómo terminamos ahora.”

That was all he could say, all he had left for now, before he spotted the chance he needed to get out of the situation he was in. As much as he wanted to take the ride with them to Moonlight, there was just no chance Xander could risk going there, and above all, it was one of the last places he should be anywhere near right now. To say he was curious about the male that was currently leading them through the madness with the same goal he had, for probably very similar reasons, was an understatement. Alexander was not going to let this male just be brushed aside. Still, for now, it was more important to get Alicia to safety and himself away from the situation as quickly as possible. As they ran towards Foster’s car, another civilian came running up them, asking if they needed help, and Xander took it. “Hey, hang on!” He called to Foster, pausing in their steps to turn to the civilian. “Follow him, take her, and apply pressure to the wound.” He instructed, carefully shifting Alicia from his arms to the other person’s arms, all the while making sure the pressure on the wound did not leave it. His phone buzzed with a message from Payton about helping stitch up a mystery woman. He turned to look at Foster, taking a step back from them, “I have to go help my family, but thank you. I’m sure our paths will cross again very soon.” With that, he gave Alicia one final glance before turning and running off towards the direction of the balcony.

@fosterrichman​

        What the fuck?! The vicious thought screamed through Foster’s boggled mind as he turned his attention toward the unfamiliar man and his bleeding out Alicia. He was more than ready to help get his date into the car and let the other man take care of her while he drove, but leaving them unexpectedly was definitely unexpected. Nonetheless, when she was gently rolled into the strangers arms, the drug dealer couldn’t have gotten to her sooner. “No, no, NO,” Deep down, he appreciated the person’s willingness to help, but he didn’t want them getting attached to his woman. “Give her to me and drive us to Moonlight. Now.” Within seconds, he was cradling her in his toned arms and was putting pressure onto her gushing wound. “Stay with me, Alicia, stay awake.” He told her as they ran back to his car. “I’m not leaving your side and you’re not leaving me tonight.”

        Minutes later, Foster and Alicia were driven to Moonlight by the stranger and were now parked outside of the building. “We made it to Moonlight, Ali, you’re going to be okay,” He told the woman of his dreams once he was standing again with her protected in his arms. Feeling the blood seep through her beautiful dress and his hand, he couldn’t get in the night club fast enough. Making his way into the makeshift hospital, he made them known. “Help! Alicia got shot!” For a second, he felt like they were the only two people in the world, but in reality, their shared bubble was broken when doctors came running to them. Once they lead him into her private operating room, he gently laid her out on top of the table and stood by her head. When the doctors weren’t crowding, he desperately pressed his hand to her cheek and looked into her eyes. “Stay strong, babe. I’ll see you when you wake up.” Pressing a passionate kiss against her lips, he was quickly shoved away from her and pushed out of the room. After the doctors shut the door in his face, his knees gave in and he collapsed to the ground, finally hitting his breaking point of the evening. He couldn’t protect her anymore.

closed starter for @fosterrichman​

Emerson had finished doing the inventory for the evening and had moved to sit down at the bar.  Thankfully things had been fairly quiet around the club and Em was relieved to have a bit of normalcy.  After dodging a rather drunk patron that was trying to take her home, and making sure he had an Uber home, she was thankful when she saw Foster come in.  She motioned for him to join her, especially before another drunk guy approached her, smiling as he sat down.

“You look like you could use a drink on the house. How’s everything been?”

Skylar heard her name, moving out of the bed. She walked over towards the door frame, leaning against it as she let her eyes rest on him. “In here,” she gave him a soft smile. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with Alicia?” She questioned, furrowing her brows. She didn’t mind that her friend had been with Alicia. If Jack had been the one shot, she wasn’t sure she would have left his side.

@rivalsofnycstarters​

“Never thought I’d be a wine drinker, you know.” Lily mused aloud. She nodded towards the bartender as thanks. Wanting to try something knew they’d suggested a new bottle that was acquired last week, and Lily was in a good enough mood to venture out. She lifted the half-full glass to herself slightly, eyes flickering to it as she watched the red liquid with interest before taking a sip. “Always thought it was for the sophisticated and wealthy, so obviously associated it with bad tasting and being boring.” she continued with a dry laugh, “I gotta say though it isn’t that bad!” 

Garrett nodded in his direction once he heard the familiar voice, “Making sure everything is in order,” Especially after what had happened, he didn’t trust to run anything without him. “You celebratin’ your new deal?” He asked, “Cause in that case, you could have some shit on the house.” 

Liz leaned up against the wall with her eyes closed, after everything that had happened that night she was exhausted, but she wasn’t leaving until she knew everyone was alright. Especially Alicia, the woman who was easily her closest friend. Her eyes popped open as she heard footsteps approaching her, and she gave a weary smile to Foster as he moved into the space next to her. “The baby and I are both good.” She assured him, while she normally would’ve been fine if she’d been hurt, the fact that the baby could’ve been was terrifying. “I don’t know.” She told him truthfully. “I knew tensions were high between us and them, but I didn’t think they’d be firin’ shots at such a public function.”

closed starter for @fosterrichman​

“Do you think you can reach that box for me, gorgeous? The black one right up there to the left.” Margot requested, having struggled for the past few minutes alone in one of the back dressing rooms in Sweet Kiss. She had left Moonlight a few hours earlier once she had fed everyone and did what she could to help. Standing around there, she felt like she was being more of a nuisance than a helping presence, so she gracefully took her leave and went back to the place that she felt far more in control of everything.

Save for herself and one of her actresses who was playing cam girl on one of the many sets, Sweet Kiss was empty. When Foster had entered the back room, Margot had nearly startled but forced herself to smile a slow smile at the man instead. The day she didn’t look at every man she crossed like a piece of meat waiting to be devoured was the day she would lay cold in her grave. 

“My sweetheart out there on Set 3 needed some new toys and most are currently being sanitized. Those up there just need a quick rinse and should be good to go.” She explained, giving one last attempt at hopping up to grab them herself before turning pleading eyes back on the man. “Damsel in distress here, Foster. C’mon, man.”

         As the usual, small sense of uncomfortable hit Foster’s gut, he always walked into Sweet Kiss with a grin on his face. What happened in the building was a bit awkward for the dealer, but the business was definitely giving Moonlight a run for their money and he appreciated that. Knowing which rooms not to go into, he started to look for Miguel. Entering the backroom and spotting Margot, he made sure to make himself known so he wouldn’t scare her while hard at work.

Shock was but the only word to explain the woman’s expression as the man stepped back from her. His lips moments prior molded to hers as she remained in place doing little to return nor pull away from the kiss, as a vast array of emotions pushed and pulled at her insides. “I wouldn’t call my intentions good.” She corrected with a shake of her head as she too took a step away from the male, mirroring his actions. Having been working for a cartel since she was but a teenager, this life was all she had known. Which was why she had ended up working for the Devils in the first place ten years ago, not just anyone could pick up a bill and deem it to be a fake or real by merely holding it in their bare hands. It was but the tip of the iceberg of her current skill set and role, but it was a job nonetheless and the Devils were her familia. She had also seen too many times to count, what happened to those that fraternized with the other side. A quick death would have been all one could hope for. Which was why this needed to end here and now, despite the confusion that fluttered within her gut. 

Ruling with her head had long been the woman’s strong suit. So instead of echoing his goodbye, she squared her shoulders, expression quickly returning her usual unreadable exterior. Perhaps evoking a hatred from the male would have made this easier, nonetheless she was no longer the soft, fearful woman she had been when they had been together. Now she was different, hardened somewhat by her experiences over the years. “A friend of my enemy is my enemy.” She remarked, stealing a glance back in the direction of the estate, before her attention returned to the male. “La explosión de Sugar Rub fue solo el comienzo. Entonces, si sabe lo que es mejor para usted, dejará a su supuesta familia y correrá mientras pueda.“ Alicia added, a silent warning for what was to come. “You should have killed me while you had the chance.” 

And with that the woman in blue turned on her heel and made her way back toward the estate, ensuring Alexander was completely oblivious to the softening of her features as the weight of her previous words weighed heavy upon her shoulders, war paint flaking from her features with every step. Eerily aware of his following footsteps, that only hesitated when she re-entered the room to ensure they once again were not seen together. Despite the warmth of the room being mildly comforting, the constant chatter and music that seemed to raise the octaves of voices in result, had her head swimming once more. But alas that was when all hell broke loose. A gunshot rang out, and immediately most in the crowd dropped to the floor, Alicia only feet from the balcony watched as Skylar and Quinn drew weapons and before she could even contemplate her next move she was running, reaching beneath the sash of her dress for the small pistol she had concealed in an attempt to aid her friends. Only she never got there. Her breath caught in her throat as she hesitated mid-step, shock pulling at her features while her gun clattered to the ground at her feet.  “Mierda” She muttered, desperately willing herself to put one step in front of the other but to no avail as her knees buckled and she too fell to the floor as the searing pain of her gunshot wound finally took hold.  

The mention of Sugar Rub did catch him off-guard, more than the actions he had just taken before that confession, and caused him to stare at her with a look of disbelief on his face. “Tu?” He asked, knowing the answer had already been given to him. Yet, it wasn’t her words that had promoted what he said or did next. It was her turning away from him, yet again, that got to him. When she did that, it felt as if ten years ago was happening all over again, and this time, it was worse. This time, it had involved his family. All he did for a moment was look at the back of her head, his heart shattering with every second that passed. If there was oxygen, Xander couldn’t find it. He felt like a fish out of water, and Alicia was holding him above the surface. It seemed that no matter what they did, the paths they chose, the choices they made during, Alicia still had that hold on Alexander, and it infuriated him right now more than ever. “You can’t kill someone already dead.” He hurtfully shot back, walking behind her.

“Entonces, si sabe lo que es mejor para usted, dejará a su supuesta familia y correrá mientras pueda”. Those words were daggers to him; they cut more profound than anything else she had told him tonight. “ No corro como tú cuando las cosas se ponen difíciles.” He angrily continued, his jawline tightening as he attempted to keep his voice low as he spoke. “ Nunca renunciaré a mi familia, Alicia. Por qué no dejas a tu familia? Right, because I was never worth your damn energy.” He sighed, slowing in his steps as they neared the entrance. That was all he had left in him when it came to the woman who continued to walk away from him. There was nothing left for him to say, to do, or even think. They both had said what they said, made their choices, picked their sides, and now Alexander was just as guilty of walking away from Alicia as she had been in walking away from him.  

-BANG BANG BANG- The shots were sudden, unexpected, and resulted in Xander immediately reaching for his gun. At least, he was, before the rouge bullets went flying into the woman he had just declared his enemy. He didn’t think he just acted. His feet were running in her direction with arms reaching out to grab her before she could fall, but failing to do so. “I didn’t know. I didn’t know. I swear to fucking god, I didn’t know.” Those were the only words that kept desperately coming out of his mouth as he dropped to his knees the moment he got close enough to her, knowing she more than likely didn’t believe him.  “You should have killed me while you had the chance.”  Her words were swirling in his chaotic mind; his vision was blurring the more he saw blood spewing from her body and morphing with the blue fabric. Maybe down the line, there would come a day when he would end up paying for this moment with his life. Because despite what was said between the two, Alexander could not bring himself to leave her like this, and he certainly would never truly turn his back on her. “I’m not leaving. I’m never going to leave. I promised.” Even if she tried to fight him still, Xander was not going to let her. He delicately scooped her up in his arms, determined to get her out of the sudden mayhem, and somewhere she could get help. At the same time, he was attempting not to lose his vision as he maneuvered through the crowd. Every so often, he would assure her things would be okay and that she would be okay. It wasn’t until they were out of the building, people running in every direction, and the sirens in the distance, that Xander’s mind finally attempted to take the situation in. As he scanned, his eyes fell on a figure that he had caught frequenting Moonlight as well, and he knew that was going to be his ticket to getting Alicia help. “Hey!” He called to the other, running in his direction with the woman still in his arms. 

        His back leaned against the bar and drink in hand, Foster patiently waited for Alicia to come back into his line of sight. They had just danced together for the first time that evening and before then, she confessed more about her past to him, confessed about her past lover. He appreciated the way she opened up more to him, but as he took a sip of his liquored drink, he couldn’t help but scan the room for the man she mentioned, Alexander. As a hint of jealousy ran through his system, he jolted toward the unforgettable sound he heard from the balcony.

        BANG, BANG. The sound of his drink falling to the ground and crashing against the floor should have rang through his ears, but screams and gunshots crowded Foster’s head. Instantly pulling out his sidearm from his waistband, he aimed to where the haunting shots came from. A second later, horror and fear controlled his thoughts and emotions. “Alicia!” Screaming her name at the top of his lungs, the dealer rushed to the front door. Pushing through the terrified crowd, he stayed focused on his main goal to find the woman of his dreams. Praying to God that she wasn’t hurt, he exited the building. “Alicia?” Her name left his mouth again once the cool air hit his skin. Once he heard someone yell in his direction, he turned to the voice and became numb.

        Foster’s romantic night with Alicia officially turned into a full-blown nightmare. He slightly recognized the man, but when his eyes landed on his girl, all he could do was run her way. “Ali,” Halting inches away from the man holding her, the sight of blood rushing out of her side had him shaking. His future girlfriend was shot and he had to get her somewhere safe. He needed her to be okay, he needed her to be alive. Instantly applying pressure to her gushing wound, he locked his eyes with hers. “Stay with me, babe. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.” Leaning in and pressing his lips on her forehead, it was time he gave the man the light of day. “We have to get her to Moonlight, now.” He stated harshly. “Let's get her in my car. Follow me and apply pressure to her wound as much as you can.” Giving him a quick nod, he backed away, turned toward the direction of his car, and started jogging. “Stay with us, Alicia. Keep your eyes open.” He yelled back toward his date, hoping she wasn’t close to passing out due to the blood loss. A minute later, his car came into view. Once getting to it, he opened up both of the passenger doors. “Get her in carefully and I’ll help from the other side. Stay with her and I’ll get us to Moonlight.”