russo

knives out starters

Billy was the picture of a wounded cat. Curled in on himself and peering out at the man with clear suspicion, he looked half ready to hiss and spit, his dark eyes glittering like beetles. He could be a patient man when he wanted to be, but his saintly disposition had been left behind hours ago. Along with his dignity. Not only was he hurt, but the stupid bastard got away, and on top of being set behind physically and work-wise, Billy would have to give his statement to the police…

At least he’d gotten injured on his legal job. He licked his lips, a muscle in his jaw twitching.

knives out starters | @mslangermann

Goddamn journalists. Billy’s smile would be almost courteous if it weren’t for the hollow distaste in his eyes, the hand locked around her arm in a firm grip.

“Not a fan of idle conversation.”

        ❝ Where’s your holiday spirit, bruv? ❞ He gets it. Doesn’t mean he’s not going to have fun with it. ❝ You good, Ebenezer Scrooge? ❞

“There you are.”

He was impressed at his accuracy as much as he was ….a shifting animal. A blade that could turn to pure heat, against his face, what would that be? It would be easy, done in a moment, but he ….

That’s for another.

He withdrew, disturbed by the notion. He recognized something else in the look. One that had been…changed in the mind. Tampered. Invaded

“I want you to think of the harm you wish to do to me, and think if you could stand betraying one of your clients. Doing a job for me.” 

It would be the only way he could get a shot. He could allow him that. 

Boast all you want. Billy, for a moment, said nothing, watching Ren and the way he paced. A man of his position -- surely he would be compensated in some way, but perhaps that was too hopeful. He tilted his head.

“My loyalties are flexible.”

He had been imagining whipping a gun across Ren’s face until he was bleeding. Billy licked his lips, squashing the thought for now.

“I can,” he said. “I can make it so that you will never be a part of any society again.”

His gaze traveled the other man. 

“That is what you want, and that is what I can take away.”

A slow gaze: was he entertained?

Billy’s eyes darkened then, all pretense and charisma gone. His fingers shifted restlessly against the table’s surface. No, he would not take any threat lying down, not from any man -- but his livelihood and his life first. 

        ❝ ‘s more like it, then. ❞ Though he’s not so much flattered as he is reassured. The cheek of him; you tend to know your arse is on point when you’ve got a number of people wanting to make a grab for it.❝ — It is, ain’t it? ❞ Wink. He’s dreadful, really.  ❝ Guess this is where I say you ain’t so bad yourself. ❞ The implication is there, but he’s not quite giving the satisfaction of saying it.

...Alright, and Billy thought he was the cocky one. He better not hear the word ‘pretty’ now, or he’s out. He raises both his eyebrows. 

….

A suffering sigh and giving in to the temptation to roll his eyes. 

...No fun. Billy motioned vaguely with his hands, the chain clanking against the table.