The Boys (John Hart's Gang/Mates)

“Shy,” he snorted, “that’s a new one,” he wasn’t amused and he let this guy know it. “Seems like he’s bein’ a bit of a coward, hidin’ in the background if you ask me.”

Chris clenched his jaw, the storm brewing in his eyes as he remained deathly silent. He knew the other man was intentionally taunting him, trying to get a reaction out of him or appeal to what he was assuming was his wounded pride.

He hated to admit it, but it almost worked. Not really, but he’d be lying to himself if he he didn’t acknowledge the appeal. Except he was much more clever than that. Too clever to let his pride get the best of him. He knew a bad idea when he heard one. Working with these jokers was the very definition of it.

The former cop let him finish his salespitch and then simply nodded his head. “Finished then?” he asked. Clearly unimpressed, Chris shook his head no. “Sorry fellas, you’re gonna need to find another bloke to play spy for ya. Not interested, but ta for the offer,” he gave them a little wave and turned to leave. He kept the man in his peripheral vision though. Just in case.

He made it about 3 steps when the stranger made probably the biggest mistake of his life. He threatened Christina and Donna. Chris was already on his way back when he threatened his brother and his kids. His Maggie. If he said anything else after that, Chris didn’t hear him. His mind had shut off. He simply lunged for the man, knocking him to the ground and hitting him with his fists over and over again; ignoring the blows that landed on him. Not ever feeling them at the moment, his rage was so great. As a matter of fact, Chris couldn’t hear, see or feel anything, completely forgetting about the second guy. 

The two men came to blows on the broken up pavement behind the club, the former DI seeming to get the best of the other when the second man finally stepped out from the shadows. He simply levelled his gun to the side of his head as he wailed on his partner and cocked it. He had intentionally pulled that gun for just that reason. There was no mistaking that noise.

He smirked to himself as the two men both seemed to hear it.

“You should have cooperated when you had the chance Smith. Whatever happens next is on you.” With that, he quickly flipped the gun around and hit him in the side of the head with the handle.

He offered his hand to his partner, laughing at the mess his face was and helped him off to an awaiting car. He did briefly wonder if Sam would carry through with his plan since Smith refused to help? 

Two men emerged from the shadows, their hands held up near their heads to show they meant him no harm. One of them stepped forward, careful to stay far enough back as to not look aggressive.

“Not here to cause trouble, mate,” he said, “we just have a message for you is all. It seems you have a problem,” he smirked and looked back at the other man, still half hidden in the shadows. “We have a friend with the same, problem,” he emphasised the last word, punctuating it with a little chuckle and shrugged. “We think we can all be a big help to each other. If all goes according to plan, no one gets hurt, no one knows you helped us out and you my friend, get everything back that was taken from you.”

He paused, letting that bit sink in and glanced back at the man behind him. 

He instantly tensed up, hands balled up into fists and quickly surveyed his surroundings to make sure there weren’t anyone else around.

“Don’t appreciate your approach none, me,” he growled at the man, “why don’t you have yer friend come out so I can see him better?” he challenged him, slowly backing towards the carpark little by little. There was no way he was going to let these goons surround him. He didn’t believe their coming in peace act one bit.

“I don’t know what yer talkin’ about and I’m not yer mate,” he corrected him, “I haven’t a problem, and if I did, it certainly wouldn’t be anythin’ you could help me with. Now off with you and yer buddy before I do somethin’ you both regret,” his voice was low growl. He could feel the old oncoming storm starting to bubble to the surface as he was starting to feel threatened by their presence. Still, part of him wondered if they were working with that old mate of Hart’s? They had to. It might be a good chance to learn where the bastard was- to get his hands on him himself.

Chris paused, “Curious though. What problem do you think I have and what’s to say I don’t walk outta here and turn you in to the police or get some of my actual mates that work security here at the club and take care of a little vermin problem, namely you lot, ourselves? he grinned menicingly, holding his ground.

“Look, it’s all anyone can talk about. At least in our circles,” he laughed, looking back at the other man in the alley. “ The other’s laughter joining in. “How the bloody Captain came in right under former DI Smith’s nose... Took his job, his girl, even his bloody kid,” he made a mockingly sympathetic face, “That had to sting. I mean, how many times did you arrest him anyway? You know? Back in the day when you used to be able to get the better of him? It doesn’t have to be that way you know? We can send him back to prison where he belongs and you? You can get your life back, mate. Think about it? His smug arse back in jail and you, back with your family? Sounds pretty damn brilliant doesn’t it?” he grinned wildly at him.

“Best bit? You don’t have to do a bloody thing. Just keep us in the loop as to what Hart’s up to. That’s it. No one will be none the wiser.”

He stepped up closer to the former DI when he threatened to call the cops, or get his friends.

Chris was tired. It had been a long night and the sun was about to come up as he exited the club to head for his car- grateful that he still had it. Only, that feeling was overshadowed by another one. He had a feeling he was being watched. Again. It wasn’t the first time that night. 

He turned around quickly. “Alright, out with you! I’ve had about enough of yer games for one night.”

He wasn’t sure if he was being paranoid or there was really somebody there, but if there was, he’d rather face them then let them get the drop on him.

“Not here to cause trouble, mate,” he said, “we just have a message for you is all. It seems you have a problem,” he smirked and looked back at the other man, still half hidden in the shadows. “We have a friend with the same, problem,” he emphasised the last word, punctuating it with a little chuckle and shrugged. “We think we can all be a big help to each other. If all goes according to plan, no one gets hurt, no one knows you helped us out and you my friend, get everything back that was taken from you.”

He paused, letting that bit sink in and glanced back at the man behind him. 

@johnhartsaxonbartender

The concept of time flew out the window ages ago. Sam had no idea if it was day or night, or how many days had passed since his punishment had been handed out behind the nightclub. 

What he did know, was that he was starving and he’d probably need a straw to get something in him at this point. 

There hadn’t been much he could do as he lay there in his bed for however long it had been, except lay there and think. There were two schools of thought to his current predicament. 

One. He could tow the line, be repentant and start over with the boys. It wouldn’t be easy and it would take bloody forever, but he’d eventually get accepted again. Maybe.

Problem with that was, he didn’t go crawling to anybody. Especially when he wasn’t in the wrong. The way he saw things, he was the one that was wronged here. He was the one put out by that ginger hair Yoko Ono.

So that left option number two.

Two was simple. Two was to make the Captain sorry he chose wrong. That he chose her over him. That would be the easy part. He knew exactly how to get to Hart now, but the best bit? He could make that red haired bitch suffer too, all in one single stroke…. It was almost too easy when you came right down to it and he knew just the right blokes to help him get this done.

Sam would have smiled if it didn’t hurt so damn much. The cherry on top would be seeing the Captain hauled back off to jail. Yeah, he hoped they had enjoyed their fun at his expense because it was about to cost them dearly.

He managed to get up and make it to the washroom where he painstakingly washed the dried and crusted blood from his face and worked his eyes open slowly, blinking against the light.

After getting something in him and managing not to throw it up, he found his mobile and arranged to get picked up and then sent off a text to the Captain. Something simple. Just one line.

Took him a few moments to get everything into focus but once he did, he found himself scowling. 

So this was a golden opportunity as far as they were concerned.

TEXT:

Sam:  Intimidate? Who? Me? 

Sam:  The holidays are almost here, mate. Time to let by gones be gones and all that, yeah?

Sam:  I was thinking back to last Christmas is all. Good times. Well, not for you, being in the slammer and all, but the boys and I had a whole lot of fun. Got to hang out with that bird of yours too come to think about it. Small world.

Sam:  ... so much in fact, maybe I’ll make it an annual thing? A new tradition? Don’t worry mate, I’ll make sure to include you this year. Wouldn’t want to leave the Captain out now.

Sam:  Oh, and and I’m not too worried about this tongue of mine. I’ve been getting ready too. This should be great fun.

Sam: But don’t you worry none, I’ll take care of your club, the boys and your little pretend family while you’re away. After all, what are friends for?

thecaptainsmates:

johnhartsaxonbartender:

“And you once accused me that the slammer made me soft.” He said with a small smirk. He listened intently to the boys, smiling as Donna offered to get the popcorn. “So… we agree then? Knock his teeth in, then treat him like he’s new… maybe some of those restrictions will whip him back into shape.”

“…have your fun boys.” He said, giving a small snap of his fingers a sign let the boys have at him as much as they liked.

Sam snorted, “What? Not gonna do it yerself? Now that IS soft,” he scoffed shooting him a look. He felt rough hands grab at him. Gordon. Of course. He thought there was a bit of irony in that, seeing as how Gord had been HIS right hand man, the traitor.

 He shot Gordon a look before looking back at the bartender, “I’d think on this if I were you mate,” he threatened quietly, “really think.” His expression went dark. “The things I know…” he looked over at Donna, “the stories I can tell. The trouble I COULD cause,” he smirked, “doesn’t have to be that way though, we could let by-gones be by-gones,” he flashed a lopsided grin, “start over, yeah, i get that, but pissin’ me off?” he shifted on his feet some. 

“Weeeeeellll, i will eventually heel up. Eventually be able to talk again,” he raised an eyebrow at John before deciding his best chance was getting to the ginger. “Now, i could just tell some simply beautiful stories about YOU to yer girl here,” he shrugged, “or… Or I could do so very much worse.” He looked back at the bartender. “Tell me Captain, if you were to SOMEHOW end up back in prison, whatever will happen to your little red bird o'er here, yeah? Who is gonna look after her?” He glanced at her, “No offence, Sweetheart,” and snorted. “So really, what’s it gonna be?” He tried to pull his arm from Gord’s grasp. @johnhartsaxonbartender

“I told you. I’m going eat popcorn and watch.”

John grinned at him. “You’ll heal alright. You’ll be able to talk. Who knows though. Maybe I’ll just cut out your tongue for funsies now.” He gave a little shrug. “Donna can hear whatever she wants from me. I’m not ashamed of what I’ve done in my life. Go on. Tell her the worst thing you can think of. It’s not going to save you.”

“And I’m sure since she’s an extension of me, the boys could take care of her until our new lawyer gets me out.” He smirked. “And if not. It’s not like the boys will be following you after this anyways…I’ll get out. I always do.”

He walked up to sam and jabbed him in the forehead with his index finger. “That’s something about you I never liked sam… you run your mouth too much. You NEVER threaten to tell after your enemy beats you… because there are WAYS to make sure you never talk again. Keep wagging that pretty little tongue of yours…” John said moving his jabbing finger from his forehead to sharply poke him in the mouth. “And see where that tongue ends up… maybe in a pickle jar in Will’s fridge…”

His grinned was a little too sick. A little too twisted. He was going to clearly enjoy this. “And that’s what it’s gonna be mate… knock his teeth down his throat boys… oh… but save one for me… as a momento of our… friendship.”

Donna hadn’t said a word. Instead she listened intently, a bit of an outside observer, yet for some reason, she felt compelled to stay even if she were out of her depth. She slipped behind the bar and looked between John and Sam. 

“You know, “ she began thoughtfully, “just when I thought I couldn’t think any less of you Sam, you had to go and take it that little bit further, yeah?” she bit her lower lip briefly as she shook her head and let it slip back into place, “I mean, on top of all your many, many faults, you’re a coward too? Well that’s just entirely too bad now isn’t it?” 

Donna reached for the glass John had set out earlier. She gave him a faux surprised  look, “As if some stories from his past are gonna make me run for the hills?” she snickered, “I ain’t you Sunshine. No scary story is going to make me turn tail and run,” she brought the glass up to her lips and paused for a moment bringing it back down.

“Oh, our lawyer is quite good actually,” she acknowledged with a self satisfied grin, “but it wouldn’t come to that,” she shrugged, “You’re not that clever Sam,” she laughed softly, “As a matter of fact, I am so much more clever than you it’s not even funny really. Actually,” she gave a thoughtful look at him, “I had a neighbour once with a cockerspaniel. That dog, was even more clever than you are. So, sing if you must coward. I am sure the boys wouldn’t mind another go at you,” this time she did take a long sip from her glass before setting it back on the bar.

She looked over at John as he calmly (a bit too calmly) continued talking to the man. A chill ran down her spine. He was both terrifying and incredibly... Well, okay, dead sexy at the same time. Donna quickly looked to see what Sam’s reaction would be, and that of the boys, her interest morbidly piqued at this point.

-

For his part, Sam didn’t say a word. For one, John had his finger practically shoved down his throat at one point, and two there would be time enough for talking later. Instead he just smiled back at Hart and nodded until he found his voice. 

“Sounds like you have it all worked out then, doncha Mate?” he sneered, “Well then, might as well get it over with, though... This isn’t the smartest place, too many eyes. I’d think back at our place would be the proper setting, but who am I to suggest such things eh? I’m sure the publicity won’t hurt your club any,” he shrugged.

“All right fellas, let’s get a move on, haven’t got all night,” he replied cheekily. “Sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can all have a nice fresh start, right chaps?” he grinned his Cheshire cat smile.

The one that made Donna feel a bit sick to her stomach.

 He shot Gordon a look before looking back at the bartender, "I'd think on this if I were you mate," he threatened quietly, "really think." His expression went dark. "The things I know..." he looked over at Donna, "the stories I can tell. The trouble I COULD cause," he smirked, "doesn't have to be that way though, we could let by-gones be by-gones," he flashed a lopsided grin, "start over, yeah, i get that, but pissin' me off?" he shifted on his feet some. 

He grinned, pulling out his phone and gently set it on the bar, sliding it across to Sam. The pictures he would be able to flip through on display was some of the paperwork for the establishment and who owned the deed to the building.

“I may not have a pot to piss in mate.” He said smirking. “But you’ve never had a plan that wasn’t shoddy… did you really think you could try to push me out of the way? Eh? Steal my gang. Steal my life. Steal from my job. I suspect you’ve set me up to fall for it. Get me locked back up again…” He leaned against the bar. Clearly challenging him.

Sam gritted his teeth together, counting to ten in his head before speaking.He stared back at John, trying to keep his face as impassive as possible.

“Well, well, well…” he trilled slowly, “Boys!” he declared, “It seems our good Cap’n has really come into his own now hasn’t he?” he smiled at him with all the sincerity of a politician. “I don’t quite know what you expect me to say, Johnny -Boy,” he smirked at him, “I mean, what you’ve managed is impressive now isn’t?” he cocked his head and looked him up and down.

“Let me see… You took a plan that I started while you were rottin’ away in jail and managed to finish it off.” his voice went flat, condescending, “well done.” He looked around at the boys and finally zeroed in on Donna, “And just how did you manage to do it?” he laughed lowly and looked back at John, “by using some poor, desperate woman, who, we,” he pointed between himself and Gordon, “already broke… It was the two of us who did all the legwork already. We made it possible for you to walk right in we did. To move in and manipulate her and in turn get her to play Saxon. Cuz that’s how it went down, isn’t it?” he clapped slowly, “Bravo Mate, again, well done. We couldn’t have done it without ya’,” he pushed away from the bar and came nose to nose with Gordon giving him a disgusted look before making his way over towards Craig. He stopped in front of him and shook his head at the man, clucked his tongue in disapproval before turning back to continue his tirade.

“Seems to me all you’ve done is put yer’self and yer cock,” he shot Donna a look,” above what’s best for the boys and this gang,” Sam let his gaze fall to Brian and Will and then back to John. “Yeah, I hear ya, Mate. Your gang. Your boys, YOUR club. What I don’t hear, is how any of it benefits us. Maybe you all should have thought about that before you decided to back yer Captain, eh?”

Sam took a step back. He wasn’t completely daft, he was clearly outnumbered, but John was right, he had set him up to take the fall and all it would take was a single call to bring about some well deserved revenge.

He smirked at the others verbal attack. “Well, none of us could rightfully measure up to you in the cock department now could we?” he winked at John before flashing a lewd smile Donna’s way, “Isn’t that right lass?” he laughed, “Tell ya what? It looks like the gang has spoken,” he shrugged, “if they want you back in charge, then who am I to say naught against it?” 

He smiled at him, thinking about the surprise waiting for them back at home and how good it was going to feel to make that phone call. He could wait to lay his fist upon him when he wasn’t so outnumbered. Better yet, he had quite a bit of money stashed away, maybe he’d just pay three or four guys to do it for him one night after he left his precious club?

“So,” he sat back down, elbows upon the bar, “where does that leave us, eh? Am I supposed to apologise? Leave? What? You tell me… Captain,” he smirked.

“No. I’ve put myself above you. Where I’ve always been Sam. What’s best for the boys is for you to step down and stop trying to turn them in for a profit… they’ll know the benifits. You keep this up, and you’ll never even be able to grasp at them Sam. ”

“Well, what have ya’ then?” he asked them, the challenge in his voice more than a bit evident as he made sure to meet each and everyone of their eyes.

It was Gordon who spoke up first. He figured he was played for a fool probably worse than any of the others, he deserved a crack at him.

“I vote for takin’ out back and makin’ him unrecognisable to even his own mum,” he smiled rather liking the idea. “Then I think he should have to work his way back into our good graces, bottom up kinda things like he was new,” Gordon stepped up Sam, “I know my boots could use a good shine put back on ‘em,” he smirked.

Brian spoke up next, “You treated my girl like shite,” he growled, “makin’ her go out and work when you know she shouldn’t have,” Brian looked him up and down, “I think you should know what that feels like, yeah? We should peddle yer arse for a few weeks until you meet your quota,” he emphasised the word still clearly pissed at the other. “Then, we take you out back and take turns beatin’ on you,” he shrugged, “You broke the rules. Them the breaks,” he shrugged.

Will nodded, “You broke the rules,” he said simply, “the one wronged should get to set it right... Take you outside and teach you some respect.”

Craig was quiet for a bit. He felt the others eyes on him. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see Sam punished, far from it. It was just that he was a bit more of a thinker than the others. He glanced at John and then at Donna before back at Sam.

“Here’s the thing,” he began, “You deserve a right good beating that’s for sure. Not just for tryin’ to out the Cap’n, but for all the wrongs against all of us and for that daft plan of yers last winter too,” he cracked his knuckles, “you don’t know boundaries, don’t have any respect. Never quite sure you did but I don’t know what beatin’ the hell outta you is gonna teach you?” he admitted. “If anythin’ that daft brain of yers will probably just come up with another bloody ridiculous plan to try to get revenge of some sort.” Craig looked at him sadly, “The only way any of this works is if we work together and you bloody well know it. That’s the point of a gang isn’t it? We have each other’s back. I don’t think you quite get that.” He crossed his arms, “That said, I agree to whatever everyone else thinks,” he shrugged, “I wouldn’t object to him gettin’ the tar beat outta him, but if he’s gonna stick ‘round, there’s gotta be major restrictions placed on him I think.”

Donna finally came out from behind Craig and took them all in. She couldn’t help but smile at John. He seemed so in his element and she couldn’t be happier for him finally getting his boys back. She decided to chime in.

“I could go have the kitchen make up that popcorn...” she trailed off, pointing towards the kitchen, only half teasing.

Sam sat in silence, stewing as the others debated his fate. His mind already working on little paybacks for the lot of them. Still, he didn’t react. Just sat there.

That was until SHE spoke up. He fired her off a dirty look and stood up fist clenching and unclenching at his side.

He exhaled loudly and then smiled at Donna. A genuine smile. He didn’t have to do a damn thing to her. Not say a single word. Her entire world would be over once he had Hart back in jail where he belonged.

When he finally spoke he kept his smile in place, “So little imagination you lot,” he chuckled, and turned back to John, “well? What’s the verdict then?”

He grinned, pulling out his phone and gently set it on the bar, sliding it across to Sam. The pictures he would be able to flip through on display was some of the paperwork for the establishment and who owned the deed to the building.

“I may not have a pot to piss in mate.” He said smirking. “But you’ve never had a plan that wasn’t shoddy… did you really think you could try to push me out of the way? Eh? Steal my gang. Steal my life. Steal from my job. I suspect you’ve set me up to fall for it. Get me locked back up again…” He leaned against the bar. Clearly challenging him.

Sam gritted his teeth together, counting to ten in his head before speaking.He stared back at John, trying to keep his face as impassive as possible.

“Well, well, well...” he trilled slowly, “Boys!” he declared, “It seems our good Cap’n has really come into his own now hasn’t he?” he smiled at him with all the sincerity of a politician. “I don’t quite know what you expect me to say, Johnny -Boy,” he smirked at him, “I mean, what you’ve managed is impressive now isn’t?” he cocked his head and looked him up and down.

“Let me see... You took a plan that I started while you were rottin’ away in jail and managed to finish it off.” his voice went flat, condescending, “well done.” He looked around at the boys and finally zeroed in on Donna, “And just how did you manage to do it?” he laughed lowly and looked back at John, “by using some poor, desperate woman, who, we,” he pointed between himself and Gordon, “already broke... It was the two of us who did all the legwork already. We made it possible for you to walk right in we did. To move in and manipulate her and in turn get her to play Saxon. Cuz that’s how it went down, isn’t it?” he clapped slowly, “Bravo Mate, again, well done. We couldn’t have done it without ya’,” he pushed away from the bar and came nose to nose with Gordon giving him a disgusted look before making his way over towards Craig. He stopped in front of him and shook his head at the man, clucked his tongue in disapproval before turning back to continue his tirade.

“Seems to me all you’ve done is put yer’self and yer cock,” he shot Donna a look,” above what’s best for the boys and this gang,” Sam let his gaze fall to Brian and Will and then back to John. “Yeah, I hear ya, Mate. Your gang. Your boys, YOUR club. What I don’t hear, is how any of it benefits us. Maybe you all should have thought about that before you decided to back yer Captain, eh?”

Sam took a step back. He wasn’t completely daft, he was clearly outnumbered, but John was right, he had set him up to take the fall and all it would take was a single call to bring about some well deserved revenge.

He smirked at the others verbal attack. “Well, none of us could rightfully measure up to you in the cock department now could we?” he winked at John before flashing a lewd smile Donna’s way, “Isn’t that right lass?” he laughed, “Tell ya what? It looks like the gang has spoken,” he shrugged, “if they want you back in charge, then who am I to say naught against it?” 

He smiled at him, thinking about the surprise waiting for them back at home and how good it was going to feel to make that phone call. He could wait to lay his fist upon him when he wasn’t so outnumbered. Better yet, he had quite a bit of money stashed away, maybe he’d just pay three or four guys to do it for him one night after he left his precious club?

“So,” he sat back down, elbows upon the bar, “where does that leave us, eh? Am I supposed to apologise? Leave? What? You tell me... Captain,” he smirked.

“Oh a lot is new!” He said forcing himself to sound excited and grinned, easily slipping into the role. He set an empty glass on the counter and started making a drink, pushing it at sam. “On the house… in celebration of what happened! You’re going to love it.” He smirked.

He gave a pause for dramatic effect.

“I do.”

Of course he was going to give credit to Donna. But he was a sucker for dramatics and waiting for sams reaction.

“Yea, and I was just out back snogging the new Princess. Please,” he sat back one elbow still resting upon the bar. “You’ve never had a pot to piss in let alone enough cash to buy a posh outfit like this.,” he smirked at him, “I’ve seen yer car, Mate. That’s not the vehicle of a man that owns the most biggest nightclub in London,” he snorted.

His mind went back to the real estate papers he saw in their house. And his smile faltered a bit, just for a moment, before he slowly pushed back from the bar and stood up.

“You’re not bloody serious are you?” he asked, voice cold and clear as he eyed him suspiciously from across the bar.

Brian and Will shifted a few people out of the way, sent them off to the dance floor, or down to where Rory was tending bar. 

Craig shot Donna a look before gently moving her back behind him more and taking a few steps closer to Sam’s left while Gordon shifted closer to Sam’s right. 

Normally, Donna would have had plenty to say about being treated with kid gloves, but this wasn’t her playpen and she knew it. That didn’t mean she was going to leave. Not while there could be trouble, but she wasn’t about to make it worse. She stayed behind Craig and looked around him at the standoff between John and Sam, a lump forming in her throat. She expected Sam to rage at John’s admission, not laugh. That had her a bit concerned.

She glanced at everyone assembled. It seemed the boys were read. John and Sam too. She just wasn’t sure if any of them knew what they were quite ready for? She

“Oh a lot is new!” He said forcing himself to sound excited and grinned, easily slipping into the role. He set an empty glass on the counter and started making a drink, pushing it at sam. “On the house… in celebration of what happened! You’re going to love it.” He smirked.

Craig gave a helpless little shrug in response to the eyebrow and tried to remain between the bar and the girl as best he could. The boys were all practically bouncing on their heels in anticipation, anxious to see what was about to go down. Sam could feel a charge in the air. A sort of electricity that happens before a big job goes down. He pursed his lips a moment and slowly met each man's gaze before focusing his attention back on John.

It was his turn to cock an eyebrow when he said he cleared the tablet and hit the jackpot. Sam followed his look back over to the redhead and his gaze darkened momentarily before he recovered and smiled back at John. "Oh, well now mate, don't leave me hangin'. The jackpot you say? Let me guess, little lady had an insurance policy on Saxon and he met with an unfortunate accident...Namely you?" he chuckled to himself. "Which reminds me, where is the sod? I should thank him personally for getting me in here tonight, or was that, that tasty wife of his?" He asked glancing about the club.

@johnhartsaxonbartender

Sam drove slowly by John and Donna’s house, headlights off as he strained against the darkness to see if the two of them were still at home.

Something was up.

The boys were acting oddly around him and he heard that Brian’s girl, the one that was knocked up, had actually been talking with the Captain’s ginger bitch, like she was one of them or something.

He scoffed at rhe idea. As if he’d ever let that happen!

Not just that. But the latest transfer he took… There was a noticeable lag to the transaction. He wasn’t worried about being caught. Any and all transfers still appeared to be initiated by Hart. He made sure of that, but he was fairly confident the bank had moved beyond mere suspicion that something was a miss with the bank account.

He parked his car in the alley a street over and slunk along in the darkness to get a closer look. Sam figured the answers he needed were in that posh house of theirs and he’d just invite himself in to go take a look.

He left his car and immediatelyhad to slam himself against the wall of the neighbouring building to avoid detection by a group of people coming down the street. Sam exhaled sharply, calming his nerves before he slipped along the side of the building to the rear of the house and broke in. Not that it was hard.

Once inside, he started tossing desk drawers, and rifling through papers he found in neat piles upon a table in what must be an office. He knew he was making a mess. Didn’t care. He wanted them to know someone was inside. He knew Hart would never allow his woman to call the cops, but it would put them both on edge.

For good measure, Sam made sure to smash a few breakables. A glass left out, a vase, and framed pictures upon the mantle. Those he took great joy in breaking. Stomping out the glass, grinding the photos beneath his boot heel. He actually picked the one of the Captain and Donna (that was her name after all, wasn’t it) out from among the shards of broken glass and gave it a disgusted once over before tossing it aside.

He was about to give up when a thick envelope containing a different bank’s logo caught his eye. Intrigued, Sam grabbed for it and glanced at the papers inside.

They looked like real estate papers, but to what he wasn’t certain. It was dark and the type was small. He debated turning on the light to get a better look when a noise from outside caught his attention. Better safe than sorry, Sam dropped the envelope and headed towards the front door and back out into the night.

Were they moving? Did they buy another place? Something wasn’t right and Sam was tired of playing games. He decided he was going to head to the club to find out just what the hell was going on.

It took him only a few minutes to get to the club, getting in was a whole other matter. He ended up having to text one of the boys to get the git at the door to let him in.

Sam glared at the man while he waited for the word that he was indeed “on the list”.

Gordon knew something was going on between the former cop and the Captain. He kept watch at a distance when his phone went off. Seeing the number, he swore loudly and decided he’d have to go let John know. The cop had disappeared anyway, headed for the dancefloor he thought.

The bar area was thick with people, but Gordon didn’t care, he simply shoved them out of his way. Making it up to the bar, he called out for John.

“Oi! Cap'n,“ he waited a mo’ and then held up his mobile for him to see the text from Sam, hoping that would finally get his attention.

He frowned and reached for it to read it properly.

 Gordon manhandled his way through the crowd once more until he was at the main doors. When it became apparent the wanker wasn't paying him much mind, Gord grabbed him by the front of his shirt.

"Oi ponce!" he growled loudly in his face, "the owner  says this bloke here," he pointed at Sam, "is on the bloody list and to let him in."

Gord nodded to Sam and then turned to head back inside to complete the second part of his task, glancing back only for a moment to make sure Sam was inside. As he passed by the stage, he gave a nod to Craig, wondering briefly why he was there until he noticed Donna was on the side of the stage. Craig seemed to be her shadow at work, he wasn't sure if that was by design, or his choice, but he told him quickly that John wanted him and the rest of the boys at the bar and that he needed the ginger's tablet. 

 Craig nodded in agreement and told him to wait there and went to speak with her. Gord noticed a look of distress pass across her face that she quickly hid behind a smile that was just a bit too bright as she leaned in and told Craig something. 

 Craig returned to tell Gordon where he could find the tablet before returning to usher her off the stage. Gordon snickered, it looked like he was going to have a time of it too, Gordon thought.

 He hurried off to get the tablet so he could deliver it to the tech girl and gather the rest of the blokes. He made short work of it returning to the bar quickly.

"I did like you wanted Cap'n," he informed him as he noted the rest of the boys making their way over in short order.

Their timing couldn't be better. Sam was approaching from the other direction, his face unreadable. He moved with single minded focus however, pushing his way through the thick crowds.

Donna was only a few steps behind the boys. Craig was making her a bit nervous, insisting she stay within his sight and nearby. When he asked for her tablet, insisted on it, she instantly knew why.

 The little group made quite a presence as they pushed up to the bar, but they weren't the only ones.Sam forced himself to remain unphased, to smile even when the boys and her  appeared. 

 Why hullo Boys. Miss... he greeted them all before taking a seat at the bar, literally. Telling a bloke to shove off and taking his stool.

Pulling a coin from his pocket he rapped on the bartop with it. "Hullo Cap'n," he greeted him oily, folding his arms on the bar in front of him. Sam levelled his gaze at the bartender, "So, how've you been...?" he asked, eyeing him expectantly, "anythin' new?"

 Sam glanced over at the boys, his eyes fixed on the ginger for a minute before returning to the bartender, his smile widening.

Craig pretended he didn’t see him.

Neither one of them wanted to explain what the plan was to get Saxon to turn over everything as a last resort.

Craig hit the steering wheel,”Gordon! You don’t know when to shut that great gob of yers!” he lunged for him in the back seat and only stopped when his jacket snagged on the gear shift. He had hated that plan honestly, “She only gave in because you two found her kid! She didn’t even know where she was at that point and you two go and find her! She would have done anything but even that wasn’t enough was it?” Craig was seething. He had  real problem with any plan that brought innocent people into harms way like that. Especially a kid.

And then he understood why. John turned sharply to face Gordon. “You went after Christina? Really? I should bash your head in again!” he snapped at him. “Wasn’t your plan my ass, you didn’t fight too hard against it though did you? Jesus Christ Gordon.” He gently pushed on Craig back in his chair. 

“I.. I mean, it was part..” he didn’t have an excuse and he knew it. He was thinking with his cock and he knew it. 

Gordon moved to take the Captain’s place up front, brushing past him, he paused, ‘You think I should… Apologise to yer girl? Would that… I don’t know? Help? Make her feel better?” He shirked his upper body, looking more like a guilty child than a grown gang banger at that moment honestly.

Craig snorted as he started the engine and said his “Goodnight” to the Captain.

Craig pretended he didn’t see him.

Neither one of them wanted to explain what the plan was to get Saxon to turn over everything as a last resort.

Craig hit the steering wheel,”Gordon! You don’t know when to shut that great gob of yers!” he lunged for him in the back seat and only stopped when his jacket snagged on the gear shift. He had hated that plan honestly, “She only gave in because you two found her kid! She didn’t even know where she was at that point and you two go and find her! She would have done anything but even that wasn’t enough was it?” Craig was seething. He had  real problem with any plan that brought innocent people into harms way like that. Especially a kid.

And then he understood why. John turned sharply to face Gordon. “You went after Christina? Really? I should bash your head in again!” he snapped at him. “Wasn’t your plan my ass, you didn’t fight too hard against it though did you? Jesus Christ Gordon.” He gently pushed on Craig back in his chair. 

“I.. I mean, it was part..” he didn’t have an excuse and he knew it. He was thinking with his cock and he knew it. 

Gordon moved to take the Captain’s place up front, brushing past him, he paused, ‘You think I should... Apologise to yer girl? Would that... I don’t know? Help? Make her feel better?” He shirked his upper body, looking more like a guilty child than a grown gang banger at that moment honestly.

Craig pretended he didn’t see him.

Neither one of them wanted to explain what the plan was to get Saxon to turn over everything as a last resort.

Craig hit the steering wheel,”Gordon! You don’t know when to shut that great gob of yers!” he lunged for him in the back seat and only stopped when his jacket snagged on the gear shift. He had hated that plan honestly, “She only gave in because you two found her kid! She didn’t even know where she was at that point and you two go and find her! She would have done anything but even that wasn’t enough was it?” Craig was seething. He had  real problem with any plan that brought innocent people into harms way like that. Especially a kid.

And then he understood why. John turned sharply to face Gordon. “You went after Christina? Really? I should bash your head in again!” he snapped at him. “Wasn’t your plan my ass, you didn’t fight too hard against it though did you? Jesus Christ Gordon.” He gently pushed on Craig back in his chair. 

“I.. I mean, it was part..” he didn’t have an excuse and he knew it. He was thinking with his cock and he knew it.