f i v e

Chapter 5 

Talk my ass! 

Isabella Grys Point of view 

Here I was standing in my black hoodie and white vans, in front of a dangerous gang leader and his two most trusted members. I haven’t really looked at the men next to Lucius just yet, I kept my head high as I looked around the room. I could feel that when I lifted my hood that they were shocked, although I didn’t look directly at them, but I could practically hear the inaudible gasps. 

Which personally surprised me because what dude calls himself Sphinx. I thought that part was a given but apparently not. At first, I thought I heard a familiar voice, but I quickly brushed it off. What were the chances I knew someone? 

Then... 

“Sphinx, if you wouldn’t mind taking a seat, then we continue with the meeting.” 

Now that’s a voice I know. Bringing my stare toward the men in front of me, I immediately recognised Cole and Zack. But I’m desperately trying to mask it as I nod and take the offered seat, that Zack was gesturing towards. As I sit Lucius retrieves a manila folder and sits in his chair across the dark oak desk in front of me. 

Cole and Zack take a seat on the brown leather couch to my right, keeping their eyes on me as I wait for Lucius to speak. As Lucius opens his mouth finally about to speak, Cole cuts in, 

“I’m sorry sir but how can we be sure that this girl is who she really says she is.” He says the word ‘girl’ with so much animosity I almost fear I may land six feet under. Almost. Like I would be the one to expose them. I scoff, very loudly. 

Catching everyone’s attention. I probably surprised them, I’m quiet at school and even if they do recognise my face, they’ve never heard me speak nor do they know my name. 

“And how do we know you’re trustworthy Smith...?” I say coldly as I give him an incredulous look. Not being able to believe he would question my loyalty. 

I turn back to Lucius finding his gaze already on me; cold, hard, calculating. 

“And how is it that you know James and Zack?” he states more than asks. 

When I make a move to reply he turns his head to the boys as if waiting for an answer. Zack turns to me as if asking... permission? Huh. Who knew he wanted my opinion? I nod gently encouraging him to answer, 

“We attend the same high school, but we aren’t umm... acquainted?” he says dubiously, almost unsure. 

“...mmm. Well then, Sphinx, you’re aware of what took place at one of my docks?” Lucius’ monotonous voice slowly floats towards me. 

Just before I snuck out, I went through all his camera footage. From the airport to the docks. While doing so I saw the heist done by the Halcones (Spanish for Falcons). 

They killed the members there and stole the Scorpions’ drug shipment. 

I nod, 

“The Halcóns stole your drug shipment.” I state all-knowingly. 

“Yes, and now I need to return his generosity. I don’t just want to steal from him, I want the Scorpion Gang to be the second strongest gang.” He smirks evilly. 

I was not expecting that, isn’t that a bit much for just revenge? 

“Okay... but what do I need to do, exactly?” I question confusedly. 

“Mario, the leader,” Lucius informs me although I have done work for him the past. 

“His security is quite high and advanced, I’m sure you’re aware. I plan to have James; Zack and you break in and disarm the security syst-“ 

I cut him off shaking my head and waving my hands in front of my face. 

“I’m sorry, did you say me... break in? with them?” I ask gesturing towards the silent boys. 

Lucius merely nods and scowls, 

“Don’t interrupt me. But yes, care to remind me who set up his security system?” he asks knowingly. But I’m perplexed to say the least. 

“Am I supposed to?” I enquire unsure. 

“Okay...” he trails off before continuing, “How many different security systems have you made?” 

“Seven in total, I make a new one for each gang or person, so that intercepting is more difficult for an outsider or cop to get in; not predictable” I reply still perplexed. 

“And which gangs have received one of your almighty systems?” there’s more of an edge to his voice than before, he’s getting impatient with my general stupidity. 

Sorry buddy, take a number to wait for me to give a fuck. 

“Crown, Scorpion, Halco- oh okay I understand now, carry on.” I say as realisation kicks in. 

“Okay, well um... if I remember correctly, its multiple sensors in each room of his gang house which I personally fitted, beams all around the house till the fences but there’s one gap which broke yesterday in fact. I was meant to fix it tomorrow, but I just won't go, considering my loyalty lies with price. I'll leave it disarmed. And then all the windows have pressure sensors and his office has pressure plates which I hid extremely well, if I do say so myself.” I smirk. 

“And I’m sure you made nothing internet accessible?” he questions. 

“The pressure plates and window pressure sensors, I’m able to disarm remotely but only for ten minutes...” I trail off thinking. 

“But if I bypass the wall and work through his desktop... I’d be able to possibly extend the time by... 5 minutes.” I whisper to myself looking at the bookshelf to my left. 

“Okay so you guys have 15 minutes in total to get Mario, and as for the beams and the rest I’ll leave you,” he glances towards the boys then me, “to figure out, you’ve got school to speak anyway.” He smirks at me. 

I keep my stare blank and void of emotion although I can’t help the nervous twitch that attacks my eye with the newfound information, he has on me. 

“I’ll be in touch. Au revoir.” He stands up gesturing us to the exit. 

I nod swiftly before rising and pulling my hood back on. I can hear the gentle thuds of footsteps as the door closes a while later after I’ve stepped through the threshold. The thudding of footsteps and loud whispers indicating that Cole and Zack are trying to follow me. Attempting. Walking back the way I came isn’t that bad, because I have the layout of the mansion or better known as the gang house on my laptop. Which is making it significantly easier. The back of the mansion looks like a factory which has an industrial door which leads directly to the outside. 

Coming to the back door, I hear both the footsteps and whispers come to an abrupt halt. The air outside is light and airy. The sky now void of colour, the only light sources are the stars and the fucking bright lights around the gang house which makes it seem like daytime. Quickly walking to the back gate, just before the street, and out I hear the thuds again. I continue to walk out of camera range and hide in a shadow by the building next to the gang house. 

Two silhouettes can be seen walking towards me, they seem frantic, but I can’t hear what they’re saying. They stop about arm’s length away from me and now I can see them clearly in the light, and just as I suspected it's Cole and Zack. 

“Shit, dude where the hell did she go?” whispers Zack, when he gets no answer from Cole he continues to spew. 

“How the- boss didn’t – shit she’s either really fast or... I don’t know!” I strain my ears to hear even though they are fairly close, but their words are so soft and hushed I almost missed the exasperated sigh from Cole. 

I step into the light, next to them. 

“Ahem,” I clear my throat effectively catching their attention. 

“And why are you boys following me?” Damn! My attitude and confidence just keep rising! 

“We just wanted to talk.” Zack says, like he’s approaching a wild animal, glancing over his shoulder he sends Cole a telepathic message with his eyes. Cole apparently understands because he nods in response. 

“... About?” I ask, getting agitated, my parents weren’t at home when I left which either means they’re together or both working extremely late, but the former is more believable. They are often at clients houses for my father’s business. 

“Well we know that you go to the same school as us,” Zack is trying really hard to be kind but unfortunately, I’m just not in the mood. I roll my eyes, which somehow pushed Zack to continue to speak. 

“And we just wanted to well... um know your name?” he concludes. 

I burst out laughing, which is followed by some very confused faces, which I’m not surprised by. After my wheezing escapade dies down and I’m wiping a fake tear from my eye, do I respond, 

“Wow you’re funny... whew I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. Thank you for that.” 

They look so confused, I can practically feel myself internally dying of laughter, but outside I’m completely calm – stoic almost. 

“You’re welcome?” Zack says more like a question than a statement. 

“Well then,” I counter casually while drawing my hands out from my pockets, readying my stance subtly into a fight stand. 

“I have to leave now and I’m well aware that neither of you live anywhere near me, so following me and saying you live close by isn’t going to work. By the way... don’t speak to me unless we actually have to set something up and need to work... Bye now.” I wait for them to leave as I wave my hand dismissively. 

They turn their backs with one last glance my way before walking off to their cars, which are both quite near to where we were standing. I hear the revving of their engines before I see their cars whizz past me. Aahhh shit. Now I need to catch a bus home, I left my phone at home so that I can’t be tracked and if someone tries – which they can’t- they would see that I’m at home. 

At least the gang house is only an hour away from the house.