Author's Note: While this part of the story is far longer, I am sure that you guys can see how much faster the pace in the stories has become, there is a lot going on and I am trying to limit the use of flashbacks as we draw closer and closer to the conclusion of the story itself. For a while now I have been considering doing small single shot stories about some of the characters that I have covered to give a more balanced view of the world I am creating here. I have kept up a little with the past antagonists and protagonists, enough where I think I can put some of their lives into paper without much compromise to their life story.
With "The Interlude," I felt that it helped create a sense of perspective about Elvis as a character and showed a more direct contrast between him and D. Their mutual need is a direct reflection of their psychological dependence, based on the response to that story I will see if I create a world focused on Elvis or not.
I hope that you are enjoying the story to this point, as always please comment, rate, and favorite the story.
Much love,
aka_Mike
*****
"Only you could punch a Federal Agent, knock him out, and walk away without so much as a fine," Francisco laughed as he said this. I had just gotten done telling both him and Edith about my adventure the previous night. The meeting with Elvis, while short, was extremely informative. I had found out where they were keeping my brother, I found out the reason they were there, I even found out how much information the CIA currently had on my previous activities. If Elvis will declare war on me, I would not back down.
"All because he threatened me?" Edith spoke; there was a tone of arousal in her voice.
"Yes," I replied, "a threat against one is a threat against all." I looked at Francisco, "how is Anais adapting to the house?"
"She is relaxing," he replied, "for the first time in a long time, she has very little worries. Again, thank you for taking her in."
"No need to thank me," I replied, "and how is your Jessica project coming along?"
"There is still a lot of work to do there," he replied, "but she is a quick learner. She'll be ready in no time."
"Good," I replied, "Edith, amnesty week is running out, how much is still missing?"
"Not as much as we originally thought," she replied, "many of the houses have come forward with promises of repayment. There is still a lot missing, like I said, I think your stunt at the picnic certainly made a lot of people nervous."
"Good," I replied, "is there anything else?"
"Not with me, sir," Francisco replied, "I do have to go check on the boys and get the newer recruit up to speed. Ma'am," he said as he made his way out of the room.
"I think he knows," Edith said as she jumped onto my lap as soon as the door was closed.
"Well, he is not dumb," I replied as I kissed her, for a long time this would have seem completely unacceptable to me, but time and life had driven me to forgo those past illusions of honor and morality. "Besides, its quite obvious when all you do is give me bedroom eyes."
"I do not," she whined, "and what exactly are bedroom eyes?"
"Anyway," I continued, "Laura told me you were a little mean to her at the beginning of her call, want to tell me why you did that?"
"Because I thought she was just one of your whores," she replied, "but when she told me who she was I made sure that I took care of whatever she needed."
"I never pictured you for the jealous type," I laughed, "you are always so calm about everything."
"I like getting what you are giving me," she replied with complete honesty, "I don't want to share it until I absolutely have to."
"I'll keep that in mind," I replied before interrupting her next thought with a kiss. Again, the passion of our kisses immediately made both of us forget any past troubles we might have had. For the time being, again we were just a man and woman doing what it was more than natural to do.
...
"What is going on?" I asked Francisco. The previous night had been a repeat of the first night with Edith, our coupling had absolutely no love behind it, it was just animalistic. Brutal. Exactly what we both needed. But this morning, I looked at the man that was fast becoming one of my closest friends talking quietly to my newest sister.
"It's nothing, D" Anais replied, holding on to Francisco's hand for comfort.
"Sweetheart," I replied as I opened my arms, she immediately rushed to hug me, "please, don't ever lie to me again. Now, tell me what is going on."
"Do you remember the guys from the laundromat?" Francisco drew a cigarette as he spoke, "the ones from the night you got Anais?"
"What about them?"
"Apparently," Francisco began, "they are members of a local gang that has been making a lot of noise around that area. Thugs mainly, but they are troublesome thugs."
"I'm sure there is a point to you telling me this story," I replied, "what do we care about a bunch of thugs?"