The Savagery police headquarters sat directly in the center of a district known at The Hole. In relation to 1129 Shienna Street in North Savagery the headquarters were roughly thirty miles southeast. The roads were paved and smooth, barring the occasional pothole, and traffic was typically on the lighter end of things. That’s why when the armored truck eventually slowed to a crawl and then began rumbling violently as if driving down a dirt road, Rubin opened his eyes and began to contemplate the possibility of having been lied to about going to see the chief of police, Martin Martalou.

“Where the fuck are we?” Rubin asked sharply.

Alpha Dog responded, “I told you. Martalou wants to speak with you.”

“Where exactly is Chief Martalou waiting that we have to go off-roading?”

“Not the chief,” Alpha Dog said. “Montgomery Martalou.”

Rubin’s eyes closed in frustration. Montgomery Martalou was the chief’s asshole son. And more importantly, he was a small-time criminal that was always looking for a way to move up. Killing a well-known name like me will have him climbing the ladder quick won’t it? “What the hell does he want with me?”

Delta Ray said, “We don’t ask questions. But I assume it has to do with that little stunt you pulled before they locked up on Barico Island.” Rubin had almost forgotten. Almost a month before, he and his lackeys had organized a small massacre of three up-and-coming gangs. For no reason other than Rubin didn’t like the way they conducted themselves. He had told Blitz and Ace that the young guns needed to be taught a lesson. Neither man could argue with that.

“Montgomery Martalou doesn’t have anything to do with the lads I put in the ground. Something must be in the works.” A million possibilities ran through his mind.

Charlie 1 2 said, “My guess is it has to do with Pakarhanni’s death.”

This was news to Rubin. “Explain yourself,” he snapped.

“His bitch wife got the best of him,” said the merc. “Blew his ass up. Figure she wants-”

“That’s enough,” Alpha Dog said. Charlie 1 2 looked at his leader. His facial expressions were hidden under the mask, but his body language made it clear he was surprised to have been cut off.

A moment later the armored truck came to a rough stop. Alpha Dog stood first.

Rubin said, “You know Aaron, I could probably pay you twice what Martalou is paying you… if you’ll take me home. Don’t even need you to talk me to the door or kiss me goodnight.”

The offer fell on deaf ears for no other reason but the fact that Rubin had used his real name. “What’d you call me?” Alpha Dog stepped toward him intimidatingly.

“Oh my. I’m sorry. I know you fellas don’t use each other’s real names. My mistake, Aaron.” Alpha Dog grabbed him by the throat so quickly his head was against the back wall before he knew what had happened.

“How the fuck do you know my name, you evil cunt?” asked the Tactician.

Rubin struggled for words beneath the pressure of the man’s grip around his throat. “I know all your names.” His eyes darted from mercenary to mercenary. “Aaron McMullen. The fearless leader.” He glanced at Bravo X. “Sebastien Walker. The brains, of course.” Alpha Dog’s grip tightened even more. “The muscles of the group. Tyson Haught. Not sure where you got Charlie 1 2, but I like it well enough.” Alpha Dog released him. Rubin rubbed his neck with his restrained hands then looked at Delta Ray. “And who could forget Collin Knight. The friendly one in my opinion. If you ever decide to change careers, all you have to do is call me.”

“Shut the fuck up.” Alpha Dog had his hand on the pistol attached to his belt. “I should kill you just for letting my name grace your cunt lips.”

“Go ahead. It’d be a welcome release from all this tension I’m always feeling.” Rubin rolled his shoulders slowly, showing no fear as the mercenary drew his gun and pointed it at him. How the tables have turned.

“Who leaked the names?” Alpha Dog was firm this time.

“No one. My men followed you for awhile. After the incident on the Westside a few years back. Ace can find out anything. Damn magician if you ask me.” Rubin lowered his head to stare at the mercenary through his bangs. “There’s plenty more. About each of you. But don’t worry. Your secrets are safe with me. Or should I say, with Ace. As long as nothing happens to me. It may not be immediate, but he’ll find out what’s happened to me. They’ll come for you. Ol’ Blitz doesn’t take kindly to seeing his friends hurt.” Alpha Dog processed his options.

“Ay, sir. We should probably just deliver the package,” Delta Ray said quietly, trying to break the tension filling the truck.

“In a minute,” snapped Alpha Dog. “First, I want to know what else you know about us. And who you’ve told.”

“I know everything there is to know about you. Shae, DJ, Ethan. Your job at the-” Alpha Dog’s fist rocked Rubin’s jaw. Rubin toppled over onto the bench, his hands sliding along the smooth metal as he tried to catch himself.

Alpha Dog pulled him back up by his hair. “I swear to fucking god, if anything ever happens to any of them I will find you and cut your fucking heart out!”

“Yes, yes. You would like that wouldn’t you?” The Tacticians were adrenaline junkies according to Ace. The three older men were hard nosed veterans of various professions, each with a background in killing. Delta Ray on the other hand was a chink in the armor. Rubin knew he would get to the boy soon enough. He licked the blood from his lips. The taste sent a wave of elation through him but this was no time to focus on his thirst for blood. Every interaction with another key player in the world of Savagery was an opportunity to better his own position in the ever-changing landscape that was the criminal food chain. No matter how subtle the change. Luckily, in this case, he had information that would shake things up for the Tacticians. Unsettle them for awhile. “You don’t have to worry about me doing anything to your family, Aaron. Your wife is your greatest threat.” The words struck a chord with the mercenary. His breathing got faster. His head shook from side to side slowly. Subtly. Enough to indicate some part of him understood what Rubin meant. Even if it lived in his denial.

“You don’t know anything about my wife.”

“Sir. We need to get going.” It was Charlie 1 2 that spoke up this time. His voice was more firm and demanding than Delta Ray’s.

“Before anyone takes me anywhere…” Rubin tried his best to move his hands in a way that said, wait a minute, wait a minute. “My offer stands. Twice the amount Martalou is paying you if you’ll take me home.” Chief Martalou was a man bound by morals and responsibilities. His son was nothing of the sort. Walking into Montgomery Martalou’s den seemed like nothing short of a life-threatening situation. Rubin could sense the other mercenaries were seriously considering the offer but Alpha Dog didn’t move.

“Fuck you,” he said. He looked at his men. “Get him on his feet. Delta, you’re with me. Bravo, stay in the truck. Charlie, you’ve got the perimeter. Don’t engage if you spot anything strange, but keep an eye on it.”

“Yes, sir.” The three other men spoke in unison. Rubin took note of the cringe-worthiness of the obedience, deciding then to tell Ace and Blitz to no longer refer to him as sir.

The doors swung open and Charlie 1 2 dropped to the ground quietly, his automatic rifle locked and loaded. Bravo X took a place at the opening with his own gun raised, scanning the environment outside. Alpha Dog waited for Charlie 1 2 to return with news that it was safe and then he and Delta Ray led Rubin out of the truck.

Outside, Rubin stared in amazement at something he had heard of but had never laid eyes on; the infamous Wilderness Casino founded and run by the chief of police’s son, Montgomery Martalou. Better known as Three Card Monty. High in the trees was an impressive-looking building, its wooden walls built seamlessly into the natural formation of the massive sycamore trees. There were no windows in the casino, but strings of lights like those Rubin’s mother used to hang during winter were draped along its walls and woven into the surrounding branches. From where Rubin stood, he could see three major rooms, at least that was the best word he could think of for the sections of the casino that were connected by bridges. Multiple armed guards dressed in navy blue or black uniforms stood on each bridge but only those on the bridge facing the mercenaries acknowledged their arrival. And even they did so in silence. A simple gesture from one of the guards set the mercenaries, and Rubin, in motion. They moved toward a particularly large tree located in the middle of the premises. It wasn’t until they were within a few feet that Rubin could tell there was a seam in the tree. It slid apart like a door and inside the trunk of the tree was a fancy-looking elevator.

It was here that Charlie 1 2 broke off in his own direction but not before Alpha Dog told him to stay sharp and if they weren’t back in fifteen minutes to come after them. The Tactician nodded understandingly.

Alpha Dog said to his comrade, “In and out. Don’t look or speak to anyone.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’ll do my best,” Rubin said.

“Shut the fuck up.” Alpha Dog seemed to be a tad fed up with Rubin.

The elevator ride was slow and tense until Rubin broke the silence. “Forgive me, but should I be armed? You know, just in case? At the very least take these damn cuffs off. I’m begging you.” The elevator kept plugging along. “Come on, Aaron, you know it makes sense. When those doors open Monty and his boys could fill us all with lead. Give me… I mean us a fighting chance.” He stretched his neck nervously with a twist, realizing now just how true his words were. “Honestly, where am I gonna go?” There was still no verbal recognition of his request but Delta Ray shifted uncomfortably.

A soft bell-like sound filled the elevator when it finally arrived at its destination. Rubin’s heart began to race just before the doors slid open. He closed his eyes expecting death to be waiting for him on the other side. Instead, they were met with the sounds of laughter, music, and an overall sense of excitement and enjoyment. Then a bald man dressed in perhaps the finest suit Rubin had ever laid eyes on appeared in front of them. Navy blue fabric, a white shirt underneath, and a crisp red tie that disappeared behind the buttoned jacket. He was speaking but Rubin didn’t hear his words. His focus was too fixated on the man’s suit. It almost surely had to be Italian based on its tight fit and tapered waist. The armholes sat high and there was minimal shoulder padding. The man was holding a black suitcase at his side.

As he often did, Rubin spoke without thinking or acknowledging what was happening around him. “I look good in navy too.” The other men fell perfectly silent, staring at him in confusion. Rubin gestured toward the man’s suit. “Your suit. It’s so sophisticated. I couldn’t help but notice it. I seldom wear suits, but when I do, I always wear navy.”

It was now, as the man nodded and thanked him, that Rubin recognized him. Toni Bellamuchi, also known as Goodfella. A notoriously ruthless criminal with family ties that could be traced back to Savagery’s first mafia family. Why he was in Three Card Monty’s wilderness casino confused Rubin, but it also made one thing clear. Montgomery Martalou had no intention of killing him. Rubin looked at Alpha Dog and patted the man on the shoulder. “Your services are no longer needed. I can take it from here.”

Alpha Dog hesitated for a moment, then used the key to deactivate the energy cuffs around Rubin’s hands. Rubin stepped out of the elevator and shook Goodfella’s hand firmly before turning back to the mercenaries. Goodfella stepped forward and handed Delta Ray the suitcase that had previously been hanging at his side. Suddenly, a sense of panic surged through Rubin as he noticed his knife tucked into Alpha Dog’s belt.

“I’ll take that,” Rubin said, his eyes glancing at the mercenary's belt. Alpha Dog looked at the knife, then back at Rubin. But didn’t offer the weapon. “You can give it to me now or I can come for it later.” The emotionless mask on Alpha Dog’s face made it so Rubin couldn’t tell if the threat had sent any concern through him or not but the question was answered when Alpha Dog leaned forward and pressed the close door button inside the elevator. The last thing Rubin saw of the mercenary was the stupid blank stare of his black mask and a finger and thumb in the shape of a gun being pointed at him. Alpha Dog pulled the invisible trigger just before the doors closed tight.