CHAPTER NINE: SOB

They were dropped off a block away from the address, where cars were already lined up and parked for the event. Diego led them over a stone railing and towards another parked car, they were so close to the entrance. They all crouched against it, waiting for him to make a move.

"What's the plan?" Lila whispered, looking around with worried eyes.

"We infiltrate, we identify, we extract. Double time." Diego whispered back.

"What the hell's he talking about?"

Lotus nodded, "That's what I'm wondering."

"Find the old man and get out fast." Five said.

Diego turned with furrowed brows, "That's what I said. On me."

He crouched to the next car parked, Lotus knelt behind Five who waited for Lila to move along. "Go ahead."

Five shifted on his feet, "Cut the crap."

"What, I can't be polite?"

"My dimwitted brother might buy your bullshit, but I don't trust you for a second."

Lila cocked her head to the side, "O ye of little faith."

"Stick it up your ass."

Lotus choked on her own spit, coughing wildly as they both turned and watched. She gave them a thumbs up, rushing towards Diego. Moments after the other two joined them, and they ran across the opening to a back door. The room was filled with people, and mariachi music echoed as people mingled. A man gave them a polite nod and offered a tray of drinks, Five was the only one who took one. He sipped it as they followed Diego, offering her a taste. "I don't drink." She said.

"Oh, yeah." He nodded, "I forgot you've never had a real drink."

Lotus snorted, "There's a lot of stuff I haven't tried."

They paused in the middle of the room, underneath an archway. Diego gazed around, "I don't see Dad around anywhere."

"Just keep an eye out for the Majestic Twelve." Five told them, "I got the upstairs. Diego, try not to do anything too stupid."

Lotus pursed her lips as he left, Lila moved towards the stairs he was headed for before Diego pulled her back. "Trying to ditch me again? Lotus can handle Five, right?"

She nodded, "Yeah."

Lotus turned and made her way to the staircase, she slowly walked up glancing around the room. This place was so grand, it reminded her of the Academy back home. She hadn't been there long, but she missed the place.

"Are you lost, Miss?"

A boy's voice sounded from behind her, she turned, not realizing she had stopped on the steps.

"No."

He gave a small smile, "That's quite a bruise you got there. A troublemaker?"

Lotus' nose crinkled, "Only when you piss me off."

He chuckled, leaning against the railing. He looked to be about seventeen, short curly hair covered his forehead. "I'm assuming you're no damsel in distress then?"

"Not even close."

His smile grew as he stuck out his hand, "The name's James."

His accent was thick, very southern. Lotus pursed her lips, "Isabella."

"What a beautiful name." He said as she shook his hand, "Care to dance?"

A thud echoed from upstairs, her attention shot up. Diego shoved by her, running at full speed up the stairs. She ripped her hand away from James and dashed up after him, "I'm sorry!" She shouted, coming to a stop in the hallway as Diego was dragged backwards by his neck. Another man came out of nowhere and kicked him back.

On the other side, Five was being kicked up against a wall. Lotus dashed towards him, jumping and hanging off the man's back. She wrapped her arms around his neck, trying to get a better grip. The man batted her off and knelt over her as she landed on the ground, meaty hands wrapped around her arm as he lifted her up and tossed her against the wall as if she was nothing.

"Son of a bitch." She rasped, pulling herself up. She shucked off her shoes and picked one up, lunging at the man again and digging the heel as hard as she could into his leg. He stumbled backwards and Lila came out of nowhere and leaped off a side table and hung off the light fixture, wrapping her legs around the man's head in a choke hold.

"Are you okay?" Five scrambled towards her, scanning her face. He ran his hand down her arm, trying to see if she was hurt.

A thud sounded and they both turned, Lila sat on the floor as the man lay on his back behind her. "You're both welcome."

Lotus' eyes widened a the man rose to his feet, both her and Five shared a look before charging at him. They were on either side as they shoved him towards the window and out, glass shattered everywhere and they ducked from the shards. Five scrambled to the other window, peering out before he vanished. Lila stared out at the scene, rushing to grab her fallen shoes before dashing down the stairwell.

"What about Diego!" Lotus yelled, watching as both men still had him pinned. "Damn it!"

Lotus grabbed her own fallen shoe, having no idea where the other one went. She charged down the hall, watching as one of the men broke away and met her charge. She was never a fighter, this was all so new but her fight or flight mode was kicking in and she was amazed at the things she could do when it was activated.

The man swung out, his arm just missing her head. Lotus ducked, kicking out her foot. It seemed he had read her mind, and his extended arm reached out and grabbed her leg. She yelped crashing to the ground, he held her down as he unbuckled his belt and quickly wrapped it around her neck.

"Shit." She grumbled, clawing away at his hands. His eyes were hollow as he stared down at her, a small sadistic smile on his face. She kicked her legs out, struggling against him, trying to find a way out. Her vision swam, why had Lila left to go after Five? "Do you even talk?" She seethed meeting the man's gaze, "You robot mother—"

The room was spinning, and her legs stopped moving as he tightened his grip.

"Get off of her!" Diego yelled, tackling him to the ground. Lotus gasped, grabbing at the belt and throwing it away. Her breaths came in painful heaves, she flopped over onto her side and braced herself over the carpet.

Moments later arms where helping her up, Diego held her tightly as they slowly walked down the hall towards the stairs. "Thanks." She gasped, a hand at her throat.

"You're terrible at fighting."

"I'm aware."

He shook his head, "If we get back, I'll teach you to fight."

Lotus glanced up at him, "Really?"

"Yeah. I'm starting to warm up to you, little shit."

"Starting? What have you been doing this whole time." She coughed, throat on fire.

"Don't talk, you'll make it worse." He told her, "And, you'll have a nice little belt burn to match your black eye."

Lotus rolled her eyes, she really wanted some water. When they made it outside, Five stood alone near the house. Lila came from the other side as both her and Diego shuffled to a stop.

"Was that him?"

"Yeah."

Five looked over, brows crinkled as he noticed Lotus leaning against Diego. "What happened?"

Diego nudged her towards Five, who now supported her weight as she caught her breath. She clung to his thin frame, "You left." She muttered, "And I can't fight."

"Choked her out." Diego shrugged, "Or he tried too. I got him, don't worry."

Five pursed his lips, holding her closely. "We should go back and talk about what we found."

"Can we get food on the way?" Diego asked as they all turned and began their trek to where they were dropped off.

"Diego." Five snapped.

"What? I'm hungry."

"So am I." Lila chimed in.

Lotus leaned her head against Five's shoulder, "I could go for some fries."

He paused, a sigh escaped his lips. "You're all insufferable."