Finding Myself in You-Sequel to "Hidden Identity-A Trevor Philips Fanfiction

Chapter 4

I sat at the kitchen table, twirling my thumbs. Trevor was still asleep. He had been up all night with the baby. I didn't know what to do. I have now failed as a parent, unable to take care of my child for my own selfish emotions. I had to nip this shit in the bud. Maybe if I finished Lester's list some of my motivation would come back. But it's not as easy as it used to be. I have a family now. I've been out of this life for 2 years, and now he expects me to pull off a major heist? To be honest, I didn't think Lester still involved himself with such things.
I couldn't do this alone. I needed help, no doubt. I texted Paige to see if she had any ideas, and she had scheduled a meeting later today with the old heist crew. She said she was going to pull a few more names out of Lester's computer for back up, but never got back to me.
I glanced over at the couch, noticing Trevor's guitar. It had a broken string. I smiled softly, shaking my head. I never thought Trevor would pick up a normal hobby. Most of his hobbies consisted of drugs, murder, and taking unsuspecting hikers to Mount Chiliad. I checked my phone. 9 AM.
I decided to take the guitar for repairing.
I gathered Carter's stuff up and placed him in his car seat, securing the guitar beside him. I wrote Trevor a note and headed to Los Santos. I heard there was a music shop in downtown.
~
I dropped Trevor's guitar off and went to grab a coffee. They said it would be about an hour, so I figured there was no need in traveling back to Sandy Shores just to turn right back around. I had texted Franklin asking him to drop by if he was in the area. I ordered my vanilla bean Frappuccino and Carter a chocolate milk. We sat in the corner booth, passing time and watching cars go by. Carter especially liked the taxis, or 'banana cars' as he called them.
From the corner of my eye I spotted someone, who seemed to be watching from a distance. I instinctively put my guard up, although I didn't feel as if it was a violent encounter. I used the reflection of the window to get a better look. The man looked to be about 60, wearing a green floral shirt and beige pants. He was sitting at a round table, sipping a coffee. The man was alone. Maybe just a creep, but still, I didn't want to take chances with Carter around.
I decided to dismiss it for now, knowing Frank would be here any minute. Franklin and I never had much of a chance to hang out one on one, especially because of Trevor's jealousy. I went back to watching cars, and almost jumped out of my skin as the mystery man started approaching me.
I pretended like I didn't see him, a arm ready to swoop Carter up and run.
The man gently tapped me on the shoulder, in which I held my breath and turned around.
"Uh, excuse me, miss."
The man cleared his throat.
"I'm not from around here..care if I sit?"
I shrugged, continuing to keep my guard up. The man smiled softly, scooting into the corner booth.
"My name's Tommy. It's nice to meet you."
"Bryn. Nice to meet you as well."
I lied. I don't appreciate random guys approaching me without Trevor present, especially in front of my child. I wasn't helpless, however, like I was in the Johnny encounter. My life of crime had engraved that instinct into me, something I would never forget.
"So uh, I'm actually traveling. I'm from Vice City, but was looking to expand my businesses. I was wondering if you knew anyone who was willing to sell out, or.."
The man paused, scratching the back of his neck as if he had said too much.
"Let me take a wild guess. You took over VC by overthrowing Mafia men, that or illegal drug trades."
"A little of both, honestly. Smart girl. Say, what do you know about all that?"
I nonchalantly shrugged. Never trust your target.
"I had my fair share of crime back in the day. The only thing that Los Santos has to offer really is the banks are fairly easy to rob. I mean, if you're good enough, anything is easy to rob. But say, don't you look a little old to be doing all that?"
The man chuckled.
"Honey, I've been in and out of crime my whole life. The only true break I had was when I was in prison for 15 years. You never escape the life, you just learn to be the life, ya know?"
I thought about what the man said, still unable to tell where this conversation was going. Who just rats themself out to a random girl at a coffee shop.
"But listen, I know a crime doer when I see one. Whether you realize it or not, you're still in the life. I'll be in town for a while. What do you say we help each other? I'm staying at the Crastenburg hotel near the airport. I'm searching for assets, far and wide. You? I don't know exactly what you want but I can tell there's something eating at ya."
"What are you, a fucking mind reader?"
I blurted out.
"I don't know you, how can I trust you?"
The man smiled, sighing.
"Yeah, I made the mistake of trusting someone once, then I had to kill him for selling me out. Rest In Peace, Lance. See, kid, you're already one step ahead of me at your age, never trusting strangers. But Bryn-"
"Excuse me, miss. Is this man bothering you?"
Franklin walked over to the table, motioning to Tommy. I let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Tommy eyed me and then Franklin.
"I see, sorry to interrupt."
The man slid out of the booth, offering me his hand. I coldly shook it.
"Just think about what I said now. Room 513."
The man walked off, and I eyed Franklin in disbelief.
"What did that buster want?"
Franklin asked.
I sighed.
"Guy says he's from Vice. Owns a lot of property that's illegitimate if you know what I mean. Wants to expand his businesses. Somehow he figured I was into crime and asked me to assist him."
"Nah man, you cant be trusting random mother fuckers on the street like that, dawg."
I sighed.
"I know, man. I didn't give him much to feed off of. Still kinda weird how he was so assertive about it, though."
I finished off my coffee, grabbing the trash up and throwing it in the nearby receptacle.
I sat back down for a moment, looking at the time. 20 minutes to spare.
"So, how have you been?"
Frank asked, taking a drink of his coffee.
"Eh, not too good. Did Trevor tell you about the video?"
I asked.
Frank nodded.
"Yeah..briefly. What're you gonna do about it?"
I sighed.
"I don't know, Frank. I have a family now. I have to do it, for Lester's sake, but I just, I don't want Carter to end up in my position, ya know?"
I glanced over at the innocent child, whose hands were plastered upon the window.
Frank nodded.
"Yeah man, I understand. Have you ever thought about kinda playing underwriter? Ya know, like paying others to do them for ya?"
I thought for a moment, slowly nodding.
"Yeah, you have a good idea there. But there's one job that seems impossible. It's something about some files for Madrazo's boy. We're gonna need all hands on deck for it."
"Aye, fuck it. I'm in. Wait a minute, Lester partnered with Madrazo's spawn? What the fuck was wrong with him, man?"
I sighed, rubbing my face with my hands.
"I know. It makes no sense, but this came right from his office. Found it on a flash drive under his computer desk. I didn't even know he was still involved, to be honest."
"That shits gonna fuck Trevor up, ya know? Didn't him and Mrs. Madrazo-"
"Shut up, Franklin. I don't wanna think about it. You know I'm not thrilled about that one either, but it has to be done."
"Damn, easy tiger. Sorry, I didn't mean to strike a bad note. Whatever, we'll get it done, homie. You're still coming to the meeting, right?"
I slammed my hand on the table.
"Damn it, I almost forgot about it. I'll be there."
"Alright, no worries, we'll figure all this out for ya."
I checked the time. About an hour had passed.
"Well, I gotta run. I'll see you tonight. Thanks, Frank."
We said our goodbyes as I loaded Carter into the car, heading to the music store. I paid the man, admiring the new strings on the guitar. They were red, emphasizing the burgundy tint on the guitar. I thanked the man and headed back to Sandy Shores, trying to disregard the random encounter and all the questions I still had..