The Missing Puzzle: Incomplete Until You

V

"Family?" the guy laughed bitterly. "We're not family, Dwayne. We're just a bunch of fuck-ups bound by blood and crime. Don't forget that."

As the night dragged on, Dwayne felt the familiar heaviness settle in his chest. This was the life he'd been born into, a brutal cycle of violence and survival, and every day he fought against being consumed by it. He watched his crew laugh and joke around, oblivious to the darkness looming over them.

"Dwayne!" Marcus's voice sliced through his thoughts again. "You coming or what? We got a deal to make."

With a nod, Dwayne steeled himself for the chaos ahead. He had to keep his guard up, not just for himself, but for other family. They were the light in his dark world, and he couldn't let anything or anyone threaten that light. But as he followed Marcus deeper into the belly of the beast, he couldn't shake the feeling that the danger was only just beginning.

* *

"Aight, what's the deal? What do you want, Jude?" Dwayne asked, his voice steady as he met the gaze of the gang's chief. Jude stood at the head of the table, a looming figure whose presence commanded respect and fear in equal measure. The dim light reflected off his shaved head, accentuating the tattoos that spiraled down his neck like vines of thorns.

Jude's lips curled into a slow, sinister smile. "I've got a job for you, Dwayne. Something that requires your... unique touch." He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled under his chin, his eyes narrowing as he sized Dwayne up.

"Cut to the chase, man. I don't have time for games." Dwayne crossed his arms, trying to project confidence, though inside, a knot of unease began to twist tighter like it always had.

Jude's smile widened, revealing a set of teeth that looked too sharp for comfort. "There's a shipment coming in tonight. A big one. We need to intercept it before those little bastards from the West Side get their hands on it. I want you to lead the crew."

Dwayne felt a rush of adrenaline, a mix of excitement and dread. Intercepting a shipment wasn't just a job; it was dangerous. Lives were on the line, and failure was not an option. "What's in it for us?" he asked, keeping his tone neutral.

"Everything," Jude replied, his eyes glinting with dark promise. "Money, power, and respect. You know the score. If we pull this off, we'll be untouchable. But if we fail... well, let's just say it won't be pretty."

Dwayne glanced around the table, gauging the reactions of the others. Marcus leaned forward, a hungry look in his eyes, clearly eager for the thrill. But Dwayne couldn't shake the nagging feeling that this was a trap, a setup waiting to happen. "What's the plan?"

"Simple," Jude said, his voice low and gravelly. "We hit the warehouse at midnight. I'll send you the details, but you'll need to move quickly. Those idiots think they're invincible, but they don't know what's coming. You're going to show them."

Dwayne swallowed hard, the weight of the task settling heavily on his shoulders. "And what if it goes sideways?"

Jude leaned forward, his expression darkening. "Then you better make sure it doesn't. You know what happens when you disappoint me, Dwayne."

"I feel nothing ever since I was a little boy nothing. What could you possibly make me feel" Dwayne spoke up not really looking for an answer.

The silence that followed was suffocating. Dwayne nodded, feeling the pressure of Jude's gaze pin him in place. "I'll do it," he said finally, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. "But if this goes south, I'm not taking the fall alone."

Jude chuckled softly, the sound low and menacing. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of it. We're all in this together, Dwayne. Just remember-loyalty is a two-way street."