she's Not afraid

I'm Telling You Because You Need To Know

“I’m sorry babe,” Liam said quietly, as he kept his eyes on the road, one hand on the wheel, and the other on Danielle’s knee as she played with his fingers gently.

“I know this was supposed to be a calm, relaxed dinner. But I hate keeping things from you, and I just really wanted you to know what’s going on…”

“I just don’t get it, are you sure? I mean, this is James we’re talking about, he’s almost become a friend…” Danielle said.

“James and his family came up in this business quickly, because they deal with just drugs. Our family knew better, we have our hands in some drugs – but we’ve got total control of it. Our power comes from fear and business. We have our hands in almost every local business, we invest, and we cut off anyone who threatens that. We make deals with people who are hopeless. It’s not pretty, and we take advantage, but it’s what we do. And we’re smart with the money that we make through everything. No one but the 5 of us guys know what accounts the money goes into – no one knows how things run. And we do it that way to keep up the power. No one can trace us. No one can prove anything. If they did, it would be because they got the information straight from the horses mouth – which would never happen.”

“Okay, I get that, but I don’t understand James…” Danielle said, as she looked up at Liam.

“James deals with drugs solely. He deals with scumbags. And he let’s his crew do and deal. They’re as cracked out as the people he sells too. And the thing with drugs, is if it’s the only thing you’re making money off of – there’s always going to be someone somewhere who can make more money and get more drugs. And this guy, Sikes. He’s big in the drug world. And he has been taking over towns one by one. He gets people hooked, and he drains them of everything, until they need him to bail them out. People who are into drugs – they’ll do anything for it. That’s why none of my people are allowed to touch it. Because drugs can compromise an entire operation…”

“Okay…” Danielle said slowly, as though she were still trying to comprehend.

“I think James made a deal with the devil, or he got himself into deep. And I think he’s working with Sikes, or Sikes is trying to take over what James created. Either way, it’s bad.”

“Why?” Danielle asked, “What’s so bad about him?”

“To put it nicely, he’s a fucking psycho. The stories that have come out from this guy. He’s deranged. He’s taking over towns one by one. And he won’t stop at anything. He doesn’t care. And he scares people, so no one has been able to stop him,” Liam said.

“And you think that James is working with him?” Danielle asked, “But wouldn’t that put James in danger?”

“Yes,” Liam said, “But if James made a bad deal, or lost money, or maybe just caught up in the power that Sikes has to offer, he wouldn’t care how much danger he’s in. And if he is involved with this guy, there’s no getting out of it.”

“So, what does that mean for us?” Danielle asked

“Well, first of all, it means that this truce that we’ve upheld for so many years, is off. Sikes isn’t interested in any type of truce, and if he is getting involved with this town and this area, he won’t anyone competing with his power.”

“What are you saying, Liam?” Danielle asked, her voice cracking a bit, as she looked at her husband with wide eyes.

“I’m saying that, if this is really happening, we’re going to be targeted. I’m saying that there’s a good chance of a gang war.”

“Oh my god…” Danielle hissed, as she looked straight ahead at the road, her mind rushing with hundreds of thoughts at once – none of them leading to a good place.