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Post by Cres on Oct 3, 2006 6:48:54 GMT -5
[[Oh man, I keep forgetting a) this place isn't a pizzeria and b) it isn't downtown. Ah well. I can always edit out what Dan said earlier. Also, I just can't come up with good titles these days, can I?
cont. from Plans]]
Dan stepped into the little restaurant, looking as calm as usual, though his eyes scanned the place more carefully than normal. He was happy not to see anyone there he would have felt uncomfortable talking around. Not that he was planning to shout his business to Rex, but still. You never knew.
He smiled to Cara who was serving drinks to one table, and then chose a comfortable corner table for himself. He sat, his other arm hanging over the back of the chair, looking like his usual relaxed self, though perhaps moodier than what he'd been lately. He was all too aware of the gun tucked into the back of his trousers, though he knew there was no way anyone could see it.
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Post by Kat on Oct 3, 2006 19:53:27 GMT -5
Rex walked up to the oft-visited pizzeria, pulling open the door and entering. He wasn't really a huge fan of pizza, truth be known, but the Italian in him simply made him long for home sometimes, and the family-owned pizza joint was familiar in that sense.
He spotted Dan immediately and walked over, sitting down across from him. He smiled at his friend, though he felt it was strained. He just couldn't shake the feeling that Dan was about to tell him something he didn't want to hear.
"Well, I'm here. Is it safe to disclose the reason for our meeting now? I have to admit you've got me just a little nervous."
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Post by Cres on Oct 7, 2006 5:37:42 GMT -5
Dan looked at Rex with a forced smile which soon turned to a serious expression. He looked down on the table surface and ran a hand through his hair. He really didn't feel comfortable taking this up with Rex.
"I didn't want to take the chance someone's tapping my phone," he said, feeling the need to explain first. "You know how it is." He looked at Rex again. "Look... I can trust you, right? Whatever I say, no one can hear about it. And I mean, no one, Rex. Most definitely no one of your family." He shifted a little nervously on his seat.
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Post by Kat on Oct 7, 2006 6:59:35 GMT -5
The moment the words were out of Dan's mouth, Rex knew his suspicions were correct. Dan was apparently in some kind of trouble. But what did he need that Rex could help him with? Unless it involved his family? Was anything involving his family happening soon? He didn't exactly keep up with his family's happenings, even though he knew there were some of them here, watching him. Though he hadn't spoken to his father in years, Rex knew the man kept tabs on him, hoping that one day he would return home. That wasn't going to happen though.
He looked at Dan, not appearing happy. "Of course you can trust me. I don't speak to my family, except for my older sister, and you know she keeps her distance from the rest of them the same way I do. So tell me what this is about."
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Post by Cres on Oct 7, 2006 7:22:50 GMT -5
Dan smiled a bit, then the smile died on his lips.
"You know the Romano family? They owned this city before my dad came along, before any of your family put down roots here. They don't like my family, and they don't like yours either. They want us out, but there's no way they can drive us away. That's for background, I know you don't keep too close an eye on the business." Dan shifted again, now looking at Rex directly in the eyes. "You know Chip and I are involved. I don't like it, but I ain't got a choice."
He paused again, trying to find a way in his mind to put his business to Rex in a way he was happy with.
[['ey, does Rex know about Chip and Ace, and does Dan know he knows?]]
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Post by Kat on Oct 8, 2006 0:46:16 GMT -5
(Hmm, originally I was thinking he would know, because Sunny would have told him if Ace hadn't, but it might work out better if he doesn't know, now that I think about it. So he knows that Chip and Ace are friends, but he doesn't know they've gotten romantic about it.)
A rival family, wonderful. It was true, what Dan said, he didn't really know much about the current happenings and he was quite happy about that. When Dan commented about not having a choice about being involved, Rex fought the urge to disagree. Sure, it seemed easy enough to him for someone to be able to walk away. He had only been able to because his father had allowed it. Things could change at any moment and he'd be screwed. "Yes, I know about you and Chip. I feel bad for you guys. But let's get to the part that involves me?" He was a little impatient, unable to help it. He would be nervous until he found out what Dan wanted.
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Post by Cres on Oct 8, 2006 1:16:05 GMT -5
[[Okays! ]] Dan couldn't blame Rex for the impatience - he would have been the same way had it been him. He decided the best way to go about this was to cut right to the chase. He lowered his voice and leaned a little over the table. This part was something he couldn't afford anyone to hear. "I don't know if you knew, but Chip and Ace have been... seeing each other. You know, like, they're a couple. They've kept it hushed up, of course, man, if anyone knew it'd ruin Chip. Mario'd fucking kill him." Dan paused and stared at Rex intently. "The Romanos found out. Somehow. I don't know how. But they've taken Ace. They're demanding Chip do some shit for them, or they kill the kid. We can't tell no one."
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Post by Kat on Oct 8, 2006 1:26:14 GMT -5
Rex's face drained of all emotion as he listened to Dan speak. Chip and Ace? How could he not have known? He and Ace were close, why hadn't the younger one told him? Sunny must have known, why hadn't she told him? But more importantly to Rex, what on earth was Chip thinking? Getting involved with anyone was risky business when dealing with the Mafia, but being gay and in the Mafia was a whole other ballgame. He tried to be calm. He tried to keep from blowing up in Dan's face. This wasn't Dan's fault, after all. No, this was all on Chip's shoulders.
"Did he even know? Ace, did Chip ever even tell him? Did he actually know what he was getting into? I bet he didn't say a word to him, did he? He just thought he could play around and have some fun and not worry about anyone else getting hurt. So fucking typical..." Rex sat back in his seat, still fighting with himself. He knew he was reacting so badly because it was Ace. The boy was like a little brother to Rex, someone he cared about deeply. And now he was in danger and it was Chip's fault.
Closing his eyes and putting his head in his hands, Rex took a deep breath before speaking again. "Okay blowing up like that isn't going to help anything, and none of this is your fault so you don't need to hear me blow my lid." He looked back at Dan. "Whatever you guys need, I'll help with. But only for Ace, because he's important to me."
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Post by Cres on Oct 8, 2006 1:36:06 GMT -5
Dan was actually surprised that Rex didn't punch him right in the face. Or get up and demand he take him to Chip so he could beat Chip up. But as neither of those happened, and instead out came a verbal abuse of his best friend, he was half relieved and half annoyed. He almost gave Rex a piece of his mind, but held his tongue. Rex was right. Chip should have told Ace. Dan knew he should have. But even so - how could he have? The secret they had to keep was far greater than just telling someone you're actually a crossdresser or something. Telling Ace would have put Ace into danger.
Dan's mind went to Bp. Cold shiver went through him as he thought what could happen to Bp. Not that he believed anyone would ever dare lift a finger against a girlfriend of his, just like they wouldn't dare touch Sunny, while it was still peace between the families - but what if a gang war erupted? Then no one would be safe.
Dan was quiet as he looked at Rex take it all in, and then look at him as he pledged his help. A sad smile tugged on one corner of his mouth.
"He's important to Chip too," he said - he had to say it. So Rex would have a chance at understanding. "Chip's a mess because of this, we can't count on him. He'd go and kill himself if that's what they demanded, I've never seen him like this. You can think what you want of him, Rex, I'll let you two sort it out later, right now what's important is saving Ace." He looked at Rex. "It's up to us, you and me. You still got a gun? I know you can use it - but can you kill, if it comes to that?"
Dan hoped it wouldn't. But he couldn't count on Rex if he couldn't be sure that the other man would be able to pull the trigger if the situation went that far.
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Post by Kat on Oct 8, 2006 1:45:20 GMT -5
Rex tried not to frown when Dan mentioned how messed up Chip was because of this, knowing that until Ace was safe, he probably wouldn't have any sympathetic feelings to spare for Chip. So the thought of Chip suffering right now made him happy. He'd better be feeling like shit, or else Rex would totally lose his cool and make him physically feel like shit.
He focused on what Dan was saying again, knowing that he didn't have time to fantasize about punching Chip out right now. He nodded when Dan asked about the gun, not able to keep from frowning about that. "I could if I had to. I'd really rather not, but if it was the only option available, I could make it happen."
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Post by Cres on Oct 8, 2006 9:58:29 GMT -5
Dan nodded, looking grim.
"I'd rather not either, but I need to be able to count on you." He let out a breath, wiping his forehead with one hand, then he looked at Rex. "Okay, here's what I've thought. We don't know where they're keeping Ace. Antonio, he's apparently in charge of this operation, is gonna call Chip tomorrow to give him directions. They're probably gonna make him drive there, wherever it is, and try to make sure he isn't followed. We're gonna follow him anyway, we'll figure out a way." He knew Chip if anyone could figure out a way to hide a tracking device somewhere on his person, and Dan knew how to use the equipment. "They won't know to expect us, they'll think Chip hasn't dared to tell anyone. You and me, we're gonna bust in there and put a gun to their heads. It'll be a standoff, for sure, but I'm betting that they won't have the guts to take us down. They can afford to take out someone like Chip without a second thought, but you and I, that'd cause a family war. So we tell them we're taking Chip and the kid, and they won't have a choice." Dan smiled joylessly. "Or I've counted wrong, and we'll all end up killed. It's a gamble, but it's the best I can come up with."
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Post by Kat on Oct 8, 2006 13:44:30 GMT -5
Rex listened intently to the plan, not liking the sound of it. But what other choice did they have? It's not like he had any back-up himself to count on, although he was certain his father would order anyone in his family in the area to help him if need be. But he wasn't about to put himself, or anyone else, in that man's debt. So he nodded in response to Dan's plan.
"You're right, they won't touch you and I if they've got any sense. But I still don't like it. There's no guarantee that they won't actually hurt Ace." He frowned, wondering how far they would have to take this tomorrow. Would he be willing to risk his safety for his friend? He certainly hoped his family connection would indeed throw off Antonio's group, but there was no telling until tomorrow.
"So, when is this happening and when should we meet up to get everything settled? Just let me know and I'll be there." He looked away at the other restaurant patrons briefly. "And I promise I'll try not to yell at Chip."
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Post by Cres on Oct 9, 2006 7:41:20 GMT -5
Dan knew all too well what a gamble it was. They might hurt, or even kill Ace. They might even kill Chip. The only ones who most likely would survive alive were Dan and Rex themselves. Still, it was all they could do. The best case scenario, no one would get injured and they'd all walk out alive and in good condition.
Dan looked at Rex and reached a hand over the table, to grab Rex's wrist tightly in a friendly, brotherly gesture while looking at the other man.
"We'll owe you a debt after this, Rex. I know you're only doing it for Ace, but I'm only doing this for Chip. And if we pull this through, if you ever need a favour..."
He looked at Rex meaningfully, patted his arm and then pulled his hand back.
"The deal they want Chip to ruin is going down tomorrow evening, six pm," he said, moving on to answer Rex's question. "I'm pretty sure they'll call Chip sometime after five. I think it's best if we agree a meeting place somewhere before that. It can't be mine and Chip's place, that'd be too obvious. Also, can you get a car for us to use? We can't count on Chip's car, they might make him ditch it somewhere, and you and I need a car to follow him anyway."
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Post by Kat on Oct 9, 2006 10:33:31 GMT -5
Rex shook his head at Dan's offer of owing him a debt. He didn't agree with things like that. If he helped someone, it was because he wanted to, and he wasn't the type to expect anything back in return except gratitude. But he didn't bother telling Dan that, knowing he'd likely protest.
"I can manage a car, a friend of mine deals in cars." He wasn't about to mention that this friend of his was also involved in a mob type scene. The only difference being that it was of Chinese origins, so it was unlikely that the gangs involved would know of each other. "I don't want to meet at my place either, no need to draw attention there if they're going to follow you. We could always meet at Diggable Planets, the coffee house down on Parliament. It's popular with students and people our age, so it wouldn't look weird for us to meet there. That sound good to you?"
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Post by Cres on Oct 9, 2006 10:55:33 GMT -5
Dan smiled a bit to the mention of a friend who dealt in cars. Supposedly, his own father dealt in cars also - though of course that was just a front. Dan nodded. It didn't seem too weird a place, even if he personally didn't frequent it much. Still, Chip had probably gone there several times, or at least it wouldn't seem unlikely - Chip tended to go through all possible coffee houses and clubs and restaurants in a town as quickly as he could.
"Sounds good," he confirmed. "Say we meet at four, to make sure they won't call too early?" It wasn't really a question, Dan was clearly making decisions and expecting Rex to comply. There was a fair bit of his father in him, after all. "Remember a gun."
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