A Reliable Associate?

I participated in ten runs for the next weeks. I had a lot of offer from the Family but I refused since I was doing this part-time. Timotei was amused by how I was going on about being a part-time drug runner.

[Health:100]

[Armor:100]

[Wanted Level: 0]

[Reputation: Reliable Associate]

[Status: Stable]

I keep to myself. I don't associate to anyone other than the folks who are part of the runs. I became the drug runner of the month with my continuous success. It honestly depresses me how I ended up like this. I don't personally find it troublesome. It's just that being a drug runner and all wasn't necessarily a long term job. It's a shortcut alright, but it wasn't that much of a profitable shortcut knowing how hardcore the five-o's are in this city.

Since I necessarily don't to be involved in the Sullivan Family more than I should. I don't have much friends other than a few buddies. Nance does visit when she found two or three more gangbanger not letting her go home peacefully. She takes my apartment as a safe zone before she fucks off and do her thing.

It was during noon when I got an email from her. The email said that she's going to introduce me to one of the independent casinos that the Sullivan Family is associated with. Associated that they are a bigger Cosa Nostra than the Sullivan. As for why I was getting a recommendation. It's because Roxi, the madam who I delivered drugs to, noticed that I was such a placid man that it might work out.

I thought it was an escort service. Apparently the guy that they were working with had a falling out with the Main Family after trying to get into the pants of one of the working girls. Guy's probably dead or castrated after messing with the girls. It says here that they cost about 1000$/hour while the most expensive one costs more than thousands. They want to hire me to drive them to their customers.

They event me a photo of a luxurious car. It was a 4DR-Ghost that they used to transport the girls to their locations. Other than that the girls also worked on the Casino and Hotel. It was quite luxurious that I didn't have to consider it twice. Nance told me to bring some formal clothes so I dressed myself with a black double-breasted suit. Cost me money and the thought of spending money ever again breaks my heart.

I was in all-black when Nance saw me she looked at me funny. "Well, it does fit your bod, but make sure that you don't catch the eyes of the sisters there. They'd teased you about anything."

I got into her car and rode shotgun. "Why contact me though."

"Boss-man said that he'd allow it since there ain't much to sell lately. Not to mention that there are talk out in town how some of the Enforcers are going to be sketchy. So I'm out of business for a while."

"No wonder you sound like you have it good for once," I told her.

Her lips curved to a grin, "Day-off is fine. Anyway, you paid your student loans yet?"

"I have."

"So Boss is going to lack a runner then."

"Could be. Not interested in running unless needed to. I ain't even associated with them and since I did a good job. Boss Shawn doesn't want to shoot my head for it. Said that it's already good enough that I know what happens when I snitch on them."

Shoot me in the head. This time there was no way a bullet is going to miss. Could say that they would be wrong since my bullet-time does slow down my perception of time. Which is actually one of the only ability that I could use during first person. I found out when I slipped during that one time and instead of switching to third-person. I saw how time slowed down to a crawl.

Though it is quite limited compared to just switching to third-person. During first person I could feel my head tearing and hurting like hell. It was quite nice to have. Anyway, we drove to the same area where Roxi's club was. But four more blocks away from the rowdy and degenerate-filled area where Roxi's club was. It was a hotel and casino located in this middle-high class district. There were more lawmen in the area and was more maintained than the other places I've been. No graffiti, vulgar painting on the walls, and no trash on the sidewalk. The difference between the other streets was fascinating enough to make me wonder how things are in this city in regards to which block or street should have more funding. The place looks like a tourist trap and if they are selling escort services then.

Nance drove me to the side. She handed me the black card that signifies that I'm the new driver. Asked Nance if I still need to do an interview, but thing is that my 'good behavior' and my successes in being a runner made me able to get something like this. It made me suspicious, but seeing that there was nothing stopping me from getting a job. I allowed myself to accept this. Doorman told me where I should go after I showed him. He pointed to the VIP elevator and I ran my card on the reader before heading to the presidential suite where the Boss Man should be in. This was quite the tower and from the looks of it, there was a lot of things going in here. I could guess that this was the center business of this family and I'm about to meet the Boss of Boss Shawn. Probably the Underboss or Capo of the whole family. Makes me nervous since it wasn't usually this easy to get associated with folks like these. And all I did so far was deliver packages for them without any folks even knowing that the transaction happens. The elevator opened and I saw the stare of a hook-nosed man who was typing on his workstation. He raised his glasses and motioned me to come in.

"Niko?"

"Yes, Sir."

He nodded, "Good, boy, one advice. Be respectful, alright?"

I nodded. I entered the office and saw a man who should be around his fifties clipping on a tobacco. He wore this well-trimmed beard. He looked at me and then made a palm-down gesture on the chair facing his desk.

"Morning', Sir."

"Call me Alfie Gilbert," he gave me his hand. I shook it. He took his hand back as if I had some disease on me. "Sure you met Strauss, my assistant."

"I did, Sir."

"Well, Shawn told me that you're the kind of guy that does well in delivering packages. Ah, you're confuse ain't you? Why is a runner like yourself speaking to someone so high and mighty," he chuckled.

"It's simply your lucky day, boy," he went on. "And at the same time I need folks who can evade the law. First time I'd call it luck, second time it could still be called luck, but after seven times of close calls? Boy, you have talent and it's a shame to put competent folks like you on the streets instead of wheels."

He checks on his cigar. He took his lighter and lit it on his own. "And Roxi told me an interesting thing during our chat. She says about this cold runner who looked like he has no soul on him standing like he didn't give a shit about folks fucking in the background. I like that. So, you swing that way, son?"

"No, Sir. I don't," I said sternly.

He nodded his head. "I got no problem with your sexuality or which bum do you prefer. I do prefer my folks to be decent. You ain't half bad, son and Shawn sings you praises for all the package you delivered. Got a good head and maintains a professional attitude. I like that."

Boss Alfie took a long drag of his cigar. His eyes remained on me. "Boy, you heard the specifics on this job, didn't you?"

"I did."

"Good. Easy job. You make sure that the girl's dates go well and nothing bullies them. When some assholes tries to hurt the girls, then you make sure that they pay. Don't kill them though, since it's bad for business. These girls are pretty, and they are the darling of the Family. They are great thieves of the heart and the dollar. But despite it all they are one of us. Any disrespect for, you try to push them down, and I make sure that your boy will be fed to the dogs, understood?"

"I understand that."

"Good that you do. We raise these girls to be luxurious and when some folks damage the goods? It's outrageous. Most of us here have done bad things. Doesn't mean that I'd let anyone mess with my people. Strauss will introduce you to the girls. This is mostly legal work, but we'll pay you based on how much you drive the girls. Strauss will explain."

I left the office and told Mr. Strauss that I got the job. The 'interview' sound like a warning and that he's happy to have a new sucker to drive his girls. I followed Strauss, and he told me one-sidedly how we have Escorts and Courtesans. The Escorts are usually the ones who are working in the Casino while the Courtesans who have rich and high-paying client. And from the way he emphasized more on the Courtesans. I guessed that my job was to drive these girls when they are on a 'date' with their clients.

We entered this posh room with comfortable designs. From the looks of it they have the whole room as their apartments. Four name plagues so I assumed that there were only four courtesans.

"Girls," Strauss called. The girls had this frown on them. "Meet your new driver. He will be the one taking care of you."

His eyes on me. He introduced the redhead. "Philippa Griggs, this is Niko."

"Hi Niko," she said to me. She was overwhelming. I would have swooned if I wasn't in third-person. Three of the girls were well-proportioned. Dangers to the eyes. I kept my eyes on their eyes instead of their thin clothing.

"Hello," I said calmly. Her eyes widen a little.

Strauss coughs and he introduced the rest.

Ingrid Fitzgerald was blonde with a beauty mark below her lips. She was the same as age as Philippa and seems to be close to her. Eloise Vanderbilt was quite cool. She has her hair slightly dyed in blue, braided ponytail. Miss Loretta Hutton was this black-haired woman with long hair sprawled on her back. She was bustier than Miss Eloise and was staring daggers at me.

"Sorry about her, hun," said Miss Loretta. "She had bad experience with the last driver. I hope you are different." She winked. Miss Eloise glared at Miss Loretta before folding her hands and staring at me with a raised chin.

I stayed my eyes on their eyes. While my 'ghost' was thoroughly enjoying the beauty of their appearance. Miss Ingrid had a look of approval while Philippa looks at me as if I wasn't damn straight. Denying is going to make me look like I ain't straight while being silent seems like I'm scared silly by four beauties.

"It's nice meeting you all. I hope that we work well."

I said to them and kept my silence. It was kinda awkward. Being stared that way and if I was seeing it with my own eyes instead of looking over my shoulder. I'd probably be swooning at them and behaving like a fifteen-year-old boy in heat.

After the brief introduction with the ladies that I'm going to drive. I followed Mr. Strauss back to his desk where we signed a contract. I got a decent wage and clauses that says that I'd shut up and drive these girls where they like.

I guess I ain't unemployed anymore?