I. Secretive Actions

Ivory and Viper resided in the living room. Viper was spending her free-time watching a movie while Ivory was on her laptop, obsessing over a pair of shoes.

"Viper, look," Ivory turned over the laptop. Viper observed the black cut-out boots. "Aren't they nice?"

"Oh, Ivory, those shoes scream your name," Viper put a hand to her ear. "I can hear them."

The two laughed.

"How did going back to the strip club work out?"

Ivory looked up from her laptop, remembering what Chris told her. "Oh, the man couldn't help me. He told me to not go against Blue."

"That's strange. Well, it looks like we're back to square one."

"Not exactly. See, his name is Chris, and Chris knows something about Blue. He might come back," Ivory smiled quietly, remembering the phone that he gave her.

Viper looked at the time on the television. "I'm going to go to bed."

"Right now? It's only six o'clock, and your favorite show is on: Criminal Minds."

"I'm not feeling good. Besides, I have to clean my room," Viper then left.

Ivory thought about what just happened. Ivory knew that Viper was hiding something. Ivory closed her laptop and took out her first every credit card from her wallet. Blue gave her a blue, shiny, credit card. Ivory had been working hard, and she was happy to start making some money. Ivory didn't want to use her money recklessly.

Ivory heard Red calling her from the hallway, and she followed him into the vast dining room. She guessed it was dinner time. She was content; giant growls ruptured from her stomach. Everyone but Viper was grabbing pizza, talking, laughing, and pouring drinks. Ivory took a seat by the corner and ate her slice of pizza in silence. She heard someone sit next to her, the sudden movement causing a breeze. She glanced to see Spike but said nothing to him.

"Where do you think Viper is?" a maid asked another.

"Who knows, but Harley always tells me that Viper's nothing but trouble," the second one said.

Ivory knew that the one that had just spoken was Harley's maid.

"Linda," Harley called her maid over, and the maid made her way over to Harley.

"Ivory," Spike said, and she faced him, "Where's Viper?"

"She told me that she was going to bed."

"This early?"

Ivory shrugged. "I can't help you, Spike, I just hope that she isn't breaking any rules."

"Why would that be a problem for you?" Spike raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I don't want to get into trouble."

"Viper has free-will. If she gets into trouble, you won't."

Spike then got up to get more pizza. Ivory saw Blue and Hawks talking in the corner, and Ivory could tell that the conversation was serious. Hawks quickly glanced but said nothing as Blue handed him something. Hawks put the item in his pocket.

Ivory felt that Blue and Hawks were gossiping about Viper, but she wasn't too sure.

***

After a while, the gang members slowly left the room until only a few people were left. Viper eventually showed up, which caught Ivory's attention because she said that she was tired and had to clean her room. Viper really was acting out of character. Viper was able to eat pizza but had to wash all the dishes.

Viper was grunting to herself about all the dishes and was obviously annoyed.

Ivory volunteered to help her but was stopped by Blue.

"Go in the living room," he ordered her, "and stay in there. Hawks and Lucky will be watching you. Where Hawks goes, you follow. Got it?"

"Yes, Boss," Ivory raised an eyebrow but didn't question Blue demand. He'd been extra snippy for the last couple of days, but no one seemed to notice for some strange reason. It was only directed toward Ivory and Viper, really.

"And Viper, I want those dishes done in ten minutes, so hurry up! Quit complaining. You're lucky I even feed you!" Ivory heard Blue bark at Viper. Ivory jumped in fright at the booming voice.

Ivory saw Hawks and Lucky sitting by the couch, with cigarettes, a couple of wine glasses, and a red wine bottle. She sat toward the corner, hoping that they didn't speak to her.

"Ivory," Hawks grinned ear to ear like the Cheshire cat. He took her arm and pulled her over. He picked her up and sat her by the couch's end crease, trapping her between Lucky and him.

"Why do you always do that whenever I sit on the couch?"

"Does it annoy you?"

"No, Hawks, it doesn't," she replied sarcastically. "I love it."

"Don't be sarcastic, dear," he took a puff from his cigarette. Ivory covered her nose with her hand. "I do it because you hate it."

"And it's easy to pick you up, the other girls are taller," Lucky chimed in. Lucky peered into the kitchen, seeing Viper rush to get everything done. "Look, Hawks,"

Hawks turned to look into the kitchen. "She's been productive," he turned back around, "for once," he took a puff from his cigarette before discarding it.

He and Lucky snickered.

"Harley and Red are Blue's most trusted," Lucky told Ivory. "Your silly friend is his least favorite."

"Yeah, they seem to know things that others don't."

"That's because they do. I wouldn't trust those two, Ivory. Whatever you tell them goes straight to Blue," Lucky whispered.

Ivory could tell that Lucky disliked Red and Harley.

"So, what would we be considered?"

"His top workers."

"Blue has connections everywhere. His top and most trusted workers —but Viper— stay here," Hawks said.

"I'm not part of the gang."

"Yes, you are," Hawks said.

"I wasn't at first."

"Your proved yourself trustworthy."

"But how come Viper hasn't?" Ivory asked.

"You really need to stop asking questions," Hawks said, his light eyes slowly glancing into the kitchen as Viper quickly disappeared.

The two boys chuckled but said nothing further as they drank and smoked in silence.

After about five minutes, Hawks stood up and looked at Lucky.

"I have to go. Remember your job."

Ivory wondered where Hawks was going.

"I remember, Hawks," Ivory went to follow, Hawks, but Lucky put his arm out, stopping her. "Hold it, Ivory. Sorry, you must stay here. I have some errands to run, so Lucky's in charge of you until I get back."

Ivory wondered where Hawks was going; he was never out late.

"Bye, Hawks," Lucky dismissed, and Hawks walked downstairs.

Lucky took a seat next to Ivory and picked up a book. Ivory turned away and thought about why Hawks had been extra sneaky lately.