25 – Cowards and Heroes

“So, any ideas on what we do now?” Brad asked as he paced the floor of the hotel room.

“May I suggest saving Gina’s ass?” Greg scorned from his position of leaning against the dresser.

“That’s what I was getting at,” Brad huffed.

“If that fucker lays a finger on her…” Paul scowled as he downed his third glass of red wine.

“She’ll rip his testicles off,” Fenny perked, taking a sip of Pepsi.

“Don and his lackeys are different to the Crispin sisters,” Paul declared. “These are hardcore fucking criminals.”

“Rona killed Mafia men in front of us and Gina still broke her nose,” Fenny said matter-of-factly.

“The issue here isn’t Gina, she can handle herself,” Brad announced, stopping to address the others. “What we need to establish is, if we were drug barons, where would be palming the gear off? Right? Because wherever they are, that’s where Gina’s going to be.”

“Sherwood’s right,” Greg agreed.

“So we all put ourselves in the shoes of international drug dealers,” Fenny sighed doubtful.

“Yeah, if you were going to deal drugs, where would you do it?” Brad said to no one in particular.

They fell silent until Paul clicked his fingers. “Nightclubs.”

“Yeah, nightclubs,” Greg enthused. “Which one, though?”

“Whatever one is closest to here, right? I mean, that’s why we’re in this hotel?” Fenny piped up.

“There was one round the corner, we saw it on the way here,” Brad perked.

“I remember,” Greg smiled. “It had some weird ass French name and purple walls.”

“Well what are we waiting for?” Paul asked, getting to his feet and heading for the door. “Oh wait, we’ll never get into a nightclub looking like this.”

Everyone looked at everyone else. “I don’t think Proops would get in anyway,” Brad teased.

“Hey,” Greg huffed.

“No, he’s right…We need someone on the outside,” Paul agreed.

“Fine, I’ll try to get us a car or something,” Greg sighed.

“What about me?” Fenny asked.

“You’re coming with us,” Brad replied.

“Me? In a nightclub?” Fenny laughed.

“Yeah, well if Sherwood and I turn up alone people might get the wrong idea,” Paul grumbled.

“Oh god,” Fenny groaned.

“Right, so we’ll go shopping, get the right garb, you deal with transport yeah?” Brad nodded at Greg.

“Yes, you go and have fun, kids. I’ll go argue with some French bastard about hire cars,” Greg sighed.


“What the fuck is your problem?” Gina hissed as she was dragged from a car into a damp, dank warehouse.

“Nasty little spies like you,” Don barked.

“Get over yourself,” Gina snapped. “Do you honestly think I give a fuck about your pathetic criminal activities?”

“I don’t care what you think,” Don scowled as he approached Gina. “All I know is some little bitch tried to strangle me.”

“Some people find it a turn on,” she countered, raising an eyebrow.

“You know what I find a turn on?” he asked.

“Nipple clamps?”

Don sneered as he moved his face so it was millimeters from hers. “I like to hear sluts like you beg for mercy.”

“I never beg,” she spat.

“Oh, you will,” he spat back and slid both his hands onto her waist, pulling her hips to his. He leaned in to kiss Gina as her knee went straight into his groin. Don let out a silent scream. His knees buckled and fell to the dusty concrete floor.

“You fucking bitch,” he managed to gasp.

“I’m a what?” she asked and with one swift movement let the toe of her boot connect with Don’s already sensitive testicles.

“MEN,” he gagged. Both heavies flew into the room and one grabbed Gina, one arm around her body, the other around her neck. Don managed to pull himself to his feet and stagger, slightly splayed, to Gina. He grabbed her hair, making her yelp, and looked menacingly into her eyes.

“I should fucking kill you now,” he spat and gripped her hair tighter. “But lucky for you, I don’t have time right now.” He harshly pressed his lips against hers and then pulled away. “Lock her in the office.”

“Yes boss,” nodded the heavy, and he dragged Gina, whose skin was crawling, toward an unlocked door, which he kicked open and threw her to the floor.


Fenny smiled politely at the shop assistant who watched her curiously as she waited for Brad and Paul to appear from the change rooms. She pretended to be interested in a rack of designer men’s suits, which all looked pretty much the same to her.

“What do you think?” Paul announced.

Fenny turned and looked at the two men who stood proudly showing off their nightclub attire.

“Hmm.” She smiled and sauntered over. Paul was in black slacks that appeared to glitter a little and a shiny deep red shirt. Brad was also wearing slacks and had gone for a shiny blue shirt. “Nice,” Fenny cooed and she circled Brad, her hand trailing over his rear.

“Great, now we’ve got to get you kitted out,” Paul declared.

“I’m not wearing a dress,” she scorned.

“Of course not, baby.” Brad smiled a smile that unsettled Fenny.

Brad and Paul paid for their outfits along with a new pair of shoes each, and then escorted Fenny to the women’s wear section of the department store. Fenny cringed at most of the clothes and left it up to Paul and Brad to choose her something. They thrust several items into to her arms and sent her to the changing rooms.

“I hope she liked what we picked,” Brad sighed.

“It’ll be interesting,” Paul mused.

“I think she’ll look hot,” Brad grinned.

“I’m not coming out,” Fenny called, her head appearing around the door.

“Come on, Fenella,” Paul jeered.

“I feel naked,” she huffed and pulled back the door to reveal her outfit. A pair of figure hugging, deep blue vinyl pants and a black, glittery handkerchief top. Brad wolf whistled and took the liberty to stroll over and inspect the outfit.

“I look like a whore,” Fenny cussed.

“Exactly, you’ll fit in great at a nightclub,” Paul grinned.

“I don’t suit…” Fenny paused and looked over her shoulder at Brad. “What are you doing?”

“Just seeing how the vinyl feels,” he mused, his hand sliding down her bare back.

“Keep it in your pants, Sherwood,” Paul sighed. “Now we need to get Fen some shoes and her hair and make-up done.”

“Oh joy,” Fenny sarced as she was led off and forced to wear strappy sandals with diamantes along the toes. After a bit of persuasion at the make-up counter by Paul, Fenny had her hair teased and a thick layer of make-up applied.


“No, you frog,” Greg cussed. “Car…I…want…the…car. Voiture?”

The man behind the desk at the hire car company looked confused for a moment then it seemed to register and he smiled broadly and shoved a clipboard in Greg’s direction. Thankfully everything was in English and he quickly filled out the paperwork, passing it back to be checked over. The man announced something, which Greg thought sounded like “fucking yank,” and escorted him outside to the car lot, where he was given the keys to a sporty looking black car.

“Merci beaucoup,” Greg smiled as he slid behind the wheel. He looked at himself in the rear vision mirror as he adjusted it. “Proops, Greg Proops,” he mused and then started the engine.


Gina kicked the heavy wooden desk in frustration and then cursed as a sharp pain ran up her foot. A few hours ago she had been playfully kissing Paul, never happier to be back in his arms. Now she feared for her life and was living dangerously off adrenaline. She paced the room and stopped as she heard voices. Gina crept close to the door to listen.

“Boss, Chantal can’t make it.”

“Fuck, why?”

“It’s her Mum’s birthday. They’re having cake.”

“Fucking wonderful. How am I supposed to distribute the goods for Claudia now?”

“I don’t know…Use the girl?”

“What girl?”

“The one in the office.”

“I know I’ve never said it before, but you are a genius.”

“Thanks boss.”

“Yes…” Don’s voice trailed off and Gina heard footsteps. The door flew open and she was knocked the floor. Don glared at her and chucked a bag onto the floor beside her. “Change into that,” he ordered.

“Are you mad?” Gina snapped.

Don pulled his gun out and levelled it at her chest. “Do it,” he ordered.

Gina stared at the gun barrel. She had two options, but decided that on her own, both would be too risky. “Get out and I’ll do it.”

Don sneered and slid his gun back into the holster. “Make it quick,” he ordered as he stepped out of the room and closed the door.

Gina let out a long breath and reached for the bag; it contained a pair of figure hugging black leather pants, a bright blue, low cut sparkly top and a pair of black stiletto boots.

“I’ll assume we’re not going horse riding,” Gina breathed as she pulled on the leather pants and top. She noted that she should avoid bending over for fear her breasts may escape, and finally, she put the boots on. She tottered a moment and then decided she’d be screwed if she needed to run. The last item in the bag was some whorish looking make-up, which she applied reluctantly. As she applied the last dab of eye shadow, Don reappeared and looked at her with a pleased expression.

“So, is there a reason I’m dressed like a whore? Not a fetishist, are you?” Gina asked.

“I’ve got a little job for you,” Don replied. “Might as well put you to use before I kill you.”

“Gee, you’re so kind,” Gina mumbled.


Brad, Fenny and Paul stepped forward at the front of the queue to get into the nightclub. The bouncer looked at them and ushered them inside. The second Fenny heard the thumping music she turned to leave and Brad grabbed her arm.

“I can’t go in there,” she gasped.

“It’s not as bad as you think,” Paul mused as he already started bopping to the music. They followed a set of purple velvet stairs that led into what Fenny could only see as hell: a claustrophobic room thumping with music that made the walls vibrate, and so many people you couldn’t breathe.

“What do we do?” she yelled.

“We dance, baby,” Brad chided and dragged Fenny in between a host of sweaty people. She grabbed onto him for dear life as he moved with the music. Fenny let go a little and realised Paul was behind her, doing his usual gyrating and miming the words, “I see you baby shaking that ass,” in her direction. Fenny just wanted to go home; the noise, the people and the flashing lights just made her feel ill.


“Where are we?” Gina asked as she stepped out of Don’s car.

“A nightclub,” Don replied.

“Why?”

“Because I need someone to sell my goods.”

“Hey?” Gina gasped. “Hold on, you want me to sell drugs?”

“Smart woman,” Don teased and produced several small bags of pot.

“And what, I just carry them in, do I?”

“Something like that,” Don mused and inserted the small bags into Gina’s cleavage. She let out a squeal.

“I could have done that myself,” she huffed, readjusting things to make them more comfortable.

“Not as much fun,” Don smiled. “Now get in there and sell, and I’ll be watching.”

“Yes boss,” Gina sarced and headed for the entrance, she slipped inside easily and felt slightly more relieved, even with a couple of grand of pot between her boobs.


“I’m getting a headache,” Fenny yelled into Brad’s ear.

“What?” Brad yelled back. She shook her head.

“Is that Don?” Paul yelled and pointed to the suited figure lurking in the shadows.

“Shit it is,” Brad replied.

“Watch him, I’ll go look around see who else is here,” Paul announced.

“Be careful,” Fenny yelled.

Paul winked as he disappeared into the throngs of people. He wished he were taller as he strained to look over people. He couldn’t see the lackeys, which was either a good or bad thing. He kept an eye on Don as best he could, but got thrust out the way by a gyrating couple and stumbled back.

“Shit,” he hissed and turned to apologise. “Genie,” he gasped.

“Paul,” Gina gasped, just as shocked. “Nice shirt,” she added.

“Are you wearing leather?”

“Yes, but that’s hardly important,” Gina yelled as she was bumped by someone behind her.

“Sorry, are you ok?”

“Fabulous. I have a couple of grand of pot down my cleavage?”

“It’s not even my birthday.”

“Will you be serious.”

“It’s hard when you’re dressed like that.”

“Where’s Don?”

“He’s over…” Paul paused as he looked at where Don had been. “He was over there.”

“Oh crap,” Gina breathed. “We’ve gotta get out of here.”

“We’ve gotta get Brad and Fen first,” Paul agreed, he grabbed Gina’s hand and led her through the sweat-soaked patrons as he hunted for Brad and Fenny. Paul was grateful Brad was so tall and he spotted him easily.

“Gina,” Fenny screamed as both she and Paul reappeared.

“We’ve gotta get out of here,” Paul declared.

“Have you been spotted?” Brad asked.

“More than likely, he made Genie his dealer,” Paul replied.

“Fucking hell,” Brad gasped.

“FUCK, IT’S HIM” Gina yelled and pointed to Don’s approaching figure through the crowds.

The four of them took off through the throngs of people. Brad held Fenny’s hand tightly as he pulled her through the crowd. She looked over her shoulder fearfully — she could see Don speeding up. They all reached the stairs together, the guys jumping two at a time, Fenny and Gina not having such an easy time in their fancy shoes. They belted out into the street, racing past the bouncer and diving down an alley.

“Where’s Proops?” Gina gasped, gagging for breath.

“We’ve got to call him,” Fenny replied and slid a cell phone from Brad’s pocket. She dialled nervously as Paul kept watch.

“Greg, get your ass here now,” Fenny panted into the phone.

“He’s headed this way,” Paul announced, “let’s go.”

They started running to the other end of the alley. “FUCK,” Gina yelped.

“What’s wrong?” Paul asked anxiously.

“Fucking stilettos,” Gina cussed.

They heard the cocking of guns and Brad swept Gina into his arms and they flew out the other end of the alley as Greg came to a screeching halt.

“Fucking hell, Proops,” Brad gasped as he put Gina down and jumped into the passenger seat. Fenny, Paul and Gina fell into the back, still closing the doors as Greg put his foot down. They turned to see Don and his heavies burst out the end of the alley.

 

“What the fuck happened?” Greg demanded as he was forced to slow at some lights.

“Don decided it’d be fun to make me his dealer,” Gina huffed and started pulling the bags from her cleavage.

“It’s not even my birthday,” Greg mused, looking in the rear vision mirror.

“That’s what he said,” Gina mused, looking at Paul who was taking the bags from her.

“What are we going to do with it?” Fenny asked, her ears ringing from the nightclub.

“Throw it in the river,” Gina replied.

“Are you mad?” Paul gasped.

Gina gave him daggers.

“What about a souvenir?” he pleaded, noticing her unwavering glare. “No, you’re right, river it is.”

“So, does this mean we can go back to normality? Whatever that may be,” Brad sighed.

“Possibly, if we weren’t being followed,” Greg sighed.

“No,” Gina groaned and sank down in the seat.

As soon as the lights changed, Greg put his foot down again and headed for the quickest way out of town.

“How we doing?” he asked.

“They’re still on our tail,” Paul replied, twisting in his seat to look behind them. Gina and Fenny looked too as the moon appeared from beneath the clouds. Fenny noticed the moonlight glint off something in the car behind them.

“DUCK,” she screamed as she, Gina and Paul dropped in their seats, and the rear window shattered, showering their backs with glass.

“Fucking hell,” Paul breathed.

“Are you ok?” Brad asked as he tried to move some of the glass as best he could from his position.

“I think so,” Fenny breathed, inspecting herself for glass cuts. There were several on her hands. Paul had a small cut on his forehead and Gina had a cut on her chest.

“You look like something out of a bad porn film,” Paul smiled as he pointed out her cut.

“Well if we get out of this alive I’ll let you dab antiseptic on it for me,” Gina mused.

“Fuck they’re gaining,” Brad announced. “Try and loose them, Proops.”

“What the fuck do you think I’ve been doing?” Greg snapped, checking his wing mirror to see how close they were.

“Sherwood, is there a street guide in the glove compartment?” Paul asked.

“Don’t know, I’ll check,” Brad replied and opened the glove compartment. “Yep,” he added and passed it to Paul.

“Thanks,” Paul nodded, twisted around and pulled himself to his knees. Gina realised what Paul was doing and grabbed him by his belt as he stuck the top half of his body out of the shattered back window and then hurled the book at the car behind them. The well-worn street guide was ripped apart by the wind and the pages splayed over the large black car’s windscreen.

“Well done McDermott,” Greg mused as Paul pulled himself back in.

“It won’t last long, we need to come up with a plan,” Brad announced.

“Escape back to England I imagine,” Fenny shrugged.

“Nah, that’s not going to work. They’ll still come after us,” Paul declared. “We’re better off facing them.”

“Are you insane?” Greg gasped.

“I agree, running isn’t going to get the fuckwit off our backs,” Gina nodded.

“He’ll kill us,” Fenny huffed.

“We’ve got a better chance the five of us together than any of us alone,” Paul said matter-of-factly.

“It’s worth a try, isn’t it?” Gina shrugged.

The car fell silent. “Ok,” Brad said after a few minutes. “Let’s do it.”

Greg picked up the pace as best he could and turned down a quiet road, which petered out into a scenic picnic area near a river.

“Well, here’s our river,” Gina sighed as Greg pulled the car to a stop. They slid out in silence as they waited for Don and his men to appear. Fenny wrapped her arms around Brad’s waist and he planted a soft kiss on the top of her head. Gina and Paul held hands so tight their fingertips were white. It didn’t take long for the devilish black car to appear and pull to a stop near them. Time slowed as they waited for Don and his men to pile out of the car. Greg had a sudden thought and popped the trunk open. He grabbed a heavy-looking tool that he assumed was used for changing tyres, and Paul snatched up a wrench. Both groups then approached each other. Don and his heavies pulled out their guns, Don grinning inanely as he did.

“What do you want from us?” Paul demanded, the wrench tucked in the back of his pants.

“Where’s my fucking drugs?” Don snapped, glaring at Gina.

“Scattered between here and Paris I imagine,” Gina hissed.

“You fucking bitch,” Don snarled and leapt toward her, wrapping an arm around her throat. Paul reached for his wrench but stopped, deciding not to encourage Don to use his gun.

“Get off me,” Gina hissed. And felt warm steel pressed to the side of her head.

“What the fuck is your problem?” Brad snapped, glaring at Don.

“I don’t like people who spy on me,” Don barked.

“I wasn’t fucking spying on you,” Gina almost laughed.

Don moved his gun from the side of her head and threw her to the ground. He then rounded on Fenny who had been hiding behind Brad a little.

“But it’s this little bitch that I want,” he snarled and grabbed Fenny, surprising everyone.

“Fenny,” Brad yelped as she was dragged back toward the heavies.

“You little prick teaser,” Don cackled and grabbed her hair, forcing her to yelp. “I don’t like being turned down.”

“I wouldn’t fuck you if you were the last man on earth,” Fenny gasped.

Don sneered and threw Fenny to the ground; he then dragged her to her feet and threw her to the ground again.

“I’m not fucking watching this,” Brad declared and stormed toward Don.

“Fuck,” Greg breathed.

“You fucking leave her alone,” Brad snapped.

“How sweet, you’re going to rescue her,” Don laughed until Brad’s fist connected with his right cheek and knocked him off guard. Brad threw another punch into Don’s stomach; Don let out a hiss of breath.

“He’s become a man,” Greg jeered.

“Yeah, oh fuck,” Paul gasped, noticing one of the heavies levelling his gun at Brad. Paul took off in the direction of the heavy and threw himself at him. The gun dropped to the ground, unfortunately the heavy didn’t and twisted Paul’s arm behind his back. Paul let out a pained yell. Gina leapt to her feet, grabbed the wrench from the back of Paul’s pants and thrust it between the heavy’s legs. The heavy let out a yelp, clutched his groin and fell to his knees.

“You are so getting lucky,” Paul gasped, before turning to kick the heavy in the stomach.

While Gina and Paul were dealing with one heavy, Greg noticed the other was about to produce his gun. He did the only thing he could, dashed forward and belted the heavy over the head with whatever blunt object it was in his hand. The heavy crashed to the ground out cold.

“Wow,” Greg gasped as he turned to see Brad, who was still tussling with Don. Brad landed another punch in Don’s stomach and Don fell to his knees gagging. Then Brad did something no one was expecting, he produced the knife that had been in the backpack with the money, grabbed Don around the neck and held it to his throat.

“I could fucking kill you,” Brad hissed. “How dare you hurt my friends and the woman I love, you piece of shit.”

Don couldn’t answer, he just watched Brad petrified.

 

“Are you ok?” Gina asked, crouching down to check on Fenny.

“Yeah, I should be,” Fenny breathed. “Now that is sexy,” she added, motioning to Brad.

“Fenella!” Gina gasped as she helped Fenny to her feet.

 

“What did you think we were doing at that house?” Brad asked and loosened his grip enough for Don to speak.

“Spying on me,” Don gagged.

“We’re not fucking interested in your petty criminal activities, you fuckwit,” Paul announced, walking over, slightly worried Brad might actually slit Don’s throat.

“You picked up my bag and I came to return yours. I certainly wanted nothing to do with it,” Brad snapped.

“Bullshit,” Don hissed.

Gina dashed to Don’s car and grabbed Brad’s backpack. “This is the bag from your car right?” she scorned, unzipped it and dumped the contents on the grass. Brad’s few belongings scattered.

“And this is the bag we had,” Fenny added, unzipping the other backpack and showing Don the money.

Don closed his eyes and mumbled an obscenity.

Paul grabbed the bag off of Fenny, marched to the riverbank and hurled it into the water.

“NO!” Don yelled.

Brad moved the knife and threw Don to the grass. “Now fucking leave us alone,” he hissed. Don didn’t argue, he looked too stunned.

“Come on, let’s get out of here,” Brad sighed, grabbing his bag and its contents.

“Wait,” Fenny breathed, glaring at Don. “Just wanted to say goodbye,” she scorned as she gave him a hard kick between his legs. Don winced and curled up in a ball.


Brad slid his arm around Fenny as they walked back to the car. “Are you ok?”

“Surprisingly yes,” Fenny sighed and stopped him. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Beating the shit out of that ass wipe,” Fenny cooed and stood on her toes to kiss him.

“My pleasure,” Brad smiled through kisses, his hands making their way to her rear.

“It was so sexy,” she whispered into his ear. Brad giggled, never having thought risking his life was such a turn on, but also more than happy that it was.

“I think that outfit is sexy,” he whispered back.

“Well, I might let you rip it off later,” Fenny teased and brought her lips to his again.


“What happened after you got dragged from the hotel?” Paul asked as he and Gina walked back to the car together.

“Nothing really. He tried to get it on with me but I pulverized his testicles several times and he lay off,” Gina mused.

“Come here,” Paul smiled and pulled her into a hug, Gina wrapped her arms tightly around him. “I was scared he’d do something awful to you. I’d seen what he did to Fen.”

“It was another one of those random acts of stupidity,” Gina sighed.

“Thanks for saving my arse again, too.”

“I think I’d do just about anything for you,” Gina cooed. “Just about.”

Paul sniggered as he brought his lips to hers and they lost themselves in a moment of passion.


Greg rolled his eyes at the gooey couples and the fact no one had congratulated him on his bit of heroism. He dumped the weapon back in the trunk and slid into the driver’s seat. He pressed the palm of his hand on the car horn and watched as both couples jumped a mile. “Come on kids, let’s get out of here,” he announced.