Collector
Valeria glances at the address she has written on a torn piece of paper. On the other side, a list of groceries crossed out. She looks up at the building. A small orange neon flower flashing on and off. Fireflower, 2776 8th Street. A seedy lounge she wouldn't look twice at. She rolls her eyes. Of course Andrez chose this place to meet.
She pushes through the door and squints. The place is dimly lit in a way Valeria thinks may not be intentional. There's a light haze of smoke throughout the room, and while Valeria herself likes a good smoke, she believes it to be rude to smoke up an entire room. The tables are full of drunk men, ogling the admittedly pretty woman who sings on stage. She eyes her too. At least this place has something going for it.
Valeria cranes her neck and spots her guy at the back. Head lowered, an almost empty glass in hand. He runs his hand through his thinning hair and looks up, startled by the sight of Valeria. She frowns and moves towards him, taking a seat across from him.
"Valeria." He greets nervously. "Let me buy you a drink-"
"I'm here to talk, not drink." She says firmly.
Andrez shifts his gaze away. "Yes. Talk."
Valeria leans forward, staring him down.
"You sought me out because you've heard of a rat in my ranks, yes?" She asks boredly. Knowing the answer already. Valeria knew about the rat almost as soon as it started squealing.
"I did." Andrez nods, looking at her. "Nicholas is giving away your trade routes and stash spots to smaller gangs, for a small price." He tells her, rubbing his hands together like a grimy little fly. She bets if she were to wipe the sweat from his forehead with a cloth, the cloth would come back dirty.
"Hm. Did he." Valeria says, not sounding at all surprised by his words.
Andrez studies her warily. Dark eyes flicking over her face. She's obviously not reacting the way he thought she would.
"I saw him." He insists.
"Funny." She replies dryly. Hand lowering to her holster and unconsciously fiddling with the straps. "Because Nichloas said the same thing about you - only he had proof." Andrez pales, mouth ajar like a fish. Valeria narrows her eyes. "Why don't you go home, Andrez, rest up and we can talk about this later." She gives him a clear dismissal and he stumbles to his feet. She watches him leave knowing that he won't be returning again.
She watches him leave. Knowing full well that he won't be making it home tonight. She curls her lip. Greedy little fuck. This was a waste of her time. She shakes her head. Valeria should've just ignored his message to talk. She orders herself something to drink and looks to the only source of entertainment here. She likes the way the singer's dress glitters in the light. Her eyes drift to the other patrons. A few of them seem to share the same opinion.
She watches you sing for a little bit. Relaxed by the soothing sound of your voice. There's almost a melancholic quality to every note you sing. The smokey haze combined with the stage lights almost makes you look angelic. She tilts her head and downs her drink. You look so sad. Nothing that sings so prettily should ever look that way. She wouldn't mind having you for a night and seeing what other pretty sounds you make.
Valeria finds herself feeling disappointed when you finish and disappear to the back. She turns and flags down the bartender, ordering herself another drink. After a couple of minutes you walk out, wearing a large coat. You're stopped by some old guy, and she watches judgmentally. Sugar daddy? Pimp? Father?
You look like you're somewhere else, your eyes glazed in a way she's seen one too many time. Whatever could make a simple little lounge singer look like that, she doesn't know. You look like you need a drink. Valeria takes the initiative and flags down a waitress and buys you a drink. Maybe she'll get lucky tonight. Though it quickly becomes clear that a passionate night with a sad stranger isn't in her cards tonight. After a single, quick glance in her direction you push the drink towards the old man. Valeria frowns and stands, leaving the bar and her unfinished drink.
She visits again the next night. Not something she planned on doing but she was wondering if she'd see you again. You're pretty good at singing and not too bad on the eyes either. Apart from her having ulterior motives for wanting to see you, she's also scoping you out. She owns her own lounge. Something to make her influx of wealth less suspicious. She wouldn't mind having you on staff. She'd feel more comfortable if she had you under her control.
There's more business to be conducted that night though so she leaves early. Not before buying you some flowers and leaving them at the bar for you to receive. She walks down the cracked sidewalk. Stepping over a puddle of puke with indifference. Valeria gets into her car and drives off. Streetlights faintly illuminating the sidewalks and road.
She arrives at a small warehouse ten minutes outside of the city. Crawling with cartel working like one to cook and package up her drugs. On the walls a large cartoon hare stares down with one yellow eye. Harrison Hare Farm. She checks up on The Butcher. Watching her carefully slice open the light underbelly of a dead hare and stuffing in a few small baggies of coke. She gets to work on sewing it back up to be shipped off with untampered with hares. Where they'll be taken to American warehouses, and the discretely marked buckets will be taken by paid off employees to be sold throughout the states.
Diego is waiting for her in her small office, frowning severely.
"There's still a leak." Diego grumbles. Crossing the room to her. Valeria walks around him and runs her finger over the well-loved spines of books collecting dust on the shelf.
"We got rid of the leak." She says dismissively.
"No, jefe," Diego presses. Valeria turns her head, her dark brown eyes burning into his. "We got rid of Andrez but someone's still talking. One of my pigs told me that his superior got a tip about this warehouse. They're getting their warrants in order so they can raid it."
That catches Valeria's attention fully.
"When?" She asks. She looks around. She's going to have to cease all production here for the time being.
"I'm not sure. He says his boss didn't tell anyone about it in the first place." He replies.
"He must have, otherwise we wouldn't be hearing about it." She snaps at him. Valeria scowls. "We need to empty the place of anything illegal tonight." She decides reluctantly.
Diego hesitates, looking unsure. "Tonight is kind of quick, no?" He asks.
Valeria glares at him, it's a reasonable question, she supposes. She has to stop herself from hurling the thickest, heaviest book on the shelf at him.
"Don't question me, just get all the equipment and drugs out of here by tomorrow, Diego." She says lowly.
"... Yes, Valeria." He agrees. Valeria can tell that he disagrees but as long as he keeps it to himself and continues to follow orders then she doesn't care all that much.
"Before you leave, do you know who the leak might be?" She asks.
He looks at her. "No, it could be Nichloas though, it's possible both him and Andrez were rats." Valeria suspected it herself.
"Hm." She responds. "We'll keep an eye on him then." She says. Valeria turns away and waves a hand. "You may go." She needs to get started on clearing up the office of anything incriminating.
Valeria was right to clear out the warehouse. The next day at noon the police - the ones Valeria doesn't have paid off - stormed through the place and turned it upside-down looking for anything they could. She watches with detached satisfaction as they found nothing.
It will be a while before she makes use of that warehouse again. Knowing that the police will have it under watch. Valeria doesn't consider it to be that big of a problem. She has other warehouses with other labs. A well-endowed woman sets down a drink beside her, a friendly, playful smile on her lips. Valeria takes the drink and sips it, watching another woman on stage. Her voice is strong and sweet. Around the room patrons watch and simply listen as they mingle with one another. The Canary Cage, previously a failing business under a different name, flourishes under Valeria's ownership. It's not the only lounge with singers but hers has the prettiest.
Her thoughts, like they seem to usually do as of late, stray back to you. She'd like to see you on her stage in better lighting. Now that she has some free time to think about anything other than work, she allows herself to wonder what you may be doing at this very moment.
She knows she's straying into dangerous territory. Valeria can never have normal relationships with people. There's never that healthy level of detachment needed to make things work. Valeria is an animal that must eat every last part of her partner until there's nothing left to save. She doesn't like not knowing what's going on. It's like an itch beneath her skin and the only way to relieve it is by knowing everything she can.
The temporary moment of tranquility and relaxation is interrupted as the doors swing open. She straightens defensively like a cat raising it's hackles as a band of cops walk in. The bouncer intercepts them but can only do so much to keep them out. They shove a piece of paper in his face and he reluctantly steps his hulking body to the side. Casting a dark glance towards Valeria. The patrons, consisting mostly of Valeria's men give the cops aggressive and furtive looks.
They approach her and her heart pounds. Her fingers brush over the edge of her gun. Arresting her will come with a price, she can guarantee that. She prepares herself to meet them head on but they walk right past her. She turns and watches them approach her bartender. He frowns, becoming increasingly agitated as they speak to him and finally arrest him.
"I didn't do anything!" He shouts, struggling as they force him against the counter and cuff him. "I didn't do anything!" Valeria stands and stalks up to them.
"What the hell are you doing?" She snaps. The one in charge turn to her, face dark with dislike.
"I'm sure you knew already, Valeria, but this man is being charged with possession and intent to sell of illegal substances as well as gang affiliation." He tells her, looking her right in the eye.
Valeria keeps her face straight. Not giving anything away.
"And do you have any evidence, officer, or is this a baseless assumption?" She curls her lip at him.
The officer leans closer to her, his coffee breath washing over her face. "We had an anonymous tip and seized drugs from his apartment." He murmurs. "We'll be taking him in for questioning." He adds, watching her closely.
His words bring her discomfort, but she doesn't let it show. He's trying to scare her into revealing herself but she won't play this game. She's had enough of men trying to intimidate her into submission.
"Hope he tells you all you need to know officer," She says mockingly, brows raising with faux sympathy. "It'll be mind blowing, I'm sure."
The man sniffs and jerks away. "Let's go." He snaps at his men. She watches them drag out her bartender.
Valeria decides to pay the Fireflower a visit. Hoping you're working tonight. Valeria parks and gets out. Shoving her keys into her pocket and entering the building. You're on stage once again, in a very short dress. Tonight isn't all that bad, it seems. She stakes out an empty table and seats herself. Allowing the smoothness of your voice to flow over like water. Closing her eyes and letting you pull her deeper.
"He's my man, we're hand in hand," You murmur into the mic. "to hell and back, and I'll love him like no one else can."
Valeria feels like a cobra being charmed. Though a small, ugly thing blooms inside of her. Jealousy and hatred as you sing about a man. She's aware it's irrational, she holds no real claim to you, and if you didn't like women then she couldn't change that, she also just... doesn't care. Valeria does nothing if not constantly indulge herself.
You bat your lashes and pout and sway with the mic. She thinks again that this place really isn't good enough for you. She looks around compulsory and spots that old man from the other night. Her mood souring further. She really wants to know who he is and why he's important to you. She gets up and approaches him, taking a seat nearby. His eyes are glazed and half closed. She feels mild disgust at the pathetic and vulnerable state this man lets himself be in. No self-respect or pride. She eyes his almost empty glass and waves down the bartender. The same young man she left the flowers with.
"Get him another of what he ordered." She mutters, slipping him a few bills.
Soon enough, another golden beverage is placed before the old man and his eyes clear.
"She's quite the singer." Valeria comments. The man swivels his head and looks at her.
"What?" He asks.
Valeria bites back her annoyance at having to repeat herself. "She's quite the singer." She repeats loudly. The man smiles and Valeria flinches, nearly recoiling at the state of his teeth. Yellowed with rot and cracking.
"She sure is." He nods. "Couldn't be prouder seeing her on stage. She used to run around the tables when she was a girl and harass the singers on break." He chuckles, then leans forward, his breath harassing her. "She used to be so tone deaf but like I always told her, singing's like riding a bike. Just keep at it and you'll eventually get the hang of it. She'd always grumble at me in the manner most teenagers do. Stubborn as a mule she is." He rambles.
Valeria feels a pang of regret. She didn't think someone who looked half unconscious could talk so much.
"... Mhm." She replies. She glances back at you. Drinking in your glowing visage. "You her father?" She asks.
The man sighs. "In all but blood. I'd never tell her, but I've always sort of thought of her as my daughter. I didn't do good by my first one you see. I'm making it up to him-" He points upwards, talking to a barely listening Valeria. "-by being kinder to her."
Valeria, hearing everything she needs to, tunes him out. No longer deeming him a threat therefore no longer deeming him relevant. She rests her chin her palm and enjoys the sight of you singing. Wanting to pluck you off the stage and pin your limbs down like a butterfly for her to hang on her wall. She studies you intently, noticing that beneath the smile and concealer, you look exhausted. Some people remain eternally tired no matter how much sleep they get.
Wednesday is a good day. Collection day. Where a bunch of Valeria's dealers go out to designated sectors to collect the set 'safety fee.' Nothing in life is free, and neither is protection. With her bartender behind bars, she's short a collector. She hasn't had the time to appoint a new one so she takes on his sector herself. The Fare Heaven Apartments are the last on her list. Pushing open the cracked glass door she begins her rounds. Collecting money from the downtrodden residents. She knocks on the 4th room of the 5th floor and waits. Growing impatient after a minute of silence. She raises her fist to knock again when the door swings open. You adjust the robe over your chest and fall still at the sight of her. Clearly not expecting to see her. Though clearly recognizing her, something that delights Valeria a little. Though her delight is dimmed by the less-than friendly expression on your face.
Similarly, Valeria finds herself being surprised. She had made an educated guess that you probably lived somewhere on the west side, but for whatever reason it never occurred to her that you lived in a collection zone. You hold out your hand, unlike the other residents who put their money into baggies or envelopes, you don't bother with the courtesy. She takes the money, letting her hand linger on yours for longer than what's considered polite.
You retract your hand.
"Where's the other guy?" You ask. Subtly, but not enough to escape her notice, shutting the door a little. She feels irritated that you're asking after the bartender. Why do you care and why do you want to know? She looks you over, at the little feminine robe you're wearing. Were you wearing it for him?
"He's been... relieved of his service." She replies calmly. You stare at each other for a few seconds before you begin to close the door. Without thinking her hand shoots out, stopping you.
"What?" You ask harshly, frowning at her.
She blinks at you. "I need to count it first." She says.
You frown at her. "The other guy never counted." You say, hands tightening on your door.
Valeria lets go of the door and sifts through the money you gave her.
"He should have." She says, unperturbed. She almost hopes you're short the proper amount so she can have an excuse to heckle you. It's all there though. Down to the last cent. She begrudgingly shoves the money into her pocket and nods at you.
"I wouldn't dare miss a payment, Valeria." You say icily. Slamming the door in her face. Such disgust and vitriol. You're a lot less friendly now and she finds it turns her on a little. Fighting is all Valeria knows. It's practically her love language. She turns away and leaves. Content with knowing where you live.
Valeria goes to your place of work the next night as well. Watching you sing and staying till the end this time. You disappear around back and emerge in that big, dramatic coat of yours. She downs her drink and puts on her own coat, following you out of the bar. You stop beside your bus stop.
"Why are you following me?" You ash harshly, turning to face her.
"I want to talk to you." She replies, smiling placatingly. "I have an offer."
"I'm not interested." You say flatly, turning your back to her. Valeria walks around you.
"It's a job offer, at my lounge." She continues anyway, ignoring the annoyed look on your face. "You deserve to make more then 7000 pesos, don't you think?" She murmurs, inching closer.
For a split second she catches a flicker of temptation in your eyes before you forcibly extinguish it.
"Blood money." You sniff haughtily.
Valeria furrows her brows. "Whatever do you mean?" She asks. Unsure if she's playing with you or warning you to watch yourself.
"Nothing." You mutter angrily. "I don't want anything to do with you."
"Why not?" She asks. Frustrated. "You're turning down the opportunity for a better life, to work somewhere you might actually like, and for what? Morals?" She laughs at you.
You scowl at her, glancing up briefly as lightning silently flashes.
"I like working at the Fireflower." You say defensively.
"No you don't." Valeria scoffs. "You hate it here."
"I'd hate working for you more." You snap. Looking down the street as the bus approaches. "Besides, what's the point in making more if you're just going to take it again?" You reach into your pocket to grab the needed change. Valeria silently hangs back and watches you board the bus. Not even giving her a single look back. She thinks you're really dumb for turning her down. If you want to be difficult fine. Valeria can play that game too. You made your move now it's her turn.