C8 Eight

LEONARD'S POV.

August 27th Friday.

I sighed as I've been doing for the umpteenth time. There's a lot of work for me to do, but I haven't even gotten anywhere.

I need to make things right. I can't....I can't lose my family. A family that even if the world is turned upside down, I still wouldn't have believe I'll have.

Now I have to be a responsible husband and father, and vanish the enemies that happens to surround us.

It's just.... It's just that I only have a limited time, and with that little time, I'm not sure what can be accomplished.

I have to be fast, cause even with that little time, the enemies could pull one over me. They could present to me the unexpected. I don't want things to be too late.

"Mr. Hodge"

I turned to look who I've been waiting for. A spark to getting my job done. Just hope it lights.

I stood up from the bench I sat, and we shook hands.

"I wasn't really expecting we'll be meeting in a park." He said looking around.

I nodded. "That's right, but don't fret. I'm just fond of parks."

He equally nodded.

"Why don't we sit?" I suggested pointing at the bench.

He nodded. "Yeah."

We both sat down.

My eyes were fixated on him, as I expected him to bring out words that are music to my ears. Or not. I only wish I don't get disappointed.

"Well, I thought about your offer.." He prolonged.

"And?.." I asked impatiently.

He sighed. "You know who you're going against, right?"

I scoffed. "Really? You're gonna ask me that, cause I'm dumb?"

I was beginning to feel annoyed.

He shook his head. "Please don't get me wrong."

"You're scared." I noticed. He was looking uncomfortable all of a sudden.

He sighed. "He's my boss."

I looked away from him. Bummer. I looked back at him. "So, it's a no, then."

He lowered his head. "I...I do really want to do it, but I'm lacking courage. I mean, what if I get caught? My family could be another of their collateral damage."

I sighed. "You should know that our family is who we're fighting for. Ours, and others. And others who haven't gotten justice. Fear isn't gonna help. We have to make a stand. You're smarter if you don't let fear take control."

He furrowed his brows in thought, and I saw it as a gateway to get what I want from him.

"That fear will be the reason you get caught. You have to let go of it. I'm sure without that fear, we'll both get what we want. Freedom. Freedom from strongholds." I continued further.

He nodded. "You're right. I've got to do this. It's just information you want, right?"

I equally nodded. "Yeah. I need your eyes on him all the time. You're his left hand, so it'll be easy. Just don't mess it up."

"But his right hand.. He could suspect things. That guy is deep in it. He does everything to please the boss."

I shrugged. "Then you have to make him not suspect. I need to be one step ahead. I need to know what your boss is planning, and thinking. I need him to answer to justice."

"You keep saying justice, but I don't see you as a guy who cares about it."

I scoffed. "Well, true. But, isn't it just human instinct to have the urge to slap someone who is despicable?"

He nodded. "You're right. The boss sure is despicable. I'll call you when I get an important information that'll favor our cause, but as of now, I have to go." He said standing up.

I nodded in understanding, and equally stood up. "Yeah. You agreed with me. I appreciate."

We shook hands. "Good luck." I told him.

He nodded. "Yeah." Then he left.

I brought my phone out from a pocket, and dialed a known number.

After three rings...

"Hello."

"Leonard. What's up?"

"I got eyes inside, Nick." I informed.

"Whoa. That's good."

I nodded. "Yeah. What about what's going on over there?"

"I haven't gotten anything yet, but there's something going on that hasn't been known yet."

"What makes you think so?" I asked with furrowed brows.

"According to our intel. Things looks awfully calm. He feels there's a plan that no one knows about yet. It's just the order that they're waiting for."

I sighed. "That order could mean we're too late."

"Yeah I know that. I know we have to find out what's happening before the order is issued."

I nodded. "Luckily, my eyes here could discover what hasn't been issued there. That darn boss of theirs is probably keeping things quiet, and only his associates here could know his plans."

"That'll be good. What's your eyes position?"

"Left hand man."

"A bit nice. The leader here is a strict, and to-die slave of the boss. Even his right, and left hand are too. I mean, they got control, and they're loving it. Our eyes here is just a goon. A lackey."

I nodded. "Yeah. That's why things are slow."

"At the least, you've got eyes over there, so I'm sure we'll be expecting a liable information that could help us take our next step."

I nodded again. "Yeah."

"So how's your wife?"

I sighed. "She's fine."

"And your babies?"

"If my wife is fine, then they're fine too."

I heard him chuckle. "Chill man. Just up for a conversation that doesn't concern the problem at hand."

I just rolled my eyes. "What I care about is making things right. That's what I can't stop thinking about."

"Look, man. In everything, there should always be a bed of roses. Treat your wife well. Take her on dates. Let her have fun, or else she might begin to suspect things. She could have more reasons to believe you're hiding something serious from her. Don't be all too grim towards her"

I nodded understanding his point. "I get it."

"Cheerios, man. Gotta get back to my wife. She can't also know what I'm involved in."

I nodded. "Yeah. Say hi for me."

"I will." I hung up with a sigh.

Come to think of it, I haven't actually taken my wife on a real date. I have to think about that. Nick was right with what he said. I should also think about making my family work. We could scatter if I'm so bent on solving a problem I only know about.

I should get back.

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3RD PERSON POV.

"I wonder what order the boss has in mind, Jaguar."

Jaguar nodded. "Yeah. If only that stupid guy did a good job, and eliminated that girl. Things would've been over."

Cage shrugged. "Well, let's enjoy the freedom, and wait patiently for his order, then."

Jaguar sighed. "I still don't like it. The boss should trust me enough to give me hints on his next plan instead of Lion. I'm much better than that stupid right hand of his."

Cage rolled his eyes. "Here we go again. Always arrogant."

"Do you think he wants to finish that girl off himself?" Devin, Jaguar's left hand walked into their conversation, and sat besides Cage.

Jaguar shook his head. "I don't think so. I don't know who it is, but someone is on to the boss. Someone is the reason why all he has ever wished for is prolonged."

"I wonder who that someone really is." Cage said in thoughts.

"I hate that I'm clueless." Jaguar said in slight anger.

A sound got their attention causing them to become alerted.

"I'm sorry." One of their goons, Jace, said coming out.

"Were you eavesdropping on us?" Devin asked him.

Jace shook his head. "No. Of course not. Just going out to get some things."

"Everyone are upstairs?" Jaguar asked him.

Jace nodded. "Yeah. We're just playing some games. Things have been boring lately."

Cage nodded. "That's agreeable."

"Well, you can go get what you want." Jaguar ordered.

Jace nodded. "Yes, Sir."

As Jace left, Devin eyes were on him having confusing thoughts.

"Apparently, we're not the only ones feeling the boredom." Cage stated.

"Boss man." Fred came walking in on them. He was looking frustrated.

"What's up now?" Jaguar asked noticing him.

"The disturbances are too much. I'm beginning to get annoyed." Fred stated.

"There's nothing you can do about it. Just keep calm. Be patient. Once this week is over, someone else will take over." Jaguar told him.

"I just..I just wish I could deal mercilessly with......"

"Don't go that lane." Cage interrupted him.

Devin nodded. "Yeah. Unless you want to get it with the boss."

Fred sighed. "I'll just manage. Can't wait for my shift to be over." He said, and walked out.

"Don't you guys ever wonder who that guy that was supposed to kill that lady is?" Devin suddenly asked.

Jaguar nodded. "Yeah I wonder too, and he did a bad job."

"For some reason, the boss sure keeps things from us." Cage stated.

"There's always a reason why, you know? There's a great plan in his head that he doesn't want to say out." Jaguar explained.

Devin nodded in agreement. "Saying it out could jeopardize his plans, so he's just waiting. He's being smart."

Jaguar nodded. "Exactly, D. Whatever the boss is planning, we just have to be ready."