Vincent had entered his car, sitting by his side was Joe and after that talk. Things had seemed to be calm for now, he was grateful that it was not going to be spilling over into the meeting. He was not worried anymore, he knew he had to be open with what was going to be coming in the next few moments, the beginning of their crew. Where they could finally stop slumming it in hotels and finally make something for themselves, a home, a place to rest and that was just the start of what they deserved, a family is what they desired and they would get it. 

Vincent knew that is what he desired beyond anything else, he had nothing back home. Contrary to how he portrayed himself, his family back home was less than welcoming with him. His life had been filled with murder, lies, and running. He did not trust anyone, well, besides Valerie, the one person who stuck by him and did not wish to be someone who would be a statistic for him. He rarely had true friends, right now was one of the times he desired so much. He never realized how much, however. 

Back home, it had been a given. He had the sons and daughters of his father's men looking to make an in with him, he had been used as a pawn back then. His father had made that clear,  his position in the family had been a stunt at first, he was simply the son of the boss. He was not going to be the prodigy that would bring the family to new heights, his mother had made that clear also. He never did have a good relationship with his parents, he was not their only son but he was the youngest. 

The car soon set off, Vincent did not even notice, his thoughts focusing on the past. He knew that his friends back then were little more than prospects for this type of life, most of them were probably dead or in jail by now. Things had become a little different in his life, he had moved from place to place before he felt comfortable and then he met Valerie, the one person who understood him and what he wanted. That is something he would never forget with her, she always fought for him. Even when he did not have the strength to go forward anymore. 

She was a shining light in his otherwise depressing life, she had been the one to keep him focused on what they both wished to achieve. How it worked from here, it was something that he loved and decided was best for him. Valerie knew what he could if motivated, she did not know what he had been through and for that, he had hoped, she would never learn of what had happened with him and his family back in England. It was not something that he discussed easily, he loved some moments but most were overshadowed by his parent's treatment of him. 
 

"Hey, Vincent, are you good there? You're looking a bit out there, just checking in."

Chuckling to throw off Joe, he smiled, nodding his head with a hum. He never felt that same way with Joe or Gio, while he had known them for a while. It only seemed to be different, there was no genuine brotherhood with the three of them. It was business and that was it, a matter of chance between all of them and that is how it needed to be. Vincent was not going to pretend that it was different and that it held something deeper for all of them today. 

Gio was a man of business, he focuses on it like no other that Vincent had seen. While he was someone he wished to have on his side, he knew that could change. Gio looked out for number one and not the matters of the family that they had around them. Maybe this is what they needed to work on, how they could begin to shape themselves for the future. Lest they end up like the numerous ambitious dozen who had long since been dealt with by numerous gangs around the seven cities. He wished to see what they could do, he was not going to let it stop here if he could help it. 

Joe, the man himself and he was someone that he did not worry about a lot. They had both seen what each other was capable of, something that would make most mobsters wary of one another. Knowing how the other worked, you've seen it in action and nothing has ever stopped them before. You could paint the face of a man who was ready to see each other for family, where you could be someone who wanted to put in a helping hand. Only this was...different, they were leaders now and had to look out for their respective men, along with their future. 

"Joe, can I ask you a question?"

Turning his head, he noticed how softly Vincent had spoken and he wondered what was in that mind of his. It seemed this car ride had brought something out of him. Maybe that was a good thing, to him, it seemed like something was weighing in his mind. Like he needed to come out and say something, he wished to help him along but it had been a bit awkward since that talk in the hotel. Something seemed to stop both of them, they did not wish to dwell on something that would no doubt spill into other areas of their work. It was not going to be good for either of them. 

"Sure, what do you want to talk about?"

Joe asked in his gruff tone, it seemed like Vincent was not going to be looking him in the eyes. His eyes continued to roam the streets, they never left and it seemed to draw him into a never stopping memory. He never wished to know what his friend was going through but now, the way his eyes had narrowed before speaking had stopped him from breathing. He knew that to be in this life, you had to have one of two things, smarts or brutality. 

"This deal, I want you to know that I trust you and your belief in it. You were right to make sure I went along with this, thank you."

Nodding his head with a hum, Joe looked back at the streets as they passed him by. Maybe it was something in the back of his mind but something didn't sit right with him about that little goodbye. It seemed like he was trying to say something different, shaking his head with a small smile coming onto his lips, he didn't let it bother him. He had to focus, knowing that he had to be on his A-Game for what was coming. 

In another car, Valerie sat next to Gio as they spoke like old friends. There was something between them, a true friendship that had them ready to face this meeting. It seemed like Valerie was focused on the things that would happen, she was excited, this was her first deal and she was ready for the best things to happen, it was like nothing could or would go wrong. She was ready for this to be their best meeting yet, only she knew, this was the start, everything would rise from here. 

Laughing, she noticed how the driver looked back to Gio with a small nod. She paid it no attention, thinking that he was seemingly making sure that he was on track, it was not too soon that Gio was asking her some questions. She answered them with ease, it seemed that Gio was trying to either calm himself down or stay focused on the task. She knew that this type of deal, it made most people nervous and she was ready for it. She knew that she was ready for this to work for the family. 

"Tell me, Valerie, how long have you and Vincent run together? We've heard the stories I mean, I know how much he means to you. Some people seem to get the idea that you two are together, ready to kill for their lovers."

Valerie turned a little green at that idea, her brother, while a man that was handsome and had gotten plenty of compliments, as well as nightly partners, was not someone she would be with ever in a hundred years if she could help it. He was her saviour, she did notice that he painted himself in a certain light. He painted himself like he had a family to go back to, he had never told her but she heard the hesitancy in his voice when speaking about them. It seemed like a subject that he would rather let pass than ever discuss it aloud. 

"I've been helping that man for two years now, he actually saved me from a bad situation. Something that I am grateful to him for. He's someone that I trust greatly, you should too. He might not show it Gio but he respects the heck out of you, he sees what you want to do for your family, how you want to make their name mean something here. It's why you joined up with us, he's the same and maybe that is how you two can connect. I know, I am focused on our life and how to make sure that we survive but he's not, he's ready to build bridges with people."

Smiling to herself, she turned her gaze onto Gio and noticed that he stopped there. He was not believing a single word that she said before he noticed how she looked at him, there was no chance in hell that she would be lying about this, laughter soon escaped her as Gio was looking a bit pale for a moment before sobering up and letting out a laugh. While neither would say it out loud, this moment would never be forgotten between either of them. It was something that could never ever be forgotten, it was a bonding moment.

"He does not seem the type, I heard the stories of how he spoke with his captains. It seems like he has a different style altogether and you've known him longer than any of us around him right now. What can you tell me about his approach with our life? He seems like two different people, one's a pleaser and wishing to have fun, another seems all business and is willing to sacrifice people, friendship, and his health for seeing through his plans. I just wonder is all, we met in some awkward circumstance if you recall."

Nodding her head, Valerie remembered that and she knew where they were now. How it seemed for them, it was a big moment where they could have made a ton of money but not everything goes their way in this life, sometimes there is someone bigger. Someone ready to make sure that they are the ones in control, for them, it was their bosses. 

Vincent remembered those days, he had adopted it to a degree and it was times like that when she remembered that he was different when he was younger. He never used to be this way, he had an almost childish outlook on life and what it meant for all of them. Soon it moulded him into this suave man, who could make himself into anything, impressing and then blackmailing politicians, judges, anyone who had something that could give him some kind of advantage in this world. 

"He's evolved I could say Gio, he's become someone that you would not recognize at first glance. I stick by him because of it, he had to be someone else at so many times in his life that it became his personality and as I said, you would get along with him. You two would cause so much trouble that I should not be encouraging you two to meet more often."

Laughing, Gio raised an eyebrow and then looked towards Valerie for a moment. 

"Oh? Do you want me to yourself, Val? I did not think my charms would work on you so well."

It was then that Valerie laughed, it was now that Gio gained a face of confusion before Valerie sobered at that moment and looked at him with surprise. He didn't know? Well, she never really did go about flaunting this type of thing, still, it seemed that she would have to inform him of the news. 

"Oh trust me, lad, your charms have not worked. You are not my type Gio, once you gain a great pair of legs and an arse that defies gravity itself, along with some knockers, gimme a call. Until then, the type of genitals that your rocking just ain't my style to go. Don't worry, your wife prefers you just fine, let us keep it that way, eh?"

Smiling to herself, Valerie turned her head and noticed that they were finally here. Sal's Italian Steakhouse, it was classic and very private, which is what they needed to be on this very occasion. Now it was time to go in.

Sitting next to one another in a booth was slightly relaxing for the two best friends as they knew that this was it, the moment they had been waiting for. It was eye-opening. They had clawed and they had come so far and they reached the pinnacle of their small careers, nothing was going to better than this moment. It was as if they had plucked for this very moment, they had prepared and they knew that the other was going to be supportive. 

"Mister Vincent Carelo and Miss Valerie O'Neal, we at the Ottawa Trading Company have heard of you. There was a reason why we were so reluctant to align ourselves with a rogue element of the Nevada underworld. You went against the orders of the syndicate, though you did do one last job and decided to branch out. Start something for yourself before you came here, landing in front of me, in a nice place."

They both measured the man in front of them, he spoke the truth but he did not use arrogance to simply dismiss them as nothing important, he kept his cool and that is what they could hope for in an ally. He was already someone that they would be looking forward to working with but they knew that they had to hear him out first, it was not going to be easy to get this deal on the books. They were a legitimate company, one that had branches all over the states and one that could be used to make plenty of cash for their own means. 

"Of course, we admire ambition, we see that we could do something here once again. Back when we were small, we had to bow to the likes of you. Not saying that we didn't like it, however, it was a moment in the past. The company had a dark history and we came out different because of it, we've changed our style and remodelled our look. It does not mean that we forget our roots or history, the underworld has played a key in getting where we are."

Nodding to themselves, Vincent leaned back, noticing how Joe and Gio sat next to one another. They knew the history of the Ottawa Trading Company, everyone did. Only you could never forget your history, now it was time to see how they wished to play this little side of the game, how would it end up for them?

"Then tell me, where does that leave us, Victor? We wish to make sure that your company maintains it's a legitimate business, we do not mind placing ourselves in the arms business, legitimately and on the books. It keeps us secure, I do think you have another idea mind, so tell us, and we can negotiate a deal between our two organizations."

Nodding his head, Victor sipped at his wine before moving forward with the plan in mind as Valerie spoke plainly. He admired that, it was a good trait for the leader in these talks to have. It was going to be a good agreement between them, he hoped.

"We want your organization to provide guards for our shipments to and from Nevada, we will give you access to our shipment of arms and medicinal hardware to use in your own business to do whatever you wish with it. All we ask is a five percent kickback that we gain from sales, how does that sound to you?"

Valerie did not look back to anyone else, she kept her eyes on Victor, trying to see if he was making the right decision for this. Only she saw those eyes, they were not nervously darting around the room. It was all good with them. This was what his company had wished for, a smile broke out on her lips, she motioned for a waiter to bring over a bottle of wine. Making sure that he hurried himself along, this was a good moment for all of them, they would not have to slum it. 

"It sounds good. This deal is exactly what we hoped for, you're giving us a future here Victor. This crew, the Salero family will be forever grateful to you and you have our men at your disposal. To our future and what we can accomplish together. Cheers!"

Sighing to herself, her pearly whites shone brightly as the waiter had come back with the wine, pouring them each a glass as they raised their glasses to one another. The moment had been delivered, this was theirs, nothing was taking this from them. They were happy, they had succeeded. That is all that matters to Valerie at the moment, she had done her first act as a leader and it felt good. 

Vincent smiled to himself, no more with having to avoid the syndicate. They had made a legitimate deal, the way money could be made and their lives would be set for the future. It was amazing, nothing short of it to be exact. He looked towards Gio and Joe, noticing how they seemed to be talking in hushed whispers, deciding to approach them...he raised his eyebrows as Gio looked at him with a smile he knew all too well. 

"Good news, eh? Our lass did it, what do you think of that Gio?"

Smiling to himself, Gio knew that it was the greatest news that Vincent could ever hear. He wanted to celebrate. It was amazing, though looking around, he noticed how it seemed to be only their people along with a handful of Ottawa Trading guards. They were going to be dancing soon, enjoying the newest alliance in the underworld. 

"It's amazing, we all knew that she could do great things, didn't we? That's our girl...speaking of which, how come you never told us of her little favouritism to the same sex?"

Laughing, Vincent did not know that Gio had found that out. Valerie did not hide like many others, she was not afraid, she lived her life. She held herself high above others, it is just the way she worked and she did it well, something that he was truly enjoying to see.

"It's not my business to tell brother. I just wanted to make sure that she was safe. I wished for the best and she has it with us, that's all that matters, is it not?"

Smiling, he turned to look at Valerie as she sat down continuing to speak with Victor in hushed tones. Nothing had changed, it was all the same and the moments where they would have to hide away would last no longer. That is what took them from being nothing but small-time hoodlums to one of the biggest earning crews in Nevada, this was their chance. They were going to make the syndicate look like fools and it all started with this trade, the guns from Canda, it was the time to change things.

Vincent turned back to face Joe and Gio, the two of them did seem to be spending a lot more time together recently. They had been close ever since this business started. They kept one another close, Joe seemed to be the calm one out of them and Gio was more or less, the worrier. It seemed he had adopted his own problems with the Ottawa business, now that it was sorted, he seemed happier, better, even. It was worth it now. 

"It is and for that, I am glad. She deserves the world and we have that now, the syndicate and all of our other bosses do not know what is coming for them. Our trade, mixed with our ways of transportation and connections all over the West Coast. We have this in the bag, it's going to be a good time making all this cash, trust me."

Nodding his, Joe was in agreement though his lips lifted up into a cheeky smirk as he winked at Vincent for a moment before turning away, going to speak with one of his men, Vincent tilted his head to the side before looking towards Gio. The man seemingly watched him for a moment before he bowed his head with a smile, it was almost like he was nervous for a moment there before he calmed himself down. 

"We have this thing on lockdown now brother, do you know what is next for us? We have the backing, we'll have money coming in soon. This thing of ours is growing into something, we definitely have a chance to take the fight to these other small-time gangs, do you want something done about them soon?"

Vincent knew that was not what he wanted, fighting the small-time gangs only brought a reputation that he wished to avoid. It was not good for the business. Valerie deserved the spotlight right now, they could deal with the other matters. 

"Not right now, we don't have to put anything on this. Let them enjoy their time as we bring things together, we enjoy the little things right now, brother. We've earned that right. You do know that right, Gio? Sit down and enjoy some company, I'm going to talk with Valerie. See what the Queen needs."

Chuckling, Vincent walked away, winking at Gio as he went back to Valerie. He never noticed that Gio and Joe shared a look before they both walked outside, leaving the party for now.
 

Laughter was all that could be heard around, it was joyful, it was something that no one had heard from the duo in a long time. They were really excited to be here at this moment of their careers, where they could alter things and allow themselves to be bosses in their own rights. It was amazing for them, they had earned this, they had deserved this for a long time and it reached them now. It was the best moment they could desire, one that had them ready to face anything coming their way now. 

"Look at us, we've come up and climbed through the ranks. How does that happen then? How did we reach this platform? We fucking earned it, aye!? We did this...and we're ready for so much more, fuck those assholes who never gave us a chance, Vincent. They thought we were not going to make it! Look at us now!"

She was right, they had done so much to get where they were, the struggle and hurt they had gone through in their own ways. It was not something that just anyone survived, they were special and here they stood atop the mountain, ready to cash in and make the money they had dreamed of. 

Vincent could not help but look back on the past with Valerie, the moment he had met her, to tell them that they would reach this point in their careers as members of the honoured society. It was insane but it was earned. That is what they would not deny themselves, they could be humble another day, for right, this was their moment to reap and enjoy!

"Right, sister, we've done this, you did it! We are not the people who left our homes, this is where we call home now. Las Vegas is our home...don't forget that, cause no one else will and we have to make sure that we continue our legacy as the trouble makers."

Hugging the dear life out of one another, they could not help it...they had risen together and fought together. The syndicate had once been their home, only to find that the place where they would try to call home was nothing more than a bunch of ambitious cunts trying to stop their rise, they had only given them measly pickings. Trying to say that they had deserved this, it was not the right course of action. 

They had been put down, trying to be denied the income of their rightful idea. Only they would not allow that any longer, it was the time to place themselves in the new pecking order. Where they could be treated as equals, this is what it could truly be and they were ready for all the danger, enemies, allies, and people who would wish favours from them. They were ready to see what it could bring them, they would see it together.

"That's the only thing we can do, Vincent. It's our right, wherever we go, we'll always be known as troublemakers!"

The mood had suddenly shifted inside the room. Gio and Joe had walked in, standing behind them were a few men and they did not seem to be at the party before. The only ones who seemed to notice were the Ottawa Trading guards who stepped forward, only for a shot to sound out, a single bang...one bang had changed the mood and had everyone ducking for cover and the distinct sound of a body was heard falling to the floor with a thundering thud!

Steps were heard around the room, Joe and Gio stood side by side but it was obvious, Joe was the one wielding the confidence between the two of them. He had an air of authority around him as everything had gone silent besides the music in the background, it was nice for him at the very least, playing nice with these fucking twats for the last week was something that bothered him, they did not follow the code. 

"Valerie, Vincent, Victor, come on out! The syndicate are here to send their regards, you know the rules...you broke 'em! Now face your fucking deaths like men and do not fight me on this, you swore the code, now obey it!"

Laughter was all that Joe heard in response and it was one that he knew all too well, Valerie, it seemed almost crazed the way she was responding to this and it was not long before shots were fired. No one was backing down and accepting death today, both sides fired and both sides were losing, this was until one very different shot had been fired altogether!

Vincent had been firing, trying to hit Joe most of all, the man was continuing to hide behind the fucking doors. It seemed like he was aware of his gameplan. So there was no time for that, lining up his shots, he hit a few but mostly missed. He was not a sure-shot like Valerie, he knew what he could with his own prowess but right now, he was just hoping to get past this and make sure they could secure themselves after this little failed coup. 

Only he was not prepared for something else, three shots, in rapid succession impacted and his body seemingly spasmed like a rag doll before settling on the floor behind the bar as Valerie watched him with wide eyes before yelling with all her rage. She shot up from behind the bar, shooting and landing most of her shots, effectively killing most of her enemies. 

"Vincent! Hang on, brother, we're going to be getting you some help. Count on that. We are losing you today, for fuck's sake! Do you hear me? We are not going to be losing you today. It's the day we waited for, I'll be damned if I lose you."

She motioned for a few of the Ottawa Trading guards to get him out through the back, she continued covering their getaway before they finally made it out the back. They noticed a truck, it was all they could drive, this had to be their only means of escaping and Valerie was not going to be passing this up!

"Load his body into the truck...it's time to get the fuck out of here."

Getting to an underground hospital was not as easy as one thought, especially when you just escaped a fucking shoot-out. Valerie sat with Victor and his men, knowing this was just the way things went in the mob world. Still, he was willing to work with them and get them to assist with his work, for now, he just needed to know where they would be heading. It was without a doubt that Salero faction had won and would be cleaning up their men off the streets, it was the end for them.

Shit had just begun for them and now it was ending, it didn't seem right, it did not seem like it was fair but since when was their way of life fair? It was never fair, it was never right by the law, it was how they operated. You had to have the brutality and balls to pull off something like tonight, it seemed like they doubted Joe, he made them pay and was getting himself back into the good graces of the syndicate, they should have seen the signs. She had watched the trading company, only it was from the inside, their own people had been willing to deal the killing blow.

"He'll pull through, I've not seen much of him but I can tell, this is going to be placing him somewhere he won't forget for a long time. He has a genuine love for you, Valerie. He wished to see the both of you succeed, even if it meant him receiving a little bit less just to make sure you would do well, I can see that for the both of you, that anything would and could be done for one another. I respect and know that you have my resources should you need them. Our deal stands, just make sure you contact me when you're on your feet and ready to proceed."

Valerie nodded, she was not focused on what he wanted right now. She just wanted to move past this, Vincent was in there fighting for his life because of her and ambition, she did not wish for this to happen. Only this life brought a lot in the form of personal torture, this was something she could never really think of happening and yet it did, Vincent could not die. He did not deserve to die. Vincent had supported her, raised her up from the streets and made her who she was now, he was someone she respected and looked up too, he was her brother. 

"Valerie O'Neal?"

She looked up, noticing the doctor who had been looking over Vincent and he had told her everything she needed to know. A smile broke out on her lips, he was going to make a recover but she didn't trust this place...she needed help. She was lost for a moment...maybe she could find someone to her in this. That was all she needed, a little help from a friend. 

Little did the Irishwoman know, she would get help in from the city of angels, where a new started was waiting for them.