on fire

Adam King.

[mudkipper]

A+ dialogue

[miacohens]

Even if the blonde was no longer in the position of having to steal things in order to get money, there really wasn’t an adrenaline rush quite like nabbing a wallet—or in this case a watch—right out from under the owner’s nose. With said Rolex secured loosely around Mia’s wrist, it became a game of bobbing and weaving through the crowded Los Angeles’s sidewalk. 

One glance back to see if she was being followed as she turned the corner ended with the blonde slamming into an unknown body causing her to stumble backwards. She looked down at her wrist once she’d regained her balance, irritated to see the watch was now gone.

“What the fuck? Where the fuck is my watch?”

[adamfuckingking]

“Your watch? You sure about that?” Adam wondered, very obviously adjusting the watch on his wrist. It’d been a shitty lift.

“Didn’t know times were so tough, Cohen. Ask nicely, and maybe I’ll let you have it back.”

[adamfuckingking]

Scarlett bopped her head in rhythm to the music, swaying her hips as she made her way through the crowd to get to the bar. She didn’t mind using a hip sway as a lowkey hip check and playing it off like it was an accident either, though pretending was hardly necessary once the person she’d bumped took a look at who she was. People began moving out of the way for her and she finally reached the counter where she reached over without waiting for an actual bartender and filled herself up two glasses of whiskey since there was a bottle still out.

Just as she was managing to get some ice in both glasses, a bar tender actually made their way over to her. They must be new.

“Sorry ma’am, you’re not supposed to reach behind the bar. We need to make the drinks for you.”

It took a second for it to register everything that had just been said because Scarlett was still offended by the fact that she’d just been called ma’am. She’d have to look into either getting this person fired or seriously taught a lesson.

“Yeah well the drinks are already made. And you can go right ahead and put it on… Their tab.” Scarlett smiled wickedly, hardly even paying attention to the person she’d gestured towards. She waited for the bartender to challenge her when another one came over and whispered in their ear. Suddenly Scarlett was free to go and she walked over to the person she’d just made pay for her drink.

“I guess you can have one of them since it’s coming out of your pocket anyway. But don’t think this means anything.”

Adam watched the scene unfold before him, attempting to hide the obvious disgust on his features as Scarlett practically made a scene about pouring her own drinks. Soon after, she was volunteering Adam to pay for her drinks.

She approached Adam, presented him with a glass since it was coming out of his pocket anyway. 

Adam nudged the drink away, very carefully, with his knuckles – making an obvious display of not touching the drink. 

“I’m good. Wouldn’t wanna catch anything.”

[adamfuckingking]

     Zach knew Tanzie was a sensitive topic; hell, everyone knew it. Two of his biggest weaknesses, all balled up into a single problem. Henry and Tanzie. The fucking feelings. When he thought about it, it made his stomach twist into tight knots and he had to actively keep his hands from clenching into fists. And now… now the Cohen’s.

     “Upset. Confused. Understandably,” he answered, exhaustion seeping into his voice, then remorse, frustration sharpening each syllable, “It really fuckin’ did.”

“Yeah, well. We’ll make it right. Always do,” Adam told Zach, giving his older brother a pat on the shoulder. He squeezed. 

“We’ll regain our footing. Get these fucks out of LA. Get our family back.” 

There was a pause on Adam’s end. He continued walking, stared down at the cement – half debated on telling Zach about Hanna, about the kid, but he decided against it. There were some things Adam needed to figure out before he dragged his brothers into his mess. “You settled into your new place?” 

[diaxking]

Dia stepped out onto the sidewalk, taking a moment to relish in the warm, polluted Los Angeles air as she let the front door of the building close behind her. She’d missed this fucking city.

She slid her phone out of her back pocket and swiped to send a short text to her realtor, saying only “Put in the offer.” Then, she turned and took a few steps backwards to admire the old, industrial-era factory. Well, okay, it hadn’t been a factory in a while. Not since the fire. But it was still a great building. And it was the perfect place for a nightclub, which had been one of her dreams for a long time.

“L.A., I’m home,” she murmured under her breath, as if she was – just for a moment – the only person in the city.

[adamfuckingking]

“I’m telling you, D. This place is big enough for go kart racing. You’re investing in the wrong industry,” he said, feigning disappointment as he shook his head, gave her a playful nudge on the shoulder. 

After everything that Dia had been through, it felt cruel to pull her out of Los Angeles, destabilize her life, but at least they’d all done it together. As a family.

“Feels good to be back, huh?” 

He hooked an arm around her neck, pulled her in for a hug as he stared at the building. He could absolutely see the appeal, and after some renovations, he had no doubt that Dia’s nightclub would be a staple in Los Angeles nightlife. 

[adamfuckingking]

    “Good.” Zach’s voice lowered, muttering under his breath, “Fuckin’ Cohens.”

     He kept his attention trained ahead as they walked — a flash where his expression tensed at Adam’s question — tone neutral as he answered, “Tanzie.”

Tanzie was practically family, though Adam did worry about both of his brothers whenever it came to her. She was harmless ... but Adam was still weary – especially if Henry was involved. 

“How’s she?” Adam wondered. One of the things that hurt the most about leaving was not knowing what happened to the people they cared so deeply for. Hanna had been forced to strip – spared only because she had a daughter. His daughter.

“City’s has gone to shit since we left.”

[adamfuckingking]

     “Back in L.A!” Zach caught the tail-end of Adam’s phone conversation, coming up behind his brother to smack his hands down on Adam’s shoulders, giving them an — affectionate — squeeze. 

     He stepped around to his side, matching his stride, “Time to fuck shit up.”

“Fuck yeah. Gonna see how badly the Cohens fucked the Ramirez brothers. They’re gonna wanna talk once they know we’re back.”

So far, Adam hadn’t run into any familiar faces yet; he wondered if it was the same for Zach. 

“You seen anyone yet?”

Anyone heavily implied Tanzie, but Adam kept it vague, letting Zach decide for himself how much he wanted to divulge. 

[adamfuckingking]

“Nah, listen, man. You get me a meeting with the Ramirez brothers. I’m back in LA. ... I’ll let you know.”

Adam disconnected the call. It’d be a long, uphill battle from this point forward, but the Kings had regrouped. They were ready. Adam was pushing to get a few meetings lined up with former associates.

Goddamn. It was good to be back. 

[sarcasticgooner]

[rob-pattinson]

CHACE CRAWFORD Doug Inglish × V Man Magazine › 2020