Kiss The Ring

An uneasy calm settled over the city. There were further disturbances but nothing on the scale of the original, the police got things under control and the commentators started to look for a cause. The two sides knew the cause, interested parties on both sides held their breath to see who would make the next move. Even the less law abiding kept their distance, all wanting to see who would come out on top.
Frank put it out there. He made an appearance, with Gerard, at a huge benefit ball knowing that his enemy would be there in person. It was a bold move, unexpected and clever. The press went mad at the brave young politician who made a faltering comeback, stating that nothing would stop him, that Gerard Way was the man to lead the country through.
Frank, in black Armani, sat through it with a half smile, his boy was strong. The plan could still work and now, finally, Frank had seen the opposition. He watched him throughout the ball, sizing the man up. He didn’t look much, a small sandy haired man in his forties but Mark Alexander was powerful and Frank wanted him dead.
He knew the guy was watching him too, they passed fairly close to each other several times. Frank badly wanted to do it there and then and not give a fuck about who was watching but he knew that the sight of Gerard, shining, saintly Gerard, wowing everyone in the room had to be driving Alexander mad. It had become a game of chess, each move studied and each mind trying to strategise his opponent to death. It would end in death they both knew that, someone would not see out the year.
Gerard had seen the man too. This performance was taking a lot out of him, the pallor and halting speech not put on for the camera. He felt a surging hatred for what that one person had put him through and put Frankie through. He was more determined than ever to play a role in what was to come and had made it plain to Frank that he was not backing down.
Mikey had found it amusing when Frank had mentioned it, annoyance flashing across Gerard’s face at both of them. He and James had co-ordinated with Ray and Sharon to plant listening devices and a man inside the Russians organisation so they could pinpoint the target. As Gerard had continued to get stronger over another two weeks Mikey had seen what Frank had not. This was a new Gerard, a different (Mikey would say better) Gerard and it intrigued him. Their bond was always strong but this was different.
So reluctantly Frank had been forced to agree. The day after the ball he had found himself in his office with Mikey, James and Gerard going over the plan.
“Intimidation. You can maim but not kill. I want him going back to his bosses so they know we know. That way Alexander will know too.”
Mikey looked up at him, a sardonic grin on his face.
“The message will get through boss.”
James was watching Gerard, noting the calm projecting from him. He had expected nerves seeing as Mikey had made it quite clear that he would not hold back just because his brother was tagging along. There was nothing however but a studied calm. Frank saw the look and smiled at Gerard.
“If it gets too much just go sit in the car.”
Gerard smiled back and nodded.
“Of course. I just want to see how this works.”
Frank winced but looked back at Mikey.
“You keep Gee out of it. No fingerprints, no evidence he was ever there. If there is a sign of trouble just leave. Last thing we need is a public shootout.”
Mikey winked at James and then put his arm around Gerard.
“He’s tough, we’ll be fine.”
Night fell as they left the estate heading for a dive bar in downtown where they knew the mark would be hanging out. His name was Igor and he was about as dumb as he looked. Sharon had tracked him down through a suspicious greencard application that seemed to be being fast tracked through immigration. He worked as a Lieutenant for the Russian mob, keeping control by the use of his fists. James was looking forward to giving the guy a taste of his own medicine.
They left Gerard in the car and hung around outside. It had gone midnight before the man appeared, more than a little drunk.
Mikey looked like a hooker in tight jeans, his hair swept forward as he leant against the dumpster and smiled.
“Hey pal, got a cigarette ?”
James stood in the shadows smiling, the act never failed. Certainly not on dumb fucks who couldn’t resist a tight ass and a pretty face. A leer passed over the fat face as Igor took in the lean boy.
“Sure, here.”
Mikey accepted the smoke and let the man light it before looking the man in the eye.
“You want some fun ?”
The man nodded, eager to have his chance. Mikey stepped back, the inviting smile never leaving his face. Not even when James came up behind Igor, slamming the policeman’s baton into the back of his neck. With a grunt the man dropped and Mikey and James stared at each other.
“You do that on purpose.”
Mikey ruffled James hair as he leant down to pick up the fat Russian.
“Only cos I know it turns you on.”
Between them they got the man into the boot of the car before heading out to the old warehouse again. Or the fun factory as Mikey had christened it. When Igor came around he found himself securely bound to a chair, James and Mikey in front of him and Gerard perched on a table behind. He regarded them with scorn.
“What is this, I’ll kill you.”
James looked at Mikey.
“How rude. Considering we know what he’s been up to.”
Suspicion crossed the mans face.
“You know nothing, let me go.”
Mikey responded with a vicious backhand, Igor’s head snapping back.
“Shut the fuck up and listen. We know you fed our boss to the feds. We know your bosses think he can take Mr.Iero down.”
James landed another hard punch as Mikey smiled at Gerard who seemed fascinated by the whole thing.
“We also know it isn’t going to happen.”
Igor spat blood onto the floor and glared at his accusers.
“Iero is dead man. You are dead men.”
He watched James reach for brass knuckledusters from his pocket before Mikey leant over to whisper in his lovers ear, one hand caressing the younger mans neck. James smiled and handed them over as Mikey looked back.
“Gerard, he needs a little persuading to deliver our message. You want to help ?”
Gerard nodded slowly, feeling a chill go up the back of his neck. This wasn’t him, he knew it wasn’t him. As a kid he had been on the receiving end never the one dishing it out and yet now he wanted to. He needed to.
He watched the Russian, noting the contempt on his face and remembering all the pain, all the rehabilitation, allowed Mikey to give him the strange objects. Gerard knew he was doing something that Frank would not like, not even expect and yet he couldn’t stop. Putting all his power behind it, he hit the man as hard as he could.
Mikey and James couldn’t help but be impressed as the thud of metal against flesh and bone echoed out. The yelp of pain that turned into screams as another blow and then another landed. Mikey found it hypnotising before James shook his shoulder.
“Stop him, he’s gonna end up fucking killing the guy.”
Mikey blinked, minutes had passed and the chair was on the floor, Gerard still taking his anger out on the unfortunate man. James was right, there was a danger of it going too far. Mikey had to bodily lift Gerard away, pushing his panting brother to one side.
“Ok he’s had enough.”
Gerard was lost, the bloodlust pumping through him. He tried to dodge Mikey, causing his brother to take a firm hold of his arms. James leant down, lifting the badly beaten man’s face up. One eye still glared from the bruising.
“Tell your bosses to stay out of it. Its our business not yours. They try and fuck with us again and they are all gonna get a taste of this.”
The man nodded, mumbling through a mouthful of broken teeth. James let go and looked up at Mikey and Gerard with a smile.
“Nice. Unexpected but nice.”
Gerard was dazed and now a little uncomprehending.
“Woah.”
Mikey chuckled before looking at James.
“Coffee all around I think but we won’t tell the Don about this. As far as he needs to know, we did this not Gee. Ok ?”
James nodded and they trailed back to the car, blood staining the way.

Notes