The young man took a long sip from his mug, savoring the tiniest hint of alcohol in his tea. His gaze shifted from the half-empty glass to the beautiful woman onstage. He imagined that if they were still around, she could make any Egyptian queen jealous. Her sultry voice floated across Club Olympus, causing the men to drool and the few women present to smack their husbands. He would’ve laughed, but falling for Goddess was no joke. After all, he had, and several times at that.

But the man known as Goth had his reasons. For one thing, she was incredibly beautiful, even as a teenage girl. Though she had been one of many past crushes he had back in high school, she was one of the few he kept in touch with. They had what some might call a reluctant partnership. She supplied him with information, and in turn, he kept the scum of the streets out of her club. Of course, that was just something he did on the side.

As her song ended, Goddess stepped off the stage, her golden dress sparkling under the house lights. The crowd erupted into a round of wolf whistles and howls, as they did every night. She smiled and waved to them as she approached the bar. Quickly gulping down the rest of his drink, Goth slid a crisp bill across the counter. The bartender snatched it up, his eyes twinkling greedily. Goth shook his head and got up. He hadn’t gone far when Goddess stepped in front of him.

“You’re not leaving already, are you?” she asked, sounding a little hurt.

Goth grunted and gazed down at her.

She smiled and took one of his arms. “Come on, talk with me a while,” she said. He grunted again, but followed her to the private table just behind the bar. “Have a seat,” she encouraged him. Goddess wasn’t surprised when he remained standing. She sighed and lowered herself into a chair. “Where’s your friend tonight?” she asked, trying to avoid the eerie silence that Goth loved to torture her with.

“Had to follow up a lead,” Goth replied, his gray eyes locked on her face.

Goddess shifted uncomfortably and said, “Well, I’ve got some info for you. That is, if you’re interested.”

“So talk,” he grunted.

She sighed again and shook her head. “Blaze and I are good friends. As his partner, the least you could do is be polite.”

“I used to be,” Goth said, “until one woman gave me a good enough reason to hate them all. So tell me or I’ll let Larry the wino prance all over your stage.”

Goddess stared at him for a while. Then she pulled a photo from her dress and handed it to him. “That mean you’re over her?” she asked with a smirk.

Goth only glanced at the picture.

“She’s back in town with her man,” Goddess went on, enjoying the look on his face. “He’s wanted by every federal department that exists. She’s clean, though.”

Goth remained silent.

“They’re staying at the hotel down the street. Even came in for a drink a few nights ago. Ready for the kicker?”

“Shoot,” Goth said, slipping the photo in his pocket.

“She asked about you,” Goddess said with a seductive grin. “While he wasn’t around, of course. I told her you pop in a few nights a week. I’m sure she’ll be back soon.”

“Whatever,” Goth said, looking towards the main doors. “You done yet?”

“Almost,” she replied. Slowly rising from her seat, she walked towards him.

Before she could reach him, his gun was pointed at her head. “That’s close enough,” he said flatly.

“I was just going to hug you,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears.

He put the gun away and tapped her chin. “Nothing doing, babe. Don’t cry; it’ll mess up that pretty face of yours.”

“Why won’t you trust me?” she asked between sniffles.

“I don’t trust any women. Not anymore,” Goth answered. He couldn’t help but feel guilty as she dabbed at her eyes with a tissue.

“I’m sorry,” he said at last.

Goddess smiled a little through her tears. “So can I have a hug or not?”

He sighed and nodded. With a big smile, she ran forward and hugged him. Goth knew it was a mistake the moment she touched him. The fact that he towered over her betrayed him as her long hair ended up just below his nose. The mere scent of her hair was intoxicating, and combined with whatever perfume she was wearing, it was all he could do not to return the embrace.

When she finally let go, she smiled brightly. “Admit it. You enjoyed that.”

“I’d rather kick Larry around any day,” he said quickly, heading for the door.

“Who in their right mind wouldn’t?” she joked.

Goth only shrugged as he reached the doors. “Take care of yourself, babe,” he said with a parting glance.

She nodded and made her way back to the table.

“Boss, who was that guy?” the bartender asked.

Goddess looked up at him. “Just an old friend, I guess,” she said faintly.

From his hiding place, Blaze could see everything. As Goth had promised, the local dope dealers had all gathered for their monthly refills.

The main man, a character by the name of Vinnie Vance, stood atop a large crate. “First batch goes for a hundred!” he proclaimed, holding a shopping bag over his head. He meant a hundred thousand, of course.

The dealers instantly begin making offers.

“Hundred fifty!” one shouted.

“Hundred seventy!” another said.

“A thousand!” still another, who was probably high at the moment, barked.

Suddenly, the bag shattered, and Vinnie was coated in the white powder. He coughed and tried to wipe his face. “Who dares?!” he yelled, whipping out a small pistol.

“I do,” Blaze said, stepping from the shadows.

There was a round of gasps and hushed whispers.

“Shoot him!”

“You crazy?! That’s Blaze!”

“So? Shoot him anyway!”

“Forget that! You do it!”

Vinnie spat at Blaze’s feet and leaped off the crate. “You’re gonna die for that, man!” he promised.

“Come on,” Blaze said, beckoning him forward. With a snarl, Vinnie ran at him, only to smash into Blaze’s fist. “That’s gotta hurt,” he said as Vinnie backpedaled.

The dealer growled and pointed his pistol at Blaze. “Yeah, this one will be real funny!” he shouted.

“I’m laughing,” Blaze said as the pistol exploded.

Vinnie howled in pain and thrust his hand into his mouth. The red liquid was already dripping from his fingers.

“Who’s next?” Blaze asked. He turned to find that he was alone with Vinnie now. “Perfect,” he said, striding towards him. Vinnie’s eyes widened as Blaze shoved him against the wall. “Let’s talk, Vin-Man,” Blaze said, his eyes boring holes into Vinnie’s skull. “I’ll count to three, and you’ll tell me who you’re working for this week. Okay?”

It took less that two seconds for Vinnie to blurt out, “Iron Fist, man! He’s paying major bucks this time!”

“Interesting,” Blaze said, releasing his hold on Vinnie. “You can go now.”

The man turned and fled into a nearby alley.

“Coward,” Blaze muttered as he disappeared into the shadows.