Blaze walked into the office, his reflection shimmering along the golden walls. Slick sat at his desk, his arm and face heavily bandaged. “What happened to you?” Blaze asked, trying not to laugh.

“Never mind that!” Slick shouted, leaping from his desk. “Where have you been?!”

“Around,” Blaze said simply. “I noticed Damien’s back in town. He been here?”

Slick smirked and sat down. “Yeah, why?”

“Did you tell Goth?” Blaze asked.

Slick stared at him for a moment. “No. What’s it to you?”

Blaze didn’t answer.

Slick frowned. “Anyway, I’ve got a job for you.”

“You promise me and my lady protection from Damien and I’ll do it,” Blaze spat.

Slick winced, but finally gave in. “Done. Someone’s planning a hit on the police station tonight. I want you there to stop it.”

“But there’s no money there,” Blaze pointed out.

Slick shrugged. “All I know is, they’re not working for me, and it’s a crime. Not good for business, y’know.”

“Yeah,” Blaze said slowly. “Not good at all.”

Goth walked into the Fighting Cock at a quarter to seven, wearing the only tuxedo he owned. Lisa, now wearing a black evening gown, walked in behind him, glancing around nervously. “Are you sure it’s safe?” she asked for the third time.

“Nope,” Goth replied. “But you’ll live. That’s enough for tonight.”

Lisa nodded and walked over to the reserved table. As she sat down, she glanced back at the door. Goth flashed her a smile and disappeared outside.

The cold wind blasted him in the face, nearly blinding him.

“This is really degrading,” a deep voice said.

Goth looked up to see Larry in his armored form. He was wearing a valet jacket that happened to be a size too small. “Sorry, pal. It’s either this or chef duty, and we both know you can’t cook.”

“This just better be over soon,” Larry muttered.

A golden limo pulled up a few minutes later. Slick Dick stepped out, wearing a fancy white suit.

“Who does he think he is, Superfly?” Larry whispered as Slick walked towards them.

“Grandson of Superfly,” Goth corrected him, trying his best not to smirk.

Slick nodded as he passed and entered the restaurant.

Karen stared at the half-empty glass of lemonade. Or was it half-full? She decided that she didn’t care as she drank the rest of it.

“You look bummed,” Jen said, walking up to her. “Anything wrong?”

Karen belched and excused herself. “Have you ever had to worry about a man?” she asked.

Jen grinned. “Just my big brother.”

“No, I mean a man you’re in love with,” Karen said.

Jen shook her head. “Never had much interest in those kinds,” she replied.

Karen sighed and begin to pick the seeds out of her glass.

“Having fun?” Goddess asked as she sat down next to her.

“Nope,” Karen said sadly. “Heard from Blaze yet?”

Goddess shook her head. “He’s busy tonight. Something about the police station.”

Mona had just walked out of the door when she heard a wailing beep. Every instinct she had told her to run like mad. Before she could, though, something black slammed into her chest, throwing her back into the police station. She only had time to look up as the roof caved in, and a loud roar filled her ears.

Blaze pulled up seconds later, cursing himself for a fool. He could barely see the station through the flames and smoke. Then to his surpise, he saw a figure emrge from the smoke. He didn’t need to see the face. He pulled his gun, drawing a bead on the man’s head.

Damien fell to his knees as the bullet pierced his neck. If he hadn’t turned at the last second, he might be dead.

Blaze tackled him, sending them both to the ground.

“Get off!” Damien grunted, sending a hard elbow into Blaze’s gut.

Blaze absorbed the hit and slammed the handle of his gun against Damien’s temple. “Where’s Mona?!”

Damien smiled and glanced toward the burning station.

Blaze left him and ran inside. Damien stumbled to his feet and ran into the night.

Blaze could see a body as soon as he burst through the doorway. He grabbed it and ran outside, thankful for the heartbeat against his shoulder. He gently put Mona on the ground, brushing the hair away from her face. “Can you hear me, boss?”

Mona blinked slowly as he helped her sit up. “You’re late,” she whispered, smiling up at him.

Before Blaze could do anything else, a gunshout rang out. Blood splattered against his coat. It took a few moments to register what had happened. Mona made a gurgling sound through the hole in her throat as she slipped silently to the ground.

Blaze jumped in his car, just in time to see a black Mustang speeding away. “Damien!” he screamed, slamming his foot on the accelerator. “You’re mine!”

“So how do you like my city so far?” Slick asked, sipping his wine.

Lisa looked up from dessert. “It’s...action-packed,” she said, forcing herself to smile.

Slick signaled for the check. “My dear, how would you like a tour of my fair city?”

Before she could answer, there was a scream from the other side of the restaurant. Three men ran in, armed with machine guns. “There!” one of them shouted, pointing directly at Lisa.

Slick stood up.

“Looks like we’ll have to cancel that tour,” Lisa said quietly as the men ran over.

“Move it, pal!” the leader ordered, poking Slick in the chest with his gun.

The palm of Slick’s hand slammed into his jaw, driving the man back. His eyes glazed over, and a trickle of blood escaped his mouth as he fell to the floor.

The other two trained their guns on him. “Buddy, you really got a death wish,” one of them said, an evil look in his eyes.

A moment later, he fell to the floor, a bullet hole in his head.

Slick and the remaining man turned to see Lisa, holding a smoking gun.

“What?” she asked. “It was a gift.”

The man turned his gun, firing as he shouted. A putrid smell filled the room as Goth appeared behind the man. The man collapsed as Goth’s fist connected with the back of his head, and sickening crunch was heard.

“You okay, Lisa?”

She nodded, staring at the dead men.

“Let’s get out of here.” He wrapped an arm around her waist, and they disappeared in a cloud of black smoke.

Slick waved away the foul scent. He glanced around the now empty restaurant and sighed. “Well, so much for our little tour.” He grunted and headed for his golden limo outside.