Abandoned Lot
Once a rather grand establishment for this neighborhood, the lot between and slightly behind both the Grisly Bar and Bunker's Garage has long since been abandoned. Freshly turned dirt, grass, bits of cement and various detritus from the removal of the old building, all that remains now is a hole. An old, rusted vehicle has settled into the dirt near the back of the bar, and graffiti runs rife on both the buildings and whatever else can be found here.
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The heat of the day has broken as the darkness takes over the city. In the dark shady dealings tend to take place. In the alleyway even more of these things go down. Since there was the death of a V dealer not far from here (or was it right here? The ex-model can't recall), these shady dealings have been very much lessened. Many in this particular area might recognize Hailee's face. For what she once was, and for her little… problem.
Tonight, as a soft wind tickles through the alleyway, her little problem seems to be getting her in a much larger one.
"You owe us," comes a man's voice, loud and unforgiving.
"That's been taken care of. Talk to Baldy." There's a yelp from her as she's flung against the wall. "Awww shit. Baldwin. Whatever the hell his name is. He's been paid."
~
Gregory doesn't usually haunt this part of town… which isn't to say alleys or abandoned lots are outside of his usual haunts, only that he's careful in wolf territory on the whole, which this street most certainly is. As it is, however, he's got business in the area. Crossing behind the garage on foot, he nears the alley simply because it's on his way. The sounds of a body hitting the wall attract his attention. He pauses a moment, staying back near the edge of the building and thus away from direct line of sight. Casually, he glances down to see just what's doing. What he doesn't do, however, is make any sort of heroic attempt to intervene in the least.
~
"He has, we ain't," says the guy doing the slamming. He grabs Hailee by the collar and pushes her back against the wall again. Then he starts eyeing her left hand and the pretty emerald on it.
"Aww eff me." Trying to rip her hand away, she slams her knee up as hard as she can into the man's groin. "That's something you aren't getting, sug'. Not unless you want to mess with the Rosco's." It briefly gets the group's attention and lets Hailee bolt for the back of the alley.
She's not really looking where she's going though, keeping her head turned to peer over her shoulder. "Christ, girl! What have you gotten yourself into this time. You should've stuck with Cooper…"
~
The girl takes off running, and Gregory's more or less forced to step back out of the way, which really means he steps back around the corner of the building. Still, it's a sharp turn, and it doesn't entirely move him out of her way if she takes it too quick. But he's no knight in shining armor that feels the need to get involved in someone else's trouble.
~
There is a clang of chain as hands hit the fence. That's when Hailee spots the man. Whirling around to face the alleyway, she watches as the man she's kicked gets back up and starts lumbering toward her.
"Mister, if you value your life? I suggest you RUN." Reaching for the guy's arm she goes to grab and yank him out of the way of danger. She may not be a big burly fighter but she knows when to run. That time is now. Her direction is going to drag them in front of the alley and past the bar. "They've got guns and I don't think they're going to care much if you're innocent, sug'."
~
Gregory hooks his arm around hers as she grabs at it and uses her momentum to swing her toward a nearby wall. He's not trying to hurt her, remarkably enough. His other arm reaches up and yanks hard on a ladder, which conveniently gets in her way. "Fire escape. Shut up. Go. Fast." He doesn't like people with guns chasing him. It's that simple. Disentangling himself, he crouches and lays one hand flat on the broken pavement, pulling himself back close to the wall. His back is to her, face unseen. Still, the important thing is that the closest running thug slips on some of the gravel strewn across the narrow passage, uncovering a deep patch of mud from the earlier rain.
~
A yelp issues as she's swung toward the wall. There's panic in her eyes as she thinks he might be one of the gang in the alley. Then the ladder is down in her way, and she blinks. Go. Fast. Those are the only two words she needs to hear to have her climbing the ladder as fast as she can. Midway up she hears the yell of the man as he slips and crashes. Peering down she gets a bit of vertigo but she scurries the rest of the way up the ladder until she can't get any higher.
Then she sits quietly huddled into the corner of the highest balcony.
"What the? Get the hell up, Mick. This ain't no game. Bitch owes us money. Short changed us on the last transaction." The big man that was slamming Hailee around earlier kicks his associate and starts down the alley toward where the girl was running.
~
Gregory rises, backing toward the ladder. He swings up, hand over hand, clearing the first landing. Crouching there, he reaches down to yank the ladder up and latch it in place. Backing against the brick wall, still crouched, he lays his palms against the building. Looking toward the mouth of the alley, he mutters silently to himself. Could be he's swearing at the predicament they're in. Still, as he does, the wind picks up spashing water out of the gutters at the top of the buildings, sending it splashing down over top of both men like the emptying of rain barrels — probably more water than what should be expected. Gregory turns, then, and starts hauling himself up the rest of the way, after the girl. "Rooftop," he says as he reaches the top landing. He crouches, forming a cup with his hands for her to put her foot in so he can hoist her up. "Go."
~
"I can…" There is a hand for her foot which gives her a boost. Even all the dancing and talent competitions don't make her the world's best wall climber. Hailee hoists herself up with his help, then reaches her arm down to help him. Not a lot of upper arm strength but she should be able to give a good yank and help him get over.
As the men are flooded, Mick starts to gurgle from his downed position. The other is dropped back by the onslaught of water leaving him coughing and his gun drenched and potentially useless.
~
Reaching up to grab Hailee's hand, Gregory hauls himself up onto the roof and rolls a little across the pitch. "C'mon," he says, rolling to his feet. "Better they not see us, huh?" He starts to jog towards the little hut with the roof access door in it. He glances up to the clouds as he does, trying to judge the coming rain. Probably not going to hit anytime too soon. Even so… Moving away from the men with the weapons, perhaps toward shelter, is probably the smarter move.
~
Hailee is not one to argue with someone that just potentially saved her life (and her ring) from big scary dealer types. Following him with a great deal of speed and grace she tries for the handle of the door. Jiggling it a few times she frowns. The bobby pin comes out of her hair and she starts to wriggle it into the lock until she hears the click. One of Oliver's old tricks.
Opening it as quietly as possible she crawls into the hut. "Crap. Sorry I got you involved in this mess. My own damned fault for being out here looking for Enders."
~
Gregory is perfectly willing to let her pop the lock. He waits, pale eyes scanning the edge of the building, looking for signs that their erstwhile pursuers are still pursuing. As the the door swings open, he waits for her to enter. Then, he follows her, closing the door behind them. There's the sound of a click and then a little burst. A little flame illuminates the place, sitting on the mouth of a lighter. Holding it out a little, he scans the walls. Down at the base of the stairs is a light switch. He trots down the stairs and flips it on. "Enders?" he asks now, turning and leaning against the wall. A brow arches in question as his thumb snaps the lighter closed and pushes he pushes it into his pocket. "Your dealer?" He's assuming it was a deal gone south.
~
"Something like that," Hailee agrees with a smirk. "Came to pay'em all off, since I'm going legit." For how long, who knows? She needs to keep up the appearances for the unforeseeable future anyhow. "Wouldn't suit the Rosco's to have a daughter-in-law that was in trouble with the wrong people." The pretty emerald ring is flashed at the complete stranger while she shifts herself to sit at the top of the stairs. "Guessing Coop flew the coop and left town for her own reasons. Not important. Mick and… shit… Baldy's goons, decided I didn't pay enough. Threw me out of the bar."
Exhaling a puffy sigh, her hair blows up and out of her face a little before settling back down in front of it. "Thanks for that."
~
Gregory gives a mild shrug and turns on a smile. "In my best interest, don't you think?" He seems casual enough. Still, he notes that she says she's come out of the Grisly. Interesting, that. "Goin' legit?" By now — now that he's said more than two words at a time — his accent is more discernible. Boston blue-blood. "Good for you," he says, still smiling casually. "Not an easy thing to do. I know." His head cants a little more. "What you kickin'?"
~
"Bostonian?" Hailee watches him with renewed interest. Sounds far too high class for the likes of her these days. "Loved Boston, not a lot of call for shoots out there though." Hands lift up to twist the flop of hair out of her face, secured with a bobby pin she had remaining in her hair. "Depends what version you want to know. The tabloids have me kicking everything from coke and meth to V." None of it entirely a lie either. She likes to have a bit of fun and doesn't care in what form that's coming in.
~
Gregory gives a bit of a shrug and a chuckle. "Born and raised," he says… though the stretch in his vowels obscures that middle R. He comes back up the stairs, now, to set himself down on the top step, ear cocked towards the door. "Tabloids." He takes a few minutes to scrutinize her. "So, that's why you look familiar?" He's not that big a follower of the paparazzi. He flashes a grin. "So, which is it?"
~
"Possibly, though I'd like to think a rich kid from Boston would know me more for the modeling." Hailee chuckles a little, shoulders rolling backward. "Bit of this, bit of that. Whatever I can get my hands on cheaply." Less cheaply too. Pretty much whatever she can get her hands on. "You're pretty big on the questions. You're not a reporter are you? If you are, sug', this convo is strictly off the record."
~
"Oh, were you a model?" There's a look in Gregory's eyes that suggests he's teasing. A mirthful sparkle. "Nah. I'm no reporter." A beat. "No cop, either, if that's your next question. Just never learned to stop asking things, that's all. You could ask my mother: First word outta my mouth as a baby was 'why'." Another beat. Another grin. "Maybe I should've been a reporter. But, I never much liked 'em, either."
~
"Was, am, whichever you want to look at it." Hailee's not been too much on the printed page lately. Obvious reasons for that. "Taking a bit of a break from the scene." To get her life in order? Supposedly. "Didn't peg you for a cop. You would've shot if you were a cop." Since there were guns drawn and all. "So what's a good Bostonian boy like you doing in a hick-city like this? Don't tell me you're hiding out from something. That'd be cliche, and that's my thing, sug'." Winking at him, she draws her knees up. Turning her body toward him slightly in a more comfortable manner.
~
"Hiding? Hell, no." Gregory snerks now, though not at her. Just at the thought. "I got a job down here, that's all. And the winters are damn sight more pleasant here than up in all that New England snow." He flashes another smile, leaning back against the wall. "And, hey. You know how it goes. Gets me away from my old man. What could be better?"
~
"Not a damned thing," Hailee says, no stranger to daddy issues herself. Or mommy issues for that matter. "Never minded the snow. Made swimsuit shoots a bitch though." Her hand is finally offered out to the stranger, having found a common ground of sorts. "Hailee Rose. Model extraordinaire." Flicking her tongue out over her lips, she jerks her head toward the door a bit. "How long you figure they'll be out there?"
~
Gregory shrugs now. "Depends on how badly they want you. My guess, though? Not long. Guys like that? They prefer their beer cold and their women on their laps, know what I mean?" Rather than warm beer and a broad they gotta chase after. He extends his hand to her, taking hers confidently. "Greg Warren. Nice to meet you, Hailee." Helluva way to meet, of course, but he doesn't add that.
~
Hailee has known quite a few like that in her life. Most men she knows are like that. They like things cold and easy. Quick and easy. Hell, just easy. "Bet your ass I do. Think there's a way to slip down the stairs and out a door not connected to the alley?" She's not in a hurry, just thinking ahead. "Warren. Bostonian Warren's… think I've been to one of your mother's soiree's a few years back."
~
Gregory arches a brow at that. "Yeah? Wow… Musta been when I was still at school." 'Cause he'd definitely remember her, then. Or then again, maybe he wouldn't. He found most of those parties boring. So, it would've depended entirely on how well she blended in, at the time. He glances down the stairs, now, however, pursing his lips in thought. Glancing at his watch, he considers. "I'd say, give it another ten minutes and they'll be back on their asses, swilling like the pigs they are. Door won't likely be locked from this end. Be easy to slip into the corridor, walk down or take the elevator. Stroll right out the front door." Sounds like he's done this a time or two, really.
~
"Must'a been." No matter what state Hailee's in, she's very good at blending it. It's part of her 'charm'. "Can't say it was a great soiree, but it was a necessary one. When the agent drags me to parties, I go. Publicity. Fun stuff that." Ten minutes she can handle. More if necessary. "Sounds like you've done this type of thing more than once. You make a habit of rescuing damsels in distress or did I just put a damper in your plans for the night?"
~
"Rescuing them?" Gregory gives Hailee a broad wink. "Nah. Just sneakin' in and out of their apartments without their daddies knowin'." Whether or not that's true is probably up for debate. He doesn't give off the sense some guys do that just screams 'lech'. But neither does he give off the 'good boy' vibes, either. He's somewhere in the middle. Boston frat boy, no doubt. He gives a mild shrug now. "I was just passing through. S'posed to meet a guy not far from here. But, I got time. I just like to be early's all. Never know what you might run across." A beat. "Maybe a damsel in distress."
~
"Tch. I can't tell if you're flirting or not, but what I can tell, Greg, is that I like your style." Winking right back at him she's careful not to be her usual flirtatiously touchy-feely self. After all, her current ruse is that of an engaged woman. "Too bad you never had a chance to sneak into mine." Eyebrows waggling, she laughs. "Then again, it ain't as if daddy would've cared one way or another, he was gone pretty much as soon as I could twirl my first baton."
~
Gregory glances to her ring, and then smiles at her. "His loss," he says, unabashed by the emerald's presence. He doesn't bother to clarify whether or not he's flirting. Let her take it as she will. He's relaxed and confident, one hand light on his knee, the other looped around the stair rail, giving him a convenient arm to brace himself with. He gives a shrug. "I spent most my adolescence in boarding school. Parents don't mean much to me." The way he says it suggests that parents is a general term, not just one specifically referring to his own.
~
It's that blasted relaxed confidence that she sees often in Gabriel that drives her to do what she does next. Probably only trying to unsettle him a bit, her hand drops down to his knee. Hailee Rose has no shame. "Definitely was." She grins at him mischievously then winks as she gives the knee a squeeze. "I would have killed for the boarding schools. Beats being paraded around in tutus and tap shoes, then tossed around like a hunk of meat at any agency that'd take me."
~
If Gregory's supposed to be unsettled by the move, he isn't. As Hailee's hand falls to his knee, he glances down at it. A smile plays across his lips. He suppresses a chuckle and doesn't look the predator. However, his thigh muscles do flex as she squeezes his knee, acknowledging rather than rejecting the physical contact. He flashes a grin at her words, however. "Stage mother, huh? Yeah, I've seen some of that. 'Cept, in my case, they were all debutantes being pushed at the most available males." He rolls his eyes. "Boston high society. It's as codified as the South, in its way." His hand moves off his own leg to settle on the floor between them so he can lean on it, his other hand still stretched to hold to the rail comfortably. "I prefer to meet people on my own terms. Don't you?"
~
What is meant to unsettle him is unsettling her. Hailee's eyes narrow upon him, almost glaring playfully at his grin. He may not bear the look of a predator but she does, briefly. "Did the deb' thing. Did the socialite thing. Mommy dearest loved to parade me around for her own popularity." A great deal of grace twists her body around so that she's nearly wrapping a leg over his. Giving him little say in the matter unless he intends to push her down the stairs or pick her up and move her. In true Hailee fashion, knowing Gabriel will be pissed if he ever finds out, she leans in quickly to plant a hot kiss to the man's lips. He deserves it. After all, he likely just saved her from becoming a statistic.
~
Gregory tilts his head as the young woman throws her leg over his. He turns a little. As she closes in to kiss him, his head tilts up. He does not grab her or push her away. His lips are certainly soft and willing to join the kiss — no reason at all to say no to a kiss from a beautiful woman, after all… particularly not after saving her life. His hand tightens around the rail, however, holding himself up. His other hand rises, hovering near her, though not touching her. He does not close his eyes — not entirely, anyway, watching her face as she kisses him.
~
The kiss intensifies a great deal before she starts to draw back from it. There is only so much one can do with the way they are positioned at the top of the stairs. Unless Hailee flings her leg right to the other side of him and straddles him fully? She'll be worried about falling. She doesn't pull that far back when she winks at him. "That was for the rescue. You want more than that, you'll have to look me up." Winking at him she holds her position for a few seconds longer before she twists away and starts to rise to her feet. "Either that, or you chance being really late to that meeting."
~
Gregory places a hand in the small of her back before the end of that kiss. It gives her a little more security… and him, for that matter. As she finally pulls back from it, allowing both to catch their breath, he looses his embrace, lowering his hand from the rail as well, and twists to help her set herself rightly to her feet. Reaching out for the rail again, he pulls himself to his feet, standing opposite him. "If I didn't really need to see the guy, I'd definitely be tempted," he says, giving her a lopsided grin, eyes glowing. Stepping up onto the landing by the door, however, he cants his head at her. "Can't look you up, if I don't know where to find you." A beat. A grin. "Phone books are so unreliable these days and… what does Google know?"
~
"Google? A lot more than the tabloids," Hailee says with a wink. Her number though? Not likely. Moistening her lips with the tip of her tongue, she reaches into her pocket. Pulling out a bright blue Sharpie pen, she motions for his hand. "It's a bit juvenile, but unless you've got paper…" Pulling the cap of the marker off with her teeth she waits to see if he's got anything to write on. If not, it's his hand that gets her autograph, her cell number and the cutesy little rose she generally draws beside her name. Habit.
~
Gregory flashes her a grin. Were he not headed where he was, he'd be tempted to let her ink his palm. As it stands however, he reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his wallet. From out of it, he extracts two business cards. Both, he hands to her. Both have nothing but his name on them in neat, Garamond type in the center of the card, a phone number typed simply below it. One of them, however, is face down, presenting her with a blank space on which to write.
~
Penning the card in the manner she generally does, she hands one back to him. Before capping the marker she scribbles a note on the second card then slips it into her pocket. Replacing the cap on the Sharpie, she winks at him. "Brilliant. Don't sweat it if you change your mind, sug'." There's the out if he wants it. Hailee won't be hurt either way, though Gabriel may put up a bit of a stink about it. "You be careful out there now. If they saw you with me they may just decide to shoot first and ask questions later."
~
Gregory nods. "Don't worry," he says with that easy smile, again. "I'll watch my back." He glances at the card, absorbing the information, and then slips it back in his wallet. He returns his wallet to his pocket and offers a broad wink in return, glancing down purposely to her left hand and back up to her face. "If you ever get tired of your fiance, you be sure to let me know."
~
Hailee eyes her hand then grins. There's a secret about that ring that she can't really share. 'least not with a stranger, and not while stone-cold sober. "Sug', you'd be the first to know. I owe you big time." Starting down the steps she manages to get three down before she looks back over her shoulder winking and blowing a kiss at him. Then she starts back down until she reaches that door, slipping out to find more stairs or the elevator to make her way toward the ground floor where she can scoot back toward the Ravello and deliver her new vial to Gabriel for his party stash.
