Saint Or Sinner

Out Of The Darkness

    As Shay took out a small glass, he smiled as he saw his father pop out an old bottle titled "Lenore's best" from his cabinet.

   "I know you are not about to pull out Lenore." Shay smirked as his father and sister smoked.

    "Well we was savin' dis here bottle for a rainy day, boy." Nat smirked as he wrapped his arm lovingly around his daughter's shoulder.

    "And currently? It is pouring like Katrina up in 'dis Teller house." Hana grinned with her snapback flipped as she sat in reverse of her seat.

    "So, you kids got any plans for the Gras tonight?" Nat asked his children pouring halfway through each small glass.

    "Yup. We gon' be taking this boy out and getting him reacquainted with his people of New Orleans," Hana smirked. "Right way that is." She added with a wink as she grabbed her glass.

    "Then you better stick to one drink if you driving all the way out the there." Shay said with a grin as she looked offended."

    "You don't trust my skills?" She smiled as the Teller boy and patriarch looked at her with achingly identical eyebrow raises.

    "No"

    "My bail money is still hurting from the last time I had to bail you out."

    "Wha' she do now?" Shay asked grinning at his father as he picked up his own glass.

    "Assaulted Robbie Lenier." Nat said smiling earning a scowl from the blonde girl.

    "The son of a b***h should have kept his hands to himself." She said rolling her eyes.

    "Wait, Robbie Lenier? As in Sheriff Lenier Sr.'s son?" Shay asked raising a brow.

    "One and the same. And this little hellion here?" Nat smirked nodding at Hana. "Not only busted a tooth but also his balls." He said earning a gawking grin from Shay looking at his sister.

    "You broke the boy's boys?"

    "Again! Grab my ass and you invitin' an ass whoopin'." She scowled crossing her arms.

    Shay laughed at that and shook his head. His sister was definitely a Teller. Each had a temper and according to the stories, Nat's was worse than both siblings.

    Shay looked at the old photo of his father and his godfather, Savitar, smiling with blood from the Teller patriarch's mouth.

    "Alright you two, raise your glasses." Nat smiled as he raised his own.

    As Shay and Hana follow suit, all three closed their eyes as was the family tradition.

    "Dear God, we thank you for granting us Shay's return to our family and protecting him all these years till now. May you grant him and our family happiness."

    While Shay heard the words, he couldn't help but feel like the words rang hollow as another memory came back to him.

    Inside the same bunker area he was informed of, Shay weaved in the shadows clicking his tongue to attract the attention of a guard who held his gun though he couldn't see the karambit knife Shay had waiting for him.

    "Whoever is there you better-!"

    The guard didn't finish as the knife impaled his throat and was swiftly yanked out of sight. Shay immediately took it the next step further stabbing and slitting each artery near the guard's jugular veins to make him bleed out. The man's pain in his eyes immediately vanished as he was laid down fully on the ground. Shay looked around and began to undress into the mans attire and moved into the bunker.

    As Shay walked through the bunker with the hood over his face, he soon walked into an interrogation area hearing the screams and focused more on the militia speaking.

    "The american is a tough one." One interrogator smirked as he wiped his blade again on his jacket.

    "He will break eventually. They always do."

    Shani furrowed his brows and walked into the interrogation room and saw his target, along with a large damn near six foot breathing obstacle before him.

    "Hello brother Talid, why are you not at your post?" The larger man glared behind his gaiter.

    Shani smiled at him and before he could even find the time to react, stabbed the large man in his jugular causing his eyes to widen.

    " 'Fraid we no friends here, mon ami." He said coldly before pulling the blade out and continuously stabbing the man until his body went lifeless beneath him, but not before Shani aimed for every artery in the mans legs.

    As he finished he unstrapped the blonde soldier from his restraints to the wall and called into. "Fox 1 to Crow's Nest. I have Raven 1, over."

    "Understood Fox 1, report to Rendezvous Point 3, we have siting of an enemy company inbound in three."

    "Copy." Shani said and tapped his friends cheek. "Rise and shine, buddy."

    "That you Shay..?" The blonde said weakly to which Shani nodded.

    "Hang on, Bubba." Shani said and got his friend into the guards clothes and hid the body.

    "Shay!"

    Shay looked up and noticed his father and sister looking at him.

    "You okay, Bubba?" Hana asked him worried making him wonder how exactly he looked.

    "Yeah I am fine," He smiled and noted how his father was looking right through him but forced a smile.

    "Well if you are fine, drink this bourbon wit' us." He smirked and all three Tellers to smile broadly as they clinked their drinks.

    Shay finished his shot and smirked as Hana downed hers with Nat following soon after. 

    "So what you two gon' be doing for the Gras tonight?"

    "Well, Mike and I figured we have a proper Marais reunion with its prodigal son at Bonny's Pub." 

    "Hana, I thought I said I wanna have my return lowkey." Shay said glaring earning an amused smile from the blonde girl.

    "And I elected it to be high key. C'mon, everyone misses you bubba." She smiled. "You used to love Mardi Gras and since I AM the manager now it would mean a lot." She smiled and made a pout  that irked her brother. Every time, since the moment the girl found out how to wriggle her brows, she would con the hell out of her brother and any man who she directed them to.

    "Fine but... wait a minute, Bonny made you manager?" Shay asked wide eyed.

    "Uh-huh, helps pay the bills and I know how to manage money better than most in Marais. Now if you excuse me, I got to go get Duncan and Mike to get supplies."

    "Hold up... Duncan is still here?" Shay asked stone faced.

    "Yeah, he is a part of New Orleans police department. He made detective about a year ago." She said and saw Shay's face harden at Duncan's mention.

    "Oh look at the time, gotta go!"

    Shay looked at Nat who just held up his hands. "Did you know?"

    "Boy dont get mad, you were the one who decided to leave," He smirked.

    Shay sighed as he followed. Duncan James was a friend from his and Mike's old circle in Marais. They didnt have the same schools but still were good friends who often competed in everything against each other from sports, fishing... to love.

    "They still together?" Shay asked seeing the old framed photo of prom between him, and a beautiful face with multiple tiny dreads and a clear white smile.

    Nekoda...

    An old flame from a different life, Nekoda was Shay's sweetheart and love for four years during their high school years. Creole, charming and beautiful, Shay couldn't help but feel his heart tug at him as he saw that smile.

    But you had to f**k it up playing soldier...

    "Actually no." Nat said making Shay look up confused.

    "Wait what? I thought they were engaged a few years back."

    "Oh they were. Even settled down for a year or two but... I guess they didn't pan out like everyone thought. She still pissed at ya'."

    "Me? Wait a minute old man, do you talk to her?"

    " 'Bout every day or so, told 'er you's a dumbass for robbing me some fuckin' gran' babies." Nat smirked. "Now I gotta pray 'dat wild child of a sister you got find da time to settle on down."

    Shay smiled at that and knew that the bayou would dry before that girl settled.

    "She left me, you know?"

    "Ah-uh, you chose to join the military boy. To take lives every day under some dumbass politicians war."

    Shay glared at his father as he felt attacked by him. "And what would you have me do, huh? Sit back and work on cars for the rest of my life?!"

    "Boy, you better watch that tone with me." Nat told him glaring intensely. "War changes a man. Makes them have a look of the world around 'em as evil and void. That look you had earlier? I had the same damn eyes when I was barely above the age you decided to walk out the door!" Nat said and stared his son down until the younger Teller realized how much he angered him. 

    "This... It wasn't the life I wanted for you... or your mother." Nat said and gripped the desk sighing. Shay frowned but he knew his father was right. The war left its scars in Shay's skin. But then isn't that why he left? To let them heal. So he decided to pat his father's shoulder.

    "Sorry Pa..."

    "Its fine boy..." Nat sighed and smiled rubbing his boy's arms. "I am just glad it didn't take you away from us is all. Everyone here loves you and missed you."

    Speaking of everyone...

    "Pop, what has been going on with Savitar and Giorgi? Hana and Mike said that the two have been different since Aunt Luci passed."

    At that, it was the Teller patriarch's turn to harden his face.

    "Yeah, no. Different is a monumental understatement." He said and poured another glass of bourbon for the two and sat at the table of the kitchen.

    "How so?"

    "Shay, they have been moving for more control of Louisiana. New Orleans is about to become their biggest plot of profit."

    "But that don't make sense... Uncle Savitar always kept his control-"

    "Hidden? Yeah I know... but something about Luciana's death shook him. Even back in the day, Sav was never the one to hit as hard but now... its like he doesn't care who you are. You in the way, he checks you off. He even tried to muscle me the last couple of weeks."

    "What?!"

    Nat gave a defeated nod. "He has been trying to buy out our house and shop. Tried to be polite about it by sending Giorgi."

    "What you say?"

    "That I would sooner die before giving up our house," His father scoffed and even though he put on a good front, Shay could tell this act hurt his heart.

    Shay knew the stories... of how his father went from the underdog leader to the House Of Militant Radical Anarchists (HOMRA) gang to being the right hand of Savitar Mercano. For nearly ten years, the two carved names in history until Nat finally grew sick of the constant wars. A decision that hung low for him and Savitar but one that did not diminish their bond.

    Until now, you mean Shay...

    "Pa, maybe Uncle will listen to me." Shay offered, which his father gave a look as though he had been slapped in the face. After a moment, his father smiled almost sadly.

    "You definitely got that from you mother... if you feel you can convince Savitar boy, then by all means. You certainly had a unique way with him."

    Shay smirked at that and knew his father was right. Savitar was the one who supported his decision to join the military most. That times of action should always be taken when felt. Its a sentiment that Shay agreed with in his heart, that sometimes action is better than inaction.

    "I'll see you after tonight then pops." Shay told his father and hugged him. And though his face shown happiness, his father's had one of worry.

    As he parked his Pontiac at the gate which opened within a minute, Shay was taken aback at the Mercano mansion. Even after ten, no, thirty years of standing, the mansion seemed eternal, untouched by time with its stellar white pillars holding it up against any storm the State of Louisiana could throw at it. As he walked forward, Shay saw an old face that looked surprised to see him.

    "Holy s**t, that you Shin?" He asked smiling.

    The man looked up from his cigarette which hung low out his mouth. For as long as Shay  knew the man in their teen years, he was never without a cigarette in either his hand or mouth. He stood at at least five-ten and had a smirk soon as he saw him.

    "Oh damn. Shay Teller? Who you auditioning for, Captain America?" Shin Kamiya smirked exhaling the smoke.

    "Maybe I am." The Ex-SEAL said. "You know that s**t will kill you right?"

    "Yeah and so can a bullet, a knife and even an alligator. Besides its better than that vape pen s**t that came out."

    "Not a fan?"

    "s**t fills your lungs with water. I'll take my chances." Vincent smirked and walked past as the two snapped and shook each others hands.

    "Not sticking sticking around?"

    "Nah man, I got to get back. You know how it is, this line of work." Shin smirked.

    Do I ever...

    Shay nodded and smirked. "Keep in touch man. I owe you a beer."

    "Sure thing, maybe you can tell me some stories." Shin said and got in his LFA Lexus. "Take care brother."

    Shay smirked before turning his attentio to a man in the doorway who brought a bright and broad smile to his face.

    "Sonuva muffuckin' b***h, do I see my brother, Shay Teller, in front of me?" Giorgi said walking down the stairs to hug his god brother.

    "Yo Giorgi." The Ex-Navy SEAL smiled. "You get smaller?"

    "f**k you, Teller. No one told you to become Godzilla while you were overseas."

    Shay couldn't hold the laugh back. Growing up, he and Giorgi were always close in height. Hell, by standard Giorgi was still tall at six foot one to Shay's own six two, the only real difference was muscle.

    "I tried to keep in touch. Sorry about Aunt Luci." Shay frowned.

    At that, Giorgi's smirk vanished and Shay could see the sadness in his eyes. "Yeah it's... been tough on Pop." He said sighing. "So... Want a beer?"

    "Or three." Shay smirked to which Giorgi laughed as they went on one of the front patios.

    "So what was Vincent doing here?"

    "Ah, had some business to sort out with the Ol' Man. You know how it is." Giorgi said sighing as he cracked the drinks for him and Shay and smirked. "Welcome back brother."

    "Good to be back brother..." Shay smirked as they clanked glasses and downed their drinks with little effort.

    Shay sighed as he sat the glass down. "Ain't gonna lie. Really missed this."

    "What, a drink? Military didn't allow that?" 

    "No, they did but... I didnt wanna fall down the wagon, you know?"

    Giorgi smiled sadly nodding. "Dad was the same way when mom passed. If he wasn't working and making deals, he was drinking the nicest shine he could find."

    Shay chuckled at that slightly. "Never could resist that corn whiskey, huh?"

    "None of us could." Giorgi said taking another sip. "So you mind if I ask something, little brother?"

    Shay raised a brow but nodded. "Shoot."

    Giorgi smiled with curious eyes and leaned in. "What was it like being a SEAL, man? Heard you boys were suppose to be some of the sickest slickest killers in the business."

    At that Shay frowned as flashbacks of torture, both of his enemies and himself, played in his head. "It was a journey... one with its scars."

    Giorgi saw the haunted expression and decided to leave it alone. "Sorry to hear brother..."

    "You're good... My turn."

    Giorgi shrugged clapping his palms together. "Let's hear it,"

    "I need to talk to Uncle Savitar... About him trying to take Pa's home." Shay said serious which in turn brought a change to Giorgi's face.

    "Oh... Uncle told you about that?"

    "Pa tells me everything Giorgi, you know that. What is Uncle trying to do?"

    Giorgi's eyes were, for the first time to Shay, unreadable. He didn't like what that incited from his godbrother one bit.

    "You know how he is man... if you feel you can talk him down, then be my guest. Lord knows we all tried." Giorgi said with a heavy sigh as he stood and waved for Shay to follow into the mansion.

    Even after all the years away, Shay didn't see a single change inside the building. The only real difference was that now, unlike before, Shay saw one too many places that could be taken advantage of inside the building. Large windows, four doorsfrom the back and two in the front. But whoever would be stupid enough to walk in would still have to answer to the thirty to forty men inside ready to light them up.

    A thought that made Shay laugh in pity for the soul that did.

    As he walked behind Giorgi, they came up the stairs to a study on their left and both could hear Savitar's voice boom. "I don't give a rats ass! You had a whole month to get my money. Now get my moneyto meor you will have five-!"

    Giorgi smiled as he opened the door. "Business as usual old man?" He asked earning a glare from the red faced Italian, whose face was a familiar fury Shay always feared.

    "Better have a good reason for..." Savitar saw Shay and froze as though he saw a ghost. "Shay?"

    "Ain't gonna tackle me are you? Pa already beat you to it." Shay smiled at the man who stood at even level to him as he and Giorgi walked in. Shay smiled as Savitar Mercano, the men who he looked up to the most, cupped his cheeks and pulled him in for a hug laughing. "Jesus Christ, you got big boy!"

    "Had to some time didn't I?" Shay smiled happy to see his uncle's face.

    "I imagine it was hard for you on the opposite end of the world." Savitar said and sat down speaking with an understanding that confused Shay.

    "Sir?"

    "You have that look in your eyes. Like you witnessed more than one kind of hell." Savitar resting his chin on his hands perceptively.

    Shay couldn't deny the elder man's response. All it did was take him back to his hardest assignments, and all the blood he had shed. He couldn't even bother to hide the edge that he hoped coming home would fix...

    "Doesn't go away... does it?"

    To that, Savitar just shook his head. "Taking a life is never easy boy. Have you told your father how it makes you feel?"

    Shani shook his head and frowned deeply. "I don't think he would understand."

    "Bullshit. Your father would understand better than anyone, there is no reason a father shouldn't go to his son or vice versa." Savitar said waving his hand to the side. As Shay smiled at the sentiment, the words reminded him of why he came in the first place.

    "Uncle, about father, he mentioned you have been trying to take the Garage." He said and saw the immediate family smile vanish from Savitar.

    "Oh?"

    "Yeah... I came hoping you could come to a solution with him. I just got back and I don't know fully what happened between you two but I want to help. I know he can be pretty stubborn."

    To that the pleasant chuckle of Savitar came again making Shay's mind ease itself. "I am sorry the business came to your doorstep son... not the kind of Heroes Welcome we would want for the prodigal son." He chuckled and looked at Shay thoughtfully. "You take after your mother with that."

    Shay frowned at that since it reminded him of his Aunt. "Sorry about Aunt Luci, Uncle."

    At that, he saw a moment of sorrow in his godfather's eyes which vanished just as quick. "Thanks boy. I needed the onions for the day." He chuckled sadly.

    Shay sighed at the smile returning the gesture.

    "Tell you what," He said before both stood and Shay received a pat on the shoulder. "I'll try and reach a common ground with your old man. Least I can do for my favorite godson."

    Shay raised a brow chuckling. "I am your only godson, Unc. You gettin' senile on me now?"

    Giorgi and Savitar both laughed hard, the muscles echoing the joke. "Damn you be calling him out good. Been saying that for years."

    "This old man can still kick both of your asses. Now go on boy, you have a whole town waiting for you to say hello." Savitar said leading him back to the door.

    As Shay moved to leave, Savitar pulled the boy in a hug and sighed. "It was great to see you, my boy."

    "You too Uncle Sev."

    And with a crisis averted, Shay sighed and headed into town, where he knew Mike ad Hana waited.

    Giorgi watched as Shay drove off and glanced at his father, who's kind demeanor was replaced with that of Don Mercano.

    "Did you mean it?" He asked Savitar who looked at him with a hardened expression.

    "Of course I damn well meant it. We will try and reach common ground with Nat," He said as he walked to his office to get his coat.

    "But Pops, Nat wouldn't take any offer from me. No boon is enough to that old nut."

    "I am aware how Nat is, boy. You forget, he used to be my Right Hand?"

    "Then... what if he doesn't come to a sense of... common ground?" Giorgi asked as Savitar reached the door, to which the elder looked at his heir.

    "Then he will be six feet under the ground."