The Family: The Brotherhood

By Donte M McNeal

All Leone wanted to do was help others, but violence refuses to let him.

Levana is home to countless gangs, but there are two that hold the most power: The Family and The Brotherhood. Headed by Leone King, The Family was created to unite fractured communities, but it spawns the creation of The Brotherhood, the cruelest gang the country has ever seen. Headed by Nicholas Black, The Brotherhood do what they want, when they want, with little opposition apart from The Family.

Two young men who were once the best of friends, are pitted against one another in a cat-and-mouse game of survival. Lines will be crossed, ties severed and lives lost. Who will be left standing?

The Family: A story about family and friendship, betrayal, and hard choices, where loyalties are tested and friendships are broken.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Donte M McNeal
• Release date: Jun 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370801510

Book preview

The Family: The Brotherhood

Donte M. McNeal

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2017 by Donte M. McNeal

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedication

This one is for you, Mom. Thanks for the undying support, fact checking, and good food. I couldn’t have done any of this without you. Love you!

Table of Contents

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5 (Eight Years Ago)

Chapter 6 (Present Day)

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Acknowledgements

About Donte M McNeal

Connect With Donte M McNeal

Chapter 1

The summer sun, uncharacteristically bashful, played a game of hide-and-seek in a cloud-filled sky as Leone exited one of the recreation centers peppered throughout the city. His mouth was still set in a smile as he approached his motorcycle. He’d already visited the other two rec centers, and had enjoyed his time at each one. It was a relief to see the kids in his neighborhood in the centers the Family had established, even if most were just horsing around. Leone didn’t care if they horsed around, as long they weren’t spending their time on the streets, caught up in dangers beyond their years. Being part of that change was one of the reasons Leone loved running the rec centers so much.

The smile on his face slipped slightly as he neared his bike, a light beeping sounded off in his ears. He blinked, and the name Paul flashed before his eyes, his neural implant displaying in front of him—almost like a hologram. Well, a hologram that only he could see. He knew what the call was about before he even picked up. He made the mental decision and the call connected.

What’s up? Leone asked.

It’s about that time.

With a sigh, Leone hung up and hopped onto his bike and headed out of the parking lot. The drive didn’t take long, seeing as how most of the gatherings took place near the rec centers. No more than a few minutes later, Leone pulled up in front of a one-story, red-bricked building.

He walked up the smooth stone walkway, and looked up at a camera above the automatic doors—only one of the endless eyes that were constantly watching every inch of the country. The doors slid open and he headed inside. The cool blast of air he felt was refreshing, the sweat on his face cooling quickly. He saw the receptionist behind a wide white counter and offered her a smile.

Afternoon, Jenny.

Leone, sir, Jenny replied with a smile, jumping to her feet, scurrying to lead him to a conference room at the end of a short hallway.

Jenny nodded at him as he placed his hand on the biometric scanner near the handle of the wide, tinted doors. The scanner read the implant in his wrist and beeped with a green light before it opened. Leone offered her another smile before he entered the room. Once inside, he took in the large round glass table, occupied by only a handful of people. Four of the ten chairs at the table were empty; the number of bodies at the table had been dropping, much to Leone’s chagrin. He hated losing good people. The five at the table tapped their chests twice, in greeting followed by What up, fam?

What up though. He moved to the open seat toward the front of the room. I’m glad to see you all here, Leone began as he took his seat. We all know that Jason, George, Fay, and Vera were all killed last month. Looking around this room, I’m happy to see that their deaths haven’t been forgotten. Now, what do you have for me?

The Extended to speak was a young man, sporting dark, chocolate eyes. He cleared his throat, his voice a deep baritone. Well, the Bombers have been trying to stir up some trouble.

Bombers? Leone echoed. They were disbanded years ago.

They were, the young man replied. The dark brown skin between his brow bunched up as he frowned. Seems they’re looking to make a comeback.

If that was the case, Leone could understand the tightness in the young man’s shoulders. Before they were disbanded, the Bombers were one of the more violent gangs in his hometown. Their influence was one born of fear and violence, and he could remember running into them when he was younger, barely escaping with his life.

That won’t happen, Manuel, Leone assured the man. Anything else? Manuel shook his head and leaned back in his seat.

A pale, red-headed Extended spoke up. We haven’t lost any more ground to the Brotherhood. They’ve stayed on their side of the city.

Leone rubbed his eyes. Robyn, you know how I feel about looking at it like that. They don’t have a side in this city; they’re trespassing, plain and simple. We’ve kept them from this city for years, and I don’t want that to change.

We’ll push them out, Robyn said, determination in her pea-green eyes. Each and every one of them.

Leone nodded. I know. And I know you’ll be careful and do it the right way.

Of course, Robyn replied. We rarely have to revert to our last resort.

Good. The people need to know that we’re still working to keep them safe, Leone said. You’re the few remaining Extendeds this city has left. I know the Brotherhood is vicious, but we won’t stoop to their level to beat them. I don’t want to lose any more of you.

Cail, one of the major cities in the small country of Levana, and the place Leone called home, had a large Member population, more so than any other city that Family’s influence had reached so far. Leone was only one man, so the Extendeds handled the management he couldn’t. Cail used to hold more than just the handful in the room, but they had been getting picked off lately. Leone didn’t know for sure who was doing it, but he had an inkling. There were countless small gangs looking to make a name for themselves, who would do whatever they could to topple all the Family had built.

The Family’s power came from their work; they were based out of not-for-profit organizations. Recreation centers, shelters, and things along those lines–they all fell under the umbrella of what the Family dealt with. Tending to them was the responsibility of the Extendeds. They reported how each of facilities was doing and rises and drops in gang activity to Elizabeth, Leone’s best friend, who then relayed it to Leone.

The dangers of these jobs were that they were often in neighborhoods with high rates of crime, but Leone didn’t want that to stop him. It was places like those that needed the most help, and Leone didn’t shy away from the challenge, nor did the rest of those in the Family. It was their mission to help those who needed it, after all.

Okay, Leone grunted. I’ve been getting these cryptic messages from the Brotherhood. The faces and voices of those in the messages are altered so I can’t tell who they are. I’ve gotten threats like this before, but this seems different.

So, Nicholas is gearing up, then? asked Sharon, the other female Extended seated at the table.

Seems like it, Leone murmured. The last time I heard from him was a couple of years ago. He reached out, playing games as always, but I chose not to go along with any of it. Since then, the Brotherhood is more aggressive; they want to take this city, it doesn’t look like they’ll be easing up any time soon.

Then we need to get hold of Nicholas, force him to see reason. The words came from Paul, one of the male Extendeds at the table. He had been with the Family since its infancy, and Leone valued his opinion, but what he didn’t need was any of Paul’s hot-headed plans.

Force him how? Leone asked. Torture him?

If that’s what it takes, Paul grumbled, leaning back in his seat, his dreads drooping over the back of the chair. We’re being picked off, Leone. We won’t be able to help protect this city if we can’t protect ourselves. Not with Nicholas out there, doing whatever he wants.

You’re right, Leone agreed with a nod, but what message would we be sending to the people of this city if we retaliated with violence? Violence leads to more violence, Paul, and I’m not going to help him paint the streets with blood, innocent blood.

Paul sighed, conceding. I know, but what do we do? The Brotherhood could be behind the comeback of the Bombers.

It’s possible, Robyn said, biting her lip. We know the east side is full of Brotherhood sets, but we’ve kept the west relatively peaceful for years. If the Brotherhood is trying to disrupt that peace, then banding together the smaller gangs is a way they could do it. If that’s the case, then Nicholas’ reach is further than we thought. We have been seeing more gang activity around our rec centers and parks, and our last two community events have been crashed by other gangs.

Leone rubbed a hand across his bald head, before drumming his fingers on the table. So, we have Brotherhood attacks rising, they’re trying to widen their territory by trying to make a claim on ours, and they’re doing this by bringing together the smaller gangs into the Brotherhood fold. Okay, we’ll have to keep an eye out for Rooks then. If you see them, don’t go at them alone; make sure you have backup, and do what we do best: keep people safe. We’ll get them out of this city, one Rook at a time.

With nothing of importance left to speak on, Leone ended the meeting and dismissed the small group. He chatted with them for a short while before heading back outside. He was near his bike, when he heard the beeping in his ears again.

The implant had taken some getting used to when he’d gotten it a few years ago, but his younger cousin, always up on the latest of tech movements assured him the implants would be commonplace by the year’s end. He had been right. Nearly everyone in Levana had neural implants, due to their inexpensiveness and ease of use.

Whether they were children, or elderly, the implants worked on a curve, adjusting to your level of competence and allowing you to do more with them the more you used them. The first time a buzzing has sounded off in his head and a name had flashed before his eyes, it had taken him by surprise, but you got used it. He learned nearly everything was done with a thought, whether it was a call, listening to music, or whatever else you wanted to do.

He blinked, and saw the picture of his younger brother smiling back at him. The moment he answered, he flinched. Q, you have to slow down, man. I can’t understand a thing you’re saying.

Blood everywhere! Quinten cried hysterically. Bones broken … s-so much b-blood. No—no heart!

He wasn’t making any sense. Leone’s attempts to calm his little brother proved to be futile. He didn’t stop until he had to break for air, and Leone capitalized on the small window instantly.

Quinten, what the hell are you talking about? Where are you?

Quinten took a few breaths to steady his voice before responding, his voice still shaky. I’m at Crystal’s. They’re gone, Leo. They’re gone!

Leone grabbed hold of the bike’s seat as his knees buckled, Quinten’s words attacking his eardrum. He didn’t want to ask what his little brother meant. What do you mean they’re gone, Quinten?

Silence.

Quinten!

They’re dead, Quinten whispered. Auntie and Sean are both dead.

Leone heard the words, but didn’t understand. How could they be dead?

Violent vibrations coursed through Leone’s body as the bike roared to life. The ground beneath its wheels was thrown around in complete disorder as its engine snarled viciously. He punched the gas and peeled out of the driveway. The pavement beneath the bike hadn’t a fighting chance as Leone raced down the road, ignoring the constant speed advisory messages he received through the implant. He slowed only to turn onto the winding roads leading deeper into the city, and more importantly, Crystal’s house.

The tires revolved relentlessly, continuously picking up speed until the speedometer read 110mph. The other vehicles driving down the wide highway were irrelevant. Countless horns blared, voicing the various drivers’ frustration with the idiot on the bike who dashed in and out of lanes so abruptly.

They can’t be gone. They’re waiting at the house so they can laugh at how gullible I am to believe something like this. They’re okay. They’re okay.

These thoughts swirled in Leone’s mind, but no matter how many times he tried to reassure himself, it was pointless. He knew what had happened: Nicholas had attacked.

The bike’s wheels devoured the miles separating Leone from his aunt and older cousin. The usual 20-minute drive took no more than half that. The bike’s roaring engine died down as he neared his aunt’s small red brick-faced house. He came to a complete stop in her driveway and slowly swung his leg over the side of the bike. His heart pounded in his chest, booming so loudly he felt the throbbing pulse all over his body. He drew nearer to the slightly agape door, each step more difficult than the last. His short walk ended and he unhurriedly pushed the door open; crossing the threshold, he quickly made his way to the master bedroom.

The floor creaked under his weight. The closer Leone got to his aunt’s room, the more the unpleasant coppery scent of fresh blood attacked his senses. He glanced into Crystal’s room and Sean’s blood-spattered body filled his vision. His heart all but stopped in his chest. He inched closer to the bed. Sean’s body was sprawled about, his limbs angled unnaturally. Tears pooled in Leone’s eyes, threatening to race down his face.

As Leone stood in front of his older cousin’s lifeless body, he took stock of the numerous injuries. He had a broken arm, and both his legs had been broken as well. There was also a swollen eye and busted lip, along with a bruised cheek. Most notably of all, Leone noticed a wide, deep gash stretching its way across Sean’s throat, like a sick smile. Leone stumbled backward, his hand shooting to his mouth as he tried to hold in the vomit begging to be freed. He swallowed, his throat and eyes stinging, and moved closer.

Leone leaned in, remembering what Quinten had said. He saw the hole in Sean’s chest; his heart had been cut out. Despite having seen worse, he couldn’t hold it in any longer, and vomit soared up his throat and spilled to the floor. Wiping his mouth, he took a sheet and covered his older cousin’s face.

Why? Leone wondered. What did Sean do to deserve this?

Leone heard something fall over behind him; he spun, his hand simultaneously reaching for the handgun he had forgotten to bring. He didn’t like going to the rec centers with weapons on him. With a whispered curse, he slowly made his way from Crystal’s room, heading in the direction of the sound. He worked to keep his steps as silent as he could on the wooden floor. Though the sounds from his vomiting could have alerted whoever was there to his presence already, he wanted to play it safe.

Surely the killers wouldn’t still be here … unless they murdered my family as bait to get me out here, Leone thought to himself.

Cautiously, Leone peered into the small kitchen and spotted his little brother, Quinten, huddled in the corner, slowly rocking himself. Leone released the lungful of air he had been holding and slowly made his way around the counter. Quinten’s tear-stained face shot up as he heard the footsteps, but the knife in his bloody hands quickly clattered to the ground.

Quinten had been training to be a firefighter, and seeing his light-skinned, muscular body curled in on itself was odd. He and Leone weren’t close, never had been. Leone had tried, to no avail, to develop a deeper bond. There always seemed to be a wall between them. They barely spoke to one another, and when they did, it was almost formal. The same couldn’t be said for Leone and his sister-in-law, though; they were good friends, and spoke on the regular.

I didn’t hear you come in. Quinten’s gruff voice was uneven, hoarse from crying. Did you see Sean?

A small nod was all Leone could offer. Crystal? Leone asked, realizing he hadn’t seen her yet.

Quinten’s eyes began to glisten upon hearing her name. He stood on wobbly feet before recovering and leaving the kitchen. With heavy steps, he led the way to Crystal’s small home office. He pushed open the door, but stepped aside so Leone could enter.

I can’t see her like that again. He stood unmoving by the door, eyes glued to the floor. I won’t.

Leone nodded in understanding. He headed into the room, and froze midstride at the sight of Crystal’s disfigured body. Tears pooled in his eyes anew, and he didn’t bother to wipe them. He collapsed to his knees, and crawled to her side, his vision blurry. He turned her face toward him and the tears continued to fall. He wiped away the moisture as it splashed down onto her bloodied face.

He tried to be as tender as possible as he touched her. Everything about her screamed fragile. He fought to choke back the sobs fighting their way up his throat. She didn’t deserve this. No one did.

Her skin wasn’t its usual dark brown; instead bruises peppered her skin. Both her eyes had been blackened and the brown orbs were hidden as her lids were swollen shut; she had a light cut along her jaw leading Leone’s gaze to her slightly ajar mouth. She was missing a few teeth. He looked over her body, taking in her broken leg and the bone protruding from the flesh near her knee. He pulled her limp body closer, desperately wishing he could will her back to life.

Leone’s heart skipped a beat as a light breath brushed past his ear. He pulled away, only to frantically press his fingers against her neck. An exclamation of joy erupted from him as a pulse vibrated weakly under his fingers. It was faint, but there.

She was alive.

Quinten, call an ambulance!

I called two, right before you got here, he mumbled from the doorway. As a matter of fact, I can hear their sirens now.

Thank God! They need to hurry. She’s still breathing.

What? he breathed, his voice carrying an odd tone. He almost sounded angry.

A grief-stricken smile dawned on Leone’s face as he looked at her broken body. She’d have to suffer through what no mother or father should ever have to endure: outliving a child. She could be viewed as a lucky woman. She was still alive, after all ….

Leone looked up to Quinten and his face, a contorted mask of absolute shock, held eyes filled with emotion that seemed alien. Q, it’s okay. She may not look it, but she’s alive; she can pull through this. The reassurance did little to chip away at the concrete wall of incredulity that was Quinten’s face.

Quinten’s head snapped in the direction of the blaring sirens indicating the arrival of the paramedics. I’ll let them in, he murmured, and rushed away, his fists tight knots.

Leone casted the odd behavior to the hindmost regions of his mind as the pitter-patter of running footsteps tickled his eardrums. He loosened his hold on his aunt marginally as he heard footsteps stop before reaching the office, obviously heading to Sean’s body. I don’t know what good it’ll do, he thought. He’s gone; they’ll just wrap him up in a body bag and haul him off. As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he glanced down at his aunt’s nearly motionless body.

Easy there, Mr. King. We’ll take it from here. A pair of paramedics swiftly entered the room, one noticeably younger than the other.

Leone lowered Crystal to the ground and stepped back, giving them room to work. She’s alive; her pulse is weak, but it’s there. He began to ramble, spouting obvious injuries only to be cut off by the younger of the two.

We don’t need your help doing our job, he asserted, speaking with an unearned air of superiority. We’re more than capable of assessing her condition.

I’m only trying to help—

As my colleague said, the older medic interjected, we’ve got this. Please, allow us to do our job. The tight smile she offered Leone before signaling for her partner to help wasn’t the least bit genuine. They both reached down to grab Crystal and they roughly lifted her body, before virtually slamming her down onto the stretcher. Whilst they were doing so, a ‘B’ engulfed in flames tattooed on their necks peeked out from underneath their collars.

Rooks, Leone hissed. I should’ve known you would be first to show up and try to dispose of your dirty work.

The older Rook’s face morphed into one of vexation as she readied herself to wheel the stretcher out to the waiting ambulance. Mr. King, I don’t think it’s particularly wise to disrespect those who hold your aunt’s life in their hands. If I were you, I’d be cautious with your words. The synonymous nature of her egoistic tone and smug smirk agitated Leone; it was the way all Rooks held themselves.

Let’s get something straight here, Leone snapped, moving closer to both of them. If she dies, then I pray God has mercy on you, because I sure as hell won’t.

They offered no response as they proceeded to carry her out to the ambulance. They were surprisingly gentle, gentler than Leone thought a Rook could be. Maybe they weren’t as evil-hearted as they wanted the world to think they were, but as the body bag containing the lifeless corpse of Sean was rolled out the house, the thought quickly catapulted itself into the abyss of nonexistence.

Leone followed the paramedics as they placed both the bodies into the backs of their respective ambulances. He hopped onto his bike and the bike roared to life. Soon after, Leone was off after the speeding ambulances.

Chapter 2

Leone stood as his parents, Jerone and Essence, rushed into Crystal’s room, tailed by Tyroce and Lyrik. Essence’s tear-stained face crashed down on her sister’s chest, Crystal’s eyes widening in pain.

Mom! Leone said. You have to be gentle.

Essence pulled back before sitting on the hospital bed, stroking Crystal’s dark brown hair. Oh, Crissy, what happened to you? Essence asked, the rhetorical question barely a whisper.

Jerone sighed, and gestured for Leone to follow him to the hallway; Tyroce followed after kissing his mother’s forehead. No child wanted to see a parent like that.

Leone stepped out into the hallway and the mixture of machines beeping and the smell of antiseptic assaulted his senses. He had never liked hospitals. The only thing he associated them with was pain …pain and death.

As soon as the door closed, the barrage began.

What the hell happened?

Who did this?

How did you find out?

What are we going to do about it?

Leone’s hands shot up, palms outward. I was heading out of the meeting with the city’s Extendeds. Things have been getting worse, and I was about to give a warning about a possible Brotherhood hit when—

Wait, what? Tyroce asked, cutting Leone off. Who said anything about a hit?

I think Nicholas is gearing up one of his games, bringing together smaller gangs and recruiting them into the Brotherhood.

One of his games? Tyroce’s brow scrunched as his hazel eyes narrowed. Why the hell wasn’t I told any of this? I could have warned my family!

Leone bit his lip. Cool it, Ty. I just found out about it. If I thought for even a second he would have done something like this, I would have told you. You know that.

Why now, though? It’s been years since he reached out to you. And why my mom and brother? You weren’t even that close to them.

I don’t know, Ty, Leone admitted.

Tyroce’s jaw flexed as he attempted to reign in the anger in his eyes. He lowered his head before his fist slammed against the wall in front of him. The tears racing down his face were left unwiped. Leone’s heart ached more with every tear that fell.

How did you find out about this? Jerone demanded, pulling Leone’s attention to him. The alertness usually residing in the older man’s dark brown eyes was absent; he looked as if he hadn’t gotten any sleep for a while.

Quinten called me right after the meeting was over. He had swung by Crystal’s and found her and Sean, well, like they are now.

What was Quinten doing there? I thought he was working, Jerone murmured in low voice, more to himself than anyone else.

I don’t know, but if he hadn’t gotten there when he did, Crystal would be gone too. He thought she was dead, but she had a pulse and luckily the medics got there soon after I did. The thing is … the medics were Rooks.

Rooks, Tyroce echoed. So, the Brotherhood is behind this.

There are others I can think of, but the Brotherhood is the most likely. I never thought he would get past the guards Lyrik had set up for Sean and Crystal, though. His security firm is one of the best. Leone glanced at the door behind him. She’s responsive, but she can’t speak yet. She recognizes us, so that’s a good sign—

Stop, Jerone muttered, placing a hand on Leone’s shoulder and looking down at Tyroce. We know the Brotherhood is unpredictable, and what happened is unfortunate, but it happens. Don’t blame yourself for this.

Leone frowned. How could he not blame himself for it? Leone couldn’t help but think there was something that could have been done. Anything would have been better than nothing. Sure, he’d had his older brother set up guards for everyone in his family, but maybe he should have done more. And now, Sean was dead, and Crystal was laid up in the hospital.

It’s my fault! Leone snapped. His eyes locked with Tyroce’s, his younger cousin’s fists curled into tight balls. I’m sorry, Ty. I should have seen this coming. I should have known Nicholas would go this far, but I didn’t and now—

Jerone! Essence’s voice rang out.

They all rushed back into the room. Essence’s hand trembled as her wide-eyed gaze was fixated on the television on the wall in the corner of the room. The