[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

Nexus grinned wolfishly as he laid his cards down on the table, as the diamond in his silver-capped fang glinted in the light of the lamp hanging over their heads. "A full house - I think that ends tonight's game, gentlemen".

His tone was casual, yet he eyed the stack of chips greedily as the dealer pushed them over to him amongst the groans that surrounded him.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

"Hey, why the long faces? I'm sure you'll make your money back real soon - and if not, you know where to find me." He pocketed his chips and stood, eying the room around as he took a long drag off from the cigar in his hand. The club bustled with activity, but Nexus had eyes only for his next mark.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

He scanned the room, pausing over anyone who looked like a good target, but it seemed the tables were all full. It did not matter, he had made more than enough from his last game to satisfy him for the evening, but still he hungered for the feeling of victory and hoped someone would catch his eye.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

Nexus raised an eyebrow as he realised the only mark he would have tonight would be one left by the security personnel if they caught his eye again. He had paid them off, but his time must have been up, and with a nod he made his way over to the cashiers.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

He grinned again as he blew a smoke ring into the unimpressed face of the girl behind the counter, smirking as her eyes widened when she realised how much he had won. The pouch of Keystones and Goddess Tears was heavy when she handed it to him, but he just winked and hung it on his belt loop.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

He sauntered over to the exit, raising an eyebrow at the doorman and blowing a smoke ring into the air as he left the seedy casino and made his way up the street, his long coat fluttering behind him in the breeze and his prize clinking beside him with each step he took.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

He sniffed the smoky air; apart from the smoke curling from his cigar, the street was dirty and smelled of trash, and he tilted his head to savour the smells of his city. A loan shark by day, he had a network of underhanded dealings which were making him very rich, and the games were just that - a way to pass the time.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

He pulled out a Goddess Tear and tossed it in his hand while he walked, cigar now clamped between his teeth. He didn't need the money, but he revelled in watching the despair on the faces of those he beat - inevitably, those who didn't know when to quit, and those who couldn't afford to pay their dues.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

He snorted as he remembered his parting line, directed at the young man in the corner whose money had been a loan from Nexus' own business just that morning; no doubt he'd be in tomorrow as well. He grinned, and the misery surrounding him filled his cold heart as he stepped into the darkened alley.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

He smelled them before he saw them, but he did not worry - this was his turf, and these thugs were on his payroll, making sure the 'unfortunates' who came by either became customers or left the area quickly. He snickered to himself as they stood aside, clearing his path as if he were a prophet.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

He nodded to the head of the gang, a large, intimidating male with a scar across his muzzle, and pushed open the door of his 'office', turning on the light. As the door closed behind him, he hung his coat and tie on the rack, and strode over to the chair behind the desk.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

Five minutes later, the air around him was beginning to grow hazy with smoke as he nursed his glass of whisky, feet resting on the desk in front of him and that morning's paper in his hand. He scanned the articles, noting which businesses had been forced to close down and making a note to enquire about the properties in the morning.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

A knock sounded on the door, and Nexus tilted his head without disturbing the ash that dangled from the end of his cigar. "Enter" he snarled, annoyed at the interruption - he knew his hired muscle wouldn't let just anyone through without a reason, but he wasn't expecting any business tonight and was not happy about his evening being disturbed.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

He growled as one of the thugs pushed the door open and poked their head through. "Boss" he said, eying Nexus' cigar and carefully avoiding his eyes. "There's a bloke out here who insists on seeing you - says he owes you some money and wants to clear his debt - seems like he has a big bag of stuff on him too."

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

Nexus raised an eyebrow but didn't remove the snarl from his face. "Show him in" he barked, "but ths is the last time I get disturbed tonight, understand? I don't care if they're starving - everyone else can wait." He didn't bother taking his feet off the table, merely leaning back to take a sip of his drink as he lay the paper down on the side of his desk.