I don't own Saints Row III, Volition and THQ do! I only own the plot of this story~. c:

[xXx]

Matt looked up at the Syndicate Tower as he stepped out of the taxi that he had ridden in to get there. He swallowed a lump that seemed to suddenly form in his throat, every nerve in his body screaming at him to not go into the looming menace of a steel building in front of him. The building seemed to radiate an aura of big business. Big business for big people. Big people who could probably pay for their kids to go to every single college that they could ever want to go to with just one pay check. The noirette bit the inside of his cheek slightly before attempting to harden his trembling nerves. Mary had told him that if Phillipe Loren, the leader of what she called the MorningStar gang, was wanting to talk to him after he did him a favor, it was possible that Loren was going to pay him or something. She had encouraged him that he go and see him... but now, he was having second thoughts.

Glancing over nervously, he saw the girl herself, looking up with blue eyes filled with anxiety. She had ridden there with him, wanting to make sure that the male would be alright, and it was apparent that she was more than nervous. Walking over to her, he delicately took her hand into his own, gently squeezing it. There was something that seemed to pain the girl while she was in the tower's presence. Matt didn't know what it was, but whatever it was, he wanted to make Mary know that she would be safe. Even if she claimed that she could take care of herself, Matt didn't want her to be afraid. After all, one of them had to be brave, right? Together, with the male leading, they walked up to the front door of the building and stared at the gleaming, silver push handle that stood between them and the inside of the building. No turning back... Matt thought to himself, hesitantly raising his hand to push the door open.

Mary stopped him. "Let's do this together..." she whispered softly to him, looking up at him. Her blue eyes were still filled with anxiety, but there was something else there... Something strong and willing. Something that Matt found himself lost in... Receiving a small nod, she glanced back at the door, that something in her eyes seeming to grow. Their holding hands reached up and pushed the door open, and together, the two went into the large building, seemingly engulfed by the steel fortress. Everything was a blur up until the couple reached the large office of Phillipe Loren. Except they weren't alone with the Belgian business man. Oh, no. There were three other people in the room. Two women, who looked exactly like one another save for the rims of their sunglasses that rested on top of their heads, were on either side of Loren's desk, their arms crossed and hips cocked. The other person in the room was a large bear of a man, wearing a green suit and mask over his face. There seemed to be a permanent scowl on his lips, as well, under that mask, as though he wasn't amused by much.

Matt saw the large man and seemed to shrink back a bit. A bouncer, maybe? He doubted it, but it was America, and he didn't really know how the country worked all that well. At least, not yet, anyways. He couldn't help but wonder as to why the man wore a mask, though... The male felt something squeeze his hand and his eyes shot to it. He quickly remembered that Mary was there with him and relaxed slightly. He didn't relax all the way, but he had relaxed a little bit.

"The Luchadores gang leader..." Mary seemed to whisper, her eyes fixated on the large man. She glanced at Matt a little worriedly and squeezed his hand a bit tighter. "He's a wrestler who isn't afraid to kill some-..."

They both heard a deep scoff and looked up. It had been the large man... "Are you sure about this kid?" he grunted towards Loren. "The poor kid is terrified. He might just piss himself being here. He couldn't even come alone!" He looked at Mary before shaking his head, a smirk replacing his seemingly usual scowl.

"Oh, hush, Eddie," sighed one of the women beside Loren's desk.

"What did you call me?" sneered the man called Eddie.

"Relax, Killbane," the other woman said calmly. "You're going to scare the boy more than you already have..."

Mary looked at Matt worriedly. "Are you sure you don't want to go ahead and back out of this?" she asked him in a hushed whisper, casting a nervous glance over to the slightly calmed down Luchadore.

Matt bit his bottom lip. His girlfriend was giving him a chance to back out of the meeting...

But he wanted to see it through, for whatever reason.

"It's alright, my little teacup..." Matt assured the girl, giving her a shaky smile. He looked at the group in front of them, seemingly having missed the rest of their own conversation amongst themselves.

"Shy and timid ain't how a gang member is supposed to act," sighed the man now known as Killbane.

Gang member? Matt wondered to himself. I know that they're gang people, but are they assuming that I'm one as well? Oh, dear... Was it too late to get out of the meeting?

Loren flashed the couple a kind, reassuring smile. "I'm glad to see that you could make it," he addressed kindly. "Sorry about not speaking up sooner. I don't believe we've been formally introduced."

Yes, yes it was.

"My name is Phillipe Loren. These are my assistants, Kiki and Viola," Loren introduced, gesturing to both women at his sides. Which was which, neither teenager really knew... He then gestured to Killbane. "And, as you may have picked up, this is Killbane. And you two are...?"

"Matt Miller..." the black haired male said as confidently as he could, squeezing Mary's hand. "And this is my girlfriend-."

"Mary Porter," the black haired female finished off for her boyfriend, her voice strong and firm and well-practiced, squeezing his hand in return.

"I see..." mused the Belgian man. "It is a privilege to make your aquaintance." He then addressed Matt. "Are you any good at using today's... modern technology...?"

Matt hesitantly nodded. "I-I am..." he informed the man, all confidence gone from his voice. "Why do you ask?"

"Would you say that you are... hacker material?"

Mary's hand gripped Matt's tightly. "Hacker?" she questioned with a deep frown.

"Like the ones in the government," nodded Loren.

"I-I wouldn't say that I'm that good with computers..." Matt stammered before his girlfriend could inquire further.

"Well, you certainly know more about the matter more than I do," mused Loren. "I was wondering that perhaps, maybe, you would like a full-time job working for me. With me, really." He stood and walked around to the front of his desk. "As the one who works with the computers and phones and whatnot. I'm sure that we could get you training in the field. After all, practice makes perfect."

"I-I simply couldn't do that..."

"What if I were to offer you a revenue, a home, and a base of operations?"

"I told you before... I'm only here for a short time and for my girlfriend..." Matt swallowed. "My parents wouldn't allow it..."

"I wouldn't be so sure. They may be willing to allow it if my silver tongue hasn't rusted any," mused Loren. "Plus, if you take me up on the offer, your girlfriend - Mary, was it? She can join you and you two can live together. Just a couple of years together, a ring, and voila. A happily married couple with much money in their retirement funds and pockets. Together, you could travel the world with the money you could make with this job..."

"I..." Matt looked at Mary.

Mary bit her lip. It was more than obvious that the offer was rather tempting... She cast her boyfriend an unsure look, hoping that he would let her have more time to give it thought. Matt wouldn't be alone in this decision, after all...

"We'll think about it, Mr. Loren."

[xXx]

Read and review, please~!

~Mary