24

There was an eminent storm on the way which was typical of the season and that fact made Izzy uncomfortable. The sky had changed from blue to an angry charcoal grey and it was obvious that this particular storm would bad. In the distance, thunder rumbled and every now and then lightening would flash, illuminating the sky with each sinister flash.

She closed the doors of her very own bookstore, Izzy’s Corner, and looked up to the sky with curious light grey eyes. Raindrops fell innocently from the sky, landing on Izzy’s cheeks and hair. She shivered inwardly knowing that tonight would be rough.

“Are you ready to go?” asked a soft melodic voice, snapping Izzy out of her trance.

She smiled at the man standing before her, meeting his chocolate brown eyes with her grey ones. His thin lips formed a small shy smile as he regarded her before looking up at the sky. The wind whipped around them, almost playfully, causing the man to put a hand up to his fedora perched on his straight dark colored hair as if to keep it from being blown away.

“Yep. Let’s get out of here before the rain really starts to come down.” Said Izzy as she climbed into the waiting SUV that had pulled up in front of the store.

“Not much for storms are you?” asked the man smiling at her as he closed the door after he had slid into the vehicle.

“No. They scare me.” Stated Izzy as she gazed out the window, staring at the horizon that was quickly darkening with rain swollen clouds.

“They scare you?” asked the man mildly.

“Thunder and lightning scare me. I used to hide in my closet when I was younger.” Said Izzy sheepishly as the man’s smile widened. “It’s not funny Brian.”

The concept of being scared of both thunder and lightning amused Brian immensely. He had never been one to fear an oncoming storm. He reveled in them actually for they were very much like him; unpredictable and foreboding. He had spent years building up his persona in the underground gang world and now, his persona was one that was feared. Synyster Gates was what he was known as, but to the raven haired beauty next to him, he was Brian. She was protected by A7X, the most notorious and ruthless gang on the West Coast of the United States. She hadn’t asked to be a part of the world in which he dwelt, she was thrust into it after the death of her father. She was under protective custody of the gang after one of their rivals had taken an unnatural interest in her.

The drive to the A7X mansion was quiet as Izzy closed her eyes and pressed her forehead against the cool glass of the window. Gates sat next to her, discreetly studying the woman he secretly loved as she rested. Lightening cracked loudly as they pulled up in front of the mansion and Izzy’s eyes flew open at the sound. She gave Gates a frightened look and he reached out to squeeze her hand reassuringly before they climbed out of the SUV. The two of them darted through the steadily falling rain and into the mansion.

“Izzy!” screeched a lanky blue eyed man at the sound of the front door snapping closed. Izzy looked up and saw the man rushing down the large marble staircase with his black hair untidy and his eyes sparkling. “You’re home!”

“Hey Jimmy.” said Izzy warily as she shook the rain out of her long black hair.

“It’s that time again when we roast s’mores over an open flame.” He sang as he picked up Izzy and threw her unceremoniously over his shoulder ignoring Izzy’s protests and fists banging on his back.

“Put me down Jimmy!” shrieked Izzy as blood rushed to her head as Jimmy carried her through the mansion towards the living room. Izzy watched as Brian shook his head while walking behind them, a small smile hanging from his lips.

“O-Kay!” cackled Jimmy as he threw Izzy onto one of the large sofas. She landed on her back with a small ‘unff’ escaping her lips.

She heard a rumbling laugh from her left and she glared daggers at the man who regarded her with burning hazel eyes.

“It’s not funny Shadows. Do you have to be such an insufferable retard Jimmy?” snapped Izzy, turning her daggered glare towards Jimmy, whose face fell slightly at the irritation in Izzy’s voice. Izzy’s eyes softened and she gave Jimmy a weak smile.

“I’m sorry Jimmy.” Said Izzy apologetically as Jimmy sat down next to her, his clear blue eyes filled with hurt. She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed. “I’m just a bit on edge because of the storm.”

“Why?” asked a curious voice from behind them. Izzy turned and smiled at the short man with blond and black hair.

“She’s afraid of thunder and lightning.” answered Gates as he sauntered into the living room with a beer in hand. “Goes scampering into her closet.” He snorted.

Laughter erupted throughout the room and Izzy’s cheeks flamed. She smacked Jimmy’s arm and scowled darkly at Shadows who laughed louder.

“It’s not funny you great big brutes!” shouted Izzy as she shot to her feet. “Excuse me if not everyone in this house is a hardened murderer with no goddamn fears!” with tears in her eyes she stalked out of the room and could hear the four men laughing even louder at her outburst.

Izzy made her way up the great marbled staircase and headed towards her bedroom. She felt a calloused hand wrap around her wrist and pull her backwards. Angrily she spun around, prepared to let her wrath loose on the green eyed man that she instinctively knew had stopped her.

“Let go of me Vengeance.” seethed Izzy, her grey eyes darkening to match the sky outside.

“What’s wrong with you today?” he asked with mock curiosity. Izzy knew that Vengeance could care less about what was wrong with her.

“Nothing that concerns you.” Spat Izzy as she tried to wrench her wrist out of Vengeance’s grasp.

“Tell me.” He said softly, as he pulled Izzy close to him, holding her body to his. His eyes swirled darkly with lust as Izzy regarded him with cold eyes. He could feel the internal battle raging within her. He pressed his plump snake bitten lips to her neck and she stiffened in his arms but her body arched into his.

“There’s nothing to tell.” She responded firmly as she pulled out of Vengeance’s arms. He let her go, his green eyes flashing dangerously as he watched her stalk off towards her bedroom. He stood in the corridor, his ever calculating mind working furiously. Eventually she would give in to him, he knew it. He may have hurt her once which meant that in order to make her his, he would have to reassess his game plan.

*****

Rain pounded down onto the roof of the mansion as Izzy tossed and turned in her bed, her body shuddering each time lightening cracked in the distance. Ever since she was young, thunderstorms terrified her. She hated the unexpected booming of the thunder after the sickeningly loud crack of lightning. She closed her eyes and put headphones into her ears, turning the volume up loud enough to block out the rumbling thunder. Eventually, her eyes fluttered closed as the sweet melodic voice of Christina Perri lulled her to sleep.

“You have such a pretty little mouth. On. Your. Knees.” said a dangerously soft voice in Izzy’s ear. She could feel his cold snakebites press against her neck as he threw her roughly to the ground of the kitchen. She winced in pain as her knees connected with the marbled floor. She peered up at him through thick lashes and watched with satisfaction as his eyes swirled with dark desire.

“Open.” He commanded as Izzy continued to gaze at him. He grabbed her chin roughly, squeezing harshly causing her mouth to open to protest. Seizing the opportunity he rammed himself into her mouth until he hit the back of her throat. He tangled his fingers into her hair and forced her to take more of him, the sounds of her gags music to his ears. He fucked her mouth, his pace relentless. He watched with satisfaction as tears streamed down her cheeks as he continued to hit the back of her throat.

“So fucking good.” He panted before removing himself from her mouth. She looked at him tearfully but Vengeance could see the lust in her eyes. He pulled her to her feet and hoisted her onto the countertop.

Spreading her legs, Vengeance kissed his way up her thighs, nipping and sucking at the soft flesh leaving marks on her flawless caramel skin. He blew on her heated core causing soft moans to escape her lips.

“Always so wet and ready for me.” He smirked as he inserted two fingers into her without any warning. She gasped at the sensation of being stretched by his thick digits. His skillful fingers made short work of finding her g-spot and Izzy moaned loudly as he began pumping his fingers in and out of her dripping heat. He captured her lips in a rough kiss as he curled his fingers within her as he thumbed her clit harshly. Izzy cried out against Vengeance’s lips as he continued to pump his fingers into her core. When he pulled his lips away from hers, Izzy let out a gasp. What had been Vengeance a moment ago was now Shadows and it was his fingers that were delving into her core. Izzy closed her eyes and was lost as she felt her climax peak and wash over her in rippling waves. She heard Shadows chuckle deeply, his chest rumbling as he did. When she reopened her eyes she was staring at burning hazel eyes filled with sinister desire for her. He pulled his fingers from within her and smiled at her. She wrapped her fingers into his hair and pulled him to her. She kissed with wild abandon and felt his erect member press against her heat.

“Tell me you want me.” He growled against her lips.

“I want you.” She murmured.

He filled her with one swift motion and she cried out against his lips as he stretched her.

“So tight.” He groaned as he began to pound into Izzy. She wrapped her legs around his waist. His thrusts were harsh and forceful. The lust in his eyes burned darker as she writhed beneath him.

“Oh God!” he grunted as he slammed into her “I love you.” He whispered against her skin.

Lightning cracked sickeningly, followed by thunder so loud it shook the entire house. Izzy’s eyes snapped open as the thunder continued to rumble, vibrating everything around her. She pushed away thoughts of Shadows and Vengeance as she wiped sweat from her brow.

‘Just a dream.’ she told herself as she snuggled deeper under the blankets. ‘A fucked up dream but a dream none the less’

Another wave of booming thunder shook the house and Izzy jumped out of her bed, her heart beating frantically as she hightailed it into her closet, sliding down the wall with her hands covering her ears. She visibly shook as thunder relentlessly boomed outside. Whimpering she closed her eyes and pulled her knees closely to her chest. She was terrified.

****

Jimmy’s eyes flew open as the thunder outside shook the entire house. He leapt from his bed and wrenched his bedroom door open, his footfalls silent on the carpeted floor. He made his way to Izzy’s room, knowing that she was probably scared senseless. Earlier they may have teased her about her fear of the thunder and lightning but the terror in her eyes was something that Jimmy couldn’t bear to see. After everything Izzy had been through with Jake Night, Jimmy refused to allow anything to hurt her. Even though he knew that the rumbling thunder and striking lighting couldn’t hurt Izzy, she was frightened. He promised himself when they had rescued her from Night that she would never be afraid again as long as he could help it. He threw open Izzy’s bedroom door and was greeted by the sight of her empty bed. Panic coursed through Jimmy’s body as images of Izzy’s bloody and beaten body flashed in his mind. He shook himself mentally at the memory knowing that Izzy was safe in the mansion. Rain continued to beat down on the roof and windows, the roar it deafening even to Jimmy.

‘Goes scampering into her closet’ Gates’ voice rang out in Jimmy’s mind. The tall lanky man with the clear blue eyes yanked open the door of Izzy’s walk in closet. He flipped on the light but there was no light to guide him. The power had to be down because of the storm raging outside.

“Izzy?” said Jimmy softly into the darkness of the closet. There was no response. He raised his voice and called his best friend’s name again. Straining his ears to hear over the din caused by the rain he heard a soft whimper cut through the darkness. He carefully made his way to where the sound came from and pushed aside the jeans and skirts to reveal a quivering Izzy. Tears cascaded down her cheeks as she rocked herself back and forth. Jimmy reached out and touched her knee and she let out a terrified yelp.

“C’mon sweetie.” said Jimmy gently as he reached out for Izzy who leaned into his body. “It’s ok.”

Izzy’s tears continued to fall as she allowed herself to be pulled out of the closet by Jimmy. She shook violently as thunder boomed again, causing her to grip onto Jimmy’s arm, her nails digging painfully into his ink adorned skin. He winced slightly but said nothing as he led Izzy to her bed. He climbed under the covers and held his hand out for Izzy. Still shaking from head to toe, Izzy leapt into the bed and huddled close to Jimmy who wrapped his arms protectively around her small frame, cooing sweet words of comfort to her.

“Thunder buddies for life ok?” asked Jimmy drowsily as he brushed his lips over the top of Izzy’s hair.

“Thunder buddies for life.” Replied Izzy sleepily as she pressed herself closer to Jimmy.