24

After a hurried breakfast, Izzy scampered out of the kitchen, trying to put as much distance between herself and everyone else. She was confused about Gates’ change of heart, and even though it warmed her heart that he did change his mind, a small part of her was apprehensive. She had been hurt by more than one member of the A7X gang and she didn’t want to add Gates to that list.

Knocking softly on Shadows’ office door, Izzy blushed furiously when she realized that she was dressed in her pajamas. The great oak door was suddenly opened and Izzy stumbled into the room, muttering apologies as Shadows steadied her with his hands. Cheeks still flaming, Izzy allowed Shadows to steer her to one of the chairs in front of his desk. She watched him as he made his way around to his own seat, a large smile plastering his face. Izzy inwardly hoped that he wasn’t laughing at her innate clumsiness.

“I have some good news for you.” stated Shadows, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his desk.

“Oh? Have all your rivals given up on possessing me?” Izzy’s voice was almost wistful.

“No. They’re still pretty much desperate to have you.” chucked Shadows as Izzy scowled at him. “The bookstore is carded for renovations from this Wednesday.”

“Really!?” shrieked Izzy, unable to contain her excitement. “Matt! That’s fantastic news!”

Shadows smiled warmly at Izzy, his hazel eyes gleaming. “I knew you would be happy to hear that.”

“Happy? I’m thrilled!” gushed Izzy, positively bouncing in her seat.

“So on a more somber note.” Shadows’ voice became serious but his eyes maintained a happy glow. “The night that Signor Camachio’s house was stormed….” Izzy’s heart sank to her knees. “Who was it that found you under the bed?” asked Shadows.

Izzy gaped at Shadows as Tuck’s blue grey eyes swam into the front of her mind.

“Matt Tuck was the one that found me.” she said softly, afraid that somehow Tuck would hear her.

“You’re sure?” questioned Shadows, his tone businesslike.

“Of course I’m sure Matt. I’m not delusional. It was Tuck.” snapped Izzy as she brushed a stray strand of hair out of her eyes.

“Well, this makes sense then.” declared Shadows, his voice steady and calculating.

“What makes sense?” questioned Izzy, shooting Shadows a confused look.

“Tuck. He’s been calling ever since you left.” admitted Shadows as he pulled out his cellphone, resting it on his desk.

“I know. He said he was trying to get into contact with you.” said Izzy shortly. Shadows gave her a pained look. “He said he was trying to set up a meeting with you. Maybe he’s really on our side.” continued Izzy.

“I highly doubt that Isabel, but his actions that night at Signor Camachio’s home says a lot. I will get into contact with him. Hear his proposal for what it’s worth.” The last part of Shadows’ statement was more for his own benefit rather than Izzy’s. She gave him another scowl.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” asked Izzy, concerned lacing her voice.

“No, I’m sure it’s not, but I need to find out why he protected you at the very least.” mused Shadows, stroking his chin absentmindedly.

“Is that everything you needed to see me about?” muttered Izzy ruefully. Shadows gave her a hooded glance.

“Yes, Isabel, that’s all I wanted.” he replied casually.

Izzy left Shadows’ office without a backwards glance. She didn’t want to think about Tuck and her near kidnapping or Signor Camachio’s death. She just wanted some sort of peace, some semblance of normalcy, even if it was for one day. Trudging towards her bedroom with a heavy heart, Izzy bumped into a hard chest. Uttering profanities under her breath she glanced up and found Gates smiling at her.

“Sorry.” she murmured, trying to side-step him. He grabbed her hand before she could even put one foot in front of the other.

“I’m heading down to the beach. Do you want to come?” he asked, his brown eyes twinkling.

Izzy sighed, knowing that she needed a day to just laze around and not think; and what better way to do just that then at the beach.

“Sure.” she answered, a smile creeping onto her face.

“Great. Be ready in a half hour.” grinned Gates as he wandered off towards Shadows’ office.

Izzy grinned inwardly as she climbed the marble staircase. She was excited to get out of the house. She was still apprehensive of Gates but she tried to push that to the back of her mind as she entered her bedroom. Turning to close her door, a muffled groan of pain was heard and Izzy peered out into the corridor to see Vengeance wincing in discomfort.

“What the hell?” muttered Izzy callously as she walked towards Vengeance, placing her hand on his shoulder. “Are you okay?”

“Do I look okay?” he grumbled, sending her a death glare which she ignored.

He followed her into her bedroom, watching Izzy like a hawk as she riffled through her closet for a bikini and shorts. His green eyes followed her as she placed a towel and sunscreen into her bag, ignoring him as she did so.

“Where are you going?” asked Vengeance curiously.

“To the beach.” answered Izzy simply as she found a pair of flip flops that had been pushed under her bed.

“With him?” breathed Vengeance, causing Izzy to pout at him.

“If you’re referring to Brian, then yes.” stated Izzy nonchalantly.

Vengeance closed the space between Izzy and himself, grasping her by the waist, gripping her tightly in the way he knew turned her on. He pressed his lips to her neck and began to suck on her heated flesh. She braced her hands against his chest and pushed hard. She didn’t want to be subject to Vengeance’s insatiable lust and want. She had done so well for the last week and Izzy had no intentions of succumbing to Vengeance now.

“Get out!” she growled at him and flinched slightly as he looked at her with almost murderous eyes. He didn’t move but merely continued to stare at her. “Get. Out!” said Izzy forcefully, raising her voice as she pointed at her door. Vengeance smirked at her, his eyes darkening as he took his leave. When the green eyed man had taken a step over Izzy’s bedroom threshold, she slammed the door and sighed, feeling proud of herself for resisting the one man that always knew how to break her down.

****

Izzy basked in the warm sunshine on the beach with Gates at her side lounging almost as carelessly her. She turned her head to the side and gazed at him from beneath her sunglasses, taking in his handsome features, chiseled bone structure and flawless complexion. As if sensing her eyes on him, he turned and gave her a dazzling smile; similar to the one he flashed her that very morning in the kitchen.

“Something wrong?” he asked, waggling his eyebrows playfully at her.

“Just admiring the view.” mused Izzy with a small tentative smile.

“The beach is that way.” said Gates pointedly.

“I prefer this view.” smirked Izzy mischievously before turning her head back to its original position.

They lay there, in the sun, blanketed in a comfortable silence until Gates snapped the book he was reading shut. He pulled himself gracefully to his feet, and looked up and down the beach. Spotting an ice-cream vendor, Gates pulled his wallet out from Izzy’s beach bag.

“Want some ice-cream?” he asked casually.

“Sounds heavenly right about now.” sighed Izzy as she looked up at Gates, who was hovering above her. “Now get out of my sun.”

Gates chuckled and proceeded in the direction of the ice-cream vendor who was surrounded by a multitude of beach-goers. Izzy watched him until he disappeared into the miniature crowd before sighing again as the sun continued to kiss her skin gently.

A few minutes later, the sunlight was blocked out and Izzy opened her eyes.

“Back so soon?” she asked playfully.

“Good Afternoon Miss Blackburn.” a smooth Welch accent jumped out at Izzy and she felt her blood run cold. “Fancy seeing you here.”

Izzy pulled herself upright, scanning the area where Gates should have been quickly before turning back to Matt Tuck who was hovering above her. Dressed in board shorts and a pair of sunglasses, Tuck sat next to Izzy on the sand as and flashed her a wickedly beautiful smile. His skin glistened with a faint layer of sweat, his toned chest bared to the sun. Izzy’s stomach knotted unpleasantly and she shrank away from him.

“I wanted to tell you that I’m truly on your side Izzy.” stated Tuck calmly as he rang his slender fingers along the sand next to him. “You should know that after that night in Italy. I would have given you over to Night’s men if I was against you.”

Izzy let out a sarcastic chuckle as she regarded Tuck coldly. “You could just be working with your own agenda Tuck.”

“I honestly am on your side. Those men killed the only family I had left that night. Jake Night ordered the hit on my godfather.” insisted Tuck, his voice earnest and pleading. “I lost someone I loved dearly because of Night.”

“I’ve lost people that I love too Tuck.” fumed Izzy, her temper spiking. “My whole life changed because of Night.”

“What the fuck are you doing here Tuck?” snarled a livid Gates who was holding two ice cream cones in front of him. His eyes were gleaming sinisterly as he handed Izzy her chocolate ice-cream.

“Just hear me out. Please. You owe me that much.” Tuck regarded Gates with unworldly calm but he spoke directly to Izzy.

Battling a series of conflicting emotions, Izzy looked at Gates who was glowering openly at Tuck who was at that point, staring at Izzy intently, his blue –grey eyes smoldering.

“Fine. Say what you came to say.” uttered Izzy, her voice soft. Gates gave her an incredulous look but took a seat next to her, his eyes sharp and alert.

“Night is the one pulling all the strings. With Slipknot, with all the other rivals you have, Night is behind it.” explained Tuck once Izzy and Gates had settled themselves. “I’ll be a dead man if Night finds out that I’m here. I’ve done everything I can to ensure he doesn’t but he seems to be five steps ahead of everyone all the time.”

“You said that Night is pulling the strings.” stated Gates dryly, his voice tight with controlled anger.

“Yes. He’s been keeping it quiet. He wants you to think that Taylor is the one calling the shots. Taylor thinks he is too but really, the fact of the matter is that Night is a master manipulator.” Tuck ran some sand between his fingers, his eyes darting from Izzy’s face to Gates’. “I’m telling you this because I don’t want to lose everything I’ve built in this foolish game that Night is playing. You have nothing that I could possibly want.” Tuck pointed at Izzy who flushed lightly. “We have never had any reason to go against A7X and I intend to keep it that way. Perhaps even ally my forces with yours.”

Gates regarded Tuck for a moment, his eyes dark and his face impassive. “You want to join with us? Why would we trust someone who has been playing double agent in the first place?”

“Because I’ve no reason to go against you Gates. Besides, Night took someone very important from me and because of him I’ve lost all the family I had left. Camachio was the one who urged me to come to you. Maybe if I had sooner, he would be alive today.” The thick sadness in Tuck’s voice caught Izzy by surprise and she found herself wanting to comfort the grey-blue eyed man before her. “I’ve paid a hefty price to Night and you know as well as I do that he will stop at nothing to get Miss Blackburn here.”

Gates cocked his head to the side, a perplexed look on his face. He too seemed to be battling a war of conflicting emotions.

“How do we know that you aren’t still playing double agent?” asked Gates coldly.

“You have to trust me on that. I assure you that I am on your side. We have all lost someone to Night. If memory serves correctly, he took your little sister away did her not?” stated Tuck smoothly as Gates stiffened. Out of the corner of her eye, Izzy saw Gates nod curtly in response to Tuck’s question. Izzy reached out and laced her fingers in Gates, her way of supporting him after Tuck so callously brought up the past.

“What do you need us to do?” questioned Izzy, her eyes sad, reflecting Tuck’s tone.

“Get Shadows to hear me out. He needs to know the information I have gathered.” answered Tuck softly.

*****

“Isabel, could you join me in my office when you finish your meal?” asked Shadows politely as he got up from the dinner table.

Izzy gave him a curious look but nodded when she noticed his eyes flashing dangerous. She knew instantly that he was definitely not in a good mood. Hastily finishing her dinner, Izzy cleared her dishes with Jimmy not far behind her. He gave her a comforting smile before she trudged to Shadows’ office.

Knocking before entering, Izzy’s eyes fell onto Vengeance who was lounging on the leather sofa twirling a switch blade between his fingers. His eyes burned into hers, seductive and full of blatant want. Tearing her eyes away from his, Izzy flashed Shadows a tentative smile as she sat her usual seat in front of his desk.

“Isabel, are you aware of anything that your father could have possibly left for you after his untimely death?” asked Shadows, his tone cold and clipped.

“Not as far as I know. Why?” enquired Izzy, knotting her fingers together nervously.

“I found something interesting today while you were at the beach.” Vengeance’s voice was vaguely threatening and yet somewhat sultry. “You’re father left something in a safety deposit box. For you.”

“Me? Why would my father leave me anything?” confused, Izzy looked between Shadows and Vengeance.

“The question is not ‘why’ Isabel. It’s ‘what’. What did he leave you? The ‘why’ would be figuring out the reason it has surfaced only now.” Shadows’ voice was calm even though his entire body was tense.

“So whatever he’s left me is in a safety deposit box. So I can just get it right?” asked Izzy, her stomach doing backflips as she thought of her father.

“Not that simple. You need a password to access the box.” said Shadows patiently, his hazel eyes gleaming in the soft office lighting.

“I have no idea what the password would be.” Izzy said softly as Vengeance’s green eyes bored into her from across the room. “Why are things never easy?” she muttered under her breath.

“You are the only one that can access the safety deposit box.” growled Vengeance lowly. Izzy turned to him. “Try to rack that pretty little brain of yours and see what you come up with.”

Izzy scowled darkly at Vengeance, desperately wanting to slap the smug look off his face.

“Maybe my mother would be able to shed some light onto the situation.” mused Izzy, turning to face Shadows who was watching her with mild curiosity. “My father may have told her something.”

“Perhaps.” said Shadows dryly, “Here, call her now.”

Shadows held out his cellphone and Izzy accepted it, her fingers trembling as she held it to her ear. Shadows had already dialed the number and Izzy listened to the sound of the line ringing with bated breath as her heart beat erratically in her chest.

“How can I help you this evening Master Shadows?” Izzy felt a wave of emotion crash down upon her at the sound of her mother’s gentle voice.

“Mommy?” Izzy’s voice trembled. She vaguely heard Vengeance snicker in the corner.

“Isabel my darling. How I’ve missed hearing your voice. How are you?” Mrs. Blackburn’s voice was soft and tender, warming Izzy’s soul.

“I’m fine, happy and smiling.” lied Izzy, crossing her fingers in her lap. She could never lie to her mother.

“Lovely to hear my dear.” Mrs. Blackburn chimed. If she had picked up on Izzy’s lie, she ignored it. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?”

“Mommy, did daddy ever say anything to you about a safety deposit box?” asked Izzy cautiously.

“A safety deposit box?” enquired Mrs. Blackburn, her voice soft. “No, darling, I don’t recall anything about a safety deposit box.”

Izzy’s heart sank to her knees and she gave Shadows a solemn shake of her head. He gave her a disappointed look. Vengeance huffed in the corner and Izzy shot him a murderous glance.

“I need you to think mommy. This is really important. Please. Try to remember anything you can.” pleaded Izzy.

There was a moment of silence and then Mrs. Blackburn spoke, her voice sounding like music to Izzy’s ears. “Your father did say that he was leaving something special for you, right before he died.” Mrs. Blackburn’s voice sounded tight and full of emotion. “He said that you would have to look within your heart.”

Izzy’s puzzled look deepened as she tried to figure out her father’s cryptic message.

“Maybe the safety deposit box has whatever he left.” offered Mrs. Blackburn sadly

“Maybe.” Izzy’s heart constricted at the sadness in her mother’s voice.

“I love you my darling. Take good care of yourself. Tell Master Gates I send my regards.” Mrs. Blackburn’s voice was thick with emotion.

“I will mommy. I love you too.” said Izzy softly.

She handed Shadows back his cellphone, her fingers still shaking. He gave her a sympathetic look and Izzy gave him a weak appreciative smile.

“So what did mommy say?” snickered Vengeance from his place on the sofa.

Izzy ignored him and trained her tearful grey eyes on Shadows. “She said that my dad did leave me something. But I need to look within my heart.”

“Sounds like some B-rate movie crap.” Vengeance mused smugly.

“Can it V!” snapped Shadows, his voice stern. “Do you have any idea what that could mean?”

Izzy regarded Shadows in silence, her brain whizzing through everything her father had told her before he died. She came up empty handed. “Let me sleep on it.” she said finally. “Maybe it’ll come to me at some point.”

*****

The snow fell in thick sheets as Izzy gazed out into the familiar landscape surrounding her. The wood in the fire crackled and popped gently as her mother moved around the log cabin, humming Christmas carols under her breath. Her father was reclining on his chair, reading a book and at that moment Izzy was content. She traced patterns onto the frosted glass with her index finger, glad that everyone was inside before the snow really started coming down. She had spent the day with her father, practicing chopping wood; the two of them laughing at Izzy’s poor aim. Her father’s dark grey eyes twinkled as he showed Izzy how to chop the wood properly and Izzy groaned when he made her try again.

“Dinner!” her mother’s musical voice rang out. Izzy was snapped out of her reverie and she smiled, making her way to the dinner table.

The usual banter was exchanged as they ate a sumptuous meal of cheesy mashed potatoes, sautéed lamb chops and steamed vegetables. Izzy and her mother laughed as her father regaled them with one of his infamously skewed stories of his teenage years.

After dinner, Izzy, her mother and her father sat in the living room, watching re-runs of I Love Lucy.

“I have something for you Izzy bear.” said her father in his usual deep voice.

Izzy’s eyes lit up as he presented her with a small box, neatly wrapped in pale lilac paper and topped with a white bow. Deftly, Izzy tore through the paper and opened the small black velvet box. She gasped when she saw what was inside.

“Oh daddy! It’s beautiful.” sighed Izzy as a large smile plastered her face. Her fingers gently brushed the heart shaped diamond pendant which glinted in the soft light of the cabin.

“It’s a very late graduation present.” said her father, his voice filled with love as he looked at his daughter who threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly. “Don’t ever lose it, the key is in your heart. Keep it safe and think of me every time you wear it.” Izzy kissed her father’s cheek, aware that his voice had become sad and tight.

“I’ll keep it safe daddy. Thank you.” breathed Izzy, giving her dad another hug.

Izzy’s eyes snapped open, tears that she didn’t know had fallen, tumbling down her cheeks. She brushed them away and looked up at Jimmy who was snoring lightly next to her on the sofa. In hindsight, Izzy realized that the night her father had given her that heart shaped necklace was his way of saying goodbye. He knew he was going to die. He was murdered the very next day. Realization slammed into Izzy with the force of a speeding freight train.

“The necklace. That’s the key!” she shrieked, causing Jimmy to yelp in surprise as he jumped out of his sleep.

“What the hell Blackburn?” muttered Jimmy sleepily.

“The necklace. The one my dad gave me. It’s the key to the security deposit box.” she said excitedly, getting to her feet. She needed to find Shadows.

“What safety deposit box?” asked Jimmy curiously though his eyes were still heavy with sleep.

“The one…never mind. I need to find Shadows.” Izzy grinned widely, scampering out of the living room.

“Shadows isn’t home.” Came Jimmy’s voice from behind her, halting her in her tracks. “He had to go to LA to meet with Matt Tuck.”

Stunned by Jimmy’s words, Izzy’s eyes widened, her brain frozen and unable to think properly. She was temporarily stunned by Shadows’ eventual concession regarding Tuck.

“I need you to take me home.” Stated Izzy as Jimmy rubbed his eyes.

“You are home.” He grumbled, moving past her, heading up the stairs.

“To my home. The one…” stuttered Izzy, unable to form words.

“The one we so callously took you from.” same a snide voice from the shadows of the foyer. Vengeance gave Izzy a disdainful look as he tucked his switch blade into his pocket. His hair was damp, falling into his eyes. He toyed with one of his snakebites, giving Izzy a mischievous smirk.

“Yes. That one. I need to get something.” stammered Izzy, putting some distance between herself and Vengeance.

“Did you figure out what the password is?” sneered Vengeance, his eyes gleaming wickedly.

“No. But I figured out where my dad may have left it.” snapped Izzy unwilling to tolerate Vengeance’s abhorrent attitude any longer.

****

Gates pulled up in front of Izzy’s former home with Vengeance muttering obscenities the entire way. Two other vehicles pulled up behind them, their headlights cutting through the swirling darkness around them. A flurry of emotions took Izzy by surprise as she studied the home that she had grown up in from the backseat of Gates’ car. Memories of her entire life before A7X came flooding back to her and she let out an involuntary gasp. Izzy felt Jimmy’s fingers wrap around hers, squeezing her hand gently.

“You okay?” asked Gates, his voice laced with concern, his eyes meeting hers in the rearview mirror. Izzy shook her head, unable to form words.

She watched as the security detail swept through the house, flashlights periodically gleaming from within the place that Izzy had once called home. When the signal was given, Gates and Vengeance exited the vehicle, followed by Izzy and Jimmy. Izzy shuddered as the cool night’s air nipped playfully at her neck. Pulling her sweater closer to her body, she followed Gates and Vengeance into the house. Jimmy lightly wrapped an arm around Izzy’s shoulder as if to lend her support. She leaned into him, accepting his offer as her knees trembled beneath her.

Stepping through the threshold of the now abandoned house, Izzy’s blood pumped harshly in her ears as her heart thumped painfully in her chest. She climbed the staircase, and found herself at her bedroom door, her feet carrying her instinctively towards the room that had been hers for 23 years. The door was hanging on its hinges, a result of Vengeance kicking it in the night A7X had come for her.

With a heavy heart, Izzy entered the bedroom and let out a soft gasp. The sight that met her eyes was even more grisly than she could have ever thought. As far as memory served, Vengeance and Gates had left the room relatively untouched when they searched for her. Now, everything in her abandoned room was in complete disarray. Someone had been there after she had been taken. Someone had carried out a hasty search of her room and Izzy had a sinking feeling it had something to do with whatever it was her father left her.