23

“Welcome to the grand opening of Izzy’s Corner!” said Izzy proudly as she and Megan cut the red ribbon in front of the store. Photographers and even some media houses had come to bear witness to the opening and Izzy had a feeling that it had to do something with the bookstore being acquired by the A7X gang. That fact on its own had caused a massive crowd to gather outside, each onlooker hanging from Izzy’s words.

The entire gang was present, dressed casually in jeans and dress shirts.Izzy looked elegant in a pair of blue skinny jeans and a loose fitting stripped top with black heels. Around her neck hung the crystal and black necklace that had been a gift from all of the guys that she had been presented with this morning at breakfast. Megan looked equally as lovely as Izzy in a strapless pink and yellow stripped dress with gold flats and pale gold accessories. Jimmy seemed to have eyes for no one but Megan.

A roaring applause followed Izzy and Megan’s cutting of the ribbon and they ushered people inside. The two girls headed to the bar and got themselves a glass of champagne, toasting each other on their success.

“You girls did a fantastic job.” said a deep voice from behind Izzy. Megan flushed slightly and excused herself just as Izzy turned around.

“Thanks Shadows.” said Izzy sipping her champagne. “That means a lot.”

The two of them chatted for a while until Izzy was greeted by the sight of shocking blue hair bobbing through the crowd. Shadows followed Izzy’s eyes and he felt his heart sink.

“Annie!” squealed Izzy, enveloping her best friend in a tight hug. “You made it!”

“Yeah, but I can’t say the same for you.” Said Annie venomously.

Izzy gave Annie a confused look, unsure where the anger in her friend’s voice was coming from.

“Don’t give me that pathetic look Izzy. I was in that damn hospital for a month and you never showed your face once.” Snarled Annie as a few people turned around curiously to see what the commotion was about. Annie was by no means keeping her voice low.

“Annie. I don’t know what you’re talking about. I had no idea you were in the hospital.” Said Izzy earnestly, reaching out to take her friend’s hand.

“Really? Because Brian knew I was there, and so did Shadows over there. So tell me Isabel, if they knew how come you didn’t? I guess you were too busy with your new life.” Spat Annie, flinching away from Izzy when she reached out to touch her. “You disappear and then I find out that your living with this lot.” She said jerking her finger towards Jimmy, Christ and Megan who were all watching on in horror. “I don’t even know who you are anymore. You’re keeping secrets from everyone, including me. What’s worse is that you didn’t even have the decency to come see me after I was beaten up by that creep!” Annie all but screamed, tears falling from her eyes.

Izzy stared at her best friend dumbfounded. Gates approached them and whispered something in Annie’s ear before taking her hand in his.

“Don’t fucking bother worrying about me ever again Isabel. You’re fucking dead to me.” Said Annie, her voice filled with scorn as Gates dragged her out the front door. Izzy felt her cheeks flush and her eyes well up with tears as every pair of eyes in the room landed on her.

Shadows cleared his throat loudly, signaling to the bar staff and the dj to take over. Semi-loud dance music came to life as waiters rushed out into the crowd with trays of champagne. Izzy turned away from the crowd as Megan came rushing over to her with Jimmy hot on her heels.

“Izzy!” Megan exclaimed touching Izzy’s shoulder gently. “Are you alright? What on earth was that about?”

Izzy shook her head as Jimmy swept her into his arms, giving her a reassuring hug. She wrapped her arms around his waist and tried to get a handle on her emotions as he held her.

“I had no idea she was in the hospital!” said Izzy softly.

“Neither did I.” replied Jimmy his eyes scanning the crowd for Shadows. “But this is your day. We’ll sort this mess out when we get home.”

Izzy gathered herself and gave Jimmy a final squeeze before she headed back into the crowd. On the inside she was falling apart and totally confused but on the outside she was poised, graceful and calm. She spoke to a wide range of people and even did a brief interview with some newspapers that were there. Izzy had no idea how long her façade would hold up for. All she could think of as she laughed and chatted with her guests was Annie.

****

Izzy stormed into the living room where Shadows, Gates and Vengeance were lounging around. The look in her eyes was murderous as Shadows looked around to see who had come into the room. His face fell instantly at the sight of Izzy.

“I think I’m going to let you guys talk.” Said Vengeance lowly as he got up from his seat.

“How big of you.” Spat Izzy, glaring daggers at him. He gave her a smirk as his eyes flashed sinisterly. He moved behind her, his fingertips trailing lightly over the small of her back. Izzy fought off the desire that his touch sparked, focusing her energy on Shadows and Gates. Gates made a move to get out of his seat and Izzy’s glare turned to him.

“Sit down Gates. You’re just as guilty as he is.” Snapped Izzy at Gates who sank back into his seat.

“I’m waiting for you to make up a pathetic story about Annie being in the hospital so at least I can call you a liar.” Said Izzy with her arms folded.

A sickening silence fell over the room as Izzy stared daggers at both Gates and Shadows.

“Isabel, we couldn’t tell you.” Began Shadows getting up from his seat. Gates cleared his throat loudly and Shadows sighed. “I couldn’t tell you. I knew how you would react.”

“Tell me Shadows. How did you think I would react?” asked Izzy cocking her eyebrow at him.

“Like this.” Said Shadows gesturing at Izzy.

“No Shadows. I’m furious right now. You both knew what happened to my best friend. Someone who has been there for me my entire life and you both kept that away from me. How could you?” said Izzy, fighting to keep her voice strong.

“Isabel, you have to understand….” Started Shadows.

“I don’t have to understand Shadows. Not after the fact. You promised me that you would tell me anything you found out about Jake Night. I’m not as dense as you think. I figured it out on my own that he was behind her attack.” Shouted Izzy, advancing towards Shadows.

“Izzy, please, I know you’re upset.” Said Gates getting up to join Shadows but his step faltered at the look in Izzy’s eyes.

“You have no idea how I feel Gates.” She growled at him.

“Isabel, I wanted to tell you but I couldn’t risk you wanting to go to her. I knew you would want to be at her side but that’s exactly what Night wanted you to do.” Said Shadows calmly.

“Of course I would have wanted to go to her you fucking idiot!” roared Izzy. “It’s expected. But if you had treated me as your equal and told me what was going on then I would have accepted that I couldn’t. I’ve accepted worse haven’t i?”

Shadows hung his head at a loss for words. He knew exactly what Izzy meant by those words. Hearing her insinuating it hurt him to his core.

“And you! You were at the hospital with her and you never once mentioned her to me.” Screamed Izzy rounding on Gates who gave her a sad look. “Even if he didn’t want to say something, you could have!”

Gates let out an agitated sigh. He had wanted to tell Izzy from the moment he had found out but because Shadows had asked him not to he had to use every ounce of willpower not to tell her the truth. Now, that the proverbial cat was out of the bag, he had no excuse for his actions. At the end of the day he was given a direct order by his superior and he had no choice but to follow. Izzy may have become a friend to him but that didn’t outweigh his loyalty to Shadows.

“I’m sorry Izzy. I really am.” Said Gates softly, giving Izzy a sincere look.

“I should have trusted enough in you to know that you would understand.” Said Shadows lowly. He knew that he was wrong and there was no point arguing with Izzy. This time he accepted his fate knowing that he had brought Izzy’s wrath upon himself.

Izzy looked at both of them, her gaze softening as she saw the looks of sincerity on both their faces.

“I think I’ve lost the only friend I’ve ever had.” Whispered Izzy, looking down at her shoes as fresh tears threatened to fall.

Gates’ head snapped up and he looked at Izzy with a small smile. “No, don’t think like that. I did have a word with Annie and I explained as much as I could to her. You haven’t lost her.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that a lot of the things she said earlier were true.” Said Izzy, sadness creeping into her voice as her anger disappeared.

“Those things are only true if you believe in them. I personally think that Annie said those things out of anger.” Said Shadows reasonably.

“Give her some time Izzy, she’ll come around.” Said Gates resting his hand reassuringly on Izzy’s shoulder.

****

Izzy made her way upstairs lost deep in thought. As she finally made it to the top, a calloused hand grabbed her roughly, pulling her down the corridor to the left, away from her room. She struggled against the tight grip, giving Vengeance a venomous look.

“Let go of me Vengeance.” She spat at him, trying to wrench her hand free from his grasp.

He pushed her against the corridor wall, caging her body with his.

“Do you have any idea how hot you are when you’re angry?” he whispered in her ear before nipping at her neck.

Izzy pushed against his chest. She didn’t want to do this with Vengeance now. All she wanted was a hot bath and her bed. She gave him a death glare when he refused to budge. Before she could make another move, his lips crashed down on hers, causing a low moan to fall from her lips. He grabbed her waist and pulled her to him, as his tongue invaded her mouth. She moaned against his lips as he grinded himself against her, letting her feel his erection. She made a move to palm him through his jeans but he grabbed her wrist. A low growl ripped through his lips as he broke away from her. Izzy’s mind was clouded with dark lust as she gazed up at Vengeance who had a smirk hanging from his plump lips. She still hadn’t gotten a chance to process what had happened between them last night but the guilt of it began to slowly creep into her mind erasing the lust.

“We can’t do this. Not now.” She whispered as he regarded her with hooded eyes before gently nipping at her neck again.

“Of course we can. Don’t deny your body what it wants.” He breathed against her skin, causing Izzy’s eyelashes to flutter at the contrast of his cold snakebites and warm breath on her neck.

“My body may want this but my mind doesn’t Vengeance.” Said Izzy firmly trying to pull her wrist out of Vengeance’s now tightening grip. She let out a soft cry of pain. “You’re hurting me.”

Vengeance gave her a sinister look before pecking her gently on the lips. When he looked at her his eyes were cold and devoid of emotion. He released her and walked away, slamming his bedroom door shut causing Izzy to jump.

“Care to explain what the hell that was about?” said a soft voice from the shadows of the corridor.

Izzy felt her cheeks flush as Jimmy stepped out into the light, studying Izzy with concerned eyes. He gave her a small smile and gestured for her to come into his room. Izzy knew that she couldn’t hide anything from Jimmy. He knew her too well.

“Ah hell.” Sighed Izzy to herself as she entered Jimmy’s room.

Megan hovered silently near Izzy’s room. Frustration and anger boiled in her veins as she watched Izzy enter Jimmy’s room. Seething, Megan stomped down the stairs as she replayed the scene she had witnessed between Izzy and Vengeance. A small smirk crept over her lips. She made her way to the kitchen and pulled down a bottle of white wine and poured herself a glass.

Stepping into the cool night’s air, Megan took a small sip of her wine. The stars twinkled as the moonlight shone brightly in the sky. Slowly but surely, everything would fall into place. Her plan was coming together.

‘Jake would be proud’ she thought casting a devious stare at the moon.