23

Images of Izzy falling to the ground kept flashing through Vengeance’s mind every time he closed his eyes. He groaned and rolled over, his arms snaking around the warm body next to him. He had met his newest conquest at Scream last night and she had proven to be most distracting until exhaustion kicked in. Vengeance shifted his position again and shielded his eyes against the steady sunlight filtering into his room. Izzy’s unconscious body flashed again in his mind but this time there was blood staining her dress and skin. Over and over images raced through his mind, blurring together. Growling, Vengeance pulled himself upright and looked over at the sleeping form next to him, her brown hair spilling over the black silk pillows.

Vengeance began nibbling at her neck until she woke with a small moan. He wound his arms around her, shifting her naked body so that she was beneath him. Desperately needing another distraction, Vengeance pinned the now half-sleeping girl’s wrists above her and her eyes flew open.

“Again?” she whispered arching her body beneath his, her bright blue eyes accepting Vengeance’s late afternoon challenge.

“Again.” Growled Vengeance lining himself up with her moist entrance. He plunged into her and the both let out loud moans. She met each of his powerful thrusts, rolling her hips slightly as she did. “No.” growled Vengeance, venom dripping from his words as he grabbed her hip, pushing her back down onto the mattress. “This is not for you to enjoy.”

He picked up his speed reaching an almost brutal pace as the girl writhed beneath him clearly in discomfort. He spun her around, pulling her to her knees in one fluid motion before plunging into her again. She cried out beneath him and Vengeance could just about make out the sobs that escaped her lips. He didn’t care, he just needed to feel, to give into the pleasure of making someone else hurt. He didn’t want to think, not yet. Merciless in his rhythm, Vengeance could feel his climax approaching as his short nails dug into the girl’s skin while he held her squirming body in place. He slammed into her a few more times before spilling himself within her. Panting, Vengeance collapsed next to her, a thin layer of sweat coating his ink adorned skin.

“Get dressed and get out Catherine.” He spat at her.

The girl let out a choked sob as she crawled away from Vengeance. “My name is Caitlyn” she said softly as she began picking up her clothes, wincing slightly.

“I prefer Catherine.” said Vengeance coldly as he watched the brunette gather her things before heading to his bathroom. He rolled over and closed his eyes. He would have to find Catherine again; such a pretty little thing with such dirty ways. For now, Vengeance welcomed the sleep that seemed to have been evading him. He barely heard his bedroom door open and close as he fell into a fitful sleep filled with Izzy’s terrified eyes.

****

“How the hell did he even get in there?” shouted Shadows at Jimmy, Christ and the Berry Twins who all looked at Shadows with blank expressions. “And what’s worse, he planted that cunt in my house, right under my nose.”

Jimmy hung his head in shame as images of Megan’s smiling face flashed in his mind. She had told him only last night that she loved him and now, Jimmy was beginning to think it was all a lie. She was a lie. Frustration and anger boiled inside of him at the thought of Megan using him. She had used them all, she had betrayed them, giving Izzy to Jake Night on a silver platter. She had never cared for him, not once, her words, her touch even her smiles, they were all a lie.

“So what are you going to have us do Matt? Brian’s hurt bad and Izzy…” Jimmy’s voice faltered at the thought of Izzy.

“Doc said that Brian will make a recovery, that he was lucky.” Said Christ solemnly

“Johnny, when Doc comes down, have him see me will you.” Said Shadows, his voice filled with muted rage. Christ nodded his head and got up from his seat.

“Jason and Matt, could you please go to security and tell them to be at the annex in 10, I will be there shortly.” Commanded Shadows as the Berry twins nodded and left.

Jimmy closed his eyes briefly, willing images of him and Megan to disappear. When he reopened them, Shadows was looking at him intently.

“Jimmy, I know that this is…..” began Shadows, the rage fading from his voice as he looked at his friend’s painstakingly torn expression.

“Don’t Matt.” Said Jimmy cutting off Shadows. “I just need time to process everything.”

With that, Jimmy left the room, his shoulders sagging slightly and his eyes dull. He thought that he had found something special with Megan. She was everything he had wanted in a woman; fun loving, ambitious, slightly strange. Now she was gone and she had taken a piece of his heart with her. Jimmy trudged towards Gates’ room to check on his best friend. Not only had Izzy been compromised but Gates had been injured as well. So much had changed in just one night. Jimmy felt as if he were crumbling slowly on the inside. With a shaking hand, he pushed open Gates’ door and Johnny gave him a sad look. Throwing himself onto the chair that he pulled next to Gates’ bedside, Jimmy allowed tears to flow freely from his eyes as the doctor and Johnny retreated silently. Having lost so much already in life, Jimmy refused to lose anything more. He couldn’t. He didn’t think his heart could stand it.

****

“Sir, she’s awake.” Came a soft voice from near the doorway.

Leaving his office in a hurry, he barreled through the house and took the stairs two at a time. He had waited patiently for this moment and now that it had come, he could feel his blood pumping through his veins as he stood at the doorway to the room in which she had been in for the last eight hours. He knocked on the door and entered. She was standing near the mirror, still dressed in her evening gown, her hair slightly tousled. There were flecks of blood marring her beautiful dress but her attendants had gotten rid of the blood on her hands. He didn’t want to alarm her further. Her eyes met his in the mirror and he could see the emotions cross her face; sadness, fear, apprehension.

“Mattie?” she said softly, her eyes focused steadily on his through the mirror.

He crossed the space between them and swept her up into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and let out a soft sigh as he buried his head in the crook of her neck letting out a sigh of his own.

“Mattie, I was so scared.” She sobbed into his chest. “Megan, she was working for Night and he shot her, she’s dead!”

“I know Isabel” said Shadows trying to sound calm. His emotions were all over the place as he held Izzy’s body against his. “None of us had any idea that she was working for him.”

Izzy shook in his arms as she cried, images of Megan’s wide blue eyes staring blankly at the ceiling as blood pooled around her.

“Gates! Is he alright?” gasped Izzy, allowing Shadows to lead her to her bed where they both sat down. He took her trembling hand in his as he gave her a weak smile.

“The doctor said that the bullet missed his major organs but he had to undergo surgery to remove it. He’s in his room resting.” Said Shadows softly.

“If he and Vengeance didn’t get to me when they did, I would be waking up somewhere totally different.” Sniffed Izzy as she looked at Shadows who hung his head, unable to meet her eyes.

“I keep failing you. Night is always a step ahead of me.” Said Shadows dejectedly.

“You still haven’t failed me. You had no idea that Megan was working for him. None of us did. Oh God! Jimmy!” cried Izzy, fresh tears falling from her eyes. “He must be so hurt!”

Shadows felt as if he were slowly falling apart. So many people had been hurt last night. His mind reeled at the thought of his friends and family suffering so cruelly. Brian and Jimmy were his family as were Johnny and Zacky. Shadows held his head in his hands, frustration consuming him.

“I can’t keep anyone safe anymore it seems.” He said darkly as he willed images of Brian’s bloody wound away. Izzy fell to her knees before Shadows and lifted his chin with her slender fingers, forcing him to look at her. He was taken aback by the care and concern swimming in her tearful grey eyes.

“You’re doing the best you can for your family.” She whispered to him as she scooted closer so that she knelt between his open legs.

“No Isabel. Zacky’s was shot and now Brian, both by that fucking cunt Night. You were almost kidnapped last night, and before that you and Jimmy were both in danger. What’s next? Johnny? Does he have to be threatened too?” rasped Shadows, trying to pull away from Izzy’s grasp. She gave him a stern look.

“Night may have threatened almost all of us, but we just have to come up with a way to ensure that we get the upper hand. I don’t want to keep looking over my shoulder every time I’m not here.” Said Izzy resolutely, releasing Shadows’ chin and leaning back onto her heels. “You promised to keep me safe and I’m holding you to that promise.”

Shadows gave Izzy a grave look but the determination blazing in Izzy’s eyes softened his expression. She had almost been kidnapped less than twelve hours ago and yet, her she sat before him, her internal strength radiating off of her in waves. She was mesmerizing as she gazed at him with resolve, willing him with her mind to draw strength from her now that he felt so weak. Izzy watched Shadows straighten his shoulders, his hazel eyes blazing with the same resolve as Izzy’s.

“I did make you a promise and I fully intend to keep it.” said Shadows quietly as he held out his hand for Izzy to take. She placed her hand in his and he pulled her to her feet. They stood there together, their fingers intertwined, neither of them speaking. Shadows leaned down and Izzy’s lips parted slightly as her eyes fluttered closed. She felt Shadows press his soft lips to her cheek. “Thank you.” He said softly in her ear, his voice gravelly. He walked out of her room without another word, the door snapping shut behind him.

Izzy lifted her fingers to brush the place on her cheek that Shadows had just kissed as she gazed at the door that he had just closed. His lips felt as if they had seared her skin and Izzy relished the feeling as her stomach did somersaults. For the first time in months she had addressed by his name rather than Shadows. It marked a significant change for Izzy. A change that would lead to a brighter tomorrow. A change that would lead to a brighter her. She would not live in fear of Jake Night for she had Shadows and the rest of the gang to protect her. Fear was no longer an option.

Notes