23

Izzy and Shadows hadn’t spoken to each other for a week. Each of them harbored their own aversion to the other and it made for tension filled situations at the mansion. Shadows couldn’t force the images of Izzy and Vengeance out of his mind the same way Izzy couldn’t rid herself of visions of Shadows’ shackled sextoy. Izzy had no intentions of talking to Shadows, only if it was absolutely necessary and it was quite obvious that Shadows felt the same, unbeknown to Izzy. She had no idea that he had seen her and Vengeance together in the kitchen. Jimmy and Christ had taken turns trying to get the two of them to talk everything out but it was to no avail. The two of them were possibly the most stubborn people on earth. Izzy had point blanked refused while Shadows kicked both Jimmy and Christ out of his office at the suggestion.

On an uncharacteristically chilly Friday afternoon, Izzy and Dana locked up the bookstore and the two of them parted ways. Izzy gave Gates a small smile as he helped her load gift baskets that she had received from customers into the trunk. The two of them climbed into the black Escalade and Izzy leaned back into her seat, closing her eyes briefly. She pulled her sweater closer to her body.

“So, I was thinking that I could take you Christmas shopping tomorrow.” Said Gates softly, causing Izzy’s eyes to snap open. She turned to face him, her brows furrowed slightly.

“You hate shopping in general.” She said matter-of-factly.

“True, but didn’t you say that you had to get some shopping done? I’m free tomorrow and willing to bite that bullet.” Replied Gates with a small wave of his hand.

Izzy launched herself across the seat and wrapped her arms around Gates who flushed slightly before awkwardly hugging her back. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” squealed Izzy as she hugged Gates tighter.

“Try not to smother me woman!” laughed Gates as Izzy pulled away from him, a large grin plastering her face. “And I suggest making a list of everything you want. Let’s make tomorrow as painless as possible.”

“You know I hate lists.” Smiled Izzy as she watched Gates blanch slightly.

“What have I gotten myself into?” grumbled Gates as Izzy burst into a fit of excited giggles.

Fifteen minutes later, they pulled up to the mansion and Izzy clambered out of the Escalade behind Gates. With arms laden with gift baskets they walked into the house where they met an agitated looking Vengeance, who was pacing the foyer muttering to himself.

“Someone forget to take their crazy pills again?” grinned Gates as he walked past Vengeance who flipped him off, still muttering to himself.

Izzy adjusted the gift basket in her hands, balancing it precariously on her hip and cradling it with her left arm. She reached out with her now free hand to touch Vengeance’s forearm. His entire body tensed when she touched him and Izzy felt as if she had made a mistake doing so. She had never done anything of the sort with him. She had never shown any concern. His emerald eyes bored into her grey ones and Izzy could make out the muted fury swirling in them.

“What’s wrong?” asked Izzy cautiously.

“Fucking Shadows is a fucking cunt that’s what’s wrong.” seethed Vengeance.

“We know this. What’s he done this time?” asked Izzy as Vengeance regarded her for a moment. She could make out the conflict in his eyes, as if he were battling for words.

“He mentioned something about you….and me….” Said Vengeance with contempt. His voice was deadly soft and his eyes flashed dangerously when Izzy shot him a quizzical look. “What the fuck did you do?” he all but shouted at her.

“What the fuck did I do?” said Izzy angrily. “How the fuck is this my fault?”

“Shadows is beyond pissed off, he tried to sock me in the eye five minutes ago.” Growled Vengeance “Right after he said something about fucking you.” Vengeance closed the space between Izzy, using his height to his advantage. He was only a few inches taller than Izzy but he towered over her. He grabbed Izzy’s arm harshly.

“You are fucking me you idiot.” Spat Izzy, trying to pull away from Vengeance’s grasp. She knew that he was volatile at best but there was something frightening in the way he looked down at her. Izzy’s fear mixed with lust as he gripped her arm tighter.

“Yes but how the hell did he find out. I sure as hell didn’t tell him.” snapped Vengeance. Izzy forced herself to tear her gaze away from his lips. She could feel her body warming under his forceful touch and Izzy was sure he felt it too. His eyes swirled again, his green eyes darkening with sinister lust.

“I saw you.” came a deep gravelly voice from behind them.

Izzy nearly dropped the gift basket as Vengeance’s eyes snapped away from hers. Izzy whirled around to see Shadows standing a few feet away from them. He had clearly just left his office judging from the position of his body. Izzy gave him a disgusted look as he regarded both of them with cool indifference. Vengeance’s fingers were still wrapped painfully around Izzy’s arm. Shadows stalked off towards the kitchen and Vengeance stared after him.

“Great. Now the almighty Shadows knows about us.” grimaced Vengeance, his eyes cold as his fingers slackened their grip.

“Who the hell cares if he knows?” asked Izzy, pulling free of Vengeance’s hold.

“No one cares. It’s no longer fun.” said Vengeance with a vindictive smirk that made Izzy’s blood crawl. “It was more of a challenge taking something he wanted. Now that he knows, there’s no point having you anymore is there?”

Before Izzy’s brain could fully register exactly what Vengeance meant, her palm connected harshly with his cheek. She had mustered all her strength and put it all into that one blow. Vengeance’s eyes flared with anger. He grabbed her wrist as she raised her hand again.

“You were a good fuck but you no longer interest me.” He spat before pushing her away from him.

Stunned, Izzy stared after him as he walked out the front door. She jumped when he slammed the door with so much force that the door frame shook violently. Hot tears cascaded down her cheeks as she stood in the foyer, ashamed of herself. It had all been a game to Vengeance. Taking something that Shadows wanted. A sick twisted game and she had foolishly allowed him to use her. She knew he had no real feelings for her, such a man was incapable of feelings. But never did she think that he was using her for his own selfish gain. He had succeeded in his plan. Everything he had told her was to take her away from Shadows and bring her closer to him. The warning, the girl on Shadows’ desk, her discovery. He had planted the seeds in her brain and she didn’t even know it. Humiliated, Izzy headed upstairs. She needed to clear her head. She had never been anybody’s fool and now she was Vengeance’s.

****

Shadows heard the front door slam and judging by the slamming door from upstairs he guessed that Vengeance had left the mansion. He pushed his concern for Izzy to the back of mind, unwilling to be the first one to break the silence between them. He had a sickening feeling that Vengeance had hurt her no doubt by his callous words. As he had walked away he could make out snippets of their conversation by straining his ears. Vengeance had a way with words that would diminish any lesser creature but his words had to be extraordinarily venomous to hurt Izzy.

“Did you even hear what I just said Matt?” asked Gates worriedly as he took a large gulp of his beer.

Shadows tore his thoughts away from Izzy and settled back into his conversation with his second in command.

“No.” said Shadows bluntly. “Repeat.”

“I said that Jimmy went out today and dealt with the men that burnt down the yacht.” Said Gates slightly irritated. He hated repeating himself.

“I don’t understand Night’s men.” said Jimmy waltzing into the kitchen from the living room. “You kill one and three more pop up. They’re like goddamned cockroaches.”

“Cockroaches indeed Jimmy but Night’s attacks are becoming more and more vicious. He’s bordering our territory now.” Said Shadows angrily. “There were three crewmen on board that yacht.”

“I don’t understand why we don’t put a bullet between his eyes Matt.” Growled Gates looking at Shadows.

“We can’t even if the opportunity presents itself. He’s too well connected. Bastard got Gontier to agree to an audience with him.” spat Shadows causing Gates to choke slightly on his beer.

“How the fuck did he do that?” wheezed Gates, his eyes watering slightly.

“Gontier wouldn’t agree to anything that man asks. He rejected his proposition last time.” chimed Jimmy his brows furrowing.

“Night’s more powerful now than he was back then. He’s almost on par with us. He’s taken most of the West Coast already. He murdered Taylor in his sleep recently.” Said Shadows solemnly. “If he petitions for acquisition of our territory Gontier may consider it. He’s done things like this in the past.”

Gates folded his arms across his chest as he stared at Shadows who seemed lost for a moment.

“Everything we’ve built can come crashing down around our ears if we don’t do something.” Said Shadows softly.

“Set up a meeting with Gontier. Do it before Night does. You’ve always been on good terms with Gontier, he has no reason not to see you.” Said Gates reasonably as he handed Shadows a beer.

“We can start fighting fire with fire. I’m dying to blow something up.” Came Christ’s voice out of nowhere. Shadows smiled inwardly at the idea. “A couple blocks of C4 and we’re good to go. We can start with that mansion he built in the Hamptons.” Christ’s eyes glinted maliciously. “And we can blow up his safe houses too. Good thing we got that information out of his little slut the other day. Who the hell intimates that kind of information to a whore?”

Jimmy chuckled into his bag of chips as Shadows smirked into his beer.

“Night isn’t the only one with moles. And Fienix is the best at what she does. She’s a highly trained intelligence agent.” Said Shadows with a large wicked grin staining his lips. “Therefore her role as his…ahem…slut as you say was indeed persuasive. It doesn’t seem that he has any idea that she’s working for us.”

“Where did you say you found her?” asked Jimmy curiously.

“In Gates’ bed.” Snickered Shadows as Gates frowned at him. “She was more than willing to take on the roll after he asked her to. Seems like she was planted here by that jackass Haden from LAPD.”

“I had to be doing something right if she was willing to turn into a spy for us.” Said Gates smugly.

“And how do you know she isn’t still working for Haden.” Asked Christ with a frown.

“Because Fienix, my dear vertically challenged friend, was always on our side. Haden thought that she was clean but she had infiltrated LAPD as per my request.” said Gates sounding slightly arrogant.

“All hail the mighty cock of Synsyter Gates.” snorted Jimmy causing Shadows to laugh as well while Gates shot him a disdainful look. “Causing women to do immoral things since the beginning of his existence.”

The atmosphere lightened considerably as the four men stood around the kitchen laughing and joking with one another. Shadows knew that he had quite the task ahead of him with getting Gontier to hear him out. Gontier was famed for his lack of compassion at times and in the business that all of them where in, compassion was something extremely hard to come by.

*****

Izzy woke the next morning puffy eyed and exhausted. She had spent the majority of the night crying while tossing and turning, Vengeance’s words echoing relentlessly in her ears. Jimmy had come to check on her when she didn’t come down for dinner but she just crawled further beneath her blanket with her back to him. He stayed with her for a little while. He had eventually left, telling her that whatever it was that she was upset about she could always turn to him for help.

Izzy trudged to bathroom, refusing to look at her reflection in the mirror, afraid of what she would see staring back at her. Twenty minutes later she had finished her morning routine and was in her closet searching for something to wear. She settled on a pair of light blue jeans and a pink top with cream colored pumps. Izzy could shop until she dropped, even in heels. Maybe a day away from the mansion would help her feel better. As she clasped the heart necklace that the guys had given to her around her neck, she briefly looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair fell in soft messy waves down her back but her grey eyes were dull and sad. She applied a coat of lip gloss to her full lips just as someone knocked on her door.

“Come in.” she said as she threw her lip gloss into her bag. She watched Gates saunter into her room from the mirror. He was dressed in a tight fitting charcoal grey v neck tee shirt and black jeans. His sunglasses hung from the neckline of his tee shirt. He regarded her with soft eyes as she threw a few items into her handbag.

“Ready to go? I thought we’d grab some breakfast at Carlos’s first.” said Gates with a smiled hanging from his thin lips as he watched Izzy skitter around her room.

“Carlos’s sounds great. You’re going to need all the energy you can get.” Said Izzy as she walked towards him, her hips swaying as she brushed past him.

“I figured we would take my car. Security detail can follow.” Said Gates as the two of them walked down the staircase and out of the front door. Izzy pulled out her sunglasses as the sun hit her eyes.

“Finally! One day of something representing normalcy.” She grinned at him. He smiled back at her as he opened the passenger door of his black BMW M5. “Why thank you Gates.”

“Brian. My name is Brian.” He said softly as Izzy gave him an appreciative smile.

“Thank you Brian.” Said Izzy as she settled into her seat, pulling on her seatbelt.

Brian smiled at her as he started the car. Izzy loved how the engine purred softly as they pulled out of the driveway. Izzy watched a black Dodge pull in front of them and turned around to see another one pull behind them.

“So much for normalcy.” shrugged Izzy as Brian laughed softly.

They cruised down the main street and pulled up in front of a quaint looking restaurant. There were only four other cars in the parking lot but Brian promised that the food was exceptional. They were seated immediately and the two of them fell into an easy conversation after they had placed their orders for full breakfast platters.

Izzy had never been alone with Brian unless he was picking her up from work. He was easy to talk to and had her laughing as he recounted stories from his childhood. She learned a lot about him as he spoke. He seemed calm and at ease with himself and but he still exuded a menacing aura that seemed to have the other patrons uneasy. Izzy couldn’t imagine Brian being anything other than Shadows’ second in command. He was intimidating but it didn’t faze Izzy. She had grown accustomed living with the A7X gang. She no longer saw them as notorious, ruthless gang members. They were the closest thing she had to a family after only 6 months. That family may be filled with complications and tension but they were still a family and Jimmy had made sure that she felt welcome from the very first day.

Brian seemed oblivious to the waitress’s flirtatious advances as she put their food in front of them. He didn’t even give her a sideways glance as she pushed out her ample breasts while batting her eyelashes. The waitress glared daggers at Izzy who just gave her a sarcastic smile, causing the waitress to stalk off towards the kitchen. The two of them tucked into their breakfast which consisted of scrambled eggs, bacon and pancakes. Izzy ordered a bowl of fresh fruit that Brian shamelessly kept stealing from. He had been right about the food. It really was exceptional. Thirty minutes later, the two of them left the establishment feeling content as they drove towards LA.

Izzy spent the entire day combing the various malls and shopping avenues for gifts for everyone. She had picked up a few things for Annie and Dana as well as Jimmy and Christ. She was at a loss as to what to get Shadows and Vengeance. Even though she wasn’t on speaking terms with Shadows and as of last night Vengeance, she still wanted to get them something in the spirit of Christmas. Brian had taken her into a gaming store where they purchased Call of Duty 2: Black Ops for Shadows. They made their way to a vintage music store where they found the very first Misfits album and Izzy settled on purchasing it for Vengeance. Four hours later, laden with bags of gifts, Brian began complaining and Izzy laughed at him, promising to take him for ice cream if he stopped whining. She had sneakily purchased a bottle of cologne for Brian after he had mentioned in passing that he liked how it smelt. Acting fast while Brian busied himself at the candy store after complaining that he would die if he didn’t get sugar into his system Izzy had successful gotten his gift.

It was well after 4 in the afternoon when the two of them settled back into Brian’s car. He seemed to be relieved that Izzy was finally done. His face paled when she said she wanted to stop at another mall. Izzy burst out laughing at the look on Brian’s face and assured him that there would be no more shopping for the rest of the day.

The two of them pulled out onto the freeway, heading in the opposite direction of the mansion.

“Brian? Where are we going?” asked Izzy looking at Brian whose features were set in determination.

“You sure ask a lot of questions. Makes it hard to surprise you.” He said nonchalantly without taking his eyes off the road.

“Surprise? What surprise?” asked Izzy excitedly as Brian grimaced at her.

“It would be defeating the purpose of the surprise if I told you idiot.” He smirked at her, his eyes lingering on hers for the briefest of seconds before flickering back to the road.

Izzy watched as the landscape changed as the sun shone brightly in the bright blue sky. The city limits faded away and Izzy watched rolling hills fly past her as she gazed out of the window while listening to Brian’s fingers thrum idly on the steering wheel. Finally, an hour and a half later, with the sun hanging low in the sky, they pulled up to a great flat house with a sprawling front yard. They drove through the wrought iron gates and pulled up in front of the house. Izzy shot Brian a confused look.

“Just get out.” smiled Brian as he unbuckled his seatbelt and hopped out of the car, nodding at the driver of the Dodge that pulled up behind them.

Izzy applied a coat of lipstick and checked her hair, unsure what kind of situation she would be walking into. Finally she emerged from the car and walked over to Brian who laced his fingers through hers. She walked next to him, confused and a little apprehensive.

“Master Gates, so lovely to see you again.” Said a cheerful old lady after opening the front door to let the two of them in. Izzy stepped into the house and shied closer to Brian who simply squeezed her hand reassuringly. “You must be Miss Blackburn. So lovely to finally meet you.”

Brian led her through the house and Izzy’s nerves screamed at her as they stood in front of a vast oak double door.

“Now will you tell me?” whined Izzy trying to steady her nerves. She hated not knowing what to expect.

“Why would I tell you when I can just show you?” asked Brian with a smile dangling from his lips. He opened the doors and they entered a room with a large wood burning fireplace. The room itself was tastefully decorated; its furniture adding to its beauty. Izzy’s eyes scanned the room carefully and her eyes fell on a woman standing near the large French windows with her back to them. Izzy’s heart skipped a beat and she looked at Brian uncertainly. The woman turned around and Izzy felt as if she would faint.

“Surprise.” Whispered Brian in Izzy’s ear while releasing her hand before turning to leave the room.

“Mommy?” cried Izzy, running into the woman’s arms. “Mommy! It’s really you!”

“Yes my darling.” cooed the older woman stroking her daughter’s hair affectionately, tears cascading down her cheeks as she did so.

“I’ve missed you so much. I didn’t know if I would see you again. Shadows said….” whimpered Izzy as she hugged her mother tightly.

“Master Shadows has taken very good care of me. He’s seen to my every need.” said Mrs. Blackburn reassuringly as she pulled away from her daughter. She took Izzy’s hand and led her one of the couches.

“Mommy, everything we knew about daddy, it was a lie.” cried Izzy as she sat next to her mother.

“I know child. Master Shadows explained it all to me. Such a sad way for your father to be taken away from us. But he did the right thing by making sure you were safe. The man that wants you is a monster.” Said her mother softly, stroking her daughter’s cheek.

“Tell me how you’ve been?” said Izzy, trying to compose herself. “I missed you. I hate not being able to talk to you.”

“Oh my darling I have been fine. I have everything I could ever want and more. An old lady like me doesn’t need much. But I’ve heard that you’ve made quite a business out of that bookstore. Master Gates calls twice a week to update me on your progress.” Said her mother with a proud smile. “He couldn’t tell you about the calls nor about my whereabouts for security reasons dear.” Said her mother knowingly as if sensing Izzy’s irritation with Brian.

“Oh mommy! So much has changed over the last six months. Annie hates me and I hate myself for not being able to tell her everything.” Blurted Izzy as her mother held her hand, patting it gently.

“Annie will come around. You two have been friends for so long. There will come a time when you will be able to tell her.” Said her mother gently. “Now what is it that’s bothering you so baby? I can see it in your eyes.”

Izzy crumbled and fell apart before her mother. She told her everything. About Shadows and her feelings for him as well as her discovery; about Vengeance and his game; everything. The words tumbled out of her mouth as her mother listened with rapt attention. Tears fell from Izzy’s eyes as she spoke all the while admitting things to her mother that she didn’t even want to admit to herself. Sniffing into the handkerchief that her mother gave her at some point, Izzy looked at her mother expectantly. She had always been able to seek advice from her mother, no matter the situation.

“What has happened between you and these men is indeed heart breaking but you need to come to terms that it is what it is. If you really care about Master Shadows as much as I know you do, then perhaps you should give him a chance to explain everything to you.” Said her mother perceptively. “Stop being stubborn and listen to him. If you don’t give him a proper chance to explain you will never be content.” Izzy tensed as her mother spoke. “Give him a chance sweetheart, to explain and then make your decision.”

Izzy stared at her mother, slightly aghast by the idea of having to listen to Shadows explain himself.

“And if you decide that you cannot accept him, then at least your decision would have made based on fact rather than perception.” Finished her mother as Izzy gaped at her.

Mrs. Blackburn chuckled as the door re-opened an hour later. Brian entered the room and smiled at both women who were standing near the fireplace.

“I’m sorry to cut you short but we need to leave.” said Brian sounding slightly anxious though his smile never faltered. Izzy knew something was wrong.

“Remember what I told you baby.” Whispered Mrs. Blackburn as she hugged her daughter with tears in her eyes. She smiled at Brian knowingly over her daughter’s shoulder and Brian shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. “Besides, there is someone else who seems to be hopelessly in love with you.” She said softly as Brian left the room. Izzy looked at her mother, even more confused. Her mother was always eerily gifted when it came to knowing things that were not obvious to everyone else.

“What?” asked Izzy looking at her mother who simply shrugged before wrapping her arm around Izzy’s waist.

Mrs. Blackburn and Izzy walked together to the foyer where Brian was talking hurriedly into his cellphone looking increasingly agitated. He muttered something to the person on the other line before ending the call. He tucked his phone into his pocket and smiled at the two women, masking his unease.

“Mrs. Blackburn.” Said Brian as he pecked Izzy’s mother on the cheek.

“Take care of my little girl Master Gates. She’s all I have left.” Said Mrs. Blackburn tearfully.

“I will Mrs. Blackburn.” Promised Brian as he walked out the door.

“I will miss you so much. Merry Christmas mommy.” sniffed Izzy, trying to hold back her tears.

“Merry Christmas my little one. Master Gates has given me the best gift I could have ever asked for.” Said Mrs. Blackburn softly, hugging her daughter tightly. She placed a small box in her daughter’s hand. It was wrapped with pale purple paper and had a neat white bow on top.

“Thank you mommy. I love you.” whispered Izzy kissing her mother’s cheek.

“I love you too.” Replied Mrs Blackburn.

Tearfully Izzy broke away from her mother and turned to leave. Brian was waiting for her in the middle of the footpath and he ushered her to the car, his hand hovering near the small of Izzy’s back, not quite touching her. Izzy climbed into the car and buckled her seat belt, waving to her mother who stood on the door step as Brian pulled away from the house.

Izzy allowed her tears to roll down her cheeks as she opened the gift from her mother. With trembling hands she opened the box and gasped at the charm bracelet inside. She pulled it out of the box and stared at the glittering charms that twinkled at her. The bracelet was the exact one she had seen months ago in a jewelry store when she had gone shopping with her mother. The moon and stars charms danced as Izzy fastened the bracelet around her wrist.

“It’s beautiful.” Murmured Brian glancing at the bracelet as Izzy stroked the charms.

“Thank you Brian. For this. For today.” Said Izzy softly. Brian didn’t respond, he just smiled at her, his chocolate colored eyes bright. Izzy noticed that his tattooed fingers were gripping the steering wheel tightly until his knuckles were almost deathly white.

“Why would you do this for me?” asked Izzy cautiously. Brian gazed at her before his eyes flickered once again to the road.

“Isn’t it obvious?” he said quietly.

Izzy felt her heart constrict at his words. Suddenly, sickening sounds of crunching metal and screeching tires rang out in Izzy’s ears as pain exploded behind her eyes. She reached out for Brian as the car careened violently towards a tree. Bright lights shone in Izzy’s eyes, blinding her as she felt Brian grip her hand in his. Gunshots rang out through the cool night air, mingled with shattering glass. Pain blossomed throughout Izzy’s body as Brian’s car hit the large weeping willow. Her head hit the glass of her door and black dots clouded Izzy’s vision. She struggled to look at Brian who was slumped against his door, blood cascading down his cheek from a gash on the side of his head. His breathing was shallow as he struggled to open his eyes as the tree trunk bared down behind him.

Izzy blinked away the blood that dripped into her left eye and she gingerly raised her hand to touch the wound on her brow. She winced slightly as bright red blood stained her fingers when she pulled her hand away.

“Brian!” she said loudly, her voice cracking slightly. She reached across and shook him. “Brian!”

More gunshots rang out and Izzy could feel fear grip her soul. She could make out figures moving quickly towards Brian’s wrecked vehicle. “Brian! Wake up!” screamed Izzy as Brian’s eyes flew open. He groaned in pain.

“Izzy.” he said hoarsely, reaching out for her. Pain seized his entire body.

Suddenly, Izzy’s door was violently ripped open and large hands grabbed her roughly, pulling her out of the car away from Brian. She struggled against her captor but the pain in her body clouded her movements. Izzy struggled valiantly as her body throbbed viciously. She could hear shouts and gunshots echo around her and just as she slipped into darkness, she heard Shadows’ roar of fury screaming her name.