Shadows drew his gun, aiming for between the eyes of the man with a limp Izzy in his arms. He had never once missed a target and he didn’t intend to start now. A sinister smile crept over the man’s lips as his eyes flickered to a spot just to Shadows’ left. Shadows felt the cold tip of a gun barrel at the back of his neck and he stiffened. Vengeance, Jimmy and Christ shot each other furtive looks out of the corner of their eyes as each of them felt gun barrels pressing on the back of their skulls. The four of them dropped their guns to the ground and raised their hands into the air. They had been sorely outnumbered by Night’s men and now, Shadows watched as Izzy was loaded into a waiting Escalade that peeled away into the night as soon as Izzy was secured inside.

“What I wouldn’t do to put a bullet in your skull Shadows.” seethed the man behind him. He knew to whom that hate filled voice belonged; none other than Charlie Scene, Johnny 3 Tears’ younger brother.

Shadows could make out a faint whistle whispering through the night air, dancing on the soft breeze. To anyone else it could have been a bird or even a large insect but Shadows knew better. Though the sound was welcoming to his ears, it was 3 minutes too late.

“It’s a shame that it’s your skull that will have the bullet.” Spat Shadows as a bullet whizzed by his ear, sinking into Charlie Scene’s skull, right between the eyes. “I would have loved to put it there myself.”

Vengeance, Jimmy and Christ all heard the whizzing of bullets in their ears and listened to the satisfying thump of bodies hitting the floor all around them. All fifteen of Night’s men now lay dead on the dusty ground, each with a neat bullet hole between their eyes.

“Follow that vehicle JB, get Spence, Nicholas and Turner to intercept. Do not allow them to cross the border.” Ordered Shadows through his cellphone. He sidestepped lifeless bodies as he made his way to Gates’ wrecked vehicle. “They only have a three minute head start. They won’t get far if Spence’s team acts fast enough.”

Vengeance and Jimmy pulled Gates from the mangled car. Gates’ breathing was heavy and he was bleeding from his head. Jimmy carried Gates to his black BMW and Vengeance jumped into the driver’s seat. Jimmy could make out Vengeance snarling orders into his cellphone and there was no doubt in Jimmy’s mind that Vengeance was trying to get a hold of Doctor Henderson. Gates groaned as Jimmy tried to ease the flow of blood from his friend’s head would. Shadows climbed into the passenger seat and Vengeance sped off. They were an hour and a half from the mansion and all any of them could think about was what would happen next.

****

Loud shouts and blaring music caused Izzy to stir. She cracked her eyes open just a fraction as she took in the voices that were all unfamiliar to her. Her stomach began to knot as realization dawned upon her. She had been taken and even though she didn’t know the actual creeps that did the deed she knew exactly who orchestrated it. There were four men in the vehicle with her and each of them looked menacing in their own way. She dared not open her eyes, she had to come up with a plan and quickly. Her senses where coming back to her full speed as images of Brian and her mother floated in her mind while Shadows’ voice screaming her name echoed in her ears. She made her body as fluid as possible to keep up her ruse of being unconscious; allowing herself to lean into the men on either side of her when the driver took sharp corners. She half expected them to push her body away when she tumbled towards them but their touches were gentle which took Izzy by surprise.

Finally, after a painstakingly long drive, the vehicle finally pulled to a stop. From beneath her thick lashes, Izzy made out a large mansion which was now illuminated by up lights, giving the mansion itself an ethereal glow. Maintaining feigned unconsciousness, the man on her right took her in his arms and carried her into the mansion. Terror seized her body as she picked up snippets of his conversation with another man about the things Night probably had planned for her. Too frightened to open her eyes, Izzy counted the man’s heavy footsteps which were more like long strides. Five forward into the house, seven to the left, twenty five up a staircase, four to the right, a door opening and closing again then soft sheets against her skin followed by a door opening and closing then silence. Izzy had counted forty one of the man’s long strides which she doubled to get eighty two of her own footsteps. Eighty two footsteps from the room she was in to the front door. Memorizing the turns the man had made while taking her to the room, Izzy counted to one hundred in her mind before allowing her eyes to flutter open.

***

Shadows was on the phone with Gontier for about forty five minutes before emerging with a victorious look on his face. Vengeance looked at him curiously as Jimmy stopped pacing the foyer. He gave Shadows a hopeful look and Shadows allowed himself to grin at both his friends, both of whom visibly relaxed.

“Gontier has agreed that there was never any legal tie binding Isabel to Night which means Night has kidnapped someone who is under my dominion.” grinned Shadows, his voice a mixture of spite and excitement.

“Oh thank God for that. We need to get her back. Who the hell knows what he’ll do to her.” Said Jimmy anxiously, clasping Shadows by both shoulders. Izzy was more of a sister to him and Jimmy wanted her home where she would be safe.

“Gontier has his men heading to Night’s mansion as we speak. Night has seriously breeched Gontier’s laws which means he runs the risk of losing his entire domain. Gontier can strip him of everything if he wanted to.” said Shadows proudly. This was the moment he had been praying for all along. Night had taken things one step too far and thankfully Gontier was compassionate enough to hear Shadows out tonight.

“Bri will be fine guys. Just a mild concussion and a few hairline fractures on his wrist. Doc stitched up that gash on his forehead too” said Christ as he descended the staircase with Doctor Henderson.

“Excellent. Jimmy, come with me, we’re going to get Isabel back.” Ordered Shadows with a smile plastering his face although his voice was serious. “Vengeance and Christ, see that the perimeter is secure after we leave. I will update you when we get to Night’s mansion.

****

Izzy carefully walked around the room that she had been put into by her captors. There was a lavishly decorated four poster bed with white Egyptian cotton sheets from which she had just gotten up from and a small window with steel bars. Izzy peered through the window cautiously and took in the vast grounds which were softly illuminated by the moonlight. There was not much else she could make out but Izzy knew that she was on the second floor of the mansion.

The sound of the door being opened caught Izzy’s attention and she whirled around just in time to see Jake Night walk into the room looking smug. His fitted black blazer accentuated the muscles that seemed to ripple as he strode purposefully into the room, closing the distance between himself and Izzy. Behind him, two tall yet burly men walked into the room, their eyes glinting maliciously as they flexed their tattooed arms. Izzy recoiled slightly as Jake stood before her, his eyes blazing with victory.

“I finally have the pleasure of being in your company Miss Blackburn.” Said Night softly, his voice almost melodic.

“Only because you kidnapped me.” Spat Izzy as she straightened her shoulders. She refused to let Jake Night intimidate her.

“Such fire for one so beautiful. I quite enjoy that trait in a woman.” Said Night as he reached out to stroke Izzy’s cheek. She swatted his hand away, unwilling to let him touch her. His eyes darkened ever so slightly as he took a step away from her.

Izzy’s eyes flickered to the two men who were now bearing down on her as Jake Night turned on his heel to walk out of the door. One of the men grabbed her roughly, spinning her around and capturing her wrists behind her back only to secure them tightly with black cable ties. Izzy struggled against the restraints, wincing as they cut harshly into her skin. The other man pushed her roughly forward and led her out of the room. Izzy’s heart slammed in her chest and without thinking, she bolted down the short corridor. She could hear the thundering of footsteps behind her. She bent the corner and hastily made her way down the steps. She had made it to the fourth step downwards when she was grabbed by her waist and thrown unceremoniously over someone’s shoulder. Izzy squirmed and kicked out, pounding the man’s back with her fists as he carried her back up the stairs and headed left down a longer corridor. A string of profanities escaped Izzy’s mouth as the man laughed at her, the sound bitter and crass.

The man carried her to another room and once he had reached the middle, he threw her roughly to the floor. Sharp pain coursed through Izzy’s shoulders and hips as her body connected with the cold marbled floor. The door snapped closed behind the man as he exited, the sounds of his crude laughter ringing through the corridor. Izzy tugged at her restraints again but stopped when she heard movement behind her. Scrambling to her feet, Izzy came deadly close to Jake Night who had a thin smile hanging from his lips as his eyes glinted wickedly.

“Now Isabel, I’m going to make this very simple for you. You are mine. That said, I want to know everything you know about the A7X men. Spare no detail and I can assure you that you will be most comfortable.” Said Jake Night, his voice cold and reserved.

Izzy scoffed indignantly, “I am no one’s. You cannot own another human being Night.” She turned her face away from him, glaring furiously at the ground. She felt Night’s fingers harshly grab her chin, forcing her to look into his steely blue eyes.

“That is where you are wrong Isabel. I do own you. Your father made that abundantly clear before his…ah…untimely passing.” said Night, his voice lethal.

“You murdered my father.” Spat Izzy, anger pulsing through her veins.

“Never the less, you were promised to me in settlement of a debt.” said Night matter-of-factly.

“Then clearly you are seriously misinformed.” snarled Izzy. “I know everything, you conniving son of a whore!”

“You think you know everything but perhaps your dear Shadows has left out key information in his botched attempts to protect you.” retorted Night, his eyes flashing wickedly as he released his hold on Izzy’s chin. “Did you ever think that perhaps he only gave you half of the story about your father’s death?”

“You’re a liar and a pathetic one at that.” snapped Izzy heatedly before the back of Night’s hand collided painfully with her cheek causing her head to whip to the side. Tears sprung to life as he grabbed her roughly by the shoulders, shaking her violently. “Touched a nerve have i?” spat Izzy as her fear was outweighed by her fury of being slapped.

“Never call me a liar ever again, you insolent little fool.” Growled Night, his eyes a dark shade of blue. “Now, tell me what I want to know about your precious A7X or so help me God I will force your tongue to speak.”

“Fine.” Said Izzy softly causing Night to smile. “I’ll tell you what you need to hear. You can go fuck yourself!”

Night’s face contorted with fury as he struck Izzy again, this time the force of the blow to her face with his clenched fist caused her to stumble backwards before falling to the ground. Izzy knew her bottom lip had been split open by the sheer force of the impact as the fresh wound smarted painfully. Night advanced on her, his body visibly shaking with rage. He grabbed a fistful of her raven colored hair and dragged her across the room, closer to the grand fireplace she hadn’t paid much attention to before. Unable to defend herself, Izzy struggled as best as she could, screaming out in pain as he threw her dangerously close to the wicked flames.

“No one will fucking come to your rescue you cunt.” Screamed Night as he kicked Izzy harshly in the stomach causing her to double in on herself, trying to shield her body from his wrath. He kicked out at her again, his foot connecting with her ribcage with a sickening crunch. Izzy screamed out again, pain racking her body.

“Perhaps another method to make that pretty little mouth talk?” questioned Night just as the door flew open. The same two men from before sauntered into the room oblivious to Izzy’s loud sobs. “Tell me what I need to know Isabel.”

Izzy’s soul clenched in fear. She had no reason to believe that her father’s death had any other side other than the one Shadows told her. Shadows may have been a lot of things but her certainly wasn’t a liar when it came to Izzy’s father. He had respected Izzy’s old man, treated him like family, offered Izzy protection from Night. What reason would he have to lie? Izzy wanted to believe that Shadows had told her everything she needed to know but something about the way Night was now looking at her made her second guess her decision.

“Tell me what I don’t know about my father.” Said Izzy weakly as one of the men grabbed her, forcing her to her feet.

“That’s not how this works Isabel. I don’t owe you any explanation.” said Night dryly. “Or are you suddenly second guessing your seemingly unfaltering faith in Shadows’ words.”

Izzy regarded Night coldly, his words weighing heavily on her shoulders. “All I want is the truth.”

“Oh my darling Isabel. There is no such thing as the truth in the world, especially this one that you’ve found yourself caught in. There are facts which get obscured by each of our selfish desires to conceal the very facts that you so crave. My truth, your truth, Shadows’ truth, they are all relative depending on the stance you take.” Said Night evenly. “Which stance will you take?”

“I’ll take my chances with Shadows.” snarled Izzy after a few moments. Night looked at her somberly, shaking his head as if in disappointment.

Izzy felt her hands being bound with rope on top of the cable ties and she shrieked as she found herself being hoisted off the ground. Her feet dangled wildly beneath her as she looked up with terrified eyes to see that the rope binding her hands was attached to a large hook dangling overhead. Her arms twisted at unnatural angles as sharp pain stabbed her shoulders. With terrified grey eyes, Izzy stared at Night who accepted what looked like a thin wooden whip with wickedly glinting metallic shards glittering from the ends of wispy nylon cords. Night’s eyes glinted malevolently as Izzy valiantly tried to free herself from her restraints.

“I take great pride in my methods of getting stubbornly loyal fools like you to talk.” Said Night, his voice soft and laced with malice. Izzy could feel hot tears cascading down her cheeks as one of his men approached her. The sound of her top being ripped away from her body filled Izzy’s ears and through her fear, her cheeks flushed at the thought of now being so exposed to Night. Izzy watched with mingling horror and disgust as Night’s eyes swirled darkly with sinister lust before returning to their menacing blue.

Without warning, Night snapped the whip against Izzy’s back and she screamed at the top of her lungs as she felt the biting sting as the whip crack sickeningly against her skin. The small sharp metallic shards clawed at her skin. Over and over he struck her, each time more forcefully. Izzy’s screams ripped through her lips as blood ran down her back. He assaulted her front as well, the whip snapping against her stomach, chest and arms as metal claws ripped open her flesh each time her stuck her with mind blowing force. The pain was excruciating and Izzy felt as if she would pass out each time Night brought down the device on her body. Her vision began to cloud and with a satisfied smirk, Night threw the instrument aside. Izzy hung limp as her body was trembled with pain so pure it made her nauseas. Through heavy eyes, Izzy watched Night stroll almost leisurely to the fireplace, his slender fingers wrapping around what looked like a branding iron. Fear renewed, Izzy pushed past the pain clouding her mind and fought hopelessly against the ropes binding her. Her eyes widened as Night smiled sinisterly at her, his intentions clear as he brandished the red hot tip in front of him.

“Those too stubborn to talk Isabel will be dealt with accordingly” he said with a menacingly calm voice. He thrust the branding iron into the flesh of Izzy’s waist and a fresh scream tore through Izzy’s lips as her flesh sizzled beneath the red hot iron. She screamed until her voice broke, tears flowing freely from her eyes as Night gave her a satisfied smile while removing the iron. Izzy felt consciousness slip away from her and she welcomed it, allowing it to consume her and take away the pain.

****

Shadows watched with bated breath as Gontier’s men swept Night’s mansion from his car. Jimmy strained to see through the windshield, cracking his knuckles as he tried to make out what was going on inside. They could make out Gontier’s men storming the house and they could hear a few gunshots rip through the night’s air. Suddenly, ten minutes later, Gontier’s head of security, Marcus Newport, was marching an irate looking Night to a vehicle. Even from the distance that Shadows and Jimmy were parked, they could visibly make out the mingling look of contempt and surprise on Night’s handsome face.

Taking the signal from Newport to proceed into the mansion, Shadows drove quickly through the wrought iron gates and up the winding driveway, pulling to a stop in front of the mansion. The two men jumped quickly out of the vehicle and were escorted into the house by one of the security detail.

“Where is she?” snarled Shadows his fists clenched as he looked at one of Night’s men, fury scrawled across his features.

“Up the stairs, down the corridor on your left, third door on the right.” Said the man dejectedly, not meeting Shadows’ eyes.

Shadows and Jimmy hurtled up the stairs and tore down the corridor. Jimmy threw open the door and let out a soft gasp at the sight that met his eyes. Shadows pushed past Jimmy and with one look at Izzy’s body dangling from an ornate hook, he felt his knees buckle as he watched Izzy’s blood drip onto the ground, pooling at her feet, staining her jeans. Jimmy grabbed Shadows, steading him before the two men quickly made their way to over to Izzy’s body.

“She’s still breathing.” Jimmy half shouted as relief washed over Shadows.

The two men carefully took Izzy down from the hook and Jimmy cut away both the rope and the cable ties that had been used to restrain her. Shadows’ eyes roamed the deep cuts on almost every visible surface of Izzy’s torso. His eyes travelled down to her waist and his blood ran cold. Night had branded her. Izzy’s skin was burnt away, giving way to Night’s insignia. Shadows felt as if he would be sick. Jimmy took off his jacket and threw it over Izzy’s exposed upper body as Shadows scooped up her lifeless body into his arms.

The two men walked with long purposeful strides out of Night’s mansion, neither of them exchanging any words as they did so. Shadows tucked Izzy into the back seat of his car, leaning her gently against Jimmy. He shut the back door and before anyone noticed, he wiped away the tears that escaped down his cheeks.

Jimmy averted his eyes, aware that he had witnessed a very private moment for Shadows. Tears of his own tumbled down his cheeks as Jimmy gazed at the broken body of someone he considered his little sister. He wished he could take away her pain and suffering the way she always took away his from the moment she walked into his life.

Shadows could barely focus on the road as he gripped the steering wheel tightly. He had broken his promise to her; that was all Shadows could think as he drove to back to the A7X mansion. He had failed her in the worst way possible. He didn’t think he could ever forgive himself for letting someone so innocent be marred by his tainted world.

Notes

so this story will soon be coming to a close. there are only a few more chapters...but i plan to write a sequel...if i chose to let Izzy be with Shadows then it will be where she learns to accept his dominant side....if i choose Gates then we'll learn more about him...i havent decided yet...