23

Barely a word had been exchanged between Izzy and Shadows in the week to follow. Spending her days out by the pool or with Jimmy playing video games Izzy kept her mind occupied enough so that it wouldn’t stray onto Shadows. She tried to maintain civility when she did come face to face with him, offering the warmest smile she could muster even though she knew that it came out cold and detached for it never quite reached her eyes.

On an uncharacteristically cold day, Izzy wandered towards the living room where Shadows was just emerging from. She stopped dead in her tracks and turned to head towards the vast library that she had recently discovered before she heard his voice ring out through the room calling her name. She turned to face him, her features neutral, her eyes not meeting his.

“I wanted to speak with you about the proposition I had offered when you first arrived Isabel.” said Matt calmly as he slowly closed the space between Izzy and himself. “If you would please come to my office to discuss the matter, it would be greatly appreciated.”

Izzy scoffed indignantly and regarded him coolly, the tension between them reaching an all-time high.

“Sure, I don’t mind, as long as Jimmy or Christ comes with me.” She said finally, her voice clipped and reserved, as she folded her arms across her chest.

“I don’t think it is necessary for you to have either of them accompany you to discuss such matters.” said Shadows, his voice businesslike.

“If you need to discuss anything with me Shadows then I would prefer that I have some sort of company while you do so. I have no desire to be alone with you in any room of this house.” said Izzy coldly. She watched as Shadows bristled slightly, clearly thrown off by her statement. Her eyes bored into his as neither of them said anything. With an inward smile, Izzy watched Shadows let out a frustrated sigh before he gestured for her to follow him to his office.

“Fine Isabel, get whoever you would like, just hurry up, I don’t have all day to deal with such childish behavior.” He snapped, turning on his heel and stalking off in the direction of his office.

Izzy let out a huff at Shadows’ departing words. She knew she was being childish when she had stated she would like someone present when he spoke to her, but the way Shadows had said it aloud just made her more irritated. Glaring daggers into Shadows’ back, Izzy turned and went to find Jimmy.

****

“Since you seem to have a natural talent for turning things around Miss Blackburn,” said Shadows formally once Izzy and Jimmy had taken their seats in his office. “I would like to have you assume full control of three bookstores that I have recently acquired.”

Izzy looked at him with surprise written all over her face. Before she could stop herself, words tumbled out of her mouth. “I’ve never heard of the mighty A7X gang running bookstores. Seems like you’ve extended your reach into the literary world.” The sarcasm in her voice dripped from each word as she spoke them.

Shadows made a steeple with his fingers and Izzy forced herself to tear her gaze away from his lips. She didn’t want to have to spend any unnecessary time in the office that she had so recently found Shadows having sex in. The wound was still too fresh and even though she had put up enough barriers to protect herself with, being in this room alone had already begun to tear them down. Unwelcome emotions and flashbacks were beginning to surface as Izzy felt her throat constrict under Shadows’ burning gaze.

“These bookstores have been acquired due to non-payment of debts owed to us. As such we have seized the businesses and they are now our property as collection for the debt.” Said Shadows without much interest.

“What about the owners? What happened to them?” asked Izzy, curiosity getting the better of her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jimmy shift uncomfortably in his seat.

“They were disposed of.” said Jimmy softly causing the hairs on the back of Izzy’s neck to rise as she pieced together exactly what he meant by those simple words.

“Disposed of as in you killed them?” said Izzy incredulously as she looked between Jimmy and Shadows who seemed to both be wearing similar hardened expressions. “You expect me to run the business of some guy that you murdered just because he owed you money?”

Shadows shook his head, letting out a soft sigh. Jimmy reached out for Izzy but she flinched away from him.

“You don’t borrow money from us and not repay it. We don’t give extensions and we certainly don’t lend out of generosity.” said Shadows callously. “We are not a bank. Surely if a family was in dire straits we would seize the business opportunity and lend the money, provided that it would be repaid, with interest of course.”

Izzy flew out of her seat, her fists balled up in anger. “You’re taking innocent lives.” She screamed at him. “And now you want me to run a business that you’ve seized, after killing off its owner? How is that right in any way?!”

Shadows let out a laugh that sounded more like a growl as his eyes flashed menacingly.

“What we do has never been right Isabel. It would be easier for you to accept that now. Save yourself the late night torment.” Spat Shadows, his temper rising. “Do not question things that you don’t want the answers to. You will be running those businesses and that’s final.”

Izzy felt like she could throw something at Shadows. She looked at Jimmy who was steadfastly looking out the window behind Shadows’ desk.

“No! I refuse to run those businesses Shadows. How can you sit there and expect me to comply with whatever you say. You’re a murderer!” she shrieked at him, her grey eyes flashing with anger. She tried to get a handle on her fury as the words left her mouth. She took a deep steadying breath trying to force herself to remain calm even though everything within her screamed at her to rip off Shadows’ head.

Shadows regarded Izzy for a second as he leaned back into his chair with cold hazel eyes. “You may be under protective custody Isabel but you must be insane to think that you would be living here for free. Either you assume control of those businesses or not. But I can assure you that you won’t like what will happen if you chose not to.”

“Are you threatening me Shadows?” snapped Izzy, her voice filled with iciness that surprised even her. She had never taken lightly to any threat, from anybody, and she certainly wasn’t going to let Shadows threaten her.

“The decision is yours Isabel.” sneered Shadows, venom lacing his words “Run the businesses or I will arrange for you to be sold off as a slave to anyone willing to buy you.”

“That’s enough Matt!” said Jimmy loudly getting out of his seat causing Matt to flash him an livid look at his sudden outburst.

Matt turned his gaze to Izzy and the hurt and confusion that he saw in Izzy’s eyes made him instantly regret his callous words. He had no idea why he would even say something so cruel to her. The idea of being sold off as a slave was something he had threatened many others before with. In fact, it wasn’t much of a threat if he saw it through, which he had done on numerous occasions.

“She’ll do it. She’ll run the Goddamned business.” said Jimmy angrily as he grabbed Izzy’s hand, pulling her out of Shadows’ office. Slamming the office door shut behind him, Jimmy dragged Izzy away. She stumbled behind him as he took long strides as his chest heaved. Finally they stopped in the foyer, rain that none of them noticed earlier pouring down from a dark, angry grey sky.

“I’m sorry he’s such a fucking jerk.” Said Jimmy softly as Izzy regarded him warily. “He had no right to threaten you like that.” Izzy remained quiet, words escaping her as she looked up into Jimmy’s earnest blue eyes. “Despite how you see us Izzy, to the rest of the world, we are all hardened murderers. This business we’re in, it’s definitely not the easiest, but we made our choices when we joined A7X. We all knew what we would have to do at some point. Izzy, I’ve killed people without even blinking an eye. I’ve done things that I’m not proud of but you know what, it’s all I know. It’s all I’ve ever known. Matt took me in and gave me a home and food. I had nothing before I met him.”

The raw emotion in Jimmy’s voice made Izzy want to cry, she had never seen this side of him; he had never let her see the side of him called The Rev. “I don’t like murdering people but it’s a necessary evil to survive in this world that we’re in. We do it because we have to not because we really want to. I try not to think about it but it’s hard not to when they’re begging and pleading for me to spare their life. If I spare one person’s life Izzy, I would have to start sparing other lives and that’s not something I can do. It’s not part of the deal.” Jimmy’s words were tumbling from his mouth as he stood clasping Izzy’s hand to the point where it was almost painful. “You were dragged into this world but the quicker that you accept it for what it really is, for what we all really are, then you’d be saving yourself a lot of heartache.”

The look on Jimmy’s face almost broke Izzy’s heart into thousands of pieces. He looked haunted, his eyes dull and lifeless. Izzy wrapped her arms around him, breathing in his familiar scent of soap and mint. She would accept the world that she was now a part of, even if it was just for Jimmy’s sake. If someone as caring and so full of innocent love could be a part of this world, then she would too or at least try with every fiber of her being. She would do it for Jimmy and maybe, with time, do it for herself.

****

Three nights later, Izzy was awakened by a shrill scream and the sound of glass shattering. She pulled herself quickly out of bed and wrenched her bedroom door open, following the loud screams and crashing glass. Flying down the corridor, Izzy leaned over the banister of the staircase trying to discreetly see what the commotion was all about.

“You fucking bitch!” she heard Shadows snarl, his voice echoing off the walls.

Izzy tore down the staircase, her eyes wide and she stifled a scream at the sight before her. Shadows was half dragging what looked like a young girl through the foyer by her dirty blonde hair. The girl screamed and clawed at Shadow’s hand but it was to no avail. Vengeance gave Izzy a warning look as he closed the front door, willing her with his eyes not to get involved.

“What the fuck is going on?!” shouted Izzy, ignoring Vengeance’s silent plea, as she raced down to Shadows and the young girl who struggled against him, violently kicking out at Vengeance as he approached with a sinister look on his face. “Leave her alone!” Izzy side stepped Vengeance just as he was about to grab her, wincing slightly as she stepped on a piece of broken glass.

“Stay out of this Izzy!” shouted Shadows his eyes dark and swirling with anger. “This doesn’t concern you.”

“Like hell it doesn’t you fucking barbaric shit! Let her go!” challenged Izzy, closing the distance between Shadows and the now sobbing girl. Izzy could make out purpling bruises on her face as well as the girl’s bloodied lip. Big blue eyes so similar to Jimmy’s that it made Izzy’s step falter peered up at her from underneath long lashes. The girl’s eyes were filled with terror. “I said let her go Shadows!” Izzy launched herself at Shadows only to be grabbed from behind by Vengeance who pinned her wrists behind her back.

“It’s best if you just let him go. There’s no reasoning with him when he’s like this.” said Vengeance softly in Izzy’s ear, causing her heart rate to quicken as his warm breath tickled her skin. “Her parents gave her up as payment for their debt.”

Izzy felt her heart sink as she watched Shadows drag the whimpering girl towards his office. Those big blue eyes never broke contact with Izzy’s grey ones as the girl was carried away. Her eyes were locked with Izzy’s until she disappeared around the corner. Vengeance released Izzy and she spun around to face him, regarding him with a disgusted look.

“How can he treat her like that? She’s just a child.” snarled Izzy, rage boiling inside of her.

“This is what we do Izzy. Get it through your skull. We’re not nice people.” Snapped Vengeance. “She’s been offered as payment. We’ll find something to do with her.” The sinister look in Vengeance’s eyes caused Izzy to recoil slightly.

The girl’s screaming lasted well into the night and Izzy sat wide eyed with Jimmy on one of the sofas in the living room. Her mind was reeling as the girl’s blue eyes flashed in and out of her mind. Izzy counted herself as lucky, she was under the A7X gang’s protection but this girl was not. She was at their mercy, something Izzy had never found herself on the receiving end of. She hadn’t been brought to the mansion against her will in reality, it had all been a ruse to throw off Jake Night. This girl however was dragged here, kicking and screaming, face bruised and body beaten. This was all a part of what the A7X gang did. This was who they all were.

Finally, the screams and shouts subsided and Shadows walked into the living room, his shoulders tense and his eyes dark. He looked tired, frustrated and angry. He let out a loud sigh as he sank down into a nearby sofa, exhaustion written all over his features.

“Izzy, could you please attend to….” began Shadows but he was cut off as Izzy stormed out of the living room, heading straight to his office. He watched Izzy walk away with a sinking suspicion that she was none-to-pleased with him. Too tired to care, Shadows closed his eyes, content with himself, knowing that whether or not Izzy was happy with him didn’t really matter. This was part and parcel of who he was and he could care less if Izzy didn’t like it. This was only a fraction of how he made his livelihood and he would be damned if he let Isabel Blackburn make him feel badly for it.

Izzy opened Shadows’ office door and peered inside. In the corner near the bookcase was a quivering ball, sobbing softly. Izzy approached the girl cautiously, her hands outstretched in front of her as she neared the girl. When she was almost three feet away, the girl looked up, tears streaking her face. She pulled herself into a tighter ball as Izzy knelt down before her.

“It’s ok sweetheart, I won’t hurt you.” Said Izzy softly, reaching out to touch the girl who flinched slightly. “I promise.”

Izzy pulled off the pink silk robe she was wearing over her pajamas and wrapped it around the girl’s shoulders. Visibly relaxing as Izzy continued to coo words of comfort, the girl allowed Izzy to touch her arm.

“Let’s get you cleaned up shall we?” said Izzy gently, brushing strands of the girl’s dirty blonde hair out of her eyes. The resemblance of this girl’s eyes to Jimmy’s still startled her. With a slight nod of her head, the girl allowed Izzy to help her shakily to her feet. Izzy tried to contain her emotions as the girl, who was almost as tall as she was leaned against her for support. Clearly too frightened to speak, Izzy didn’t bother to ask the young girl any questions. Holding the girl with a protective arm wrapped around her shoulders, Izzy led her away from the office and down the hall. When they neared the living room, Izzy spied Shadows lazing comfortably on the reclining chair without a care in the world. Izzy resisted the urge to smash her fist into his seemingly sleeping face as they passed the doorway. Jimmy looked up at Izzy and his eyes fell onto the girl clinging to Izzy’s side. His eyes softened and he gave Izzy a small sad smile.

“When you clean the bitch up, Vengeance and Christ will take her to the basement.” came Shadows’ cold voice.

Izzy stopped dead in her tracks and her eyes met Shadows’ who had been watching her as he spoke.

“No. She will sleep with me tonight. The poor thing is terrified you monster.” snapped Izzy, whisking the now violently shaking girl away from the living room before Shadows could reply.

Shadows shook his head warily and looked at Jimmy who simply focused on the television. Izzy was as stubborn as they came and Shadows decided that it would just be better to leave his newest victim alone with her even if it was for one night. This girl had put up a valiant fight, landing a few solid punches on both Vengeance and himself earlier. The look in her parent’s eyes before he shot them was pathetic as they offered their only daughter as payment for their debt. It made Shadows sick knowing that some humans would gladly give up their child in exchange for their debt solutions. Too tired and disgusted to give the situation any more thought, Shadows closed his eyes. Tomorrow he would deal with Izzy and the girl whose name escaped him at the moment.

Locked within the safety of Izzy’s room, Izzy seated the girl on her bed and walked into the bathroom to run the shower. After everything this poor girl had been through, the least she deserved was a nice hot bath and fresh clothes.

“What’s you name sweetie?” asked Izzy gently, handing the girl who had finally stopped shaking a pile of clothes.

“Megan.” whispered the girl as she accepted the clothes from Izzy. “My name is Megan.”

“Well Megan, my name is Izzy. Go take a nice long shower and then you can come get some sleep.” said Izzy kindly. She followed Megan’s eyes to the door. “Don’t worry, I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

“Thank you Izzy.” Murmured Megan with a slightest of smiles before closing the bathroom door.

Izzy let out a sigh and flopped onto her bed. Waves of exhaustion crashed over her as she lay there lost deep in thought. Not realizing that she had fallen asleep, Izzy was pulled out of her sleep by Megan who curled up next to her, her shoulders shaking softly.

“Try and get some rest.” Izzy said softly, brushing some of Megan’s hair away from her face. The tears that escaped from beneath the young girl’s eyelashes felt as if they were searing Izzy’s heart.

“Don’t leave me, please Izzy.” Cried Megan softly as Izzy took her small hand in hers.

“Never.” replied Izzy as a new found protectiveness wrapped itself around Izzy’s soul. Never had she wanted to protect anyone the way she wanted to protect Megan. Izzy drifted to sleep hand in hand with Megan, the girl with the most curious blue eyes by her side.

Notes