Jonathan

Soft tapping wakes me up as sun streams through the window. I blink away the sleep in my eyes, trying to focus on my surroundings.

Izzy is still sleeping, curled up on my chest and fisting my shirt with my arms wrapped around her. The trauma of last night is written plainly across her face even in sleep. Her eyes are puffy and shadowed, nose red and her cheeks still stained by dried tears.

Knocking sounds again, drawing my attention to the front window where Anne stands. The concern swimming in her eyes warns me she either knows or something's wrong.

I motion her in, not wanting to wake Izzy up and hear the lock click before Anne slips in and sets my spare key down. Her gaze shifts from me to Izzy and back again with a guarded expression.

"What is it?" I ask, barely above a whisper.

Anne shakes her head, dismissing me and turns her attention to Izzy, knowing she's in rough shape. "That can wait, what happened?"

"Rough night... but that didn't bring you over," I challenge.

"No, the not answering your phone and Izzy being late for her shift did," Anne counters.

"Fuck, what time is it?!" I groan, scanning around for a clock and see its nearly three in the afternoon. "Shit, sorry Anne she's not coming in tonight... I don't know when she'll be back..."

"Take all the time you need," she whispers, looking longingly at Izzy. "What happened?"

"I fucked up," I growl. Izzy stirs, no doubt woken by me. I freeze but it's too late here sapphire eyes flutter open and find mine, swimming with concern and confusion.

"Did I wake you?" I ask caressing her cheek. "Sorry Angel but Anne stopped by." Izzys eyes go wide before trying to hide her face in my chest.

"I can wait in the kitchen," Anne whispers as she walks off to give us some privacy.

"Come on, let's get you cleaned up," I murmur, kissing her forehead and sitting up.

"But Anne?" She asks, furrowing her brows.

"Can wait. I have more important matters to attend to," I simply state, leaving no room for debate. Izzy doesn't say anything more, instead she lays her head down in the crook of my neck and hangs on. I wrap her legs around my waist and carefully support her no doubt tender behind and carry her upstairs.

I set her down in the bathroom and turn the shower on before turning my attention back to her. Izzy looks up at me still raw and vulnerable but lifts her hands when I grab the hem of her shirt.

Carefully I strip her, making sure not to bump any possibly sore spots and guide her to the shower, haphazardly discarding my clothes. I can see the tension in her shoulders and back as I reach for the body wash.

By the end Izzy has finally relaxed and all signs of tears are long gone. Most of the marks from last night have faded but there's still a shadow of a welt from the second crop and flogger.

"Better?" I ask, wrapping her in a fluffy towel and drying her off. Izzy nods, looking slightly more peaceful than before but still not herself. "I still need to put some lotion on-"

"I can do it," she says in a small voice. "Anne's waiting-"

"And won't mind a few more minutes," I cut back with a pointed look.

Her eyes widen slightly realizing she cut me off but she quickly nods and heads over to the bed. She drops the towel and lays down on her stomach, folding her hands under her cheek.

"Where does it hurt?" I ask, pouting a generous amount In my hand. Tropical fruit scent fills the air as I warm the lotion between my palms.

"It's not bad, honest," she whispers.

"Hmm," I murmur, pursing my lips. I start on her back watching very closely for any signs of discomfort. Izzy relaxes further as I work away, heading lower. I hear her hiss as my palms glide over a tender spot, by the looks she fell into something on top of a welt and has a deep bruise forming.

By the time I finish she's boneless and I practically pour her into her favourite yoga pants and fuzzy blue sweater.

"Why don't you stay here?" I mumble, kissing her forehead. "Get some more sleep hmm?"

"But I'm not tired," she whines looking up at me through hooded lashes.

"Right..." I drawl, struggling to keep a straight face.

"Can I go down and say hi to Anne... maybe grab something to eat?" She asks instead.

"Of course," I say cupping her cheek. "Give me five minutes." I throw on a clean pair of sweats and plain black T-shirt and hold the door open for Izzy.

The moment we step out into the hallway, we're greeted by the smell of food and coffee. Izzys stomach growls as we walk down to find Anne busy at the stove.

"Sit," she says, pointing the spatula at us. I tuck Izzy in and sit next to her, transfixed by this strangely domestic side of Anne. "I figured you guys haven't eaten. I might not be you but I can do wonders with leftovers."

"This isn't poisoned is it?" I ask, raising a brow as she sets some sort of souped up chicken pasta cheese thing that actually smells divine.

"Starve old man," she growls with a frown before turning her attention to Izzy. "Yours has extra cheese." Anne smiles at her and boops her nose before turning back to the stove to turn it off."

"This is really good," Izzy mumbles between bites.

"Glad you like it," Anne cooes. "And you should REALLY check your phone..."

Her pointed look gives me pause so I excuse myself, leaving her and Izzy to chat. Upstairs I find my phone where I discarded it and turn it back on. It sounds like a winning slot machine as endless messages, emails and alerts load.

Among the numerous text messages is one from detective Hicks from the local police department. Apparently there is a new development that he needs Izzy for and wants to set up an appointment.

Fuck, just what she needs, to deal with that shit again.

I groan seeing several urgent texts from Sam, someone I have a lot of money invested with. Then I come to Anne's texts, regular stuff that escalates when I don't respond. Apparently Hicks and his partner stopped by the club looking for me and Izzy.

When it rains it pours...

I type a quick response to Anne, sparring her the details but telling her Izzy has hit rock bottom and I'll talk with her later but my attention needs to be with Izzy. Not wanting to keep them waiting too long, I shoot Sam a quick text promising to touch base soon and head back down stairs.

"Everything okay?" Izzy asks, her voice timid and small.

"Of course," I whisper, kissing the top of her head and sitting back down. "When did you learn to cook?"

"Not all of us are catered to," Anne teases, winking at Izzy, drawing a blush and the smallest of smiles.

Before I can counter, my cell goes off. I frown and pick it up, checking caller ID and see it's once again Sam. I hesitate, torn between my business life and personal.

"Aren't you going to answer it?" Izzy asks. "It could be important..."

Like always, she's right. Sam isn't one to call for no reason, we've been in business together long enough for me to know if he's calling he has a damn good reason. I nod and step up.

"Hello?" I answer.

"Jonathan! Thank fuck man, where have you been!? I've been calling, texting and emailing non stop!" Sam exclaims, down right frantic.

"Calm down, I'm here now, what's going on?" I ask, pacing around the kitchen.

"How soon can you get here?!" he asks.

"Get there? What's going on?" Izzy watches me with an unreadable expression as her brows knit together.

"It's happening now! I need you to come now or I can lose both offers," he adds, desperation lacing his words.

"Christ," I groan, finally catching on. Sam has been working his ass off building his company and he's primed to sell. When last we spoke it was about strategy to incite a bidding war between two rivals, a risky and time sensitive gambit... "Listen Sam, now's not a great time, I'm-"

"Jonathan, man please," he begs. "I did exactly what you said, I've got 'em both on the line but if you're not here to seal the deal, I'm gonna lose them both."

I look at Izzy and the last thing I can do is leave her alone after what I did to her. She needs me right now, I can't just bail on her... But Sam's dead in the water without me too, this is his life's work.

"Go," Izzy says, looking up through her dark lashes.

"Sam, give me a minute," I say, putting my hand over the mic to give her my full attention. "Izzy, I can figure out a way to get signing power over, I'll just send my lawyer in place or something, I just need to-"

"No," Izzy whispers, shaking her head before locking her gaze on mine. "I want you to go."