Jonathan

The moment I open the heavy club doors the stress of the day begins to disappear. Everything from the intimate lighting to the sensual bass music just welcomes me to my second home.

"Jonathan my man," Taz greets. As always he keeps a close eye on the play floor below but spares me a quick glance as he shakes my hand.

"Good night?" I ask, looking over the packed play floor. Bodies are pressed so close together there's barely standing room around the scene unfolding below.

"Smooth as silk, just how I like em." Taz grins. "Viktor already has a booth at the bar for you guys. Izzy is just finishing her shift, and Anne... well is Anne."

"Thanks, man!" I leave him watching over things and make my way to the bar and spot Viktor immediately. To my surprise, Anne is already sitting with him and Natasha.

"About time old man," she teases. Her green eyes glow with mischief, warning just what kind of night I'm in for.

I check my cell for added effect and give her a side-eye. "Who are you and where is my workaholic friend that can never seem to find time for us until closing?"

Her grin falls and she glares at me. "Very funny old man, and to think I was going to compliment you!"

"Oh well don't stop now." I take a seat next to Natasha, my grin growing as Anne scowls.

"You are insufferable sometimes, you know that?" She grumbles. "But you haven't lost your touch. Izzy has been worked up all shift, hell, Becca and Jack keep egging her on."

I laugh knowing how eager she is for her present. Part of me wanted to cave and give it to her last night but I knew by holding out she would have something more positive to fixate on instead of the conversation with the cops.

"Keep grinning like an idiot Jack ass, while my staff's productivity drops like a stone." Anne sits there with her arms crossed over her chest, practically pouting.

"You're being a tad dramatic don't you think?" I chide.

"Sending it over with two hours to go was diabolical," she deadpans. "I mean props because Izzy would never open it early and risk upsetting you but those other two-"

"What?" I cut in. "What are you talking about?"

"Teasing her by sending it ahead, I mean I get it, but Jack and Becca aren't to be trusted-"

Her words fade away as I jump to my feet, instantly scanning for Izzy. Something is wrong, I can feel it!

"Where is she?!" I snap.

"The breakroom, what's wrong?" Anne runs after me as I push my way across the crowded bar to the staff room.

"I didn't fucking send it ahead," I yell back. My heart hammers, knowing that this is too much of a coincidence that someone would send her something now of all times.

I crash into the staff room door, throwing it wide as three pairs of startled eyes land on me. Izzy stands frozen in place having just removed the ribbon.

"Izzy stop!" I yell. She obeys instantly, tossing the black box onto the table like it burned her.

Adrenaline courses through my body making time slow. All I want is to get her away from that box but she moves too slow. I grab her wrist and pull her away, but feel people pushing in, drawn by the commotion.

I need to get her away and safe!

Anne's office is just down the hall and always open, so I take her there and away from prying eyes. As soon as we're in I lock the door and take a deep breath, willing myself to calm down.

Turning to face Izzy the sight in front of me guts me. She looks terrified. Her sapphire eyes are impossibly wide and locked on mine, full of tears.

"Sorry." Izzy wails, unable to hold back the tears any longer. She wraps her arms around herself, hugging tightly to try and hold it together as she breaks down.

"Jezus," I breathe out. Instantly I hug her closely, feeling her whole body shake as sobs wrack her. "I'm here, everything is okay."

"What did I do wrong?" She whimpers.

"Nothing Angel, not a thing!" She pushes against my chest and looks up at me in total confusion.

"B-but you're mad?" She stammers.

"No, I'm scared. I can never be mad at you!" I pull her close once more and try to relax, but I can't.

"I didn't open it," she whispers against my chest. "I was gonna wait but Becca-"

"Shhh, honey, I'm not mad I promise! You didn't do anything wrong." I pull back and grab some tissues from Anne's desk. As gently as I can I clean off her tear-stained cheeks.

"I don't understand." She looks up at me so raw it hurts.

"I know angel, I know." Thankfully the small sofa is empty and I guide Izzy to take a seat, afraid to upset her more. "I didn't send that package."

"But you said I was getting a present tonight?" She furrows her brows at a total loss.

"I did, but I wanted to see your face when you opened it." I reach into my pocket and pull out a small black and purple box.

Soft knocking on the door is followed by the jingle of keys as Anne lets herself in. The troubled look on her face makes my stomach drop. She says nothing but shakes her head.

"What's going on?" Izzy asks, her voice shaky and uneven.

"I've called it in," Anne assures me.

Fuck.

Taz shows up a moment later and motions to the front. Two uniforms from patrol are in the hall behind him.

I stand up and bring Izzy with me. "You're familiar with the case?" I ask, cutting straight to the point.

"Yes Sir, the detectives are on the way."

"Does she need to stay?" Right now all I want is to get Izzy as far away as possible. "She didn't see the contents or who delivered it."

"We have your contact information if they need anything more, you'll hear from us," the seasoned partner answers.

"Thank you, officers." I guide Izzy out the back door and tuck her into her seat, making sure I do up her seatbelt.

She's stopped crying and sits there deathly quiet and unfocused. I know that look, her mind is racing a mile a minute.

"Izzy?" I murmur.

"Hmm?" Her gaze shifts to mine but I can see her worry clear as day.

"What did Natasha give you?" I ask, wanting to put her mind on something more productive. Of course, I already know but I need to get her talking.

"Oh," she mumbles, snapping out of her trance. "She gets to present in a fancy gala and asked me and Becca to model her dresses, can I?"

"Of course, you can, angel." I smile seeing her begin to relax. "What did Becca think?"

"She was so shocked." Izzy furrows her brows as a troubled look takes hold. "Like she couldn't believe Nat was serious."

"Hmm, well Becca had some pretty bad friends before you guys. Unfortunately, she's probably just worried that something will happen again" I reason.

Tony hasn't gone into details, but he's said enough to paint a less than ideal picture. Her past 'friends' were all manipulative users who were only interested in partying and drugs.

"But she's so nice?" I can't help but chuckle at her innocence. Someone like Izzy could never understand using people.

"The nicest people are often taken advantage of." I sigh, knowing she's dealt with more than her share. "That makes having friends like you just that much more important."

Izzy smiles and nods. "I feel the same way," she whispers.

I reach over, lacing my fingers with hers, instantly she squeezes back. Some of the tension leaves me at that simple contact. I just need to remember nothing has happened yet. Izzy is still safe, and not let her mind drag her back down.

Her gaze flickers to mine once more, I can see the trust and it's everything.

"So tell me about the dress..."