PRETTY AS A PICTURE

CHAPTER 8 DOWNTIME

Izzy's POV

Waking up this morning was easy, but sorting out my feelings and thoughts was driving me Insane. I jumped off my bed showered brushed my teeth, put on my sports bra and training tights and for now left my hair out. I sat on the floor in front of the opened balcony doors put my hair over my left shoulder so I wasn't sitting on it. I began to meditate as the cool breeze caressed my skin, My thoughts came into focus and boom there it was, My Poppa's final words to me "Izzy I love you my little one, you must always survive and little one despite love and relationship 'TRUST NO ONE' always be aware that everyone has motives both good and bad, You are special Bambina"

As I remembered his words I mentally began to go through our training regime memorizing every fighting step and stance, Remembering every knife throw and targets hit, remembering every rifle assembled and disassembled also remembering my strength "Speed, Accuracy, Agility  and a strong mind these are your strengths Izzy, Remember these things will  beat physical strength every time". I wasn't sure how long I was in this state of focus and calm but I was quickly brought out of it as I sensed a fist heading toward my right cheek, Just before impact I dodged leaning back now with my back on the floor but legs still crossed. This was my down time over.

Thank goodness for 10 years of gymnastics, I looked up and of course it was Massimo "I love you so much why would you want to hurt me love" I said grabbing my heart in fake pain trying hard not to laugh as I watched his face contort with disgust. "You're Fucken Insane and Fletch wants us all down stairs Now" he yelled at me as he walked out of my room "My Love don't leave me" I cried out dramatically crawling after him in fake desperation. "You fucken Psycho" he now screamed at me. As soon as he was out of sight I sat up and found myself in fits of laughter.

You see My Poppa's Rules were now in play:

 1: Upset your enemy Mentally it throws them off balance (this is the first blow)

Just as I was walking out the door Fletch patted my back "good girl" he said with a chuckle. "I see you know rule one well, Well played Izzy". "Thanks Pops" 

So My Poppa drilled it into me that the fight starts even before you throw the first punch and our strongest strategy was always the good old divide and conquer I was a master at it so before this training lesson was over this little trio would be stripped to pieces.

I got to the dinning room the trio as I was now calling them were sitting quietly at the table eating whilst Fletch was on his phone. I was still a little beat up from my fight with Tyson but after meditation I was focused and ready. I walked over kissed both Taylor and Alistair on the cheek as I greeted them with a good morning. Both dudes looked at me surprised " What was that for?" Taylor asked. "Fletch said we are Familia now and I always greet my fams with a kiss in the morning, are you not comfortable with it" I asked displaying fake disappointment.

You see as Tom boyish as I naturally was, Poppa had taught me how to act, I mean I literally had acting lessons this taught me how to play to my girly innocence and these guys were eating it up.

Taylor quickly responded "Baby you can kiss me all you like" I pretended to blush I had to put my head down so he wouldn't see the lack of color in my cheeks. Alistair was just looking at me "You know I'm okay too, I kind of like it" he said with a smile. Fletch looked up from his phone with a knowing smirk I gave him a sly wink. " So dudes do any one of you know how to braid" . "Actually I do" Alistair responded. "Would you mind?" I asked with a little fake shyness. "no not at all". We walked over to the couch I got down on my knees facing him at first as he sat, I watched him gulp. He parted his legs then I turned around now with my back to him sitting between his legs making sure I brushed up on him accidently of course.

I sat as he began to braid my hair.

Rule 2: Find the weakest link and then eliminate them 

Alistair was the weakest Link he couldn't keep his eyes off me and I noticed. My plan, make him think hurting me would hurt him. He would take it easy on me so I could conserve energy to take on my biggest threat Mass.

"Izzy your hair is crazy long but is stunning" Alistair said, then he leaned forward and whispered in my ear "Just like the rest of you" on cue I giggled yes you heard right I fake fucken giggled, I at this point was struggling with my charade but I had to keep it up and keep it going. I noticed both Mass and Taylor looked at us when I giggled, Taylor smirked but Mass I knew he was planning to take me out.

Fletch got up "Ok head out to the firing range it's target practice time". I followed the Trio out walking next to Fletch "I must say Izzy you are very quick with identification, I see like your Poppa you prefer Divide and conquer I am extremely impressed even your acting skills are flawless, Your Poppa has taught you well". Fletch said looking rather proud of me.

We hit the firing range, I decided to stretch so the Trio had a good view of my body. I sat on the ground split my legs as wide as they could go which because of Gymnastics was abnormally wide, I stretched down one leg making sure my pretty big breasts were on full display. I looked up under my eyelashes to see if I was getting a response and yup neither Alistair nor Taylor were paying attention to what they were suppose to be doing, they stood side by side watching every move I made biting their fists. I quickly looked down and mumbled "Fucken Horny bastards" then I chuckled.   

When I was done with my show Fletch had us assemble the hand pistols in front of us, He was timing us at his command the boys got straight to it I delayed then assembled my weapon so I finished last. 

Poppa's Rule 3: Never show your aces that way your enemy will under estimate you giving them fake confidence.

Mass smirked at me and bam I knew I had him he definitely felt superior I smiled inside I was playing the long game. Fletch walked over to me and whispered in my ear "Well done you executed Rule 3 beautifully" with Fletches encouragement I felt strong. It was time to shoot the Trio began I observed their techniques they were all very good but I was better. I looked at Fletch and he nodded to make this whole game seem real I had to shine at some point and this was it. I stood and fired six shots one after the other. Our targets were brought forward. The Trio were hi fiving as they all repeatedly hit the bulls eye 6 shots in the bulls eye zone.

When they came to study mine it looked like a single shot hit straight through the middle they looked confused until Fletch put our targets side by side. Fletch smiled at me "Please hold up your targets and give me your hit rate" Fletch ordered. Mass went first "6 shots inner bulls eye Zone" he announced cockily. "6 shots 5 inner bulls eye Zone 1 outer bulls eye Zone" Alistair said then winked at me. "6 shots 5 inner 1 outer" Taylor announced with a smile. It was my turn "6 shots all center of the bulls eye zone" I said trying to contain the mockery. The Trio's eyes widened. Fletch grabbed my Target and held it up. "Izzy's accuracy is almost 100 % as you can see it looks like she has only fired a single bullet into the center of the bulls eye that is because each bullet she fired was as accurate as the one before and hit its target with almost perfection" Fletch explained.

"This is the level you three are aiming for making every bullet as deadly as the one before" Fletch said as he walked in front of them. Alistair and Taylor gave me hi fives, Mass just nodded at me. We fired sniper rifles next my results the same with every weapon. Training was over and Fletch dismissed us the Trio walked away laughing and Joking pleased with there daily accomplishments me not so much. All though it was intentional I hated losing, Fletch sensed my distress. "Izzy sweet heart hold it in or how about I time you again just for fun" Fletch said with a chuckle. I smiled brightly at him "Blind fold Pops Please" he blindfolded me then gave the order, I put the hand gun together yelled "stop" on completion. 

I took the blind fold off and waited for my time. "Excellent Izzy you were a whole Minute 24 seconds faster than the boys " I grinned remembering 

Poppa's Rule 4: Sight is overrated perfect your instinct. 

"Rule 4 Izzy excellent, I am sure where ever my brother is he is smiling at you with pride as I am" Fletch hugged me as we made our way back to the house. When we arrived I ran into my room and took a long shower I put my robe on and walked out. Mass was sitting on my bed " Can I help you Love" I said with a fake arse smile. Mass just looked at me with his cold eyes he walked over to me without saying a word and began to try and remove my robe. "Mass there is no need to be forceful just ask" I responded I had him right where I wanted him, His hate and disgust for me were in overdrive and he was going to hurt me and humiliate me every chance he got in order to try and bring me to submission.

I smiled inwardly his game plan was pathetic, I had his number all I had to do was make him believe I wanted him to see me naked and take me, his hate for me would not allow it. I pushed him on the bed and began to unbutton his shirt, I pulled it off and threw it on the floor, I could see him fighting how disgusted he was right now. I then let him see my bare shoulders and the tops of my breasts as I reached for his pants " What are you Fucken doing" he yelled as he stood up "I am sorry Mass I thought you wanted me too" I said looking at him under my long eyelashes trying to look like I wanted him badly, But inside I literally wanted to puke. "FUCKEN PSHYCO" He yelled as he left the room.

I shut the door behind him then ran to the bathroom to puke. I brushed my teeth got dressed and went down to meet Fletch in his office. "Izzy come in sweet Heart, So we are going to Tyson's he wants to see you and also your mother needs her car back " He chuckled. I let out a sigh but nodded "I'll be with you sweet heart no need to worry". The Trio had long gone so Fletch and I headed over to Tysons. We walked in, Tyson was sitting on the couch looking hella banged up and yet I felt no guilt, I turned my emotions off and looked at Aunty Jazz, Tyson, My Ma and Clay coldly.

"Son you're quite the mess" "Broken Ribs, concussion, broken nose, fractured tail bone" He responded but was smiling. I fought to keep my cold gaze. My Ma approached me I handed her, her keys "Sorry for taking your car Ara" I responded coldly. My Ma dropped her head, I felt nothing but betrayed by her, I felt like her and I were broken beyond repair. Fletch looked at me "Respect always, well done" he whispered so only I could hear.