PRETTY AS A PICTURE

CHAPTER 14 DINNER SURPRISE

IZZY'S POV

The rest of the ride back to the Giovani residence was pretty quiet except for Chloe and her annoying sobbing she was driving me fucken crazy, Jax kept smiling at me every time I rolled my eyes when her sobs got louder I couldn't wait to get out of the fucken car. As soon as we pulled up at the residence I bolted from the car with Jax hot on my heels now laughing his a s s off, "I was going to stab myself if I had to listen to her bullshit any longer" I said to Jax as we abruptly made our way through the door of the guest house.

Max was there to greet us, our laughter stopped as we saw how irritated he looked. "Max I see good news travels fast" I said trying to break the tension in the room. My Ma walked over to me checking for damage "Ma none of the blood is mine I am 100% good" I said, she turned her attention to Jax without a word and began to check him over. Max finally spoke but addressed my Ma "So Ara do want to explain how our 18 year old daughter managed to take down the Russian Mafia's 2nd in command and 3 of their best trained soldiers" he said in an icy tone. My Ma's voice was strong but her words were few, she simply replied "Dad trained her".

Ma finished attending Jax's wounds on his hand as we all sat in silence. "Jax, Izzy go get cleaned up then be back here in an hour we will be joined by the Giovani's so you both need to be prepared to answer questions" Max said looking at Jax and I like we were naughty children who needed to be punished. I ran to the shower stripped and jumped in the water ran red, I had blood in my hair, on my face, all up my neck and even in my ears, I scrubbed myself then shampooed my hair 3 times before I conditioned just to make sure all the blood was gone. 

I jumped out of the shower dried off, dressed then put the ruined dress and under wear into a bag with the intent of burning it. I met Jax in the hall way carrying a bag too we looked at each other and chuckled quietly and stopped when we walked into the living room where Max, My Ma and now the whole Giovani tribe including Chloe were sitting. Jax and I greeted them then handed off our bloodied clothes to one of Max's men, we then took our seats sitting next to each other.

"Mass explained what happened, but what concerns me is how the Russians knew Chloe and Mass would be there, this is very concerning to us" Don Giovani said with a worried look on his face. I sat and listened to all the assumptions and theories for 30 minutes or so and then I noticed Chloe playing with a mood ring on her index finger. "Tracking device" I said stopping the males from talking and suddenly looking at me "What makes you so sure" Massimo said with venom laced tone.

I ignored him and looked at Chloe " Where did you get that ring Chloe?" I asked "A friend at varsity gave it to me" she replied. I walked over to her grabbed her hand and took it off her, she tried to resist until I glared at her. I pulled a knife out of my back pocket and slid the stone off and there underneath was a tiny little tracking device flashing away. I smirked at Massimo "My Poppa made me wear one when I had to be away from him and it didn't take long to figure out he was tracking me and these little devices are actually Russian made, So Massimo that is how I was sure". I said fake smiling at him.

"Chloe you know our rules about taking any kind of gifts off anyone who is not Familia, you will soon be a Dons wife you of all people should know better, Massimo I will leave it to you to punish your fiancé if you do not, I will ensure her father does, She put you all in danger because she was careless and stupid this is unacceptable" Don Giovani said furiously. It was the first time I had seen his mask come off and he was truly intimidating.

I looked at Maximus and thought he would probably be worse. Chloe began to sob, Jax pinched my leg warning me to not react, I moved in my seat, looked at him and fake smiled at him letting him know I got it. " Izzy, Chloe and or Massimo now owe you life debt, this means they will grant any request you may have that is within their power you can call this debt in any time" Don Giovani explained. "Anything?" I asked my Don "Yes anything within their power". "Cool" I said with a smirk.

I was definitely going to save that one up for when Mass took over, I knew I'd need it. "Maximus we will leave you with your family, I am sure you have a lot of questions for them" Don Giovani said as he and the rest of Giovani crew left. Max asked a million questions which my Ma and I answered, Jax told Max how I had kicked his ass at the firing range and that I had killed those guys with knives.

"Izzy are you still being trained" Max asked "Nope Pops oh I mean Fletch said there was nothing else to teach me, my Poppa trained me next level or some s**t like that" I said trying to hide my smile. "Dad she also was put through 14 days of Psychological training" Jax added "14 days not 7?" Max asked. I guess cos Poppa knew his time was limited, my training it seems was pretty intense" I answered. "Anything else I need to know" Max asked "Nope" I quickly said. 

"Ok so we have found a house actually it's a compound, I have flown my people out to get it ready, your Ma will furnish it, you will move in when the security is up to standard and the house is complete I have been told 3 weeks, so I won't be here but Jax will, I have also organized it Izzy, that you will come back to Chicago with Jax to select your own security as my daughter you will be guarded by 4 body Guards at all time, when you go to school 1 will be with you" Max said.

"Max I am pretty sure I can defend myself" I said a little pissed "I am sure you can but I need to do this for me and my piece of mind Izzy" Max replied. "Fine". "One more thing in our Familia Izzy we only have love matches we did away with the whole arranged marriage thing when my dad was in charge my mother your Grandmother was your Grandpa's maid" Max chuckled. "Are they still alive?" I asked "Yep they sure are and can't wait to meet you and see your Ma again actually" Max smiled at my Ma, Jax leaned over and whispered in my ear "They are definitely f*****g" "Ewww Jax" I said punching his arm while he laughed at me.

Jax and I decided to head off to bed, he decided to sleep with me we sat up and talked some more, he told me about his Fiancé who was chomping at the bit to meet me, I told him I wanted to be a musician but couldn't see how I could follow my dreams now I was some kind of Mafia Princess, we laughed a lot and eventually  fell asleep. 

The next few weeks flew by I went back to school caught up with my friends, they all knew what went down at the amusement park but we never spoke about it. The night arrived when Seb and I were to perform the place was packed and Max even flew back especially to watch me, Seb was nervous he actually threw up, It took Grace and I so long to calm him down. It was finally our turn to take the school stage we had a band backing us, so I didn't need to play. We sung My Boo by usher and Alicia keys, we got a standing ovation and and encore call. Our music teacher made us do another, So I played and we belted out summer nights from grease for fun, the room erupted while we stood laughing as we took a bow.

When the night was over and we were heading back to the Giovani residence " Jax would not shut up about my performance, "s**t dad we could totally make a s**t ton of Money off Izzy, I say we collect on her talent while she still has some" he said with a chuckle.  "I think the talent comes from my side" Max said as he looked at my Ma with a proud grin. We got back to the guest house and got ready for dinner we had been invited to the main house as this was the last night in the guest house. Our house was ready but Max wanted to wait for school to be done for the term so we had time to settle in and  chill before we all flew back to Chicago.

When we arrived I walked in holding Jax's hand, Pops , Uncle Tyson, Aunty Jazz and the rest of the Black crew were all there, also Chloe and her family I leaned into Jax and whispered "Oh Joy the cry baby princess is here" Jax laughed "Izzy come on be nice not everyone can handle s**t like you can". "Duly noted" I said with a sigh. I led Jax over to my girls and Clay, they had gotten to know Jax over the past few weeks and we all got along really well. Jax excused himself to go talk with the Trio who were also there. I hadn't seen much of Clay he was busy with his training and the rest of his time was spent bonding with Blondie so it was nice to see him, I did notice he was a little distant but hey I couldn't blame him his girl and I didn't get on, so I understood. 

I headed off out to the pool area just to get some air being nice was getting difficult so I thought fresh air would do me some good. I sat in one of loungers outside and began to reflect on the past couple of months, I was lost in my thoughts when familiar voices pulled me out of them. Leo and Taylor sat on opposite sides of me smirking "Hey dudes how's it going and Taylor congrats I heard the wedding was amazing" I said. "Would have been nice if could have come Iz but I understand why you couldn't" he said with a smile. "Leo I hear you have found a match you actually like and she is a part of my Chicago Familiar" Yup Iz she is your fathers 2nd in commands daughter her name is Tamara" Leo replied.

"I am happy for you both" I said as I hugged and kissed their cheeks I had bonded with these 2 and they were now good friends of mine. "Taylor how would you and your wife like to be stationed in the compound and be the head of security for me until you take over from your Dad we have five other big a s s houses that have been set aside for my crew, What do you think?" I asked hopefully "Iz honestly that would be amazing and I am pretty sure Fletch would be stoked" Taylor responded with a huge smile. "Actually he was when I asked him last night even Max was pleased with my suggestion" "So you already sorted it Iz" "Yup you start after your 3 month sabbatical" I said with a smile.

"And Leo Tamara is coming back with us when we come back from Chicago she will be spending time at my house helping me out with whole teaching me to be a proper girl thing, Penny and aunty Jazz thought it would be nice for some one older but a little closer in age to me to help so I chose Tamara and let me tell you she squealed  with excitement" I laughed as I explained "Iz did I ever tell you I loved you" Leo said looking like he had just won the lottery. "Maybe but tell me again" I laughed.

It was time for dinner and the boys were holding my hands one on either side when we walked in, Blondie and Taylors new bride didn't look to happy but we didn't give a F U C K . The boys kissed my cheeks as they left my side, Jax looked at me grinning knowing full well I had told them whilst Massimo looked like he was being possessed by the devil. I couldn't help it so I smiled and waved. 

I sat in between Maximus and Jax while we ate, Max stood after we finished eating "Don Giovani and your lovely wife Penny thank you very much for hospitality my family and I are very grateful, I am  pleased to announce that we from now on will be allies through Izzy and Ara's heritage as well as marriage, Ara and I are still legally married so we have decided to renew our vow's In Chicago and you are all welcome" Max said with a huge smile holding my Ma's hand the whole table clapped and cheered, I was in shock .

"Iz close your mouth baby girl" Jax said laughing at me "You fucker you knew and didn't tell me" I whisper yelled. "Dad wanted to surprise you", "Well f**k me I am surprised alright". I sat taking it in not sure how I felt but My Ma looked stoked.