PRETTY AS A PICTURE

CHAPTER 12 MEETING MAX

LEO'S POV

We all know Mass hates Izzy, but listening to his plan for her made me realize how much he hates her, I want to help her, but my hands are tied by my oath to Massimo as his 2nd in command, Mass is my best friend we are like brothers. For as long as I can remember it has been Taylor, Mass and Me we made our first kills together, we visited our first strip club together and we have been there for one another our whole lives. but I owe Izzy if she had not called in a debt owed both my brother and I would be miserable, me forced to marry the girl he loves but because of Izzy's selflessness things were made right.

Both Mass and Cyrus have ordered that I don't pursue Izzy, Mass has actually made it so that none of the families will match with Izzy, he and Cyrus have already put out the unofficial word that they have her tagged as their Mistress. It is obvious that this has not reached the Dons ears because it is he that wants to see Izzy matched. I wonder what would happen if Izzy's Father new she existed and the Giovani brothers Plan for his daughter. Actually It would mean war if Mass actually does it. I am going to talk to Fletch I decided.

I Knocked on Fletches door "Come in Leo how can I help you?" "I'll get right to it My loyalty will always be to Mass but I owe Izzy a debt so I am going to come out and say it, I know who her father is and if Mass is successful with his plans for her and Maximus finds out she exists and what the Giovani brothers have done with her it could create a war, so Fletch we need to stop Cyrus and Mass" "what makes you so sure Izzy will not be matched" Fletch asked. I rubbed the back of my neck and looked down. "Mass and Cyrus have unofficially claimed her and because Mass is soon to be Don nobody will claim her even our current Don is unaware of his sons Plans.

"Izzy is my friend and I don't want to see her miserable or broken"

FLETCHES POV (A.K.A POPS)

I listened to Leo this young man makes me proud, Listening to the sincerity in his voice when he speaks about Izzy and his Loyalty to our Familia lets me know I have done my Job well in training him. I knew Izzy would not be safe once Mass had taken power, surprisingly enough so did our Don he is actually aware of the scenario but he and I have kept it to ourselves in a hope his sons would change there minds.

We have come up with 2 options the first being matching Izzy, which Mass and Cyrus have quietly seen to it so that does not happen. 2nd option let Izzy Meet her father obviously we need Ara to organize this none of us know what happened when she was taken, we don't know if she was forced or if there was love, only Ara and Maximus know the true story. This is dangerous but it is the only option we have left to save Izzy. Time to talk with Ara.

ARA'S POV (IZZY'S MOTHER)

I have just spoken with uncle and my worst nightmare has become a reality, In order to save my daughter I must face my past. Izzy has endured much and come out strong and independent my father has trained her to kill or be killed and even with all this she is still not safe. It is Izzy all these years that has given me the strength do what I have done, she thinks all the dead beat men in my life was about me trying to find love in all the wrong places. The truth is they all had skills I thought I needed to protect my daughter so I stayed with them learned what I needed then left them.

I had no Idea dad had the same idea but trained Izzy instead of me. I have made up my mind, It's time Max meets his daughter and if it means the end of my life at least I die knowing my baby has a chance to Live. I stood up from my bed and pulled out an old phone number given to me over 18 years ago with a promise that he would always answer it. Lets see if Max is a man of his word.

 "Hello Max?" "Ara is it really you?" "It's really me and I need your help" "Tell me Ara what I can do for you?' Max's voice was icy cold " You have a daughter Max and she needs your help" the phone went quiet "Max are you there?" "I want to meet her tonight" he ordered

"Max we can not just fly to Chicago" "Where are you Ara". "we are home with our Familia Max we just moved back" I will be there in 4 hours meet me with my daughter at Don Giovani's home" with that he hung up. I then rang  Uncle Fletch "Uncle it is done Max will be at our Don's home in 4 hours so at 10:30pm, he has ordered that I bring Izzy". Uncle Fletch assured me everything would be ok and that he would bring Izzy and meet me there.

Jazz walked into my room "Ara are you ready boo for everything to come out" she asked "For Izzy Jazz I'll do everything I can, I only hope Max doesn't take her away from me, she's my life Jazz" I began to cry uncontrollably in Jazz's arms.

IZZY'S POV

"What the f u c k Pops, meet my sperm donor, have you guys lost your minds, I thought he was to dangerous to mess with, and now you're like lets meet your daddy, this is some f****d up s**t forgive me Pops but the Mafia is f****d right up" I yelled pacing up and down. 

"Izzy calm down honey we are trying to prevent a war and with Mass's plans for you this is the only way to stop it, We have to have Max claim you as his daughter officially" "Pops my life is like what the f u c k crazy dudes trying to impregnate me, My Don trying to match make me, You wanting me to kill for the Familia and now having a crazy dangerous Don wanting to claim me as his daughter, Forgive me if I'm not thrilled. I sat and just stared into space trying to take it all in.

It was now 10 pm and it was time to leave for the Giovani residence, Tonight I dressed in my blacks as in Jeans, crop top, Black Jacket and my black combat boots in case I had to fight or run. I packed my knives into the back of my jeans grabbed some cash because you never know. The car ride over was silent. We arrived and was greeted by my mum I giggled she had dressed similar obviously thinking the same way as me.

I got out of the car and hugged her, "ready baby ?", "I'm ready Ma" we knew my sperm donor had arrived because of all the extra men in black. My ma held my hand and we followed Pops in. We were directed into a living area I could feel my Ma shaking "Easy Ma I got your back" she settled, We walked into the room and  standing there was a tall wide fierce individual with blue eyes as striking as mine. Pops broke the silence. "Don Maximus it is nice to see you again" "Fletch you are still alive I see it is nice to see you again" I watched the two of them embrace. Don Giovani invited us all to sit.

I couldn't help notice the tall younger Maximus look a like standing next to him, the dude had brown Eyes and looked a couple of years older than me. He was looking at me with great interest then it clicked I was looking at my half brother, It never occurred to me that I could have siblings. It was silent for a while and I don't do well with silence and right now I could give any F U C K s about protocol. I looked at my Don he nodded. "Hi I am Izzy your kid at this stage I don't know if it's nice to meet you yet" I walked over and held out my hand.

"Hello Izzy I can tell you I am thrilled to meet you" Maximus said as he shook my hand  "This is your brother Jax" "Hey Jax" "Hello Izzy" "Okay so s**t is awkward  we have met what now let's not waste time" I blurted "Well Izzy I would like to get to know you and I know Jax would also like to get know his little sister so we need to arrange to spend some time together" Max replied "If my Familia agree I'm good however while all you important people are here I'd just like to say I'm not leaving my Ma or my Familia so if you think I'm moving to Chicago think again, I know I sound dis respectful but I may not get a chance to voice my s**t again with you all in the same room" I watched Jax holding back his laughter.

"You are most definitely Kingston's Grand daughter" max responded with a smile. "We are more than happy for Izzy to stay with you while you are visiting and we can make arrangements after that for the future" Don Giovani replied. "Ma you ok with all this" I asked I was not going to let these men not let my ma have a say. "I'm good baby" Ma replied. "Might I suggest Ara stays too we need to speak to Izzy together" Max suggested. "My guest house can comfortably fit you all in so there is no issue with that" Don Giovani replied. "then its settled then" Max replied.

Maximus and Jax were escorted to the guest house to settle in while Ma and I waited a bit to speak with our Familia. "No matter what happens we will be here for you two so please just do what you need to do" Pops said before he kissed my Ma and I goodnight. Ma and I were escorted to the guest house, penny had sent some sleep wear over for us already. We walked in the house Maximus and Jax were dressed in sweat pants and Tee shirts looking very relaxed sitting on a sofa in the living area. 

" Ara lets go out on the balcony and catch up" Max said to my Ma she just followed him out without a word spoken. This just left Jax and I alone in the living area, I slumped down next to him took my Jacket off and boots then turned and looked at him " So Jax do you want to kill me or Ma because if so, there is a bit of a list do I need to add you too it" Jax laughed at me "No Izzy I am sincerely happy to meet you I most definitely have no intention of killing you or your mother" he responded still laughing, 

"Good because I am too tired to fight" I replied as I put my head on his shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world to do, even though we had only known each other for an hour I was comfortable with him, his vibe felt like home. Jax  stroked my hair comforting me "Your a strange one Izzy" he said as he chuckled "You have no idea" I replied. Jax and I drifted off to sleep cuddled up on the couch.