Chapter 5: still against men

ISABELLA:

“So? What did you gather?” I stare at Miguel from across my desk.

He drops a file on my desk, “34, Special ops, left the military after an injury to his knee, started bodyguarding after recovery and that was a year ago, he's been getting jobs back to back and so far so good they've all been..well good”.

I sigh, “family? Wife? Personal life?” I say going through his file.

“A brother that died over two years ago, no wife or pre existing relationships…he's a very private person so most information is tied up, as of now he doesn't have any known relative, isn't active on social media and is pretty much to himself. Only has professional contact with his clients and that's all”

“Why never a stable long term job?”

“I actually don't know, he is always on a job three months max and leaves, it's…weird”.

I close the file, “now what do you think?”

“What do I think concerning you getting a bodyguard?” he chuckles a little.

“It's not funny Miguel” I say sternly, “I know, I just…” I take a deep breath in, “I don't want any form of protection let alone from..him”.

“Still against men I see?”

“It's not like that Miguel and you know it”.

He takes a deep breath in, “Isa, you might think you don't need this protection but you do. Your mum's right, I can't always be there you know”.

He was right, fuck everyone was right, “what if I get better at combat would that ease y'all's worry?”

“It doesn't work that way, Isa and you know,” he laughs a little, “how about you talk with him first, you know get to know him and see if he's fit, would that work?”

I smile a little, “I am a good judge of character so yea that could work”.

“I'll get it sorted then”.

“And the letter? What's the update?”I say with a worried tone.

“Still blank, still nothing” he takes a deep breath in, “this is becoming serious Isa, whoever is doing this knows your house, your identity…personal identity”

I draw in a long breath, “I don't know what to do, it's stressing me out”.

He holds my hand, “breathe Isa that's why you have me and very soon,” he taps on Justin’s picture, “him too”.

**************

If there was anything I hated more than colors and people it was people that owe debts…I loathe it. I pride myself with generosity but because I'm a woman all these people just believe whatever I'm giving out freely isn't without pay and it sickens me to my stomach. My rules are simple: an eye for an eye and pay me what you owe me in blood or in cash but when they don't it makes me irritated and angry. Now I'm standing here in front of this bloodied man who knows the right thing but chooses the wrong method.

“When should I expect my payment, Leon?” I say as I pick up the gun.

He coughs blood and it splashes on my shoes, “Isabella please..I'll…I'll pay what I owe..I just..I need time”.

“Time?” I laugh annoyingly, “you think two months isn't enough time to pay me my money?”

“Isa please” he cries out.

“Correct yourself” I point the gun to his groin.

“Isabella, Isabella” he shouts, “I'm sorry please” he cries even more.

I didn't know what Mercy felt like, I didn't believe anyone deserved mercy or a second chance, if you're given a chance you're supposed to do it once and for all, “a week”.

“What?” he sputters out.

“A week Leon,” I walk slowly towards him and squat to his eye level, “by this time next week I want my five grand and que Dios te ayude, porque si no me pagas mi dinero mataré a todos y todo lo que hayas amado. Recuerda mis palabras”

God so help you you don't pay my money I'll kill everything and everyone you've ever loved. Mark my words.

“Thank you Isabella” she squirms.

I fake a smile and stand up, “Miguel, untie him”.

“Yes ma'am” he unties him and assists him to stand up.

I shot one leg and he screams, “as a reminder, leave and make sure you don't stain my floors”.

Miguel leads him out. I take a deep breath and drop the gun on the table when my phone rings, “I'm listening”.

“Shipments in boss” one of my men says.

“All intact?”

“You'll want to see this by yourself”

My heart skips a little and I rush to the warehouse. I enter and see everyone murmuring and looking down, I rush to Miguel's side, “what happened this time?”

He hands me the cocaine, “half the shipments powder, literally powder. Our contacts were ambushed and this was what our men could gather”.

“How's that even possible? We have secure lines for fuck sake!”

“I don't know but the channel's been intercepted apparently and Leonardo wants to have a meeting with us, seems he has a proposal for us”.

I grunt, “everyone back to work, this isn't the circus” I order and everyone leaves leaving me and Miguel in the storage room, “proposal? The last time he wanted to see us he basically tried to sleep with me” I scoff.

“Same thought but then this came with the goods” he hands me and file, “it's several offshore accounts your father had that allowed Leonardo launder money through this cartel”.

Shock grips my spine, “my father would never allow a snake like him to…launder money?” I ask in disbelief.

“I don't know much of it but yes, that's what the file says and” he hands me an envelope, “seems your stalker is responsible for this…”he points to the goods, “mishap”.

I was getting sick and tired of these goddamn games this person was playing, it is one thing to threaten my life but my business…I'll ruin this mother fucker. I open the letter and I see a picture of Cara in a boutique and my heart rate increases by a hundred.

“IMAGINE WHAT A SCAR WOULD DO HER PRETTY FACE” blood drains from my face.