the devil wears a suit and tie • billy russo

chapter 9

this song gives me serious punisher/billy vibes you're required to at least listen to the chorus 😌

•••

Isabella and Billy stood together in the monitor room as the Homeland agents filtered out of their training simulation. He wanted Iz there because she knew all the people in DC, which would prove useful when vying for a government contract.

"You ready to woo them?" he smiled.

She smiled back, "I was born ready."

They left the control room, ready to put on their best charm. Billy introduced himself to two of the agents, and then introduced Iz, "And this is my lovely wife Isabella, she's the one who really runs the show. Prospects for all of our personnel and is our liaison with the government."

"Nice to meet you both," she shook hands with the woman, Dinah, and then the man, Sam.

She didn't pay much attention to Dinah while Billy talked to her. She wasn't the big fish there, the one to make a deal with. She did join in when her name was mentioned, though.

"Iz knows more about Afghanistan than anyone I've ever met," Billy remarked.

"Did you work over there?" Dinah asked.

"Oh God no," she chuckled, "I spent all my time at the State Department stateside, my mom's just an expert on the place, so there were more than a few dinner conversations about the Northern Alliance and other fun things concerning the area."

"What did your mom do?"

"She was a spook—"

"Isabella Peña? Is that you?" the big fish, and special agent in charge, Carson Wolf, approached. It was showtime for Isabella.

"It is," she affirmed, "How have you been? It's been a while."

"I've been well, I didn't know you were in New York. What brings you to the city?"

"I got married," she answered, "This is my husband, actually."

Billy introduced himself. Isabella could already feel the tension between Dinah and her boss. Now, she was interested.

"How's your mom doing? Liking her new job as Director?"

She shrugged and laughed slightly, "She's doing fine, if it were up to her she'd still be in the mountains kicking ass and riding around like a madwoman, but I think she finds her position as Director acceptable."

"Typical," he laughed in the least genuine way. Everyone in government put a similar show, and it was part of the reason Isabella was happy to be in the private sector, "You take care, and we should keep in touch, I'd love to catch up over dinner sometime and get to know your husband."

"Will do," she nodded, "it was nice seeing you," she looked up at Billy with a smirk when Wolf left.

"What's your mom director of?" Dinah asked.

"The CIA," she mouthed, not wanting to cause a stir. She didn't like throwing around the whole 'Director of the CIA' thing when a lot of people were around because everyone always got jumpy and started asking questions.

"Oh," her eyes widened in surprise, "Sloane Peña is your mom?"

"She is," Iz pursed her lips, "I suppose now you understand why we had conversations about Afghanistan at the dinner table. I have to get back to work now, but you should join me for drinks sometime. I'd love to chat more."

The truth was, she had no particular interest in getting to know Madani better—she knew the type all too well from her parents' dinner parties, but Iz knew a woman working an angle when she saw one. She wasn't quite sure what the angle was, but she felt obligated to find out. Her and Billy's secrecy depended upon vigilance.