Shifted Souls - Volume 2

Chapter 10: Monaco

Adult language and Violence

Pepper, Tony, and Lizzie all exited their car in front of a huge crowd gathered outside the Hotel in Monaco for the Grand Prix race that was about to begin. "Why are we doing this again," Lizzie asked. She was very uncomfortable at the moment. She rally had tried to get everyone to stay home. She had a bad feeling about all this. "Because your 'best friend' has the maturity of a ten-year-old and wanted to play with his toys." Pepper told her in a quiet voice as they walked inside the hotel. Happy was carrying Tony's suit 'disguised' as a 'suitcase'. Lizzie rolled her eyes. "He is going to be the death of me yet." She muttered to Pepper.

"You know, it's Europe, whatever happens in the next twenty minutes just go with it, "Tony looked at both of them and Lizzie knew that she and Pepper were not going to like whatever it was that was going to happen in the next twenty minutes. "Go with what?" Pepper asked with a frown. Lizzie just groaned the groan of the long suffering. They walked on into the lobby and Lizzie knew what Tony had done. Nat was walking towards them. Lizzie pinched the bridge of her nose. Pepper was going to lose it. Was he trying to give their companies CEO a stroke?

"Mr. Stark," Nat greeted them, or Lizzie thought, she greeted Tony. "How was your flight?" Tony wouldn't look at either her or Pepper. He took off his sunglasses. "Natalie, Hey. Boy it's nice to see you." Lizzie knew what was coming so she started fading into the background as photos were snapped by the paparazzi of Tony and Pepper. As they bickered. She slipped away and made her way into the reception rooms for the owners. Tony, as usual, was rearranging everything as he entered. He was all smooth, slick, PR Tony. Lizzie startled when she realized that Stane could do that too. Lizzie wondered for the millionth time why she was even there. She walked towards the bar, trying to stay out of the limelight. "Could I have a cola please?" She requested to the bartender.

"Elizabeth Sanders." Lizzie looked up to see who said her full name. She looked over and realized it was the reporter who had been mean to Pepper after a one-night stand with Tony. Lizzie lifted a brow; oh, she was about to let out a ton of frustration and Kaitlynn was chomping at the bit to aid her in any way possible. "Oh, well, it looks like someone forgot to take out the trash. "She picked up her soda and watched the reporter look like a fish out of water with her gapping mouth. Lizzie turned to make her escape.

"ANTHONY!" Lizzie knew that voice. She rolled her eyes, and she felt her head start to throb. She knew that voice. "Oh hell." She muttered to herself. Both girls wondered if it was too late to add some rum to their coke. "If it isn't my least favorite person on Earth. Justin Hammer." Tony sounded as happy as she felt to see Hammer. "Huh-uh-No way. I'm outta here," she muttered. Lizzie felt someone grab her upper arm. "Oh no. If I'm stuck, so are you." Pepper hissed in her ear. A perfect fake smile on her lips that matched Peppers appeared as cameras were everywhere. "The only way I'm staying is with copious amounts of booze," she informed Pepper. Lizzie got the bartenders attention and asked for two triple pours of crown select on the rocks with a water chaser. Pepper's eyes widened. "Lizzie" she hissed. "Have those sent to the Stark table please." Lizzie winked and generously tipped the bartender.

"You're not the only rich guy here with a fancy car." Lizzie's eyes started to cross as she heard Hammer talking to Tony. He reached over and patted Tony on the shoulder like they were best buds. Lizzie pulled on Pepper to get her away, but Pepper wasn't budging. Lizzie let out a deep sigh and signaled the bartender for the third time. "Sugar, just poor me a shot of that before we leave. I need it." The young bartender looked over at Hammer and grinned at Lizzie. Within a few seconds h was handing her a shot and winked at her this time. Tony had seen the interaction between them and frowned at her. Lizzie dropped another generous tip in his jar and knocked back the shot and crossed her eyes at Tony. Pepper was digging her nails into Lizzie's arm.