Gangster's Paradise // Rio (Good Girls)

19.all you have to do is say

It was early morning, and Isla's weary body was still reeling from a grueling 48-hour shift at the hospital. Her mind was consumed by the events that had unfolded the day before, leaving her emotionally drained. With heavy steps, she made her way to a small restaurant where she knew her brother and sister would be waiting.

As Isla approached their table, she couldn't help but dive straight into the pressing matter at hand. "How much more do you have to get him?" she asked, her voice laced with concern and frustration. Her gaze shifted from axle to emma, waiting anxiously for their response.

"We're still down quite a bit," emma replied, her tone tinged with a hint of disappointment. Isla let out an exasperated huff, rolling her eyes in response. She took a seat, running her hands over her fatigued face and ruffling her hair in a display of exhaustion and frustration. She had already contributed every penny she could spare to help her sisters, but it still fell short of the amount they needed.

"But emma came up with a good plan to secure the remaining funds," axle continued, attempting to uplift Isla's spirits. Isla's interest piqued, and she leaned in, eager to hear the details. "And it's happening tonight," he confirmed, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

Isla contemplated for a moment, realizing she desperately needed rest after her long shift. "I'm going home and going to sleep. Call me tomorrow morning and tell me how it went, alright?" she requested, her voice tinged with a mixture of weariness and anticipation. The two nodded in agreement, understanding Isla's need for rest, and watched as she stood up and walked back out to her car, ready to find solace in much-needed sleep.

With an eagerness for relaxation, Isla wasted no time once she stepped through the front door. Shedding the remnants of her long shift, she swiftly removed her scrubs, replacing them with a loose-fitting, oversized t-shirt that fell mid-thigh. The fabric provided comfort and freedom of movement as she moved through her home.

Carrying Buddy, in her arms, Isla made a beeline for her bedroom. The room radiated a sense of solace and familiarity, offering a sanctuary from the chaos of the outside world. She gently placed Buddy on the bed, who promptly nestled into a cozy spot, and Isla joined him.

Cocooned within the warm embrace of her blankets, Isla settled into her comfortable bed. She allowed her body to sink into the plush mattress, feeling the weariness from her long hours slip away. The familiar scent of the room and the softness of the pillows enveloped her, creating an atmosphere of tranquility.

As her eyelids grew heavy, Isla succumbed to the gentle pull of sleep. Her breathing slowed, and her mind gradually drifted into a peaceful abyss. With Buddy curled up beside her, Isla drifted off into a much-needed rest, ready to recharge her weary body and mind.

After waking up from her peaceful slumber, Isla realized that it was already approaching darkness outside. Glancing at the clock, she saw that it was around 9 o'clock. Her stomach let out an audible growl, reminding her of her hunger. With a sigh, she decided against cooking and opted to order a pizza instead. She poured herself a glass of wine, savoring the rich aroma as she made her way to the living room, settling down on the couch to wait for the delivery.

In the midst of her anticipation, a husky voice broke the silence, causing Isla's head to snap towards the source. There he stood, his dark eyes piercing into her, his presence both unexpected and unwelcome. Maintaining a calm composure on her face, she fought to ignore the rapid beating of her heart, refusing to let him see her vulnerability.

His words cut through the air, his voice filled with a mixture of disdain and amusement. "Y'all think this is some kind of damn joke, huh? Your sorry-ass siblings must be delusional if they believe they can mess with me." he sneered, his tone laced with condescension. Isla's gaze remained steady, refusing to let him see the impact his words had on her. She took a deep breath, summoning her inner strength as she prepared herself to respond.

"Don't call them that," Isla retorted firmly, her voice carrying a hint of defiance. Taking another sip of her wine, she purposefully averted her gaze, looking away from Rio's intense stare. She could hear his footsteps as he made his way closer, taking a seat in the chair across from her.

"Do you even know the ridiculous thing they tried to offer?" Rio inquired, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and disdain. Isla emitted a nonchalant hum, shaking her head in response, her attention seemingly absorbed by her phone screen. She hoped that by giving him minimal attention, he would eventually leave her alone.

"Look, babe, I don't think you're quite getting it. This ain't no game for them, alright? It's life or death." Rio pressed, his words carrying a note of seriousness. "They're playing with fire, and if they get burned, it won't just be a slap on the wrist. So maybe it's time you start taking this seriously and understand the stakes they're dealing with." Isla's eyes finally lifted from her phone, locking with his dark, penetrating gaze.

"And this is a game for us?" Isla questioned, her tone filled with skepticism. She wasn't oblivious to the gravity of the situation her sisters were facing, nor was she blind to the dangerous dance she found herself entangled in with Rio.

"How much cash did you put in there, Isla?" Rio probed, his voice lowering. Isla chose to remain silent, withholding her response. In truth, she had contributed a significant portion of her savings, her emergency fund, to support her siblings' cause.

"What about that deal?" Isla proposed, a glimmer of hope flickering in her eyes. She pondered the possibility that if she could strike a deal with Rio, perhaps he would spare her brother and sister from further harm.

Rio responded with a mocking tone, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, now you're suddenly intrigued by that?" Rio scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, hate to break it to ya, but I've already got 'em busy with another little project to make things right." he revealed, a smug satisfaction evident in his words. Isla's heart sank, her lips trembling with nervousness as she imagined the dangerous tasks he had assigned her sisters.

Taking a moment to steady herself, Isla mustered the courage to question Rio's presence. "Well, if you already have everything figured out, then why are you here?" she challenged, her voice laced with a mix of defiance and frustration. "It seems like you have everything under control with them, so that leaves us with nothing else to discuss. So, I guess this is it. Goodbye, Rio," she declared, determined to assert her independence and cut ties with him.

As Isla observed Rio's jaw clenching tightly, her heart pounded in her chest. His intense gaze darkened further, and she could sense the brewing storm within him. "And you honestly thought it would be that easy, Isla?" Rio's voice carried a mix of frustration and disbelief.

"I was hoping so," Isla whispered under her breath, her voice barely audible. She instinctively crossed her arms in front of her chest, attempting to create a barrier between them. As he stood up, she pressed herself farther into the couch, a futile attempt to create more distance.

In a deliberate and calculated manner, Rio approached her. He leaned in, placing his hands on the top of the couch on either side of her head, effectively trapping her. Their faces were now only inches apart, the tension between them palpable. Isla's breath caught in her throat as her eyes fluttered closed, unable to resist the magnetic pull between them. She found herself drawn to his lips, her own lightly pushing forward to make contact, craving more of his touch.

Rio's voice, barely above a whisper, pierced the air. "You see, the fact that you even brought that back up shows that you have been thinking about it... a night with me, or perhaps nights," he murmured, his words laced with temptation and desire. Isla's mind swirled with conflicting emotions, her body betraying her with each passing moment. Her eyes fixated on his lips.

His head tilted to the side, Rio's lips brushed against Isla's jaw, gliding down to her neck, leaving a trail of tantalizing kisses. As his warm breath tickled her skin, he skillfully grazed her earlobe with his teeth, sending shivers down her spine. "If you want me, Mama, all you have to do is say," he whispered, his voice laced with seduction.

Isla's stomach churned with a mix of desire and uncertainty. Her body reacted involuntarily as her thighs pressed together, seeking a desperate friction that would quell the newfound heat within her. Just as the tension escalated, an abrupt interruption shattered the moment—the doorbell rang.

"You should get that," Rio remarked, withdrawing himself from her personal space. With a confident stride, he moved away from her, making his exit through the back door. Isla was left in a state of disarray, a flustered and heated mess, trying to steady her racing heartbeat and catch her breath.