Gangster's Paradise // Rio (Good Girls)

37.what A Women

Isla, Emma, and Axel were all seated in the living room, enveloped in a heavy silence as they anxiously awaited their brother's words.

"Axel," Emma began, her gaze fixed on him. He had been quiet since he called them over, and curiosity tinged her voice, "What's on your mind?" Isla shifted her attention between the two, her eyes darting back to her brother, awaiting his response.

"There's something I need to tell you," Axel finally spoke up.

"Oh no, Abby's pregnant! Dear God!" Emma blurted out, interrupting him.

"What? No! That's not it," Axel clarified, his tone filled with a mixture of relief and concern.

"Well, I thought that was the reason," Isla interjected, her eyes searching for answers. "If it's not that, then what is it?" she inquired, her gaze fixed on him.

"Well... I've been facing some financial difficulties lately," Axel confessed, his nervousness evident as he anxiously rubbed his hands together. "So, I reached out to... umm... Rio for help," he admitted, causing Isla's eyes to widen in surprise.

"I'm sorry, you did what?!" Isla exclaimed, rising from her seat. "You're kidding, right, Axel? Please tell me you didn't get back into that!" Her voice carried a mix of disbelief and concern.

"Look, I've been facing financial difficulties ever since we paid off Rio and had the wedding expenses. I just need some extra cash flow," Axel explained, attempting to justify his decision. Isla shook her head in disapproval.

"Seriously, Axel? Isla's right. Getting back into that is not a good idea," Emma chimed in, her tone filled with worry. "There has to be another solution."

"What else was I supposed to do?" Axel pleaded, his frustration evident.

"Ask us for help, that's what!" Isla retorted, her voice laced with disappointment. "I can't believe you would actually resort to going back to that. And I can't believe he actually allowed you to do it. What the hell were either of you thinking?"

"I didn't want to have to ask my baby sisters for money," Axel defended himself, his voice tinged with guilt.

"Axel, that's what we're here for. We help each other," Emma reminded him, her words carrying a sense of unity and support.

But Isla's anger was reaching its peak. She felt utterly bewildered considering everything they had done to extricate him from the trouble he had not only brought upon himself but also dragged Emma into. And now, here he was, resorting back to his old habits?

"This is not going to happen," Isla said, her gaze fixed on her brother with a grave expression.

"Lzzy," Axel attempted to speak, but she swiftly interrupted him.

"This will not happen," Isla asserted firmly, snatching her bag from the table. "If you need money, I'll get it for you," she added, making her way towards the door.

"Isla!" They called out, but she pressed on, walking straight to her car and hopping in. She knew exactly where Rio would be at this moment - that small bar where he played pool. Putting the key in the ignition, she backed up and sped away down the street.

Arriving at the bar, Isla leaped out of the car and strode directly inside. Her eyes scanned the room until they locked onto him, playing pool on the other side of the bar. She swiftly approached him and came to a halt by the pool table.

His dark eyes briefly glanced up at her, then returned to the pool table as he prepared to take his shot.

"Are you out of your mind?" Isla hissed, watching him line up for another shot.

"Just depends on what you're asking about," Rio replied casually, still not bothering to look up at her as he smoothly executed his shot.

"I'm talking about my brother, Rio," Isla stated firmly, circling around the table to confront him.

"He wanted to earn some extra money, so I gave him the opportunity," he responded simply, his focus unwavering.

"Well, that stops right now," Isla declared, but Rio simply continued with his nonchalant demeanor, preparing for another shot.

"I believe I am the boss of that," Rio asserted, taking another shot before standing up and grabbing his drink from the edge of the pool table. Anger filled Isla as she stared at him, and she swiftly moved to snatch the bottle from his hand, hurling it to the floor where it shattered.

His dark eyes slowly lifted to meet hers. "You might be the boss of everything in 'your' world, but let me make one thing clear," Isla said, taking a step towards him. "In our home, in our relationship, and in every aspect outside of your damn business, I call the shots. That includes what you do with my siblings. This is where it... whatever you have going on with Axel stops here. I won't ask you twice," she declared firmly.

Rio glanced over at his companion, who happened to be the one she had hit. He nodded in her direction. "Alright, you win," he conceded, leaning in to give her a kiss. "Is there anything else I can do for you, boss?" he teased

"Yes, there is. I need $4,000," Isla stated, maintaining eye contact with Rio. "In cash, now," she added with determination. Rio licked his lips and turned to the man.

"You heard her," Rio instructed, and the man nodded in acknowledgment. Rio then shifted his gaze back to Isla, taking a step forward and gently backing her up until she hit the pool table.

"It's kind of hot seeing you take charge like that. I must admit, it's a turn-on," Rio whispered in her ear. "I've got an idea. How about we have a special role-play session? You can be the strict CEO, and I'll be the naughty employee in need of some disciplinary action. I think you'd look stunning in a power suit, and I'm more than willing to follow your every command, Boss Lady."

"You're very funny," Isla said, a smile tugging at her lips as he kissed her neck.

"You know, I've got a few ideas for what the Boss Lady can do with this pool table," Rio suggested. Isla couldn't help but smile at him as she gently moved him away.

"Here you are," the man said, handing her the money she needed. She took the money from the man, glancing back at Rio, who was leaning against the pool table.

"I'll see you when you get home, hun," Isla said, planting a kiss on his cheek before walking out.

"what a women" the man said watching Isla walkout

"oh you have no idea" rio said