Poison

Objective. 26

Isabela- Mae

Recovery was slow. It felt slower because of the lack of interaction I got. It felt like everything was how it was when I got here. I had no contention with anyone.

I'd walk into a room with Lucas in it and he'd leave immediately, without a word. Sometimes i might get a curt nod, or if I'm lucky a good morning. But nothing more. I had a nurse follow me around everywhere, she'd tell me when to eat, when I needed to rest. I wanted to ask Lucas why, but he didn't let me.

He was tucked away in his office most of the time, he'd come out occasionally and get a drink or something, but nothing else. He didn't eat, and if he did it was in his office. I never saw him go into his room either.

Four weeks had passed since I'd been shot, Harry told me the wedding was postponed until December, to which I was grateful. It felt weird to walk, and even weirder to have dress fittings and hundreds of dress designers emailing for the opportunity to design my dress.

I wasn't allowed to train, and if I left the house, I went with Harry. Lucas gave me a job at his company, something rather fitting for his future wife, I became his assistant. But I never actually saw him. I was given a fake name, a fake identity, only very few knew who I really was. My name now, Maria Marchetti, or Maria Goldwing now because I'm not married yet.

Every morning, I'd go in accompanied by Harry, and get a million, "good morning Maria," "so excited for the wedding Maria," "love the outfit Maria," "would you like coffee Maria," "richards on the phone Maria," "do you want another coffee Maria."

I'd answer yes to every single one. We had multiple things going on. The business looked initially like a corporate office, but it was actually more of a circus.

We had the women. We call them the stranglers. Prostitutes who go to bars and bring back money for a hearty profit.

We had the robbers. We call them the runners. They break into banks and museums and such.

There was a particular job that interested me. One that in a meeting was offered to me but Lucas quickly dismissed. A getaway driver for the runners. The one they had before was the best in the business, incredible. But died.

The runner party told Lucas they needed a new guy or they won't be getting anything.

I want to see what it's like, driving through the city like a manic with police following you. It all sounds so exhilarating. But too dangerous in the eyes of Lucas.

Harry told me after that it was only because Lucas wanted to keep my safe. But it felt more like he was smothering me and torturing me, not keeping me safe.

Harry told me this morning that they planned a robbery tonight, and Lucas was supposed to be driving. Something Lucas knew and the whole runners party was that I did race car driving as a pass time with my brothers. I was qualified.

Harry told me he'd sneak me into that mission without Lucas' permission, and he'd have no choice but to let me do it. And if he didn't, it would be jeopardising everything.

The plan was simple:

1. Lucas and three others would be driven to the location in another car by Harry.

2. He'd drop them off and they'd go in and do what they had to do.

3. I'd pull up in the getaway car at the collection point, wearing a mask. (A- so I wouldn't be traceable by the police. B- Lucas wouldn't recognise me.)

4. They'd pile in and I'd drive them away from the cops to a switch point where three cars would be waiting.

5. Lucas and I would get into the first car and wait for the all clear to then make our way to a safe house location.

6. I would then reveal to Lucas that it was me and he'd let me do further missions in the future because he'd know I can.

"Are you sure this is gonna work?" I asked Harry over the intercom.

"Yeah.." he croaked nervously. "Yeah, it'll be fine."

I pulled forward into my position and waited patiently for them to finish. I could hear the four of them talking on their ear pieces about when they were doing. I heard the call that they were coming out and I could already hear the sirens. I swallowed hard and pulled off as soon as the doors had shut.

Lucas sat next to me, turned around to watch the police behind us. I navigated through cars flawlessly, losing one cop at a time. I glanced quickly at Lucas who told me I was doing good, his ski mask made him look hot. But I couldn't get distracted.

"Nice kid!" He yelled as three cop cars collided. I smiled to myself, biting my lip.

Sharp right off road into a short cut through to a country road. The road would lead us onto the highway where a cabin safe house was. Near to a motel.

We ditched the car and got into the three cars waiting for us. The other two sped off in another direction.

Lucas and I clambered into the second car, me drivers seat, him passenger. "God, that was successful." He breathed. He pulled his ski mask down from his head, his hair ruffled. "You did good kid." He smiled undoing the Velcro on his gloves. I pulled my mask off and chuckled.

"Thanks." His head snapped up, his eyes darker than the sky. The street light illuminated the hatred in his eyes.

"What the fuck are you doing?" He hissed quietly. "I gave an order, you completely ignored."

"Lucas-"

"No!" He snapped. "Yes I might be marring you, but you work for me! And you disobeyed my order!"

"I'm sorry-"

"Too damn late." He gripped his head in frustration.

We sat in silence, waiting and watching cars go by. I begged every second that went by that we'd get the call for the all clear that we could just go. But that call didn't come. We sat there for 10 minutes in silence.

"I'm impressed." He said in a low tone. I felt his voice hum in my chest. I looked up at him. "Your good, kid." He smirked.

I smiled.