Return to The City Of Scars

Dinner Preparations

When Brianna awoke the next day, she found herself in Jack's arms. Smiling she curled further into his arms, she'd slept like a baby. For the first time in so long. No dreams, no nothing. Just peaceful sleep. She fell back into slumber, not noticing Jack was awake. His conscience was gnawing at him, but he knew that business was business. He didn't have to like it. At the minimum, he would persuade Brianna to slip him the money to get things kick started before he broke things off. He was sure there would be reward money for returning the princess to her family, he had no doubts about that. He only hoped it would be enough that he didn't need to end up keeping her wrapped around his fingers for too long. She deserved better than scum like him. 

Ginger Isley didn't know if she was happy or furious. Brianna had slept in Jack's room. And she saw Jack fight the decision but ultimately choose the latter. Ginger sat in the kitchen with Josh while he drank coffee. "What's wrong, Ging'?" He asked, Ginger sighed, "Them. Jack and Brianna. I don't know if I like it or hate it. Even before- I never really trusted him." Josh nodded, "Then why don't you mention it Brianna? If you are as close as you were, I'm sure she'll at least listen to you." Ginger frowned, "When I mentioned it before she would just wave me off and put me on lackey duty for a month." Josh shrugged, "Keep in mind, Ginger- she's had amnesia for the past year or so, her opinions might have changed." Ginger stopped and thought for a moment before nodding. "You know something, Lawton? You might be right."

It was later that day when Brianna came downstairs did she see Ginger stage her intervention in the kitchen. "Brianna." Ginger greeted, "We need to talk." Brianna nodded and sat down at the kitchen island on one of the three bar stools. "Okay, shoot." Ginger sighed, "I don't trust Jack. And I don't think you should either." Brianna was quiet for a moment and then her eyes flashed and a look of anger spread across her face. "That's what you've always said about him, Ginger. He has done nothing but good for us. He is giving us protection, we owe him our lives. If it weren't for him-" Ginger cut her off, "We would be home now. In Gotham. We need to go there now. We have people who miss us. Our family is there, Brianna, Princess- you must listen to me." Brianna snarled, "I have listened to you. But know this, I am the one with the royal bloodline, the one who will become Queen of Gotham one day. I am your boss. I don't need to do what you say. You need to do what I say when I say it. And now, Ginger, you have earned yourself a lackey position when we go to the gala. Instead of being at the head with me and Jack, you'll bring up the rear. Now- before you say something else that pisses me off- get out of my sight." Ginger gaped at her before giving a low growl and storming outside. Brianna huffed grabbing an apple, "I don't need to obey her," she grumbled, "She needs to obey me." Gravity walked down the stairs with a yawn, grabbing an apple as well and sitting down, "So," She said, "What's the goss?"

Later that day, the squad was gathered by the pool. Sasha sat well away from the pool getting a tan while watching the others mess around in the pool. She scoffed, flicking her short tail in annoyance. "How can anyone be comfortable in water?" She muttered. Brianna hopped out of the pool, sauntering over to reapply some sunscreen. "For one, it's fun." She answered, "I don't know why you hate it so much, Sasha." Sasha hissed, "Well for one, princess- I am more feline than the rest of you." Brianna laughed, "Doesn't mean you have to act like one! Just give it a try." Brianna slipped back over to the pool where the others were and hopped back in, causing a splash that ended at Sasha's feet. She hissed, scooting away before glancing up to see the others. They did seem to be... enjoying themselves. She held her breath as she inched over to the pool side. Brianna snickered as she noticed her, "C'mon Sasha, give it a try." Sasha hissed, "Don't rush me!" The squad watched as she tentatively entered the pool, cringing at the feel of the water against her fur. Winter frowned, "Can't you revert to a human form like your mom?" She asked after Sasha sat in the water, freezing her teeth chattering. Sasha nodded, "S-sometimes. I don't exactly have as much control over it as she does. She was teaching me how to revert when I was t-taken." Josh waded over, "I'm sure you'll figure it out in time," He said. Brianna giggled, "Since when is Mr. Hitman a nice guy? You used to be all bite and no bark, no it's vice versa?" Josh shrugged, "We've all changed since we were taken, Brianna. Believe it or not- we aren't the people we were before." Silence fell over the group. The sound of heels clacking against the pavement broke the silence and they looked up to see Ash, wearing formal business attire as she glanced around. Her gaze fell on the squad, "Is Jack around? There's been a change in plans and he has some paperwork to sign before he will be accepted as heir again by the other crime families." Brianna nodded, "He's making a smoothie in the kitchen, should be out any-" As she said, Jack walked out with a tray of smoothies that he put on the poolside. He turned to Ash confused, "Hey- is something wrong? You don't usually make house calls." Ash nodded, "Sort of- I need you to sign a few papers for your stepfather, it'll be an official thing that your back." She handed him the papers. Jack nodded, "Alright. Anything else?" Ash nodded again, "Yes- Before the gala there is a two day arrival period. We are expected there the first day of arrival, there is a dinner doubling as a business meeting. I don't believe it's much- just a check in. We have reservations at the Grand Plaza Hotel in the Diamond District, near the Upper West end." Jack nodded, "Alright, so we start packing today, be there in the next week?" Ash nodded. "Yes sir. The limo will be here Friday to pick you and the missus up, the ahem-" She looked at the rest of the squad, "hench crew will be transported via the company van." Jack nodded, "Good. However make the arrangements- I want the squad as my guard for the gala. Make sure they're there as guards." Ash nodded, "Of course. I'll call you tonight and go over the arrangements. Also- the tailor will deliver your attire for the gala to the suite at the hotel. So when you arrive, change into your dinner ware and then go. However the invitations say that your plus one is not to accompany you to the dinner as it is strictly business. You are limited to two bodyguards." Jack frowned and nodded then glanced to the squad, "Delgado, Josh- bodyguard detail?" He called, the boys gave him a thumbs up and Jack nodded to Ash. "Put them down as my guard for the evening." Ash nodded, "Done. I'll see you later then." She made to leave and Jack followed, "Ash- make sure of this, when we arrive Brianna is to remain in the suite until the night of the gala. And I want guards for her at all times. I want Grayson to remain here under heavy guard, he's military, he's got skill. Don't let him out of your sight." Ash nodded, "Affirmative. I'll keep that in mind, anything else?" Jack shook his head, "No. That will be all." Ash nodded again, "Of course, boss." Jack watched as she left before he returned to the pool seeing the squad back to their usual chatter. Brianna walked over, "Something wrong?" She asked. Jack kissed her cheek and shook his head, "No. Everything's fine. We need to start packing. We leave for Gotham Thursday, then on arrival I need to go to a formal dinner. You are staying in the suite with the others until the gala." Brianna huffed, "So your locking me up in a tower? Wow. I'm trapped in a cage all over again." She turned to walk away and Jack sighed, "Brianna- don't be like that, you know it's for your own good. If someone sees you-" Brianna cut him off, "I know. I get it. I just don't want to be locked in a cage again." Jack took her hand, "It's just for a night or two. I promise. Then once we have you back in your own penthouse you can do whatever the hell you want." Brianna chuckled, "Now that I like the sound of." She gave him a quick kiss before joining the others. Jack watched her go a dull ache in his heart. He knew deep down, after she returned to her city, her father would stop at nothing to keep her from going AWOL ever again.