Thread: In Cold Blood [Mach & Merc]

It was playing out just as the Bureau had hoped and planned it to. Iris was both relieved, and afraid, all at the same time, though she was trying not to count her ducks before they hatched. Nicholas Occisor was only telling her that he didnt plan on killing her, not that he wouldnt outright. And he was weighing his advantage as her protector. What could she offer him in return? What possibly could a young woman like Iris, who had been under government assistance and protection, and then got popped, possibly do to help him? What were her skill sets? If business was even what he was talking about. Iris licked her lips, staring up at the boy shed grown up with, and prepared to barter for her life. Of course Ill work for you. Ill do whatever you need. Nicky, I- She cut herself off, clearing her throat and shaking her head as she reached up and raked her hands through her hair agitated though barely managing to keep herself together. The longer she sat in this room, surrounded by cold concrete walls and stainless steel in only her underwear and a tank, the more exposed and threatened she felt. Even Nick, as he stood over her with his charming smile on his face didnt retract from him regarding her with the cool detachment of an art dealer examining a new painting. More and more like his father, she was reminded. But there was finesse to Nick that her Uncle Occisor hadnt had. Rolling her tongue over her lips, Iris lifted herself up to her feet again fingers twisted together in front of her stomach. A delicate sliver of abdomen showing beneath the lifted tank top as tattooed as the rest of her. It gave wonder if she were completely covered, or if there were any spots left where the smooth ivory was left untarnished. Inhaling slowly, she exhaled as her eyes lifted up to meet his. I missed this life. I missed the families. I missed I missed you. Iris shook her head again, smirking at herself. Im not trying to make a grand gesture of love and affection. You were a real dick, but... absence makes the heart grow fonder, or some bullshit like that. There was the faintest hint to a laugh as she lifted that gaze up to lock with his again. I am a great fucking shot, good with numbers, and people. As long as those people dont know who I am or dont care, or, I imagine, if I had Nicholas Occisor telling those who do know me saying Im off limits. I had small time runners doing big time runs and it worked flawlessly. We flooded the smaller counties with counterfeits which climbed up to the medium and then large counties. By the time anyone caught on, there was no way to trace anything back to us. It wasnt glamorous, but it worked, and it was comfortable. I got greedy. I thought I was making it, ya know. Doing something for myself. Building an empire, even if it was a small one. I fucked up. She was realizing this wasnt much to offer to a crime boss, but there was still an ace up her sleeve. One that she imagined Nicky already knew about, and was counting on. And if thats not enough my name is. Her eyes searched his, waiting for him to either scoff or understand what she was saying. When my dad did what he did, he forfeited the empire he would have inherited from my grandfather. After my grandfather died, the empire has been hanging out in limbo. I think you know what me being back means. Iris had been the only child of an only child. Her grandfathers money, his estate, his everything, had been willed to her once her father had forfeited everything in his betrayal. The government had no claim on her grandfathers estate. It had been made legally as far as anyone could ever prove, and over time When she had been taken into witness protection, before the age of eighteen, many believed that meant her claim to the estate was void, but it hadnt been. When her grandfather had passed, Iris had been only sixteen, and no one knew where to find her. Her coming back now, at the legally appropriate age of twenty-three, after over a decade of accumulated interest, all of those resources were hers And they were not small pennies. Not even to Nick. I couldnt claim it without everyone knowing where I was, that I was alive But its too late to fade back into the shadows now. I am the sole Hannigan still alive. Everything my grandfather built is mine. She didnt break eye contact. Her only flinch was the waiver of her voice when she claimed to be the only Hannigan still alive. I can offer that to you. Access to those resources I just want to be alive, and comfortable, and safe. Please.