Thread: In Cold Blood [Mach & Merc]

She remained quiet, standing as still as her nerves would allow, listening to him talk to her. Iris was surprised at how nostalgic it made her, if nostalgic was even the right word. In a flash, and entirely different future played out before her. A What If that made Iris unable to hold Nickys gaze any longer, less her mind linger too long on kisses she never had, long nights that would have been hers, and a family and lifestyle that would have been morally black but comfortable. Familiar. And with Nicky? She imagined it would have been safe. But would she have been happy? Her mind flashed back to her partner, David, and their last night together. The thought of him anchored her once again in the present, and her hand itched from the memory of when hed last held it. She exhaled and lifted her eyes up to meet Nicks again, watching how he looked over her. She wondered if he questioned the same things she did. The same futures that they may have shared. Much like he studied her, noting the differences and similarities to the child hed watched grow up, Iris did the same. The way he held himself. Confident, relaxed, his hands in his pockets and his eyes on her. He held himself in a way of a man who didnt need to defend himself, because no one would be foolish enough to attack him. He held himself in a way that spoke of being unafraid to pull the trigger, or send the order. A chill ran down Iris spine as his eyes lingered on her, remembering the photographs and the autopsy reports of the men who had tried to do what she was doing before her. Would her execution be just as ruthless? An inner voice whispered, sounding much like David, reminding her to trust her gut and be strong, as she watched Nicholas leaning back and studying her. Like he was trying to get a true taste of her. To know on which side of the line she truly stood. She wondered what he saw Iriss eyes lifted to hold his as he pushed off the wall and came closer. She swallowed the lump in her throat, her lips pursing and her body shifting under the weight of his approach but she held her ground. Even has he lifted his hand and touched her. It took every ounce of her will to not flinch away. I had to come back, She started, her lower lip trembling as the emotions welled. She licked her lips, swiping away at the revealing tremble, even as his hand lingered near her cheek. I had to come and Exhaling, she shook her head and turned her cheek away as her hand lifted up to rub over the other cheek nearly pressing her face into his hand if only for a moment before she looked up at him. There was genuine fear in her eyes. Bruno Moretti found me. Because of this mission, her identity truly had been revealed. Her location. Everything. She hadnt even been in New York when the thugs had tried to jump her. Theyd driven her here. She hadnt wanted to find Nicky for another two weeks. She needed more timethere were other things to prepare for, but word spread quickly in the underground and before shed had a chance to cross all the Ts and dot all the Is, she was forced to make the leap back in. I got busted, but the cop fucked up and I got off. I thought I was good, you know? I hadnt been busted in the whole time I was working since I left my folks. I wasnt anywhere near anyones territory and I wasnt using my real name, but the fucking goons almost got me. She rolled those large, sharp green eyes back up to his with the subtle shake of her head drawing her lower lip between her teeth again for just a second before she caught herself. She didnt want to keep showing him just how uncomfortable she was. Hed always been able to read her like a book. I saw Baby when I was locked up. She must have recognized me. I wasnt going to come back, but now I- Iris cut herself off and dropped back down on the chair, her hands twisting together in her lap as she shook her head and lifted her gaze back up to his. Everyone I was working with before wont help me now that they know who I am. Im on my own, and all those guys are coming after me for something I didnt even do. It was all true, of course. People were hunting her down. Word that Iris Hannigan had been spotted in LA county had spread through the community like wildfire. People had been tracking her across the country. Men with blood to spill keeping tabs on where she fled to. She had managed a flight from LAX to JFK under her alias but as soon as she landed the dogs were out. Shed just made it into Chinatown when Nicholas own men had nabbed her. And not a moment too soon, as they would have reported to him. She was about a hot minute away from getting dragged into the back of a much less welcoming van. So no, Im not happy to see you, because I dont know if youre going to kill me, hand me off to the highest bidder to be killed or what, but I had to come back here to try and find you. I was just hoping our reunion would be on my terms. Iris continued to hold his eyes, this time more than fear in their depths. There was determination. And hope. I didnt know what my dad was doing. I didnt know he was going to betray the families, and try to burn it all to the ground. I didnt know he would rat everyone out to save his own tail. Please Nicky. Nicholas. Whatever the hell you want me to call you. Believe me. Please. I need your help.