Hoping for a Payday

Kaitlyn Savage · Shocking Woman

Hoping for a Payday

Bella Mafia · Donna Pericolosa

The days where long, and the nights seemed so short, even during the weekends it seemed like she lacked any real time for herself. Marcello was gone, stiff upper lip and years of practice had smoothed out the emotion that might have played on any other's face. No instead, she went on. A Donna cannot show weakness, any weakness, lest the vultures and coyotes come sensing a wounded prey animal. And Rosalie Giovanni was not a wounded prey animal.

The bed was overly large, hand carved and stained a deep red color, swathed in thick blankets and thick curtains. Only the curtains never really closed, it was much too claustrophobic for her if she did in fact close the curtains on the bed. However, as large as the bed was, the four large Cane Corso's took up what left over space was not designated the princess' sleeping area.

Although sleep seemed to ellude her this night, she stared in a detached way at the alarm clock beside her bed. The deep breathing of the four dogs sharing her bed was a natual lullaby but there was just something not right. She couldn't put her hand on it but it just wasn't right. Eyes closed in a vain attempt to force herself into sleep, however Apollo's head jerked up and a tiny pricke of noise rummbled through his throat. The other three dogs merely blinked awake and stared at him. Rolling over in her bed she curled an arm around the massive black dog and buried her face into the fleshy skin of his neck urging him to calm down and go back to sleep.

Black cut ears stayed perked however his head did settle back down on the bed with a sigh as if he was fustrated with his human owner.

Kaitlyn Savage · Shocking Woman

Every creak, every whisper of sound, caused all movement to cease. Dark eyes moved restlessly, expecting any minute to spot one of the guards – be it on two legs or four. The leather pants were well-conditioned, making very little noise and the jacket was snug around her body. Unlike some thieves, she didn’t bother with a mask of any kind, preferring to simply tie her hair up into a knot at the back of her neck. It was more comfortable, allowing her to breathe easily, though it left her identity exposed to any who might see her. But the idea was to get in, pilfer a few things, and get out. Being spotted was not something that was usually a problem.

Her back pressed against the wall as she neared the corner, slipping a mirror from one of the compartments of her jacket. It was angled and held low to look around the corner. Brows drew together in a frown. The hall was clear, screaming wrongness to her. Where were the guards? The dogs? Why had she been able to make it this far without a single thing to hinder her?

Movement caught her eye, freezing her in place. It took a moment to assure herself that it was only a shadow, but she kept an eye on the area as she moved toward the door that was her goal. Her head tilted as she neared that door, listening for any sign that the occupant might be stirring. A soft rumble made her pause, but it was impossible to tell what had caused the sound.

She reached for the knob, keeping her body to the side of the door. If it were locked, well, she had the tools to remedy that. If it weren’t then she would turn it carefully to avoid making noise. The muscles along her back and in her shoulders tensed as she knew they would. For the first time since she’d honed her skills she was moving blind. There was no certainty of what lay beyond that door.

Holding her breath, the door was pushed open a fraction of an inch at a time.

Bella Mafia · Donna Pericolosa

It was hard to tell exactly had riled up the dogs, but within moments every inch of fur on Apollo's back was standing up in a ridge. He made no sound, rather had gotten to his feet barily disturbing the bed or sounding an alarm and bore his teeth at the door as it swong open ever so slowly. Fingers had fallen off Apollo's neck as he had scrammbled up on the bed and stood in a defensive. The other three massive canine's where moving slowly also rising to there feet. Each dog could be a vicious killer if need be. Although Rosalie didn't relish the idea of tearing a human apart in her bedroom. That would be messy and the blood would ruin her thick plush arabian carpet. She shifted slightly on the bed and reached over flicking the light on with one snap of her fingers.

She sat against the headboard, black hair mussed wildly around her face, the four dogs standing around her in a protective line as she stared at the frozen woman trying to sneak into her bedroom. Lips curled upwards for a moment wondering what family had dared come into her house for an assasiantion attempt. Her hand moved to the table beside the bed and she simply flicked the switch for the alarm. It wasn't a loud alarm in fact it was barily any noise at all, just the whoosh of metal shutters slamming down over each window.

"I do hope they paid you a healthy sum to try and kill me, because honestly, if you make it out of here alive, you deserve it." Arms folded across her chest as she sat there completely content. The shutters going down was alarm enough, voice rose from the hall way beyond the bedroom. The house was awake.

Kaitlyn Savage · Shocking Woman

Light. It blinded her for precious seconds causing her to raise her arms in defense – not just against the brightness, but also from any attack that might be coming. Teeth ground together in frustration as she realized she’d been well and truly caught. This was what happened when she acted in a fit of temper. With everything in ruins, she blinked away the spots before her eyes, to peer at Rosalie and the four hulking brutes standing around her. Wisps of hair lifted as static crackled around her body.

Weight shifted, ready to move the minute one of the dogs launched itself into an attack. The voices from behind goaded her into moving, but instead of running, she moved into the room. “So… ifI were an assassin, what would you do with me? Torture me for information? Sic the dogs on me? I’d rather skip that part, if it’s all the same to you. It sounds too messy and you have such a pretty room, princess.”

A gloved hand lifted slowly to brush against her forehead, removing the sheen of perspiration. With care not to set the dogs off, she hunkered down until she could sit on the floor with her legs in such a position that she could easily spring back up, hands resting palm up to show they were empty. Obviously, she didn’t intend to make a run for it. In fact, she looked completely at ease talking about her possible demise. “Of course, I could be something other than a killer.”

When the first of the guards appeared in the doorway with his gun drawn, jagged lines of electricity jumped from her to the hunk of metal, shocking him repeatedly. Kaitlyn merely lifted a brow. “If he wants it to stop, he should probably put the gun down or go away…”A shrug. It was their choice. She didn’t particularly want to hurt anyone – possibly kill them, even – but she wasn’t above such things if it kept her alive a while longer.

Bella Mafia · Donna Pericolosa

Hazel eyes stayed locked on the womans' face as she seemed to take this all in stride. Rosalie clicked at her teeth twice with her tongue and the four dogs grudgingly settled on there haunches and with the word "down". All four massive dogs lay back down on the bed, although it didn't look in anyway relaxed. Rounded cut ears swiveled forward and that line of hair along there spine was still sticking straight up. Rosalie's hand moved to travel over Apollo's spine, smoothing the crest of hair back down. For the briefest of moments her eyes lifted from this very couragous woman's face to Tomas who was the unlucky first to get to the room and what was that?   Get shocked. She held up her other hand to stop any attack, because yes she was vain and completely agreed. Her room was much too pretty to mess up with blood and gore. Tomas massaged his hand, his face blank but his black eyes never leaving the now sitting woman.

"Close the door, Miss...." She said it as if she was searching for a name. "I believe we have some business to discuss."

Rosalie was not stupid, but she was not unprotected. With four very large dogs and her own arsenal of weapons stashed in her room it really wasn't a disadvantage as it should be.

"If you where an assassin, I would have them restrain you, or drug you and then take you someplace fun for a lesson. I am still debating that option in fact, so you have two minutes to tell me why you are here and why of all places you are in my room.   I'd make it good honey, just in case I get bored. Oh, and that little trick you did, you might want to explain that too."

Kaitlyn Savage · Shocking Woman

More than anyone else, she watched those dogs. No matter how settled they might seem, she didn’t trust it to last if they thought she was endangering their mistress. A faint upward lift of her lips was directed toward the guard as she reached for the door to close it, making sure that it latched. Quickly, she came up with a name to supply Rosalie with.

“Sparks. Miss Sparks.” Amusement colored the words. “I don’t think your friend likes me much. There shouldn’t be any permanent damage to his hand, though. Might be a little twitchy for a day or two.” Another shrug, flexing her fingers within the leather gloves. Fingers lifted to scratch at her neck before grabbing the zipper of her jacket. A second of hesitation before murmuring, “You don’t mind, do you? It’s a little warm.”

Not waiting for more than a moment, she continued with the motion. She didn’t fully unzip it, only half way, though it was enough to show she only wore a black sports bra. It also bared the knife scars on the left side of her neck and chest.

“You’re rich, princess. Surely, you know that. Those pretty little jewels, fancy dresses and designer handbags… I can make a tidy little sum off those things if I fence them. I’m just your run-of-the-mill cat burglar. Your castle here presented a challenge. Usually, I don’t get caught, but I lost my temper after learning about your other visitor. I failed to plan things out as I should have.” A quirk of her lips. “A foolish move, but I was bound to make a mistake at some point.”

A tilt of her head toward the dogs. “They’re a bit more intimidating at close range. Magnificent, though. What do you call them?”

Yes, she jumped right over the topic of her ‘little trick’, but knew she would have to explain. At the moment, she was buying a few minutes to form an explanation that didn’t make her sound more like a freak. Bad enough the static charge hadn’t subsided, but the display of miniature lightning wasn’t something that she could pass off as a random phenomenon. Especially after she’d all but admitted she was responsible for it.

So, while thinking over what to say, she waited to find out about the dogs.

Bella Mafia · Donna Pericolosa

A hand lifted, it was the only tell tale sign that she was aware of her surroundings. Kyoti, her once human friend now vampire guard hovered just outside the door her fangs bared. Where ever Kyoti had been she was back now and it was obvious by the hiss that she was angier then a chihuahua on speed. Rosalie shifted in the bed, her hazel eyes never once leaving Kaitlyn as she unzipped her jacket.

Her hand touched Apollo when questioned about the dogs. "I call him Apollo, this handsome man Mars, and these two beauties Diana and Venus. They are pure breed Cane Corso and the best security system money can buy." It was obvious as she touched and talked about her dogs, they where not just guard dogs but had a special place in her life. Hazel shifted minutely away from Miss Sparks face to her neck and chest for a moment before zeroing in on her face again.

"Now, I'd really like an answer as to how you did that with the electricity. I doubt electricity could stop a bullet, or several dozen bullets at once?"

It wasn't that she wasn't aware of the situation but she was a bit aggrivated that her alarm system didn't work. She had paid top dollar for it, at least the metal shutters still worked. "As for my baubles and riches, I think perhaps people under estimate me because I am a woman of money and power. They think I am stupid, and I can assure you "Miss Sparks", I am not stupid. I am however, hiring. But of course, that wouldn't interest you now would it? Much rather be the petty thief or grifter hmm?"

She spoke in a calm tone, although there was a hint of smugness or superiority about her tone. She was egging Kaitlyn on in hopes of getting information.

Kaitlyn Savage · Shocking Woman

The hiss from the other side of the door made the muscles in her shoulders tense even more, almost to the point of pain, though it didn’t show on her face. She didn’t particularly relish the thought of tangling with whatever, or whoever, had made that hiss. Instead, she paid close attention to the way Rosalie answered her about the dogs. Not just a part of the security system, then, hm? That could be useful information for the future… If she made it out of here alive.

So, it was time to stop stalling and give the woman the explanation she wanted before the threat of bullets became something more than mere threat. “Actually, I’ve never tested that theory, nor do I think I care to. After all, we weren’t going to get your room messy, remember?” A finger lifted, tapping at her chin before moving lower to scratch at a scar. “I am, apparently, a freak of nature if you care for the simplest answer. Electrokinetic is the technical term. I can control and manipulate,” here a brief smile surfaced, answering the question of why the alarms hadn’t gone off, “electricity and electrical devices. A useful trick in my line of work. It does, of course, have its drawbacks, but everything does.”

A wry grin. “Rest easy, princess, I never once believed you were stupid. If you were, someone would have taken the money and power from you by now. Do you think I chose your home on a whim? No, you presented the greatest challenge. I enjoy testing myself and the security system you have in place is one I hadn’t gone up against yet.” Another of her shrugs. “I will say it’s a nice system. The frequency was different, gave me a little trouble at first…”

Her gaze turned distant, tuning to the frequency of the system, though she was perfectly aware of every movement in the room. A few seconds passed and her lips twitched at the sound of the metal shutter on Rosalie’s window going back up. It didn’t last long, that brief moment of showing off, but it was part of the explanation Rosalie had asked for.

“As for you hiring…” Brow lifted and she gave a slight shake of her head. “I can honestly say, no, I’m not in the least interested. I make plenty of money between my day job and little forays into the homes of the rich and powerful.” Kaitlyn took a moment to study the woman before continuing, “Next, you’ll probably tell me that it’s in my best interest to change my mind. That unless I work for you, you’ll call in your people and proceed with that ‘lesson’ you mentioned. That is usually how it goes, isn’t it?”

Surprisingly, she didn’t seem in the least troubled by this. Sure, angering a woman who had command of four very large dogs – not to mention the armed guards and hissing thing outside the door – wasn’t the greatest of ideas. But she was confident that she could take a few of them out before she went down for good.

Bella Mafia · Donna Pericolosa

Rosalie watched Kaitlyn play with the shutters, managing to shut them from where she stood. Pursing her lips for a moment she contemplated. However, it seemed Kaitlyn didn't have the same feelings about joining the ever evolving family. Fingers reached out and stroked over Apollo's head slowly contemplating. The dog didn't unfocus his eyes from Miss Sparks as she stood there speaking.

"That is usually how it works, you see. Once you tangle with the Mafia you usually end up in debt or dead. Now I have a few scenerios that can happen. I can have my men subdue you and have the police escort you out of my home. I can have my men handle you alone and deal with your body afterwards. Or I can let you live. Personally, I like that itself, since i have a need for someone with your.. powers. And I don't see it as being a freak of nature rather, being extra talented." She gave a wide smile that flashed those beautiful white teeth.

"So Ms. Sparks which one do you like the best? Of course, if you came to work for me or as a Retainer the money would be very worth it." Rosalie shifted the blanket off her legs and slid out of bed, wearing a simple black gown that showed that even though she was approaching 40 that she had a beautiful figure, well cared for. Fingers rose up to slid through her hair. "Do you have any questions?"

Kaitlyn Savage · Shocking Woman

Lips twisted into a grimace as Rosalie gave her options. None of them were terribly appealing to an independent person such as herself. The first brought her to the attention of the police, a complication she didn’t need since it would affect her other work. Who wanted to hire a security person who’d been in trouble with the law? Sure, she could probably get Lucian to work his magic with his lawyers, but that would mean owing him. The mere thought made her stomach churn and anger spike, causing the lights to dim and brighten for a moment.

The second option caused nearly as many problems for her. She would be put into a position where she’d be forced to defend herself. That would make for even more sleepless nights when the nightmares began. As she had told Rosalie, she wasn’t a killer. Not unless her life was on the line, at least.

The third… that took away the freedom she’d fought to gain. Her lips twitched when Rosalie mentioned that she didn’t see this ‘talent’ as making her a freak. The words gave her more confidence in herself, something that she hadn’t been looking for, but appreciated.

“I suppose I have no real choice, then, do I? You know full well that I’d rather not deal with police, nor do I think that you want me to kill your men when they try to kill me.” She eyed the woman as she slid out of the bed, noting the well cared for body. “How much money are we talking about and will this interfere with my day job? Those are the most pressing questions.”

Legs shifted so that she could plant her feet against the floor, elbows moving to rest on her knees with her fingers linked. Shoulders were rolled to ease the knotted muscles.