Page 87 of Five Fingers of Death

“Um…I like this set,” Izzy said, barely above a whisper.

“Ah, unfortunately, this set is no longer for sale. The floor model is all that’s left.”

“Then sell it to her,” I snapped.

“Sir, I can’t?—”

“Are you here to sell furniture or not?” I argued.

His face turned red as his eyes flicked from me and then to Izzy. “Sir, if I could, I would.”

“You can. You walk back to the counter, write it up, and take the goddamn money. It’s as simple as that.”

“It’s okay,” Izzy cut in, clearly uncomfortable.

But I wasn’t about to let her miss out on what she really wanted. I’d seen how excited she was when she found this couch. This was the one she wanted, and she was going to get it I had to break this guy’s fucking arm to get it for her.

“Is this the set you want?” I asked her.

She ducked her head, already bowing to the men surrounding her. “It’s not for sale.”

I stalked over to her, tipping her chin up so she would look at me. Her eyes were wide and wary, almost fearful. “Don’t ever fucking bow your head to another man. Got it?”

She gave a jerky nod, but I knew she was only placating me.

“Is this the set you want?”

A shaky breath slipped through her lips. “Yes.”

I gave a tight nod and turned to the man. “Get me your manager. Now.”

He turned on his heel and hurried off. I knew Izzy wasn’t comfortable with any of this, and I wasn’t trying to make this harder on her, but fuck, I wanted something to go right for her.

When the manager walked over, he took one look at Izzy and then at me. “What can I help you with?”

“The lady wants this set. We’re taking it.”

He opened his mouth to argue, but when I narrowed my eyes at him, he smiled tightly. “Of course. Let’s get this settled for you.”

19

IZZY

I watched as he took charge, ordering people around with just one look. It was impressive. Zavala used to do that, but with him, it was always with the threat of violence. I didn’t think Jason was actually going to hurt any of these men. At least, I really hoped not. It was just a couch, after all.

Don’t ever fucking bow your head to another man. Got it?

For thirteen years, all I did was obey Zavala. I did whatever he wanted so I didn’t get whipped or beaten. I didn’t want to get thrown in the dungeon again. Yet, here Jason was, telling me to do the exact opposite of what I was trained to do. I couldn’t just flip that switch off. I didn’t know how to.

“Izzy,” he said, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Do you want the pillows?”

If I said yes, would that cause a problem? I licked my lips, wondering if I should tell him no, just to be on the safe side. But when I looked into his eyes, it gave me the courage to speak the truth.

“I want them.”

His eyes lit with approval just before he turned back to the man. Slumping down onto the couch, I draped my hand over my forehead. I was wiped out. Who knew shopping could drain someone of so much energy? Trying to change myself was exhausting.

“Nice couch,” Vira grinned, plopping down beside me.

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