oh! the horror

“Don’t –” She really wished he’d just stop. Stop with the apologies and the sad eyes and the estranged looks. They were getting harder and harder to resist or deny and Killian was beginning to notice. As he addressed such concerns last night before they took out their aggression and love for one another on his desk. “Stop–” The warning was soft, much like her hand as it reached out to separate them. The purpose of her out-splayed palm on his chest was meant to serve as some sort of barrier, a line he shouldn’t cross or go over at the risk of their safety. If word got back to Killian that his queen and canary, both went MIA together at the same time, it wouldn’t end well. And would only fuel his previous suspicions regarding their prospective affair. As far as Killian knew, it had ended the moment he came into the picture and until a few days ago.. it had. But, then Izzy let herself succumb to Benjamin’s charms as she sat on his face like it were her own throne to rule. 

“You should know better than anyone, not to ask such incriminating questions.” A bit aggravated now, Izzy shooed Benjamin’s fingers away from her neck so he couldn’t touch the scar that was starting to form there. “And anyway, he didn’t lay a finger on me that I didn’t otherwise ask him to or warrant. He would never.” Any touch, whether soft or aggressive, Izzy welcomed from Killian. He never forced himself on her. “You have no reason to worry about me, I’m fine. In fact, I’ve never been better.” Along with Killian’s more depraved and ruthless traits, Izzy was beginning to adopt his invincible and godlike mentality. She felt unstoppable and ontop of the world. And she had no one to thank but their reapers’ nonbenevolent king. 

“Now, Benji–” In spite of Izzy’s hot and cold demeanor as of late, her next move was warm and welcoming as she clasped a hand over Benjamin’s left cheek. Like putty, he melted into her hands and Izzy marveled at the sight of his resolve crumbling, before her very eyes. His foundation was much weaker in her presence. Like she stripped away his walls and refused to let him put them back up. They were friends, despite the ulterior doubt. Whatever he had to say, she would never repeat. Even if he told her, he wanted to take down Killian and build a new empire with her on his arm, she wouldn’t rat him out. Although, she wouldn’t necessarily join in the act either. “Something’s wrong.” Izzy could sense as much, without Benjamin having to tell her. It was like her spidey senses were tingling and the closer he got to her, the stronger that feeling became. He was in trouble, that much she knew. But how? And to what extent? Was beyond her. “You seem stressed.” She felt obligated to assuage that by clasping her fingers around the collar of Benjamin’s jacket. She held onto it for a moment and then slid her fingers underneath to relieve it’s weight from his shoulders. 

The jacket somehow managed to fall over the arm of a chair behind Ben. “What’s got you so twisted in the head now, dearest Benji? I’ve never seen you like this and quite frankly, it worries me. Whatever it is, it won’t leave this room. Not unless you want it to. You have my word.”

Isabelle’s outstretched hand blocked Benjamin from coming any closer, making all of this so much harder for him. What he needed right now was a friend, someone he could trust with his secrets. But, Isabelle’s current disposition wasn’t the kind of reaction he was hoping for. Although, it made sense. Isabelle wasn’t his to lean on. She was Killian’s. Which was still riddle in itself. Killian was a psychopath and from what Benjamin gathered, Isabelle was not. But maybe that was the allure? The idea of being loved by someone who doesn’t love anyone. It could have been that. Or, she could have used him to get to Killian. Their entire night together could have been nothing more than a trick. A way for her to get to the boss. If so, it worked. She was a Queen now and her friends were Reapers. 

“So that’s how it is? I’m on the outside? What’s going to happen to me, Isabelle? Are you going to sew me up and send me to Tombstone City for caring about you?” There was a burning pressure behind his eyes now, as they filled with tears. He turned his face, blinking a few times so she wouldn’t be able to read him. But Isabelle never needed an emotion to be obvious, she could read a person better than a polygraph test.

“Oh yeah, he would never hurt you? He put a knife to my face, Isabelle. He trashed the party you put together. He’s unhinged! He’s a fucking psychopath.” This wasn’t the kind of conversation he wanted to have with her, but he couldn’t stand seeing her this way. She was bleeding last night, and when she emerged from Killian’s office (wearing his jacket), he could tell her dress had been cut off. How was any of that warranted? It was clear, Benjamin had no idea just how strong, capable, and feisty Isabelle truly was. He saw her as an innocent girl, who was in way over her head. Which, is the way most men viewed her. Killian was the only person who could see past the cliché princess, trapped in a tower, and waiting for a prince. Princes were for girls who are too afraid to slay their own dragons. To Killian, Isabelle was a warrior queen, not a damsel in distress.

“Something is wrong,” Benjamin whispered, “—I am stressed.” With every soft plea, he moved closer. Isabelle seemed less rigid now, and so Benjamin took advantage of it by placing his hands on her hips. “I need you, Isabelle.” The rest of their conversation could come later. In bed, and tangled up in the sheets. Benjamin would rather wait out her resolve, before confiding in her. He needed to know he could still trust her, and what better way to prove it than by giving into him, one last time.

“I trust you..” he promised, despite knowing she’d see right through him. Isabelle was gifted in a lot of ways, her ability to see through people’s bullshit was just the tip of the iceberg. “Do you still trust me?” As Isabelle dragged his jacket back, he rolled his shoulders. After it landed on the chair behind him, he sat down and reached for her hips again. “One last time..” Benjamin pleaded, and then pulled her down into his lap, “Please?” 

“Excuse me?” To be fair, Izzy was only partially listening. She had a lot of things on her mind and quite frankly, she was frustrated. Both with herself and with Killian who seemed to have disappeared into thin air. It was harder to keep a close eye on him when he was nowhere to be found. Then again, the distance gave them both an opportunity to test out their new blood bond and see whether or not it actually worked. 

In the meantime, Benjamin’s question seemed to make more sense as Izzy recounted it. And at first, it didn’t dawn on her that he was referring to her acute intuition rather than the ritual she and Killian performed the other night because how would he even know? He wasn’t there for it. “I’ll take another glass of bubbly please –” Beside her, Benjamin carried on while the bartender refilled her empty glass and slid it back towards her. Izzy was prepared to take it and leave but found that she was now anchored to Ben and hearing him plead his case. 

“Five minutes,” she answered with a sigh, before downing what was in her glass and leaving it behind at the bar. She was giving him five minutes to meet her in this upstairs suite. If he was late or didn’t show, she wouldn’t feel inclined to give him another. 

“By the way, you look dashing.” Ben was no stranger to wearing suits but, this particular one seemed to suit him well. Along with the mask. Which Izzy definitely noticed as her hand brushed his in an all too intimate gesture and she left him to make a quick stop at the ladies room. She needed a few seconds to breathe before she ascended the left-wing and met him in the upstairs suite as planned. 

Of course, as soon as the door closed behind her, Izzy peeled off her mask and set it aside along an end table before meeting Benjamin half way across the room. “You said this matter for you, was personal? What’s it about?”

While Isabelle went one way, Benjamin went the other. It was important for them to blend in and remain subtle, especially after what took place last night at The House. Killian’s violent outburst was a wake up call for everyone, Benjamin included. He’d never seen him so angry. Usually Killian was more poised, even in his executions. Behind all his childish tormenting and sharp-tongued sarcasm, was a brilliant strategist. Seven years in the military, and Benjamin’s never seen anyone like him. He was skilled in making people suffer in ways that couldn’t be taught, not even by the most well-versed persecutors.  

After a minute alone, Benjamin unlocked the door to the master suite and entered the room with a few deep breaths, meant to calm his racing heart and unsettling nerves. It wasn’t long after until Isabelle stepped in, triggering his flight or fight instinct. If he was smart, he would tell her to forget about it. But something about Isabelle made him foolish. She had that effect on most guys—and girls. Isabelle was beautiful, in ways makeup and Photoshop couldn’t imitate. Her beauty was more than skin-deep, she had this supernatural aura around her that could make even the strongest of men crumble at her feet. Killian was no exception, he decided to share the Reapers with her when he didn’t have to. He could have ruled alone like his forefathers did. Instead, he changed the game and added a Queen to the board. Isabelle wasn’t just a Queen, she was the first-ever Reaper Queen.

“What I have to tell you, it’s big. It could cost me my life, Isabelle.” Benjamin decided to drop all formalities and address her the way he used to before she became his superior. He wanted them to be the same people they were inside his pool on the night they met. They were more honest with each other back then. They stayed awake in his bed for hours, talking, making out, and having sex. Benjamin thought he knew every inch of her but lately, she’d been different. She seemed cold and distant. Killian was changing all the best things about her.  

“Look, as you know,” Benjamin removed his mask and set it aside, before meeting Isabelle in the center of the room, “I don’t have many friends. But I consider us…friends? At least I want us to be.” He actually wanted to be more than just friends, but what were the chances of that happening now? “I wanted to start off by saying, I’m sorry about last night. I’m sorry I got you in trouble.” Benjamin reached his hand out to touch the cut on Isabelle’s neck. He noticed it last night, bleeding when she emerged from Killian’s office. He wasn’t sure what went on in there, but it sounded violent. Benjamin thought of barging inside quite a few times, but knew he’d no longer be alive if he did. “What did he do to you, Isabelle?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Lo made a come-hither gesture with her hands, as if encouraging Ben to keep going, keep talking, keep telling her about this girl who he was so hung up on. The more she knew, the more she could offer some sound advice on how to handle her, and the situation he undoubtedly got himself into. “She’s your Juliet, I get it.” In other words, this Isabelle person was the one who got away. A desire he had but he couldn’t chase. Or well… he could but like he said, it wouldn’t end well. “Eh! Don’t say his name.” At the mention of Xavier’s name, Lo suggested with her fingers that Ben shut up. Saying Xavier was like chanting to Zozo.  Wish him into existence and he shall appear. Plus, it gave him too much power over her. Which he didn’t deserve after destroying her apartment and likely, her entire life. Or at the very least, all of her closest relationships. Considering 80% of them were lycans. No doubt, would Xavier turn all of Lo’s friends against her in due time. That is.. if he was feeling spiteful enough. 

“Babysitter…. big brother…” To Lo, they were the same thing. Only one was slightly more protective and irritating than the other and that’s the one Ben chose and claimed to be most of all. Go figure. “You know,” With the champagne flute still in hand, Lo decided to hold onto it as she led her brother over to a nearby column. Whoever’s mansion they were in, felt more like a museum than an actual home. “24 hours together and already you’re starting to know me better than I know myself. So weird.” It took most people ten times as long to even come remotely close to cracking her. But Benny was not most people and he always had this unique ability to see right through her. That’s how he knew, telling her to stay away from her ex wasn’t going to work. She’d do what she wanted anyway, regardless if it was a bad idea, doomed from the start, or just plain stupid. You live and you learn though. 

“I promise I’ll be careful now, spill.” And spill, he did. Perhaps even, a little too much. Because now Lo was seething. The description sounded exactly like Xavier. The wolf mask, the coffin embroidered neck, the ugly blonde bimbo on his arm… what a joke. Their entire relationship, Xavier, his stupid memories… everything he said to her the other night before he flipped out on her was a joke. And she was, the punchline. Now it was time she started punching things of her own. Like maybe, his date. She wondered how this v cut dress, sheer mask and red lipstick would pair with a black eye or busted lip. “What an asshole,” Lo grumbled to herself, before scanning the room for this couple. The one Lo would kill when she got her hands on half of it. 

For now… a deal was a deal and she owed it to Ben, to help him out with his own love life. Or lack thereof. It didn’t matter how many girls he claimed to have slept with on his own. Clearly, none of them were significant enough to keep around afterwards. “You know that saying, in order to get over someone you have to get under someone else. Well, it’s true.” Lo was living proof. And so was Xavier and his date. He succeeded in getting the same reaction out of her that Ben hoped to get out of Isabelle. Jealousy. It was it’s own unruly monster. “This isn’t what you want to hear but trust me,” Lo clamped a hand around her older brother’s shoulder and shook him gently, “You need to get over her. And the best way to do that is to set your sights on someone else. Either way you can’t lose. You either A: – get to test whether or not she cares, enough to get jealous and throw a fit and reveal her true feelings for you or B: – maybe you’ll find that there’s something else better for you out there. You deserve to be happy. And screwing a new girl every night, which by the way… gross – is only going to make you feel worse but, more lonely.” Instead of drinking her champagne, Lo set it aside in order to pull out her phone. Thanks to Ben, she finally got to charge it last night and also, delete Xavier’s number. “Lucky for you, I know just the girl. She’s smart, funny, super hot. And tough to crack, just like you. Give her a call for me, will you? Her name’s Samantha ( @samashbys​ ). And if you end up liking her and all goes well, don’t forget to invite me to the wedding.” 

Before Ben could argue, Lo shot him a quick smirk over her shoulder and then, Samantha’s number. Afterwards, she darted off to go find Xavier and make his life a living hell. Meanwhile, Izzy ( @reapersgoddess​ ) passed them both by, on her way to refill her glass at the bar.  

Ben chuckled at his sister’s exaggerated uneasiness at the mention of Xavier’s name. “Fine. Your Romeo.” Because if Isabelle was his Juliet, then Xavier would be Lo’s Romeo. They were both caught up in the same sticky situation. Benjamin’s interest in Isabelle was a death wish, and Lorelei’s relationship with Xavier was the reason she had a target on her head. Though, as far as Killian and the reapers were concerned, their trusted canary took care of her. Which technically wasn’t a lie. He was taking care of her by letting her stay at his luxury, beachfront penthouse.

“Well growing up, people did assume we were twins despite the age difference.” Benjamin declared, once they were tucked away in a private corner, distanced from anyone who could be eavesdropping. The two of them didn’t look identical on the outside, but on the inside they were one in the same. They both idolized their father, lived for thrills, and were dealt shitty hands growing up. They were also a complete disaster when it came to dating, apparently. Their parents could take the blame for that one. They hated each other, which would explain why Lo and Ben were both caught up in toxic affairs.  

“Lo. No. That is not true. I’ve been under a dozen girls since Isabelle and it doesn’t work.” For some of those girls, he meant that literally. His dick would just not get hard for them. They tried sucking his cock, giving him hand jobs, —drugs, but nothing would happen. Isabelle put a fucking curse on him and he couldn’t break it. What happens to a player once he’s been taken out of the game? Benjamin felt like a benched has-been. The only fathomable solution he could see working, was closure. He needed to get Isabelle out of his system one last time. She promised him as much but lately, she’d been acting shadier than normal. Maybe she was finally starting to see Killian for the monster he is.

“Okay, you might be onto something. The one thing I haven’t tried is bating her. If I flash the right kind of girl in front of her, she’s bound to come around. Girls are territorial.” Benjamin removed the toothpick from his mouth and finished off his glass of bourbon, while Lo tapped a new number into his phone. He didn’t waste any time shooting her a text message before Isabelle appeared at the bar. It was like she could sense it – Him texting someone else. She had amazing gifts, but Benjamin never believed they were real until now. Did she know he was conspiring against her? His intentions may not have been malicious, but they were still self-centered and dishonest.

“Get a ringing in your ear or something? Is that how your powers work?” Benjamin teased as he stepped out into the open. With Lorelei gone, there was no longer a reason for him to stay hidden in the shadows. “Look, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about some things. They’re important. Though, not exactly important enough for everyone else to hear. It’s more of a private, personal matter. Still, I’d like it if you could hear me out?” He already sent a text to Samantha, but that was before Isabelle showed up. There was no reason to parade another girl around, if he could get her to talk to him without the tricks. “If you can or if you want to, meet me in the upstairs suite.” The room was off-limits to the guest, but Benjamin already swiped the key earlier. He planned to hide Lorelei in there, if things went south, but so far the event seemed relatively tame, with the exception of Killian riling up a few of their rivals. It was as if he couldn’t help himself, and no word of advice from his hired adviser (Benjamin) seemed to matter. 

It didn’t take a genius to figure out what was going on here. All it took was some minor instinct and a general act of common sense. Benjamin was clearly checking out another man’s woman. But not only that, his boss’s woman. Not that Lo was clued in on that last part quite yet. Although, it would’ve been helpful to know who was plotting against her. That way she had a clear enough view of who to avoid. “Isabelle?” Her attempt to play guillible was as perfect as his attempts at keeping his eyes to himself. In other words – she failed miserably. “Ohhh. You mean, the hot girl in the red dress? Who is she?” Ignoring Benjamin’s first order, Lo plucked a flute of champagne off a passing tray if only to blend in with their surroundings. She didn’t drink much anymore, being a recovering addict and all. But, that didn’t mean she couldn’t pretend, if only to keep up ruses or appearances.

“By the way, it’s cute and all.” Her hand made a gesture between the two of their bodies as if to solidify that she was referring to their exchange at the moment. “This knack you have for telling me what to do. As if you honestly think I’ll listen.” Wasn’t he her age once? Did he not feel this innate desire to rebel against anything someone else said not to do? If his answer was yes, he’d be an even worst liar than she thought. “You say that like, he’s actually here.” But then, it dawned on her… he was. Otherwise Ben wouldn’t have added that to her not-to-do list. “No way.” Masquerade balls weren’t Xavier’s thing any more than they were hers. He wouldn’t be caught dead in a room full of insufferable, rich, old people. “Where is he? That little—” Prick!  Arrogant, piece of shit.

Thanks to Ben, Lo was on a mission now to find Xavier and pay him back for the damage he inflicted on her apartment. Maybe, she’d even grab a stranger and use them to piss him off. Little did she know yet, he already beat her to that same gut-wrenching, punch. Because unlike her, he came with an actual date. “Tell you what, I won’t ask you any more questions about this Isabelle person if you just tell me which direction that asshole went. How ‘bout it? I’ll even throw in a little advice. On how you can win your girl’s heart. Because, it doesn’t take much really. Just one little secret. As you know, not all girls are as complicated as they like to pretend they are. Trust me.”

“She’s…” Last night, Benjamin told Lo a little bit about Isabelle. At least the parts Killian was already aware of. He still didn’t trust her enough to give her the rest. For all he knew, Lo could sell him out to get rid of the bounty on her head. They haven’t seen each other in years. A lot could have changed. Actually, a lot had changed. Benjamin was a hit-man slash Consigliere for a mob boss and Lo was dating a Lycan. They were both a far cry from the people they used to be. “She’s the girl I told you about. The one I fell for before realizing no good could ever come of it. Kind of like you and Xavier. Which is the whole reason why I told you about her in the first place. Learn from my lessons, Lory. It’s what big brothers are for.” While not aware of Lorelei’s addictions, Benjamin didn’t say anything when she grabbed a flute of bubbly. In fact, he decided to join her for a drink. Though, he ordered a bourbon on the rocks for himself.

“I’m not trying to, like, babysit you, Lo. I’m trying to keep you alive. I know you’re not the same bunny-faced girl who used to sneak into my room and steal my GI Joes while claiming they were the boyfriends to your Barbie’s.” He rolled his eyes and took a swill of the drink, enjoying the way it burned all the way down like gasoline lighting the fire in his belly.

“Hey, hey. I never said I saw him. It’s just this event is mandatory. The Lycans, Reapers, and the Cartel are all here. Hence, the masks. An all-out war would abrupt if we were to see the faces of our enemies. There are people here who killed families and friends, of other attendees. This place is a ticking time bomb. So do me a favor and don’t light any wicks, Lory.” Benjamin couldn’t stop himself from looking over his shoulder at Isabelle again. He wanted to talk to her. He wanted to tell her about Lorelei and apologize for what transpired the other night at The House. She’s been avoiding him ever since. Or at least that’s what it felt like.

“I know you’re just going to go looking for this guy anyway, am I right? And if someone else notices you, they’ll stab you on sight. You’re supposed to be dead, Lo. So if I tell you where this disgusting Lycan is, will you promise me to keep things under the radar? Meaning, don’t make a scene, because I really don’t have the firepower to deal with it right now.” Benjamin plucked a toothpick from the bar and placed it between his teeth to keep himself from smoking. He wasn’t so sure they were allowed to in this fancy-ass mansion. 

“First tell me this secret. ‘Cause you know, I never had a problem with getting girls. I’ve gotten laid more times than I’ve been shot at. That says something!” he laughed, while balancing the toothpick on his tongue. It probably wasn’t something a sister wanted to hear, but Lo wasn’t just his sister, she was also his best friend. Or at least she used to be. “Look, all I’m gonna say is…I saw a guy wearing a wolf mask with a coffin tattooed on the side of his neck. He had some blonde bitch tucked under his arm. She was wearing a black v-cut dress, sheer mask, and red lipstick.”    

Benjamin had no plans to attend the masquerade ball; not after he almost killed his own sister per Killian’s orders. Granted, he didn’t know it was his sister at the time. He hasn’t seen her since they were kids. So when he put her in his scope, she was just a target. Her brain matter would have littered the sidewalk and he would have thought it was the city’s problem. They could clean it up and be done with it. Knowing that’s what he thought (even for only five minutes) made him incredibly sick with himself and remorseful. He wasn’t even sure he could be a Reaper anymore and yet he knew better than to get on Killian’s bad side. Doing so would only land him in Tombstone City with the rest of the rogue soldiers. 

Then there was Isabelle (the girl who was now a queen as she walked arm in arm with the king). Benjamin fell for her and promised himself that he’d look after her. She may have started to believe she was fit for this world, but he didn’t. In fact, she reminded him of his sister (but not in a weird way). Lorelei had a good heart. She was spring masquerading as winter storms. Her heart was pure no matter the scars that kept her and others from thinking so. Which, is why he decided to attend the ball. Because he knew if he didn’t, Killian would be suspicious. And Benjamin had something to lose now. Bringing Lorelei with him was probably a bad idea but she begged and pleaded with him after she found the invitation. Ultimately, he couldn’t deny her this chance to live after having almost killed her. She wasn’t going to be his prisoner. He didn’t want that kind of life for her. 

Realizing he was staring too long at Isabelle, Benjamin turned away and noticed Lorelei may have clued in. They talked a little bit about Xavier and Isabelle last night at his house, but not enough to incriminate each other. Benjamin didn’t trust her with everything given the idea that she’d been dating a Lycan. He was sure she felt the same way, considering he was a Reaper. They were loyal to opposite sides. Though maybe not so much anymore. Because two seconds later, Xavier walked by with another girl under his arm. Benjamin recognized the tattoo on his neck from the photo he was given last night. He was trained for this kind of stuff. His photographic memory and predatory instincts were what made him the best at what he does. “Two rules, Lory. One, don’t look at Isabelle or ask me any questions about her. Two, don’t look for or approach Xavier.” Ben wasn’t sure if she spotted him too. But he sure as hell wasn’t going to tell her where Xavier was and who he was with.

BENJAMIN CARUSO: DEADLY LIAISONS 

“Mom?–” Oh but, of course. That woman was as bitter as they come. She might’ve birthed them, and clothed them, and raised them… but, she never loved them. Not in the way that an ideal mother should. Instead, she resented them. Even more so for cherishing their father over her. But, Benjamin especially because, he left home and followed in their old man’s footsteps. 

Lo never really understood what the big deal was. Their father was a war hero. And despite being absent throughout a majority of their adolescence, he was more of a parent than the one they got stuck with. “Funny,” – although, no trace of amusement flickered in Lo’s eyes or could be heard in her voice. Instead, there was only shame and disappointment. Even a little anger. Though, not necessarily directed at her brother. Least, not yet. “Mom, implied the same thing to me. She said you enlisted and that you were gone. You left us.” As hard as she might’ve tried to quell it or swallow it back down again, there was some pain and doubt laced behind that speculation. 

At first, Lo was naive and she believed the lies she was told. She hated Benjamin for abandoning her. He was the one person, she never thought would. Then, over the years.. she realized that there was likely more to the story and it was both unfair and gullible to trust only one side. So, instead she prayed. She prayed one day she would get to see Benjamin again and he’d rescue her from the clutches of her new, brady bunch family and he’d explain to her all the reasons why he left. He never did. Although, technically speaking he might now… however, it was already too late. Lo was grown. And a far cry from the girl she used to be. She was broken now. In spite of all the flesh and bone, she was an empty carcass inside. The drugs, much like everything else had stripped away anything good about her. In fact, Lo was sure that if Ben got to know her now, he wouldn’t recognize her. She’s not the girl she was. She had to ditch her just to survive. 

“No, kidding.” The sarcasm she surrounded herself with on a daily basis, like a cloak, was back while she struggled to gain her footing after nearly having the wind knocked out of her. Recent revelations had thrown her for a loop. Literally. It would take more than a couple hours of catching up, a much needed drink and a hot shower to recover. Learning that the sibling you thought was dead actually isn’t, took it’s emotional toll. Or sure enough, it would. Lo just hasn’t let it fully sink in yet. There were more pressing matters to attend to anyway. Like, for instance, Ben declaring that there was a hit on her. duh. She already suspected that. But, she just assumed it was from her old, reaper drug dealer. Not so called friends or faces in higher places. It sounded funny when you repeated it out loud. Then again, Lo was just delirious after the adrenaline rush faded and dissipated into thin air, leaving her vulnerable and woozy. 

“I can’t leave.” She put emphasis on her last word despite her voice dropping to a low whisper. There were footsteps outside of the break room and Lo was trying not to draw attention to them. Otherwise, she might get fired or worse – her conversation with Benjamin would be cut severely short. “I have to work. I’ve got bills to pay, Benny. And unless you’ve got a couple grand laying around that you can lend me or that I was willing to accept, I need to get back out there before I get fired from this job too.” Still the same ol’ Lo, kinda. Stubborn but, resilient. It was no wonder she survived this long on her own, despite the ever constant-flirting with death. 

Their lying bitch of a mother. Benjamin could kill her with his bare hands and probably would have if he knew where she was. He hasn’t seen her for as long as he hasn’t seen Lo. Which was ten years. For all he knew, she was already dead. Then again evil doesn’t die. Proof of that was the Steele family. The man Benjamin was working for (the one who wanted Lo dead) was just as sinister and depraved as his father and grandfather (the former reaper kings). The question was, which spectrum did Lorelei fall on? Had she become wicked like their mother (like him) or was she still wearing their father’s dog tags around her neck with honor and pride?

“No, no, no. See, you’re not understanding me. You have to leave. You have the King of Hell after you. He wants you dead. A dead girl can’t make money, Lo. I can’t protect you if others show up with guns. They’ll light this whole place up. Parents, grandparents, children, it doesn’t fucking matter, they’ll shoot to kill!” Benjamin was getting hot and aggravated because she didn’t seem to be grasping onto the very dangerous situation she was put in. To top it off, she owed them money? And was dating a Lycan? That basically answered his question on where she fell on the spectrum of things. Smack dab in the middle of fucked and fucked harder.

“I didn’t get you back, just to lose you again. Do you understand me? Not on my watch.” Benjamin grabbed her wrist this time. He wasn’t going to take no for an answer. “Now let’s go. Don’t worry about cash and bills and all those trivial things that only matter to those with air in their lungs and blood in their hearts.” Benjamin was basically dragging Lo towards the back exit now. Before he could reach the door though, a wanna-be gang-banger blocked him off with a toothpick between his teeth and a tear drop tattooed on his face. Benjamin knew both the Lycans and the Reapers well enough to know that this skinny twerp washing dishes was no gangster. He was just another young idiot with rap music in his ears thinking he’s tough. “Damn, L. So when you said you didn’t date guys like me, you were just being a lyin’ whore.” Lorelei’s co-worker (Johnny) muttered behind his toothpick, gold teeth and pierced tongue. 

“Is this guy fucking serious?” Benjamin asked his sister, two seconds away from stabbing this guy in the adam’s apple with the knife he had tucked away. “Lo you better get your ass back to work or imma tell Jenna you’re back here blowing your boyfriend.” As Johnny went to reach for her wrist, Benjamin caught his hand and fractured his ulna bone with one swift twist. “You tell Jenna, Lo had a family emergency, and if she doesn’t have her job when she returns, I’m gonna come back and kill you.” Johnny fell to his knees, begging Benjamin to let him go. Which he did a moment later, before pressing a hand on Lo’s back. “Like I said… we have to go.”

Just outside the exit was Benjamin’s car: a Jaguar XJ that looked fresh off the lot. If there were any questions about his ability to keep Lorelei fed, sheltered, and clothed for however long, the luxury vehicle itself should have been indication enough that he could. Even if Benjamin wasn’t driving around in a 75, 000 dollar car, he was dressed to the nines in designer clothes. Killian and Isabelle wouldn’t expect anything less from their beautiful, yet very deadly, canary.

Who was HE to decide when her time was? He didn’t know her. He knew nothing about her life other than what was probably told to him. If anything he knew her name… where she worked… what she looked like… probably the places she hung out. But other than that? She was a stranger. At least, she thought that until she got a good, nice, hard look at his face.

When it came time to do the job.. he couldn’t look at her head on anymore. Which was kind of ironic when before that, their roles were reversed. She was dodging him and now he was dodging her attempts to study his features. Lo was many things, and absolutely stubborn was one of them. She wouldn’t go down without a fight. Or at the very least, not fade from existence without staring her monster in the face. If his was going to be the last one she ever saw, then she’d make damn sure she was his too. Lo didn’t know much about the afterlife but, if possible.. her soul would come back to haunt his. She’d prey on him like a dark shadow he couldn’t escape.

Of course… she wouldn’t have to… not after her question and forthcoming realization drifted in the air between them and he let her go.

It was him… It was Benny. It had to be. Although, she thought he died along with their father? Her mother said he left and when Lo asked for further clarification of what that meant, her mother never denied the possibility that he was never coming back. To Lo that meant he was gone. Because, she never actually believed he’d willingly leave her behind. Benny was her best friend. She looked for him in every face she’s ever met or come across. And she’d favor people who reminded her of him. His eyes, his laugh, his stupid jokes that never failed to make her fall over. Especially when all she wanted to do was scream.

“What?” Lo bounced back after he had let her go. Not fully, of course. Because she couldn’t leave the room without proving herself to him first. That it was her. “You really don’t believe it’s me?” After the big blowout with Xavier, and the many hits to her sanity since then, the worst feeling was Ben not recognizing her. It was the last string of her heart that had snapped before the whole damn thing crumbled to pieces. “Fine.”

Although, she was crippled with heartache and grief and now longing, Lorelei bent down to roll up the end of her jeans, showing him the long, languid scar that split across her knee. She got it with him. While they were out exploring the woods and this old abandoned building that was off limits. “It’s me Benny,” Lo assured him with a sigh, as she stood up and let her pant leg fall back down “I got that scar with you. We used to play cops and robbers in the backyard and one day when Mom was out grocery shopping and she put you in charge, you said we could go into the woods where we weren’t allowed. It was the first time you let me be the Cop instead of the robber and you let me hold your BB gun. You never trusted me with it before because you didn’t want me to hurt myself. I chased you all the way to that abandoned building on Elms Street. You went in and we played Marco Polo until I found you but, I tripped and fell and gashed my knee. There was so much blood,” Lo paused to laugh through her tears, because it was finally dawning on her that it was him – her brother. Who she never thought she’d see again. “I told you I was dying and you looked at me and you said, ‘You’ll never die on my watch, Lory.’ And I believed you. Then you carried me home and you tried patching me up. But Mom came back and she was livid when she found the bloodied tissues in the trash. Not as livid as she was when she learned that cut gave me an infection and she had to rush me to the hospital. That’s when I learned what a tetanus shot was.” They swore on the way to that emergency room, never tell their mom or anyone else what really happened. Because Lo didn’t want to get stuck with an older babysitter. So, she promised both her parents that it wasn’t Ben’s fault and that he actually told her not to play around or risk getting herself into trouble. Over the years, they had a lot of similar stories like that. At least, until Ben left.

Why would he believe her? She was DEAD. At least, she was supposed to be. That’s what their mother told him. That Lorelei couldn’t handle the stress of losing her father and so she took her own life. Benjamin didn’t believe it at first. His sister could be reckless and their father’s death did make her penchant for disaster worse, but she never would have taken her own life. She wasn’t that selfish. Least of all with him. Then their mother went on to tell him it was an accident. She simply took too many pills and never woke up. Now that he could believe. And he did. So whoever this impostor was standing before him—it wasn’t his sister. They had the same eyes. The same scar. But did they have the same memories?

With bated breath, Benjamin waited for her to talk. The knife in his hand was becoming sweaty as he re-gripped its handle. Then as the story unraveled, so did he. His taut muscles began to relax, and the knife in his fist slipped from his hand and fell, clattering to the floor.  The tears in his eyes were so heavy he couldn’t blink them away, so he had to wipe them off on the back of his hand.

“You’ll never die on my watch.” He said with her, at the same time. He remembered saying that. In fact, he replayed it over and over again in his head after their mother told him she died. Benjamin hasn’t made a promise like that to anyone since then. Now he was the bringer of death, not the savior. “But—Mom told me you died." Gradually, he was able to move his body forward and then wrapped his arms around her waist. He let himself listen to the beating of her heart for a minute. Then began crying on her shoulder knowing he could have stopped it. “I’m sorry. I’m, I’m so, so sorry.” He squeezed his eyes shut and the tears ran the back of her shirt. “I, I, they—I thought you were dead.” He continued to sob into her clothes until he could gather himself. It took him a few minutes before he could let her go and stand upright, but once he managed to, he wiped his eyes and picked the knife back up from the floor.

“Lory, I almost killed you. Twice. Once on the rooftop and then again just now. I’m so sorry.” He felt disgusting for the first time in over 10 years. When he thought she was dead he became numb. Killing people was easy because his heart had been stilled. Now it was slowly coming back and with it, was a whole lot of grief. He couldn’t stop imagining all the people he did kill and all the families who had to live with that. “What the hell did you get yourself into, little sister? There’s people in high places who want you dead and burned. Scorched from the earth. I have to get you out of here. Like, now.” He grabbed onto her hand, encouraging her to follow him. Benjamin knew that if he didn’t send Killian proof soon, other Reapers would come to finish the job. “You can stay at my house. You’d be, you’d be safe there. You know, until I can get this whole thing sorted out?” 

There it was… Lo thought. The dreaded question. – Do we know each other? Lo couldn’t really answer that without giving herself away. If he was the Reaper-equivalent of Xavier, here to take her out and collect a debt – it’d be stupid to tell him that yeah in retrospect, he probably knew her. So, she lied. “No? I don’t think so?” Yet, it didn’t really matter to his date whether or not they did. Because, she already assumed he slept with her. Queen Barbie wasn’t very discreet about her disdain as she stood up and walked away to go powder her nose or maybe find someone else to take her for a ride. Seeing as her first attempt was a struck out. 

“Sorry about that,” Lo was apologizing to her customer although the altercation wasn’t her fault. She didn’t do anything wrong. However, she didn’t want to come across disrespectful and give him any more reasons to kill her. Assuming, he was here to reap what she sewed. “I’ll be right back with your drink.” While still keeping her head down, Lo dismissed herself to make a call as she disappeared, behind an employees only sign. Her phone was out and she had already started dialing the only person she knew who might drop whatever he was doing and come get her. Because although, he was pissed – he still loved her and didn’t actually want to see her pretty face melt above the pavement after it’s been brutally re-arranged by a Grim Reaper, right?? 

Unfortunately for Lo, before the call could finish connecting – her phone dropped and then, was accidentally kicked across the floor as Benjamin ensnared her from behind. Lo’s first instinct was to scream. However, he had his hand over her mouth and therefore all sounds, including her cries and pleas were muffled. 

Tears instantly stained her eyes, making Lo’s vision blurry as she struggled to wiggle herself free of his grasp or bargain for her life. “Please! No! I’m sorry okay? I know I owe you people but I don’t have the money yet. Please, just – give me a little more time.” Lo honestly thought this ambush was the product of an overdue drug bill. When really, it was Xavier’s fault. She was his achilles heel after all, and the Reapers knew that. The best way to send a message to your enemy was to snuff out the one thing they loved the most. Lo always knew loving Xavier would get her killed. And as hard as she’s tried to stop it or push him away, she still ended up here anyways… 

“What do you want?!” Lo kicked and screamed. Her tireless efforts awarded her in the end. Because as she tried to get free, she shook her attacker’s sleeve loose and noticed a tattoo on his wrist, which she could use to identify him if she got out. The words: – DIE LORELEI in thick, bolded letters, were inked into his skin. The tattoo itself was too much of an ironic coincidence, yet Lorelei blinked several times just to make sure she was reading it correctly. Die Lorelei was the name of a german poem, that Lo’s father used to recite to her and her brother Benjamin, before bed. It was their own little ghost story and urban legend. “Wait! – Wait!” Lo stopped struggling and instead of fighting back, she pushed down the layer of her attacker’s sleeve. She got caught up in the memories of her life now lost and eventually turned around to face the man that would inevitably take her life. 

The least he could do before he snuffed her out was let her see who he is. Right away, she noticed from the clothes that he was the same guy at the bar. But more than that – he looked a lot like her brother, Benjamin – just older, and more rugged. “Who are you?” It was an innocent question, until something inside of her clicked. “Benny?”

 If it was who she suspected him to be… he’d recognize the nickname. Lo would always call him Benny instead of Benjamin. It sounded so soft and carefree. Just like she was, during the ages she used it. “It’s me – it’s Lorelei–”

Benjamin never really liked this part—the squirming and begging. He wasn’t a brute killer. He didn’t take any pride or enjoyment in his executions. It was just business. This was the life he chose. Her, too. By dating Xavier, she became an extension to the underworld. A world that’s been around for as long as time itself. Behind every politician’s smile is a lie and a target on the back of their head. Every policeman is sworn in to protect and serve, yet they all carry an unmarked weapon just in case they have to set someone up. A Reaper could very well be your lawyer, a Lycan your father, and a cartel member your babysitter. There’s no escaping the Devil’s Ball. So you learn how to dance with him.

“It’s just your time.” Benjamin whispered roughly against her ear, before she scratched at his wrists and eventually got him to loosen his grip. Usually, he’d never let someone look the Reaper in the eyes. It would only haunt him at night. Yet, he allowed her to turn around to face him. Her eyes were pooled with tears and out of instinct, he reached up to wipe them. It was her eyes that brought him back, and the memories of her seeking comfort from him every night after their father died. “It can’t be you?” He took a step back to give her some room but kept his fingers wrapped tightly around the handle of his knife—just in case.

“Do not call me that!” Benjamin tried to keep himself from getting loud and lashing out, but hearing the name Benny caused him to falter. His brothers in the army would call him Benny the Beaut but no one has ever called him Benny since his sister died. It was a nickname she coined and he put it to rest with her. “You’re not my Lory.” Benjamin took another step back and his eyes filled with tears that ached. “Show me your knee. My sister had a scar there, how did she get it?” Of course someone could have learned little things about his sister, but not this. Her scar had a hundred stories and none of them were true. There was only one truth, and only Benjamin knew it because they both swore not to tell their mom when it happened.