The two boys pile in the car as they continued to chat back and forth then notice Thomas and stop talking altogether. Giving each other a look they start sis con routine. God help Thomas.

"Thomas these two half-drunk idiots are my best friends Pierce and Jamie".

​​

"Hi guys, buckle up". Thomas says and starts the engine.

"We are more like family isn't that right".

"Yea she's more like a little sister. So where do you work?".

"Sister that's good to know my boss won't be jealous then. I am Noah Adler's bodyguard and now I'm looking after Ivy. Isn't that tight Ivy".

"Wait boss...Noah Adler... are you and... wait the scumbag that kissed you was Noah Adler?".

"No no, and not so much a scumbag and last one yep".

The two boys in the back seat look at each other and I can see their brains going with a million questions. Time for a distraction.

"Guys I got you both a gift. Take a look".

I hand them both a bag.

"Keys?".

"Surprise, Pierce I've been wanting to do something with you for a long time so the keys are to a rental. It'll be a perfect restaurant. I'll be a silent owner along with you. You call the shots. Jamie, I got you a car, you're always looking out for me and you never have time always running to get public transport so this will make your life easier".

"What the... this is too much".

"Yea Ivy".

"We know your dad cut you off and you haven't worked in two years".

"Hey what I earned, I earned and can always make more. Should I fall on hard times I can eat at the restaurant and crash at Jamie's again. So don't say no".

"Thank you".

"I'll make you proud".

The boys look really happy with there gifts. Ivy had done a few risky black-market jobs for those presents but it's worth it for her two best friends. She would not let them know that it had only left her with a few thousand in the bank. So many investments in the last few days It'll take ages for any of them to pay off.

We arrive at Floggin Mollies it's a nice bar. There are pool tables, an acoustic guitar player playing and a nice big fire. It's a relaxed atmosphere. We all pick a table and the boys go and get some drinks. She saw Thomas checking his phone.

"Boss?".

"Yes, he's making sure I know to always have two eyes on you. He doesn't want you getting stolen".

"Ha, he's funny. You can't steal what you never had".

"Are you and the boss not boyfriend/girlfriend?".

"Mmm, I'd say lovers. No titles for us".

"But you like him".

"Boys are back, great drinks".

Ivy quickly changed the subject and took a drink. They go and play some pool enjoying their night. Ivy won a few games and she was happy to beat the boys as it was rare. It was her round so she went with Thomas to the bar leaving Pierce and Jamie to continue playing pool.

Ivy ordered their drinks and then looked over at the boys. There is some girl with two blokes with Pierce and Jamie. The girl looks a bit stuck up and one of the men had his arm wrapped around her waist. Taking the drinks from the barman we walk over.

"What a waste of space no wonder you dumped him".

"Yea look at his jeans can't even afford a decent pair and dude you need a hair cut".

"let's leave he looks so pathetic". The girl says as she turns to the guy with his arm around her.

"No let's stay, this is our pool table now".

Ivy walked over and stood beside the boys. Ivy had watched the scene and looking closer at the girl she realised that it was Claire, Pierce's ex-girlfriend. She must have dumped him for this guy. He looked like a street thug.

"What a loser".

"Hey beautiful, who were you calling a loser".

"Leave before I lose my temper".

"Oh, you like to play rough". The other thug comes closer to me and Thomas steps forward and shoves the guy away.

"Bast*rd. Do you know who I am".

The guy who had his arm around Claire shouted. He broke a bottle and went to hit Thomas with it. Ivy didn't want Thomas to get hurt due to my stupid words so she shoved him aside.

"Aghhh".

The bottle jabbed straight into her arm.

"Ivy".

"Ivy you ok".

Pierce and Jamie both turn to help me apply pressure and help me stand straight. Blood always makes me a bit light-headed.

I see Thomas knock one out and get the other by the scruff. The bouncers come over and help take the three idiots outside. My head getting lighter with the blood loss.

"I think you need the hospital".

"No, I'll be ok".

Ivy hated hospitals too. Who wants to go there, they give you injections and its smells like antiseptic she thought.

"Please do it's my fault for attracting trouble to our night".

"Yea I feel bad too".

"Ok if it'll get you both to shut up".

Thomas returns and helps her walk out. Pierce and Jamie stay behind saying that they would make their way home.

Getting to the hospital Ivy nearly blacked out at the sight of the needle the doctor wants to give her and she has to also get three stitches.

Hospital corridor

Thomas hangs his head as he leans against the wall. He had failed, he had one job to protect Ivy and he couldn't do that. His boss was surely going to kill him. Getting courage he rings Aiden's phone.

"Hello".

"Hello, Aiden I was just wondering about bosses eta back to his apartment?".

"Why, what happened now?".

Thomas clenched his hand as he told Aiden what had happened earlier.

"Thomas this is the second mistake".

"I know".

"We will be at the hospital in half an hour".

"Ok".

Thomas banged his head off the wall and leant against it both hands in tight fists.

"That bad eh?".

Thomas turned and saw Ivy. He broke into his usual smile.

"No trouble, the boss will pick us up in half an hour".

We walk to the front of the hospital and wait.

"Don't worry I won't let him hurt you".

"Please don't speak for me, it'll only be worse".

Ivy leans on the hospital wall outside breathing in the fresh air while she thinks of how she can calm King Yama.