II. Pugnacious Affairs

Ivory ran down the staircase and headed out the door.

Blue had given her a copy of what's expected from an assistant, the pay rate, and the hours. Ivory sat inside a black Mercedes and told the driver that Blue needed her at Fox's club because the pimp, Birdie, and Honor needed help erasing Swindle H's information.

After the quick ride, Ivory entered Fox's strip club. She walked over to Fox, who led her through a green door and down a marble staircase. Then, the two entered a large office with couches, a desk, a bathroom and kitchen, and bookshelves.

Honor and Birdie looked up from the computer, smiled, and welcomed Ivory.

"I've seen you around but never got to introduce myself. I'm Honor."

"Hello, Honor, I'm pretty sure I've seen you, too. I think you were at the base with the rest when Viper pulled that whole thing. I'm Ivory."

Honor nodded, and the four began erasing all of Hannah's accounts, emails, and general information that the public could search and find. Eventually, the four took a break, ordered pizza, and talked about random things. Ivory stayed quiet for the most part but could see that Honor, Birdie, and Fox were like everyday people trying to survive.

After, it had begun to get cloudy outside, and the four finally got Hannah's information off the internet, the deep and dark webs, and the generic search engines. It was as if Swindle H never existed.

Suddenly, the basement door opened, and someone sped down the staircase.

"It's probably one of the strippers," Fox replied as the women peered towards the stairs.

Fox was wrong.

Lily entered the office, panting and bloody. Lily's face had purple and black bruises, and held a few scratches. Birdie and Fox quickly ran over to her as Honor called Blue and told him about Lily's severe condition. Ivory froze, not sure of what she should do. She hoped Lily didn't get jumped by a rival gang member.

"Lily, what happened to your face?" Ivory gasped.

"Harley and I got into an argument."

"Your face looks like it has seen more than an argument," Ivory said.

Ivory wondered why Harley would abuse her sister in that way.

"Lily," Honor walked over and wrapped an arm around her, "you can stay here tonight. I will check the spare bedrooms."

Lily nodded. "Thank you."

Fox sipped his beer. "What happened? It looks like Harley got you good."

"You know Harley," Lily's eyes widened.

Fox nodded and then turned to Honor. "What did Blue say?" He asked.

"He said Lily may stay, but Ivory must leave."

Ivory nodded and began to pack her things. When she finished, she helped Honor and Birdie clean Lily's face.

Fox spoke with Red on the phone, and Fox then frowned, telling Red that it wasn't a good idea. Fox then sighed and hung up his phone, not sure of what to say.

"What? What's wrong?" Honor asked as she and Honor huddled around Lily.

"We have a problem," Fox narrowed his eyes.

Ivory began to leave the office, not wanting to be involved with what was happening.

"Is it about Swindle —" Honor began.

There was a loud bang at the door.

The four turned to the door, and Birdie and Honor decided to get up and answer it. Fox warned the women not to answer the door, but Birdie and Honor insisted. Ivory listened and stood back, waiting for whatever would take place to pass.

"Harley?" Birdie asked as Ivory stood behind the taller women, stunned.

Ivory moved back a bit, knowing that Harley was angry.

Harley was standing by the doorway with her arms crossed and a rotten look on her face. "I want to speak to Lily," she said.

The four women stared at one another. Ivory gulped, sensing that nothing was going to end well.

"Lily isn't here," Honor said.

Harley laughed. "Don't fucking lie to me, you priss — I track her phone."

Honor sneered but remained silent.

"You track her phone?" Ivory asked, finding the statement rather odd.

Harley turned to Ivory. "I'm her older sister; who else is going to watch her?" Harley leered like she thought her statement was funny.

"Harley now isn't a good time," Honor said, "she will go back to base in the morning."

"Like hell, she will. She is coming with me. She and I have issues to work out."

"You hit her, Harley, calm down and come back tomorrow," Birdie said, standing next to Honor.

Harley stepped up, "Stay out of family affairs."

The two women looked at Fox, who made his way up the stairs, rolled his eyes, and spoke, "Harley, you need to go."

"Give me my sister, and we won't have any problems," Harley sneered. "That isn't a warning."

Fox sped down the staircase, "Lily!" He called. When Lily appeared, he nodded his head toward the door and up the stairwell.

Lily's eyes widened.

Harley pushed Birdie into Honor, who yelped, and ignored Ivory, who was small enough to move away quickly enough, and walked down the stairs to get her sister. "Come with me, now!"

Honor sneered but stayed silent as the three made their way down the stairwell. Honor and Birdie surrounded the sisters, waiting for something to happen. Ivory stayed near the couch, deciding that getting involved wouldn't end well.

"No! Look at my face," Lily shouted, stepping back so that she was far enough from Harley.

Ivory sat silently, scared of what would happen. She turned toward Honor and Birdie, who stood and stared at the two sisters. Fox was texting someone and stayed quiet, not escalating the situation. Then, Fox stood and walked over.

"Lily!" Harley shouted but Fox held Harley back from her sister, and then she started screaming at Lily in Spanish.

The two sisters argued interchangeably without anyone in the room able to translate what was said. Harley went to grab Lily, who dodged her sister and ran to the other side of the room, spitting out words in Spanish. Fox tried to grab Harley, who moved her arm away from him and attempted a second time grasping onto her sister, who stepped up and punched Harley in the face.

Ivory never thought anyone would ever lay their hands on Harley.

The two sisters started to brawl, and Fox, Honor, and Birdie stepped in to tear the two away from one another. Lily got Harley off her and ran over to Ivory and stood behind the shorter girl. Fox and his workers were trying to restrain Harley. Harley sneered at Lily, and then her eyes made their way to Ivory.

"Harley, there are other ways to handle the issue that you two are having," Ivory said.

Harley stomped on Honor's foot, who yelped and let go of Harley. Harley moved closer to Ivory, who had Lily hiding behind her. "And what do you suggest, Little Lady?"

"Why don't you two sit and talk the issue out?"

Harley laughed, "My sister is as dumb as a rock. For her to listen, I need to beat her."

Ivory's eyes widened, and she turned to look at Lily. Honor and Birdie looked baffled as Fox was near the computer, typing onto the keyboard. Ivory wondered what Fox was doing during a crisis like this.

"I'm not dumb, Harley!"

"You keep making stupid choices! You should know better!"

"Look, you hurt your sister. What's the harm in having her stay —"

"Ivory," Harley sent a maniacal leer, "Why don't you keep it quiet, all right sweet cheeks?"

Ivory turned to Fox, who put a finger to his lips. Honor and Birdie shook their heads, sending Ivory a warning. Harley gently grabbed Ivory's arm and moved her over. The sisters stood face to face, and Ivory sensed that the argument would escalate again.

"Don't talk to her like that!" Lily shouted.

"What? I'm having Ivory mind her business. I don't have an issue with her. Lily, let's go; I'm not doing this now."

"I don't want to deal with you right now, or ever!" Lily shouted. "I hate you!"

The room was silent. After a few seconds, Harley grabbed her sister, "I work my ass off to make sure you're safe, and you dare to say that you hate me?" Harley yelled, pushing Lily against the wall. "If you don't walk out that door in the next three seconds, I will drag you out."

Lily ran out, crying, sporting a bloody face. Meanwhile, Honor and Birdie stood behind Fox, fearing what would take place.

Harley sent a sharp look toward Ivory, "You too," Ivory sent Harley a confused look. "Let's go, the both of you. I'm not running around babysitting children. You either walk out this door, or I'll carry you out."

Ivory looked at Fox, who shrugged and motioned for her to leave.

Ivory sighed, wondering why living the mafia life was so spontaneous and violent.