"Naughty, Naughty." Says Alex again, shaking his head.

"Why are you here?" asks Isabella, doing her best to not let her voice tremble.

"Who is this clown Isabella? Are they bothering you?" asks Aaron, with authority.

Isabella is suddenly very embarrassed that Aaron is there trying to take up for her. After you looked at him then at Alex there was no competition in good looks or strength, either way she was determined not to let Alex know how she felt.

"We have business." Says Alex, with his signature glare.

"Whatever do you mean, business with whom?" asks Aaron speaking out of turn.

Alex points his truncheon firmly at Isabella with his legs rooted and his pose strong.

It was Isabella's chance to speak because both Aaron and Alex shared a nearly awkward silence. Alex didn't move a muscle he was fixated on the sight of Isabella. His very eyes were being bathed in her beauty.

I hate this. I just wanted to crawl into a hole and die. My heart was thumping against my ribcage and we all stood there staring, me at Alex and Alex back at me then his crew was staring Aaron down and taunting.

"Excuse me!" shouts Isabella

The goons stop their threats and cat calls.

"Do you tire of this? I was just bout to say so me self lil sister." Says Alex

Isabella looks Alex square in the eye ignoring the distance between them.

"I am not—your little sister." Isabella says in a matter of fact voice.

"Oh no." says Dim looking around and chuckling.

"She says she ain't your sister." Says Georgie

"That be right." Chimes Aaron.

Aaron moves closer to Isabella to lend comfort but she is so uninterested that she almost shoves him away. Alex might have overlooked the interaction between Isabella and Alex for now but it was noted in his mind.

"Then what be you then? A lil pudding ready for a tasting?" Alex smacks his lips together.

The laughter bubbles up to his clan's lips and fizzes out, it can't be contained. Isabella shakes her head and crosses both arms over her chest.

"Are we finished here?" she asks rolling her eyes.

She must have had extra protein today because this young lady had nerves of steel even though her mind was racing a mile a minute.

What if Alex knew how she really felt? He looked like he could read her mind with his chilling stare. What if he called her bluff? Even worse what if they beat Aaron to death or did something more sinister?

Very slowly the ends of Alex's lips curve into a smile.

"Lil sister what are you called?" he asks.

"My name?" asks Isabella her mood changing.

"I be Alex the Caesar of this palace."

Alex waves his hands making a fancy old time bow.

"I be Dim miss." Says Dim taking off his hat.

Alex strikes him in the chest making him drop it. His smile disappears as he stares Dim down.

Alex was like a wild animal ready to pounce at any second even on the guys in his group if he felt they were out of line. Nice for some I guess but more of a nightmare for me. I didn't need anyone to take up for me. I am perfectly capable of taking care of me and mine.

"You—gentlemen can feel free to leave. I know you came for your stupid hat."

"I will be collectin that." Says Alex, turning back to Isabella with his smile returning.

"I threw it in the trash love so now you can fuck off." Says Isabella mockingly.

What was she thinking; Alex was such a bully and a loser. No way was he getting his hat back. She was lying she hadn't thrown it away but she was determined to make the statement true after she got home tonight.

Isabella turns her back walking away from the fiasco. Instantly she can hear the thump of feet on the linoleum behind her. She starts running but Alex is hot on her tail. She turns slightly in time to see two of the goons tackle Aaron to the floor.

"Get away from me!" screams Isabella while running.

"Just the matter of the hat sister." Says Alex from behind.

Isabella tries to get clever and make shortcuts though the shelves but Alex stays right with her almost matching her movements with perfect speed. It was plain to see that she wasn't going to win the war.

"Okay okay." Says Isabella, out of breath.

"What was that lil sister?" asks Alex fully energized.

"If you leave now I will meet you and give the hat back." Says Isabella

"Ever hear of the Korova?"

"No. I haven't."

"Good, meet there tomorrow at eight."

"Sure, sure."

Alex like a king struts back to his knights and the noise and destruction of the library stops. Isabella peers around the edge of the bookcase and has to scream.