Johto. Goldenrod Casino. Flashback

It had been 2 weeks since the diagnosis and 1 week and 6 days since he had put her to work. Kaito didn’t spare an hour before sinking his claws into an opportunity and milking it for all it was worth. Slinging drinks, ass grabs, and fake smiles were her new normal.

Realty hit Lex fast and hard. A difficult to piece together childhood suddenly became clear. A monster loomed over her family she didn’t even know was there until it was too late.

Another miserable shift, sore back, and battered pride later she shot down another healthy bit of cheap whiskey snuck back by the bartender.

”Lex,” a familiar deep voice rumbled from behind her. Her hand curled around the glass so hard she was surprised it didn’t shatter, “Whaddya want, Levi?” It took a considerable amount of effort to keep the bitterness in her voice, she was just so tired, but she refused to show defeat.

Levi had always been one of the more sympathetic goons, friendly almost. She could normally spot the pain in his eyes in the right light when Kaito asked too much of him. But he always obeyed. Lex wondered what Kaito hung over his head.

”He wants to see you,” It wasn’t a request.

Johto. Goldenrod Casino. Flashback

The Gastly hung close to her shoulder, as usual. His cool mist was comforting, especially at times like these. The tension in the elevator was thick and heavy. It weighed down on the cocktail waitress causing her to fidget with the hem of the short skirt. Levi could feel it too. His eyes kept flashing over to steal quick glances at the redhead when he thought she wouldn’t notice. She always noticed. His eyes were easy to read. Without the sunglasses, he was an open book.

A familiar chime sounded when they reached the penthouse suite, Kaito’s office and part-time residence. Before the elevator door even had a chance to open, Levi’s thumb held the button closed. He was nervous, she could tell. His brown eyes glanced towards her, “Lex, please just . . . behave this time,” his tone was stoic, but his gaze begged her for a promise she couldn’t keep.

He didn’t want to have to beat her again.

“Put your glasses back on, you look like an idiot,” It was easier this way.

Levi scowled in frustration, tilting the sunglasses back down over his eyes. He cared too much.

Smoke hissed violently at the sight of the Houndoom greeting them when the door opened. The two didn’t get along in the slightest. Surprise, surprise.

“Shut up,” she snapped quickly, waving a hand through the Gastly’s form to encourage him to disappear. Levi led the way through the foyer with the Houndoom hot on their heels.

His office was large, dark, and disgustingly elegant. It reeked of cigars and pine. He was waiting for her behind his large desk, a hungry smile spread across his face, “Thank you, Levi,” Kaito stood as if pretending to be a proper gentleman when a lady walked into the room. Lex could see through the bullshit, “You may leave us, shut the door,” he smiled, rolling his shoulders while dismissing the grunt.

Her stomach dropped. Nothing good ever happened when he shut the door.

Johto. Goldenrod Casino. Flashback

”Sit.”

She stands, crossing her arms over her chest.

Kaito sighed as he sits back down, “You’re always making things difficult,” there’s a sense of amusement in his voice, “I guess that’s half the fun with you, huh?” A sharp snap sent the Houndoom snarling, sharp teeth snapping at her heels close enough to graze the bare skin, “For fuck’s sake!” she gasped, jumping at the chair the Houndoom was herding her towards. She sat.

There was a significant silence as his eyes rolled over her slowly, “You’ve been keeping secrets from me,” he finally said, leaning back in his chair and extracting a file from the top drawer, “It seems your talents far exceed serving drinks,” he tapped the arm of his chair expectantly, watching her. She doesn’t move, only returns the glare with her own icy one, “Your work for Killian Decker has been impressive,” she stiffened at the mention of his name, Kaito noticed and smiled, “Killian’s a good friend, we have . . . mutual interests,” He stood to circle the desk, stopping in front of her. Her heart was racing at this point, what was he trying to get at? “I heard your relationship has been terminated,” in more than one way, “Lucky me to get you all to myself now,” An attempt to lift her chin to look at him was met with a swift slap that only momentarily diverted the hand before it struck out again with force.

Fingers curled into the flesh of her neck, squeezed, and pushed until both Lex and the chair were flat on their back on the ground with Kaito towering over them. She struggled before the low growl of the Houndoom reminded her of just how little power she had here, “Careful, Alexandra – I’m not Killian.”