As promised, the wait is over.

Enjoy! ^_^

___

Erika's POV:

"You know the deal, Cyrus."

From our angle we couldn't see her face, but her voice held strength. Certainly, this wasn't her first time in this rodeo. And seeing how casually she called him by his name, she knew him in a way no one else had.

"Of course, I do, my dear." Cyrus scratched his chin, playing with the cigar in his other hand, before taking a long drag. "Continue holding your end, and I won't hurt a single hair on his head," he said, each word drowning in smoke.

"You won't hurt anyone. That's our deal."

"It's always nice doing business with you, my dear," were his last words as he turned the other way, waving his hand in a dismissive way.

Viviana and James were still seated silently beside each other, when I turned towards Brandon, questions reeling in my brain.

"What now?" I whispered, only for him to shake his head.

I wasn't sure he'd have the answers this time.

Turning around, I saw James turn his head our way. If it wasn't for Brandon's fast reflexes as he pulled me away from the balcony's threshold, we'd surely be exposed.

Doing our best to remain silent, we heard the two move around, until they were gone. For a couple of seconds, we couldn't hear anything, except our erratic breathing.

Maybe we could sneak out without anyone finding out we were here this whole time. I wasn't in the right frame of mind to search for cameras in the corridors as I was coming here, but since we weren't caught until now, hopefully there weren't any.

Brandon's body relaxed behind me, and stealing another glance around, he assured me with a nod of his head that we were alone.

We were ready to make a run for it, when we heard footsteps behind the mirror-door.

"I know you're in there."

It was Viviana.

My eyes were locked on Brandon's; a storm brewing inside of them. I would gladly face her with him, but before I took another step towards him, he shook his head.

'Let me,' he mouthed my way.

Seconds passed, but it felt longer, until I finally nodded; accepting I'd stay here, hidden, until he came for me.

He stood up, pushing on the glass door separating us from her, while I remained with my back to the wall and out of sight behind the pillar.

"Brandon?" came his mother's startled voice through the door, the minute he appeared in front of her.

"Who were you expecting?"

A few moments of silence passed, but that was all he needed. "Well..."

"You knew she was following you."

"If she's so determined to remain by your side, then it's a good thing she saw that... you, too. Don't you think?"

My eyes widened at the realization; she knew I was following her all along. She wanted me to see that. It was her warning, before I learned by example. And like a fool, I played right into her trap.

"Why did you come back to Chicago? It wasn't for Mia, or me... so why?"

"Of course, I'm back because of you-"

"No! You're not. We're better off without you. I've got everything under control."

"Funny. That's exactly what your father used to tell me."

Irony was dripping her words, but the pain laced behind them was evident.

"I don't need you here."

"Oh, but darling, you do... I am protecting you, by being here."

"Well, let's just hope your protection doesn't have the same results as it did with dad."

It was her turn to choke up. "You don't understand, Brandon."

"Well, then, enlighten me... mom."

More silence.

"I want you out of Chicago. As soon as possible." He said, each word full of venom.

"Brandon... you can't kick me out of here. You're my family. Let me be here for you."

"I've been fine for the last ten years."

"Brandon-"

"Don't think, your being back will change anything."

My heart squeezed at his words. They were both hurting, but this game, of cat and mouse, would only get more people killed. If only they could see eye to eye.

"I see... I'll be out of your way, then."

Her heels echoed through the empty theatre, as she took a couple of steps away from him, before his words stopped her.

"And one last thing... Stay away from Erika!"

Viviana didn't say another word. Instead, she continued down the hallway I came from, until there was no sound of her heels hitting the marble floor left.

I closed my eyes, inhaling a much-needed breath, when I felt warm hands cup my cheeks. Opening my eyes, I was met with Brandon's worried ones. Wiping a stray tear from my cheek, he pulled me to my feet.

"I know you want to get out of here. Trust me, I want that too. But if we disappear before we make an appearance, it will be more suspicious than it already is."

Nodding, I let him pull me to my feet and towards where I came from; through the maze and back to the rest of the guests.

This whole party was a smokescreen, a chance for them to achieve their objective.

Which was what, exactly?

It was supposed to be an MMA-Party, a Gala, with an exclusive invite to those able to spill their money. It was supposed to be for charity, and probably a sum of that money would end up in a charity's treasury, but the rest?

The rest was filling someone else's pockets.

In an attempt to blend in with the crowd and keep appearances, Brandon took pictures with some of his sponsors, before he excused himself to join me at the bar. He was so close, so close to sit by my side, when a new horde of elites occupied his presence.

I didn't mind. I was well aware of the importance of this night. Even if my thoughts kept going back to the screaming man; Moretti.

Looking around, I kept thinking. Did the screams of the man ever reach these people? Did they have any idea of what transpired tonight?

No. Everyone was simply clueless to the extortion, blackmail and corruption that took place.

It wasn't surprising. The Venue was built like a labyrinth. And if you didn't keep your eyes open, the hallway leading to that part of the club was properly camouflaged by mirrors and lights and shadows.

I was content with these thoughts keeping me company, when someone pulled me away from my drink at the bar, and in the middle of the dance floor. Turning around, I was hoping to find familiar green orbs, only to feel my blood run cold.

Grey eyes met my own, belonging to the man I should be avoiding at all costs.

The maestro. The man in charge. Cyrus.

I scolded myself for my initial reaction, swiftly putting on the mask of an oblivious young lady, flattered to be in the arms of a man with money, while trying to push him away.

"I'm sorry, I have a date," I said, pushing on his chest to get some distance, but this man wouldn't budge.

"Trust me, I'm well acquainted with your date, Dr. Ricci," he said, his breath hitting my face, the scent of cigar smoke still pungent and disgusting.

Of course, he knew who I was. I wouldn't be surprised if he knew my whole family tree, at this point.

"You seem to know who I am, but I don't believe we've met before, Mr...?"

"Cyrus Inkles."

Time stopped and I was frozen in place.

My ears were ringing, as I felt the sweat run down my spine.

I was sure everyone else was experiencing time normally, but for me, every second ticked by incredibly slowly, as I tried to push myself out of this numb state.

"...I always know who my guests are, Dr. Ricci. It would be rude if I didn't, don't you agree?"

His question brought me back to reality, and as I met his eyes once more, my hand clutched in his in a firm shake, I nodded; this was a warning. A message, crystal clear.

"Of course," I said back politely, stealing glances of the people around me, when I spotted Markus and Stella from afar. They were at the bar with Liam and Malcolm. Jaxon had joined them, and Mia, who wasn't far, carefree, laughing away with some of her friends.

Everyone was here.

I took a step back, still trying to reign over some inner power to help me out of this situation, when the warmth of a hand wrapped around my waist, effectively pulling me away from this man's clutches.

"Cyrus."

"The man of the evening," he said with a chuckle, sarcasm dripping from his words. "Brandon, glad you were able to join us, tonight."

To me, Brandon was huge, engulfing my body easily with his. But seeing the two side by side, really put things into perspective. Cyrus wasn't just a tall, strong man. No. He was huge, built, like a formidable mountain, intimidating to the people around him, in a way that earned him the title of the 'Man in charge' for a reason.

"Cyrus. It's been a while." In any situation, Brandon was stealthy. But in that moment, as he kept me close, he left a side of him unguarded; his need to protect the people he cared about. And that was pure sugar for a man like Cyrus Inkles.

"Indeed, it has. But don't fret. Dr. Ricci kept me company. I must say, she's as delightful as she seems."

His eyes were calculating, challenging him to slip up, as they both fought for dominance in a war with words.

"Do you happen to be acquainted with one of my colleagues, Mr. Inkles? Jaxon Inkles?" I decided to bud in, change the subject, while my brain was trying to find an escape route.

"He's my son, the youngest. And James, over there, 's my oldest," he nodded towards the bar, where James was indeed, drinking from a martini glass, while his eyes were watching his father. "And please, call me Cyrus, my dear. Such a sharp brain... I'm impressed, Brandon?"

Shivers traveled down my spine at his daunting words. He was talking about me as if I was a procession; one he'd like to have in his own collection.

"Cyrus. Consider me flattered." I hated myself for playing his game, humoring him, but it was crucial at this point.

"Nonsense. Flattery will take you nowhere. Power... Now that's something that makes the world go round. And to have her by your side? My, my... the power of her gaze alone..."

Disgust.

That was the only thing I felt as his gaze wracked down my body.

Objectified and scrutinized.

It once more proved what I thought about the man. He enjoyed what he was doing; inflicting pain, taking advantage of anyone weaker than him. He loved it.

And that made me fear him even more.

Loathe him, but fear him all the same.

It should be a survival instinct to pull away, but the sudden disgust I felt towards him, made me want to fight him even more. I wanted to see him at his knees, defeated, begging for forgiveness for all of his crimes.

The mask was long gone, and in its place was only rage.

Feeling Brandon's hold around me tighten, I knew I wasn't the only one reacting to his venomous words.

Which meant only one thing.

He had already won.

"Enjoy your night, Cyrus."

"Oh, yes. Don't let me take any more of your time." He took a step back himself, only to end our encounter with another warning. "Will see you soon, Dr. Ricci."

Pretending not to hear, we blended into the crowd, as Brandon's hand tightened around my own. Once away from his cold eyes, he turned to me, patience already chipped and discarded. He took a deep breath, pulling me into a tight hug, as he whispered by my ear, "Let's get out of here."

I was elated, and finally able to breathe. But that didn't last very long, when I realized we weren't leaving this godforsaken party. Instead, we were walking down more hallways, turning around new corridors.

I've had enough. I wanted to go home, damn it. Was it too much to ask?

"Wait, Brandon... I-"

Before I could utter a word or pull my arm away, Brandon threw me over his shoulder, walking down the rest of the hallway and into an elevator, as I thrashed around so he would "Put me down!"

He didn't.

Instead, he pressed the top button of the elevator after he scanned a black card on the elevator's sensor, and as the doors closed behind me, I accepted my fate.

He was being quiet.

But Brandon's body was a storm, ready to be unleashed; I could feel it in my bones.

No amount of preparation could prepare me for what was coming.

He was a force to be reckoned with. And this time, he'd be starting with me.

___

When he's quiet... GOD, when he's QUIET!!!!

I can't handle brute, quiet Brandon. He's just so... so, so, sooooo... I can't even...

Let me just say, things will only get more crazy from here.

Will do my best to get the next chapter out by Friday, but I'm giving myself another 24h time, Just in case. ^_^

Remember when I asked you guys what you thought of Viviana King? How about now?

What do we think of Cyrus Inkles?

Where is Erika-protection-squad?

She's such a fighter! I love my baby so much. Every Vote goes towards her protection!! (Promise!)

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. It feels good writing again...

Be nice to yourselves! Drink water! Sleep!!

Yours, Drear J! xo

Next chapter: 12th November