Dedicating this chapter to

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Elli entered the noisy club, her expression grim, mood sour. She couldn't believe, she couldn't just believe that french bast*** dumped her. He dumped her saying that - that she was cold... and what was that? Distant, stupid and unromantic.

She went straight to the bar and asked for a beer. Tonight was the night when Elli would get drunk, she thought vengefully. It wasn't like her heart was bleeding in pain or something, she kind of was beginning to like him and now it was a unexpected - solid punch to her ego. And no one - that means no one punches Elli's ego.

Swallowing down two big gulps of her beer grudgingly Elli began taking in her surroundings spinning on the bar stool. Sweaty, drunk, over energetic people were dancing crazily grinding their bodies together... huh. Bloody hormone driven stupid perverts.

At last her eyes fell upon the people sitting beside her and then back to the rugged looking bartender, she made a double take the next moment and snapped her head back to her side to the guys right next to her.

What the hell!!

Brandan and Oliver, they were sitting right beside her drinking. While Oliver was drinking like there was no tomorrow, Brandan was just absentmindedly twirling the whiskey in his glass. The man even didn't seem to notice when a little of that whiskey splashed a little and fell on his shirt.

She could hear them talking between themselves...

"Brandan! Are you out of your mind? You and I both know that you can do it, you can rip that Jonathon away from Emma. So you better take my advice seriously pal." Oliver exclaimed with enthusiasm.

"And what is this idea of yours?" Brandan's voice was unsure but Oliver was slightly high on alcohol and overly confident.

"Bankrupt Jonathon. If he doesn't have a company Emma doesn't have a job, he would be no more Emma's boss. Girls don't like men without money." Oliver pointed it all out simply.

Irritated, Brandan gritted his teeth. "Well, let me inform you that Emma isn't like all those other girls, she never cared about money and she never will."

Oliver thought for a long minute tapping his forefinger on his chin. "Then... then we - we kidnap Jonathon's secretary."

Brandan frowned, "What does it have to do anything with Emma?"

Oliver held a finger in front of Brandan's puzzled face. "Then we frame Jonathon of murdering his secretary because - he's a psychopath. Emma might not care about money but she would surely care about if the person she's dating is a murderer and screwed in the upstairs." For a finishing touch Oliver tapped his finger on his head.

Brandan rubbed his face with his left hand while with the right hand he slammed the glass of whiskey on the bar counter before yelling lowly at Oliver. "Shut the hell up Oliver! Your ridiculous schemes are not helping."

But Oliver was indifferent. "I already told you to try some vodka, they always help..."

Brandan was about to yell some more but Elli couldn't take it anymore, she suddenly howled up in laughter. Brandan and Oliver looked at Elli surprised seeing her there.

"Seriously guys, you are planning to... to..." She couldn't complete her sentence and burst out laughing again.

Oliver scoffed. "I don't understand, why is it so damn difficult to have a little bit of peace without your interference. Seriously Elli? You are stalking me now! I mean I know I am irresistible..."

Elli stopped laughing and glared at Oliver. Rolling eyes Brandan moved to the other side of Oliver, he couldn't take it anymore sitting between Elli and Oliver. His poor ears wouldn't be able to take so much pressure.

"Irresistible my foot." Elli retorted back.

Oliver slammed down his glass on the bar counter and looked at Elli with a coy grin. "Now accept it Elli, don't be shy."

Elli groaned angrily and looked away. Shrugging Oliver too concentrated on his boozing.

A good ten minutes passed in silence. A bulky man came and leaned on the counter's edge next to Elli. A little uncomfortable now, she tried ignoring him but he was staring at her creepily, he offered to buy her a drink which Elli denied politely but the man seemed persistent.

"Why beautiful? The night is young and so are we. Why not have some fun babe?" With a terrible attempt of a smirk which looked like was copied from the real devil residing in hell the man whipped her perfume leaning in. "My place is not far babe or we can maybe find a ... dark corner right here."

Elli had had enough. "Listen you, just get lost okay. I'M NOT INTERESTED."

She said the last part putting more pressure on her words.

Anger contorted on the man's face now, in a flash he grabbed Elli's wrist.

On the other hand, Oliver and Brandan were silently observing the scene for a while. Brandan was about to proceed to take care of that creepy jerk but before he could do anything Oliver stood beside Elli facing the brute.

"Hey man. Let her go okay." Oliver spat.

The man looked at Oliver and smirked.

Running a hand through his hair Oliver tried calmly. "Come on man, let's not do this huh. And which part of _ I'm not interested_ you didn't understand huh! "

"Listen you, just go back and do whatever you were doing and let me do whatever I am doing." The man leered, his hand still gripping Elli's wrist in a painful force.

"You won't listen to me?" Oliver asked coldly.

Elli rolled her eyes, to her it was like Oliver was pleading - begging to the man.

The man pushed Oliver away with his free hand, Brandan was about to now jump on to the man but was startled to a stop while Oliver suddenly screamed out a battle cry.

Brandan and Elli both cringed while the man looked utterly flabbergasted. The battle-cry was like from some historical movie - picked out from some ancient war scene.

And then Oliver was running to the man like a mad bull towards a red cloth and shoved him down to the ground, Elli jumped back at the last moment. Oliver tackled the man on the ground. But they were unaware that the devil had some friends around too. As they joined in to help the man, Brandan too hopped in punching away a few trying to keep his friends out of danger's way as much as possible.

Some stunned men - onlookers were standing around looking at the sudden turn of events.

Elli yelled at them. "What? You guys are just going to stand over there while heroic men rescuing an innocent woman are fighting the monsters - ALONE!"

It was unsure of why those men listened to Elli and joined the massacre... it could be they were high on alcohol and adrenaline or it could be simply Elli's words.

Tables and chairs were broken, bar stools were used to break bones. The barman had fled long ago. Bottles were rolling on the ground - some were broken and the pieces of glass pierced some of the unlucky guy's skin but they were not conscious enough to decipher the pain. The floor of the bar was slippery because of all the alcohol. Sirens could be heard as the police approached while the bouncers tried to take control of the situation.

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Emma kept the door of the kids' room slightly ajar before peeking one last time in their dimly lit room. Sarah was cuddled into a ball into her blankets while Sammy's bum was up in the air as he was lying on his stomach. Meow was also sleeping peacefully at the far end of the room in it's tiny comfy pet bed.

Since Brandan had entered her now sorted out life she had never thought that his ignorance of her presence would affect her that much. But it was - it was affecting her and hurting her in ways that she never thought would be possible.

It made her want to dive back to the depth of her heart and mind and observe the feelings she thought she had no more left in her.

She knew she was in great trouble.

Emma went towards her room and sat on the edge of her bed yawning. She was about to throw herself into the warmth of her blankets when her phone rang. Emma looked at the number. Unknown it was.

When she received the call a familiar voice sounded from the other side.

"Emma..."

"Brandan!" She couldn't believe he had called her, it seemed like too long she had heard his voice. "Why are you calling me from this number? What happened to your phone?" She asked a little confused suddenly remembering after the small bit of silence that he was calling her from an unknown number.

When Brandan spoke his tone sounded a little hesitant this time. "Actually Emma, can you pick me up?"

Emma was confused, why would she have to pick him up. Was Brandan suddenly reduced to a kid or was he trying to prank her, most importantly - where the hell was he at this time of the night. She looked at the clock to see it was half past eleven. Elli hadn't also returned home! But Emma knew she was on a date, maybe the couple thought to romance the night away.

Emma shook her head making her mind focus on Brandan here.

"What's wrong Brandan? Where the hell are you?" She asked worried.

There was a moment of silence...

"Jail."

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A cop led Emma towards the cell. She was wearing flats but still her footsteps echoed around making the prisoners of the cells at both sides turn to look at her, some were wolf whistling loudly while some were making indecent comments while leering at her. Irritated and uncomfortable, Emma felt like to show those scumbags the middle finger but instead she crossed her hands over her chest.

The cop who was accompanying her since she arrived at the police station had already briefed her about the happenings that took place resulting in to landing the three rascals... Brandan, Oliver and Elli's ass's in zail. It took two long hours for her to do all the formalities in bailing them out.

"Here ma'am."

Emma thanked the cop as he playfully saluted her and began to pull out the keys to unlock the steel gate of the cell.

Gritting her teeth Emma watched Oliver and Elli bickering sitting at the only bench in the right hand corner of the cell. Brandan was sitting on the floor cross legged next to a very big man who looked like a serial killer... draped with horrific tattoos all over.

Hearing the metal gate opening Brandan looked up, she watched his face sparkle and then changed into a nervous expression. Oliver and Elli had also stopped arguing and looked over at her.

Emma didn't say a word as she was walking out of the police station - Brandan, Oliver and Elli on tow.

"Emma." Brandan called for her trying to explain things.

She didn't answer. Brandan tried again. "Emma, just listen what happened..."

Emma abruptly stopped making the other three to stop on their tracks as well. The gall of this man!

"What is there to talk about! Do you have any idea of what you did?" Emma was furious.

"I... we..." Brandan tried to say something but Emma continued without giving him a chance.

"You just created a freaking bar fight. What the hell Brandan? What if something had happened to all of you? You could have gotten seriously hurt Brandan! Damn you are hurt, just look at those bruises."

Emma was shaking in anger as she yelled at Brandan. She went more furious when she noticed Brandan just staring at her dazed. Right then Oliver popped in.

"Don't scold that guy, Emma. This is all Elli's fault." Oliver pointed out only to get his foot stomped by a furious Elli.

"No, Emma! don't listen to this idiot, in fact it was all Oliver's fault, he was the one who started the fight." Elli said exasperatedly.

Oliver made a face at that. "Ohh, really! Who was that horrid man trying to grope at?"

Emma shouted over their voices. "Shut up both of you."

Oliver and Elli glared at each other.

Emma rubbed her forehead feeling exhausted. "I am tired and sleepy, the kids are at home sleeping while a more sleepy Savanah is in the living room waiting for me and I forced her to STAY - to bloody bail some criminals out from jail in the middle of night."

Emma looked at all three of them agitated, she was sure that Oliver and Elli were slightly drunk but she couldn't say the same for sure about Brandan. He was talking very less, but creepily was still just staring at her. Was he possessed or something? Emma wondered.

"So - you will now get into the car silently and PROMISE ME that you won't argue anymore, at least not tonight. I am really fed up." Emma tapped one foot on the ground waiting for them to speak.

Oliver mumbled," Chill Emma, we promise we will stay as quite as dead. Right Elli?"

He nudged Elli with his shoulder, Elli quickly nodded up and down.

Oliver and Elli slipped into the backseat while Brandan rode shotgun smiling. Giving Brandan another weird glance Emma ignited the car to life.

After driving for a while in silence Emma felt Brandan leaning a little closer towards her. The next second she felt him lowly whisper in her ear making her shiver with something that was definitely not cold.

"You were worried about me? You care for me Emma no matter how many times you deny it." He puffed a warm breath down her earlobe that traveled even more downwards on her neck.

Emma gulped and tried concentrating on the road desperately when Brandan tucked a loose strand of hair behind her hair. He had no freaking idea what he was doing to her.

Clearing her throat Emma stammered out, "Sit straight, Brandan. Let me concentrate on driving unless you don't want to die of a car crash."

In reply Brandan chuckled huskily and Emma's heart did acrobatic flips. "Why? Do I make you nervous?"

He dragged a finger upwards on her forearm making Emma shudder, goosebumps appeared on her skin.

"Why are you shivering Emma?" He asked with what Emma suspected was seduction purpose. And his purpose was definitely getting fulfilled.

The car screeched connecting to the edge of the pavement as she lost control for a while. Emma gasped and gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white.

I can resist him... I can resist him - Emma chanted continuously in her mind.

Oliver screamed from the back seat, Elli yelped. "Holy mother f*****. Drive a little careful Emma, will you !!"

Brandan chuckled again, Emma bit the inside of her cheek lightly with her teeth. "Stop it Brandan, for God's sake."

"Stop what Emma?" Innocently Brandan asked...

Making Emma gasp again Brandan rested his hand on her thigh and looked out of the window as if nothing had happened. The car now slipped a little sideways making the poor tires scream in protest, the next second she felt Brandan's other hand on her white gone hand on the steering wheel, his whole body leaning over her. Emma felt like she was about to faint. She chanted again mentally - I can resist him... I can resist him...

"Careful, Emma." He warned low - playfully, it seemed like his words had a double meaning. Okay, maybe she couldn't resist Brandan that much tonight because she was tired and sleepy - Emma pointed out.

Brandan smirked looking at the road while Emma risked a brief moment to stare at his face. Those bruises of the bar fight had somehow added to his attractiveness, she figured out he looked now ruggedly handsome.

Damn! No one had the right to look so incredible, it was illegal.

Emma was almost holding her breath, because she feared if she breathed his smell would hypnotize her and would make her do all the nonsense things embarrassing and humiliating her further more.

Elli croaked from behind. "I am going to die. I am..."

Oliver said something which made Elli offended and they started again.

Blinking furiously Emma jabbed Brandan away with her elbow.

"Everything alright, Emma?" Brandan was suddenly the epitome of childlike innocence. That f***ed up a**!

"Perfectly pitchy, Brandan."

"Is it now?" He asked with a smirk.

Emma cleared her throat and in an attempt to get rid of the tingly sensations in the pit of her stomach concentrated on the bickering two at the back seats.

"Oliver! Elli! you guys are arguing again?"

"Well that's better than you trying to send us to God's place at such an early age." Elli said through her gritted teeth.

Emma rolled her eyes and briefly glared at Brandan who smiled back in return.

"You guys promised me that you won't argue tonight."

"It's your misfortune that we had our fingers crossed behind our backs the whole time." Oliver pointed out proudly making Brandan burst out in laughter while Emma huffed and puffed in frustration.

Frustration for Oliver and Elli arguing like an old married couple, frustration for Brandan looking always incredible, frustration for being affected by him and loosing all her senses like a teenage girl whenever he touched her or even looked at her - just like she always had six years back.

Arriving home Elli and Oliver was already off to their respectable homes staggering their feet when Emma was locking her car ignoring Brandan's gaze upon her. She was about to walk down towards her home when she got stopped suddenly feeling the warmth and strength of his hand around her wrist. She didn't look back at him, just kept staring at her feet.

With slow steps Brandan went close to her - very close, hooking a finger to her chin he made her look at him. Emma was drowning... slowly... very slowly - into his addictive gaze.

"You didn't answer my question." He asked holding her gaze in his hypnotic ones.

"Wh... what question?"

She was surprised at her own voice, that seemed so unfamiliar - so unlike her. She wanted to ask which question, there were so many he had asked her tonight. Each one threatening in their own different ways to her sanity.