The punching bag kept swaying back and forth as I couldn't stop my punches from landing on it. I was frustrated, angered beyond belief. I should have known; I should have red the signs. Relieved that today was my last physiotherapy session, I lost myself for a moment after seeing her, after I held my angel in my arms for just a few seconds. I should have known that, that was the peak, only for the day to go downhill from there.

Out of nowhere, Jaxon Inkles had to burst my bubble, when he appeared next to Erika and her sibling. At first, I didn't see it, but once the realization dawned on me it was clear, that not only was he working at the same hospital as her, but they were friends, had breaks with each other, probably even assisted on shifts and surgeries. What was James' plan? Was Jaxon a part of his dirty schemes to hold leverage over Erika? After all this time, why was he back to Chicago? So many questions I didn't know the answer to, and with each one another frustrating hit landed on the punching bag and the iron chain holding it in the air screeched again and again.

I should have red the signs, but I didn't; another punch landed on the punching bag in front of me, and it kept swaying frustratingly, mirroring the emotional turmoil brewing inside of me.

"I ask the witness, Ms. Nicole Summers to come to the stand."

The judge's voice still echoed inside my head. It was my first case after weeks of trying to heal and keep everything under control, only to have my witness slip through my fingers. Not only was she nowhere to be found, but the defendant's case was overtaken by a new lawyer, and it was his case against mine.

"Your honor, if I may, I think it is safe to assume that the witness has changed her mind. And it would only make sense, since my client is innocent. This is truly devastating and we're truly sorry for your loss, Ms. Jenkins, but without your son's girlfriend as witness to this very unfortunate situation, no proof can be tied to my client. This is all a misconception, a scheme my client found himself trapped in, but I am happy to see that Ms. Summers, with her absence, believes so as well."

He turned to look at me, a smug look on his face as he knew he already won. James Inkles won the case, the murderer of my client's son left without justice and a witness had gone missing.

How could I remain calm and collected at the words and actions followed, "Court is adjourned," leaving my client to mourn for a loss that was unjustifiable?

"Your honor, if I may--"

"You may not, Mr. king. This is the third time the court tries to solve this case, but I find myself agreeing with the defense. Your witness is not present; therefore, your case is dismissed. Court adjourned!"

I failed, and the man sitting across from me wasn't the only one responsible; it was me.

The punching bag kept swaying, my knuckles bruised, and my shoulder was now screaming at me to stop from further hurting myself, but I couldn't take it. I couldn't fathom today's failure.

All I needed right now was a glass of smoky sweet whiskey to dull my brain, a cigarette to burn my lungs and a certain angel, that I was dumb enough to let slip through my fingers once again; just like my witness.

Each punch was strategic, landed methodically as I tried to dissipate my anger in a way that brought no harm to anyone, but myself and the object in front of me, as my hits kept falling on the punching bag faster than before, and my sweat kept trickling down my back.

I felt exhausted from accomplishing nothing.

"I know it's my face you're imagining right now on that punching bag, but, if I dare ask, why so cruel, brother?"

My body stilled as I stopped the last hit midair, the punching bag swaying from side to side with the momentum it gained, and I turned around with a cold look on my face to stare at the man responsible for most of my torment.

"You know, if you wanted to train, all you had to do was ask." He said, taking off his jacket and loosening his tie.

"What are you doing here?"

He sighed at my curt response; we both knew I was in no mood for any more games. "I guess you're right to be mad at me. I did win today's case, after all."

"I had no idea you were his lawyer. Figured you'd stay away from court rooms since you took over your dad's casinos and line of business."

"True, I've been away and was indeed feeling a bit rusty, but figured a case like that would be enough fuel to flare my talent. Besides, the guy's lawyer was as incompetent as they get. He didn't stand a chance, but you see, I've got a couple of aces up my sleeve, Brandon..." he chuckled, taking around my father's gym, before he continued, "...and I love using them."

Ten years ago, I would have laughed with him, thinking his words were taken out of context, but now, seeing this arrogant and self-absorbed side of him made me wonder, if he was like this from the beginning or if it was something he mastered over the years.

"You made wonders with this place. Figured your mom would've sell it after it burnt to the ground, but you stood your ground and kept it all. Hell, it looks better. What is this?" He hit the floor with the point of his shoe, repeating his action with the other as well. "Wooden floors? Damn, your old man would've been proud."

"Don't talk about him." I took a step forward, his words another spark to the flames of my anger, and he took a step back defensively.

"Woah, slow down, I didn't mean to be disrespectful, or anything. I loved your father like my own, Brandon. Hell, even more. I never meant to hurt you, brother." His stance took a complete one eighty, gone was the smirk, his eyes looked more sincere for a moment.

"Don't play that card, James."

"Brandon, Tony stood by my side through thick and thin, back then. He even stopped my dad from hitting me 'til I couldn't take no more. We grew up together, your family was more of a family than my own and you cannot take that away from me. I won't let you."

I felt nostalgic, hearing the nickname of my old man, in the same place we loved so much. It had been such a long time ago since we saw eye to eye, James and I.

"James-"

"I didn't mean to drag you down that road. I am sorry." His words were full of remorse, confusing me further. "I am so fucking sorry. I was hurting, you were hurting and... and I thought I was doing a favor to the both of us. The accident took a toll-"

"We both know my father's death was no accident. Tell me I'm crazy, say it to my face, if you dare, but don't lie to me. Someone hurt him, someone wanted him to keep his mouth shut and they did just that."

Silence echoed off the walls of the gym as we were staring at each other. Words, thoughts that were bottled up, were released after so many years. Even so, this was just the tip of the ice berg.

Feeling restless, I headed towards the lockers, leaving James behind. I was in dire need of some pain killers, but right now a shower had to do. I knew I couldn't change my past; hell, I couldn't even control my future, and the more I thought about it the more I felt useless. However, the case, the warm water was a blessing down my spine and I wished my problems would fall down the drain like the soapy water.

My shower couldn't be longer that seven minutes, but somehow my thoughts were beginning to align a plan for me. It was obvious that my father's death was still burning a hole in me, the guilt and pain never left me. I had to find out what happened to him. What I failed to realize sooner, was that, if I wanted to find out what really happened to him, then I had to face my demons. Demons that once equaled to a desperate high, an adrenaline I craved.

As my thoughts were somehow satiated from the current predicament I was plotting, I was once again face to face with James who was still at the gym, his back to me as he was reading the glass framed paper pieces from the papers, dated ten years ago. Right there, printed in black and white, was the last photo taken of me and my father in this gym. I was holding the winning cup for boys younger than seventeen years old, while my father held me on his shoulders, a big grin plastered on both our faces; true pride in his eyes.

"What are you still doing here?"

"King, I thought, out of the two of us, I was the incompetent one and you were the professional business man. Let me remind you one last time about today's meeting, before your match." He turned around, mischief painted on his face resembling the same one he had in the court room a couple of hours ago. "My associates are already meeting with your brethren at your office. You, my brother, will be driving me there, while we reminiscent the good old days."

Frowning at the thought of spending another minute with the piece of shit in front of me, I headed towards the exit with James right behind me, as I pulled the keys to lock my gym.

If James was anything, it was a mother fucking genius. My father always praised me and lifted me up when I was younger, pushing me to try harder. But James... James was a natural. If the casinos and his father's line of business weren't passed down to him, I am sure he could have done greater things. But alas, life was cruel that way, and fate had a crazy way of turning tables upside down and sideways.

Reading the situation now, he remained quiet during the ride, giving me space. A deafening silence that for once felt worse than his obnoxious self-spouting out nonsense. I had questions, oh, so many, and I needed answers to. One way or another, James knew something about my father, and I had a feeling, with all his dirty connections, he knew more about my family than me at this point.

"How do you know about Mia?" I broke the silence, not able to bare it any longer.

"When are you going to realize, that I know far more than you could imagine?" I didn't have to turn towards him, to know the self-righteous smirk was back on his face.

"Answer the fucking question, Inkles. How do you know she's coming back to Chicago?"

James shuffled in his seat, opening the glove box in front of him when he chuckled at its contents. "Figured you kept one around," he said, waving the gun expertly in his hand before pushing it back in the glove box before closing it. "Your family is your soft spot. If I wanted you back in the game, then I had to strike where it hurt the most. Figuring your sister's plans was child's play. I have people who owe me everywhere. All I need to do is pull some strings, and the answers are given to me."

"Why?"

"What do you mean, why? I just said, I wanted you back in the-"

"I mean, why is she coming back?"

"Beats me. Maybe she missed you more than she lets on," he said, enjoying this game way too much.

"Bullshit." I said under my breath, driving down the road towards my firm. "You just had to send your men after me, didn't you? Wouldn't your plans take place faster if I hadn't dislocated my shoulder?"

He was planning something. In the few weeks that I was busy with physiotherapy, he was planning, stirring things, while I was left unaware. Question was, when would it all blow up in my face?

"True, that was a setback, but my clients were amazed by your display of strength, my brother. Imagine the bets they're going to make once you're back in the game. Fuck, I can smell the money flowing already, and it drives me crazy."

Drugs, alcohol, sex... weren't the only addictions in this world. Every single human being was addicted to something, and for James that was money. It was unfathomable, but his flesh called out to the green paper in a way that made me feel sick to my stomach, as I listened to his words. I couldn't recognize him, but at the same time I did. The transition was slow, but it seemed that with his father's guidance, he became into this highly intelligent, highly driven individual with sociopathic tendencies. Sly and manipulative, a monster I once called brother.

The Inkles family seemed keen to do business with my father, but now entangling me and once again my family in his web, was James' little game. Unfortunately, the more I tried to escape, the more I was tangled and trapped. But maybe, that was the only way of finding out what really happened.

"You're sick." I mumbled, as I parked my car, but he heard me, because he stopped laughing like a maniac, and turned towards me.

"Humanities greatest overachievers are psychopaths, Brandon. Don't forget that."

After the initial shock of seeing me and James enter the conference room together and in a civil manner, Malcolm and Liam pretended the past few weeks - maybe even the past few years - never happened. Conducting an impromptu meeting was my idea and I knew James was looking forward to it, with my first match taking place in about a week's time. The same could have been said for my two colleagues and friends, if one ignored the penetrating glances Liam was sending James.

"Isaac Meyers. Age twenty-five, from South Chicago. He is relatively new in the whole fighting scene, but is not to be underestimated, especially after your last injury. He has taken South Chicago through social media and his fan base is extremely strong. He's gained the nickname 'Overkill' after his last win, seven wins in a row in the spam of a few months." Malcolm presented my first opponent, and as I saw the information on the man on the projector, I felt the excitement after such a long time riling me up.

This was what I needed.

"Nothing the Guardian can't handle, am I right, Liam?" James decided in that moment to taunt the younger member of the conference room, only to receive another death glare from Liam.

If only he could put him six feet under with that glare, we'd all be somewhat happier.

Instead of biting back, Liam said nothing as he remained silent, calculating in his head the whole situation.

James seemed elated as all preparations were taken care of ahead of time, and so the meeting didn't last for long. Court room situations and broken friendships remained behind closed doors, as they all concentrated on the upcoming match. Of course, we knew that he had inner motives, but if he wanted to find out some truths we had to go with his request, until we were ready to uncover the truth; hopefully, it wouldn't blow up in all our faces.

After the meeting came to a close, our associates exited the room, except from James. He had a wicked smile on his face, making me wonder if he was planning on playing dirty this early in the game. We had to take care of all our loose ends before the snake came biting our asses. I didn't trust him and that was obvious; he knew it as well. But then again, he didn't trust me either, which was why I had to be two steps ahead of him.

"I'm so glad to hear today was your last session. Must have been hard seeing your doctor friend again, right?" The fucker had to bring Erika into this, but if the big grin on his face was any indication, he knew exactly where I was and who I met.

"I saw Jax today." I quickly changed the topic, dismissing the hidden message behind his words. I did not want to bring Erika into our conversation again.

He hummed under his breath, before a slow, sick laugh erupted out of his mouth, growing louder, as the three of us stared at him. "Then the only one left to return to this sick city is your dear Ariana." His face soured in a way I haven't seen in a while, making me feel uneasy. I wasn't sure if his venom was directed towards his brother or my sister Ariana; maybe both. "And what a reunion that would be, with the whole family back."

I cursed under my breath, as my words were used against me, making me regret bringing Jaxon into this conversation.

"So you didn't know he was back? Seems like I have some aces up my sleeve myself, Inkles. You should be careful." He huffed once, the annoyance coloring a very interesting color on his face, as I continued to taunt him. "In fact, I invited him to my match next week. Figured, he would like to see his older brother there as well, don't you think?"

"That delinquent means nothing to me. And you should know better than to call him that."

No more words were exchanged, as James lashed out of the office. I had a sickening feeling, that this would come back to bite me in the ass, but for now, I felt a tinge of relief at seeing his annoyed reaction. Maybe he was more human than I thought he was.

It was a known fact that the two Inkles brothers were never close. I wasn't close to Jaxon either, even though we always used to hang out at each other's houses, but the Inkles' relationship was severed to pieces when Jax left to study medicine.

I guess the older brother never liked being left behind by his younger brother, especially since he was left to endure his father's torment alone.

"What's your plan?" Liam spoke for the first time tonight.

His question created more questions in my head, since I wasn't sure where this was heading. What was my plan?

In the last couple of years, I came to love and cherish the people around me, my job, Liam and Malcolm. They were family now, and I knew, that by agreeing to Inkles' requests, I was putting them in danger as well. I had their backs and they had mine, but that ensured nothing; it wasn't enough. Today's failure was a situation we couldn't afford repeating. I had to take their reputation, their lives, into consideration, and make a plan.

"We keep tabs on everything, on new cases, witnesses. We need to protect our clients, the people that trust us, or we'll be seeing our company falling to the ground." I rubbed my face in frustration, before I met Liam's reading stare again. "James showed just a glimpse of his true colors, and once he had a taste of power and control, he won't give up. Playing with lives... he does it for a hobby. We need to protect our people."

"Did you speak with Alex, Liam? Is she going to cooperate?" Malcolm's impassive voice said, reminding me the next steps we were taking to expose some truths.

"She will," Liam said with a growing smirk on his face.

The fucker. I knew what that smirk meant and I sighed, clenching my fists, because now was not the time to fight him on this one. I had to trust he knew what he was doing and what he was getting into.

If I had to compare James' brain to someone, it would be Liam's; in a rather less psychotic way. They both loved power, control. While James was manipulative and had a way with words, Liam had a way with numbers but a harder way with emotions. That's why, in his efforts to understand emotions, he led people on.

Which was fucking dangerous, especially when we wanted Alex - Federal Agent of the Federal Bureau of investigation - on our side against the closed doors that was the Inkles family.