I'd been hounding Declan all afternoon, insisting that he needed to go to the ER or at least an Urgent Care to get his face stitched up but he was acting like a typical man saying that he'd be fine. It wasn't until he went to a pharmacy to pick up Plan B and condoms that he finally caved and got a package of butterfly bandages and some Dermabond. He had texted me a picture of them on the counter at the register and told me I'd be playing nurse when he gets home in five.

Biting my lip, I couldn't help but laugh to myself as I went through my phone and tapped on his contact information. With a few more taps I had successfully changed his ringtone to Waterloo by ABBA. In my mind, there wasn't a more fitting song. I was indeed defeated, he had won this war and I couldn't escape the feelings I have for him if I wanted to.

I put my phone down on the couch next to me, trying hard to hide the cheesy smile on my face. God, have I fallen hard. My mind raced back to last night, feeling him for the first time. The way he made me beg for him... the way he pushed his cum back up into me.

My stomach flipped and I could feel myself start to pulse between my legs. My cheeks burned red at the ghost of his touch on my bare legs. The smutty thoughts didn't last long though because my head went back to earlier last night, in the bathroom at Wyndham Tower. Their faces, the way they looked at me, the way they grabbed me as if I was an object. The feeling of absolute heart break when they said Declan was dead and that I was now Anatolys' property.

My heart jumped to my throat and I was gasping for air while the tears streamed down my face. I could feel the panic attack coming on so I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to calm down but it only made me feel more constricted.

Nux jumped on the couch, whining when he saw how I was struggling to breath. I wrapped my arms around the dog, sobbing into his fur.

"Good boy," I choked out, holding him to me for dear life.

I was so fucking close to disappearing forever. I tried my hardest to not let my mind go there but I just couldn't stop the mental images of torture, humiliation and depravity that could have happened if Declan's guys hadn't saved me last night.

This only made me hyperventilate.

"Scars?" I didn't even hear the door to the loft open. Declans' arms wrapped around me, not taking me from Nux. Turning to him, I buried my face into his chest, wrapping my arms around his torso. "Scarlett, what happened? Talk to me, little one."

"I... I-I'm sorry." I forced out between sobs.

"Hey," he said finally pulling me from him. He cupped my face gently and made me look up into his hazel eyes. Those goddamn hazel eyes. "Baby, shh, it's okay. I'm here, it's okay."

He used this thumbs to wipe away the tears from my cheeks and placed a soft kiss on my forehead. "Breathe," he whispered. I took in a shaky breath through my nose and let it out through parted lips. "That's a good girl. Just breathe."

"I'm sorry." I said, taking my head from his hands and wiping my face with the back of my hands. "E-everything from last night finally caught up to me."

"Scarlett, I swear to God that will never happen again. I'll keep you safe. They're never going to find you."

Keeping my eyes cast down while I fidgeted with his shirt I was wearing, I gave him a half smile. Just hearing the intensity in his voice was enough to convince me. His hands moved to my hips and pulled me up and over his legs so that I was straddling him. His hands rubbing up my bare legs until his fingers dipped under the hem of his shirt to find the lacy panties I had pulled from my bag earlier.

He hummed in approval, kissing my cheek then removed his hands to grab the brown paper bag next to him and dumped it out on the couch.

"Come on, patch me up and then go take a shower." He smiled.

According to Declan, Moriarty's is a bar owned by the Malone crime family. This seemingly innocent bar is where they could always find Desmond Kelly, Captain of the "church". His main office was here and when family meetings were called they were held in the basement.

I took in a deep breath through parted lips, nervous to be going into what I assume is their headquarters for their operation. Declan tugged up the material of his hoodie to cover the bruising around his neck and pulled open the wooden doors with intricate stained glass patterns that spelled out Moriarty's. Immediately we were met with Drunken Lullabies by Flogging Molly playing on the speakers. The inside of the place was nothing special, a long mahogany bar spanned the length of half of the building. Behind it was a wall of glass that had numerous shelves all filled with bottles upon bottles of liquor lit by dim red lights.

All of the wooden stools in front of the bar were filled with patrons while others crowded around, trying for the three bar tenders attention or laughing with whoever they were speaking with. A mix of Irish flags and green flags with white shamrocks with the letters IRFU hung from the ceiling along with Tiffany Glass pendant lights. The walls were decorated with random framed pictures, Guinness Harps, wooden Jameson signs and any and all things Irish related.

The rest of the place was divided, half of the space had tables and chairs or booths for dining while the back half was what looked like a dance floor. High top tables were scattered around the outside of the dance floor and a small stage was set up in the back corner.

"Hey-o, look what the cat dragged in!" One of the bar tenders shouted, putting up his hand to grab Declan's attention. "Deco!"

"Sean," Declan said just loud enough to be heard over the music.

"Who's this lovely lass?" The bartender named Sean asked, his smile growing wider when he saw our fingers tangled together.

"I'm Scarlett," I answered with a quick smile before nervously looking down at the tops of my doc martins.

"Ah, so this is the famous Scarlett." Sean said in a sing song tone. Glancing up at him, I could see Sean beaming, earning him a glare from Declan.

I couldn't help but tease him, squeezing his fingers and smiling up at him. "Famous, eh?"

"Yea, yea." Declan looked down at me, trying his best to hide his own smile. "Where are Noah and the boys?"

Sean worked to shake the cocktail shaker in his hands and then poured out the colorful drink into a martini glass. "They're in the back in one of the booths. What are you two drinking tonight?"

Declan nodded then told him our drink order for Sean to start working on. Putting his hand on the small of my back, we made our way through the crowded place to the back. We found them in the back corner in one of the booths.

Paul was the first to notice us walking towards them and held up his pint glass. "Captain!" He called out.

I couldn't help but giggle at the nickname which made Declan let out an exasperated sigh. He moved into the booth next to Paul, pushing him to move over with his elbow so I could sit next to him. I took my coat off, fixing my tight fitting t-shirt and slid in.

"Hey Scarlett," Ben greeted with a smile. "D."

Paul and Ben's demeanors were far different from last night, they were much more jovial, giddy, as they drank their beers and started in on their jokes between each other. Noah on the other hand seemed like he was miles away, rotating his phone in his hand nervously.

A waitress came from the bar and delivered our drinks. I grabbed my beer and drank, looking between the four of them.

"So what's this all about then?" Declan asked, taking a sip of his whiskey and sucking on his teeth. "Noah was adamant we be here for ten."

"What?" Ben cocked a brow, confused. "Nothing man, it's just karaoke night."

As if on cue, one of the very drunk frat boys from the bar took the stage while the unmistakable guitar riff for Welcome To The Jungle by Guns'N'Roses started to play.

Declan let out a disbelieving laugh, glaring daggers over at Noah. "You've got to be fucking kidding me."

"Oh come on, Bossman, celebrate with us! We kicked the shit out of those bastards, they never saw us coming." Noah responded, running a hand through his hair, finally getting out of his head. I was finding this adorable. It was like watching a big brother who was made to take his younger brother out with him on his parents orders.

"You don't get out much, do you?" I threw his words from when he took me to Club Se7en back at him. He narrowed his eyes down at me in response which only made my smile grow more. It was fun getting to see him squirm when put in a situation he doesn't want to be in for a change.

"Live a little." I teased, using my elbow to nudge his arm. He grabbed my hand and put it on his thigh, squeezing my fingers.

"Don't you agree with these lowlifes." He shot back at me. "I don't want to be stuck here listening to drunk people making fools of themselves while everyone watches."

"Lowlifes?" Noah echoed. He stood up and pocketed his phone, snuffing out his cigarette in the ashtray on the table. He grabbed his pint and downed the rest of his beer with a mischievous smile. "Well isn't the old pot calling the very young, handsome kettles black."

"Come on, lads." He said slyly in a fake British accent. "Let's go be lowlifes."

The three of them smiled between each other and followed Noah, making their way to the stage. The merciful moment frat boy was done pretending to be Axel Rose, Noah, Paul and Ben took the stage.

The lights dimmed like they had for frat boy and the people who gathered for the spectacle of karaoke quieted. Noah grabbed one of the mics off of the machine and handed the other two to his friends then turned to face everyone and waited for his music to start.

"I'm not gonna go out today, I'm gonna sit right here and wish the world away 'cause I'm a lowlife, lowlife!" The three of them sang in a mock South Yorkshire accents, mimicking the singer of YungBlud.

I knew the song instantly and couldn't help but crack up, raising my hands so they could see me clapping slowly at their song choice. Declan grabbed my hands to stop me, glaring down at me. He was clearly annoyed that I was egging them on.

Noah pointed at Declan as he sang, "I don't care if the people stare, I'm gonna sit right here in my underwear 'cause I'm a lowlife, lowlife!"

Declan put his arms around my waist and pulled me into his chest. "This is the last time I'm taking you out with them. I feel like I'm babysitting four kids now." He grumbled next to my ear so I could hear over their singing and the people around us laughing and cheering.

Pulling away from his chest I playfully hit his chest with the back of my hand. "Stop it!" I giggled, reaching up to kiss his cheek.

The three of them continued to sing dramatically, acting like lunatics on stage making the now growing crowd laugh and cheer for them.

Come the second chorus I couldn't help but sing along, bumping my shoulder into Declan's to try and get him to stop being such a grouch as I did. When Paul saw me singing along he quickly shoved his mic in Noah's chest and hopped off stage, pushing his way through the crowd on the dance floor to me. He pulled my arm, tugging me out of the booth and to the stage with them, putting his arm around my shoulders.

Laughing, I looked back at Declan who still had a sourpuss look on his face. When we got onto the stage, Noah shoved the mic back at Paul and I just in time for the third chorus.

"I don't care if the people stare, I'm gonna sit right here in my underwear 'cause I'm a lowlife, lowlife!" Ben and Noah sang then pointed at Paul and I for the 'La-la-la-la' bit.

This finally had Declan cracking a smile. His eyes stayed fixed on me, watching me dance around and match their intensity. The three of them must have seen Declan's smile because they started acting even more dramatic as we continued, getting the crowd to join in.

By the time the song was over, everyone on this side of the bar was clapping and yelling for another song but Ben waved them off, saying we had to let others have some fun. Declan moved from the booth to let us all slide back in.

"Now that that's out of the way, I have an actual meeting." Declan downed the rest of the whiskey in his glass, slamming it down on the table. "Watch her." He demanded, jabbing his finger in front of their faces before he turned and walked away.

"Is he always such a grump?" I asked, annoyed he didn't bother to tell me he had some meeting planned for tonight.

"You have no idea," Paul answered, rolling his eyes and finishing his beer.

Without saying anything to us, Noah quickly moved from the booth and went after Declan, pushing through the crowd like his life depended on it.

Ben's brows pinched together, his lips turning down while he watched his friend dart off. "What's up with him tonight?"

Declan

"Now that that's out of the way, I have an actual meeting." I downed the rest of the whiskey in my glass then slammed it down on the table to make sure I had their attention. "Watch her." I demanded, jabbing my finger in front of their faces. I knew Scarlett had a propensity to get herself into trouble and I didn't need it tonight, especially in here. I have a meeting with Desmond, whether he knows it or not. Taking my leave, I turned and walked through the crowd.

"Hey, Declan, wait up!" I heard Noah call from behind me. I was just at the green door that leads to Desmond, my hand on the door knob. Letting out an annoyed groan, I turned on him sharply.

"What?" I snapped.

Noah almost ran into me. He quickly brushed a hand through his hair, something I notice he does when he's nervous. His eyes darting all around as if he thought he was being watched. Between that and him not using one of his irksome nicknames for me, my interest was piqued.

"The karaoke thing was bullshit, I did call you here for a reason." His words came out rushed. Noah, despite him doing some dumb shit to get him in trouble always had a cocky, sarcastic air about him. Tonight, he was nervous.

Looking down at my watch, I see it's past 10:30. Desmond is usually wrapping up for the night and getting ready to head over to one of the other strip clubs he owns. I had to catch him before he left through the back to the alley.

"You have thirty seconds." For once, I didn't mean to be a dick but I was starting to run out of time.

"Yea, okay. I need a loan."

He couldn't even look me in the eyes when he spoke. Something was going on and I wonder if Ben and Paul know about it.

"Not happening, kiddo."

I turned to open the door but Noah grabbed my bicep. "Declan, please it's not for me."

"If you need a loan, go to the bank."

Noah's cheeks blew out, letting out an exasperated groan, his teeth clenched. "It's not for me okay? My brother is in deep shit."

I raise a brow at him to continue.

"My brother has a problem with snow. He ran up a tab with some bad people and now he's in trouble. I just need enough to pay them off." He admitted, finally looking me in the eye.

"And you think if you give him the money he's going to pay his debt and not rack up more? If he's already in it deep, giving him the money is only going to cause more of a problem." I countered.

"I'm not going to give him the money!" He was sounding frantic. "I'm going to go there myself and pay them. He won't lay a finger on it."

"Choices, Noah." I reminded him.

"Fuck you, Declan! He's my brother, I'm not going to let him be fucking killed!" He moved closer, pushing out his chest to square off with me. I kept my composure even though I wanted to knock him down, remind him that I'm the only reason he and his friends are still alive but this wasn't the place to do it.

"Wouldn't you do the same for the girl? Wouldn't you do the same to keep someone from killing your family?" He backed off. The look of defeat crawling across his face. "Please, it's just me and my brother. He's made a lot of shitty mistakes but he's still my brother."

"How much?"

"15K."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Jesus." Opening my eyes I looked at him. "Fine."

Relief washed over him and it was like he could finally breath. "Thank you, Declan."

"Yea well you fucking owe me. And don't call me Declan."

Noah cracked a smiled. "Aye, aye, Bossman."

This was the first time I felt my nerves on edge while standing in front of this red door. For years I have come to face this door and not think twice about turning its handle and walking into Desmonds' office. Tonight, I had to take in several deep breaths to calm myself.

After reading that file this morning, too many pieces were starting to fit into place inside my mind. Too many things were starting to make a stupid amount of sense and I've been beating myself for not seeing it sooner. I need to be smart about this. Despite my initial urge to kick down his stupid fucking red door and demand answers, I knew that that wouldn't get me anything aside from excommunicated or killed.

And I need fucking answers.

Titling my head to the side until I felt my neck crack, I tugged up the material of my hoodie around my neck to hide the bruises from the wire they had used to try and kill me and opened the door. The familiar smell of his cigar wafted past me as I moved in and closed the door behind me. Desmond looked up from watching the bills being sifted through the money counter on his desk in front of him. His brow arched and for a split second he looked surprised, as if he'd seen a ghost before he collected himself, putting on a stoic face.

The bills stopped going through the machine and after a few seconds the whirring sound of the motor stopped. We stayed locked in a silent battle of wills, neither one of us wanting to be the one who cracked first.

Desmond pulled the cigar from his lips, doing his normal routine of blowing out the smoke in my direction, hoping I would cough or my eyes would water and I'd have to blink but I remained still, holding his stare.

"What the fuck did you do to Nick after you stormed into my office the other night?" He snaps.

My brow arches up. "What are you talking about?"

Desmonds' closed fist slams on his desk making the bills in the machine fall out onto his desk. "You know damn well what I'm talking about, you little fehker! Half of his face was melted off with acid!"

I scrunched up my face, my lips turning into an O while I winced. "Desmond, I have no idea what you're talking about, really."

He shot up from his seat, putting both of his closed fist on his desk while he leaned over so he was closer to me. "Don't you play stupid with me, Deco. I know the two of you have been at each other throats since that girl came into the picture and then the other night at Se7en."

"Desmond, I can assure you I didn't touch Nick. " I said, my tone low. "He didn't tell you who did it?" I knew I was pushing my luck with that last question considering his tongue and cheeks had been melted off and he lost most of his teeth but honestly, fuck Nick. He's lucky to be alive.

Desmonds' eyes narrowed at me, his nostrils flaring.

"Acid, you said? Sounds an awful lot like something the Russians would do. Wonder what he did to piss them off?"

Dez was quiet for a moment. He knows they're known for mutilation with acid. "What about those three boyos that have been hanging off of you? They've nothing to do with my nephew?"

"They're the reason your counting that cash." I answered, my eyes quickly looking down at the scattered bills on his desk and then back up to him. "They made their rounds collecting that night. Don't believe me? Ask Tommy. He can bring up footage with the date and times."

"And what about you? Where were you?"

"At my penthouse in The Atlantic. Again, ask Tommy, He'll vouch for me, he was on security duty that night." I knew we would need an alibi for where we were that night so I worked for an hour, splicing footage together to make it look like the boys were out collecting. I also messed with the footage from Club Se7en to make sure no one saw the three of them coming to the club. The money in his possession right now is mine, I had them deliver it to our accountant to make it believable. Nick had cost me ten grand but I'd say it was worth it.

I stared him down while he was mulling over what I'd said.

"How's Nick doing?" I was enjoying adding insult to injury.

"He'll be out of the hospital tomorrow." He spoke around his cigar before taking it from his lips and holding in the smoke. He blew out the vile smoke in my face, annoyed that I didn't so much as flinch and that my story was solid.

"Well then what brings you here tonight, Deco?" Desmond asked, cracking a smile as if he wasn't just interrogating me.

"I came to celebrate." I said, moving closer towards his desk but not sitting down. "The gala last night was a success."

Desmond looked me up and down. "Was it now?" He sounded, disappointed?

"I found out how they're getting their drugs. Turns out they are laundering their money through Wyndham Corporation. They're donating their money to them to fund the production of the drug, in turn Wyndham is giving them the street version to sell. It's a revolving door of money."

Desmond hummed, sitting back down in his chair and grabbing his rocks glass.

"But you knew this already, didn't you?" I spat. I could feel my rage boiling under my skin. "You had Nick making deals with them, trying to get your foot in the door so you could take over their deal with Wyndham."

"Who told you this?" Desmond kept his eyes on his whiskey. "Did they tell you this?"

No, I thought, the fucking file on the thumb drive in my pocket told me. I felt it there all night, the truth on the drive was burning a hole in my pocket. There are dozens of documents and pictures to back up the written words of Patrick Murphy describing how we, the Malone crime family, are trying to take over the Russian territories in the city. How we are trying to figure out how the Russias are getting their hands on Z so we can take over and start making a profit on it.

This was never entirely about me falling for Scarlett, no. Desmond knew that this ledger existed and most likely had Nick looking for it. He knew that if I found out about this that I would object so they had to get me out. That's why Nick was trying so hard to frame me for the Russians ambushing us at our safe house in front of everyone at the meeting. Desmond and Nick are trying to get the family to turn on me.

I'm still trying to figure out the why. I've been nothing but loyal to Desmond since I was a boy. He was like a father to me. I've done everything he's ever asked of me and never once questioned him until this whole mess with Scarlett.

Desmond mistook my silence as a yes. "Is that what they told you when they did that to you?" He asked, pointing with this whiskey glass to my throat. My hoodie must have slipped down to reveal the bruising.

"I don't know what rabbit hole they pushed you down, but climb your way back out. You really think I would want to take over their drug business? Let me tell 'ya something, boyo, the Malone family has been in Portland since 1925 and never once has this family dealt in drugs. We've seen it rip apart families, communities. How can we make money if all of your people are junkies, rotting on the streets?" He stood up, rounding his desk so he was face to face with me. He pushed the pad of his index finger in between my eyes, pushing my head back. "Use your fuckin' brain, Deco."

"Isn't that something." He let out a disbelieving laugh. "You believe the Russians over me, the man who practically raised you. Sounds like you're the one switching sides, boyo. Now, get the fehck out of my office." He snarled, throwing his glass so that it exploded off of the wall next to my head. The whiskey splashed across my face, pieces of broken glass landing in my hair and on my clothes.

I swung the door shut behind me, stalking down the hall towards the door to let me out to the bar. That lying son of a bitch. Desmonds' lapse in hiding his shock that I was still alive was all of the confirmation I needed. Dez is planning on taking over the Russian's deal with Wyndham. He had his dipshit of a nephew try to get in with them.

"Fuck," I breathed out, running both hands down my face the moment I was out in the main area of the building. They really had planned on killing me at the gala and Desmond was in on it.

But why? Why send me on some pointless mission to track down how they are getting their supply when Nick has his foot in the door with them? I've been nothing but loyal to Desmond Kelly since I can remember. I know him better than I did my own father.

My hand gripped the thumb drive that was in my pants pocket, squeezing. What Desmond doesn't know is I have everything. This, right here in my pocket, is his ruin.

Pushing past people, I walk over to the booth I left them at earlier. I hate how my heart skips a beat inside my chest the moment my eyes land on her. Traitorous muscle. I always told myself that I was never supposed to fall in love. There would be no happy ending for me, not with all of the shit I've done and now here I am, ready to fall on my knees for her. I would spark a match and burn down every single thing I've ever built up over the years just to make sure she's safe. To have her be the one to lay in my arms every night, to wake up next to her every morning.

She's laughing at whatever joke Paul had just made, covering her open mouth with her hand as she does. She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear before they all lick the side of their hands and down shots, grabbing for the lemon wedges in the center of the table once they swallowed. She sucks the lemon, screwing her eyes shut and shaking her head then tosses the lemon back on the plate, laughing again.

I don't say anything when I get to them, instead I grab the new glass of whiskey on the table and down it.

"He returns!" Noah proclaims, raising both hands.

--------------------------------------------

Thoughts?

Anyone see that twist coming?

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