"Now don't you sound loyal to Noah, are you unwilling to hurt her. Let me remind you that you have already betrayed Noah and he does not take that lightly. If he gets his hands on you now or if I think you are double-crossing me... Well myself and Noah won't hesitate to kill you. If it was me I would just shoot you. But Noah would most likely slowly torture you... Peel your skin off... So what's your choice?"

"I am just acting in your best interests and offering you some advice. Noah will come quicker if she is unharmed, kill her and he won't come and you won't be at an advantage."

​​

Ring Ring

The ringing of Eric's phone broke the tension in the room. He looked at the screen as it lit up seeing the caller he froze creasing in his old face.

"Yes... Is that right?"

His smile faded as he glared at Thomas.

"Keep me informed if there are any other updates."

Eric hung up and walked slowly in Ivys direction, he bent over and he gripped Ivys chin harshly.

"Looks like your all out of luck."

She winched in pain as he then threw her face away.

"Thomas my informant just phoned me and said that Noah flew two Cities over for a business deal. He will be at least four hours away. What to do with the time?"

Eric smiled menacingly.

"Let's have some fun."

Thomas panicked and hoped it didn't show.

"We have to wait until Noah gets here. He will only come if there is proof she is alive and well."

"Mmm... But where is the fun in that?"

Eric nodded and a man approached Ivy and the first strike landed on her stomach. She gasped air as excruciating pain spread throughout her entire body. She was glad that she had not had a bite to eat the whole day so she wouldn't vomit from the hit.

The man had punched her right in the stomach with so much force, his pointed brass knuckle tore right into her clothes and ripped it.

She gasped as her body steeled itself for another punch.

Sliding his hands into the pockets to stop himself from trembling, Thomas could only watch helplessly as a thug approached Ivy and started to punch her stomach. He thought back to the night before.

Thomas apartment

Thomas had a few beers with Aiden and then retire to his room for the night. After a shower, he lay his head down. A beep came from Thomas cell phone woke him from his sleep, he had only slept half an hour and he felt groggy. He sat up from his bed, staring at the blinking lights on the phone as he checked I.D not seeing a familiar number he squinted at the screen.

Unknown Number

The clock on the screen of his phone read 1.12 a.m. Who would call at this hour? He thought as he swiped the green button to answer. Pressing the phone to his ear, he said nothing, waiting for the other party to speak.

"Thomas?" A foreboding male voice called out.

Thomas immediately reached for his gun under the pillow. He was ready to kill anyone who would harm Ivy or the boss.

"Who are you?"

The deep voice snickered a little.

"I'm sure you have heard of me before from your boss, or maybe my brother's name at least. I am Eric McCann, my brother was Will McCann and Noah shot him and sent me his body back to me."

Thomas gripped his gun tighter, as though Eric was standing in front of him. He wished he could kill Eric McCann unfortunately he had phoned but didn't dare to show his face.

"No, I've not heard of you,"

Thomas replied, trying to sound dumb, he could act like the big, dumb bodyguard that many believed he was. It had fooled many others in the past.

Again, Eric chortled.

"Now, that is a surprise. And here I thought Noah would have informed you about me, especially after he killed my brother. Did he not think I would be capable of taking my revenge."

Eric's voice was deep and hoarse.

Compiling as much composure as possible, Thomas spoke again.

"Who are you and what do you want from me?"

"I have a business proposition for you."

This is it, Thomas thought as he gripped his gun.

"I am not interested."

Thomas calmly answered when Eric interrupted.

"You are getting the wrong idea for me."

Eric whispered, to the point that it was almost frightening.

"I am not requesting, I am telling you that you have to do it."

"Why should I follow your orders?"

"If you value your life, you should." Eric retorted.

"And before you ask me how I can kill you when I am miles away; I assure you, I can."

The warnings meant nothing to Thomas. As Ivys friend and bodyguard, he was readied to sacrifice his life when needed.

Eric sounded very optimistic Thomas surmised that Eric mist of bought off a few more of Noah's men. Thomas found that his options were restricted.

"I am a decent man. You will be rewarded if you assist me. I can offer you a new life, it would be even better than any life Noah could give you. It doesn't sound like he values you as he doesn't even inform you of any dangers." he snickered.

Thomas stood then. Supporting the phone between his cheek and shoulder, he put on his shirt and trousers quickly heading out of his bedroom quietly.

"What are you asking me to do?" Thomas inquired in a deep, soft voice.

Eric let out a triumphant laugh.

"Bring me, Ivy. So I can control the beast."

Thomas's eyes enlarged.

"Ivy?"

"Yes your boss's lover, bring her to me tomorrow night. With her, Noah will blindly run in and fall into my trap."

"I can't just take Ivy anywhere, Noah will know."

The man on the other line went quiet for a moment before replying.

"That is something for you to think about Thomas, bring her to me and I will end your boss along with our troubles."

"The boss will kill me. I want you to ensure my safety."

Eric chuckled.

"That is something that you don't have to worry about. Noah may be the big boss for now but with his lover in my hands. I have his weakness."

"What do you intend to do with Ivy?"

"That is the least of your concerns, bring Ivy to the docks tomorrow night. I don't care how you do it." Eric instructed and the line went dead.

Beep Beep Beep

Thomas slid the phone in his trouser pockets and hurried out of his apartment without bothering to put on his suit jacket and went up one floor to Aiden's apartment. He rapped his knuckles, understanding that the soft knock would have woken Aiden up.

The door opened, revealing Aiden in his dress pants, shirt and tie. He looked the same as earlier when he left. Thomas wondered if he had kept drinking.

"No more beers, go to bed Thomas." Aiden said wearily and went to close his door."

"No." Thomas held the door and used some force.

Aiden looked at Thomas's face again reading the situation before stepping out of the apartment.

"Don't speak," he whispered, walking to Noah's apartment.

Silently they walked to Noah's door. The secretary dialled his boss's number and waited for two rings before ending the call, signalling Noah that he was about to enter his apartment.

Aiden unlocked the apartment, Thomas took the chance to fix his attire and finger-combed his hair before entering. Aiden did not bother with the lights, they headed to Noah's study.

Noah entered the study and sat behind his desk with both hands clasped together. Wearing nothing but his robe, his uncombed dark hair tumbled down, covering part of his eye. The dimly lit room did nothing to hide the intensity of his eyes. His obsidian eyes stared at his sleep-deprived secretary and bodyguard revealing nothing but dissatisfaction.

Unclasping his hands, Noah reached for the whisky on the table and poured himself a drink. He swirled the glass, watching the amber liquid dance round the crystal glassware before taking a sip.

"Report"

As expected Noah did not need to be notified about the essence of their meeting. A serious meeting like that could only mean Eric was involved.

"I a call from Eric McCann boss."

"And?"

Thomas stood up straight as he gave his report. When he was done, Noah remained silent, opting to glare at his drink.

Aiden and Thomas tensed up, knowing a quiet Noah was very dangerous.

"Shall we begin?" He inquired and began to lay out the proposal.

Thomas, you have to act appropriately, try to stall Eric for as long as you can, until I arrive. We will not be far behind."

"Understood, boss."

"I will entrust Ivy with you. Don't fail me, Thomas. I don't want her hurt ever again."

Thomas felt the significance of Noah's words and he woke from his memories as Thomas realized that he couldn't stand by and watch any longer.