Kidnapped again?

“The nerve of this man to reject my calls.” Brandon cursed after calling Dylan for the twentieth time and, he canceled it, for the twentieth time. Huffing a frustrated sigh, Brandon tossed his cell phone before stepping on the accelerator hard making his car talk to the winds.

The bold move he made in the hospital by drugging Xander and revealing his identity fired back at him. Brandon got so lost in bragging that he completely forgot about the unconscious woman in the hospital ward. And now she was abducted and he was well aware that it was Dylan’s doing, ’cause after all, who has the guts to kidnap the Mafia’s beloved right under his nose? The entire hospital was under the watch of Dylan.

But his little stunt had landed Brandon in hot water.

The car came to a screeching halt. Brandon kicked the door open and sprinted towards the lavish villa. But what he didn’t expect was to be stopped at the gate by Dylan’s men.

“Move aside,” Brandon growled, glaring at the guard who also didn’t avert his gaze and stared at him with dead eyes.

“I am sorry Sir but there are orders not to let anyone inside.” He said in a crisp tone.

Brandon clenched his jaw, “Tell Dylan, Brandon has come”, swallowing his rage, he tried to speak as politely as possible but what he heard next left him fuming.

“Madam is in the house and Boss has given strict orders to not let you step inside his territory.”

His nonchalant reply bruised the tycoon’s ego. He had enough of his minions.

“HOW DARE YOU-”

“We are just following the commands, don’t trouble us or we would have to use force.”

His snarl was cut off by Elijah who trodded to them, his eyes cold as usual. Brandon instantly snapped his head toward him and glared at him. But instead of chiding him, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“Fine, if that’s what your Boss wants. But let me tell you that the drug which he has been experimenting on Evelyn and all the other people who tried to unravel his identity is fatal. I have given the antidote to Xander and thus, he will regain consciousness in the next six hours. The same will go with Aunt Maria and Joseph who was drugged by Sara. But the problem is that Evelyn is kidnapped and even if they don’t remember a major portion of today’s activities, they won’t completely forget about her. So, hiding her would only invite trouble. Make sure to deliver this message to Dylan and tell him to come up with a suitable solution for his highly risky and nonsensical step.”

“Oh, I have a great one, mate.”

Brandon lifted his head only to find Dylan strolling towards him with a smile etched on his face. He was dressed in a white tee, black joggers, and his favorite Myles Brando leather sandals. The man had impeccable taste even for casual attire.

Dylan then halted in front of the metallic gate and peered at him through the slits of the iron rods.

Brandon snorted at his childish behavior, “What? You’re not going to let me in?”

“Nah, it’s good to see you from this far. I think that is the appropriate distance you should keep from my lovely wifey.” Dylan smirked, his murky pools screaming with a dangerous obsession.

Brandon chortled, “Well the last time I checked she was your Genie, your golden duck, your key to the path that shimmered with wealth and luxury.” He jeered as he couldn’t handle his attitude.

Dylan waved his hand in denial, “No need for the lecture though. A husband has full rights to call her wife whatever he can. It doesn’t require public approval.”

“WELL, THAT FUCKING RIGHT DOESN’T INCLUDE ABUSE AND HARASSMENT!!”

Brandon’s patience ran off as the past came rushing in, electrifying the calm nerves of his brain. How can he easily forget the torment Dylan had put Evelyn through but the girl despite everything gave the man a narrow escape?

“Stop yelling!!” Elijah growled as he stood in front of Brandon and shot him a warning look.

Brandon cocked a brow and looked at him with amusement, “Really, what are you gonna do? Shoot me?”

“Enough.”

Dylan hushed them with a stern voice. Elijah stepped back but not before shooing lasers at Brandon which he gladly returned.

“Guards open the door, let him inside.”

Brandon watched how guards immediately obeyed his commands and opened the gates for him. Just a few minutes ago, they were defying him access despite knowing that a girl has been held hostage there.

With hands dipped in his pockets, Dylan walked closer to Brandon and looked at him icily, “What brings you here, Brandon? Say it and leave.” His eyes held irritation.

“Evelyn.”

Brandon also spat using the same cold tone as him, “She brings me here. The guilt brings me there because I am responsible for her condition. Her safety brings me here because she doesn’t know where she is damnit!!”

His pitch suddenly rose, “You practically abducted her from the fucking hospital leaving trails of people behind whom I and Sara have to drug to hide your misdeed, risking their lives in the process.”

“Yeah right. You are responsible for her condition. You all are so fucking useless and incapable of keeping her safe that’s why I brought her here, with me, who isn’t some weakling but a Mafia Lord, the most powerful gangster whom even death fears. Evelyn is only safe with me.”

Dylan declared confidently while staring at Brandon who looked stunned.

“D-Did you only hear the first part? What about the rest HUH?” His jaw slacked but soon anger rushed inside him. He was being selfish.

Dylan frowned, “What rest?” His casual tone only irate him.

“XANDER AND AUNT MARIA!! What would I say to them? That drug is fatal and you have forced me to use it on them to erase the evidence. You are playing with people’s life idiot and not them only, you have been using it on Evelyn as well.”

Brandon seethed in his face. His anger for Dylan knew no bounds. What was even going on inside his thick skull?

Dylan, on the other hand, released a deep sigh, “Yeah, Daisy told me that. Don’t worry I won’t use it anymore on her.” he spoke before removing his t-shirt from his hold.

Brandon scoffed, “Yeah and that way includes keeping Evelyn in your house.” His voice held derision but Dylan’s affirmation snatched the ground beneath his feet.

“She is safe here,” Dylan spoke curtly, leaving no room for argument.

“DYLAN, YOU-”

“Sshh.”

Dylan put up a finger on his lips halting Brandon who was constantly trying to make him understand in a not-so-friendly manner. Taking a deep breath, he grabbed his shoulders and flashed him a small smile.

“You were the one who entrusted me with this task right? To win Evelyn and break her cold walls. Bring back the old sweet and caring Evelyn.”

Brandon kept staring at him blankly, “Of course I did. You broke her and now it’s your responsibility to mend her.” His voice came out gruff.

“Exactly”, Dylan rasped and nodded, “I know my ways might detest you but all I want is time. To win her heart and beg her forgiveness, I need to spend time with her. I can’t always remain in the shadows, Brandon, and... and you are the only one whom I can trust so just let her be with me.” His eyes held an earnest request.

“But wouldn’t Evelyn panic?” Brandon threw him an obvious question.

“Leave that to me, Brandon. I have everything prepared. Just make sure to keep Xander and Aunt Maria away from her for a few days till I settle things on my own.” Dylan told him but his jaw eventually clenched when he noticed the dubious look on his face.

For how long can he prolong his sweet act?

Meanwhile, Brandon was in a quandary. No doubt he was in Dylan’s team but he couldn’t bring his heart to ease knowing about the girl who was locked in the lion’s den.

“What are you planning on doing, Dylan? Assure me that you won’t threaten her.” He couldn’t hold back his fear and threw him a straightforward question.

But that didn’t please the Mafia as his eyes turned pitch dark. Brandon felt him tightening his grip on his shoulders.

Uh-oh.

Gulping, he dropped his gaze to the swollen veins on his neck. Dylan was breathing heavily, he succeeded in irking him.

Kissing his teeth, Dylan lowered his head. His nostrils flared releasing a hot puff of air as he tried his best to curb his temper.

And that’s how a miracle happened. Slowly, the heat emanated from his skin and regained its color.

Brandon literally thanked his stars when Dylan looked up with his pink lips twisted in a friendly smile.

“You wouldn’t have put your trust in me if I had been still glued to my previous ways.”

His words were a reality check for him.

Brandon stood speechless. Dylan was right though. He showed him how guilty he was. He had been saving Evelyn for years and not for once he negotiated her security by revealing his identity. Brandon knew how desperate Dylan was to get Evelyn. But he suppressed his desire and only stoop to take this action when her life came in danger.

No matter how much of a monster he was in the past, no one can deny the fact that Evelyn would have been ripped off of her innocence if Dylan hadn’t arrived on time. Because no one knew about Miller’s evil intentions and his staff supporting him.

His shoulders slouched. Brandon lifted his eyes and glanced at the closed window on the first floor. Dylan followed his gaze and smirked in response.

“She is my wife, Brandon.”

Brandon immediately looked at him with narrowed eyes, not liking the way Dylan was constantly staking his claim on her. He also shared a relationship with her but Dylan was hell-bent on cutting all her ties.

He opened his mouth to retort but for some reason swallowed his words back. It was time he moved on with these petty issues and think about something big.

Brandon placed his hand on his right shoulder and squeezed it before speaking in his deep voice.

“Don’t make me regret trusting you.”

His tone was laced with a hidden caveat. Dylan stared into his dark eyes that were glaring into his soul, trying to find any signs of a lie.

He then also put his hand on his shoulder and patted it softly.

“Don’t worry I won’t.”

Brandon wasn’t convinced but still, acknowledged his words with a curt nod. Stepping back, he again glanced at the closed window. The lights were off which means Evelyn was still sleeping and he couldn’t be happier about it because she would definitely hate him for this.

Maybe she would understand him.

With that thought in his mind, he wheeled around and took his leave.

Elijah kept watching until the car disappear from his sight. He then flitted his gaze to Dylan who also had a smile on his face. But as soon as Brandon’s car dived into the hole of darkness, his smile dropped and his face contoured with rage.

“CLOSE THE GATES!!”

The guards almost peed in their pants hearing his ferocious growl. They quickly scurried to shut the metallic gates and locked them. Elijah was completely taken off guard by his oddity. He was now confirmed that his boss was bipolar.

Shooting a deadly glare in the air, Dylan turned his heels and started heading inside the mansion.

“Boss,”

Elijah called him from behind before rushing to match his pace. Dylan halted and looked his way.

Elijah took his silence as a cue to continue. Licking his lips, he stuttered, “Can I ask you something if you don’t mind?”

“Do you need an invitation?”

Dylan grumbled startling him.

“I-I... if Xander Knight is also Brandon’s friend then why is he secretly helping you by keeping him in the dark? If he approved your decision then why Xander won’t understand you? Don’t get angry Boss but I am just wondering why Brandon is keeping this secret to Xander when his intentions are good.” Elijah spoke his thoughts.

“That’s the twist, Elijah. His intentions aren’t good. He is helping me because he got an axe to grind,” Dylan mused.

Elijah was bewildered, “What?”

Dylan snorted and shook his head before he turned to face him.

“It is complicated but I will try to explain it to you by a simple story.” He then took a deep breath before continuing.

“There were three friends who were fighting for the most precious jewel. Brandon was the first to step back when he realized that the jewel will never accept him as its owner so there was no point in competing for it. But he didn’t want us to claim it too. But the problem was that one has to emerge as the winner so he decided to kick Xander out of my way and helped me win the race.”

“But why did he deceive Xander only and not you?”

Elijah who was listening to him attentively quickly questioned.

Dylan smirked as a malignant glint entered his eyes.

“Because he knew that I have the legal rights on it since I was the one who bought it first and showed it to them before becoming a part of that fucking race. So, technically it should always be mine.”