The Backstabber

Flashback

Dylan alighted his sleek black SUV and jerked the lapels of his suit. Hunter quickly closed the door while silently analyzing his disheveled appearance. Dylan looked lost, his impeccable appearance and handsome features couldn’t mask the pain in his eyes. The forlorn expression on his face described how badly he was torn by Evelyn’s decision. Though she demanded only a few days, he didn’t want to go through that same ordeal once again. The man was determined to make her his, to win her heart, do everything in his power to earn her forgiveness, and make her see how much he loves her. What a fool he was who didn’t recognize a gem, who failed to see her selfless and innocent love. So as a redemption, he put his life at stake to win her but Evelyn still wasn’t convinced.

And now his resolve has started to shake.

Dylan was slowly losing hope. He had fabricated so many plans to lure her in the past that now his mind had also given up. It was now near to abandoning the promises it had made to his heart. Dylan couldn’t think of any other way of making her understand how much he love her.

He was close to giving up but then there was a voice in his head that was still telling him to hold onto that fragile string of hope. Evelyn asked for some time to understand her feelings, what if this wait will bless him with a positive result? He waited for two years, he can wait a few days more and if he was going to get her consent at the end, then it was definitely worth waiting.

Heaving a soft sigh, Dylan removed his shades and headed inside his mansion when there was a loud gunshot. Alarmed, he immediately whipped out his gun while Hunter quickly shielded him. Elijah on the other hand ran outside after cocking his gun.

His jaw clenched watching one of the guards lying on the floor with a hole in his head. He immediately flipped his gaze to the dense bushes ahead and fired three shots randomly. It required no brainer that those intruders were hiding in them. And he was right as the very next moment, the large blotches of blood spattered on the tree trunks and three bodies slumped to the ground.

Elijah smirked but his happiness didn’t last longer because there were just not three in numbers. Around fifty men in blue rose from the ground in a flash and before he could understand, they shot bullets incessantly holing his body.

“Get those bastards,” Dylan hollered at his men who immediately took their positions and counterattack. Hunter took cover of the car and loaded his gun. Prepped, he was about to pull the trigger when his gaze landed on Michael who was leading the herd.

His eyes widened in shock.

“Boss, they are the cops,” Hunter shouted to Dylan who was firing relentlessly. His mood was already sour and now it only worsened. Like a man drunk on rage, he took headshots turning the green grass red. He kept loading the gun and firing with perfect aim. Not even a single bullet of his went in vain. Dylan took out all his frustration on them. With blood-red eyes and throbbing veins, he resembled a Demon in flesh.

Hunter panicked fearing he would kill Michael so he lowered his gun and crawl to him amidst that rain of smoke and fire.

“Boss, stop it’s Dad. Let me handle it.” He whispered to Dylan but nothing worked. The man was consumed with bloodlust. Failing to convince him, Hunter had no option and engaged in that bloodbath. He had sworn his loyalty to Dylan, he can’t let anyone come in his way even his own father.

The loud sound of gunshots echoed in the forests for a very long time but it ended the moment Dylan staggered to the ground.

“Boss!!” Hunter screamed and rushed to hold him. Dylan was so engrossed in killing those policemen that he failed to see a backstabber who shot him from behind. Dylan wasn’t wearing a bulletproof vest. The impact knocked the air out of his lungs as he fell forward. Hunter quickly caught him but Dylan pushed him back and turned behind to kill that fucker who dare shot him from the back. But his eyes widened in shock when a familiar face came into his sight.

“Brandon?”

He whispered, stunned. Hunter was also shocked but Brandon remained impassive. He switched his gaze to Hunter and shot his right hand. Hunter clenched his teeth bearing the pain and draped himself over Dylan and trained his gun on Brandon. But before he could take the shot, someone kicked his hand tossing the gun to the floor.

Wincing in pain, Hunter craned his head only to see Michael with his gun pointed at his forehead.

“Dad?” He muttered but Michael gestured him to seal his mouth. Hunter was confused but did as he said. Soon, the blaring of sirens blaring and footsteps followed as cops came in droves and encompassed the entire area. Dylan was grinding his teeth as the pain turned excruciating. Blood seeped out of his wound squeezing the life out of his body. He started fading in and out of consciousness because the blow was deadly. Over the years, Brandon had honed his skills to become a true sniper. He knew the most delicate and weak points of the human body and thus his shots were fatal.

Brandon didn’t blink an eye while Dylan stared at him with a heartbroken expression. But soon his face was blocked by Xander who came in front with a triumphant smirk lingering on his lips. Dylan clenched his jaw, fury surged through his veins. Both the men mirrored each other expressions which included nothing but immense and passionate hatred, contempt, and rage. Their rivalry was no more hidden from the world.

“Finally, I got you Dan”, Xander husked in a menacing tone and stalked to him. Hunter immediately straightened up ready to charge at him but was held back by Michael who grabbed his collar and pushed him on the floor. Hunter retaliated when another cop jabbed a rifle in his chest turning him immobile.

Xander watched him with amusement before shifting his eyes to a battered Dylan, “Aww, so much love. Good to see that your loyal dog even betrayed his own father to serve you.” He mused.

Dylan shot him a smirk, “Yeah he won’t even hesitate from cutting your dick and shoving it down your throat. It’s just a call away.” He said and whispered the last part, goading him to attack him.

And it worked as Xander instantly turned livid. Fisting his stained collar, he rained punches on his jaw without any reprieve. Dylan on the other hand laughed like a psychopath. He wasn’t a tad bit concerned about the man who was beating him to a pulp.

Brandon couldn’t tolerate it anymore and rushed to hold Xander who bludgeoned Dylan’s face bruised and bloody.

“Stop it, Xander, you’ll fucking kill him,” he growled and tried to peel him away but Xander was blinded in rage.

“I will fucking kill him today. He deserves to die.” He roared and swung a punch straight on his cheek knocking him off. Brandon finally managed to grab him. He clutched his coat and threw him on the ground with full force.

“GET AWAY FROM HIM!!” He shouted and dashed to Dylan who had fainted.

Hunter was still held to the ground but no sooner Dylan fainted, his blood transformed to molten lava. He turned his furious gaze to that man who had him pinned to the ground. His eyes were fixated on the duo who was engrossed in a scuffle and thus, Hunter took advantage. Coiling his fingers around the rifle, he jerked him away. The cop was taken him off guard but before he could defend him, Hunter shoved the nozzle on his chest and pushed him away.

The man grunted in pain while Hunter sprung from the floor and cocked the rifle.

“Hunter, no-” Michael shouted in panic but before he could stop him Hunter aimed the barrel at Brandon. Brandon watched him with a blank face. He strode to him in a blink of an eye and yanked the rifle away from his hands. Hunter paled when Brandon grabbed his throat.

Brandon glared at him darkly and without saying anything slammed him onto the car.

“Don’t be so reckless, buddy” he sneered in a lethal tone and inched closer to his face while tightening his grip around his throat. Michael turned worried watching the life fainting from his son’s eyes but before he could die, Brandon released him.

Xander watched the duo suspiciously. The way Hunter’s face changed colors when Brandon leaned closer to his ear and whispered something whetted his curiosity. He watched how Hunter sighed heavily, his shoulders slouching as he lowered his head. His submission grated his nerves. The man who was raging like a bull abruptly turned into a scaredy-cat. How come it was normal?

“What did you do?” Not beating around the bush, Xander asked Brandon straightaway grabbing his attention.

“Relax, little Hunter is always on our side. Aren’t you buddy?” Brandon spoke in his deep voice and cupped his left shoulder before giving it a tight squeeze. Hunter stiffened, he licked his lips and hurriedly bobbed his head.

Brandon smiled in satisfaction and turned to face the officers who also nodded in his support. Xander looked at them confused.

“Don’t worry Mr. Knight, despite being in his lot, Hunter was working for us. We know it so don’t worry.” Michael told him while his eyes were fixed on Brandon who urged him to go on.

“Then why the hell he was attacking you a few minutes ago?” Xander raged, not buying it.

“Because we still have a bastard who was eavesdropping on us,” Brandon replied and fired a shot before anyone could understand. Xander flinched and turned around only to see Elijah on the floor, his wide-open eyes staring at him.

Xander looked away. Elijah was dead. No matter if he allied with the cops, he wasn’t used to blood and death. Nodding, Xander shifted his gaze back to Brandon who smirked and blew off the rings of smoke leaving through the muzzle of his golden Desert Eagle.

“You’re a professional killer,” Xander remarked but his gaze was hostile. He didn’t appreciate his new personality.

Brandon smirked arrogantly, “Of course, I am. Now let’s take Dylan to the hospital.” He said and rushed to pick him up.

“What? No,” Xander instantly triggered to action and grabbed his hand, “Are you out of your fucking mind? Why did you even shoot him in the first place if you had planned on tending his wounds?”

Brandon looked at him with an annoyed face, “Because I can’t just let him bleed to death. We still need him to catch the other Mafia clans. Period.”

“No,” Xander gnashed his morals and tightened his hold on his wrist, “My work is done. I only need Dylan and you fucking know it so shove a sock in it and let me end him.” He sneered venomously.

“And besides I have a leverage against Eve. I won’t be requiring Dylan to make her marry me.” He made no move to hide his evil intention. Brandon’s gaze instantly hardened.

“And you are yet to share it with me. Don’t you dare renege on your promise, I did what you told me.” He gritted in a low voice.

Xander instantly denied, “No way. I will keep it with me only.”

Brandon’s jaw ticked but he had to know his devious plan. So, he flashed him a sly smile and turned to Michael.

“Mr. Knight is going back on words. That’s not right officer, isn’t it?” He quipped.

Xander was thunderstruck. “You motherfu-”

“You can’t break the deal, Mr. Knight.” The senior officer, Mr. Storm seethed as he walked past Michael and stopped near Xander.

Xander stood up from the ground and glared at him, “I am a businessman but I involved myself with the police only to protect Evelyn. You wanted Dylan and I helped you get him but he is a threat to me and her. No sooner he will recover, he will come after us.” Although he was shaking from the inside, he tried to put forward his point as politely as possible.

“Your safety is our responsibility.” Storm retorted, “We appreciate your help but Dylan Black is in our custody now. We can’t let allow you to take the law in your hands. Your work is done, thanks for your help,” he repeated Xander’s words and stretched out his hands for a handshake.

Frustration grew on him but he schooled his expression and nodded. He shook hands with the officer while glaring at Brandon who winked at him.

Hunter on the other hand stared at Elijah’s corpse in shock. Heavy tears flooded his eyes but he drank them. Releasing a shuddering breath, he then turned to look at Dylan who was lying in the pool of blood.

An ambulance soon arrived at the scene. The policemen quickly surrounded Dylan. They lifted his wounded figure from the ground and laid him down on the stretcher. Hunter watched them taking him away with helpless eyes. Without him realizing it, a tear trickled down her left eye and slid down to his cheek. He doesn’t even remember when was the last time he cried but the time he had spent with Dylan, he had developed a very strong bond with him. A bond that was posited not only on loyalty but had colors of friendship, care, love, brotherhood, and happiness too. The boy just lost his two best friends. One was killed right in front of his eyes while the other was pushed to the jaws of death. Hunter wasn’t even sure whether Dylan would make it or not. Or if he would be able to see him again or not.

More tears gushed down his eyes. One of the doctors hurriedly put on the oxygen mask over Dylan who was breathing slowly. Sniffing, Hunter forwarded his legs and walked closer to him when someone grasped his wrist. Revolted, he jerked him away harshly when he was forcefully turned.

“LEAVE ME YOU-” Hunter growled ferociously while fighting Brandon who quickly slammed his palm on his mouth.

“Shut up and listen to me,” he growled on his face and towered over him. He quickly scanned his surrounding only to see everyone busy handling Dylan and his men. Once he confirmed the way was clear, Brandon dragged Hunter to the backyard.

Meanwhile, Xander wasted no time and climbed inside his car and drove away at breakneck speed.

“FUCK!!”

Enraged, he slammed his fists on the steering wheel.

He was so close to victory but Brandon foiled his plans. The man was far gone in madness. The desperation to claim Evelyn has blurred the line between right and wrong. He had no qualms in killing Dylan considering he was the biggest hurdle in his path.

But he wasn’t done yet. He still has the upper hand.

Xander smirked when it hit him. He still has something which was Evelyn’s biggest weakness and he would strike her at the right time when she won’t be able to oppose.

“I let you slip away once but not anymore. This time I will get my happy ending. An ending that includes you, an ending that we deserve. And if God wouldn’t give me one, I am ready to snatch it. Because this time I will turn my dreams into reality, no matter who pays the price for it.”