Part Two

Sunset Blvd - Hell-rays Club.

Aiden Walker and Sam Johnson.

"You were hired?!"

Sam was driving them to the gift store where they could talk freely. They all considered the chance of Luke finding out about Aiden after Anthony could work his memory correctly. They knew that there was a slim chance of anyone knowing where Thomas lives.

Although some of the staff at the bar knew Thomas, acquainted through Luis, they didn't know what he does or where he lives.

Luke, Sam thought and couldn't help but scowl. Luke Greene was a pain in his existence. Ever since Sam stopped one of his illegal deals and got one of his major clients in jail, Luke made it his sole purpose to mess with him. Sam knew what dangerous doors his actions could open, yet he couldn't turn the blind eye and let crooked men run the city he loved.

Sam glanced through the rear-view mirror and smiled. The frown never left his face, and Aiden felt terrible for him. He knew that he must be worried about his girlfriend, who was captured by that Luke guy.

"Your father said that he was looking for help, and when the law system failed him, he resorted to the internet . . . I have a page where I take jobs from people who didn't trust the police, and I got a message from him."

"Dad hired you?!"

Sam nodded again, not taking his eyes off the road.

"He did, and I'm sorry that I couldn't recognize you at first. You look different than this picture."

Sam took out his phone and unlocked it, swiftly finding the picture he saved on his drive to show it to Aiden. The latter took his phone, and a gentle smile pulled on his lips, looking at his high-school picture of when he was just a freshman. He was so happy and pure in that picture, wearing a goofy grin.

"Your father said that you hated taking pictures, and the most recent ones you took were on your wedding day. But the Mafia boss kept those pictures for himself."

What Sam said rendered Aiden speechless, but he wasn't that much surprised. He knew that Mason confiscated the wedding album doña Mabel worked so hard to put together, and he kept it in his safe. Not even Aiden could get it.

"Your father told me where to start looking for you, and I went all the way to New York to search for you. I met your old friend James Kelly, who avoided me whenever I approached him. But when I finally managed to speak to him, he didn't believe that I was on your side and was adamant that he didn't hear from you ever since you moved to Charlotte."

Sam tapped his fingers lightly on the steering wheel, taking a left turn towards the gift shop.

"I snooped on his phone when he left it on the table while getting me something to drink, and a phone number that he frequently called sparked my interest."

Thomas grumbled. "That idiot can't do anything right. He used to call a drug store a few blocks away from ours every Thursday and Saturday. That's how we keep in touch. The man who runs the store knew my father. He's a veteran, and when he knew that I'm helping a friend, he didn't probe so much and asked me to use his phone whenever I wanted."

"Yeah, he's a tough cookie that old man. I traced his phone number and went to his store only to be chased away by a double-barrel shotgun." Sam chuckled. "I don't think even Mason could get him to talk."

Thomas let out a laugh, while Luis and Aiden both grimaced. They both knew that Mason could get anyone to talk, no matter how tough they were. Aiden felt troubled for adding another person to the list of people their lives he screwed.

Sam looked at Aiden and knowingly added. "Don't worry about that old man. I made sure no one would find him, playing some old tricks with the help of a friend for his phone line to be untraceable. You know, you can do anything if you know the right people."

Feeling Aiden's discomfort, Sam resumed his side of the story. "I knew you were in LA, but my investigation reached a dead-end. Then, when I contacted your father, hoping he'd shed some light on some more details, his messages seemed weird. He was asking for information more than providing it . . . That was when I got a visit from that bastard Luke . . . He talked to that sellout chief superintendent, and he gave me a warning. More like threatening me to either drop the case or he'd report me for abusing the law."

"That guy, Luke, is he dangerous?"

Luis snorted at Thomas's dumb question, and Sam sighed. "He's not worse than the Mafia boss."

"That he is, and he's so obsessed with Sam." Luis elaborated, suggestively winking at Sam. The latter pulled a face, making the other chuckle.

"I ain't lying. Luke is so, so obsessed with our boy, Sam, here. He'd often talk about him and how much he amuses him. Dude, he's so after your ass."

Sam grumbled, pulling to a stop near the gift shop, before looking at Luis to give him an earful. He stopped when he saw how aggrieved Aiden looked.

"Are you okay?"

Aiden fought the tears, trying to stay collected and man up for once.

"You think Mason hurt my parents?"

Sam frowned. "You mean the mafia boss, right?"

Aiden nodded, watching how Sam and Luis looked shocked a bit.

"Your parents are living with him, Aiden. . . After your father went behind his back and hired me, I found out that he forced them to move to his Mansion."

"More importantly," Luis cut him off, turning back to look at Aiden."You call him by his first name?"

Aiden nodded again, confused.

"No wonder he wants him back." He said pretty much to himself, and Sam nodded.

"I figured . . ."

Thomas shared Aiden's bewilderment, looking back at them.

"Figured what?"

"The Mafia boss won't let anyone call him by his name, except for his parents . . . Not even his friends, or the many women he shared the bed with. So, for Aiden to be able to address him by his first name and the boss allowing that . . ."

"Means that Aiden is very important to him?"

Thomas jumped in with a hopeful tone, looking at Aiden as if he was a rare gem. The latter was just troubled by why his heart sunk at hearing about Mason sharing bed with others. He thought that he was done with those childish feelings he had for him, and that blinding infatuation and mistaken affection he once felt . . . or was he just fooling himself?

"It's all about power, and I was the first one to defy him." He mumbled, grabbing their attention, stopping them from arguing about the mafia boss having feelings for him.

"He said I was his doña, so it's only natural that he'd let me call him by his name."

Luis looked back at him with an uneasy expression. He seemed reluctant at what he was going to say.

"The big boss has taken another doña after you left, and she isn't allowed to call him by his first name."

"He did?!"

Luis nodded, answering Thomas's question.

"Then why is he after him?" He wondered in a whisper, and all seemed to share his puzzlement.

Aiden remained stoic at the prying eyes watching him. He offered a small smile to Thomas, who had a sad frown plastered on his face, then looked out of the window, leaning his head on the leather car seat, thinking.

He didn't know what he was expecting. What was his heart hoping for when it came to Mason. Even his mind was filled with wishful thinking, and just now, he figured that he wasn't over him yet.

His mind took him to one of the happiest memories he shared with the ruthless boss. It was after Mason took away his virginity, leaving him sobbing and wailing from the pain.

"Aiden was lying on the bed, still naked and bruised. His crying quieted down a bit, letting out only shuddered breaths. The door opened, and he cowered under the sheets trembling. He heard it close with a soft click before the footsteps started growing closer. The bed dipped by his right side, and he couldn't help it but sob.

He felt a cold hand rubbing his lower back, easing the pain he felt there. He let out a heavy breath in relief. Still, Aiden couldn't look back afraid of getting worse than the day before. He knew that it was Mason by how his body reacted, but he couldn't look at those eyes. Those blue orbs that got him into this trouble.

"I brought you breakfast."

His husky and deep voice made Aiden flinch away from that tender touch. He lifted the bedsheet to cover his face, shedding fresh tears again.

He heard him heave a deep sigh, moving something that squeaked near the bed.

"I got you your favorites. Pancakes with maple syrup and strawberries."

He rubbed his back again, confusing him even more by how sweet and caring he was.

"Come on, Aiden, I made them myself."

That soft tone of voice made Aiden sulk more and cry harder. Nice Mason was cruel. Crueler than the drunk monster who violated him yesterday. This gentle side of him was confusing and troubling. Aiden couldn't tell if he was faking it or if he was being real.

"I'm sorry, Aiden." Mason went on after a brief moment of silence. "I shouldn't have done that but . . ." He trailed off, forcing him to turn and look his way.

Mason had a sad smile and a deep frown on that handsome face. He pushed the cover away from his flustered face, and with his big hand, he wiped away his tears. Aiden didn't react and froze in place. He was afraid; More like frightened that he'd anger him and experience what happened yesterday.

Mason's hand lingered on his face for a moment. His thumb grazed over his quivering lips, and he licked his own.

"You don't have any idea how it's hard to discover your weakness." He started, pushing away from his face and holding his hand. His fingers played with his own then intertwined, making Aiden let out a shaky breath. He was pretty sure that his heart stopped for a minute there, being held by that hand and those captivating eyes.

Mason lifted his shaking hand to his lips and placed a sensual kiss on each of his fingers.

"I thought I could prove that I'm a better boss than my father since I didn't have any weaknesses as he did."

His plump lips caressed his arm, making the hair on his back stand up.

"You have no idea how it's like to have an urge for something which you resented for so long."

Aiden was listening while watching those lips kissing and nibbling his skin. They felt so good and flattering. His heart gave out when Mason moved closer to be able to kiss his shoulder. He hummed against his skin, and it sounded like a possessive animalistic growl. It shouldn't turn him on, but it did.

With glossy eyes, he watched him pull away and lean closer to his face.

"You don't know how it feels to be forced to step down from your throne by something you couldn't help but feel . . . To be proved wrong in the cruelest way ever."

Aiden wouldn't deny that he wanted him to kiss him at that moment. Although Mason's words were cryptic, he hoped that they meant what he understood. That Mason did care for him; Loved him even.

"I'm sorry for what I did . . . But I never thought of myself as the type of person I am right now. I get easily provoked when it's about you, Aiden. I get worked up so fast when it comes to you, and . . . and I don't know why."

He planted a chaste kiss on his nose and pulled back with a genuine smile.

"I promise that I won't hurt you, Aiden."

He never kept his promise, as the next morning, Mason repeated what he did that day, blaming him for everything.

"Aiden?"

Thomas shook him away from that painful memory, looking concerned.

"Let's go."

He followed Thomas inside the store. Sam and Luis were right behind him. As soon as they settled in the living room, Sam's phone went off. Aiden watched him frown, looking at his phone, then he scowled.

"You fucking bastard!" He snarled, squeezing his phone in utter anger."You better let her go, Luke . . ."

He abruptly stopped, anger exchanged with a fearful expression. His eyes dulled out in an instant, and his complexion paled.

"I-I can't . . ." He stuttered then pulled the phone away from his ear, glaring at it, evident that the caller hung up.

Aiden looked at him with sympathy, expecting the worst from that terror-filled expression. Luis and Thomas weren't as patient as he was, asking the man what was wrong.

Sam looked beyond shocked and afraid as he stared at Aiden. The latter's heart jumped to the back of his throat, knowing what was behind that look.

"The mafia boss was the caller. . . He said that I'd better bring back what was his or he'd ask Luke to kill her."

"He's here?!" Thomas exclaimed, scooting closer to Aiden impulsively. His little buddy had nurtured this instinct of protectiveness about him.

Sam shook his head, his frown only deepening.

"He said that I wouldn't like it once he comes here and not find what belonged to him at Luke's."

They all looked at Aiden like they expected him to react badly to what he said, but he didn't. He had already given up when his eyes caught that tattoo on Luis's arm. He knew that the time of him running away was over and that he was deemed to get captured by Mason. Besides, he couldn't just let someone else get hurt because of him. It was enough that people suffered as a result of him escaping.

"I'm not going to do as he said, Thomas," Sam assured when his friend kept glaring at him. "I just need time to think."

He sighed and slumped down on the high chair by the kitchen counter.

"I'm sorry that you were placed in this position." Thomas walked towards the troubled man and patted his back.

He chuckled dryly, looking back at Aiden.

"I'm an officer of the law. I don't negotiate with criminals, even if it involves the safety of those I love."

"I'm sorry." Thomas apologized again but was cut off by Aiden, who mumbled in a daze.

"You should take me to that guy's place."

"No, Aiden!" Thomas had him in a good grip."You can't just give up so easily."

Aiden smiled in appreciation, looking around at the bewildered faces.

"Thank you guys for what you did, especially you, Tom, but it's my choice to make . . . I'm tired of running, and I want a rest from the paranoia and fear I'm living in. I want to end this."

"And being with him will help?!" Sam growled, his eyes glimmering with anger. "You'll just wither away if you go back to him."

"Better than being in hiding." He shrugged, and Sam grabbed his arm in a painful grip.

"You're doing no one a favor by going back to him . . . You should seriously stop being a coward for once and stand up for yourself."

He pushed him back down to the couch with a huff.

"If you show a glimpse of weakness to those people, you're done . . . It's your own fault that you're in this position, Aiden."

He looked up at those fiery eyes and bit his lip not to cry.

"You let him control you and impose fear in your heart."

"He's right, Aiden." Thomas joined in. "You let him manipulate you into thinking that he was the air you breathe. You let him win over you for over a year, and he wants you back only because you defied him . . . You fought back and proved him wrong by getting your freedom back. Don't let him win again."

Aiden had enough with people making decisions for him. He had enough of being reminded of how weak he was. It was true that before knowing Mason, he was self-dependent. He'd fight back even when he knew that he wasn't going to win. But Mason took away that last grain of courage that was in him. He broke him with those venomous words he always hissed in his ears.

He didn't want to snap at them, but he was furious. Mad at himself for acting foolish and stupid all these years.

"What do you want me to do then, huh?! You want me to wait until he kills her, then kills another and another. . . Wait for him until he kills every person I care about and do nothing?!"

Sam settled beside him, not intimidated by his glare. His eyes cleared from that anger, replaced by gentleness and care.

"I want you to let us help you, Aiden. . . Bri is going to be alright. I will save her."

Aiden wished he could believe him. He hoped those vibrant eyes weren't an open book, showing the doubt behind his words.

"I know how to save her." Luis declared."It's going to be risky, but it'll work."

Sam and Thomas nodded eagerly to hear. Aiden just sunk deeper in his seat, feeling useless as usual.

He convinced them to let him come along. The plan was that they'd go to Luke's strip club, where Bri was held hostage. Sam and Thomas would serve as a distraction since Luke would be expecting him to come with Aiden, while Luis would sneak from the back entrance and get her. They all agreed that Aiden should stay behind, but he refused. There was a flaw in their plan, and Aiden was the only person that could help. They finally agreed that he'd be the lookout for Luis while he saved the girl.

Thomas reluctantly agreed for Aiden to join, not hiding the concern in his eyes as he opened the car door for him.

"Just head to the bar by the washroom and sit there."

He gave a curt nod, suddenly not so sure by how intimidating the men looked near the door.

This is stupid, he thought, pushing himself to walk closer to the entrance.

He showed the forged club card to the bouncers, Luis has proven to have many hidden skills that were so impressive. He took off his black shades, walking inside the dark club filled with flashy lights. It was full of half-naked people, grinding against each other on the dance floor. Today is Wednesday, the special day of the week, where some of the well-known strippers give exquisite shows.

Luis was right about the club being so dark for him to get noticed, as he backed him up when he wanted to join them. The crowded place served as a perfect cover as he slipped through the sweating bodies to the bar.

He claimed a seat as his own in the corner, watching the front door in hopes of being able to spot the guys when they'd walk in. This place made him so nervous and uncomfortable. Perhaps it was the smell of alcohol that brought unwanted memories and hidden fears.

His eyes caught the two guards by the washrooms. A man in a blood-red leather jacket was leaning on one of the guys saying something. The other nodded and gestured to the one beside him to follow, walking towards the front entrance.

Aiden followed their line of sight and spotted Sam walking with Thomas. His small friend was hard to recognize, hiding his face under a black cap. He quickly used Thomas's phone and texted Sam that the guards were coming his way and sent another text to Luis to proceed with the plan.

A sharp voice startled him. He turned around to see the man in the red jacket, talking to the bartender. He looked like an everyday guy, a lean body that had some hidden muscles, showing that the man works out. He had a small tattoo on the right side of his neck that Aiden couldn't determine what it was. The only noticeable things were his beard and a scar on his right cheek. Aiden considered that this guy could be Luke, so he looked away before he'd notice him. Even in the dark, he couldn't risk being caught by him.

He sighed, relieved when he walked away towards a staircase. Aiden looked at the guys to find them avoiding the guards and circling around the people dancing, making it difficult for them to catch up. It was a tactic to buy time for Luis to get the girl, and so far, it was working.

He kept a lookout for any unwanted people, tapping his foot impatiently, waiting for the signal to leave.

And he did get the signal.

Sam and Thomas slipped past the frustrated and oblivious guards, leaving the place. Aiden stood up to do the same but was stopped by a fragile-looking girl. Her wide ocean eyes and her pale complexion made her hard to ignore. A petite body, a curvy body, getting all the attention from the hungry-looking men in this club. She had freckles scattered perfectly over her soft face, thick, long eyelashes, and a shiny blond hair.

If it weren't for the trashy clothes she was wearing, Aiden would take her for a celebrity or even royalty. She just had that vibe of a wealthy girl about her, and he couldn't believe that such a girl would be in this heinous place.

She smiled softly. Her smile so familiar, covering the distress behind it. She leaned closer and whispered.

"Buy me a drink, please."

Aiden shook his head and wanted to clarify that he wasn't one of the guys in here, but she gently placed her hand on his arm and grimaced in fear.

"Please, you have to save me."

Aiden gulped, not knowing what he should do. Her lips quivered at his silence, and her eyes started to tear up.

"What do you mean?" He hesitantly asked, and she glanced back before looking back at him. This time, she looked terrified.

"They're coming. Please buy me a drink."

Out of fear, or maybe an act of sudden courage, Aiden did. He ushered for the bartender for a drink. The girl never let go, tightening her grip when a man snaked his arms around her waist.

"Is he treating you well?"

Aiden heard him say, and she nodded, hiding her teary gaze. He looked up with those steel-grey eyes and eyed him up and down. He was studying him carefully, and Aiden tried to keep a calm facade while he was panicking inwardly.

Maybe something about his eyes that alarmed the man not to trust him. He nodded to the bulky guys behind and looked back his way.

"Angel ain't working tonight . . . I would be happy if you follow my men here out of the club."

Aiden looked at the girl who bowed her head down, the wetness of her tears visible on her porcelain cheeks. It pained him for not being able to do anything, feeling helpless.

He nodded to the guy, who had a creepy smile and followed the guys who practically pushed him out of the door.

He didn't know how his feet supported him to Sam's car, but they did. He found himself being pushed inside the car by Luis, and Sam sped off down the empty road.

After he told them his encounter, and Bri, Sam's girlfriend, confirming with her side of the story about the girls she met there, Sam said that he'd talk to his chief. It only made Aiden groan in protest.

"We need to save her. . . them. You didn't see her, Sam. The girl was really scared and shaken."

"Yes, honey." Bri looked awfully calm, given what she supposedly went through, but Aiden didn't want to point it out.

"They told me that he'd take them to the Royals hotel after tonight."

Sam bit on his thumb, musing. Luis seemed to be thinking as well about this new development. Bri was leisurely eating some snacks Thomas had offered, making him think about Anthony's words. Maybe this woman did, in fact, flirt with Luke which made her an easy prey to capture. But if she did like that guy, spending practically the whole afternoon and evening with him, wasn't she a danger to them?

Wasn't saving her suspiciously smooth and really easy, given that this was the Ramos? Why didn't Luke or Mason call Sam back by now?