With their nimble fingers, each camera flashed after one another in an unsynchronised pattern to catch the face of a man whose colour slowly fell pale as if nothing but a creature of darkness penetrated through his skin to suck him dry. Jackal's smile deflated, the sheer terror upon his face as he looked back and forth to Ethan who instantly scrambled off towards the side of the stage only to be barricaded in by the press that fled after him.

Voice after voice erupted in the background competing to be heard.

-"Jackal!"

-"Is this true?"

-"Allegation are stating that you've been sleeping with an underage teenager girl."

The two men were pushed far against the back of the stage. Sweat crawled across Jackal's face as he urgently yelled down to the two guards that attempted to hold back the press. Ethan held his hands deep into his pockets as he looked away as if in shame. The press continued to roll question after question, fortunately too distracted to see Eleanor being directed off the stage heading on route to escape.

Gwen held her husband's arm far at the back, a trace of a smile as she watched the scene before them unfold into total chaos. Gently she patted her husband's arm encouraging them to move towards their car parked in the car park adjacent away from them, only until a figure stopped them from proceeding any further.

"Gwen, we had a deal!" The figure exasperated, throwing their hands into the air. Gwen raised her eyebrows, blantly nodding to her husband who continued towards the air leaving her to focus her attention back towards the intruder.

-"Your son humiliated my daughter on live television and who knows what they'll print tomorrow!"

Gwen patted the ends of her scarf back down to return gently resting her hands to the side as she calmly responded. "I'm afraid the wedding is off. I apologise for the inconvenience but if you excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."

Eleanor's Father shook his head, furiously pointing his finger directly at Gwen as he spat. "No, No. You don't get to do that. James will marry Eleanor."

Gwen sighed. "Scotty, give it up. If the man doesn't want to marry the girl, then let it be. As if my son was going to actually go through with it. If he had any sense, he'd know that his heart is destined elsewhere. I won't force my son and neither will you."

Scotty rubbed his chin across his face as he hastily turned around gesturing to his wife, failing his hands up and down before turning to meet Gwen. "And what am I supposed to do about the press, Huh? Or the wedding? My wife has worked her socks off to organise our side of the wedding." He argued.

Gwen only smiled in return, gently patting his collar down. "Have a nice day, Scotty." Then she walked off without hesitation approaching the end of the curb where her husband pulled up in their car. Behind she left Scotty who took no initial movement at first to curse under his breath before attending to his wife who stood barely a metre away cradling Eleanor who sobbed within her Mother's arms.

Eleanor bawled as she pulled away from her Mother, "He is supposed to marry me! Me! Me!" Sniffling she marched closer to her Father demanding as she did, "Daddy, why aren't you doing anything? Go get him! I'm supposed to be Mrs Brewer. Mrs Brewer, Daddy!"

Scotty took her into embrace as he consoled her, "I know Princess. Daddy will find you someone else. Someone better." Eleanor bawled once more in his arm, protesting thick that her words only became muffled. Scotty took his wife and daughter into a huddle trying his best to guide them towards the approaching car that pulled up.

Numerous press pushed out the back, took interest and fled over.

-"No comment!" Scotty threw out as he was last to get in slamming the door as the car burned rubber speeding off down the road.

"So what are you thinking in that sick and twisted mind of yours?" Harper spoke out as she watched Sam for the last half hour sit and polish whatever he had in his hand. Without looking back, Sam dryly replied, "I'm not sick nor am I twisted. If you must know, Dani will be leaving with me. I've got two fake passports, our tickets out of here." Then he stopped, laughing intently to himself as he looked up to the ceiling, then added. "Perhaps, a marriage in Las Vegas. Awh...she would look beautiful. My blushing bride. What do you think?" Directly addressing Harper who shuddered in disgust as she spoke. "You're crazy. She'd never agree to marry you and you think the border control are going to let you in? You'll be a sore thumb sticking out."

Sam laughed, wiping his hands across his knees as he stood up placing whatever he held into his pocket. "See that's where you're wrong. My VISA is sorted, I've got accommodation thanks to a certain friend." Then he glanced towards his watch as he smirked. "I'd say we'll see Dani very soon. Until then, sit tight and shut the f**k up." Approaching Harper, he took cloth from his trouser pocket, wrapping it around her mouth that her protests became muffled.

Defeat slumped as James sighed once again, his patience threatening to burst as he grew more agitated by the second. Congestion upfront meant that they hadn't even moved as far from where they had started. James sighed in frustration, "Samuels, is there no way we can beat the traffic?"

"No, Sir." Samuels replied without lifting his eyes from the road once. James sighed once again resting his head onto his hand staring outside, in attempt to settle the nerves that burrowed deep in his stomach. His interest was ignited as his eyes fell upon a small cart outside on the pavement. James took no hesitation as he opened the door breaking Samuel's line of interest who turned to see James leaving the car. James jogged weaving through the cars until he came to a sudden halt. Taking little tedious attention to the amount he pulled out his wallet, he only passed it over to the man whose face lit up in surprise. James took choice of a bouquet of flowers then picked up pace as he lightly jogged back to the car.

"I swear if we don't get this car to move, it will drive me insane." James pointed out as he climbed back in, daring not to meet Samuels bemused face at his little act. This simple act of flowers was something that James had no experience with but for once he did not care. It was right to him. This was for the woman he loved. The woman that he would fight to get back, a chance to have Harper in his arms.

Samuels choked, trying to hide best his laughter at the significant redness that perked in James' cheeks not in exhaustion but slight embarrassment. "Right away, Sir." Then he reversed the car as he took onto a diversion heading away from the traffic.

It was no later than five when Samuels pulled up outside the flat. James this time hesitated as he looked out the window, his heart thumping against his chest. So many questions, feelings raced through his mind. Did she see his speech? Would she forgive? James shook his head, there was no point cradling the unbearable weight of fear. He climbed out the car tightening his grip around the bouquet. In all honestly he had never felt this afraid or nervous that he sure felt like he was going to faint. Harper was more than important. She was his oxygen.

Dani paced the room, her eyes flickering to her phone back and forth until she stopped at the sudden at the door. She raced towards the door only to be disappointed at the figure who stood there. That didn't stop the resentment that ran through her veins that without second thought she slapped their face.

James rubbed his cheek as he responded dryly. "I deserved that...But you think perhaps next time you could give me heads up?"

Dani reached out for his collar, pulling him in force then shutting the door as she ran her hands through her hair. Through the corner of her eyes she watched as James glanced around the room or rather in particular, looking for someone.

"Where's Harper?" She heard him speak out.

Dani dared not once to look up as she mumbled. "That's the problem. I-I-I thought she was with you. Obviously not. She said she needed space...it's been four days." Then only then did she meet James' eyes.

James felt sick, his throat and mouth became instantly perished as if he hadn't drank. The bouquet he held had fell from his fingers dropping onto the floor with scatters of petals following. "W-What?" He stuttered. That initial pain of heartbreak summoned, the feeling like he had been stabbed over and over.

Dani looked back down then only jumped in sudden shock at James's outburst. With anger he threw his fist into the wall, breathing hard and fast as the sensation prickled on his knuckles.

"Where the f**k is she?" He demanded, his tone rather quiet but the anger present.

"I don't know." Dani whimpered as she got up to her feet fast. James closed his eyes at the unbearable anger that rose inside him. "Why didn't you do something!" He shouted, turning with fury.

"I-I." She spluttered, slowly walking back as her cheeks burned.

"What sort of friend are you!" James spat, turning back around as he took deep breaths.

"Here, READ this then." Dani snarled as she rushed up to his side, slamming her phone into the palm of his open hand. James briefly looked at her flushed face then slowly picked up the phone. He skimmed through then feeling ashamed at his outburst that he muttered. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lashed out at you like that."

"Well you did." Dani put in.

James shook his head sighing as he turned approaching her as he held his arms out. Dani hesitated frowning at him before accepting his embrace. James took Harper's best friend in his arms. "I'm sorry." Then he was first to pull away as he added. "I need to know what Harper exactly said. I'm just glad she still has her phone. I'm going to get my driver."

James turned on his heel heading towards the door until Dani called out. "James."

He stopped to turn, watching as Dani took a deep breath then continued, "I saw what you said. You're a good man...just don't mess it up when we get her back." Then she nodded before looking away as she held her arms.

James nodded in return before heading out the door.

Harper spent the night on the same cot, tossing at the uncomfortable strain of agony that her wrists were abundant to. She sighed softly looking out to nowhere. The optimism she had or rather hope to see James walk through those walls. How she wanted nothing more to see Dani. Tears fell down her cheeks as she sniffled trying her best to remain strong.

Sam sat in the small office tinkering with the few scattered items on the workshop table. His eyes only drifted to the figure that entered in through the door. That trace of smile never once left his lips as he shook hands with the figure.

"Four days you've kept her." They smirked.

"Yep. She's been sparsely fed of course and she's had exercise with that mighty mouth of hers. I'd be glad when I see the last of her." Sam snorted.

-"What are you going to do if she doesn't come?"

"I think she's got the message. Dani knows me." Sam insisted.

"What if she gets the cops involved?" The figure asked, leaning on the opposite counter. The smile left Sam's lips as he gripped onto the screwdriver that he held in his hand. "She won't." That was all he said as he looked away.

"I have to be honest. Dani is not stupid. And you aren't exactly in her good books. She hates you. How do you suppose she is going to react? You can't keep her-

His words were cut short as Sam stood up, digging his fist into their stomach causing a choked wheeze of breath to fall from the figure's mouth.

"Don't f**king agitate me. You know what I'm capable of. You wouldn't want that, would you?" Sam murmured close to their ear. They shook their head feeling the pressure of something digging into the side of his chest.

"Good." Sam smirked, then he returned to his chair humming along to a tune.

James paced the room whilst Dani sat on the sofa squeezing Elliot's hands who held her in an embrace. It was barely seven, not that it mattered. James hadn't slept not once and if he managed to it, it was barely half an hour. Samuels was still yet to return and inform him on news. Dani's description on Sam whom she believed was behind this had offered him insight to follow up this. Then there was Harper's phone who he had dispatched a tracker on.

"I hope we find her soon." Elliot spoke up, breaking the silence that had dawned over them.

"Who I'll find." James spat, his eyes daggering towards Elliot. Despite it being obvious that he was holding the woman beside him in an embrace that didn't stop the distaste James felt towards him. Nor could he get rid of the jealously that he had experienced on the suspicion that this employee had taken a liking on Harper.

Elliot immediately shut his mouth looking away.

James was only grateful when Samuels entered, flushed in the face as he raced towards James. Dani jumped up along with Elliot who rushed over. Samuels handed over a piece of paper along with a scrap piece of paper. The piece of paper contained record of Sam, the man suspected. James closed his eyes briefly sighing to himself from what he had read. Dani snatched the scrap piece of paper from his hand reading whatever was written with the sheer shake of her hands. James took it back as he read over.

"Why there?" Dani asked.

"Why else?" James replied. He then looked over to Samuels who stood patiently at the side. "Samuels, I need you to drive me there immediately." He ordered.

Samuels nodded heading outside, James began to follow until he held back. "I'm coming too!" Dani exclaimed. James shook his head. "It could be dangerous. What if it is your ex? If I go, at least I can bargain something. Money, whatever. I just want Harper back." He argued across.

"I do too. She's my best friend. I need to be there for her." Dani clarified.

"No. If I'm right and this is your ex. That means he hasn't got Harper for the sake of it. If you were to walk right in there with guns blaring then you're only walking in your own trap." James stressed.

Elliot walked up behind confirming, "Dani, he's-"Elliot stopped midway, the utter anger framed on James face, then he continued. "I mean Mr Brewer." He coughed. "Knows right. Dani, Harper wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you, nor...would I." His cheeks inflaming slightly. Dani smiled slightly to Elliot then returned to James.

"Fine. But...you can't expect to go in there yourself, raging all in anger. I know Sam. He's dangerous. More probably now than ever. You can't stop me from involving the cops." She said.

"No-

-"No, cops have to be involved. Look, I'll time you. Half an hour tops. Then I'm calling them." Dani argued, holding her arms, her tense frame relaxing as she felt Elliot wrap his arm around her. James nodded, "Fine. Half an hour." Then without another word he followed Samuels out the door with both men racing towards the car.

Samuels slowly drove the car up the curb then turning the ignition off. James looked at the rear mirror nodding then gently sliding from the centre seat to the far end. Climbing out the car, he walked towards the driver's window nodding briefly listening as Samuels started up the car and drove off the estate.

Harper was woken abruptly by the sudden nudge in her leg. Sam took no time to lift her up, pushing her towards the chair that sat in the centre. As usual, he confined her legs, hands and lower body movement ensuring the rope was at point of cutting of any little circulation she had. Little water was offered that she took wasting none, the thirst doing little to her dried mouth.

Sam kicked a bit of rubble that lay about in anger cursing under his breath.

Harper snatched the opportunity to speak out, "I-I-I told you." Then she coughed. Sam turned in anger grabbing her chin as he spat, "B***h, don't start." Harper attempted a laugh only it was cut short, "F**k you." She spat.

Sam growled in anger slapping her face once again, then marched off leaving Harper alone. She clenched her jaw at the initial pain then allowed her head to fall forward, the weakness within her neck. She was alone for that moment. Slowly she could feel that confidence drain away as she felt no longer stronger.

"Harper!" A voice burst out, echoing around the room that it frightened few nestled birds high in the rooftop. Harper looked up, scrunching her eyes as the disorientated figure came closer, her heart race started beating faster by the second and little strength enabled her to see.

"Oh God, Harper!" The voice whimpered. In sudden, tears sprang down her cheeks as she felt two arms take her into embrace holding her hair bringing her closer into the familiar scent.

"James." She croaked. "You came for me." Tears cascaded further down.

"Harper, you're alive. God if something happened to you." James spluttered, his own voice on the urge of breaking down. He pulled back holding her face, the sheer terror on his face as he inspected the redness and the bruise around her eye. "What happened?" He muttered.

Harper shook her head, still crying in joy than fear, "It doesn't matter, you're here that's all that counts." James bit back his initial anger and wiped away the tears from her cheeks that continued to fall free. "I'm getting you out here, baby." He spoke.

In the distant she could hear movement and instantly feared James' life. "No, No, No. You've got to go. James, please! He could hurt you!" She pleaded, shaking her head.

"And leave you here? No chance! Harper, I'm not letting you out my sight!" He argued, still attempting to pull on the rope hoping it would snap free.

"James. Please." Harper begged, turning her head to spot if she could see Sam approaching. James snapped the rope around her legs free but was stopped short when distant slow clapping came from the short distant.

"Bravo. What a lovely surprise. I have to say Harper, I wasn't expecting this. Your very own Knight in shining armour has arrived." Sam mocked, smiling deviously.

"I'll f**king kill you!" James spat standing up to his feet as he made for him.

"James! No! Leave it!" Harper begged.

"Awhh, would you look at that. Adorable. I'd say, I am getting all choked up. Fetch me a tissue." Sam snickered.

"You f**king di*khead!" James retaliated.

"James!" Harper put in. "Stop!"

"Yeah, James. Hang on, I know you!" Sam shot up. "CEO, love scandals, countless might I add. Always getting the p***y. Man, you gotta hook me up with some of your contacts."

James clenched his fists, briefly glancing over to Harper who looked down for that moment. "And what d*ck not satisfying you?" James spat.

"Haha. Some Joker we have here." Sam praised.

"Sam, just let him go!" Harper put in, tears falling gently down her cheeks. "Please, it's not him you have a problem with."

James looked over to Harper, his heart aching at the sight of her broken.

Sam laughed, "You're right. But he'll be useful as he'll cause Dani to come. My bet that our CEO is clever enough to have tracked you down and perhaps might even have called in extra forces. Or, here's the OR." He started to chuckle then added. "My Daniella has been clever girl and timed how long he's going to be before she calls the cops. Clever girl."

"And if you're f**king right, what's your plan? Keep me here too. Cause hey, let me go take a seat. In less than-"James glanced at his watch. "You'll be banged up behind bars." He finished, then dug his hands into his pockets.

"Ah, that's right is it?" Sam laughed.

James smirked back. "I'll go take a seat, why don't I?"

Sam held his hands in surrender. "Well you got me!" Then he placed his hands back down gesturing them out, "Here. Catch." Sam said, throwing over a pocket knife onto the floor landing beneath James' feet. Harper held her breath and so did James who hesitated before picking up the knife slowly. Sam shrugged his shoulders. "Go on then. Free the girl. Like you said, I'm gonna be banged up behind bars soon. Just go! Go!" He said playfully failing his hands out then returning to fold them.

James slowly approached Harper gently crouching down. Carefully he reached his hand up to her cheek caressing his thumb across her cheek. He winked then began cutting through the ropes.

A figure entered into the factory, causing both James and Harper to stop and look over. James instantly stood up in anger but was stopped when Harper held onto his arms. "Don't!" She begged.

Duke stood there, oblivious only till his eyes set on James then the trace of a smile reached his lips. Sam beckoned him in smiling as he stood there still watching.

"James, please. Let's just go." She persisted. James took a final glare at Duke before crouching down and beginning to cut down once more on the rope until she was finally free. Carefully he helped her up to her feet ensuring she could stand up.

"You okay?" He muttered, not once breaking eye contact with her. Harper nodded squeezing his hand as she began slowly walking with James following after her.

"Ah, Ah, Ah. You're forgetting something." Sam spoke out. Harper tensed as she turned watching Sam smirk both at them. James growled in frustration, "That's it." Then he let go of Harper's hand and began marching over, his fists tucked either side of him.

"James!" Harper yelled. "No-

Only her attention was soon drawn back to Sam who held nothing more than a gun aiming to rest towards her own forehead. James halted, his face in ultimate fear.

"That's right lover boy. A step back. We psychopaths need a bit of privacy or in otherwords, personal space. "Sam declared, smirking as he waved the gun about then returning it to Harper. "You know, if I am going to bars then I want to make my conviction worthy. I feel like killing someone is on my agenda today. Oh and look!" He joyfully chirped. "My gun is on you, Harper."

Harper was in total fear, her eyes flickering back to James' mirrored expression. She nodded to him only for him to retaliate in a stern shake of his head. He mouthed no towards her. Her whole body began to tremble and she felt entirely vulnerable, no longer could her legs bear her own weight.

"I've never liked you Harper." Sam said. "You've...always gotten in the way of things. See, if you hadn't of caught me in the act then you would have been dead by now and Dani would be with me."

"You b**tard!" James spat.

"Hey! Loverboy, watch it would you! Your sweetheart has a gun aimed at her head. Be grateful that I'm giving you time to spend with her. Oh Duke, after maybe you would like to put a bullet through his head." Sam said.

Duke said nothing, only appeared to be numb to the whole scene.

"You're just an f**king coward." James declared towards Duke who looked down then he turned to Sam. "Let her go. Take me. I've got money. Lots of money. Beyond your wildest dreams. So take the rich boy, leave Harper alone." James argued.

Sam raised his eyebrows. "Money. Hmmmm? Money. I do like the idea of that, only I'm not sure money is gonna help me in prison."

James started to slowly edge forward, shifting his feet to move. "But if you let her go and we'll escape then I'll give you money. I'll throw in some of those contacts you wanted. Beautiful women all for you." James hinted, edging still closer as he spoke.

"James! No!" Harper pleaded.

Sam bit his inside cheek looking elsewhere as he took it in. "Hmmmmm." James was edging closer and closer, not even Duke called out on his movement and remained still and quiet from where he was.

Harper shook her head, pleading to stop James. What was he doing?

Sam dropped the gun briefly looking at his watch. Then coldly spoke, "Times up." Raising the gun back onto Harper forehead, she instantly closed her eyes fearing the pain that would strike upon her.

There was pull of the trigger and loud bang that amplified louder through the echoing of the room. Sirens echoed outside in the distance. Sam and Duke both went to flee.

Who got shot?

Harper bawled, running and collapsing to her knees as James fell to the floor, blood pooling and soaking through his shirt.

"James!" She cried. "No!" And held onto his hand soaked in his own blood. He squeezed her hand, smiling softly as he muttered three words, "I love you."

The rest was all distant as she felt two arms pull her away as crew dressed in green took over, she screamed in agony shouting in defiance. "No, let me go! That should have been for me!"

Thanks for reading. Sorry for the really slow update, thank you for patience. I'm gathering there is gonna be a lot of unhappy bunnies! Poor James! Just as he realised his love for her. In all honesty, even as the author, I was crying at writing this. Man, it's deep.

Excuse me, give me a moment......

Okay, I'm alright now. 😉

Thanks for reading, if you enjoyed this please VOTE, COMMENT and SHARE. You guys are the best followers/readers I could have asked for. Thank you again for making this book come alive.

Next update should be out pretty soon. Might be last though....I'll have to think about it.

Thank you,
VAMPIREFANGSRULES

XXX

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Thanks for reading