.M E R R I T T ' S . I N T E R R O G A T I O N.

"Don't draw him in and then dump him, because abandonment is a big 'area' for him." He lectured and then pointed at Dylan. "Mommy?" He tsk-ed and shook his head. "Daddy." He stated with certainty. "You have big daddy issues."

"Stop it." I snapped with a glare. Dylan had never expanded on or told me the extent to what happened in his family but I certainly knew he hated it being brought up and that his dad was 'no longer in the picture' according to him.

"I'll tell you what." He began, completely ignoring me. "Your average therapist is gonna charge you $200-$300 for this sesh. Me? I'll take a tenner." Dylan just closed the file. "Okay, later, if you're feeling magnanimous...I'll still take a tenner." Merritt grinned.

.D A N I E L ' S . I N T E R R O G A T I O N.

"You wanna know who sat in that chair before you? Mob bosses, murderers, and thieves."

"Oh!" Daniel feigned discomfort as he shifted in his seat.

"And you know who put them there?" He questioned. "The two people who're sitting in these chairs." He nodded towards me. "So I warn you, we can maintain our resolve much longer than you can maintain that phoney arrogance. And the instant that you even show

the slightest crack in that smug facade," The smug facade he was currently wearing as it so happened, "I'll be there. I will be all over you like-"

"Like white on rice?" He butted in. "Sorry. That's unfair. Let me warn you." I remembered when we were together, I always loved how rushed and intrinsic his 'speeches' were. Every word that flowed from his mouth seemed planned, thought out precisely and passionate. I'd always found it amazing beyond belief to watch. "I want you to follow. Because no matter what you think you might know, we will always be 1 step, 3 steps, 7 steps ahead of you." He escalated. "And just when you think you're catching up, that's when we'll be right behind you. And at no time will you be anywhere other than exactly where I want you to be. So come close. Get all over me because the closer you think you are, the less you'll actually see."

Dylan stood, slamming his hands on the desk, "I'm gonna nail you..." Daniel stood quickly and before I knew it, the handcuffs that were originally around his wrists were now around Dylan's. I let out a gasp as I stood and had the smallest of smiles of amazement on my face that I quickly tried to cover up, but it was obvious that Atlas'd seen it judging by the smirk and wink he'd sent me.

He looked down at Dylan's drink before staring his rich blue eyes into mine. "Something wrong with that soda, gorgeous?" I raised an eyebrow at him and picked the drink up. I shook it a couple of times, hearing a rattle. I bit my lip and I opened it, pouring the contents on the desk. The key clattered to the table top. I picked it up and handed it to Alma who began trying to get Dylan out of the cuffs.

"Oh! Shit!" Daniel swore, picking up Rhodes' phone, throwing it into his other hand before extending it to Dylan. "First rule of magic. Always be the smartest guy in the room." The older man swiped it from the magician's grip one he'd gotten one cuff undone. I began helping with taking the other one.

"Are we going to have to let them go?" I asked in a whisper, knowing Daniel couldn't hear me. Dylan didn't say anything, he only shrugged.

...

I leant against a rail, watching from the top of the stairs with the Boss as 'The Four Horsemen' exited the facility and walked to their cars. Daniel waited for everyone to get in before looking up at me. We didn't do or say anything, only looked at each other before he got in, shutting the door behind him.

Dylan trotted down to my side, meeting with Evans. "Boss, what are we doing? We're letting them go? They all but admitted they're gonna do it again." He raved.

"About a half an hour ago, you didn't give a damn about them." Evans scoffed. "What changed?"

"I met them." Dylan quipped bitterly and I chuckled quietly.

...

"You seriously dated that!?" Dylan questioned as we walked through the office, making our way to our desks.

"I liked him and therefore I dated him."

"You mean like." Rhodes corrected. My head snapped up to meet his gaze. "Don't think I didn't see the smile you were trying to hold back and the hope in puppy eyes of yours. You still love him." He accused and I rolled my eyes and shrugged.

"He was one of the few people who actually accepted me knowing who my family was." He cleared his throat and gestured to himself. "As well as you." I rolled my eyes. "And now that I know he didn't actually cheat one me, he's a criminal. Just my luck," I sighed and flopped into my chair, letting that be the only explanation I would give about my feelings as even I couldn't quite piece them together.

"I hate him." Dylan said simply and I rolled my eyes.

"I know you do and I knew you would. Why do you think I never introduced you two?"

"I was always wondering why you dated him for like a year and I never met him. I just thought his face was gonna be weird..." He trailed off in thought before concluding, "It kind of is-"

"Hey." I warned and he rolled his eyes.

"Right, sorry, forgot you still loved him." He teased and I scoffed but didn't reply. "So what're you gonna do then, Juliet?" I stared at him, unamused at the whole Romeo and Juliet reference but I just turned my head to look at the ceiling.

"I don't know, Dylan. I really have no idea."

...

"Hey. Guys." Fuller said, coming over to Dylan and I with Evans behind him. "Hey, I ran a check on the audience. Most of it was just filler. People that Tressler dragged in to pack the room. But guess who was sitting there in the back, filming the whole damn thing?

"I don't know." Dylan answered.

"Thaddeus Bradley." The name drew a complete blank with Dylan. I nodded since Daniel had mentioned him to me before. Dylan's confused stare prompting Fuller to repeat himself. "Thaddeus Bradley, the guy from TV with the DVDs and shows?"

"No." Dylan dismissed quickly.

"Okay, well, he debunks magicians. He exposes them. He shows you how to do their tricks." Fuller said, summing the man up.

"Get him on the phone." I said.

"I did. You're having lunch with him in 45."

"Good." Evans nodded in confirmation and left, Fuller trailing after him. Dylan leant forward. "Maybe you should sit this one out." He suggested.

I scoffed, "I'm not sitting out this case, Dylan-"

"Not the case." He rolled his eyes but a soft smile took over his sarcastic face. "I'd never do this without my partner. I just mean talking to Bradley. I can tell you anything that happens, I just think you should take the day off after seeing Atlas and everything." I leant back, considering it. I didn't want to miss out on any potential breaks in the case but at the same time, I knew my mind would be elsewhere - aka on Daniel - and I wouldn't be able to pay attention or focus anyway.

I sighed, "Fine, but anything and I mean anything happens and you call me, okay?" He nodded with a grin.

"You don't even have to ask."

A/N:

yOU GUYS ARE ALL SO SWEET I CanT EVEN BEliEVE THE AmOUNT OF SUPPORT THIS STORY IS GETTING - IT'S AMAZING!!!

I NEED YOUR HELP WITH SOMETHING!!!! So, I plan to do a part 3 and a part 4 in (maybe) another book. Part 3 will be like the beginning of this book - cute, short original chapters. I was wondering what you guys would like to see for that? Any ideas? (plEASE!) By then Elle will be introduced with the rest of the Horsemen (Plus Dylan) so they can be with anyone. 

ALSO!  if we do another book, what do you guys think the title should be?

I'D LOVE YOUR HELP!!!

x Clara