“Kill Anastasia.”
“No, grab her.”
“Just shoot her in the head.”
“Are you crazy? We need her alive.”
Alan and Ian fought as they gripped a furious Anastasia’s arms tightly while Connor, Logan and Max were busy fighting the bodyguards. Dylan was throwing punches at Riyaz and Blacky was hitting Scar-face. Wait! What? Blacky is on our side? Woah.
My eyes finally settled on Bryan who was regarding me with cautious eyes. I allowed my eyes to roam all over him. Those messed up hair, honey brown eyes, kissable lips, thin layer of beard over his jaw, the way his red tee clung to his sweaty chest and his faded black jeans. He was a tremendous sight and all mine. Just as I was about to run to him and kiss him senselessly something hit my back from behind.
I turned and saw Mr. Unfamiliar’s back to me as he got beaten by Ian. I pushed his back and he fell on Ian. Ian immediately hit on his head with his fist and Mr. Unfamiliar fell on the ground, unconscious. I hi-fived Ian.
“Thanks, go see your lover boy. We’ll keep this under control.” Ian winked at me and I gave him a grateful smile. I turned to see Bryan who was helping Dylan with Riyaz.
“Hey Dylan!” I called out, “Can you manage that asshole? I need to talk to my boyfriend.”
Dylan didn’t even spare me a glance. “Don’t underestimate the power of me.” He continued punching Riyaz who was trying his best to protect himself as well as Dylan hit him. Wow, Dylan sure knew how to hit.
Ian was with Logan now, the three bodyguards still fighting like pros but their guns were on the floor away from their reach. Scar-face and Blacky were in a very intense fight as they threw perfect punches that were sure to leave bruises. Somehow it seemed personal instead of kill-and-run-away. Some history between the two?
Alan and Anastasia were nowhere to be seen. Just five minutes of privacy and Bryan and me will participate too, I promised myself.
“Hey.” Bryan whispered, staring at me as he stepped closer to me.
I blinked and in the next second I was wrapped in Bryan’s safe embrace. I took a deep breath, taking in his familiar scent. Oh this is heaven!
“I was so scared.” Bryan whispered, his arms tightening around me in fear that I’d disappear again. I felt his previous fright resurface and hugged him more tightly.
“I was scared too.” I admitted. “For a few dreadful minutes I thought I would never see you again.”
“No! Joanna, no!” He kissed my forehead sweetly. “That would never happen. I promise.”
“I know.” I whispered, I blinked and gathered you all my courage, urging the words to come out. “Bryan I… I lo-”
“Guys help needed here. Enough with the making out.” A strangled shout came and we turned to see Connor held in a head lock by one of the bodyguards. I sighed, wondering if this was karma.
“Go!” I told Bryan. “Help my dumb brother. I’ll search for Anastasia.”
“No, you stay here.” He tapped his foot on the place he was standing for effect. “Don’t move.”
I rolled my eyes. “Go fast.” I insisted when another shriek came from Connor. God knows what he’s doing here. He is supposed to be in college with his girlfriend. I glanced at Dylan who suddenly seemed to be losing as Riyaz kept hitting him on stomach. Oh no, you don’t!
I grabbed a nearby chair and slowly crept towards them. I sneaked behind Riyaz’s behind and lifted the chair high before slamming it down his back. Riyaz let out a cry of pain and turned to face me. Dylan immediately punched on his shoulder and the back of his neck. Riyaz screamed something like ‘you bastards’ before finally falling on the floor.
I blinked at him when he didn’t move at all. “Is he dead?” I asked, bending over his immobilized body.
Dylan snorted. “No, he’ll be awake by the time police come.”
“They are coming?” I smiled happily.
“Yeah after everyone is unconscious so they have lesser work to do. They are known for coming at the end.”
“True that.” I agreed, kicking Riyaz’s ribs just to make sure. We looked around and found one guard down and Connor nodding gratefully at Bryan. Well looks like he no longer hates him then.
A familiar feminine scream echoed and I stared at Dylan incredulously.
I closed and opened my mouth repeatedly for a good ten seconds. “Is that Janice?” I inquired incredulously and desperately hoping it was wasn’t.
I slapped Dylan on the shoulder when he nodded. “Are you mad!? Why would you bring her here?”
He winced. “She insisted to come and you know when Janice wants something she gets it.”
I sighed before shaking my head in defeat and ran out. “Janice?” I shouted, my eyes darting all over the place. How could they even bring the girls here?
“Over here.” Came a muffled reply. I glanced to the right and ran to the door, opening it. I froze.
Janice, Brittany and Alicia all three with big bamboo sticks hitting the guys like it was their everyday job. Brittany was literally playing dandiya (Indian event) with some guy who seemed to be enjoying himself too as he grinned at her. Janice was on top of a guys back while she hit another guy with the stick and Alicia was running behind two guys waving her hands around.
What the hell is Alicia Chandler doing here? And why the hell do they look like they are enjoying this?
“What the hell is happening here?” I shouted in complete disbelief.
Everyone stopped and turned to me and then Alicia grinned, throwing a stick at me. “Hit Joe.” She ordered.
I just grabbed the stick as it narrowly missed hitting my face. “Who’s Joe?”
“That’s me! Please don’t hit me. Those things hurt. Please?” A guy with red hair pleaded.
“Don’t listen to him Joanna, they kidnapped you.” Janice said, scowling at Joe.
I sighed in frustration. “They didn’t kidnap me. They are just – I don’t know what.”
“We are just guards, meant to guard this place. Really. We don’t even know her or why she is here.” The guy with blonde hair, who was beneath Janice explained. “I swear, we are innocent.”
Janice frowned. “Why didn’t you say so before?” She sighed as she got up.
“We didn’t get a chance to. You three came in with these huge sticks shouting ‘Revenge, Revenge is wanted’ and started beating us into a pulp. My backside is red now.” Joe said rubbing his backside.
Janice, Brittany and Alicia sighed and threw the sticks on the ground.
“Well it was fun while it lasted.” Alicia muttered, settling on the chair in the corner.
“Fun for you, not us.” The one getting beaten by Janice said, rubbing his thighs.
The one playing with Brittany turned to face her with a cheeky smile. “You are cute, care for a coffee date?”