There was something about the feel of cold steel in his hand that gave Brian Haner Jr a peverse sense of arousal. Especially when it took the form of a gun. Brian's own brush with death two years previously had done nothing to make him fear being on the receiving end of a well aimed bullet again, nor did it stop him from wanting to pump double crossing assholes full of lead either. He lived for the excitement of making grown men practically piss themselves as they knew they were about to meet their maker.

He was currently experiencing such a thrill as he aimed his weapon at the head of the snivelling wreck of a man that lay on the floor of an old abandoned warehouse. Brian didn't appreciate it when people they believed they could trust decided it was their right to help themselves to money they had no business touching. They needed to be dealt with and taught a lesson.

Today's recipient of a new education was Tyler Grayson, a kid who'd managed to convince Brian and his friends that he was loyal and trustworthy. Brian's' co-hort, Zacky Baker had given Tyler the oppurtunity to prove himself, sending him on small collection errands for drug money. Just as well the fifth vital member of their little gang, Johnny Seward, was shit hot at accounts, and had figured out early on that Grayson was indeed skimming money off the top of whatever he was collecting.

"I'm giving you one more chance Tyler, what the fuck did you do with our money?" Brian demanded, his tone low and menacing.

"Brian I swear I....."

"I'm Brian to my friends, but to shit like you, Mr.Haner will suffice," Brian added, the click of the handgun being cocked causing tears to form in the eyes of the man it was aimed at.

"Mr.Haner...please....I didn't mean to, but I needed the dough...I can try and get it for you, but I'm gonna need......"

Brian's features remained emotionless as the bullet entered Tyler's head right between the eyes, not even flinching as blood splattered up onto his face.

"Deal with him," he called out to the two young men who stood in the corner watching, not even looking in their direction as he walked outside where Zacky was waiting for him in the car.

Zacky started up the car and pulled away before speaking.

"All done?" he asked, not taking his eyes off the road.

"Yeah, the Berry's are dealing with it," Brian stated. "Drop me home, I need to get cleaned up, I've got to pick up Johnny before our meeting tonight."

Zacky just nodded, and continued on his way.
**********

Resting his hands on the tiled wall of the shower, Brian let the hot water wash over him in the hope of easing the tautness and tension that seemed to have taken residence in every muscle in his body. He always got this way before meeting new contacts, never quite knowing what to expect. Brian also knew that it was partly down to knowing that Cassandra would be there. Jimmy usually came with him if they were taking new people to Mezmer, but for some reason he was letting Johnny go with Brian. If Jimmy was there, he and Cassandra managed to keep their hostility at bay. Yet Brian couldn't help but feel that tonight would be different.

In spite of his hard exterior, Brian hated how things were with Cassandra. Whenever he saw her, he found himself filled with a heady mix of hurt, hate, lust and love. The last one fucked with his mind the most. He shouldn't still love her, but it was there, ingrained deep within him. Brian had tried convincing himself over the months that it was because thay had Emily, a bond that would keep them forever connected. That however appeared to be one theory that didn't quite pan out. Brian knew that he was only fooling himself, but he'd never admit that to anyone.

Brian let out a heavy sigh, grabbing the shower gel so he could scrub away the memories of the day. He needed to have a straight clear mind for tonight, and if he didn't get Cassandra out of his head, he could possibly fuck up one of the biggest oppurtunites for him and his friends.
**********

Sitting in her office, keeping a close eye on the monitors that gave her viewpoints of the entire club, Cassandra waited. She knew they'd be here soon, and that's when she'd have to make her move and let them know that they were no longer welcome. Before her slight disagreement with her brother the previous evening, Jimmy had given Cassandra a card with the name and location of the new meeting point he'd found for them. She knew a row would no doubt follow once she told Brian, but she wanted them away from her club. She didn't need their business anymore.

She glanced at the screen that showed her the backdoor, the entrance the guys always used so that they didn't draw attention to themselves by trying to enter with the regular club goers. Straight away she saw him, clad completely in black, followed by Johnny and two other men.

"They're here, you know what to do," Cassandra told Taylor through the mouth and ear pieces they used to stay in contact with each other throughout the night.

"I'm on it," Taylor reassured her.

Cassandra watched as Taylor approached them, taking Brian to one side. His stance and manner told her he wasn't impressed that he was being summounds. She slipped her earpiece out and perched herself on the edge of her desk, waiting.

The door to her office flew open, Brian not bothering to knock as he stormed in.

"This had better be fucking good Cass, because there can't be any fuck ups tonight, you hear me?" he growled.

She studied him briefly. She hated how he always looked so fucking good, it made her want to do unspeakable things to him. The black v neck shirt he wore accentuated the form of his well toned chest, the v dipping low enough to give her a glimpse of the 'blueblood' tattoo that adorned the left side.

"I called you in here to ask you to leave. I didn't want to cause a scene out there, so I thought it best to tell you this in private."

Brian laughed and shook his head.

"Whatever Cass, I'm sure Jimmy would be real happy to know you're trying to boot us out of his club."

Cassandra picked up some formal looking papers from the desk and walked over to Brian, handing them to him. The spiked heeled shoes she wore made her a couple of inches taller than Brian, causing him to look up at her with a frown.

"What goes on here is no longer any concern of my brother's. As of yesterday, this place is now completely mine," she informed him calmly.

Brian's eyes scanned over the papers as he flicked through them, his face showing a plethora of emotions.

"This is bullshit!" he spat "I don't know what fucked up little game you're trying to play here Cass, but it won't work. We're here and we're staying."

"Then I shall just have you removed, and I'm pretty certain that's not what you want your 'friends' out there to witness is it?"

She took the papers from him and handed him the card.

"James has already sorted out somewhere else for you to go, they're apparently expecting you."

She walked over to the door, stepping aside as she opened it.

Brian made to leave, only to slam the door shut as he pushed Cassandra up against the wall. His hands rested either side of her, his face inches from hers.

"Why the fuck do you hate me so much, Cassandra?" he hissed.

She tried to keep her composure. It was occassions such as this throughout their history where she'd found this side of Brian arousing to the point of distraction. She'd craved him when he was like this, and it wasn't any different now. It was killing her to resist the urge to press herself to him and have him fuck her up against the wall. Cassandra tried not to smirk as she saw the lustful cloud flash through his eyes.

"I don't hate you, I just don't want to be connected to this life anymore."

Brian inched closer to her, his breath tantalising against her skin as his lips grazed her ear.

"You'll always be connected to this life Cass, no matter how far you try and run, it'll always be there. It's where you belong," he whispered.

"But at least this way, there might be a chance that one of us mananges to stay alive to raise our daughter," she retorted, her tone matching his.

The moment was gone, Brian pushed himself away from her, any signs of lust completely eradicated from his face at the mere mention of Emily.

"You're a fucking bitch," he murmured as he left the room.

Cassandra lent her head against the wall, a deep breath escaping her. It was a small bitter victory, but it was one she was willing to claim. She straightened herself up at the intrusion of a light tapping on the door. Taylor stood in the doorway.

"They're gone, and Haner looked like he was ready to kill," she informed Cassandra.

"Nothing new there then," Cassandra stated with a smirk. Taylor grinned.

"Get to ya a little did he?" she asked, even though she already knew the answer.

"I would say the feeling was mutual," Cassandra told her with a wink. Taylor laughed.

"I don't why you just don't fuck him, for old times sake. I mean, it's not like you've got anything to lose."

Taylor glanced over at the monitors "I'd better get back out there" she stated.

Cassandra just nodded and watched as her friend left the room, pondering over Taylor's words. She had more to lose than she cared to admit.