I just saw RENT which just returned Off-Broadway in New York and felt so inspired by the song Halloween that I couldn't stop myself from beginning this chapter a bit differently. I implore you to read the lyrics I posted cut from the song Halloween. I was simply floored at the way they articulated so much about this fanfic particularly this section of this fanfic.

Disclaimer: There is a scene in this chapter that is emotionally very draining and potentially very hard to read – for that reason this chapter is M. Please heed that.

To my reviewers: Kels, ggloverxx19, CarolinaGirl21, LeftWriter224, HarryPotterfanforeverr123, SouthernBelle88, Krazy4Spike, GGfanficfan09, LovelyLydia, Aquarian Air, annablake, LitPrincess2787, Sw33tHeart21, jamieerin, ggoddess, Hannah, Lolaaa, Tuppence, and ggff-fan. You guys are so awesome and I'm so excited to share this next chapter with you because I think you're going to love it. Sorry if I didn't respond to your review, I'm in the middle of rush practice and such just know that I really did appreciate every single one of them!

Why are entire years strewn
On the cutting room floor of memory
When single frames of one magic night
Forever flicker in close-up
On the 3D imax of my mind
Halloween - Rent the Musical

Chapter 25:
The Cutting Room Floor

Anna exhaled as she walked out of her French class to see Chuck leaning against the side of his limo. It wasn't a surprise in the slightest; in fact she would have been surprised if he hadn't been standing there. It had been just over two weeks since she'd spoken to Eric, which then prompted her conversation with Diego. Since then she hadn't been able to bring herself to talk to Chuck. Part of this was due to the fact that she wasn't over what had happened at the Opera, part was because she was still shaken up by her conversation with Diego.

She'd simply shaken her head and walked away every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday before today but something about the look in his eyes this time made her feel like she had to stop. Taking a few steps towards him she paused, a few feet away, feeling the flames beneath her skin beginning to heat. "Hey Chuck."

Chuck straightened immediately as she approached. He'd sent endless flowers with apologetic notes to her dorm and had waited for her at the conclusion of her French class just as they used to meet to go to lunch but this was the first time she'd spoken to him since the Opera. "Annabelle." He said with a nod before adding almost as an afterthought. "Happy Halloween."

Anna wrinkled her nose only slightly as she felt herself slipping into their easy banter. "I was never a big fan."

"Really?" Chuck asked with raised eyebrows. It still surprised him in the ways she was different from Blair; Blair had adored Halloween, it was the perfect excuse for a masked ball.

Nodding, Anna relaxed and uncrossed her arms. "Yeah. Things have always been rather unlucky for me on this particular Holiday and I don't know something about it has just always freaked me out."

Smirking Chuck took a tentative step forward. "As sorry as I am for your past bad luck, I can't say that it isn't my favorite Holiday."

"Why am I not surprised?" Anna asked laughing quietly. "Only the devil himself would love it."

Chuck found he couldn't help but grin; her presence seemed to illuminate and electrify him. "What's not to love? It's the one night of the year where everyone is free to let down their inhibitions and be exactly who they'd like to be. It's when you see who people really are, their true self revealed."

Nodding a smirk rose to Anna's lips. "So what do you do to celebrate?"

"I throw the biggest party of the year." Chuck responded though he felt the question was practically rhetorical.

Lifting her brows, Anna was surprised to find herself taking another step closer. "A masquerade?"

"Only of the grandest proportions. The first annual Devil's Ball." Chuck responded, realizing that for the first time since the Opera, Anna was close enough to touch.

Smiling, Anna leveled her gaze. "Chuck Bass, I must say I'm impressed."

Chuck spoke without thinking as was becoming custom around Anna as of late. "And you are my toughest critic." He heard the familiarity of the words but knowing Anna wouldn't he didn't call attention to them. "You are of course invited."

At that Anna took a half step back, recognizing that this particular moment had finished; but it had gone better than she had expected for their first conversation post-Opera to go. Chuck hadn't pushed the issue of that night and things hadn't been awkward at all; but they were still towing the dangerous line from before. "Diego and I actually have plans tonight."

"I see." Chuck spoke, leaning back against the limo once more. "Well if those plans fall through, you know how to get a hold of me."

"That I do." Anna spoke before backing away. "I'll see you soon then Bass."

Chuck gave one singular nod before sliding into his limo. "See you soon Annabelle."

Anna watched Chuck's limo pull away until she heard the ringing of her phone. At first she half thought it was him, calling to be silly, her stomach tightened as she saw the number - what the hell? The name currently flashing across her screen made no sense at all.

Jackson Hollingsworth

Anna answered more out of shock than anything else. If she'd had one ounce of sanity left in her tiny brain she would have let it go to voicemail but apparently she'd lost it recently. "Hello?" She asked questioningly as she braced herself, Jackson had a bit of a way with words that always warmed her heart into forgiving him for whatever he'd done. It had been a long time since they'd spoken but she knew that of all things, that wouldn't have changed.

"Hey Belle." Jackson spoke, his voice warm and husky.

Anna found a smile unwittingly working its way to her lips. She hadn't seen or spoken to Jackson since he'd left for football camp in late July but he somehow managed to say the only words that were guaranteed to keep her listening. Exhaling she tightened her grip on the phone. He'd relaxed her by using his nickname for her, something in the familiarity of his tone and phrase just calmed her though she was surprised that the tingling feeling she used to get at the sound of his voice wasn't there. "It's been a while Jackson."

"I know." In his voice was more than a hint of shame but it was still guarded, he knew if he wanted them to be anything whether that be friends or one day more he couldn't act like that now. "I was an idiot. After beach week I was just so angry and I acted like a possessive jerk."

Anna would have laughed if the statement hadn't been true. "You did. But I'm sorry for just walking out on you that last night." She said referencing his last night at home where he'd gotten jealous, she'd gotten angry, they'd argued, and when the question came up as to what now she'd said 'I don't know' and walked away.

Jackson almost smiled. "You don't have anything to be sorry for; walking away was what was best for both of us at the time."

"I agree." She spoke as he finished, remembering then that this wasn't exactly an ordinary thing. "So why are you calling now Jay?" She spoke with a shrug clear in her voice as she tensed for his response.

Jackson breathed heavily, not sure how she'd react to this next bit. "I'm in New York and I'd like to see you."

Anna's jaw dropped as she processed Jackson's words. "What are you doing in New York?"

"A friend of mine is on the basketball team so I used the excuse that I was coming to watch him play at Madison Square Gardens against Georgetown but I'm really just here because I missed you." Jackson spoke, his words slow and deliberate. When Anna didn't say anything else he knew she was a little surprised, he took the fact that he could still hear her breathing on the other side of the phone as a good thing. "Have a drink with me tonight B."

The air flooded from Anna's lungs quickly at the sincerity in Jackson's voice. "I'm supposed to meet Sam for drinks when she gets out of class."

"You know I love your friends." Jackson spoke immediately. "I don't care who's there, I just want to see you. I miss my friend Anna."

Anna found herself nodding before she really knew she'd made a decision. But his words were true for her too. She might not have missed a lot of the romantic pressures that came with dating Jackson but he'd been such a large part of her life for so long that there was a bit of a Jackson shaped hole left when he wasn't around. "Okay, is PJ Clarkes okay?" She asked, citing one of her favorite bars.

"Sounds great." Jackson said as relief washed over him that she was willing to see him. After speaking he felt a natural lull fall in the conversation but he didn't want to hang up just yet. "So, you're still close with Sam?" He asked, almost cautiously.

Anna furrowed her brows as she approached the cab. "Of course, why wouldn't I be?"

Jackson scoffed softly. "Oh I don't know, I heard y'all had a fight of sorts."

Furrowing her brows more tightly Anna stared at her phone in confusion. "How did you . . . Lina."

"Might have said something." Jackson finished his voice amiable. "She and I keep in touch from time to time.

Anna nodded slightly; she knew that Jackson and Lina's families were close so it wasn't that surprising that they talked. "Lina will be Lina and Sam will be Sam." She spoke with a shrug.

"So what happened with Sam that caused me to hear about it?" Jackson asked as he continued walking down the street.

Anna pursed her lips deciding how best to answer. It wasn't like she wanted to outright say that she and Sam had been fighting because they weren't quite as close as they thought they were and had both learned that the other was keeping secrets. "Some stuff we'd been closed up about resurfaced recently and it caused a fairly large rift."

Jackson's brows furrowed as his heart beat quickened. "What kind of stuff?"

Anna looked at her phone curiously, she couldn't help but think that Jackson was acting weird, almost cagey; but if they were going to be friends again then she needed to be honest or at least try to be. "A lot of it was about the night of junior prom."

"Anna-" Jackson started immediately realizing that it was about exactly what he feared.

Anna shook her head though she knew he couldn't see her. "No Jackson, just listen for a second okay. That night was a long time ago and I've moved past it. I forgive you."

"You do?" Jackson asked tentatively, surprised at the smoothness of this conversation, all things considered.

Anna nodded. "I do. Now I'll see you at PJ Clarkes at five."

Jackson smiled a smile that shone through his voice. "I'll see you then."

Chuck was quiet as he sat in his limo listening to his PI speak. This wasn't exactly protocol for them. Usually Chuck got his updates over the phone but today Andrew had thought it best to speak in person, something Chuck wasn't entirely happy about because of what it must mean.

"As of now, the boy hasn't taken her anywhere near his extra-curricular activities. Anna's remained perfectly safe." Andrew Tyler said cautiously, knowing that if a hair on that girl's head was damaged his head would be the one on a platter even though his job was technically just keeping tabs on Diego.

Chuck's nostril's flared as his finger ran up and down the length of the door handle. "Then would you mind telling me why we're sitting here?"

Tyler swallowed before continuing. "The boy's activities have become increasingly more frequent and for that matter more dangerous. There's a bit of a territory war heating up between the Brigade and some of the older families, the Connelly's specifically."

"And?" Chuck asked leadingly.

"And I'm concerned that the boy's involvement could lead to the girl getting hurt." Tyler said gruffly.

Chuck felt his heart clench at the thought of someone hurting Anna, but at the same time he knew that there was a fine line between protecting her and pushing her away. He couldn't step in before she recognized herself that she was in danger or she wouldn't find his minor stalking to be very forgivable. He groaned because he couldn't protect her until she was already being hurt. "Anything else?"

Tyler nodded. "I have intel that there's something big going down tonight, something really big."

Chuck shrugged and looked away. "Diego won't be involved he has a date with Anna." As he spoke, Chuck was unable to keep the jealousy from his voice and realized that Tyler had heard it when he spoke again.

"Convince her to do something with you instead." Chuck's head snapped towards Andrew's as he spoke but he continued. "If you want to keep her safe, keep her away from Diego."

Chuck slammed his hand against the window. "Don't you see that I can't? She doesn't think she's in danger and until she does I can't do anything about it." A rare hint of helplessness seeped into his voice.

Andrew Tyler shook his head. "Then know that she's at risk right now and you need to be ready to act if something does happen."

"Keep a close eye on them tonight." Chuck said before giving Andrew a bonus and sending him out of the limo. As the vehicle begin to move once more, this time with Chuck by himself, he couldn't ignore the sick twisting in his gut that said that Andrew Tyler was right, Anna wasn't safe and that thought terrified him.

Sam smiled as she walked into PJ Clarkes. It had been a long day and she was looking forward to happy hour with Anna. Fashion Week was done in every country and she'd spent most of this week catching up on all the work she'd gotten behind on so this was really the first chance she'd had to breathe. Plus it would be a great start to the evening, Chuck had texted her and Cassie both earlier inviting them to some big party he was having and both had agreed that they had nothing better to do. Yes, today was going to be a good day. "Hey bitch." She said affectionately as she took a seat next to Anna at the bar.

"Nice to see you too, slut." Anna said smiling as she gestured the bartender to bring them a round of drinks. "How was your day?"

Sam shrugged. "The usual. I think I'm finally caught up on my work which is actually a pretty good feeling."

Anna smiled knowingly. "Oh look at you all grown up. Learning that there's a time for work and a time for play."

"Speaking of play, are you coming to Chuck's party tonight?" Sam asked taking a large sip of her drink.

Shaking her head, Anna held back a twinge of disappointment as she reminded herself that the ball wasn't in her court right now when it came to things with Chuck. "Date with Diego."

"I see." Sam spoke as she tried to hide the unexpected flash of jealousy she felt. She'd always had a thing for Diego, it wasn't a secret. But at the same time she didn't begrudge Anna's happiness, after all, she would use Diego once and throw him away unlike Anna who actually cared about him. That was just the way she operated.

Anna didn't talk about Diego around Sam much because she didn't want to strain their friendship, realizing that was where the conversation was headed she quickly changed the subject. "So you'll never guess who's in town."

"Who?" Sam asked smiling as she thought of the possibilities. She would have guessed Lina but Lina would have messaged all of them if she had been coming to town. Surprises were exciting.

Anna smiled brightly, surprised at how much she'd gotten used to the fact that she was about to see her rather volatile ex-boyfriend for the first time since they'd broken up. "Jackson Hollingsworth."

By the look on Anna's face, Sam knew her own face must have blanched; which was fitting since her stomach had dropped and her world was spinning. "Jackson's in town."

Anna nodded, a concerned look rising to her face. Sam's name hadn't gotten a rise out of Jackson but clearly the opposite wasn't true. "Yeah he's meeting us for drinks in a few minutes."

"He's coming here?" Sam asked her mouth dry.

Anna again nodded. "Yeah, Sam are you okay?"

Placing a hand on her stomach Sam stood. "I think I need to go to the bathroom."

"Okay." Anna replied, her voice colored with worry. But she didn't have much time to be concerned because as soon as Sam turned the corner, Jackson appeared and the warmth she had been feeling for him earlier at the sound of his voice seemed to explode in her at the sight of him. He was still her Jackson, tanned skin, golden blonde hair that just slipped over his forehead; he was like coming home.

As Jackson's eyes locked with Anna's he sensed the immediate connection. There was something about just the sight of her that always seemed to put him at ease. "Hey there Belle."

"Jay." She said as she stood and wrapped her arms around him. She could feel the nostalgia washing over her in waves as she inhaled his familiar scent.

Pulling back Jackson met Anna's eyes. "You don't know how happy I was this afternoon when you said you'd forgiven me for what happened junior year."

Anna smiled. It was a bit strange that he was so fixated on that night when so much had happened since then. Apparently the distance between them had taught him some of the things he did wrong in their relationship. "It's in the past."

Pulling her to him tightly once more, Jackson held her close. "God I've missed you."

Anna felt the nostalgia began to ease and though she knew that it felt good to be around Jackson again, he was a part of her and always would be, she had to be honest with him about where this was going. So this time it was Anna who pulled back. "Jackson, things are different now. I'm with Diego." She felt him tense and was almost scared to meet his gaze.

Jackson's entire world seemed to come to a screeching halt at Anna's words. He'd been here to win her back in whatever capacity that might be but to hear that she was with Diego made his blood boil. Pulling away he tried to remain calm, something very difficult all things considered. "How could you?" He asked his voice a low growl. "How could you lower yourself to the level of that thug? You're so much better than that Anna."

"Jackson . . ." Anna started. She'd known that his reaction probably wouldn't be positive but she'd hoped he'd moved past some of the animosity.

Understanding hit Jackson like a brick. "You're doing this to get back at me." He stated, his voice cold yet cutting.

Anna started to speak, confused as to what Jackson was even talking about. "No I . . ."

Jackson shook his head, his voice now filling with righteous indignation. "Don't try to deny it Anna. Don't act like I've never seen that side of you before. You have the capability of being the nicest person I know but you are also fully able to be the most manipulative cruel person I know."

"Jackson, don't be like this." Anna started, finding that her heart beat was racing as she tried to think of what he could be talking about. For some reason her intuition was telling her that this was about to end badly.

Jackson shook his head, nostrils flaring angrily. "All that holier than thou talk earlier about putting the past in the past, worked like a charm Anna. I completely believed you but I'm sure that was the idea."

"What are you talking about Jackson?" Anna finally managed to get out, her voice raised loudly enough to garner attention from most of the bar.

"I'm talking about the fact that you're screwing the person I hate the most to get back at me for sleeping with Sam." Jackson roared in return, his anger completely controlling him. "I still can't believe Sam told you. She swore she'd take it to the grave. . . " He trailed off as he noticed Sam standing to the side of them, face white and mouth slightly open; only then did he look back at Anna's face.

Anna was looking between the two of them, two people who had once been her boyfriend and her best friend; they had betrayed her in the worst way possible.

Jackson swallowed tightly as he assessed the situation, realizing that he'd made a grave miscalculation. "You didn't know?" He spoke, his voice soft and raw.

"Of course she didn't know you idiot." Sam snapped angrily as the worst possible scenario of what could have happened with Jackson coming to town played out before her. The one secret she'd managed to keep to herself for so long now lay bare on the table.

When Anna spoke, her voice was barely there. It felt as though her chest was caving in on her lungs, making it impossible to breathe. "When?" She gasped.

"The night of junior prom, after you ran off." Jackson spoke, using every ounce of control he had to keep his voice level.

Anna's heart clenched as her throat began to burn with unshed tears. She clenched her eyes shut tightly as the pain at the realization of what the two people she had trusted the most had done to her when she was at her most vulnerable. "That's how you knew." She finally managed as she opened her eyes fixing her gaze on Sam. "That's how you knew that I wasn't with Jackson that night."

Sam nodded, placing a hand on Anna's wrist. "I'm so sorry Anna, you've got to know that. You have to know how much I regret it."

"I don't know anything anymore." Anna snapped, jerking her arm away as she turned to flee the bar.

Jackson suddenly seemed to snap out of his stupor and called after her. "Anna, wait! Just talk to us."

Anna turned her head in their direction briefly. "I don't want to talk to either of you, ever again. Got it?"

Walking out of the bar she immediately dialed Diego. She knew he was busy until almost ten with the Family but she needed him and he'd promised her he'd always be there for her.

"Anna what is it?" Diego asked lowly into the phone. He was at the Warehouse getting ready for the situation that was about to go down and didn't want to get caught on the phone, especially not with Anna. He'd taken enough heat after the situation with Smiley; he didn't want the others to know how strongly he felt about Anna. He didn't want them to know that hurting her would kill him.

The sound of Diego's voice was all Anna needed for the tears to break through the front she was putting up; but she still tried to remain solid and not too needy. "Jackson's here, he knows about us."

Diego swallowed tightly as a very physiological reaction seemed to take over his entire body. "Are you okay?" He spoke softly, his implication as to whether Jackson or not had done something to hurt her obvious.

Anna nodded, holding back a gasp. "Yeah I think so, but I was hoping that I could see you sooner rather than later."

Diego felt the angry rage coursing through his veins, he recognized this particular brand of jealousy all too well, though it had been a while since he'd felt it. With Chuck he was jealous because of the connection he saw between Anna and Chuck and the one he knew had existed between Chuck and Blair. With Jackson, it wasn't just because he'd had Anna for so long or that he hadn't always treated Anna well; no with Jackson there was a deep seated hatred fueled by years of loathing all culminating when Anna had become involved. Jackson had been the golden boy, he'd had everything handed to him since birth, never working for anything in his life, always looking down on Diego, thinking he was better; they'd hated each other from the moment they'd met, Anna had escalated the situation past a point of sanity on Diego's part. Which was a large part of the reason why Diego's next words almost killed him to say. "I want to Anna, but I really can't leave now."

Anna could feel her body start to shake and knew that in order to pull Diego away from his responsibilities she would need to really open herself up; she was about to make herself more vulnerable to him than she'd ever done before, she was ready to start being honest about everything, her feelings, her past, and even what she'd almost done to herself. "I need you Diego." She heard the moment's hesitation on his end of the line and her voice cracked. "Please."

One word and Diego couldn't hold back. He shouldn't do what he was about to do. If he were a good person he'd send her to talk to Cassie or Chuck or even Sam or Eric. He wouldn't risk her safety. It killed him that she was in pain, but Jackson's presence heightened all of his emotions; heightened them enough that Diego couldn't see reason. In that moment he knowingly made one of the worst decisions he'd ever made. He put Anna's safety on the line in order to feel secure in their relationship. And the worst part was that he knew that it was Jackson's involvement that had him doing this and not Anna's distress; but that didn't stop him. "Take a cab all the way down East 15th Street and go in the restaurant that's right there. It's difficult to see the entrance, you have to walk around the corner but then you should see the sign, it's called Los Reyes, I should be there, if I'm not ask for Eddie. As soon as you're with Eddie call me. Do you understand?"

Anna's throat tightened. The Warehouse was after 15th Street ended, you had to walk under the highway to get there. "I'll call you as soon as I'm with Eddie."

Diego exhaled as he hung up the phone. Immediately he walked across to where Eddie was sitting. "I need your help man."

"What is it?" Eddie asked seriously, his brow furrowed; Diego never asked anyone for help because he didn't trust anyone, for him to be doing this, it must be big.

Swallowing Diego motioned him away from the others, he didn't want them overhearing. "My girlfriend is dealing with some shit with an ex of hers and she's pretty messed up about it. She's meeting me at Los Reyes but if I have to leave I need you to look out for her; can you do that?" Diego asked, his voice hushed.

Eddie nodded. "Of course."

"Okay." He said exhaling. He knew he should feel worse about all of this but for some reason he just didn't. He trusted Eddie to take care of Anna, Eddie would always have his back.

Watching Anna leave, Sam felt Jackson's hand slip around her waist. "I'm sorry about that, I thought she already knew."

"Of course she didn't you idiot. Why would I tell her? Why would I alienate my best friend?" Sam snapped furiously.

Jackson turned towards her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Come on, you can't seriously claim that you guys were that close with what you were doing behind her back."

Sam narrowed her eyes. "So you weren't here to try to win her back?" Jackson looked away. "That's what I thought." Sam said with a shining spark to her eyes.

Jackson slid his hands down her arms until they rested on her waist. "Doesn't change anything with us though?"

Sam jerked away. "What are you doing Jackson? Don't act like we're friends."

"Aren't we?" He asked, his voice low as he thought back to all the time they'd spent together over the years. Specifically the time they'd spent together the summer after junior year and periodically during senior year; the time they'd been sleeping together.

Sam took a step backwards and looked at Jackson with disgust. All she could think about was the fact that she'd lost her best friend when from the look in his eyes all Jackson was thinking about was sex. "We were never friends." She said before turning and walking away.

Alex looked around the room, his eyes scanning over the men assembled. The warehouse was more crowded than usual though it seemed that the one person Alex was looking for wasn't there. "Where's Diego?" He hissed at Viper who was standing next to him.

"Slash says he heard Diego tell Eddie he was meeting the girlfriend. Apparently he plans to leave the girl with Eddie while we're out." Viper said with a grin, knowing that the information he was giving was prized stuff.

Alex smirked darkly. "Now is that so . . ." A plan quickly began forming in his mind as his eyes found Eddie; the boy he'd so discounted after his father had taken off. Now maybe he'd finally get some use out of him. "I think it's time we revised the plan for tonight's activities, what do you think?"

Viper grinned. "I think we could kill two birds with one stone, maybe three."

Alex laughed as his eyes once more ventured to Eddie. "Yes maybe three."

Anna exhaled as she walked into the restaurant; immediately seeing Diego sitting on the counter. A flood of relief filled her as she took him in, his black shirt tight on his chest, jeans slung on his hips, and dark hair just falling into his eyes; he looked sexy and unmistakably dangerous.

Immediately Diego wrapped her in his arms, allowing her to cry for a few minutes before he spoke. "What happened Bella?"

"Jackson and Sam slept together the night of junior prom." She stated quickly, not seeing any reason to hold back.

Diego's arms tightened around her almost instantly. That son of a bitch, he wanted to hurt Jackson like he'd never hurt anyone. "I'm sorry babe, I'm so sorry."

Anna shrugged lightly as she held herself tightly against him. "He thought I already knew and when I told him we were together, he said I was doing it to get back at him."

Diego had never felt more protective of her than he did in that moment. What kind of idiot would want anyone else when they had Anna? And Sam? Sam was supposed to be her best friend. It was no wonder she was a wreck. "It's going to be okay, I promise."

"The worst part is that it was going on while I . . ." Anna began, ready to finally tell Diego what had happened on the night of junior prom but was interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone.

"Shit." Diego spat as he snapped his phone open. "What is it Eddie?"

"They need you now. They're leaving and Alex seems pissed." Eddie spoke quickly. Alex had had a discussion with him and now he knew he had to play his part well or the shit would really hit the fan. Everyone needed to think he was on their side or this would never work.

Diego practically growled into the phone. "Meet me at the café in five."

"I can't." Eddie responded quickly but quietly.

"What do you mean you can't?" Diego asked, his voice becoming dangerous.

Eddie exhaled shakily. "Alex's eyes haven't left me and you don't have time to wait for me to get there then come back to the warehouse. You're going to have to just bring her here."

"No." Diego responded immediately, without a question. Shooting a glance at Anna he noticed she looked moderately worried though she was no longer crying.

"You have to unless you want to leave her at the café by herself." Eddie hissed. "Bring her to the back door on the side of the river and slip in just as everyone's leaving. I'll stay with her while you guys take care of business; it's just me and Ben staying back. But if you don't get over here in the next two minutes Alex is going to come looking for you."

Diego was growling as he realized that he was stuck. He couldn't just leave her here, taxies didn't come here and she didn't have time to call anyone. "Fuck." He snapped into the phone.

"I'll take that as a yes." Eddie spoke. "I'm heading outside now."

Hanging up the phone Diego turned to Anna and took her hand. "Come on, we have to go."

"Go where?" Anna asked, surprised at her own timidity. Normally she grabbed the bull by the horns but tonight she had a weird feeling in her gut. The afternoon had started off so well as she'd had her first normal conversation with Chuck in weeks but from the moment she'd declined Chuck's invite to his party she'd had a growing ache. She'd thought it was Jackson's call, then his news, but it was still there now.

"You're going to stay at the Warehouse with Eddie." Diego spoke quickly leading Anna from the café.

Anna's eyes went wide with surprise. She'd been thinking he was going to tell her that he was taking her home. "Is it safe?" She asked carefully as she tried to keep up with Diego as he led her towards the Warehouse while trying to stay out of sight.

Diego didn't answer her, he didn't know what to say because honestly he wasn't sure; but if he trusted anyone it was Eddie. Eddie would keep Anna safe.

Anna stopped moving and pulled her hand away crossing her arms.

"Anna come on we have to go." Diego spoke turning towards her impatiently.

Anna shook her head. "I'm not going anywhere until you answer me Diego. If it's not safe I want to go home, I can find a way to get home."

Diego swallowed tightly as he found her eyes, seeing immediately the fear she was repressing. Taking two steps towards her he placed his hands on either side of her face and lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her with every ounce of feeling coursing through him at the moment. In that moment emotions were running so high and there were so many different feelings competing for attention that that one kiss felt super charged. As they broke away both were breathing heavily. Diego spoke his face merely inches from hers, their eyes locked. "I love you, never forget that. I would never let anything happen to you."

"So it's safe?" Anna asked softly, her eyes searching his.

"It's safe." Diego responded reassuringly before pulling back.

Anna laced her fingers through his and started walking forwards, stunning Diego slightly. "Let's go then."

Diego nodded quickly realizing that she trusted him so completely; he'd never experienced that kind of trust before. Slipping around the back way he led her to where he saw Eddie standing against the side of the building. They locked eyes for just a moment, exchanging a quick nod before he looked to Anna. "Anna this is Eddie, Eddie this is my girlfriend Anna." He watched as they exchanged looks of acknowledgement before he spoke again. "Eddie is staying behind to guard the Warehouse, I trust him." Diego added knowing that Anna would know that he was really serious.

Eddie gestured towards the door with a hand. "You've gotta get in there man, they're already angry. She's in good hands."

Once more Diego gave a curt nod before placing a quick kiss on Anna's lips. "I'll be back in an hour at the most."

She nodded quickly. "Be careful. I love you."

"You too." He spoke before disappearing inside, leaving Anna outside with Eddie.

"So what now?" She asked her voice doing nothing to reveal the clenching feeling still inside of her stomach. She simply looked at Eddie questioningly, sizing up the guy Diego had left her with.

Eddie inhaled deeply, observing the girl before him. She was just a slight thing but there was a certain amount of power in her eyes. When Diego had told him about Anna he'd been surprised but seeing her now he could see how she had gotten Diego, she was everything he looked for and probably more. "Now we wait."

It was a while later probably close to an hour, when Eddie first heard the sound, tires crunching on gravel. His first assumption was that Diego was back which was good because the girl was obviously starting to get bored. He was just standing as the doors opened. He felt as though a punch had been delivered to his gut because it wasn't just one door it was every door.

He acted reflexively, running towards Anna he pushed her behind him. His first panicky thought was that the Connelly's thought they were getting revenge, everything was blurring together as he felt her shake behind him. That's when his eyes began to focus again and he realized that he recognized these men; they were all members of the brigade. Instantly his spine began to relax only for him to realize that there was obviously something wrong; the men were wearing smirks and evil grins and they were still walking towards them. Where was Diego? He was supposed to be back first. The moment he saw Smiley and Slash walk in with Viper between them he knew that there was something wrong about all of this, very wrong.

"Well, well what do we have here?" Viper asked as he sauntered into the Warehouse.

"Don't say a word and if I say run, do it." Eddie hissed to the girl who'd quite surprisingly stopped shaking. His nostrils flared as Smiley and Slash began to get particularly close and he became vaguely aware that they were surrounded.

Viper stood back and observed, hoping he wouldn't need to involve himself more. He watched as his henchmen approached Eddie and the girl, excited for what was to come.

Anna inhaled deeply as she straightened her spine. She didn't know what was going on but she trusted Eddie to take care of her, Diego had said he trusted him so, so did she. So she did as asked and stayed quiet even as she saw Smiley, the one who'd touched her before approach.

"Lookie who's come back to play." Smiley said with a twisted grin as the other guys began to laugh.

Slash grinned as well, his hands sliding from his front pockets. "So this is Angel's girl? No one said she was such a looker." More laughter rang throughout the room.

It was when the laughter began to pick up that Eddie became completely aware of how many men were there. It had to be at least twenty. Earlier he'd only seen six or so but they must have continued arriving. "What's up guys? Fight end early?" He asked trying to keep his voice friendly even as his eyes began to narrow as he stole glances around the room.

Smiley grinned. "We weren't needed." He spoke coming up beside the pair, reaching forward he tried to stroke Anna's arm but she jerked away and Eddie rotated until he was between them though he knew that put Slash on the other side of her.

"Leave her alone man." Eddie said, his voice barely restraining his anger. These men were some of the roughest in the gang and oh how they had taunted him when he'd gone from prized boy to bottom rung after his father had disappeared.

"I don't think so." Slash spoke, grabbing Anna's arm from the other side.

Eddie felt more than heard Anna as she let out what could only be considered a hiss as she tried to pull herself away. His gun was withdrawn and pointed at Slash before he had a moment to think otherwise.

Slash backed away immediately as Eddie wielded the gun unwaveringly. Smiley began to approach and Eddie twisted immediately to point the gun at him. "Let's not forget how fast I can shoot. Now if you'll all excuse us, we're leaving." He spoke, taking Anna's hand in his and walking towards Smiley noticing that the number of people between him and that exit were the fewest.

Viper took a few steps forwards, moving until he was in Eddie's sight. "Don't be hasty kid." Moving his vest he showed his belt. "I don't want this to get nasty but we didn't show up defenseless."

Anna gripped Eddie's hand tightly because in that moment he was her lifeline. She didn't know what was going on, where Diego was, or why these men seemed to be targeting her. She was confused and scared, no not scared, terrified.

Eddie gripped her hand back tightly. "What's this about Viper?" He asked as he kept his gun on Slash who seemed to be moving in once more.

Viper grinned sinisterly before rolling his neck back and around. "You have a choice to make kid."

"I don't know what you want but you and the rest of this scum aren't touching her." Eddie spoke, adrenaline racing through his veins as he stared down the man in front of him; a man who could only be considered pure evil.

Viper shook his head. "You're wrong Lucky." Speaking he took another step closer aware that Eddie's gun was now trained on him. "We're going to have her one way or the other. Either you're going to fight us or you're not." He could see Eddie chomping at the bit to snap back but raised his hand. "Think before you speak here. I've been told to offer you a deal. Think about your life before your dad left, think about it; the favored son, in line to become second one day. Reduced to the lowest position in the gang in a flash. Imagine what things would be like if you had your old life back."

"What are you saying?" Eddie asked eyes widening.

"I'm saying that everything can be erased if you give us what we want." Viper spoke, his gruff voice strangely alluring as he tried to reel the boy in. His betrayal would be one more bullet into Diego tonight and Viper could practically taste it, he was so close. "Aren't you tired of paying for the sins of your father?"

Anna could feel her breathing quicken. It was almost as though they were speaking in another language, she could tell that the men were there for her, to hurt her.

Swallowing tightly Eddie's lips pressed firmly together. So many thoughts were streaming through his brain at lightning speed that he could barely funnel them into coherent thought; yet when the decision was finally made it was done in an instant. Loosening his hold on Anna he took one step forwards. "I won't hurt her. And I won't stand by and watch."

"You aren't expected to." Viper replied smoothly, the look of an honest businessman on his face.

With a nod Eddie stepped further away from Anna, letting go of her completely before he steadily walked towards the nearest exit.

At first Anna thought that this had to be a trick. He was just trying to catch them off guard, say they'd given in then surprise them with an attack. He'd turn around and tell her to run at any second now. But as the men on either side of her closed their rough hands around her forearms she realized that he was going to be too late; if Eddie didn't do something quickly then his plan would fail. "EDDIE!" She called out as she felt more hands begin to grab at her; but Eddie didn't stop he didn't even flinch.

As Eddie disappeared from sight, a fight that Anna hadn't felt in so long filled her. "LET ME GO!" She shouted, jerking away from their every grasp and touch, smacking, anything that came near her.

"Calm down pretty one, this doesn't have to hurt." Smiley said as he gripped her arm more tightly.

Anna turned her head and spit in his face. "Diego will kill you if you harm me, he'll kill you."

A fury filled Smiley's eyes but the rest of the men laughed. Viper took a step towards her and turned her head to face him. "Angel couldn't do anything to us. We follow someone much higher up."

Slash grinned as his hands began to slip lower than just restraining her. "Yeah, the Bossman needs to learn how to keep his little bro following the rules. Alejandro better be careful or that little brother of his might challenge his authority for real. We're going to ensure that doesn't happen any time soon."

Shock reverberated through Anna. She was quick to piece it together; how after all could she have been so stupid not to realize it before. Diego's brother was the boss, she knew that. But Diego's brother was also Alejandro. Alejandro, Alex; Alex was the love of Cassie's life. Alex was Diego's brother, Alex was the boss, Cassie was in love with the mob boss.

In her moment of shock the men took advantage gripping onto her more tightly. As she snapped out of it she began to struggle but Slash and Smiley restrained her as Viper spoke. "You see if you're here, you're on our turf. And if a lady's on our turf she's open to all. In this family, we share." He spoke before licking her cheek very slowly.

Anna jerked against the men who held her but she could hardly move an inch. She was fighting them, fighting tears, fighting a breakdown but she knew she couldn't fight much longer. As a hand began to slip under her skirt she let out a blood curdling scream.

Viper leaned forwards and forced his mouth against hers, moving his tongue across her lips. Sliding further along her mouth across her jaw, and down her neck, he nipped her with his teeth as she struggled, her screams echoing in the warehouse. "Mmmm, tastes sweet." He spoke devouring her with his eyes. "We could call an end to this little party and head back to my apartment if you'd like. I know I'd enjoy utilizing the full pleasures of your body in the privacy of my home and of course my video camera."

Anna was struggling so hard she felt like she might claw his eyes out if she were let go. "I'd never willingly touch you, you sick perverted freak." She spat, delivering a swift kick to the shin.

Viper growled, baring his teeth at the young beauty. "Fine then." He snapped taking a step back. "Have at it boys." He gestured before taking yet another step backwards to watch her unwrapping.

"Let go of me." Anna screamed as she tried to struggle, her legs kicking wildly into the air as she tried to jerk free. But the men weren't letting go. She felt the strap of her dress be torn away as her skirt was hiked up. There were hands everywhere, jerking, ripping, grabbing and no matter how much she tried to fight she could feel the lips on her skin. Tears broke through as she screamed pleadingly. "NO! Please just stop, please."

She heard the jeering comments but they were mere echoes in her head mixing with the screams she knew were her own. Everything was in slow motion as she fought like hell to stop them from what they were trying to do. Mingled with this were flashes, flashes of something she couldn't remember though right now she couldn't seem to forget.

She was there but at the same time she wasn't.

A hand pulled her head backwards by her hair

A man walked out as she cried for her Daddy not to leave.

A mouth biting her delicate shoulder

A tear fell on a page of a note she somehow knew was meant for her best friend.

A pair of lips moving along her neck

A restaurant bathroom as she shoved her fingers down her throat.

A tongue sliding into her ear

A woman running fingers through her hair as she begged to stay with her father in France.

A hand gripping her inner thigh

A night in Tuscany crying because she knew he wasn't coming.

A hand grabbed her breast under her shirt

A red convertible as she wiped tears from her eyes because he didn't love her.

A finger sliding into the band of her underwear

A note in her hand that said she deserved more when all she wanted was him.

A pair of lips slamming into hers

A drunken night with an older man she hardly knew to prove someone still wanted her.

A tongue forcing its way into her mouth

A bouquet of peonies thrown at the feet of a man she knew she couldn't be with.

A set of hands clutching her hair forcing her to return the kiss

A boy walking away from her telling him she loved him a second time.

A jerk on her underwear as she tried to keep her legs together

A shock filling her body as she was slammed into the wall of an airplane as the man's brown hair disappeared into the wind.

A tug on her zipper as her skirt was forced upwards.

A strangled feeling in her lungs as they seemed to fill with water until they felt like they might burst.

Time seemed to be moving slower and slower until the sound of a door slamming open seemed to cause it to freeze all together.

Anna's head snapped upwards as her eyes connected with the brown eyes in the doorway. Though the men hadn't let her go; in that moment she knew everything was going to be okay because he would never let someone hurt her. He would die first.

So before anyone gets too excited thinking that Anna's remembered I should go ahead and let you know that she hasn't. During the assault she was seeing flashes of her former life. Like for instance when she flashed to throwing peonies at Chuck's feet all she was seeing was his feet and the peonies landing there accompanied by the emotions she was feeling at the time. So basically in her time of pain/fear her other memories of pain and fear were forcing their way through. Kind of like a shattering of her psyche almost. If you haven't read the note I wrote about the line blurring at the start of the last chapter, I recommend checking it out because it's especially important in the following chapter.

Anyway I hope you enjoyed this chapter wonder who's there to save her. . .

I'd love it if you'd all review!

xoxo -kate