AN: Here it is, the final chapter of this fic. Sorry for the long wait but a lot of stuff went down in this fandom (for me) and in my RL. If you hate waiting months and months for updates from me, head over to my Facebook or Tumblr page for a link to more of my work!
Chapter Fourteen
The door shut and tires roared, quickly disappearing, so they were alone. Serena knew the look on Darien's face, so she ran, heading rapidly up to her room and grabbing a suitcase without a word.
"That better be so you can join your family in witness protection?!"
Throwing in more clothes didn't help, but she thought if she packed fast enough, somehow it would…
He spun her around fast with a hand on her shoulder. "You are NOT moving in with him!"
"Why not? He ordered me to anyway."
"Why not? You going to share a bed with him now?" He turned, starting to pace, "Jesus. And I thought we were through all this shit but here you go, getting yourself in deeper while all I can do is sit back and watch! You're killing me, Serena!"
Grabbing him, she stopped his pace and his rampage. "Think about it. I'll be inside, and so will you. We can find what you need tonight and be out of there before I have to get under any shared covers!"
"No, Serena, no. It's too dangerous! I want you done with this!"
"I want you done with this too!"
Pulling from her hold, he slumped to her bed. "You're not trained for this; you don't know how to handle yourself in a situation like this. I know it's selfish, but dammit, I don't want you that close to the bastard."
Serena sat next to him, leaning her head on his shoulder. "You'll be right next to me, won't you?"
"Yes. But I can't promise I can contain myself if he tries anything with you…."
"You're my bodyguard; of course, you won't."
"But that won't get me what we need."
"I'll get you what you need."
A few heartbeats passed, and she jumped up from the bed, grabbing the panty set out of the forgotten bag. "What are you doing?"
Stripping quickly, she pulled on what she hoped to surprise him with later that night. But this would be their only chance now. "I'm wearing this for my boyfriend; what does it look like?"
He wore a frown but didn't stop her as she pulled the bright pink lace onto her hips and then straddled him.
"You're overdressed, Bruiser."
"Don't call me that. Not you, never you." He said, running his hands up her spine. "If he even tries to touch you…."
"I just won't let him try then."
She considered the subject closed, for now, shutting him up from any more discussion or fighting with her mouth. His tongue was against hers quickly, as were her hips, grinding against him.
Soon, he threw her off and onto the bed, stripping off his shirt and rolling down his jeans. She giggled when he stumbled a little, getting his pants caught around his ankles. But he caught up, pressing her knees into the mattress and his rod against her core, the lace rubbing both of them nicely.
"You shouldn't have spent so much on these. I'm probably going to rip them to pieces, so Diamond can't ask you to wear them."
"Even if he does… they're for you… only you…"
Falling off his extended arms, he covered her with himself, reaching down to move her panties out of the way. Sliding in, he stopped once fully encased in her. She felt herself stretch and coil around him, loving how the ridges of his shaft rubbed her perfectly every time.
"Then I'll just… fuck you around them… so they smell like our sex…."
He slowly pumped in and out, testing the strength of the lace. Once satisfied, they would stay out of his way and whole, he picked up his pace, and she met his hips with hers. Bouncing off the bed was part her and part him as he slammed into her hard again and again.
"Oh god!" Her eyes rolled back in her head of their own accord while her body tensed all over.
She was close, ready to come soon after they started. All thanks to playing with Darien all morning, teasing him with little outfits while he tried to be so good and not join her inside the changing room. Serena had hoped he would cave and take her against the mirror so she could watch them. But then again, there were cameras in changing rooms. So, she wouldn't be the only one that watched.
The last thing she ever wanted was someone other than Darien watching her while she looked like this.
Diamond's words started to echo in her head, distracting and cooling her libido. "Hey," Darien slowed to a stop, hovering a short distance over her, "what's wrong?"
She shook her head, and he didn't believe her. The last thing she wanted was to admit that Diamond was getting to her. Darien would take her out of the investigation in a heartbeat if she did.
When she still said nothing, he pulled out of her entirely and flipped her over. On her hands and knees, she expected him to remove the panties now. But, instead, he left them as is, pressing his tip into her entrance and taking the panties with him. Now he rubbed her insides with the lace but remained shallow.
"Tell me…" he groaned, telling her she could probably wait this out, and he would cave, "tell me, Serena."
He purred her name into her ear, leaning over and covering her body with his. It caused Serena to shiver, a combination of his care and the continued teasing of his tip on her entrance.
"I'm… I'm scared…."
Slowing again, he paused before pulling her panties down to her knees and thrusting into his hilt. They both cried out, any other thoughts slipping from her mind while he scratched the itch he created. It was beyond satisfying, coming long and hard. It tingled all the way to her toes. Still over her, she listened to his orgasm, groaning loudly against the shell of her ear.
Darien stopped again, the both of them collapsing to the sheets but not moving anymore. Even with his tip pressed into Serena's dam.
"I'm scared too. Scared out of my mind for you." Darien whispered through his hurried breaths. "But… you're right. Being inside his place… it's the only place we haven't looked. This could be all over tonight."
He rolled off of her, flopping to his back next to her. She shifted her head to look at him. "I want it to be over so we can be together with no more fear."
"Me too." He shifted too, looking over at her. "When this is over, I don't know where I'll be next. There's no telling what my next assignment will be."
"I thought you were looking for your father? Won't you go on to the next lead on him?"
"And that could be anywhere." Dropping her eyes, she tried to understand. But all it sounded like to her was Darien telling her he would be leaving her. "And… I would like it very much if you went with me?"
She snapped up at that, her eyes dancing as they searched his. "You want me to come with you?"
"When you can. Finish school first, visit me on your breaks if I'm far away. If not, if I'm still close by, then we can move in together…."
Rolling back onto him, she pressed elated and eager kisses to his mouth over and over again.
oOo
This was going to be a struggle. Not even inside yet, Darien strained as he walked behind Serena and her little rolling suitcase. Diamond was going to balk at the size and amount of clothes she brought, but she wasn't staying long if Darien had anything to say about it. Even the small amount she had was driving him crazy because it was a symbol.
Serena was Diamond's.
One of the first things he learned about this family and how Diamond worked. He kept women. In his home, feeding them, clothing them, fucking taking them for walks because Diamond was insanely possessive. Not that he was that far off with Serena, but he had good reason to be so damn upset. He loved Serena, and she loved him. But, it still made it hard to watch, letting the love of his life stroll into another man's home.
And what could he do about it? Nothing. He had to sit on his hands even as a damn cop while Serena was nearly skipping ahead of him. She turned her head back, stopping when she caught his mood and frowned. "Come on, Shields. Time's a wastin!"
"Could you not be so god damn eager?" He grimaced at his tone, his frustration coming to a head. "Sorry. This is the last place I ever wanted to take you and not only is it the second time I'm now helping you move in."
Having stopped, Darien now stood side by side with the blonde. Her eyes were so fucking wide; he could drown in them, deep cerulean pools. The hand that wasn't holding her suitcase ran down his shoulder and arm, affectionately, until it found a home in his palm. "This is the last place I want to be right now too. But I'm trying to be the supportive girlfriend. The good CI. I need you to stop being the jealous boyfriend," a small grin grew on her lovely lips, "even if it is really hot."
Tugging on the hand that joined them, he caused her to fall, her chest now pressing against his. "I don't care if we get shit; he's not touching you. Got it? Nothing is worth that, and I will blow my cover before he can even try. Understand?"
If he could, he would warn Diamond instead of Serena. However, she was the only one who knew the whole story, so he was left with telling her. Darien could hear his superiors' voices in his head, cursing him for even considering botching this mission. Too bad he didn't give a shit, the woman in his arms was far more important. Did that make him a bad cop? Absolutely. Did it make him a bad person? Probably. But Serena was far more than 'worth it'.
Darien never really wanted this job; he wanted to find his father and slap the bastard around a bit before shoving him into a cell to rot. That was the old Darien Shields, the one who was bitter and had nothing else to live for. How much of his obsession led them to this moment? Serena, putting on a brave face all so she could help him end this? If he had let his demons go, where would he and Serena be right now? Would he have asked her out or even be with her?
There wasn't a doubt in his mind that they wouldn't be together, one way or another, but if he had moved on from his daddy issues, then they would be moving her things into his place right now instead.
Diamond wasn't there when they arrived, thankfully. It gave him a few more moments alone with Serena, and he struggled with leaving her alone for even a second. She wanted him to be a cop right now, not her boyfriend, but Darien didn't think he could do it.
A man, not one Darien was familiar with as he was a butler of sorts, led the two of them to Serena's new room. The room was new to her, but he knew it was the one Diamond always gave to his women. He'd have to tell Serena not to touch anything in there, who knew what was done to or on the surfaces and items inside.
When Serena stopped short just inside, he pushed her a bit roughly to the side to get in front of her, only to be dumbfounded. "Don't look at me. I haven't the fucking foggiest why I'm here!"
Raye sat, perturbed, to say the least, on the bed. "Oh no," Serena blanched, "this is my fault."
Swiftly, Darien pulled Serena the rest of the way in, shoved the butler out, and slammed the door shut. "Diamond requested your presence?"
Raye nodded, "I thought I was dead, but then I was left in here? This is the room he uses for his bitches isn't it. I'll kill myself first…."
"Raye, I'm the bitch, not you," Serena huffed.
He didn't like it. He didn't like it one bit. Not Serena's title or Raye's attendance. Darien didn't even need to search to know the room was bugged. And most likely on camera, a suspicious-looking painting right across from the bed.
Collecting her, Raye pulled Serena in close. At least Serena wouldn't be alone. "Don't use the toilet here. Pervert has cameras in all of them."
His blonde blanched, and he took several steps closer to the women when there was a knock on the door. At least the bastard was considerate, Diamond's head popping in the doorway after a tiny crack. The grin on his face made Darien's blood boil. And the way Diamond snaked into the room made Darien feel as if he might throw up. He had to stop himself from jumping in between the greasy fucker and the women, forcing himself to let Raye handle it.
"You like my homecoming present?" He sneered.
Serena glanced at Raye and then glowered back at Diamond. "She's a person, not a gift. And this isn't a homecoming…."
"Oh, but it is! You were always meant to be mine. You belong here, Serena. Forever my personal songbird." Diamond walked the length of the room, surveying it for something. "I've decided to allow you to settle your family's debt in another manner. So you will no longer be working at the club."
Goddammit. It was what Darien had wanted since the beginning but not this way because Darien knew how Diamond wanted Serena to work off the debt now.
"I told you, I won't sleep with you…."
"I'm going to give you more time on that issue. Until then, you can continue to sleep with your lover here. But under my watchful care."
Raye squeezed Serena and Darien realized it was so she didn't hit the bastard. Dangerously pale, Serena looked close to vomiting, and he was close to blacking out with his rage. Her blue eyes looked right at him, silently begging him to calm down. He was shaking; that much was clear, feeling like steam was coming out of Darien's ears like in the cartoons. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her, and if this were what she wanted, to end Diamond, he would give that to her. Imagining her smile helped. Seeing her calm and relaxed, laying next to him just after coming worked the best. Serena being safe and happy made him feel as though he could do anything. So he focused on that.
"I have to go back to work, so… how about a little preview?"
And all Darien's calm was squashed to shit. Raye looked right at him and frowned deeply. "I'm not doing shit in front of others."
It was that simple, but it wasn't. Because now Diamond was noticing Darien's existence for the first time. "Bruiser? You're still here? My songbird is safely inside my compound. I'm not so sure your assistance is needed…. "
"But it is!" Serena shouted without thinking and now had to backtrack. "I don't… know anyone here! How well do you know your staff, huh? And it's not like I trust you…."
Diamond took a significant step forward, taking one of Serena's hands in his and Darien's vision went red. "You should be more worried about me trusting you, Serena. You've been running me around since we first met so unless you want me to make things far worse for you, I suggest you start building me up."
Torn between ripping her hand from Diamond's and wanting to get what Darien needed, he watched on, helplessly, as Serena waffled on what to do. The choice was taken from her, Raye pulling her away from Diamond and ramming their mouths together. Darien wasn't sure how he was supposed to feel. On the one hand, Raye was a pretty girl, and this was something many men dreamed about. But those moments didn't include a creep watching along with him, getting off, or that the whole embrace was forced. Serena went along with it, responding to Raye's lips, and regardless of how Darien felt about it, Diamond let out a low and disgusting moan from the back of his throat.
Whatever thoughts of the moment being a turn-on went out the window with Diamond's interest. Darien was pretty sure the bastard had a boner, too, making it harder for him to home onto his lunch. Lunch Darien had made and shared with his girlfriend as a sort of 'last meal'.
Diamond turned to Darien and wore a fake smile, faker than usual. "Well, Bruiser, let's leave the ladies to get comfortable. We have work to do."
No part of Darien wanted to leave Serena alone here. But she had Raye, and if Diamond was going with him, there was no risk. No one else would dare touch one of Diamond's girls. Except Darien but he would do anything for Serena. And touching her… Well, that was a much for her as it was for him.
One last glance at his girl, safely in the arms of her friend, and Darien strolled so Diamond would keep up. He waited diligently for the door to close and then stood tall to his 'boss' Diamond's fake grin dropped now that it was just the two of them. Or rather, when Darien thought it was just the two of them.
"Take him, " was all Diamond said, and hands gripped Darien's arms and shoulders hard, "we need to have a chat, Shields."
oOo
Serena didn't like the feeling in her belly. With Raye right beside her, it had nothing to do with her new 'home'. "I have a bad feeling about this…."
Ray's tugged her in close to silence her, then whispered. "Bugs. In the room. Be careful what you say."
"Raye… You know how you said that Darien looked like a…."
Raye squeezed Serena hard. "Hush! Not another word!"
They stayed like that for a few moments until Raye had enough, grabbing Serena's hand and spinning her towards the door. Dragging her along, Raye took the two of them out of the room. They were met with two large men as soon as they stepped over the threshold. "Need something?"
The man that spoke was all business, and yet, there was a glint in his eyes. Serena had a feeling; he knew what the two of them were there for. Not the truth but the lie Serena had spun to save Darien's life hours ago. The large guard's eyes danced between them like they would make out in front of him.
"The bathroom. One without a camera in it," Raye spat.
The man moved and lifted a large palm. But then he moved to follow them. Raye turned on the monster with more fire than she blew during her show. "Alone, you pervert."
"No way," the other guard said.
Serena glared as much as her fear-filled heart would allow. "You want us to tell Diamond how you peeked on us in the bathroom?"
"He knows we wouldn't do that…."
"Does he?" Raye countered, "Maybe when it was one girl but two? Of course, you're going to want to watch you freaks!"
"You two are the only freaks here."
Raye suddenly pinched Serena's hand, getting her in the sensitive meat between her thumb and pointer. It had tears forming instantly and a small cry coming from Serena's lips. "Oh, now you've done it. You've hurt Serena's feelings."
This had the men shaking in their army boots, stepping back with their hands up. It was like she was a bomb, a little girl like her and all she had to do was cry to get her way. This was new to Serena, and it made her stomach curl against her spine. Because these men didn't back away out of respect for Serena, they did it out of terror from Diamond.
Raye pulled Serena around again, even harsher than before in the direction the guard had gestured. Once they rounded the corner -putting them out of sight from the goons- Raye released Serena to run. "Come on!"
Raye was whispering as loudly as she dared, and Serena chased after her, catching up and whispering right back. "The front door is the other direction!"
"I'm not leaving!"
"Raye, you shouldn't be here. I'm sorry I got you into this mess in the first place."
"Oh, please," Raye looked ahead of them, coming to a stop, then glanced around for something, "you didn't get me into anything. I've been in this mess for years."
Out of all the girls' stories, Serena always felt Raye's was the worst. Losing her mother to her father's selfish ways and then sacrificing herself to save her family home. The Bruiser was involved too, but he never hurt women or children. Wait.
"Darien is the Bruiser," Serena spat out suddenly.
Raye was already racing down a dark hallway. The sun had set, and the lights were off, so it was pretty dark until Raye pulled out her phone and turned on her flashlight. "Um… yeah? You've known that for a while now, right?"
She had, Serena had known for over a month now, just who Darien was. He was the Bruiser. And he was a cop. "You're his CI?!"
Spinning on her heel, Raye pressed a hand to Serena's mouth hard. Her eyes dug into Serena's bright violet that was crashing with the smirk on Raye's mouth. It all made sense now, why Darien picked Raye in his story to Diamond and why Raye always gave Darien a hard time. Had Raye been trying to warn Serena all that time? Saying he looked like a cop because she knew the truth the whole time? How else would she have gotten into the situation she was since it was the Bruiser that was sent to 'handle' her family's debt. Darien had mentioned having a CI, and there was no one else that made sense. It had to be Raye. With how she looked at Serena and moved around the penthouse from hell, Serena was sure.
Raye lifted the hand from Serena's mouth and pressed a finger to her own mouth. "Now, let's find what we need to get Diamond."
oOo
There was nothing about this that Darien liked. Not the way he was pushed around or how he wasn't allowed to take his car. It was almost as if Diamond knew Darien had a tracker in his police-issued vehicle. But all the cops' work vehicles did, no matter how shitty the car in question was. Next time, Darien was going to request a motorcycle. If there was a next time, the dark halls of the warehouse had blackness creeping into his thoughts and heart.
They entered the main office, and the only light was a spotlight over Diamond's desk. Although Darien had seen this scene before, he was usually on the other side of it. He knew more men were waiting in the shadows -watching. The last thing he wanted was to give any of them the pleasure of scaring him. Darien may not want to die (especially with Serna still in Diamond's grip), but he wasn't about to piss himself over the horror scene he'd been pushed into.
"Have a seat, Bruiser," Diamond cooed.
"I'd rather stand if that's alright," Darien replied.
"Suit yourself. Speaking of suits, were you always working with the NTPD, or did they get to you somehow?"
Diamond lifted his black eyes to look up at Darien. The smile that slowly stretched across Darien's face didn't allow him to lie, even if he wanted to. "I've always worked for them."
The shuffling of uneasy feet filled the room until Diamond glared around into the darkness. Of course, Darien already knew the fuckers were there, so Diamond must have been pissed they showed any weakness. Diamond then shook his head and clucked his tongue as if Darien was a bad or spoiled child. "I'm so disappointed in you, Shields. You had so much potential. And what with your background…."
"Ha! And here, I thought, that was your first clue?" Diamond's head snapped to him with a frown. "You really think after my asshole father left us for dead that I'd want anything to do with his life?"
"Why? That's all I really want to know? You had everything, a great title, and clout. So why would you betray your blood like this?"
Diamond looked genuinely hurt. It hit Darien then that the psycho thought they were truly friends. "Why?" His goose was cooked, and Darien wanted to go out in flames at this point. Leaning on Diamond's desk got more feet shuffling, but Diamond quickly held up a hand to stop anything from stopping the moment. "Because people like you disgust me. You trample on others to get what you want. Nothing but a bunch of spoiled brats with anti-social and psychopathic issues. Fuckers like you, Diamond, don't deserve to look at a woman like Serena."
"Ah, I see," Diamond spat, "you're in love with her too?" Darien had said too much, so he clamped his mouth shut with that. "She is exceptional; you have a good eye for women, Bruiser. If she weren't so special, I'd give her to you. But, I can't do that, not for you."
"She isn't an object," Darien growled, unable to contain it.
"Let it be what helps you succumb to death as peacefully as possible; I'll take very good care of Serena."
His time was up, the men in the dark stepping up and grabbing Darien hard. He fought back because, like hell, he was going to make it easy for them. Diamond chuckled as Darien slugged one large man and flipped another over his shoulder to the ground hard. Neither got back up, but there were more than those two ready to take Darien down. A fist rammed into Darien's jaw, and it hurt, blackness threatening from the jarring it did to his brain. But he remained standing, allowing another fist to connect with his ribs. It wasn't much different from when he was fighting on the streets, trying to get deeper to find information on his shit father. Only this time, it was five against one.
It was a valent attempt, but it wasn't very long until Darien was on the ground, hands on his shoulders to press him deeply into the cold, dirty floor. Diamond laughed somewhere above him, clapping. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. As if THE Bruiser would go down easily. That's going to make all of this far more fun; you realize this?"
He would ask, but Darien had a pretty good idea what Diamond was talking about being fun. His thoughts were confirmed when he was pulled from the floor, handcuffed, and stung up by chains to dangle an inch above the floor. Then, the lights came up, revealing the rest of the 'surprise', a tray full of knives in different forms but all sharp, and a car battery with cords attached to shock a person -to shock him.
"We'll try this first, and if this doesn't work, there's always my favorite, water, and fire."
Chains and wheels creaked behind him, and Darien was allowed to turn and look, finding a stretcher and buckets of water. Great, they were going to use dry drowning, too, Darien's least favorite means of torture. It was going to be a long night.
oOo
Serena shivered; the dark office was lit only by their cell phones while Raye jimmied open the next filing cabinet. The first had been the worst, filled with photos and diaries of Diamond's previous… lovers. It had been gross, but that wasn't what had Serena freaking out. She had a bad feeling that she couldn't explain. Other than the creepy office they were in, moments away from getting caught.
Shrugging it off, Raye popped open the cabinet, and Serena dug in while Raye went on to the next. Unfortunately, there were only three in the place, and the one Serena started on was full of receipts from the Burlesque and strip clubs. It made Serena nauseous that the two were filed together like they were similar in some way. She was about to give up when she found something.
"Hey, Raye, look at this."
She held it out to the CI, who took it quickly. Skimming it, she dug into specific pages. "It's the debts owed by the girls in the clubs?" Serena nodded even with Raye not looking at her. "The son of a bitch has girls working in strip clubs by force… and look, these are paid off, but it looks like he hasn't told the debtor yet."
"So, they're still working and paying him even though they've paid off all they owe?!" Raye nodded, and this time Serena's nauseous was due to her anger. "We have to find something, now!"
"This might be enough, but I'm not sure if it would hold him for long. Fraud isn't as big a deal as drugs and murder."
Raye handed the files back to Serena, who stuffed them into the front of her pants and hid them under her shirt. It was better than nothing. Serena went back to the opened cabinet, and Raye got the third (and final) one open. The two of them continued to search in silence, not knowing how much time they had. It had been close to an hour as it was, and the fact that they had that long was a miracle. Their guards had no clue how women worked (not knowing how long it took two women to use the bathroom), or they were busy looking for the two of them now.
"Oh my god…." Raye exclaimed just before the door open.
The bright light made it impossible to see, but Raye nor Serena needed to see to know the 'jig was up'. It was why -without revealing what she'd found- Serena didn't jump when Raye shoved more files into the back of her pants. It was hella uncomfortable, though.
"Tisk, tisk, songbird. This is not a place you should be."
Raye pushed Serena behind her as if that would protect her. The two large goons with Diamond moved quickly and grabbed Raye so hard; the tough pyro squeaked in fear and pain. "What are you doing to her?!"
Serena reached out for her friend, but the men didn't slow in hauling Raye away. Instead, they all ignored her question while Diamond grabbed Serena hard in response. "Time to go, love."
"Go? Go where? We just got here!"
Diamond frowned deeply at her and adjusted his grip. "Don't play me; I know exactly what you were doing in that office. I'm disappointed in you, Serena."
Was there any point in pretending anymore? "What did you expect? You forced me into your house? Threatened my family? Messed with my baby brother?!"
"Don't forget; I killed your father."
The floor dropped out from under Serena. "What?!"
It was like there was a hole in one of her lungs. Maybe both of them, trying to breathe but feeling like it did nothing. The more she sucked in, the more light-headed she felt. It caused Diamond's words to sound like random notes from a trombone. When she looked up at him, Diamond was blurry and looked even more like a demon.
Raye was before them, twisting and kicking in her captures' hold. Something Serena should be doing, but her blood was too thick from lack of oxygen. It all made the elevator, and car ride fly by in a haze. It wasn't until they pulled up to Diamond's large warehouse/office that Serena 'woke up' to her surroundings. It was too late to fight; they were going to kill her and Raye. Maybe even her family too.
They dragged to a small room that Serena had never seen before, just outside the main office. She was surprised they were even taken inside, expecting to be taken around back and shot in the head or something. Serena understood instantly when the two goons began searching Raye. She growled and cursed as they touched her and Serena swallowed her tears until Diamond stepped up to Serena.
"I'd say I wasn't going to enjoy this, but that'd be a lie."
Diamond found the files quickly (they weren't well hidden) and removed them. There went their evidence.
Taking her hands in his, Diamond forced them above her head and held them with one hand around her wrists. It wasn't that different from how Darien played with her during sex, but it didn't make her stomach turn when Darien touched her like this.
Wait, Serena had Darien. She hadn't seen him since they got here, was he somewhere on the premises? Darien wouldn't let anything happen to her or Raye. And he was a cop, so shouldn't reinforcements be on their way or something? So that meant… as long as she stalled for time…
It might have been a stupid plan, but it was all Serena had. Twisting her body, Serena pretended for a moment to enjoy Diamond's probing hand. A smirk curled on his lips, and she forced a smile on hers. When he leaned in to try and kiss her, Serena leaned back only to sling her head forward with all the force she could manage. It hurt, head-butting someone, and Serena wasn't sure she did it right because it nearly had her on the floor with Diamond. But, she remained on her feet, using one to kick Diamond in the gut for good measure and the other to step on him as she ran. The goons searching Raye were too distracted to follow immediately. Raye must have helped with some of that. No way she'd have gotten such a significant lead without Raye's help as well.
With their evidence gone, Serena ran to the only other place she could think of. The only place she knew in the massive tin building. She hoped to get away, buy time, and maybe find new evidence for their case.
Slamming the doors shut, Serena quickly ran to the giant coat rack next to the door. Unfortunately, it was decorative and heavy, meaning Serena had to push it over to use it as a door jam. It cracked loudly and splintered. But Serena used the broken pieces to shove under the crack in the doors.
All the noise would wake the dead, but she wasn't trying to hide; she was trying to buy time. The goons and Diamond would be so busy trying to get to her that Raye could get away or something. All Raye had to do was tell Darien, and everything would be okay -which left her with time to kill, spinning and taking in the dark room. Pulling out her cell for light, Serena began her search. The desk in the center of the room seemed the least likely to hold what she was looking for. Slowly, Serena took her beam of light around and searched for something more plausible. But she dropped it when her light landed on a body.
Scrambling, she got her phone back in her hands and raced towards the table. It was like the ones in asylums, on wheels with straps to hold someone down to it. And the person strapped to this table was Darien.
His eyes were closed, and he was covered in blood -his blood. There was so much; Serena couldn't tell where the cuts were. His hair was soaked, as was the floor. She spied a bucket that was on its side, empty. Looking around for more clues, Serena struggled to keep her heart from bursting. Knives dipped and spattered with red, wet towels soaked in water and blood, and a car battery ready to go with cords all surrounded Darien's body.
They had left him strapped to the table even though he was dead.
All of her was shaking, and Serena had thought it was bad when Diamond admitted to killing her father. But, no, this was worse, looking at Darien's pale skin and dry lips. At some point, her hand touched his face. He was cold. It didn't matter to her head or heart, leaning over and kissing his frozen lips hard. Over and over again, wrapping her arms around his neck and squeezing him as hard as she could. Serena didn't care about the blood, rubbing her tears off on his chest and laying her head on the expanse.
It was her greatest fear, next to losing her family. Darien was her family, the man she loved more than anyone. She had dreamed of a future with him: Marriage, kids, the whole lot. And it was his fault; Darien had let her believe it was possible. He had spoken as if they would both make it out of here alive and move on from this. And she believed him, trusted him. But he had lied; his cold body beneath her now was the reality. Her future was black dresses and veils, not white ones.
Serena was angry.
Standing up, she lifted her fist and pounded as hard as she could on his chest. "Why?!" She did it again, with all the strength she had left. "WHY?!"
The door cracked behind her, the goons and Diamond trying to get to her now. But she didn't stop, hitting Darien as hard as she could and screaming at his deaf ears.
"You made me… believe… trust you. WHY?!"
She hit him again, the last of her strength going into her fist as it struck Darien. And he coughed.
Relief rushed through her, making her knees weak and her eyes blur. "Darien?"
"Oh good, he's alive."
Serena was so busy beating Darien and crying; she missed the door getting broken open. Diamond slowly snaked his way towards them, and the last thing Serena wanted was for them to hurt Darien anymore. "Don't touch him!"
"Ser..ena.."
Darien was coming around behind her, spinning to put her body between him and incoming monsters. While they watched her body, she mirrored their circle while working on the restraints they had on Darien. No way he could move, but it was something.
"We need to discuss manners, it seems," Diamond growled, clutching his forehead.
"Why? You're just going to kill me anyway!" Darien's left leg was free, which wouldn't be very helpful, so she moved up towards his hands. "Having good manners towards your murders is moot!"
"I'm not going to kill you, Serena."
She paused, grabbing the restraint on Darien's left hand and freezing. "You're not?"
Serena was genuinely confused but not enough to quit what she was doing, giving Darien a fighting chance. His fingers grazed what he could of her, trying to touch or stop her. "Of course not. I'm not a monster."
"But… you killed my father. Why?"
"Let's just say he was in my way, much like Bruiser there." Diamond tilted his head to the side as if talking to a child. "Tell you what, I'll be a nice boyfriend, and I won't kill your little pet, Raye. Sound good?"
"Yes. But it's not enough."
"I refuse to let Darien live, so don't ask. Not only is he a cop, but he has also distracted my songbird."
"I'm not yours!"
"See," Diamond said with a frown, "you show not surprise at Darien's profession. So you knew? What else have you been keeping from me, Serena?"
The last thing Serena wanted was to be so much as touched by the man that killed her father. And with Darien barely breathing behind her, there were few choices left. So Serena made hers. "I love him. I love the Bruiser more than anything. He's the one I've been sleeping with, not Raye. He's a thousand times the man you'll ever be, and I'd rather die than have anyone other than him ever touch me."
Now free, Darien's shaky hand gripped her arm hard. Diamond looked like a mixture of pissed and broken. Maybe his feelings for Serena were real, but that didn't matter in the slightest. Not to her, never to her.
It all happened in slow motion; Diamond reaching in and pulling out the gun in his waistband, aiming it at Darien behind her, and Serena turning to reach for the other restraint on his hand.
There was a loud pop, fire raging through Serena's body, and everything going black from the pain.
oOo
He hurt all over, but Darien was thankful. The pain meant he wasn't dead.
Diamond had tried hard to kill him; there was no doubt of that. Now, given a break for them to regain their breath and for Darien to regain some feeling, he had been left on the stretcher. The one they had beaten, cut, electrocuted, and dry drowned him on for the last two hours. It could have been longer or less time, Darien loss track with all the pain.
He didn't tell them a damn thing. Not who his CI was, what they knew about the business, nor his relationship to Serena. And all of his silence had only pissed Diamond off more. So, Darien was sure; when they returned, they would kill him. His only regret was promising Serena a future and now knowing he would have to break it. That, and not forcing her to go with her family into witness protection.
It was the only thing keeping him alive at the moment, knowing that Diamond would be left unchecked towards Serena if he died now. The cuts and hits had been to hurt and maim while the electricity was at a low setting too. The water… well, it sucked no matter what. But in the end, they wanted to know which cops were involved and if there were any more moles. Raye was his one and only CI, and like hell, he was going to give her up. Darien spat out her name as Serena's lover so that she could get closer. And it had worked a little too well.
But at least Serena wasn't alone in Diamond's house of hell.
He was resting while he had time. However, they would be back soon, and he either needed to be ready for more pain/his death or figure out an escape plan. The last thing he wanted was to pass out, but he struggled to get his eyes to listen to him. He wanted them open, and they wanted to never open again. The rest of him was aware, so he wasn't fully asleep. He could still feel pain, and that kept him from slipping off into nothingness. Darien could also feel something else… lips pressing to his. He could taste her, Serena, as she desperately sucked on his mouth.
Then she started screaming, but the words were bubbly at best. Her fist hit heavily and angrily on Darien's chest, pain radiating out his already broken skin. She was mad, pissed he was dead? But he wasn't dead.
Other voices filled the room. Diamond had returned. Was that how Serena got here?
"Don't touch him!"
"Ser..ena.."
She didn't turn to look back at him, even though he finally got his eyes to listen. Staring at her back, he watched the tension in her shoulders and the shake of her back. Serena was scared. And that made him far more pissed than the pain.
"We need to discuss manners, it seems." Serena was working on Darien's restraints, which was good because whether his body was ready or not, he was going to kill Diamond.
"Why? You're just going to kill me anyway! Having good manners towards your murders is moot!"
"I'm not going to kill you, Serena."
Serena's hand was on the restraint on his hand when she stopped. "You're not?"
"Of course not. I'm not a monster."
He tried to stop her, grabbing what he could. Darien wanted Serena to get out of there. "But… you killed my father. Why?"
"Let's just say he was in my way, much like Bruiser there."
Now Darien saw red. He needed Serena to leave now, to run before Diamond touched her. Diamond was serious; he wasn't going to kill Serena. But he wasn't going to let her go either. But if the two of them kept talking, Serena was likely to say something that would get her killed.
"I love him. I love the Bruiser more than anything. He's the one I've been sleeping with, not Raye. He's a thousand times the man you'll ever be, and I'd rather die than have anyone other than him ever touch me."
Serena finally got his hands free, and he grabbed her with all his strength, but it wasn't enough as Diamond got a shot off. Darien tried to push Serena back, but she twisted, taking the bullet intended for his head in her shoulder instead.
Her blood felt hot, like it was boiling as it spilled over Darien's skin. It was more than enough to wake his atrophied body and shift her around. Without thought, he placed Serena on the gurney and faced the son of a bitch that dared to hurt her.
He was covered in blood, his and Serena's, and although he couldn't see himself, Darien knew he was a sight. And that wasn't based on a guess; he could tell by how Diamond and his men backed up. It wasn't all due to the walking corpse Darien resembled. No, it mainly was the fire in his eyes that he aimed at Diamond. For the first time, the Bruiser was going to live up to his name.
Their stupor worked in his favor, Diamond forgetting the gun in his hands long enough for Darien to get closer. Not close enough as Diamond lifted it again. Aimed at his heart, Darien raced against physics and managed to grab the muzzle just as it fired. Darien could feel the bullet lodged in his bicep, but the rage was fueling him, and he felt no pain. His adrenaline made him shake but not enough to stop him as he pulled his arm back and lodged his fist into Diamond's face.
No matter how much anger pushed him, Darien was still outnumbered. The two big guys with Diamond pulled Darien off before he could get as many hits in as he wanted. Darien didn't count, but Diamond was still recognizable, so it wasn't enough.
He had been tortured, and his wounds were still very much open. It was a fluke he'd gotten up off the bed. The hits he'd made to Diamond were the majority of his remaining strength. So when the two men grabbed him, Darien fought against their hold but was out of juice. A few satisfying smacks and he was done.
Diamond slowly picked himself off the floor along with his gun. Once again, Darien found himself at the other end of it. "Darien…"
Serena moaned from his side, and Darien gave her one last lingering stare. "Don't look, Serena. If you love me, as I love you, you won't watch this."
He hoped she listened, turning back to glare at his murderer and wondered if he had created enough time? Raye was nowhere in sight; Darien hoped she got away and got some help. Either way, this was it, and it wasn't enough.
"So… you killed Serena's father? What else did you do?"
Diamond growled softly. "This isn't the part where I reveal all to you, Darien Shields."
"But, I'm dead anyway. Don't you want to rub it all in my face?"
Diamond's jaw was bruised but not broken, just his ego. He wanted to Darien all he'd gotten away with over the years. That's why he sneered and lowered the gun. "Alright, you dumbass. Since you missed me, you should know that I was responsible for the mass drug overdose three years ago." Darien didn't know that. Hell, Riku didn't either. "I spiked my product thinking it would enhance it. I didn't mean to kill those people, but they were a waste of space, to begin with." It was thirty people; Diamond had just admitted to mass murder. "Half the women employed at my two strip clubs are there out of debt to my family. And most have paid back their debt, but they don't know that. I have them fucking dignitaries and half the city council, and they're paying me to do it! Stupid whores."
Serena gagged, but Darien didn't look her way. "So… you're exactly the sick prick I thought you were." Diamond snarfed as he couldn't laugh right with his nose broken. "How are you laundering the money? Through the burlesque?!"
"No. That's too obvious. I simply send a girl to the city's treasure, and he takes care of the rest."
And now he knew; Darien knew how the whole operation worked. There was also no more story to tell as Diamond lifted his pistol again. Serena whimpered, and Darien was surprised she was still conscious. His mind instantly went to all the blood pumping out of her body, and his feet went numb.
"Serena will die if you don't stop the bleeding soon."
"Oh, I know," Diamond sneered, "I'll get to her right after I'm done with you."
Diamond shut up and held the muzzle towards Darien. But then, nothing happened. Diamond started to lower his gun, and Darien saw the look on his face. Diamond was surprised. Darien then lowered his gaze to Diamond's chest; his shirt was slowly turning red.
"Freeze!"
"Everyone, get down on the floor!"
The men holding Darien released him to try and fight the cops that swarmed them. At the same time, Darien fell in a heap to the ground. On his side, he caught the smirk of Agent Riku as he lowered his rifle. The one to take the shot and kill Diamond was Riku.
Darien felt a certain way about that but pushed it to the back of his mind for now. "Serena… someone help… Serena."
He wasn't sure if Serena was alive; she was barely moving and silent as they took her away. Darien tried to find out, calling to people as they pushed past him with her and then again when they carted him out. But no one answered, not even Serena.
oOo
Serena had the pleasure of waking to the sound of her heart. Not her actual heart but the machine beeping that represented her heart. Her arm was in a sling, but it wasn't broken; she wasn't supposed to move it.
Serena pulled back the thin hospital gown with her other arm to see where she'd been shot. Unfortunately, it was covered in gauze, so no sneak peeks for her.
No one was in the room with her, so no one stopped her as she got to her feet. The pain in her shoulder was like a fire, and it burned a quarter of her body as she moved. But Serena pushed through it, especially when she heard voices coming from just outside her hospital door.
"You were reckless," a strange voice said harshly.
"And yet, Diamond is gone." That was Darien.
Serena peaked out her door. Darien stood in sweats and a t-shirt with a sling on his arm. That's right; he got shot too. Everything was coming back to her, and it made her lungs and heart tremble with sobs.
Darien had been dead. At least, she thought he was. And then, when he wasn't, Serena had to watch on (unable to do anything) as he was nearly executed. Serena didn't believe in much, but at the time, she had prayed harder than ever before that they would both survive. Now, he stood less than a foot away, looking as cocky as ever towards a man that appeared to be his senior.
"I'll be putting all of this in my reports." The man said with a huff, then turned on his heel.
Darien turned, too, his grin slipping at the sight of Serena. It was a good thing he wasn't too far away; hitting the floor with her bullet wound would have sucked.
Lifting her bridal style, Darien carried Serena back to bed while she broke completely into her sobs. "You were… and I was…."
He gushed her gently, "it's all over now. Are you in pain?"
She was, but Serena had a feeling he would give her meds if she said 'yes'. "No, I'm fine… what happened?!"
"You were shot. Right shoulder, and you lost a pint of blood. But otherwise, you're okay."
"What about you?"
Darien frowned, "you don't need to worry about me right now."
"Of course, I'm going to worry! I love you!"
Serena didn't like the continued frown on Darien's face. Or how he began to distance himself from her bed. "You almost died because of me."
She wore her pain on her face, reaching out and grabbing Darien back. She knew the look on his face. He'd worn it every time he pushed her away for 'her safety'. "Don't. Don't dare put this on you! I wanted to be there; I wanted to help!"
"And I wanted you far away where you were safe!"
"Exactly! So it's not your fault; it's mine!"
Darien leaned in so she would relax. It put his face inches from her and kept her from pulling on her stitches. "You never would have been in this mess if I'd left you alone."
She took in his words but then slowly shook her head. Silent tears dropped into her sad smile. "Didn't you hear? Diamond killed my father. Whether you messed with me or not, I would have been in trouble. But, thanks to you, I got out of it on top. Because I have you."
He stared at her hard for another moment before he caved, falling to her mouth. His lips ravaged hers but still aired on the side of caution. Their lips popped when he pulled away to speak. "I've never been more terrified in my entire life than when I felt your blood on me. I'm so sorry, Serena."
"Don't.. be sorry…" she said through sobs, "just love me…."
"I do." He kissed her again, repeatedly, until she groaned. Serena couldn't hide her pain from him forever. "You shouldn't have gotten out of bed. I need to get the doctor."
He pressed a button that made a light flash. But then he pressed another one a few times. Serena caught on too late as the drugs made her lids feel like they weighed a ton.
"Darien… don't leave me… ever…."
"I won't. I love you too damn much. Rest, Serena."
Darien took her hand, and she gripped it as hard as she could. There was no stopping it; Serena slipped into drug-induced oblivion, comforted only by Darien's continuous hold on her. When she woke, panic overwhelmed any pain as Darien was replaced with a strange, older man. His hands went up defensively and then gently grabbed her before she hit the floor. "Calm down, Miss Tsukino; I'm a good guy."
"Who are you? Where's Darien?!"
"Darien went to get your family. He hoped to be back before you woke. Please calm down; he'd be pissed at me if you hurt yourself while he was gone."
The gentle eyes of the old stranger had Serena slowly calming back down. But the noise she'd caused had a woman walking in. Her blonde hair was twisted up in a tight bun on top of her head. The suit she wore was fitted perfectly, and the only thing that stood out (other than her beauty) was the red tie she wore.
"Everything okay in here, Agent Riku?"
The elder smiled brightly at the woman. "Just fine, Mina, you can go back outside."
The women nodded but paused to flash Serena a smile that confounded her. Then, she turned her attention back to the man in the room. "You're Agent Riku?"
He chuckled. "I suppose Shields told you all about me?" She nodded, and he smirked. "Since it's you, I'll let it slide. This time. Let me fill you in on our case." He turned and spun back with a file. Pulling up a chair, Riku got ready to spill all. "CI Raye Hino confirmed the location and swat converged on the known gang headquarters."
"Raye?! Is she alright?!" Serena interrupted.
Riku smirked, "barely a scratch on her. There's a reason why we selected her to be Darien's CI. Neil Diamond was pronounced dead on the scene; shots were fired by Senior Agent Riku. The remaining men were arrested and charged with counts of kidnapping, assault, rape, murder, and a lot of bad things," he glanced at Serena and shut the file, "we have Diamond on tape confessing to the murder of your father, but we doubt he did it himself."
"He sent someone to do it, you mean?"
"Most likely. Serena, you're a fortunate girl. Why did you agree to put the wire on yourself instead of Darien?"
She grinned back at Riku, "I was less likely to be searched. Not right away. Darien agreed. And if I got caught, I could say I was hoping to get my debt knocked down. Not that I was with the cops."
"It was smart hiding it in your shoe."
"Darien's idea."
"I figured."
Silence fell over them, and tension began to rise in Serena till she couldn't stand it anymore. "Agent Riku… what will happen to Darien? Is he in trouble?"
"I killed Diamond. I took the shot. So Darien will never be blamed for bias or have to deal with explaining himself in a trial. So don't worry, loving you won't cost him his career… this time."
"This time? What's that supposed to mean? Are you suggesting I leave Darien?!"
Riku chuckled, "no, I'm not a fool. Instead, I'm an opportunist."
"Huh?"
"I see you're currently undecided? At your university?"
"Yes…. So?"
The grin Riku wore was almost criminal, but Serena didn't feel scared in the slightest. "Ever consider Criminal Justice?"