Chapter Seven - Baiting a trap

Brian wondered about his sanity, as he was driving the hummer to the abandoned car park that Shaw had told him to meet him at. He knew that Carter was going to pitch a fit once they returned, but just maybe Brian could get them an advantage. When playing against the likes of Shaw - the key was information, or leverage. At the moment Shaw had all the cards, and that had never really sat well with Brian.

Hobbs knew O'Conner's type - they were brilliant at Undercover operations, but they were also the ones whose loyalties were always under question because of how good they are at their jobs. He was a little pensive at letting O'Conner meet the guy who by his own words had an unhealthy obsession with him. Still they really were running low on options and if O'Conner was insisting on doing it then he had little reason to deny him.

Still if only to settle his curiosity, he asked one last time, "You sure about this?"

Brian shrugged, it didn't really matter Shaw had requested the meet, and made it so he had little choice. He would follow the rules that Shaw had laid down, but that didn't mean that he couldn't bend them a little to suit him. "No but I just might get something our side can use!"

When he put it like that Hobbs couldn't really argue, but he did want to understand. He needed to know, what it was that Brian had over on Shaw? If only so he could try and figure out an angle on whether he could exploit it. "What is the deal between you and Shaw?"

Brian really didn't know where to begin, mainly because it had been Carter, who had explained what Shaw's deal was - and boy had that been an awkward conversation to have with his husband. He needed a vow of secrecy though from Hobbs as Carter would get pissy if this got back to him. "Carter in the early days used to call me his gorgeous wild-card."

Hobbs snorted, "Not the usual nickname."

Brian couldn't help but nod in agreement, it wasn't and there was no point in denying it. Not bothering to sigh as it would just be a waste of energy, "No. Then again I have never played by the rules, and apparently that is attractive to criminals."

Hobbs shook his head in bemusement, "What are you, criminal catnip? If you want to have a criminal empire - you must take O'Conner as your husband?"

Brian's look expressed volumes, for someone who was known by variations of snow - he sure looked pissed. Hobbs actually backed off which was an impressive feat. Any further snark had to be delayed as they had arrived at the meet. It was an abandoned car park, but one that gave coverage for a sniper. Brian had no doubt that Shaw's pet sniper would be waiting up high just like Hobbs.

Brian was waiting on the hood of the bonnet when Shaw pulled up. In an arbitrary way he could say the guy was hot, but Brian was very taken, and he would never stray on Carter. He just wasn't built that way; he'd told Carter so at their impromptu wedding. He wanted to comment that he wasn't Shaw's to check out, but he bit his tongue.

Brian was never one to beat around the bush, and knew that a speedy meeting was best for all involved. The longer you were in a discussion with Owen; the more he could use against you. "Why did you call me Owen?"

Shaw slid closer, in a parody of a lovers embrace, "Maybe I just wanted to see you."

Brian looked impressed, "Yeah, you have people to kiss your ass. What made you call me?"

Shaw sighed, "Your skills have damaged two of my drivers. I need a replacement."

Brian frowned, he couldn't be implying what he thought, could he? "Owen did you miss the bit where I'm embedded in the enemies camp?"

He winced knowing that he'd failed to keep the sarcasm out of his voice; he blamed living in Britain too long.

Shaw slid closer and it took all of Brian's training not to step back. It was the last thing he could do; it would be viewed as surrender, and it would be something that Owen would ruthlessly exploit. "Yes but you're on my side?"

Brian snorted, "I'm on my own side, and you did that the minute you threatened Carter."

Shaw acknowledged that, but he's forgotten that Brian was dangerous in his own right. His driving was just one string to his bow in regards his skill set. Brian wanted Shaw to think of him as feisty pretty arm candy, as that way if he had to strike then he wouldn't it coming, which is why he had to dial it back.

Shaw sighing, "Look I was rash, and wanted to see you. I knew threatening Carter was the quickest route, even if I angered you."

Brian chuckled, "You know what Carter means to me."

Shaw shrugged, "I know he helped extract you from the difficulties with the authorities. And that he helped you see just which side of the fence you really belong on."

Brian wanted to protest, but there were some elements of truth to what had been said. "Yeah well, Carter always said, when I'm good, I'm good; but when I'm bad, I'm better."

Shaw snorted, "The side of being good is always morally inflexible and boring. Carter can't make you brilliant."

Brian rose to the bait, "And you can?"

Shaw shrugged modestly, "My crew are the best. They run with a precision that makes them unbeatable. If you'd ditch Carter then you could be brilliant."

Brian turned them around, constantly moving as a way to make sure that Shaw couldn't attack too quickly. "I married him."

Shaw shrugged, "So have a lot of people, but modern marriages have a fifty five percent chance of ending."

Brian sucked in a breath at the mere thought, which he barely kept hidden. "I can't leave! Or are you telling me that you trust Riley?"

Owen didn't care - all he wanted was Brian in his bed. The hell of it was that if at the time, he'd have had Brian. Then he doubted things would have gone this far. He'd never been good at being told no - it left him wanting more, and when that more was a pretty talented blonde - even more so. "If you betray me. I will burn the ground down around your knees."

Brian smirked, "See now Carter once told me if I ever touched another man - he'd kill them."

Shaw actually laughed at that; it was definitely something that he could imagine Carter Verone saying. "You will be coming with me."

Brian was expecting the red light to show on his chest. It was rather boring and predictable. Two things he'd never associated with Owen Shaw before. "You're gettin' predictable. And you must think I'm stupid."

His hand rose in a signal, and sure enough Hobbs scope found its way to Shaw's chest. They'd debated shooting Shaw, but Brian had said it was a bad idea. For two reasons; the first, better the devil you know, and secondly, they needed the components he'd already acquired.

Shaw was frustrated but was willing to concede that at least in this little tête-à-tête - he was not likely to come off the best. He asked one final question, "Why not?"

Brian rolled his eyes, "I'd be second fiddle to Letty, and with Carter I've never been second to anyone."

Shaw sighed and made a motion with a hand to call off his sniper until next time. Brian waited until they drove off before he truly relaxed. He kicked the dirt, hating to have to play mind games with psychopaths like that.

Hobbs walked down shaking his head, "Criminal catnip."

"Fuck you." Brian retorted, but it lacked any venom. It was about time they got back so Carter could yell at him.

He wasn't bothered too much. Brian knew how to give apologies that Carter wouldn't forget for years. He did know one thing. Shaw's obsession was growing and he would have to tread lightly as the last thing he wanted was Shaw to enact a Scorched Earth strategy.