"This is ridiculous!" Ridge yelled in frustration. "They think they can just come right onto our terf and cause trouble. And keep messing with you! Completely unacceptable and we need to do something about this."

He was pacing around the large living room like area of the house Sheamus owned where they all spent a lot of their time. Kate was sitting on a couch, Ridge looking over at her from time to time while he spoke. Also in the room standing around were Fabian and Marcel. They had been spending more time together since Sheamus and Walter began working on their merger. Eventually Drew's men would come over and fall in suit once everything was in place. Ridge was concerned when he first got to Kate, but after he made sure she was okay. He was seeing red. Even while on the phone with Sheamus letting him know what happened he was pissed. Kate tried to be in the background telling him that she was fine and everything was okay, but Ridge was seething.

"I don't know who the hell this guy thinks he is thinking he can just come into town and take over," Fabian added.

"Someone needs to put him in his place," Ridge agreed.

"What about us?" Marcel suggested. "He's always going around, sneaking up on people. Why don't we do the same to him?"

"Let's go. I'm more than ready to bash his fuckin' face in."

"Hold on Ridge, not just yet." Fabian stopped him.

"Why the hell not?"

"You're too angry. You need some time to calm down. Formulate a plan. You run in there like this just bulldozing through everyone being angry, it's not going to end well," Marcel answered.

Ridge rubbed his head and breathed out frustrated, but deep down he knew Marcel was right. They needed to have a plan or else they'd easily be taken down.

"We'll go tomorrow. Let them think their safe since there wasn't retaliation. Give Kate some time to rest. Then we'll ambush them in the morning."

"I wouldn't mind cutting Tyler's dick off while we're at it," Kate mumbled.

"You're not going anywhere," Ridge ordered.

"Excuse me?" Kate asked as she stood up to face him.

"They won't leave you alone. We're not going to bring you to them on a silver platter!"

"Listen Ridge, you're…" Kate began before being interrupted by Marcel.

"Do you think leaving her here by herself is a good idea?"

"Why not? Better than dragging her into the lion's den." Ridge answered.

"Because what if they see all of us there and Trent realizes she's alone. I wouldn't put it past him to send someone out to try and find her. Especially since he knows Sheamus and Walter are out of town," Fabian explained.

"Exactly. Therefore, I'm going."

Ridge didn't want to admit it, but Fabian had a good point. That doesn't mean he was still happy with it. The look that he shot Kate with her smartass reply about winning the argument showed that.

"I'll stay by her the whole time," Marcel ensured.

Ridge eventually sighed, giving in. "Alright. She can come."

The next morning, they were up and ready before sunrise. Ridge was still pissed. He probably hadn't actually slept at all. Getting into Trent's property was easy. Sneaking past the gates and cameras was the most challenging, but at that hour not too hard. They just broke down the front door with no one there, and bulldozing through everyone thar got in their way. It didn't take them long to reach Trent. Another floor up he was in a large relatively empty room. Unfortunately for them, he was already up and dressed for the day. He was also joined by Pete and Tyler at his side. They all stood in a silent standoff for a few moments. Marcel keeping his word, never leaving Kate's side. Always ready to have a protective arm reach out and push her away if needed, keeping her safe so Ridge could pounce without worry.

"Well isn't this a nice surprise! Good thing I'm a morning person and can be up to greet my guests," Trent stated breaking the silence with his usual smile.

"You look really happy for someone who's about to get his arse kicked so bad he may never walk again," Ridge spat through a clenched jaw.

"Ya sound awfully sure of yourself there mate," Trent replied.

Marcel reached his hand over to grab Kate's at their words, ready to jump in if needed while he and Fabian also kept a keen eye on Tyler and Pete.

Ridge scoffed. "Not too sure how good you at business with your numbers lad. If you look around you'll realize you're clearly outnumbered."

Trent brought his hand up to rub his chin, his smiling fading only momentarily before returning with a more sinister tone. The same one Kate had seen in the basement. "You know what? You're right mate. One of us is outnumbered."

As he finished speaking, Marcel's hand tightened around Kate's wrist. She looked over at him, confused by what his next move was going to be. While she was looking away, she hadn't seen Fabian wind his arm up ready to elbow Ridge in the face. Blood began to flow as Ridge grabbed his nose, completely caught off guard by Fabian's attack. Before he could register what was happening, Fabian, Tyler, and Pete were on top of him. Kate tried to run over to him but was pulled back by Marcel and her held her tighter while the rest got Ridge under control. A short while later he was easily held by Tyler and Fabian. Marcel still held Kate who livid. Pete stood off a little behind Trent just watching.

"Gotta hand it to ya Ridge. You're a tough guy. Took three of my men to wear you down and you still had fight in ya." Trent complimented. "Could use a big guy like you."

Ridge wasn't really able to say much as his face was beginning to swell, but he was able to look up Trent from his knees in disgust.

"Now before either of you say anything, have a quick look at this."

Trent pulled out his phone and pulled up a video that someone had sent to him. It appeared to have been recorded last night, but by the angle the person recording it was trying to be discreet so others didn't notice. But it did show Walter, Sheamus, and Drew sitting around a table with half empty whiskery glasses and cigars.

"Fellas I might have ta get home soon," Sheamus said as he sat back down at the table.

"Everything okay?" Drew asked as he raised an eyebrow.

"Just got off the phone with Ridge. Trent and some of his gang cornered Kate in an alleyway behind a bar we go to a lot. Threatened to take her with them and hold her until we all agreed to lay off him."

"So let him," Walter said before blowing smoke from his cigar.

Drew immediately looked over at him confused. He had been close with Sheamus for a long time. Walter might not have known the relationship between Sheamus and Kate, but Drew knew that's not something he would ever think of.

"I can't do that," Sheamus said.

"Why not?" She's just a girl you got working for you. What's so special about her?" Walter asked.

"She's, she's like a sister to me. She's been wit me for the last six years. She's always been loyal ta me."

"I get that, but she's not blood. Call their bluff."

"I'm the closest she's got." Sheamus defended, but sounded a little defeated.

"Is she worth risking everything you've worked for? And letting someone else come in and tell you how to run your empire?"

Walter put his lips back around his cigar. Drew stayed quiet as he took another sip of his whiskey. Sheamus sat back in his seat as if he was pondering his life in a whole new light.

"Fun stuff right?" Trent exclaimed as he put his phone back into his pocket. " You can see just how much he cares about you. Now Ridge, what do you say you come with me and we have a little chat about your future."

"Based on that? We have no idea how the rest of that conversation went!" Kate spoke up.

"Well we do know that he never came home after he got that phone call. And have either of you spoken to him since that call you made last night?" Trent's question was answered by silence. "I didn't think so. Now let me rephrase. Ridge, we're going to go to my office and have a discussion. And after it you're either going to join us, or you'll be disposed of and I'll deal with you personally." Trent said in a deeper, much more threatening tone than he had previously spoken in. "Now you."

Trent had turned to Kate causing Ridge to stir a bit. She stood tall trying not to show any emotions other than the anger fuming inside her.

"Gonna try and threaten me with the same thing?" Kate sneered.

"No. I'm not. You don't get that privilege," He answered with a smile both confusing Kate and causing her stomach to drop. "I know clearly where your loyalty stands. So for now, you're just a gift to Peter."

"What?" Kate blurted out as Pete stepped forward with a smirk.

"Pete, here you go. Do whatever you want with her that Sheamus wouldn't let you."

Fabian and Marcel had grabbed Ridge and taken him up to another floor where Trent's office was. Pete held tightly onto Kate as he walked her to a place he had been using as a bedroom.

"Peter I swear if you lay one finger on me…"

"Don't worry. If I recall correctly, I know you prefer two or three. Or if that's a problem I always have other things I can use."

"You're disgusting."

"And you love it."

"Go fuck yourself."

"That's what I have you for darlin'."

Kate rolled her eyes and scoffed before turning away from him and walking towards the closed door. He followed behind only taking two steps to catch up to her. He reached his hand up, wrapping it around her throat and pulling her flush against his body. Her eyes fluttered slightly as a small involuntary moan escaped her lips. He nuzzled his nose along her neck before bringing his lips towards her ear.

"Where do you think you're going? You're mine Katie," He whispered roughly as his hand traveled across her stomach and dipped inside the front of her black leggings.

Kate's mind was racing. A few moments ago she didn't know what to think about the video Trent had just shown her. She could only speculate what was going on with Sheamus' mind. She didn't know what was happening with Ridge. And now she was stuck with Pete, and as much as she hated him, she hated the fact that her body was melting into his touch even more. He knew her and her body so well, he was easily able to manipulate it any way he wanted. She gasped as his fingers stroked inside her slick folds, making her wetter with each touch.

"Don't even bother tryin' ta lie to me Katie. I know you love it. Remember how good I made ya feel last time? Just think how much better it'll be if you just give in and let yourself enjoy it."

"I never said I enjoyed you Pete," Kate retorted trying to hold onto whatever strength she still had left. "Just because you messed around with my body and it responded doesn't mean I want you."

Pete clenched his fingers around her neck a little tighter.

"You know the walls at our place were really thin. Parts of it were built great, but where we spent our time, they were shit. I know you could hear me when I had girls over. You know how I know that? Because I could hear you too. The little moans you'd make while you were touching yourself listening to me fuck them in the next room. Trying to be quiet, but not quiet enough," Pete explained into her ear as he was still slowly touching her. "And I'd be lyin' if I said I didn't enjoy it. Sometimes I'd get off from bendin' them over and fucking them from behind listening to you moan my name pretending it was you in front of me."

A knock at the door caused Pete to pull his hand out of her pants, but he still left the other hand around her throat. With her back against his chest, she was able to feel his heart racing. She knew he was restraining himself, and for some reason him being able to be in such great control filled her with excitement. She was focusing on his heart beat as Tyler opened the door and entered the room.

"Hey, sorry to interrupt but Trent wants to have a work with her when you're done."

"Lovely. I have a few choice words for him too."

Tyler laughed, causing Kate to push back against Pete just slightly. "I see you haven't trained her yet."

"It's only been five minutes Ty," Pete laughed as well. "Ya gotta give me at least the night."

"I dunno. She's pretty feisty. Might take a while before you can have her trained properly. Though I will miss her smartass remarks. She made work a little more exciting."

"Coming from the man who wasn't able to handle me if I wasn't tied up to something."

Pete finally released the hold he had on his throat and snaked his fingers into her hair yanking a fistful back. "You know you really should be nice to him. There will be times I'll have to leave for things and someone else might watch you."

Kate watched as Tyler licked his lips while she tried to now show that she was nervous.

"Me watching her would do wonders if you wanted her trained like a proper pet for you. If she were with me, I'd already have my belt off and around her neck as a leash for the bitch that she is. And by the end of the night the only commands she'd respond to are sit, beg, and come."

"Might wanna think twice about trying to walk out on me now huh?" Pete asked in a cocky tone. "The second you step foot outside that door, you'll run into him."

Tyler winked before turning back towards the door. "Anyway, when you're done bring her up to Trent so he can welcome her properly."

"Wait," Kate found herself calling out before she could really even think to catch herself.

"Hey, what's going on with Ridge?" Pete asked.

"He'll be staying with us for a bit," Tyler answered before closing the door behind him.

Kate felt a bit of relief knowing that Ridge was still alive. At least for now. She could find out more later. But for now, that was enough. She was lost in her own thoughts about it and didn't realize that Pete had let go of her hair. He wasn't even holding onto her at all anymore. He had taken off his shirt and thrown it off to the floor by the time Kate turned around to face him.

"Pete?"

"Hm?" He hummed as he grabbed her by the hip and pulled her close to him.

"You, you wouldn't really let him hurt me would you?" She asked with a bit of intimidation in her voice that he hadn't heard before.

He put his hand on her cheek, pushing her face up to make her look at him while running his thumb along her skin. "Kate, I am still the same exact person I was before."

It was nightfall by the time Pete walked Kate up to Trent's office where he did most of his work. Pete told her to just listen to what Trent said and it wouldn't cause any problems. But that wasn't exactly Kate's strong suit. Inside, the room was dim. Almost as if Trent wanted people to feel cold and hidden as they sat down to do business with him. There was a large desk with his computer and phone atop it. Most of his things probably hidden away in the drawers. Two armchairs at one side of the desk for his guests, another large leather one for him at the other side. Kate wasn't able to see all the little details of the office in the low lighting, but she could see artwork about. She could only guess that he had everything designed particularly for him. When Kate entered the room Trent was towards the back looking out a window. When Pete closed the door he closed the velvet dark green curtain and turned to his guest.

"Come on in love. Make yourself comfortable," Trent said motioning to one of the chairs.

"I'd rather stand if that's okay with you." She replied from her spot in the middle of the room.

"So you do have manners," He mocked.

Kate folded her arms across her chest and blew out a sigh, trying not to start a fight.

"Good to know you're able to play nice."

"I don't see why that really matters."

"It will if you want to stay here."

"Look, I'm not going to give Pete any problems, okay?"

"I'm not worried about him. I'm worried about everyone else."

Kate looked at him confused.

"I'm sure by now you've figured out that Walter and I have formed a partnership. Ridge and I had a nice talk earlier and he's decided to stay with me. Thought he did try and assure that I wouldn't kill you. And I thought maybe after some time thinking about the video I showed you and how the man who you'd been so loyal to seemed to be willing to throw you to the wolves, you'd have had a change of heart like Ridge and Pete did."

"I thought I didn't have that choice," Kate questioned as she put his hands on her hips.

"You don't really. You're stuck here either way. I wasn't lying when I said I couldn't trust you. With any aspect of my business. I knew the first chance you'd get you'd quite literally stab me in the back. But you are an asset Kate."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Working at a club making you money," Kate said as she dropped her arms.

Trent shook his head chuckled as he stepped closer to her. "You're much more than a pretty face love. I'm familiar with your work. I think you could do great things here and help me out a lot. And in return, give yourself a life that you've never even dreamed of. Face it, everyone else has already fallen into line with me. The only thing Sheamus even has left now is Drew, and once he sees how pathetic Sheamus really is, he'll back off too. Leaving Sheamus with nothing."

As he stepped closer, she tried to keep distance between them. But she ended up running into his desk. She looked slightly before placing her hands on the sides holding herself up. When she looked back, Trent was right in front of her, placing his hands on either side of her onto his desk. His face getting closer to hers as he spoke.

"If you can prove to me that I can trust you, we can form a beautiful partnership here. But keep in mind until then, you belong to the British Strong Style. And the very first time you forget that, I'll brand you, so that even if you manage to get away, anyone who finds you will bring you right back to me."