Hi! Here's my newest chapter which I finished yesterday. I can tell you that I think I'm finally back on track with my writing. I hope you like it. Enjoy!

Chapter 32

A few minutes later, Thomas and Juliet were still standing in the same spot, holding each other as if they had a feeling that they were having their last peaceful moments together and they could expect anything, including the worst.

That's why none of them moved when they heard the key being turned in the lock. When the door opened and Nick came inside, he was met with a peculiar view, namely in the middle of the room were the two PIs, holding each other tight. This surprised him but not because he didn't know they had deep feelings for each other. No, he became aware of that shortly after he started observing them prior to their kidnapping, probably even before those two realized that. He was surprised because they were finally showing their affection which was really great.

If only the situation was different… Nick sighed. He didn't expect to like the pair but he really did and cheered for them. He wished he could help them somehow. That's why he spent the previous night formulating a plan how to free them from this place. But he knew that he had to be very careful because he didn't come alone here – this time he had one of Burns' bodyguards with him. He had a feeling that lately the boss had become quite suspicious and may not trust him the way he used to. If that was true, he was sure he knew who was behind it and that would be Burt. That man was sneaky from the beginning. Nick really didn't like working with Burt but he had no choice – he was recommended by the boss himself and now he knew why – he was a perfect mole here. The fact that he hadn't seen that earlier, made Nick angry with himself. But now there was no point in crying over spilled milk, what's done was done.

The man had already realized that taking this job wasn't a good idea. Thinking back about this whole kidnapping thing, he came to conclusion that it was really wrong and now the only way to make up for this terrible mistake was to help Thomas and Juliet get out of here safely, and he knew that he'd do everything in his might to succeed.

Trying to act professionally and not to get into more trouble, Nick knew that he couldn't step out of his role. "Come on, let's go. Mr Burns awaits you." He said but they didn't move a bit that's why he came closer to the pair and grabbed Magnum by the arm, dragging him away from Juliet. "That's enough!"

The PI hissed in pain at the sudden contact.

"Hey!" Higgins protested loudly.

"I told you. Let's go!" This time Nick raised his voice.

Thomas and Juliet exchanged glances. They both noticed the sudden change in the man's behavior. At the beginning he acted like a typical kidnapper but day after day he became more human, he even shared part of his personal story with them and there were times when Magnum felt he was on their side and there was a slight chance that he could help them and now this. Something must have happened that made Nick change his attitude so suddenly.

"Here, escort Miss Higgins downstairs. I'll be right behind you." Nick told the other man.

He did as he was told but before he took her outside, he put her hands behind her back and placed a plastic tie wrap around her wrists that instantly cut into her skin. Juliet gritted her teeth and with one last look at her partner, was led through the door and then down the stairs.

Now it was Thomas' turn. He put his hands behind his back but he was really surprised when Nick wrapped the plastic not as tight as he should have. He wanted to ask him about it but the man just pushed him forward.

"Go!" He ordered and they left the room.

"Hey, what's going on?" Magnum asked and when he didn't get the answer, he continued. "I know something's up."

"Shut up!" Nick shouted and suddenly shoved him hard, this time towards the stairs.

Such violent reaction really shocked Thomas. Although it could be a normal reaction of a kidnapper and this was the way how one could treat someone who was captured, however judging by the man's previous behavior, this sudden change indicated that something big was going on. Maybe the boss discovered that Nick had treated him and Juliet too gently and the man got reprimanded. Or there was another option that it was Nick himself who decided to change his attitude towards them into harsher and more appropriate one.

No, Magnum didn't believe in this version. Being a PI and meeting lots of people, he knew how to read them and he usually did that quite well, although his partner would say that he only saw the good in people. And he could swear that Nick wasn't such a bad person. He remembered their conversation back in the bunker, just before he and Juliet lost consciousness. The facts from his life and the way he talked about his wife proved that there was more to that man than they would assume. Nick said quite a lot then but he didn't open up completely. Magnum wished he had shared more and now there would probably be no occasion to do that. Of course, he had no idea that there was a third possibility of explanation but he was just about to learn that.

Being pushed by Nick, Thomas thought he was going to fall down the stairs. With his hands tied up at the back, he wouldn't have any chance to keep his balance. Fortunately, just as he was on the first step and was imagining himself lying at the bottom of the stairs, he was grabbed from behind and dragged sideways. He breathed with relief and opened his mouth to comment on it when he heard Nick say really quietly.

"Don't talk, just listen. I know it was wrong to kidnap you two and I'm really sorry for that. I'm going to help you get out of here. I should have done that earlier… Anyway, I think they suspect something that's why I had to act the way I acted around you. Don't worry, I have a plan." He whispered and took a small knife out of his pocket.

Just as he was about to cut the plastic around Magnum's wrists, they heard footsteps coming from downstairs and Burns' man came into view.

"Hey, Nick! What's taking you so long?! The boss is waiting for the two of you." He shouted.

"Change of plan." Nick murmured and before Thomas could ask what it would be, he felt the knife being placed behind his belt and covered with his shirt.

"Here, you can find it useful later. Good luck." Nick added and going back to his role, he said much louder.

"You heard the man, let's go."

They marched downstairs, past a couple of armed men who were observing them closely. Luckily, they didn't check on Magnum and didn't notice the sharp object he was now carrying on him.

They stopped in front of the same room the PIs had been invited to dinner the previous evening. Nick knocked and then opened the door. They went inside and were met with two not very friendly-looking well-built bodyguards who very reluctantly moved aside to let them through.

"Oh, hello, Mr Magnum. It's good to finally see you." Burns greeted him. He was standing by the table which was full of different food.

Then he turned to Nick. "Thanks, Nick. That'll be all. There's one more thing you'll be needed for. The boys are waiting for you." Saying that, he motioned to the door.

Nick met Thomas' eyes for a few seconds and left the room immediately. The PI wondered what was it that those men wanted from him and he hoped that he would be okay.

Meanwhile, Burns wanted to provoke Thomas and make him angry so he added. "We were worried with Juliet that you changed your mind and wouldn't come here." With that he sent Juliet a suggestive look and touched her arm seductively.

Magnum saw that and became furious inside. That man looking at his partner and touching her like this, made him feel sick but he had to remember that only staying calm could help them cope with this situation so he gritted his teeth and replied as calmly as he could.

"I wouldn't forgive myself if I missed breakfast with you." He said with irony.

Burns laughed. "You're really funny. I like your sense of humor so much."

"Thanks for your compliment but could you explain why your men bound our hands? I thought we were supposed to eat." Magnum replied.

"That's quite easy, you know? First business, then pleasure. We can eat as soon as Juliet gives the information I need." Peter stated.

"We both know that she's not gonna tell you anything."

"Too bad. That means you'll stay hungry." The man said and slightly nodded his head at one of his men.

A second later, Thomas was hit. He was prepared that today's encounter with Burns would be painful for him but he didn't expect it would start so soon when he received a sudden blow to his back.

"No!" Juliet shouted and jumped forward to help him but was instantly grabbed by her arms.

"Now, my dear, it all depends on you. If you tell me nicely where my wife is keeping my son, I'll free your hands and we can all sit down and have breakfast, but if you keep being so stubborn, your lover-boy here will get hurt and I'm warning you – it may end badly for him." Burns said with the intention of frightening the woman.

It worked to some extent but Higgins knew she needed to remain calm and stay focused in case an opportunity came. She had to be ready to fight Peter and his men.

"I can't do that. That woman has already gone through a lot being with you." She stated.

"I just want to get my son back. Angelica may go her own way."

"Somehow I don't believe a word you say." Juliet replied.

"You can think whatever you want but it's true." Burns said and then he whispered to her ear. "The truth is, I think I stopped caring about my wife when you came into my life, Juliet. You're the complete opposite of Angelica – you're a crazy, passionate woman who's willing to do anything just to get her way."

Having said that, he moved his finger across her cheek and she flinched at his touch.

"If you tell me where I can find my son, I promise you that I'll let Magnum go home and the two of us will start a new life together. We can go wherever you want, you'll have everything – the most fashionable designer clothes, the most beautiful and expensive jewelry and the most luxurious house. I'll give you anything you desire. Just say a word and it'll be done."

Peter's words shocked Higgins. Things were getting really weird. She didn't expect something like this, everything seemed unreal to her, since like she had told her partner, while she was working for Burns, he never mentioned his feelings for her and he never acted on them.

Time was passing quickly and although Juliet was in deep shock, she knew that she would have to react somehow to the things the man had just said. She decided to explain it to him in the most gentle way and try not to make him too angry which would jeopardize everything.

"Peter, I'm not the person you knew at the time. I don't care about those expensive things. You can't buy me, I'm not that kind of a woman. It was just an MI6 mission, I had to act this way to accomplish it. It was my job." She told him, trying to sound reasonable and remain composed.

It was evident that her words certainly hurt him as he anticipated a different answer, surely not the one that she would turn down his offer. His face became red and his eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Well, you'd better change your mind." He spoke and gave another signal to his men.

This time Magnum got quite a punch to his face and his head snapped back.

"Juliet? What do say we give it a try?" Burns gave the woman a questioning look.

She shook her head. "Never, I'm sorry."

He laughed nervously at her reply. "Well, if that's your decision, then let the fun begin." He spoke and the way he said that, made Higgins shudder.

Another powerful blow was delivered, this time to Magnum's stomach. He doubled in pain and fell to the floor.

"No! Leave him alone!" Juliet screamed out wriggling wildly and trying to free her arms that were seized in an iron grip of one of Burns' men.

"Stop it, Peter!" She turned to Burns, sending him a warning glare.

"I can't. Only you can do it. Say one thing and everything will stop. You'll save your partner."

The woman looked at Thomas who was trying to raise from the floor. Their eyes met and for a moment she could swear she felt their silent communication. Despite the horrible circumstances, he seemed to be calm and confident. It was like she heard his voice telling her to stay strong and stick to what they had decided. She knew it would be hard but she had to do it.

With one long look at Magnum, Juliet turned to Peter and said. "I won't do that."

"Then I'll make him suffer until you'll beg me to stop!" Burns raised his voice with a mad look on his face.

Juliet knew it wasn't a game. She was terrified and she felt that if she didn't do anything, it would really end badly for her partner. So she focused all her strength on her next move and kicked the man who was holding her as hard as she could, digging her heel deep in his leg. The man hissed in pain, however, it didn't make him let her free so she tried again, this time she wriggled and when she finally felt that the grip on her arms loosened a bit, she used her elbow to attack his ribs. She knew from experience that it could be quite painful and she was right – the man let her go so she sprang forward and attacked Burns.

Her first blow landed on his nose and he instantly yelped in pain. When she swung her fist for the second time, unexpectedly she was grabbed from behind. She turned her head and noticed that it was the same man she had attacked just a moment ago. She really underestimated him, she planned that after knocking him and Peter down, she could move on to help Magnum but now she knew it wouldn't be so easy.

Suddenly, Burns came closer to her, his eyes burning with cold fury and a second later he slapped her in the face. She realized that Peter had finally showed his real face – how brutal and uncontrollable he could be. She was glad that she managed to help his wife and son free themselves from such a monster. Being with him must have been a living hell. Yeah, she didn't regret doing that, even though it led her and Magnum to this dangerous situation.

At that moment, she noticed a characteristic taste in her mouth. Blood. It didn't surprise her, it wasn't the first time she got hurt so she didn't care too much about it. However, what really affected her and made her blood run cold, was the thing Burns said a few seconds later.

"Congratulations, my dear." He began, nursing his aching nose which looked like broken. "You've just killed your partner."

Hi again! How was it this time? Sorry for the cliffhanger - I know that everybody says that they hate cliffhangers but I think that in reality they like them;) Don't forget to come here next time. See you soon!