Part Four: I

Flashback...

Four Months Later

"What are you doing!?" I scream at the top of my lungs, the horror of this situation coursing through my veins.

"Stay put Bri." Justin snarls at me and I panic, rushing up to him before he can get to his group of friends.

"No! Please Justin don't do this...please..." I beg, gripping unto his arm just as we both make it to his boys who are actually waiting for us in the lobby of his penthouse apartment building in Manhattan, New York...

It's been a little over four months since Justin and I have been together and everything has been amazing. Even my parents love him but that's because they think he's the regular rich boy who's going to take good care of their daughter. Justin played the part well too. I wasn't about the burst their bubble and tell them he was anything but.

 Yes, Justin is not your average guy, but he's my guy, my biker boy and in those few months we've been together, I've undoubtedly fallen in love with him. He tells me he loves me all the time and that he'd never hurt me but what he's doing now puts him on the verge of breaking that promise to me. I can't put up with this. I thought I could handle it. I thought I could deal with all it took to be a part of his life, but the truth is he really does live a crazy complicated life.

He wants out, I know he does but he has too many ties. Especially when I found out that his dad was the head top shot behind Justin's gambling. What kind of dad makes his son do his dirty work for him?

They actually place bets on various events like horse racing, car racing, basketball and football games to name a few. It's like a sport for them. The only thing is, the stakes are usually high and sometimes, there are illegal items being betted on like priceless artifacts, jewels and other stolen merchandise.

If I hadn't forced Justin to tell me what was going on one night when he came home with a black eye due to a confrontation from a bad deal, I would still be in the dark. I didn't know what to think or say. I was shocked speechless. I supported him, understanding the bond and loyalty he had with his dad, but really...I wish he wasn't involved in this with his boys. This shit is serious when bets don't get settled.

I also understood why Justin never wanted to step foot into my apartment building. It was his dad's wishes...that he stayed close but still detached if that even makes sense. What I thought was he and his friends just lazing around in front of my building all day everyday with nothing to do, was actually them guarding the fucking place like some security guards where at the end of the day, Justin would escort his dad to his ride and make sure he left safely. I wouldn't have known that because I always rushed in to be away from them and left them hanging out on the sidewalk.

It was Justin's idea since his dad was in the ‘hot seat' for some time due to sour deals. I had no idea. It only showed me how much he loved his dad.

The bond that the ‘six pack' share is more than just a friendship. It's a way of life. They'd kill and die for each other without so much as a second thought. It's scary, but yet I admire them and sometimes wish I had friends to share such a strong bond with.

It doesn't matter anymore though. Since I officially became Justin's woman, all the rules of their brotherhood when it came to protecting their own applied to me as well.

Usually, I'd drive down to Manhattan after work to spend the night with Justin and then he'd return the favor by spending the weekend with me at my place. It's a sweet deal that we have because it leaves us both satisfied yet still gives us the personal space that we need. I try to not take up too much of his time with his boys because they're like brothers to him.

Unfortunately, as we were lying in each other's arms tonight after some sweet love-making in Justin's bedroom, which is as beautiful as the rest of his apartment, he got a call from his boys saying that whatever problem they had with that same Brad guy was getting out of hand.

I honestly thought they handled that mess and I knew Justin thought the same too because I could see the shock and confusion on his face when he shot up from the bed.

I didn't get a chance to ask him what was going on because like a flash of lightening, he was getting dressed and heading out of the room without so much as an explanation of what was going on.

I knew the look he held on his face all too well. It was the same homicidal look he got when he was pissed to the point of wanting to literally kill someone. Taking his history with Brad, I figured if Justin came face to face with him any time soon, he'd not hesitate to set him on fire or something else this time around.

So, I did the only thing that I could do. I threw on some clothes as well and rushed after him to stop him which led us here in the lobby presently facing the rest of the six-pack who all look beyond pissed off as well...

"Justin...Justin don't do whatever it is you plan on doing please. At least tell me what's going on!"  I beg, still tugging on his arm when he tries to brush me off.

Giving his five friends a quick glance, he turns around to face me, pulling me away from the doorman and receptionist at the front desk so we can have some privacy.

"I can't do ‘nothing' Briana." He begins in a low hiss and I can already feel the tears welling up in my eyes as I take in the plain white t-shirt and jeans he's wearing. His hair is sticking out in all directions but it simply adds to his rough edgy persona. He's still amazingly sexy and irresistible and god, I can't stand to lose him or see him get hurt over some shit.

"But..."

"No buts Bri. That fucking asshole Brad nearly shot my old man when he was leaving your apartment building earlier today. Of course I was here with you so I'm only now finding out. If it wasn't for my boys, Brad and his fucking crew would have succeeded. He had the fucking audacity to say it was only a warning and that the next time he wouldn't miss. Bri, I'm going to end this once and for all."

"No but, but I thought you settled your problems..."

"I thought so too. It turns out that muthafuka got greedy and now he's asking for more money, saying some shit about it's interest for his sufferings when his younger brother got killed in some drug exchange last month. He thinks we were involved in that but we weren't Bri I assure you. Drug dealing is the one thing I'm never getting mixed up in."

He says this like what he's into now is any better. There's a look of determination mixed into his hard expression and I already know there is no way I'll be able to talk him out of this. I know that I come first for a lot of things but when it's situations like these which Justin considers business, there's no stopping him. His main concern is ending the conflict with his boys first and foremost. He always says it's his way of protecting me because their enemies usually like to hit them where it hurts the most by threatening the safety of the ones they love. Justin told me he would never be able to deal if anything happened to me but that doesn't give him any right to break his promise to me so soon.

"You promised." I whisper helplessly, my browns latched onto his icy blues as I skim his arms affectionately. "You promised you wouldn't hurt me or get mixed up in some shit where you'd get hurt."

"Fuck Briana..." Justin groans. "I'm not breaking my promise." He mutters gently before encircling his arms around my waist and pulling me into his embrace. "Hey..." Lifting my chin up, he searches my glossy orbs before a scowl forms on his face when a few tears escape me. "Baby, I love you. That's why I need to do this...to protect the ones I love. I'm not going to let Brad try and get at me by coming after you too. Please just..."

"What are you going to do?" I ask and he flinches before breaking eye-contact with me to meet his boys' gazes who are silently taking in our exchange.

"I...I uh...we don't know yet. When we get to him we'll figure it out." Nodding his head, Justin pulls away from me before leaning down to place a light kiss on my lips. "Listen Bri, I want you to head back up to the apartment and wait for me to get back."

"What? No!" I scream in protest before my hold around him tightens. "No, I'm not letting you go." I state as my heartbeat increases.

"I have to go..."

"Then take me with you." I order and it's now I see the terror flash in Justin's orbs by my suggestion.

"Absolutely not!" His voice booms out in a harsh growl. "Are you fucking crazy? No Briana. Now stop being ridiculous and..."

"Justin, I love you and I'm your girl, so I'm sticking with you. I won't get in the way, but please take me with you. You and I both know whatever you're about to do won't guarantee you'll come back to me in one piece." I swallow the lump in my throat by that thought and the fact that his mouth is slightly gaping opening in shock only proves that what I said irks his soul as well.

"I'm not going to purposely put you in harm's way." Justin says stubbornly but Scott, one of the other pack members, easily interrupts.

"She won't be J. We'll keep an eye on her while you handle business." Scott assures and some of the others nod in agreement.

I smile when Justin shoots them a death glare knowing that there is no way he'll be able to convince me otherwise now.

"Shit...ok, ok but if anything happens to her under your watch it's your asses." Justin caves while rooting out the keys to his bike from his jeans pocket. "Fuck, come on Bri." Gripping my wrist tightly, Justin kisses the back of my hand reassuringly before leading all of us out the front doors of his building.

I don't miss the suspicious glances we receive from the hired help lingering in the lobby due to our little scene.

I can't be bothered with that now. My heart is thundering in my chest as I feel the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins when I take in their bikes all lined up on the sidewalk.

This is really happening. Oh god, I'm about to get a front row seat on how the ‘six pack' handle business with their rivals. I have a bad feeling about all of this.

I wish there was some way I could sway Justin from this, but I'm sure his dad is expecting his son to avenge his honor so there is no other way.

"Put this on Bri." Justin instructs. Tossing me the extra helmet on his bike, I watch as Frankie tosses him a black leather jacket which he gladly throws on before attaching his helmet to his head. They're all wearing leather jackets come to think of it. It's only a matter of time before they make it official with their own crew logos on the back.

Gazing down at the jeans shorts and black tube-top I'm wearing, I suddenly shiver from the gush of wind that passes by. Rolling my eyes, I throw on my helmet and clasp it, waiting for Justin to hop onto his bike so I can get on behind him.

"You're cold babe." Justin voices from behind me and I shrug uncaringly.

"Can we just get this over with?" I snap.

Cringing when I hear the revving up of the other bikes, I freeze at the feel of something heavy on my shoulders. "Put it on Bri."

Not bothering to argue with Justin, I slip on the leather jacket he placed over my shoulders then move over to follow him to his bike. Hugging the large jacket against my body, I inhale deeply taking in his scent and against my will my tears begin rushing to the surface again. Thank god I'm in a helmet now so he doesn't have to see the distress on my face else he'd maybe insist that I wait for him back inside where it's ‘safe'.

When Justin gets on his bike and brings it to life, I hop on behind him and wrap my arms tightly around his waist.

And just like that, in the blink of an eye, we're out of the parking spot and into the street, all six bikes zooming down the partly quiet streets of Manhattan.

Oh gosh I hope nothing too terrible happens. I have no clue what to expect but I just need my man to come out of this in one piece.

*****

Sometime Later...

I knew this was going to be utter disaster but I wasn't ready for a showdown like this!

After driving or more like racing at warp speed for about twenty minutes, we finally made it to what I'd assume was Brad's neighborhood. Of course, I wasn't surprised when I realized that Justin and his guys knew exactly where to find Brad. I was a little taken aback that they'd ambush him at his home though.

I mean, Justin barely got his bike parked before he was rooting out his helmet and jumping off to rush towards the house, instructing me to stay behind. I think I was more mortified than anything else when I noticed the piece he pulled out from the waist of his jeans hidden beneath his t-shirt.

 ‘What the fuck is he doing with a gun,' was the first thing on my mind but I was stunned speechless and couldn't get any words out. I was wrong...I was so wrong. Justin didn't just look like he wanted to kill, he was actually planning on committing a first degree homicide.

I tried to follow him into the house, to stop him from throwing away his life by facing the death penalty or life in prison but his boys were under strict orders to control me and the moment I swung that front door open to storm in after him, I was being hoisted over Scott's shoulder effortlessly, my kicking and screaming falling on deaf ears.

This would bring us to the present with a stunned Brad holding a little girl at his side who looks no older than eight years of age and a screaming woman at his side who I'd assume was the girl's mother. She also looks a lot like Brad. She's almost a female replica of him.

"So it's like that huh? You're going to out me in front of my family Timberlake is that it?" Brad asks Justin in a shaky tone and I'm still fighting for Scott to put me down so I can talk some sense into my deranged boyfriend.

This is all happening too fast. I need...I need some time to think. Oh god.

"You brought this on yourself man. You nearly...you could have killed my dad man. I don't take threats lightly." Justin snaps back, his voice laced with venom.

"No! Please don't hurt Brad! Don't do this. You animal! Monster!" The woman next to Brad is crying her eyes out and yelling at Justin before she grabs the little girl away from Brad who keeps yelling ‘uncle B' at him. The poor thing must be scared and confused as to who we are just barging into their home like this. We're strangers to her...intruders in fact and I do not want any part of this.

Why the fuck did Brad have to mess with Justin's dad? He was so, so stupid to do that! He unleashed pure fury on his ass for doing what he did.

Well, I take it this is his sister and niece. What I don't understand is how Justin can be so heartless to scar that little girl for life. If he's going to do this, he can't possibly pull the trigger in front of them!

"Justin don't!" I scream from where Scott's holding me. My front is actually hanging over Scott's chest, so I can see everything that's happening as well.

"Shut up Briana." Justin snarls but I ignore him.

"Please, J, think about this...you don't really want to do this! You promised Justin!" I plead at the top of my lungs, my fists beating down on Scott's chest. Scott lets out a light groan but doesn't say anything. He simply shakes me up a bit causing my head to spin slightly since I'm at an uncomfortable angle.

"This isn't about you Bri. This is business." Justin retorts with his back facing me.

"Fuck, you're so stubborn!" I wail. "You can't kill him!" I shout. "Stop trying to play god Justin. You don't get to decide who lives and who dies." I snap angrily at him. What is he doing? He's lost his damn mind. He can't go through with this...he just can't.

"And why the fuck not Briana? Huh?" Whipping around, Justin glares at me incredulously and I freeze solid from the predator stare he's giving me. It's not the same as when we're making love. This one is cold, unfeeling and pure evil. "Do you want a replay of this exact moment where that asshole is the one pointing the gun at your head, threatening to blow your brains out if I don't cooperate? Huh!? Because I guarantee if we walk out of here now that's what will happen. I won't let that happen Bri. I won't lose you or any of the people I fucking love if this dick decides to get trigger happy. I fucking won't." Justin yells back at me and I instantly shut up since I'm too terrified to say anything else.

Swallowing my words, I fight with Scott to put me down but he doesn't budge.

"Let me down Scott! If Justin wants to be a murderer then let him! Do you hear me Justin? If you want to be a killer then fine! Go ahead! But I'm not sticking around for it! Put me down you fucking jerk!" Using all of my built up rage and fear, I punch Scott square in the chest, taking him by surprise.

Coughing roughly, he finally lets me down before rubbing at the now sore spot on his chest. "Shit Bri." Scott groans painfully but I simply roll my eyes at him.

Giving me one last glance, Justin inhales sharply then turns away from me. I'm sure my words hurt him, but they've done nothing to deter him.

"Get out of here." Justin instructs to Brad's sister who's still crying next to a silent Brad. "Get the fuck out!" Justin yells more forcefully and she jumps in fright before she quickly brushes past the rest of the pack and sprints out of the house with her daughter in tow.

Oh great that was a smart move. I bet she's going to call the fucking cops and they're all going to go to jail.

Not being able to take in anymore of this, I turn to leave but stop abruptly when Brad calls out to me. Flipping around to face him, I clutch onto the black leather jacket over my frame, feeling exposed with Brad's eyes focused on me now, taking me in.

"Justin's right you know Briana...so naïve you are. If given a chance, you'd be the first one I come for because you clearly mean more to J here than anyone one else in his life, even his old man." Smirking evilly, Brad diverts his gaze back to Justin who's glowering at him, wondering how he could maybe be so stupid to sign his death warrant like that. I guess he's already given up.

Chills run down my spine at the malicious laugh Justin lets out. "Wrong fucking move Bradley. You don't threaten another man's woman with him standing right there pointing his piece at you." Justin hisses and before I can turn my head away a gunshot goes off in the silent room. The loud bang echoes off the walls and pierces my eardrums sending shock waves through my body.

I watch in horror as Brad's green orbs grow wide and he slowly falls to his knees. It's then that I see the blood oozing through his shirt, the bullet that was fired possibly piercing his heart. A few seconds later, he falls flat on his face with a loud thud and I reverse in shock not being able to fathom what just happened.

Justin he...he just...

"Oh my god." Shutting my eyes tightly, I look away in disgust, refraining from looking at Justin or any of the pack members. "You fucking assholes!" I belt before jerking and pushing them out of the way so I can run out of the house. I can't take it. I need to get out of here.

Sprinting down the driveway and unto the sidewalk, I head straight for Justin's bike. When I get to it I grab my helmet and quickly throw it on. Thanking my lucky stars that he left the keys in the ignition, I hop on and flip back the kickstand before bringing the large motorbike to life. The sound of it revving up catches the pack's attention and the next thing I know, they're all rushing out of the house after me.

Well, this is where I thank Justin for the motorbike lessons he gave me. It's going to come in handy. I can't stay here and be a part of this. I don't know who this guy is, but he's not my boyfriend and I just...I can't be around him right now. This is not the side of him that I love. This is the side of him I was forced to accept and still have a problem dealing with. I'll lose my mind if I stay here.

"Briana? Briana what the fuck are you doing!?" Justin yells clamorously as he and his boys are running down the driveway after me.

"I'm getting away from you Justin! I can't believe you just...god! Just stay away from me!" I scream back, my tears clouding my vision.

"No...no wait Bri, stop! Please don't go! You can't leave!" He yells pathetically while making it onto the sidewalk. "Bri please! I did this for you...to protect you...to protect us! You have to believe me. There was no other way. I wasn't about to make him hurt you!" Justin tries to explain while running down the sidewalk after me when I slowly pull out of the parking spot. He looks so hurt, but I can't see why. He wasn't the one who just lost his fucking life over some bullshit.

"Bullshit! You hurt me Justin! This was some ego trip, some shit where you had to prove you were the real bad ass. I can't be around this; I can't be with a murderer Justin!" I shout back as my tears pool in my helmet and soak into the spongy material. What the hell am I saying? No matter what he is or what he does, I could never truly leave him or stop loving him.

"No! It wasn't I swear. Baby you're wrong. I knew he was planning to come after you, after us. I had to do something! I wasn't about to lose you because of that asshole." His voice cracks as he stifles back his tears.

I can hear his remorse and see the regret in his eyes. He regrets that things resorted to this and maybe he regrets that I was there to witness it, but he doesn't regret his actions. I know him and if this was his way of protecting us like he claims, he'll never regret his actions. Sometimes, I wish I could be like him in that sense. I'm regretting so many things right now.

Little does he know that he's losing me right this very second.

I can't even look at him now. I can see his own tears now spilling down his pinkish ivory cheeks. It must kill him to see that he's finally given me a reason to indeed fear him and want to be as far away from him as possible. He must feel so rejected with me running away from him like this but what am I supposed to do? Give him a hug and a kiss for a job well done? I haven't yet completely surrendered to the dark side. I wasn't born into this. I'm not the tough hardcore biker chick that he probably needs. Maybe I could be that for him, but it's too soon to tell.

"You're going to prison Justin." I whimper with my feet planted firmly on the pavement to keep myself and the bike balanced as I grip tightly unto the handles getting ready to ride off.

Coming to stand in front of me in the middle of the quiet street, Justin stuffs his gun back into the waist of his jeans before his now warm blues meet my glassy browns through my helmet. "Bri, we had to take him and his boys out. There was no other way."

"Oh my god, you mean you killed more people!?" I ask in utter horror.

"Not me...the guys, they took care of them earlier when you and I were at my place and...look Bri..." But I cut him off.

"You're all monsters Justin! Get out of my way. Let me go."

"And where the fuck are you going with my bike Bri? You know I can't do that. I can't ever let you go. Think about this. Just...don't go baby please. Turn off the bike and let's talk about this."

"No! Justin you..." But I'm interrupted by the sound of faint sirens in the distance.

You see?! I knew that bitch sister of Brad would have called the police! I knew it! It had to have been her. She's nowhere in sight, too terrified to even fight for her fucking brother's life. Even I wish there was something else I could have done to save his life but after what Brad told me, I knew there was no other way. The way Justin saw it, it was either him or us...but, I'm not a killer and Justin shouldn't be either! If he thinks he's getting out of this with daddy's bail money this time he's wrong.

"Justin the cops!" Scott calls out as all of them rush to their bikes getting ready to leave. What does it matter? They have witnesses. There is no escaping their fates.

Crying hysterically now, I lock eyes with Justin who's still just standing there ignoring his boys who are calling out to him. It's ten times worse to be caught at the crime scene but he doesn't seem to care. He's only focused on me, taking my distraught form in.

"I never meant to hurt you like this Bri. What else was I supposed to do? Sit back and let them take you away from me forever?"

"But you're going to prison Justin. You're still going to be away from me! How could you do this to us!?"

He's right, but I hate that it had to come to this. I just wish...god I wish he never was in this life. I wish...I wish I never gave him a fucking chance. Then I wouldn't be suffering from this pain and fear of losing him because of my fucked up choices and decisions.

Smiling warmly at me, he shrugs before stuffing his hands in his jeans pockets nonchalantly. "Small price to pay for your safety."

My eyes grow wide with shock because I know that voice. He's...he's giving in, accepting defeat. He's...oh my god.

"No. No Justin...just hop on, let's go...please don't give yourself in."

I can hear the sirens getting closer and I can still hear the rest of the pack shouting at us, or more Justin, asking him what the hell he's doing. But he's still just there standing and shaking his head in protest.

"They'll still come for me Bri. I might as well get it over with now. It's better than having you look at me and think of me as a killer for the rest of our time spent together. You hating me, fearing me or not loving me anymore is ten times worse than any prison cell. I've done time before. It's nothing new to me." Justin assures while still smiling lightly for me. He's really lost his mind.

"No, Justin..."

"Just go. You were never here ok? Go..."

"Justin what are you doing man?!" Frankie calls out.

"You all, you go and make sure Bri's safe."

"No...Justin don't!" I'm just about ready to jump off the fucking bike but he stops me, his voice pleading with me to leave before the law officials get here.

"Go Bri! You guys too! Get out of here!" Justin orders while wiping at his face to calm his nerves and emotions.

"Man we are not making you take the fall for this alone!" Scott protests.

"Fuck that! I'm good I can handle my shit. Go, and take care of Bri for me." Justin says in finality and his boys simply give in before they begging zooming off one by one. They know better than to argue with him but just this once I wish they'd put their feet down! Ugh! They're not even going to try and convince him to...

"We could run." I suggest, Scott being the last of the pack to leave since he's waiting for me to move off first.

"Then we'll be running our entire life. I'm not going to put you through that. You have a good life here Bri. You already got mixed up with me. I'm not going to keep you away from the ones you love." Justin says softly.

"But I love you!" I whimper, wishing he'd go along with my idea before I change my mind.

"And I love you baby. But I'm not going to be selfish anymore. Now go. You'll be fine. And I'll be fine. We'll be fine I promise."

"Please don't break this promise Justin. Please!" I beg before I hit the accelerator getting ready to take off when I see a faint glow of the flashing siren lights. I already know there is no way he'll be able to keep this promise to me but I have faith and I'll hope for the best.

"Never. Now go Bri! Take care of yourself and my bike ok? I'll see you soon!" Walking up to me, Justin leans down and kisses the exposed flesh of my neck softly before he tucks his gun in the waist of my shorts. "Get rid of it for me?" He whispers to me and I nod mindlessly before he pulls away and begins walking back in the direction he came.

"Go Briana!" is the last thing I hear him say before Scott is shouting to me to move off. In a daze, I do as I'm told by speeding off with Scott close behind just as the swarm of police cars make it to the scene of the crime with Justin standing on the sidewalk waiting for them.

Zooming down the deafly quiet streets of this unfamiliar neighborhood with Scott hot on my trail, I can't help but cry my eyes out at the events that unfolded so quickly tonight.

Brad's green eyes are still haunting me but what really destroys me is the fact that I'm not even there to see the police haul Justin away. This might be the last time I see him where he's not behind bars. And, I'm running away like some idiot. Damn it! And damn him! Damn it all!

Ugh god, if I could take back everything that led us to this moment, I probably wouldn't. The only difference is I was there with Justin when this chaos happened because with the life he was living, it was only a matter of time before this exact incident happened.

I do know one thing and that's I'd never testify against Justin if that time ever came. I'd do anything and everything in my power to protect him just like he protected me. I know it's crazy but some of his ways have rubbed off on me these past few short months. They were amazing months nonetheless and I wouldn't trade them or him in for anything.

My life plans of going to law school and having a family aren't dead. Oh no, I still want that. But now, I want that with Justin. So, I'd say they're just on hold.

It's painfully obvious that Justin will be my undoing but I can't help myself. I need him with me. I can't do without him. I guess for now, I'll just have to find a way to deal. But, I'll wait for him.

However long it takes, as long as there's hope that we'll be together again, I'll wait for him...

End Of Flashback...