CHAPTER NINETY-ONE - STORM WARNING
With a soft click the door opened and Xavier walked calmly into the room, his eyes adjusting rapidly to the semi-darkness. The room was a mess; clothes strewn everywhere, damp towels thrown carelessly on the floor, half-empty cans of soda perched precariously on top of the TV. Xavier ignored it all, his eyes searching carefully for what he knew would be here. He paused for a moment, pondering, then knelt down under the bed, reaching with a long arm to drag out what he had been seeking. His eyes glittered in satisfaction and he stared long and hard at what lay before him, impressed. It took only a minute to complete his task and then he gone, leaving as quickly as he had come.
* * * * * * * * * *
Nick hurried down the corridors of the McKale center, in a panic. Shit! Shit! Shit! It was all he could do to keep from screaming as he frantically searched the arena, not stopping for a second as he questioned anyone and everyone about Brian's whereabouts. He was met with blank stares or indifferent shrugs and frustrated, he continued on, picking up the pace, hoping the guys were having better luck than him.
It had taken only a moment, a bare split second, and Brian was gone, vanished. Nick had been laughing, joking with him as they dressed for the show and then bam! he had turned around to find that Brian had disappeared.
Alarmed, Nick had rushed to locate AJ, Kevin and Howie. He found them deep in conversation with Sam but upon seeing Nick's flushed and anxious face they had immediately stopped. Even though Sam swore Xavier was with Eric at that very moment, Nick would not calm down and they had all split up, taking a different section of the arena to search for Brian.
Some twenty minutes later Nick had still not located him. Panting from exertion and fear, he leaned against a wall, closing his eyes to try and regain some control. He prayed that it wouldn't be much longer until….Pray! Nick's eyes shot open and he pushed away from the wall. Pray. He knew that every arena had some sort of chapel room, a small place for team players or visiting guests. Now all he had to do was find it. Grabbing the nearest maintenance help he urgently asked for directions. The young helper looked at Nick with disbelief, then pointed sarcastically to a room a mere twenty feet away.
Nick stood before the door, hesitant. Cautiously, almost timidly he slipped in, scanning the small room. There in the dim light, faintly illuminated by an arched stained glass overhead, sat Brian, his body slightly bent over. Nick heard the faint whoosh of the air conditioner kick in but it didn't muffle the bitter, anguished words as Brian pleaded, begged God for help.
"Why didn't you rescue me?" Nick heard Brian demand, his voice in torment. "Where were you? If you loved me, where were you?"
Nick leaned his head dejectedly against the wall, knowing Brian's words were meant for God, but felt the meaning hit home to him personally. Why hadn't he been able to rescue his friend? And was he truly a friend? If so, why didn't he see the agony, the suffering Brian had endured?
"Nick?"
Nick jumped noticeably, seeing Brian twisted in his seat, a concerned look on his face. Nick shifted uncomfortably.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes." Nick shook his head. "No." He sighed. "I don't know."
"Yeah, me neither." Giving him a tired smile, Brian indicated for him to sit down.
"Jeez, Bri, you scared the shi…" Nick glanced at the cross…"uh, daylights outta me. I've been looking all over for you! Next time, just tell me where you're going, okay?"
Brian smiled apologetically and leaned back against the chair. "Sorry."
Nick eyed him closely and glanced at his luminous watch. "It's almost time. We need to go. You, uh, finished here?"
Brian gave a small grin, seeing Nick's discomfort. "Yeah. I was just having a little one on one argument with God."
"Who won?"
Brian burst out laughing, shaking his head and Nick grinned back, happy to see Brian relaxing a bit. He began to rise when he felt Brian's tight grip around his wrist. Startled, he gave Brian a puzzled look.
"Nick? Would you mind if I prayed? With you? You don't have to say anything," he added quickly, sensing Nick's hesitation.
Slowly sitting back in his chair, Nick nodded, seeing the pleading look in his friend's eyes. "Sure, Frick."
He watched as Brian leaned forward, his hands intertwined, his head bowed. For a moment Brian said nothing and Nick began to fidget awkwardly but stopped when he heard Brian's earnest plea, the soft drawl of his accent heavy with sincerity.
"Heavenly Father, help me to let go of my fear, my doubt and confusion. Help me go forward in peace and confidence. Today I am willing to face my discomfort, knowing that healing and release are on the other side. I will do my part, including letting go of fear and trusting you to do the rest. God, help me remember that what seems hopeless today can often be solved tomorrow, even if I can't see the solution. Help me go on with my life, in spite of my circumstances, trusting that things will work out. Amen."
Brian kept his head bowed for a moment longer then sighed and glanced at Nick with a small smile. "Thanks."
"No problem."
Noticing the stiffness in Brian's movements as he tried to stand, Nick reached out to lend a supporting hand. Brian gave him a grateful look and Nick nodded, holding the door open for him. "Everything is going to be fine," he promised as he followed Brian outside. Nick's eyes narrowed in determination "Trust me. I'm gonna make sure of it."
* * * * * * * * * * *
Another dead end. Howie sighed in frustration as he scanned the deserted hallway. Where the hell was Brian? If we don't find him soon…he took a quick glance at his watch. Shit! It was almost time to go on. He turned and hurried back the way he came, seeing AJ and Kevin standing at the end of the hall.
"Any luck?" he panted as he jogged up to them.
"Nope." Kevin rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Let's go get Nick. Maybe he's found Brian." All three rounded another corner and simultaneously stopped, the large form of Xavier blocking their way.
CHAPTER NINETY-TWO - DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD
"Guys? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be on stage in a few minutes?"
Xavier stood before them, his face calm, arms crossed against his massive chest. He smiled benignly, his voice oozing with concern and AJ immediately picked up on the veiled insolence.
"Yeah, we're aware of it."
Quickly donning his sunglasses, AJ hoped that Xavier had not seen the alarm, the unease his sudden appearance had caused. "What are you doing here?" he asked gruffly. "Aren't you supposed to be guarding?"
"Sam sent me to come look for you."
Xavier's smooth lie sent a sharp chill through AJ and Kevin as they saw how natural, how effortless the bodyguard's skill in deceit was.
"We were looking for Brian," divulged Howie, sensing the tension in his friends. "We can't find him."
"Well, that's my job, remember?" Xavier purred. "You should have called me." His manner was superficial, patronizing, and Howie hated it.
With an exaggerated wave of his hand, Xavier ushered the three forward, talking as they headed down the corridor. "Nope, not wise, not wise for you to be wandering off by yourselves, taking matters into your own hands. You just never know what could happen in these hallways. A crazed fan. A disgruntled employee. Someone could get hurt. Bad."
Trying hard not to stare at him, AJ shivered inwardly at Xavier's admonitions. If I didn't know better, I'd swear Xavier knows all about our secret! AJ shook his head. Impossible. If Xavier knew, why would he still be here and risk getting caught? He spotted Kevin's quick look and realized Kevin was thinking the same thing.
Irritated by Xavier's condescending attitude, AJ decided to push him a little. "So, X, how's the tour been so far for you? Up for the next half? Think you can handle it?" Ignoring Howie's dark frown, AJ reached up with his middle finger and slowly dragged his glasses down the bridge of his nose, staring calmly at Xavier.
The middle finger gesture was not lost on Xavier. He smiled slightly, amused by AJ's insolent little game. He wants games? I'll give him games.
"I'll admit it's been difficult, but not impossible. I want to thank you guys for having so much trust in me, allowing me to take matters into my own hands with Brian. I couldn't have done it with out your support. Really." Xavier held back a nasty grin as he saw a subtle twitch in their shoulders, a sudden flash of pain in their eyes. They rounded another corner and Xavier dug deeper. "No, I gotta hand it to you guys. You sure helped me out. I only hope that I'll be to repay the favor….and soon. Ahh, here they are!" Xavier motioned with a satisfied smile as he saw Nick and Brian walking towards them.
Relieved to see that Nick had found Brian, AJ hurried over to them, ill at ease with Xavier's bogus flattery.
"You all right?" he asked worriedly, looking Brian once over. "Where were you?"
"Brian's fine," pacified Nick. "He was just in the chapel room."
Xavier walked up with Kevin and Howie, nodding his head sagely. "Prayer. Always a good idea. Especially when you need something, right Brian?"
Nick turned his attention to Xavier, feeling a slow burn of anger crawling in the pit of his stomach. The very sight of the massive bodyguard repulsed him. Trying to contain his fury, Nick kept his voice low. "Xavier? I think security could use some help."
Xavier's dark eyes bore into Nick's, a small smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Naw, they're fine." He glanced at his watch, tapping the crystal face with an impatient finger. "But I think you guys won't be if you don't hurry up. It's almost time."
Howie nodded, eager to be away from the overbearing presence of Xavier. "Let's go," he indicated with a snap of his head and all five Backstreet Boys headed for the backstage.
Quick fingers wrapped around Brian's arm and with a sudden jerk stopped Brian short, almost causing him to stumble.
"Oh. Sorry. Guess I don't know my own strength," chuckled Xavier, giving Nick, Kevin, AJ and Howie an apologetic shrug of his shoulders. "Go on, Brian will be there in a moment, I just need to tell him a few things."
"Xavier, I don't think now is the time…" began Kevin angrily but Brian cut him off, worried that his cousin's temper would get the best of him and he'd do something rash.
"It's okay. I'll just see what Xavier wants, then I'll be there." Months of practice enabled Brian to keep a composed face, not wanting the guys to see the panic he felt inside. Go, go! he screamed silently, praying that they would not accidentally reveal the secret. Kevin seemed to understand and he nodded, his face changing from one of anger to indifference.
"All right. Hurry. I don't want the show to start late again. You've caused us enough trouble already."
Brian wordlessly gave thanks, grateful for Kevin's quick thinking. He watched as the four exited the corridor and turned to find Xavier following the boys' departure, a faint expression of amusement displayed on his broad face.
Brian frowned, uneasy. "So what the hell is so important that it can't wait until after the show?"
Xavier's face lost all its glee as he faced the young singer, giving him a thorough look.
"Well, sure seems like you're doing better. Guess those painkillers are working, huh?"
Brian heard the bluntness in Xavier's voice and shrugged nonchalantly to hide his nervousness. "Yeah, well, I'm still hurting, just not as much." He hoped Xavier wouldn't ask for the pills back, not sure how he could explain their disappearance.
Hearing the faint chant of the excited crowd Brian took a step backwards, glancing for a way to escape. He didn't like the way Xavier just stood there staring at him, as if trying to figure something out. "Anything else? Any kinds words of advice you want to share before I go on?" Brian tried to keep the bitter sarcasm out of his voice but failed.
"I hear the Mexican Riveira is nice this time of year."
The comment was so out of the blue that it surprised Brian and he took another step back, leery.
"I wouldn't know," he said sharply. Waiting for a reply and receiving none, Brian shook his head and turned to hurry down the hall, not hearing as Xavier finally spoke.
"You will."
* * * * * * * * * * *
Les was trying his best to look helpful, which meant trying to do the least amount of work possible. He reached over to semi-straighten various cartons, which had been already stacked for future loading, then headed over to watch the backstage hands scurrying around. The show was in mid-swing and he adjusted his earplugs a little tighter, not to protect his hearing but to eliminate as much of the god-awful music as he could. For the hundredth time he wished he had landed the Metallica gig instead of this one. Still, one couldn't fault the groupies that followed the tour and felt more than compensated in that area.
He edged closer to peer at the stage. He noticed that that little skinny dude was sitting down, his legs swinging comically over the edge of the stage. The other guy, Nick, flopped down next to him, mimicking his friend's foot movements and they both seemed to be laughing.
Les tore his attention away from the two and scanned the front wondering if he could locate Xavier. Nope. Nowhere. The song ended and the applause and screams rose another octave. Les shook his head as he watched Nick help his friend to a standing position, remembering the look on Xavier's face when he informed the bodyguard what Nick was up to. In a way, he pitied the young singer, knowing all too well never to get on the bad side of Xavier. Which is why he agreed to….
"Hey, ow!" Les found Xavier's tight grip clamped down upon his shoulder.
"I'm assuming you're ready," hissed Xavier, pulling Les's earplug out with a nasty yank.
"Yeah, sure, of course I am," lied Les. He tried not to show his nervousness, his lack of confidence. If Xavier thought he could do it, who was he to argue? Besides how hard could it be? True, he had never done it before, but many others had, and it didn't look too difficult. And the money was more than enough incentive.
"Good, don't fuck up," hissed Xavier again and Les saw in the bodyguard's dark eyes the consequences if he did.
Les gulped. "No problem, relax. I'll be there, waiting."
With a rough shake, Xavier let go of Les's arm. "You’d better."
* * * * * * * * * *
Howie sighed in relief. This was an easy part, the crossing of the bridge back to the stage, and they all took their sweet time in order to give Brian a rest. Throughout the show he had been nervously glancing over at Brian, sure that at any minute he'd see him collapsed on the ground, unable to continue. But Brian had surprised them all, managing to find enough strength and willpower to carry on. Nick had been hovering over him, much to Howie's amusement, playing mother hen, and would gladly have carried Brian piggy-back the whole show if Brian would have let him. Finishing the song, Howie saw AJ's and Kevin's cheerful nods of encouragement and he gave a confident smile in return. They were more than halfway finished, just a few more songs, and then they'd be done, on their way, racing for the bus to take them up to Phoenix. Things were looking good. Unbelievably good. And, in just a short time Xavier would be gone, out of their lives forever. Soon. So very soon. Howie smiled at the crowd, the band, the guys; happy, ecstatic beyond belief that he wouldn't have to do what he had originally planned.
* * * * * * * * * *
Brian felt the firm grip of Nick and Kevin holding his hands as they all bowed to the cheering crowd. He felt slightly woozy as he straightened up and swayed just a little, feeling the concerned grasps tighten a little harder to keep him upright. He was exhausted, in pain, and glad it was over. He had done it. He had made it to the end. Now all he wanted to do head for the bus and sleep. Bowing once last time, Brian came up to catch the figure of Xavier standing in the front row, staring straight at him. Their eyes locked and as much as Brian wanted to break away, he couldn't. Xavier pinned him with such a forceful stare that he found himself shaking from the intensity of it.
He knows, he knows, oh God, he knows…
He wanted to shout, to scream, to let the whole world hear his fear. At the insistent tug of Kevin's hand pulling him offstage, Brian followed, his breath coming in shallow gasps. Breathe, breathe! Don't lose it! he prayed silently, feeling himself being propelled by unseen stagehands towards the bus. Brian felt Nick behind him, trying to gently hurry him along and he twisted his neck around in order to capture Nick's attention.
"Nick! Nick! Something's wrong!" he hollered over the excited voices of the crew members as they shouted instructions left and right.
"Huh? What? Wait until we get on the bus, Brian!" yelled Nick back, indicating with a point of his finger at the bus that loomed before them.
The last two to arrive, Brian and Nick quickly hopped on, Nick frowning slightly in surprise when he saw Les sitting in the driver's seat. What the hell is Les doing here? Where was their regular driver? Both he and Brian stumbled a little as Les hurriedly slammed the door shut, quickly putting the bus into high gear, the engine groaning under the unskilled hands of its inept driver. As the bus began to race away from the curb, Nick turned his attention away from Les to locate a slow, sinister chuckling that seemed to float throughout the entire length of the bus.
With wide eyes, Nick discovered the sound and the person who was producing it. He tried not to panic as he saw Xavier standing menacingly in the aisle, tried not to panic as he viewed the fearful expressions of AJ, Howie, and Kevin who sat terrified in their seats, tried not to panic when he heard the agonized moans of Brian who slumped to the floor in despair.
He did panic at what came next.
CHAPTER NINETY-THREE – SHOWDOWN
Xavier walked slowly up the small aisle, stopping just a few feet from Nick, whose mouth and eyes were wide open in fear.
"By the time I get to Phoenix, you'll be all dead…" he sang sweetly, a soft menacing smile curling his lip. He began to roar with amusement, shaking his head. "Sorry, I couldn't help it, I just had to sing that!"
He glanced for a moment at Brian. "Not you, of course. You're mine," he cooed with a knowing leer.
Nick watched as Brian stared back at the bodyguard, a look of utter hopelessness on his face. That was all it took to snap Nick out of his shock, a rage so consuming; a hatred so primal that it instantly flooded every fiber of his being. With an outraged shout he launched himself at Xavier, tackling the large man with such brute force that it sent them both reeling, collapsing to the bus floor in a wild tangle of arms and legs. He managed to land a punch, feeling the painful crack of his knuckles coming in contact against Xavier's brow. Nick ignored the excruciating pain of busted fingers as he fought to keep Xavier off-balance, shoving, kicking to get out from underneath the bodyguard.
It was a losing battle. Xavier's massive weight bore down upon him with a vengeance, trapping him, no chance to break free. Xavier's hands finally found their target, his enormous fingers snaking around the young singer's throat. Nick struggled fiercely, twisting madly to keep those strong fingers from tightening around his neck. He barely heard the yells and shouts above him, barely saw the glowing rage in Xavier's eyes, he only felt the massive strength, the vice-like grip squeezing his throat harder and harder as he gasped desperately for breath.
Xavier's clutch relaxed for a split second, giving Nick a quick gulp of precious air as the enraged bodyguard hit Kevin with a vicious backhand, sending the tall Backstreet Boy, who had been trying to drag him away from Nick, crashing into Howie. Nick clawed frantically at Xavier's face, hoping to strike a vital blow to one of Xavier's eyes, but managing only to rake a bloody nail down his cheek before Xavier knocked his hand away, tightening his grip around Nick's throat even more cruelly. Nick's vision blurred from lack of oxygen, the faint, desperate cries of Brian's and Xavier's name being shouted… Brian, why was someone hysterically calling his name over and over? Nick tried to concentrate, to search for Brian, but his lungs screamed for air, for life that was fading too quickly away…
With one last sadistic choke, Xavier released his hold. Feeling the pressure lift from his throat, Nick struggled to his hands and knees, a burning fire coursing down his lungs as he gasped for air, greedily sucking in great gulps. He lifted his head in amazement, wondering what had happened to cause Xavier to let go. With Howie's help, he struggled upright, his vision clearing enough to see Xavier, Kevin and AJ bending over Brian.
With a shaky cry, Nick shook Howie's hand off, pushing and shoving to reach Brian.
"What happened? What's going on?" he yelled hoarsely, panic-stricken as he saw Brian slumped into a seat, cradling his left arm with his right hand.
"It's his heart," said AJ bluntly, hovering protectively over Brian. "He started having chest pain." Ripping his glasses off, AJ stared hard at Xavier. "We need to get him to a hospital, now."
Xavier pursed his lips for a second, his hands on hips, watching Brian closely. Brian's eyes were wide open, watching Xavier just as closely, his face twisted into a grimace.
Xavier narrowed his eyes slightly then relaxed, a small smile twitching at the corner of his mouth. "No. No hospital. I think Brian is going to make a miraculous recovery, don't you, Brian?"
Realizing Xavier had discovered his deception, Brian dropping his hand away from his arm, and shrugged, his eyes burning with an intensity that matched the amused bodyguard's. With a silent nod of credit to the young singer, Xavier glanced at the other four, his gaze landing on Nick who was still breathing erratically.
"Well, Brian sure saved your ass with that cute little trick. You're lucky to be alive. But luck doesn't last forever, does it?" With a warning finger, Xavier motioned for them all to stay put as he lumbered up to check on Les.
"Shit! Don't ever do that again!" rasped Nick angrily, as Kevin, AJ, and Howie all nodded their agreement, still in shock over Brian's little ruse.
"What, have a heart attack or save your life?" shot back Brian, not waiting for an answer. He eyed Nick critically. "How's your throat? Are you gonna be okay?"
Nick massaged his neck gingerly then winced as the pain from his broken fingers began to throb in earnest. "Yeah, I guess, but I think I broke my hand."
Fishing out his painkillers, Brian tossed them to Nick. "Here, take some, quick, before Xavier returns." Nick glanced nervously at the broad back of Xavier who was giving directions to Les up front and rapidly downed two.
Brian turned to his cousin, watching as Kevin tentatively wiped the blood away from his mouth with the back of his hand. He raised a questioning eyebrow at the injury and Kevin waved off Brian's concern, indicating that he was okay.
"Fuck," breathed AJ as he saw Xavier returning, "what are we going to do now?"
"Let me handle it!" hissed Brian, looking at all four. "Understand? He wants me, not you."
"No! Brian!" argued AJ but was cut off by Xavier's quick appearance as the bodyguard thumped two heavy hands down upon AJ's shoulders.
"Boo!" he yelled in his ear, laughing wickedly as he watched AJ jerk from the sudden scare.
"Fucking asshole," spat AJ.
"Bone!" warned Brian.
AJ ignored him, sneering as he faced Xavier. "Fucking moron. Too God damn stupid to realize it's over."
"AJ, stop!"
Xavier calmly crossed his arms as he studied AJ, his quiet interest alarming Brian.
"So… let me guess. It was you who discovered what was going on, right?"
Brian tensed, hearing the warning scorn in Xavier's voice. He edged closer to the two, uneasy.
AJ met Xavier's cool gaze with one of his own. "It's over, Xavier. Done. Give it up. We know all about you, Sam does too…." AJ stopped, hearing an uproarious laugh coming from the bodyguard.
"Sam? Sam? I don't think Sam in a position right now to care…." Xavier studied his nails nonchalantly, not hiding his smirk.
"Oh God," moaned AJ, seeing the stunned expressions on the other guys' faces. "If I find out that you so much as breathed on him…" growled AJ coming up face to face with Xavier, "I'll…"
'You'll what?" said Xavier, his eyes narrowing dangerously. He reached out with a firm finger to poke AJ in the chest. "You'll what?" he repeated, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Stop me?" Poke. "Hurt me?" Another vicious poke. "What, you filthy, tattooed little freak?"
Xavier smiled threateningly, goading AJ on. "Come on. Come on, you little punk. I know you'd like to take a swing at me. Go for it." He ended his invitation with a light stinging slap across AJ's face.
AJ rushed Xavier, enraged, but Howie managed to slip in, wedging himself between AJ and Xavier and grabbed his friend by his shoulders, stopping him.
"AJ! Don't! Don't be a fool!" He glanced back at Xavier guardedly, bracing himself against AJ's struggling form. "AJ! Stop! Do you wanna get yourself killed? Huh?" Howie stared hard into AJ's eyes, trying to shake some sense into him.
AJ slumped then shoved himself away from Howie, the bitterness evident in his face. Xavier clapped his hands dramatically, nodding his approval.
"Nice, very nice. I think I've underestimated you," he said appreciatively to Howie.
Howie turned to Xavier, his brown filled with loathing and whispered a scathing epithet to the bodyguard in Spanish. Xavier raised his eyebrows in surprise, then furrowed them together in a tight frown as he took a step forward.
This time Brian managed to interrupt, his arms outstretched to ward off the advancing bodyguard. "Xavier! No! No! You've got what you want…don't! Please." Brian lowered his voice. "You've got what you want," he repeated softly, trying to make his meaning unmistakably clear.
Xavier stopped, tilting his head sideways. "Do I?" he asked coolly as he slowly eyed Brian up and down for confirmation. Forcing down a wave of revulsion, Brian nodded solemnly, his eyes pleading for Xavier not to harm his friend.
Still suspicious, Xavier reached out with a quick hand and wove his fingers through Brian's hair, yanking hard as he tilted the young singer's head back. Wanting to gauge his reaction, Xavier bent down and kissed him firmly, taking his time to savor the taste, waiting for Brian to resist. He didn't, and Xavier pulled away, impressed.
"I guess I do have what I want," he said, a slight smirk forming as he released his fingers entwined in Brian's hair.
He glanced over to see the grim and quiet expressions on the guys' faces, taking delight in Nick's dagger-like if looks could kill glare.
"Ah, what's the matter? Wish it was you?" taunted Xavier, coming over to Nick. Nick turned his face away and Xavier grabbed his jaw with one hand, forcing Nick to look at him. With his thumb, Xavier leisurely grazed the bottom of Nick's lower lip, enjoying the murderous look in the blonde singer's eyes. "You know, it might have been you. Really. You were that close!" Xavier brought his fingers together, showing a little gap, then laughed as he shoved Nick's face away with his large hand, causing Nick to stumble and fall.
Brian hurried over to help Nick up, his face dark with warning as he looked at Xavier's amused expression. "Xavier, that's enough. Back off. If you want me you've got …"
The bus swayed unsteadily and everyone grabbed on for support, Xavier turning in surprise as the bus entered precariously onto the freeway. "Fucking idiot!" he shouted, racing up to the front to see what had happened.
Nick brushed himself off and sat wearily down in his seat, the others coming over closer. Brian sat across from Nick, wincing slightly as he eased into the high-backed seat.
"You hurting?" asked Howie, frowning in concern.
Brian shrugged indifferently. "It doesn't matter." He twisted in his seat to glimpse at Xavier who was apparently irritated at Les's driving skills and letting him know in no uncertain terms how he felt about it. Nick followed Brian's gaze, a tight anger forming in the pit of his stomach as he saw Xavier rebuking Les soundly with the back of his hand. His own fingers throbbed in sympathy and Nick hoped that the painkillers he took would kick in soon. Nick leaned back into his seat, watching as Brian winced once more in pain.
"He's not touching you," he promised heatedly, "no way is that son-of-a-bitch gonna lay a hand on you."
Startled by Nick's vehemence, Brian fidgeted worriedly. "You're not going to do a thing! Nothing, Nick! You hear me?" Brian's glanced anxiously at all four. "Any of you. This is between Xavier and me!"
"Like hell it is," hissed AJ. "Nick's right…" AJ stopped as he watched another flash of pain overtake Brian. He took a quick glance at Xavier, who was still talking to Les and then at Brian, seeing clearly now the glazed look of agony in his eyes, the fine sheen of sweat upon his brow.
"How bad are you?" he asked quietly.
Brian smiled weakly. "Not too bad. The pain…"
"No!" whispered AJ harshly. "No bullshitting around. How bad are you?" He enunciated each word sharply.
Brian felt four pairs of eyes trained on him and he lowered his head for a moment before raising it back up to face the guys. "Bad enough to know that Xavier isn't going to get what he wants," he murmured.
AJ gawked at the others, aghast. He now understood why Brian was so willing to sacrifice himself, to surrender to Xavier's wishes. He set his mouth into a firm line. There was no fucking way he was gonna let Brian do this. And, by judging Nick's, Kevin's and Howie's expressions, neither were they.
"Xavier!"
Brian jerked at the anger in AJ's voice.
"Xavier!"
Alarmed, Brian grabbed for AJ's arm, but AJ easily avoided it, shouting Xavier's name one more time, glancing at Kevin and seeing his nod of approval.
"You called?"
AJ watched as Xavier walked over to them, the sarcasm heavy in his voice.
AJ stared at him calmly, his hands akimbo. "Game's over. We're not playing anymore. You lose."
Xaiver's smirk faded into a frown as Nick stood up, joining Kevin, AJ, and Howie as they faced the bodyguard, effectively blocking Brian away.
"There's no way you're gonna get away with this. We know all about it; others do too. Brian's bank account is closed, you can't get any more money." AJ ignored Brian's plea to stop and continued on. "We've hired the best to guard our families, so your outta luck there too, pal."
"Oh, really," sneered Xavier and Nick shifted nervously, watching as Kevin and Howie prevented Brian from getting up. With a quick glimpse he spied his duffle bag, lying just a few feet away and he sucked his breath in with a quick hiss. He took a small backwards step, then another, trying to drag it over with the toe of his shoe.
"Really," mimicked AJ harshly.
"Hmm. I'm fascinated, truly. Tell me, I'm dying to know, just who is going to stop me?" AJ watched as Xavier rhythmically clenched and unclenched his hands.
With a trembling hand, Nick slowly reached down to pick up his bag, his fingers curling around the handle and hoisted it up to the seat. He felt a small trickle of sweat snake its way down the side of his temple as he blindly fumbled for the zipper, glad that AJ and Kevin's bodies were partially blocking Xavier's view.
"We are," stated AJ simply, with a wave of his hand. "And while you might be big, I seriously doubt that you can take us all at once." Kevin moved a step closer, his green eyes agreeing with AJ's every word.
Brian shoved Howie's restraining away, his panic evident. "No! No! God, please, I've seen what Xavier can do!" He struggled to come between them, trying to grab a hold of AJ's wrist.
Xavier stood there for a second, rooted to the spot, his face inscrutable. He exploded with lightening speed, shoving AJ back, causing AJ to fall sideways in the small confines of the bus. He reached in with a swift hand and grabbed Brian, hauling him backwards. Fear gave Brian power and he savagely ripped away from Xavier's grasp, his momentum hurling him to the ground.
"Hold it! Hold it right there!" shrieked Nick over the commotion and everyone turned to see him pointing a gun aimed directly at Xavier's head. "Don't move!" he screamed. "You so much as move an inch and I'll blow your fucking head off!"
Wincing in pain as his broken fingers tightened around the grip, Nick walked up the aisle, his arm shaking a little as he waved the tip of the gun at Xavier. He glanced quickly at Brian to see if he was all right. "Okay, now back off!" he barked. "Step back or you're dead!"
Having a gun pointed directly at him by a wild and distraught man didn't seem to faze Xavier in the least, and with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, Brian watched as he began to laugh. The intimidating bodyguard took a threatening step towards Nick and suddenly Brian knew exactly what was going to happen.
Nick pulled the trigger, then again, then once more. Each pull was met with a dead click, the chamber empty. Completely dumbfounded, Nick was too slow to react and Brian, too much in pain, to reach Nick before Xavier reached out and snatched the gun away, brutally pistol-whipping Nick across the face.
With an ugly-sounding crack, Nick fell backwards, clutching the side of his face. Brian and Howie reached him in the same instant, Howie grabbing the nearest cloth to staunch the flow of blood. With a dark, warning glance at Kevin and AJ, Xavier came over to where Nick lay dazed on the floor, his massive presence looming over all three.
"That will teach you to trust a sneaky little weasel like Les, especially when he works for me," he admonished. "Right, Les?" yelled Xavier to the front of the bus, not taking his eyes off Brian, Nick, and Howie. He ignored Les's faint reply and hitched a hip on the side of a chair, studying Nick unsympathetically as the young singer gagged into a towel, spitting out a few bloody teeth. "Not much of a gunman, are you? You should have known just by the weight that the gun was empty."
Twirling the trigger of the gun absentmindedly round and round his finger, Xavier watched the three before him indifferently, as if lost in thought. His occasional, sharp glances towards AJ and Kevin let them know that the bodyguard was indeed keeping a watchful eye on them. They sat, troubled, unsure if they should stay where they were or go over to help Nick, Howie, and Brian. Xavier trained his attention on Brian. The blonde Backstreet Boy had managed to find some ice for Nick and was helping him hold the make-shift ice pack to his face.
With a huge sigh that startled the five Backstreet Boys, Xavier stood up and smiled. "Well, this certainly has been interesting, to say the least. But I think it's time to crank it up a notch, don't you?"
With a booming cry of "Les!", which made the guys jump again, Xavier backed carefully up the aisle, never taking his eyes off the five. "Turn the bus around."
Irritated by Les's perplexed reply, Xavier barked his command again. "I said turn this bus around, dammit! Now! This very second!"
The heavy and cumbersome bus groaned under Les's amateurish maneuverings and the bus swayed and rocked as it plunged into the unfortified median, the scratching and crunching of desert scrub brush scraping the underside of the bus. The headlights danced erratically over the uneven ground, Les weaving wildly to steer the bus through. With a heavy whine of acceleration, the tires spun in the soft sand before grabbing hold, propelling the immense bus onto the other side of the highway, heading south.
With a derisive snort at Les's driving skills, Xavier turned to see that Brian had stopped administering to Nick and was staring straight at him. The beads of sweat were visible as Brian's voice filled with pain and anger. "Where are we going?" he asked, rising with difficulty up off his knees. "Where are you taking us, Xavier?" he snarled with such intensity that Xavier raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Shoving the gun in the waist of his pants, Xavier swung his attention to AJ, who was staring sullenly at him. "Why, you can thank Mr. McLean over there. He gave me the idea. Since he so kindly informed me that he's blocked my every avenue for being a rich ex-bodyguard, I feel it's only fair to return the favor."
"Cut the crap, Xavier!" screamed Brian, fed up with his infuriating little clues. "Where are we going?"
Xavier walked over to Brian, his eyes glittering with anticipated glee. "Why, Mexico, of course. But first, it's time for us all to play little game." With maddening calmness he pulled the gun out, inserted a lone bullet and rolled the chamber.