CHAPTER ELEVEN

EMMETT

I TUCKED THE 9mm that Matthew gave me into my waistband before taking the walky-talky. One of my father’s crew, David, waited at the gates, high and armed. As I approached the gate, Kirk and JP waited. “Open the gate,” I told Marcus, who hesitated briefly. 

The moment David saw me, he started to babble, drool leaving his mouth. The gun that he clung to waved wildly around. That was a problem, and I had to get to him before he did anything stupid. “David,” I greeted him while moving carefully in his direction. I hadn't really known him when I worked with my father, but I recognized him as one of my father’s. I had seen him around the house from time to time, always ready to do my father’s bidding. “Give me the gun,” I told him stretching out my hand.

He stopped talking and looked at his hand as if it was his first time seeing the gun. Something changed, and he glanced around, standing taller. I froze as I looked down the barrel of his gun. In this state, he was unpredictable and I didn’t know what his motives were. He wiped the spit from his face, his eyes focused, alert. Kirk, JP, and Matthew pulled their own guns at the same time.

“I don’t want no beef with you, Emmett, but I want my sister." 

 

His sister? I was confused. I hadn’t seen his sister in a long time…I stepped forward.  “Lower your gun, David. Don’t be stupid.” Did he really think if he shot me that he would just walk away from this?

“I will put a bullet in your mother fucking head if you don’t get my sister," The drugs fueled his courage, which right now was fucking stupid and made him dangerous.

“Lower your guns.” I kept eye contact with David as I ordered my men to stand down. Guns were lowered, but still held at the ready.

“What’s your sister’s name?” I asked calmly.

“The one you’re screwing.” His other hand clenched and unclenched along his side, his irritation growing, which made him volatile.

“Rachel,” he sneered when I didn't speak. That surprised me. They looked nothing alike, and I hadn’t met her as part of the crew. With Rachel, it had been one night in the hotel. She was there, I was bored.

“She’s not here." 

His face reddened. “You’re a fucking liar."

I smiled, backpedaling. I needed to keep him calm, not antagonize him. “Yeah I am, I never could fool you, David, always smarter than the others." He relaxed, liking the false praise. I held my hands out. “Let me just get my phone and ring her to come down," I continued to smile, relaxed, open, and friendly. “I don’t want this to get ugly."

“I respect you, Emmett, so no hard feelings," The beast inside me roared to life.

“It’s forgotten,” I lied, and he looked relieved, he lowered the gun a fraction and smiled. The beast inside of me relished what came next. The little punk had just made a major mistake.

“Thanks, man.” His stance shifted slightly as he rubbed his neck with his free hand, as if to relieve the stress of the moment. I used the moment and pulled out my own gun. I fired one clean shot that hit him between his eyes. He hit the ground, his own gun sliding across the tarmac. Everyone moved at once. Kirk and JP grabbed him and brought him inside the gate. I picked up his gun.

“Get someone to clean this up straight away,” I ordered Marcus. I returned to the compound with Matthew at my side.

Some of the guys met us at the door. “We heard a gunshot.” They were armed and ready.

“It’s fine, just one of my father’s cronies.” Surprise filtered through my men. Since leaving over a year ago, I hadn’t heard from my father, so for someone to show up now surprised me. “He was looking for his sister.” Who I needed to question. I needed to know what that bitch had been relaying back to my father and his men.

 

AMBER

After Emmett left, I cleaned up the alcohol I had spilled. I had just straightened up the bottle when a gunshot had me knocking it over again. The bottle shattered on the floor and I jumped back, avoiding small shards of broken glass. The noise had come from outside. I left the house. Movement at the gates caught my eye, but I couldn't see exactly who was out there from this far away. Two men moved closer, not close enough for me to make out their faces, but close enough that I could see they carried another man. His head was bowed, his feet dragged along the ground like he was dead. I froze for a moment before moving out of the line of sight and using the bushes as camouflage. I couldn’t make out much from here. My heart skipped a beat as Emmett moved in my direction with Matthew. I moved deeper behind the bushes and held my breath until they had passed and once the door closed, I looked out from my hiding spot. A light from an outbuilding switched off and two other familiar figures moved back towards the house. I waited until JP and Kirk moved past me, and once they walked back inside, I made my way to the barn.

It was dark inside, so I had to leave the door open to let some light stream in. My blood pounded in my ears as I pushed the door open in further. Fear of what I might find had me closing my eyes briefly before I pushed the door open far enough to see the man. I covered my mouth to muffle a scream as the body came into view, a very clear bullet hole in his head. Nausea bubbled up inside me, but I couldn't move as I stared at the dead man's young face and for the hundredth time, I wondered what I’d gotten myself into. These people were killers, cold-blooded killers. I wondered what this guy had even done to deserve such a death? I needed to get out of here.

With that thought, I left the barn, a plan, not a great one but a plan none the less, forming in my mind. The cameras that were situated everywhere would pick up my movements, but I hoped my stroll didn't alert anyone, as I made my way to the gates. Then an idea struck me.

“Hello,” I tried to sound cheery and business-like as I knocked on the gate.

“Yeah.”  A voice spoke from the other side.

“Here to help clean up,” I said. There was a pause, and dread filled my stomach in case he said no. They didn’t need help. I needed to get out of here. Panic started to build inside of me at the thought of my plan failing, but when the click of the gate sounded, I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. Once it opened, the guy who had spoken to me looked me up and down.

“Who sent you?” he asked, looking curious now. He held a bucket and a large brush leaned against the gate.

“Kirk, he said you might need a hand. I wanted to help.” He swallowed my lie and gave a smile.

“I’m going to get more water, you can keep sweeping the area.” He didn’t say the area that was soaked in blood. I returned his smile, hoping I didn’t look too nervous.

“Sure, no problem.” I picked up the brush as he gave me one more look before he went behind the gate. I didn’t wait. The cameras were watching all this. I dropped the brush and ran like my life depended on it.

I hadn’t a clue where I was. Once again, I found myself penniless and without my phone. I tried to remember our journey here. It wasn’t far from the hotel, which wasn’t far from the gym, and that's where my bag was. But I couldn’t risk going back there. I had only one person who I could try to find, Craig. I didn’t want to, but I could go to the house that the party was at, see if anyone had seen him. It was a long shot, but I had no other choice. Now I just had to figure out how to get to that house.

I ran until my breaths were labored. I wasn’t sure how long the black SUV was following, but as I settled into a quick walk, I became aware of it. The windows were tinted, and I couldn’t see inside. I kept glancing at it, without looking at it. It moved slowly. I walked faster and turned a corner. It followed. It didn't think it was Emmett, he would have just got out of the car and I don’t think he would have been as nice as he had been at the hotel. Now I had my regrets about leaving the compound. Paranoia and too many drinks fogged my mind as my heart raced, but every turn I took, so did the SUV. I was being followed. Fuck.

I broke out into a sprint and the driver floored it, chasing me. I ran blindly until I ended up at the gym, I don’t know how. My mind must have been on autopilot. I ran down the alleyway along the side as the sound of brakes screeching and doors slamming had me moving faster. I grabbed the back door handle of the building, it was locked. My stomach plummeted, I couldn’t think. Panic clawed at me, my mind wouldn’t focus.

Two men rounded the corner, both dressed in dark clothing, both with their eyes trained on me and I took a step back feeling helpless, raising my hands. “I don’t have any money.” I knew they didn’t want my money, but I just couldn’t focus. The one on the left, with a scar from his lip all the way across his eye, moved towards me, his black gloves filled my vision as he grabbed me. I went limp, all the energy left me. A chemical smell like chloroform burned my nose. Dread trickled down my spine. I struggled against the man’s hold uselessly as he carried me effortlessly towards the SUV. Hazel eyes with flecks of gold filled my blurring vision.

“Why are her eyes open? I thought that stuff would knock her out.” The other man now moved into my line of sight as they placed me in the back of the SUV. “Give it a second, you moron.” His voice was gruff with annoyance.

And, as if on cue, my vision started to blur around the edges and I knew if I closed my eyes, I was as good as dead. But as much as I tried to fight it, I couldn’t stop the darkness that closed in on me.

“Ah, she’s out."  The voice was light, almost feminine. It belonged to the man with the brown eyes.

“I told you.” The door closed, and the vehicle started to move. I could hear everything so clearly, but I couldn’t see or move. I commanded my body to move, but nothing happened.  Other people got kidnapped, but not me. Please, God, don’t let me die this way. I had so much I still wanted to do. Maybe I was dreaming. It felt like dreaming. But the two men’s voices made this real.

“I think we have a tail.” The voice of the brown-eyed man spoke. 

“Make a quick left and see.” The other man instructed. I tried to send a signal to my fingers, but nothing happened and panic started to flood me again.  I hoped Emmett or his friends had seen what happened. Could they be behind us?

“You are a moron. See, no one followed us. I don’t know why Frankie sent you," the sneery voice made me focus. My heart sank. No one was coming.

“Fuck you, Nig.”  The vehicle swerved under me and then settled back down into its normal rhythm.

“Ouch! What was that for?”

“For being a moron,” Nig said as the SUV came to a stop.

“Do we just leave her here?"

“No, we don’t, Simon. I swear I don’t understand why Frankie sent you.” They got out but continued to talk, their voices muffled. Then suddenly the door opened, and fresh air brushed the crown of my head. They lifted me out, their hands heavy on my skin.

“She’s pretty,” Simon spoke. My skin crawled. Would they rape me? Was that how I was going to die? I wish I couldn’t feel or hear. Whatever they gave me wasn’t working. I couldn’t even die peacefully. I couldn’t even panic or cry

The ground that they placed me on was cold. Small stones dug into my back painfully. I wanted to protest and scream, but still my body would not cooperate with my mind.

“What now?” The man named Simon asked.

“Now we wait.” A foot kicked my leg, pain registering clearly with me. “She’s out of it,” Nig added.

“She’s really pretty.” Simon spoke again. Please, God. Don’t let him touch me. I beg you.

“You’re fucking sick.” Yeah you tell him, Nig. Please don’t let him touch me.

“I like them still. It’s not sick. It’s a preference,” I felt bile in my throat as Simon the sick bastard tried to defend himself.

“You like them cold, too, I heard. That makes you one sick fuck, Simon.” Silence, my stomach twisted and turned. What kind of monster was I in the hands of?

“She’s not cold,” Psycho Simon said after a moment. Then there was movement as someone brushed my face. In my mind, I was shuddering, moving my head away, trying to use my hands, but nothing. They could do anything they wanted, and I was helpless. “I’d still fuck her.” His breath brushed my face and its stench reached my nose, making my stomach churn even more violently.

“Let’s see what Frankie says."

“About me fucking her?” His breath was no longer on my face, it was as if he turned his head away from me.

There was a frustrated sigh. “No, you moron. About whether to kill her or not? What, did your mother drop you when you were born?”

The insult had Simon moving away from me, his footsteps growing distant. “You call me a moron one more time and you will regret it,” Simon’s voice had lowered, the threat real. I didn’t want him to hurt Nig, then it would be just me and him and Nig was the lesser of two evils.

“Fine man. Just chill.” The sound of a lighter and the smell of smoke filled my senses. They didn’t speak again. Someone paced. I wasn’t sure which one.

“I’m going to check the area. You stay here.” Nig’s voice sounded. No, no, no. Don’t leave me with him. Footsteps moved away before the voice spoke again. “And don’t do any weird shit to her,” the sound of disgust in Nig’s voice only heightened my fear.

“Fine,” one word and Nig’s steps moved further away. I listened intently as Simon moved towards me. Please, please, please come back! I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs as his hand touched my face. “So pretty, so still,” he purred the words as he continued to stroke my face. His hand moved down my neck and groped my left breast. He let out a groan, and I screamed, but no sound came out. I wanted to be sick. I wanted out; I didn’t want to be here. But my mind wasn’t obeying me. It stayed still and obedient as he continued to grope me, his breathing getting heavy. Then to my horror and disgust, his slimy tongue found its way inside my ear. My stomach heaved again as his panting was now breathing hot, rancid air into my face. The need to push him away and dry the inside of my ear consumed me.  

“You dirty bastard!” Simon’s tongue left my ear. I could have cried in relief as Nig came back.

“You were licking her ear?” he asked. “Don’t answer that.” he added. Simon tried to get his breathing under control. The terror in me hadn’t faded. “Frankie rang. We have to take her back to him.” I felt a moment of relief before more fear replaced it. Was this just prolonging the inevitable? Who was Frankie? What did he want me for? I wasn’t sure if it was Nig or Simon who grabbed my arms, ready to lift me up. I prayed with all of my soul that it was Nig.

“Step away from the girl,” Matthew’s rough and steady voice sounded like heaven. I wanted to cry. They found me. I was safe. I was going to be okay. Fear gripped me as I was lowered to the ground.

“Lower your weapon,” another voice ordered. It was one I didn’t recognize. I wondered whether Emmett was here too. I really hoped he was. He was the only thing that made me feel safe. He was the only one that I trusted. It was the here and now that made me realize this. 

“We’re on the same side,” Nig spoke to Matthew. Trepidation at Nig’s words had my mind halting. It was like it short circuited for a second.

“No, we're not.” Matthew growled as the sound of two shots rang out. My relief at being rescued were short-lived as I prayed, unable to move as shots rang out. Sound returned, and the man who was with Matthew spoke. “We didn’t have to kill them."

“Yeah, we did, son."

“What about her?”

“Kill her.” My blood ran cold with disbelief. What? What was going on? I thought Matthew was here to save me. Noise from what sounded like upstairs made the two men go silent. “Stay here.” Matthew spoke quietly and left the room. I lay waiting for a bullet. Would he shoot me as Matthew had commanded?

“Matthew?” The boy sounded confused, and a shot was fired. If my eyes weren’t already closed, I would have closed them as I almost expected the sound to sear through my body. But then the loud thud of a body hitting the ground near me rang out. I was confused, what had just happened? The inability to see was infuriating.

“Down here. I found her.” Matthew shouted as he leaned over me, acting as if none of the previous events had ever happened. The next voice would have had me crying if I could have, but Matthew’s sudden change was more frightening than anything else.

“Is she alive?” Emmett’s voice sounded stiff with fear.

Matthew touched my neck, feeling for my pulse. “She’s alive,” he spoke. “Just sedated.”  I thought I could detect a hint of annoyance. What was going on?

Now I knew for sure that Matthew wanted me dead. But why? The smell that now invaded my nostrils had my mind skittering away from the fear of Matthew and towards Emmett. I felt his strong arms wrap around me as he lifted me off the ground. He pulled me into his chest. I was safe.