"I need to go talk to him," I told her, giving her a kiss on her cheek and standing up. She followed me out of my room.
"That's a good idea, he needs to know things are okay with you if he's going to be able to concentrate tomorrow," my mom said before walking away. Right, I couldn't be the cause of any distraction for anybody.
* * *
I made my way to the weight room, I knew that Brian would be there, taking out his frustration on our punching bag. When I got close I heard the hard rhythmic pounding of fist hitting bag. I stopped and listened for awhile. The punches started coming closer together and I could hear his breathing become heavier. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I could feel his frustration, his determination, and mostly his hurt. I knew I had hurt him, deliberately with my words, and non- deliberately with my actions the past month.
I walked into the room and Brian's eyes caught mine in the mirror. He quickly glanced away and hit the bag harder. I sat down, leaning against one of the mirrored walls until he was finished. Finally with a last few hard punches he stopped and wiped the sweat from his forehead with his arm. He grabbed his water bottle and chugged it, wiping away some of the extra the fell down his chin.
"Here to tell me how much of a fuck up I am, sis?" He asked breathlessly, sitting down next to me. I sighed, he knew that's not why I was there.
"No B-Bear. I came to apologize," I said quietly. He raised an eyebrow, not looking at me but staring straight ahead.
"Whatever for? I'm use to you cutting me to pieces when you're angry, you've never apologized before," he said sarcastically.
"I never felt like I had to before. And I'm not just apologizing for that either," I said. He furrowed his eyebrows, a sure sign of his confusion. "I've been really selfish this past month, or months I should say. We've always been close Bri, and I don't want that to change just because I found someone else. You should know he'll never take your place. You're my other half, the evil to my good," I said. He laughed.
"You mean the good to your evil," he corrected.
"Whatever you want to think B-Bear. But the thing is, I'm not complete without you and I've treated you like right crap lately and I'm really sorry," I said honestly. He put an arm around my shoulder.
"It's okay Lil. I just don't want to lose you, especially to a punk like Decklin. But I understand how it is to be in love," he said. I looked up at him, surprised.
"When have you ever been in love?" I asked. He stayed quiet, looking at nothing really. It hit me then: Beth. He loved Beth. Loudmouthed, loveable, not supermodel pretty Beth. I couldn't believe I hadn't seen it sooner.
"Really?" I asked. He nodded.
"I really didn't peg her as your type. She may be my best friend, but you can do so much better B-Bear," I told him.
"Yeah well, I don't want better. But that's beside the point. Anyway, all apologies accepted, I still love you even if you are annoying and bitchy," he said kissing the top of my head. "Go find lover boy, get some good sleep and don't let Little Isaiah get to you. He's an annoying twit and isn't worth your time. I really don't see why he had to come. Too bad he's not more like his father," he said. I stood up and held out my hand. He shook his head. "Nah, I'm going to sit here for awhile more and ponder the meaning of life," meaning he was going to sit there and brood over Beth.
"Love you B-Bear," I said before walking away.
* * *
I found Decklin in my room, sprawled out on my bed. He looked good there, like he belonged in my bed always. I smiled at the thought. He had his eyes closed but I didn't think he was sleeping. I crawled up next to him and laid my head on his shoulder, kissing his neck, leaving my mark. He groaned and an arm went around my waist.
"I need sleep tonight Lillian, so don't start something that I don't feel like I could finish," he said, opening his blue eyes to look at me. Gosh but was he ever pretty.
"I'm pretty sure I could get you to finish," I said in a quick moment of boldness. I blushed afterwards. Despite what I had done when I was angry, it didn't come naturally to be this outgoing with things of a sexual matter. He laughed when he saw my blush and kissed me soundly on the mouth.
"You know, though I have high expectations and little to no worries, anything could happen tomorrow. I better make this night worth remembering," he said lowly.
And he did. It was so wonderful that afterwards, when he'd fallen asleep, still holding me tightly, I stayed awake thinking about it. How could I be so lucky to finally break Decklin of his womanizing ways? He was such an excellent lover, and I knew that he felt real emotion towards me. He wouldn't lie to me anymore. I felt like I could truly believe him now. It was scary in a way, trusting someone outside of my family and Beth. But I loved it, I loved him.
My brain wouldn't let me go to sleep, so I slipped out of Decklin's grip and threw on some pajamas. I needed to go for a walk, just around the block. I didn't feel like there was any harm in that. But I didn't even make it out the front door before I was grabbed from behind by someone and a cloth was put over my mouth, sending me into a black sleep.
Chapter Nineteen: TraitorDecklin
I was raging mad. Fury swept through my body, making me tremble. I thought I would explode from the anger coursing through me. But more than that, I was afraid. Terrified. Where had she gone? Who had taken her? Had she decided to take the gang down by herself? No- she wasn't that stupid. I didn't have an explanation and neither did anybody else, and that's what was terrifying me and pissing me off.
I woke up early, seeing the spot next to me on the bed empty which was odd because Lillian always slept in. I didn't think too much of it, maybe nature had called or she was having coffee with her mom or something. But when I went downstairs, nobody had seen her. We searched the entire house and there was no sign of her anywhere. It wouldn't make sense for her to run away, yet what other choice was there? Nobody could get through the alarm systems. I was freaking out.
"Decklin, calm down," I heard 'little' Isaiah say to me.
"Don't tell me to calm down. I'll fucking calm down when I see her again and she's not hurt," I said harshly. "How the hell could she have been taken? It's all so locked up and there are six of us here," I ran a hand through my hair.
"We have to leave, right now. Fred and a few more of our team are on the way. They won't expect so many of us," Isaiah said with false calm. I sighed but nodded. I trusted him.
"I'll be right back," the younger Isaiah said. "I have to go make a phone call," I raised my eyebrow but didn't say anything.
"Who could you possibly have to call right now?" Brian asked his son. Isaiah hesitated for a second too long and I caught onto it.
"I have friends, maybe they can back us up," he said quickly. With that, he left the room. I made an excuse and followed behind him silently. He stopped in the living room, far enough away that no one else could hear him.
"Hey, they are coming quick," he said lowly. My eyes narrowed. It made sense. He didn't have to break in, he was already in the house. He had snatched Lillian and had taken her to someone. "They have-" I attacked before he could tell them how many people were coming. I smashed his phone and punched him in the face. He tried pushing me away but I was too strong for him.
"What's going on here?" I heard Isaiah's booming voice ask as he came into the room.
"I figured out how someone could have taken Lillian without us knowing," I said breathlessly, trying to keep Brian's son pinned down. "They had someone on the inside. I followed him because he took just a minute too long to answer who he had to call. He was giving information to somebody over the phone. I stopped him before he could tell them how many people were coming," I said. I hoped they would believe me, even though I didn't have the cleanest record with them. Everyone was silent for a moment. Finally Brian spoke up.
"It makes sense, even if I don't want to believe it," there was disappointment and sadness in his tone. He's been asking a lot more questions lately, when before he wasn't even interested in the busines
s. I didn't think anything of it because I was so excited he wanted to do something with me," he ended quietly.
"Where is she?" Isaiah asked. He didn't answer. I punched him in the face.
"Where the fuck is she?" I growled. He still wouldn't answer. I leaned in close to him. "I don't care if your whole family is in here, if you aren't going to tell us where Lillian is than you're of no use to us and I won't hesitate to slit your throat," I said in a low voice. He gulped.
"They wouldn't let you," he said stubbornly. I looked up at the group watching us.
"You've betrayed us Isaiah, you no longer have our protection," Brian's solemn voice was heard.
"But you're my dad!" He cried out.
"And you've not wanted anything to do with me until this situation came about. As far as I'm concerned I have no son," he replied. Little Isaiah was starting to look scared, and he damn well should have been. I was two seconds away from killing him, but I knew he was our only chance to find Lillian.
"Fine, I'll tell you," he said softly. As much as I hated cowards, at that point in time I was sincerely glad that he was one. "Two miles out of town there's an old barn. She's being kept there with five guards because she's a sneaky bi-"
"Say that last word and I'll cut your tongue out right now," I interrupted. He sighed.
"Anyway, five guards are watching her, he has people set up in the area surrounding the shed, watching for you. She isn't hurt-yet- I just knocked her out. She's probably still sleeping," he said. I looked over at the group.
"I think he's telling the truth," Delilah said. "Let's put him in the celhile we're gone. I'm sure we'll all want to talk to him when we get back," she said coldly. I saw the ice in her eyes. She was lethal looking, and I'm sure it wasn't a façade. With all of us together, and then some, we were definitely going to get my girl back.
Chapter Twenty: SorrowWe understand death for the first time when he puts his hand upon one whom we love.
–Madame de Stael
Lillian
It was cold and dark and I was chained up. There were five guards surrounding me, ogling me like I was candy, yet not saying a word. It was like a cheap horror movie really. Sure, they weren't touching me. But they just had to look at me for me to know what they were thinking. I shivered involuntarily. I always knew there was something wrong with Isaiah. I was pretty sure that he hated me because I always made fun of his height, but I make fun of people who are in my family. It's just how I am. It's really not my fault that he's so touchy. He took everything too seriously but I never thought he'd go so far as to kidnap me. And then he stood there, laughing in my face telling me how easy it was.
Of course it was easy for him. No one suspected him, I mean, he's family. Who betrays their family? Him, obviously. Not only that, he had to drug me. Stupid guy wouldn't have had a chance without drugging me. He knew I could kick his ass six ways to Sunday. I only hoped that he had gotten caught. Maybe I could kill him myself. God knows I wanted to.
I sat there forever. It could have been hours or days, who really knew? The guards never moved, never talked, just stared. It was really creeping me out. I had to pee, but definitely wasn't going to ask. They'd probably want to watch me, effing perverts.
I knew that Isaiah would squeal. Something would happen and he would admit what he had done. He wasn't a strong person. I just had to be patient and wait until my family came for me. I didn't know much about what they did, but I had no problem believing that they could defeat this group. While they all looked menacing I thought secretly that they were over compensating.
I've never been a patient person though, so waiting was indeed difficult. I became anxious after what I deemed was long enough. Where the hell were they? Would they not come for me? Would Isaiah not be found out? I started to panic. I never panic. I'm always cool and calm. But I started panicking and once I started I couldn't stop. My breathing became harsh and I began to sweat yet I was cold. I was in full blown panic mode and nothing was helping. The guards were just watching me. I felt their eyes burning into my skin. I felt their gazes as if they were branding me. I needed out, I could have screamed.
My vision became cloudy, blacking out on the outsides. I was shaking and didn't want to pass out. I was afraid of what they would do to me if I did, not that I was in any position to protect myself all tied up like a roast for Christmas dinner. At that moment, I saw one guard go down. And then another, swiftly followed by the third and fourth one, until there was only one left. He watched his friends go down and was ready for the attack on himself. He spun around as Uncle Brian reached him and stuck a knife in his side. I couldn't do anything as Uncle Brian's eyes met mine and they were wide with shock, starting to glaze over. I might have cried out, I'm not sure. I couldn't hear anything, couldn't feel anything, I could only see the surprise and eventually acceptance as I watched him die in front of me. The guard didn't live much longer, my dad killed him and caught Uncle Brian as he fell. I struggled.
"Get me out of these chains!" I screamed. "Get them off, get them off, get them off!" The panic was full blown. I felt the chains loosen, but I didn't stop to thank whoever had taken them off. I crawled over to my dying uncle, looking like an idiot on the way because I had lost all feeling in my legs from being in one position for too long. When I got to him I held his head in my lap, tears pouring down my face. He tried smiling at me through the pain and he lifted his hand up to stroke my face. He was my favorite person who was not in my immediate family. No one would take his place.
I vaguely registered that my dad was trying to stop the bleeding, but the guard had hit a fatal place. I wished he were alive just so I could kill him all over again. How dare he take this man away from me? We had grown apart as I got older, but he still held a special place in my heart. It was reserved only for him. Now, it would be empty.
"Don't cry pumpkin," he said hoarsely. "It was worth it. We rescued you right?" He asked. I nodded, not able to say anything. "I got to be your knight in shining armor one more time," he said with a small smile on his face. "Tell Aunty Adrian I love her for me, kay?" He asked. I nodded again. "And you train that Decklin right. He's already wrapped around your finger," it was hard to listen to him talk, he didn't have the same jolly tone in his voice as I was used to. I knew he was struggling for breath and I wanted to tell him to stop talking, but I didn't want to stop listening to his voice, knowing that this would be the last time I would hear him. "Now, tell me, who's your favorite uncle?" He asked with one of his old grins. I smiled shakily back at him.
"You of course Uncle Bri Bri," I said, finally finding my voice.
"Love you kid," he said.
"Love you too Unc," I said quietly as I watched him close his eyes. I knew he was gone. His life lost because of me, because of his own son as well. Grief overwhelmed me. I didn't think I could bear it. I had never had anyone close to me die, especially not murdered. And murdering that man who was going to harm Decklin, being the cause of someone's death didn't hit me as hard as having someone I loved die. I didn't know it would be so hard, because I had never really thought about it. Some part of me thought that everyone I loved, everyone close to me was invincible. That I had to learn differently hit me hard. When I wanted to give up completely I felt strong arms wrap around me, pulling me to a very familiar muscular body. I turned to him, burying my head in his shoulder and cried.
"Oh Lil, I thought I'd lost you," Decklin's soothing voice rang in my ears, easing the hurt a slight bit. "I woke up and you were gone. I didn't think much of it, but when no one could find you I panicked. I'm so sorry about your uncle Lil, so sorry," I could hear the sorrow in his voice. He was hurting for me. He didn't have to, he didn't know Uncle Brian, but he hurt because I hurt. I knew in that moment I had found my other half. And when we made it through the conflict we were in, I was going to spend the rest of my life with him.
Chapter Twenty-One: Let DownDecklin
Relief swept through me when I saw that Lillian was okay. She wasn't damaged at
all, the only marks on her body were from where she pulled at the chains on her wrists to get to her uncle. I wish I could have taken the heart break from her. Her sorrow was my sorrow, but I couldn't lessen it anymore for her. I fell apart with her as she did so in my arms.
The crying was over as quickly as it started though. She looked up at me, determined. She kissed me hard on the mouth and pulled away, standing up on shaky legs. "We've got to get the rest of them, destroy everyone," she said in a cold tone that I'd never heard her use. I'd used it many times myself, my killer voice. I recognized the look of steel in her eyes as well. She was hell bent on revenge and nothing was going to stop her. I wouldn't even dare to try. Others were not so smart.
"Lillian, honey, I want you to go back to the house," her mother spoke. Lil's cold gaze went towards her mother.
"They just killed my uncle, and you want me to go hide like a sissy?" She asked in a deadly calm voice.
"We want you to be safe," Isaiah corrected.
"No. I'm not going back uncle Brian convinced you guys to let me go last night, and since h-he's not here to convince you again, I'll just have to," she stuttered a little in her speech, fully realizing what she was saying. But she wasn't backing down.
"She's right," I spoke up. Everyone looked at me. "You guys were fine with letting her go after Brian spoke up last night. Stick to what you said. I don't want her to go any more than any of you do, but we could need her. She's good, I've seen her shoot. I saw her murder a man and not flinch, she can do this. I have faith in her, so should you," I said quietly. Everything inside of me was telling me to take her and run far away from any danger, but honestly there couldn't be that many more. We had killed over fifteen just in the woods surrounding the shed. Just the big guys were left, and they felt so secure in their locked up home that they would be easy enough to get rid of. Lillian sent a hint of a smile my way, a small gesture of a thank you for defending her. I nodded back to her.
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