Chapter 1: Breaking news (Claire's POV)
I grabbed the bread, once it popped out of the toaster, wincing as it burned my fingers. "Freaking hell," I mumbled. I ate up my breakfast before going to my dad's study to say bye. I knocked on the door and saw him on the phone but he quickly ushered me in and told me to sit down.
He hung up and then turned to me.
"I'm heading out. I have to empty my locker."
"You're going alone?" he frowned.
"Dad, graduation was almost two weeks ago. You haven't let me go and my stuff has to be removed. They need that locker for someone else. I have to go."
He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. I'll be honest here, I have almost no idea what has been going on with him lately. It's like every little thing happening freaks him out. When the mailman rings the doorbell, he tells me not to open it, when I'm going anywhere, he demands to know where and who I'm going with, when I'm up in my room and he's home, he comes and checks on me multiple times.
At first, I thought it was just him being worried about me, but now I'm starting to suspect it's something else. Something a little fishier.
"Dad, what is going on with you?"
"Take someone with you. Aesha, or Theo, somebody," he demanded.
"Dad, Aesha isn't here. She went to see her grandparents, I told you, remember? And Theo and I aren't together anymore."
"Since when?"
"Like four months ago," I laughed.
He planned on leaving and studying in the UK, I didn't want to do this distance. It was a mutual thing.
"Wait outside for five minutes, I need to talk to you about something," he said while grabbing the phone and dialing a number.
"Dad," I groaned.
"Just listen to me, Claire." I sighed in defeat before going outside and waiting in the kitchen.
He has to be up to something.
After minutes he called me back inside. I went in and stood in front of his desk while he shuffled through papers. "When you get to school and empty your locker, someone is going to be there to help you. You will listen to him, do as he says. He's gonna bring you back here and then I'll tell you the rest."
I scoffed, "Are you kidding?" He stared up at me in confusion. "I'm not just going to listen to a stranger and do as they say."
He rolled his eyes, "It's not a stranger, he went to school with you, it's Leo," he mumbled.
"Leo Jackson?" I asked, wide-eyed.
"Yes," he answered.
"Mm-mm, nope. You're telling me what happens. Right now, or I'm leaving and I'll be in and out of there before Leo can even get there," I huffed. I know my way around that school, there are ways to sneak in and out without getting noticed one bit.
He sighed in defeat and looked straight up at me. "I need you to stay with a friend for a while. I have some things to sort out. Leo is my best friend's son. He'll keep you safe."
"Safe? Is this about the gambling you promised you were done with?" I glared at him.
"You don't just walk out on a life like that. I owe some people, dangerous people. People who can kill you if they knew you were my daughter. And some of them do. I need you hidden and safe. And Leo is the one to do that."
"Leo? Can keep someone safe?" I deadpanned, "Dad, have you seen him? Do you know what everyone says about him?" People even say he's killed, someone.
"I don't care, I'm putting you in his hands because people stay away from him."
"Dad, this is ridiculous."
"Claire-"
"No, this is ridiculous. I'm not going anywhere with anyone. I'm going to school, emptying my locker, and then coming back here. I can take care of myself," I huffed.
"Claire-"
"Bye, dad! Enjoy your day!" I sang while running out of there. I glanced at my keys on the way out, deciding to just walk instead because it's not like my school is far from my house.
I got to school fairly quickly and went inside, swiping my ID card on the way in, because yes, we do have to scan ourselves in and out. I headed to my locker and opened it, sighing at the contents. All my books were still there, scraps of paper everywhere.
I started by taking all my books and textbooks out one by one. Those have to be returned. I stuffed as many books as I could in my bag and put the others on the floor beside it. I threw out all the scraps of paper and closed my locker, dusting my hands.
I turned around with my textbooks in hand, falling back when I saw him standing right behind me. Really close. "Hi," I breathed.
"I'm supposed to take you with me," he answered, his voice cold.
"Right, about that," I chuckled, "Um- no," I shrugged before walking past him, heading to the front office. I walked in there and placed my textbooks on the empty desk, putting a sticky note with my name on top.
I turned around to leave and he was standing right there. "You're coming with me," he said.
"I'm gonna stick with no," I said before walking past him one more time so I could grab my hundred pounds heavy bag and walk home.
Really regretting walking here now.
I leaned down to pick up my bag but he kicked it out of my reach before I could. "Excuse me," I scoffed, looking up at him. Everyone's so scared of him. I don't see it. Maybe because I've been in the same class as him since middle school. He wasn't so scary back then.
"I thought you'd be such a handful. I guess I was right," he shrugged, taking a step closer to me.
I backed away, my back colliding with the locker. I rolled my eyes, "A handful I am." I side-stepped him and grabbed my bag, heading to the door.
As soon as I swiped my card and walked out, him right behind me, he clamped his hand over my mouth. My eyes widened and I let out a muffled scream, thrashing in his hold, trying to push away.
A car pulled up in front of me and the door swung open. He began pushing me towards it and I bit down hard on his hand. "That's not very nice," he hissed before grabbing my bag off my shoulders and throwing me into the car, slamming the door shut.
My eyes widened while I reached for the handle immediately. I managed to throw it open but he leaned back from the front seat and grabbed my waist, pulling me back and closing the door before locking it from the driver's seat.
"What the hell is wrong with you?! Are you insane?!" I yelled.
"She bit you." I looked to the driver's seat to see Flynn Harris. His best friend, laughing his ass off.
"Fucking bitch," Leo whispered under his breath. "Go," he demanded.
"Where are we taking her?"
"Not where her father asked. She'll never come out. The other place," he nodded.
"The other place?! Excuse me?! I can hear you! Let me out!" I screamed, continuing pulling at the door handle. Every time I would unlock it, it would automatically lock itself back up. Stupid child lock.
I huffed and stared out the window like an angry little child. I scooted over and sat behind his seat before I began kicking his chair. I looked up and saw his eyes through the rearview mirror. I arched a daring eyebrow at him and he arched one back, seeming amused. "Asshole," I mumbled, "Let me out!" I yelled.
"Sorry, your father's orders. And frankly, his as well," Flynn replied, gesturing to Leo.
"What the hell are you talking about?" I asked.
"Didn't he tell you? We're keeping you safe," Flynn answered, looking at me through the mirror.
"Keeping me safe, my ass! This is fucking kidnapping," I scoffed.
"Call it what you will. We're just doing our job," he shrugged.
"Your job? This is your job? Kidnapping people in front of high schools?"
"You weren't listening to me. This could have been a very pleasant experience," Leo rolled his eyes.
"Very pleasant?" I scoffed, "I don't see candy sitting in here waiting for me as a reward for obeying you like a dog. Let me out," I demanded again.
"Try all you want, princess," Flynn snickered.
"You, shut the fuck up and drive," I snapped back.
"Ouch," he chuckled. I turned to Leo and saw him staring at me, slightly shocked but he hid it quickly and well.
"Let. Me. Out."
Leo stared at me emotionlessly. "No," he shrugged.
"This is kidnapping!" I exclaimed.
"Breaking news: Claire Brookes goes missing as per her dad's request. Suck it up, princess," Flynn rolled his eyes.
What the fucking hell just happened?
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Chapter one
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