9. Scarves Are Not Kidnapping Material

9. Scarves Are Not Kidnapping Material

"What do we do?" Brooke cried frantically, her hands clasping to her mouth in horror as the banging on my bedroom door increased. "We're going to die!"

"No, we aren't." I gritted out, shooting her an agitated look. "We just have to stay strong." I straightened my spine, my chin tilting up slightly. I wasn't going to allow Jace to continue to push me around. No, I was determined to stand my ground this time.

"I don't think that's going to cut it." Brooke hissed back, sarcasm tinging her tone. "We have a bunch of crazies on our asses for reasons I don't even know about!"

"Savannah," Jace's delicious voice commanded from the other side of my door. I could imagine his strict expression, the harsh look enough to scare just about anyone. "Open the damn door."

"Who is that?" Brooke whispered, latching her claws onto my arm. "Who is that?"

"You really don't want to know." I hissed back, wincing as images of fake cops entered my mind.

Brooke shook her head, her hands gripping my arm more tightly. "I deserve to know!"

"Savannah!" The domineering voice caused me to jump and I shot the door an anxious look, before glancing back at my best friend who was staring at me with wide eyes.

"He sounds terrifying!" She exclaimed, before turning towards the door. "Go away! Asshole!"

The rattling coming from my door ceased for a moment and Brooke shot me a satisfied look. Though, that look left her eyes when Jace's voice spoke deadly calm. "Is there someone else with you, Savannah?"

I bit my lip, feeling suspicion fill my belly. He was definitely mad, so angry that I could feel the heat of it from where I was standing "Uh, no?" I squeaked, my frantic look causing Brooke's panic to rise. "That was me. It's just me in here - no one else." I lied, immediately shoving her towards my closest when I heard him tinkering with the door-handle again. I had no doubt that he could get in.

"What are you doing?" She whispered, panicked, protesting against my pushes. "I'm not going in there! If they get in..."

"Just hide!" I commanded, glaring at her. "If they get in, I don't want them taking you too."

"I'm not just going to abandon you!" She frenzied and I shook my head.

"You aren't. Just get in the closest and be as quiet as possible."

Softly shutting the closet door once she had buried herself behind the rack of clothing, I turned to my bedroom door. I could hear the guy's voices murmuring to each other from the other side. Straightening my spine, I made my way to the center of the room, feeling my temper pick up. "Just go away!" I shouted angrily, stomping my foot.

"Not going to happen." Jace's husky murmur had chills running through my body. I rubbed at my arms angrily, not liking my reaction to such a thing. "You're just wasting our time now. You knew you weren't suppose to leave. So, you have a few options."

I held my breath, nervously wrapping my arms around myself.

"One; you don't come out, I break down the door and easily push away whatever you have stacked behind it. Then I tie you up, toss you over my shoulder, and take you back to the house, where I'll lock you into a room, where I only have the key." Jace seemed to ponder that and I heard the handle to my door jingle.

I froze, not liking what he was telling me at all. "No you-"

"Or," Jace continued loudly, his words interrupting mine. "You can open this door and walk your sexy-little ass out of there willingly. And I won't take your friend with me."

"I don't believe you." I replied, smoothing my hands along my clean shirt. "You won't even be able to open the door."

Jace laughed. It was the first time I had ever heard such a noise resonate from him. "That's funny, Savannah Stone. But, I think we both know I can. I think we both know I can get in no problem."

"Then why are you having so many difficulties getting the door open?" I replied sassily, placing my fists on my hips.

"Doll," He growled and I could imagine the way his eyes would grow stormy. "Open the door."

"No."

The rattling on the handle stopped. I shifted nervously, running a hand through the knots in my hair. The silence that was coming from the hallway had me standing on edge. I stumbled a few steps back, bracing my hands on my bed-cover. I stared at my door, my eyes widening in horror when I heard the lock give away with a click.

"No!" I cried, running forward to flatten my palms against the wood. Even as I placed as much pressure against it as I could, I knew it was a lost cause. Jace would get in, he would be able to push the dresser away and the small amount of weight I was pushing against it.

"Last chance," He laughed, dark and menacing.

Stubbornly, I shook my head. "Not happening." And then the door was slammed open, shoving the dresser away and throwing me onto the floor.

"Ouch," I groaned, my brow crinkling as I stared at the large body that pushed themselves into my space. "Was that really necessary?"

Jace only smirked, the expression on his face making my stomach tighten with anxiousness. Reaching down to secure my wrists together in his large hands, Jace growled out. "You're in big trouble."

"You can't do this!" I squirmed, my eyes narrowing as Cameron, Riley, and Xavier followed in after Jace. "Don't you have more important things to be doing than chasing after nineteen-years-old girls?"

Jace's voice deepened, anger beginning to seep into his calm voice. "Well we wouldn't have to, if you had stayed where you were supposed to." Tightening his grip on my hands, he rolled his eyes. "Riley, go get Brooke from the closet. Cameron, hand me that scarf over there."

"There's no one in there!" I lied, wiggling against the weight he was leaning on me, as he attempted to halt my squirming. "It's just me!"

"No one believes that, Babe." Riley retorted and Jace's grip on my wrists increased, the anger in his eyes increasing.

"Don't call me that." I retorted, my eyes on the closet as Riley bought his hands to the doors, pulling them open...

Only to be met with a kick between his legs.

"Holy shit," He rolled onto his side, his hands moving to hold the place between his legs.

"That's for scaring the shit out of us." Brooke growled, stepping out of the closet hurriedly, frantically scanning the room to spot me on the floor. "Hot cop?"

"Hot cop?"  A laugh passed Xavier's lips. "Well damn, Boss."

Jace muttered curses under his breath as Cameron passed him the scarf he had retrieved. "Riley, get the fuck up. And Cameron, grab her." Jace shoved his chin towards Brooke, as he began to wrap the scarf tightly around my aching wrists.

"Oh, no you won't!" Brooke shrieked, moving away from the approaching boy. "No one is doing any grabbing!"

"Think again, Love." Riley smirked, standing up with a grunt as he wrapped his arms around Brooke's torso. Cameron grabbed her legs, before they eased her onto the floor.

"Let me go!" I shouted fiercely, pulling at the tightly bound scarf that was holding my hands together. Jace only smirked, gripping my legs as I frantically began to kick them. "This is kidnap!"

"I don't think so." Jace rubbed his thumb against my calf. "How nice is this?"

"Go to hell." I shot back, turning towards Brooke, who was anxiously squirming against the two bored-looking boys holding her there.

"You'll never be able to escape. Espcially with what you know now."  Jace whispered lowly to me. Turning to the rest of the people standing in the room, he commanded "Go put Brooke in the car. Make sure she doesn't escape."

"Asshole," I swore, feeling tears of frustration rise in my eyes as Brooke was carried out of the room, screaming obscenity's. Xavier gave me a small smile before following after the group.

I turned away from him, not wanting him to see the water beginning to spill over onto my cheeks. I had been so close.

"Just you and me, Doll." Jace whispered, his hands sliding up my legs. "Do you want to apologize?" His warm breath washed over my skin. "When it was reported to me that you ran away, I had to stop looking for that fucker that shot Chase."

I refused to meet his eyes, instead focusing on the stars that I could see through the glass of my window. Jace chuckled, the sound cold. "We could have had him."

"It's not my fault." I mumbled, shutting my eyes. "I wanted to leave. You should have let me."

A hand gripped my chin. Moving my face towards his, Jace leaned closer. "Open your eyes." He order, a finger moving to softly brush my eyelid.

"No," I murmured, pressing my lips into a thin, stubborn line.

"Open them," He repeated, his voice ghostly quiet. "Now and I'll consider letting Brooke go."

My eyes opened mechanically, my face heating at the tears he saw in them. His forehead crinkled as he stared down at them, before he shook his head. Straightening up, he laid his hand back onto mine. "I'm going to help you stand up. You try to run, I'll catch you. You're in enough trouble as it is."

Thankful that he hadn't mentioned my watery eyes, I nodded numbly. I wasn't stupid enough to try to run. He wouldn't let me go now. I wouldn't ever have another chance to escape. Helping me sit up, he gently grasped my arms before pulling me to my aching feet.

"Kitten, you look awfully beat up." He observed his eyes scanning my features and the bruises covering my arms.

My shoulders just lifted half-heatedly. His finger wiped at the blood that was still dribbling from my forehead. "Ash is going to have to fix you up once he's done with Chace."

Not speaking again, I follow after him obediently. Suddenly exhausted with today's events, my feet dragged heavily.

"Not talking?" He snorted, glancing back at me as we trekked down my stairs and into the foyer. "We'll talk at home." He gaze leveled on mine. "We will."

Shaking at the dominance and promise in his voice, I avoided his eyes. His words, once again, were doing strange things to my stomach.

Outside, he led me to a SUV. His steps were silent against the night, while mine were loud and obvious. If he was annoyed by the slowness and noise of my pace, he didn't say anything.

All three boys stood outside the car, looking strangely identical, with their arms crossed and serious a expression consuming the edges of their faces. Jace nodded towards the front seat. "Xavier, you drive. Cameron and Riley, make sure Brooke doesn't cause any trouble." He spoke distastefully, a disgruntled expression on his face. He pulled me with his towards the passenger seat. "Savannah, you'll sit on my lap." He stated smugly, seeming to enjoy that fact more than I did.

"Uh, no, I won't." I shot back, digging my feet into the ground to slow him.

My attempts didn't alter his pace at all. Opening the car-door, he lifted me into my arms as if I weighed nothing. Ignoring my struggle, he carried me into the car, pulling the door shut behind up. Xavier stared at the two of us, looking too-amused for my liking.

"Let me go." I demanded. "I'll sit in the back. Cameron can sit on your lap."

A disgusted expression graced Jace's face. "No."

"I know you want him to." I wiggled my eyebrows at Jace and his grip squeezed my waist where his hands sat.

"Doll, shut up. Or I'll punish you at home." A slow smirk spread crossed his face at the idea.

My mouth shut instantly and he chuckled into my ear.

"You don't seem that mad about everything." I observed quietly, pointing out the smirk on his face.

His eyebrows cocked and he leaned in even closer, his nose brushing against my ear as he spoke. "Oh, I am. I'm just waiting till we get back to the house."

I shivered, forcing myself to lean away from his gorgeous face. His lips curled up again and he leaned back as well, but not before pulling me closer.

I twisted over so I could see into the backseat, where Brooke was looking far-too unhappy sitting between the two. She had a chunk of tape slapped over her mouth and a glare written across every inch of her face. "Take that off her." I ordered Riley, staring menacingly at him. When he shook his head, I shoved Jace. "Jace, tell them to take that off of her."

Jace turned his head to see what I was talking about. He rolled his eyes. "They needed to put in on her. She wouldn't stop opening her mouth."

"Well, duh!" I shoved my tied-hands against his heavenly-chest. "She was just kidnapped."

Another eye roll.

Shivering with anticipation, I stared up at Jace. I knew that behind all those attractive-looking smirks, he was furious.

And back at the house, his fury would be unleashed.

_____________________________________________________________

Pulling onto the dirt road that led to where I knew the house would be, my lips locked tightly together. I didn't dare look at Jace because I knew the look would be there - that damn smirk. I stiffened as his thumb gently rubbed into my hip. I knew he felt it because he continued moving his thumb in slow, sensual circles. Biting my tongue, I forced myself to relax against his muscled body. Showing him that I feared the events that would occur once we stepped into the house would be a weakness.

The car had been filled with silence the rest of the ride. Half of it was spent with my eye lulling shut, haziness taking over my mind with the warmth of Jace radiating around me and the purr of the engine as we flew down the familiar road that Noah and I had driven down, only a couple hours before. Only, my eyes snapped shut when Jace's straying hand would lightly brush against my thigh. Needless to say that after it had happened twice, I forced myself to keep my eyes wide open.

The occasional whimper from Brooke had me realizing that she really knew nothing of what was going on. My heart fell when I thought of how fearful she must be.

As the car pulled into the drive, Jace tightened his arms around me. Pulling me from the vehicle as soon as it had stopped, he started for the front door. I struggled, wanting to stay with Brooke. Though from his determined grip on my hands, I knew that idea most likely wouldn't happen.

"Stop it." I shouted, pulling frantically back. "What are you doing with Brooke? I need to stay with her."

"Stop." He commanded in that deep voice of his, pausing in his steps to wrap his arms under my legs and around my torso to stop my struggling. "Riley will take care of her. You need to deal with the consequences of your actions."

I still fought against his restricting arms, though I knew that there was nothing I could do, as he continued on his path towards the front door. "Brooke!" I yelled, turning my head to stare over his shoulder at the boys who were pulling her from the large car.

Jace turned slightly, angling himself so I wouldn't be able to see.

"I hate you." I mumbled leaning back and shutting my eyes, surrendering myself to him.

He stiffened, but didn't say anything. Shifting to support me with on of his arms, he shoved the front door open.

My face colored at the sight of the guys waiting in the living room, all of their expressions stony as they stared back. I looked away from the furious look Cash shot me, instead focusing on my hands in my lap.

"We were close to catching the guy," Cash spoke, his voice strangely quiet. "And then Jace gets a call that you escaped!" He burst out, his tone far-too bitter.

"Cash," Ash spoke quietly, his tone a warning and a threat all at once.

"No." He shook his head, running a hand angrily though his thick hair. "The bitch needs to learn that things happen a certain way around here. If she wants to live, she needs to understand that. Or else I'm going to do something about it."

At his words, my eyes widened and I turned to stare at the bitter boy, though he was already turning and storming out of the room. Jace had stiffened, his eyes dark as he gazed in the direction Cash had gone. Giving my body a squeeze, he turned to the rest of the gaping boys. Jace demanded "I'll talk to you tonight." and I shivered at the coldness of his voice.

Without another word at them, he moved up the stairs, passing my bedroom.

"What are you doing?" I dreaded, not brave enough to protest his actions when he was in such a black mood.

He didn't respond, only turning a corner and continuing until we reached another set of stairs at the end of the hall. Never having been here, I curiously watched as he mounted the steps, climbing them quickly before he reached a door. Pushing it open, my eyes widened at the sight that lay before me.

His bedroom was strangely clean. The bed had been made, the black silk sheets folded back and smoothed perfectly. The clothes that I could see in his walk-in closet all perfectly hung and folded. The huge bay windows, that gave a spectacular view of the trees that lay beyond it was practically sparkling and the dark curtains had been irons until there was no wrinkles. The cleanliness had surprised me, but also the luxury of it. The dark wood floors and the light gray plush carpet, the huge bed with matching bedside tables on either side made the room more inviting. There was a huge leather couch and a leather chair by the windows, stretched in front of a huge television. Another doorway led to what I assumed to be the bathroom.

"Wow," I breathed, forgetting that he had brought me to his bedroom.

"Better like it," He retorted, moving to toss me onto his fluffy, gray comforter, "Because you'll be staying here for now."

I immediately sat up, tucking my hair behind my ear. "Huh?"

"You'll be staying here. In my room." His words were spoken slowly, as if he thought I was stupid.

"No way," I hedged, straightening my spine as I crossed my arms. "That's not happening."

"I need to make sure you won't escape." He shrugged, mirroring my pose. "And this is the easiest way too."

"I'll cut off your dick when you sleep." I snarled, sliding off his bed to stand up, trying to not be intimadated by his menacing height.

His lips curled up and he stepped closer. I stumbled a couple steps back, pressing myself against his bed. "I see." He drawled, again stepping closer.

"What?" I mumbled, confusion and surprise tinging my voice. "That doesn't make sense."

Ignoring his words, he continued moving closer to me until he was just a step away. "You want to see my dick. I get it. That's your excuse."

My surprised expression turned into one of disgust. "That was not my intention, believe me. I don't want to see that tiny thing."

"Tiny?" He laughed, leaned until his face was just a breath away. "That's funny, kitten."

I flushed, feeling the redness roll down my cheeks quickly. I did not like the things that his closeness to my head. Suddenly my mind felt foggy and I struggled to logically think. With my hands tied together, I had no way to push his body away from mine. "S-stop it."

"Stop what?" With my eyes shut, I could still hear the amusement coloring his tone.

Not speaking, I forced myself to open my eyes, straightening in order to slide myself out of the space he had forced my into. He stood upright, following my every movement as I backtracked.

Once I was far enough away to think clearly, I tilted my face to face his attractive one. "We can not share a room."

Rolling his eyes, he walked towards me, grabbing the scarf still wrapped around my hands and expertley untying it. "It's done. I've locked all the other rooms." He smirked, "You have no choice."

"That's not fair!" I stomped, finally getting the chance to shove his wonderful chest when my hands were free. "If you're going to trap me here - I deserve to have my own room!"

He locked my arms in his grip, pulling me until I was flat against his chest. "Stop man-handling me!" I cried, trying to free myself from the steel-bands around me. "This isn't right!"

"Be quiet." He shushed me, pulling me over to the couch. He forced me to sit down, standing above me. "You have explaining to do."

My lips pressed together, in a silent protest - the only way I could protest anything at that moment.

"If I talk - will you let me share a room with Brooke?" I asked hopefully.

He snorted, his head immediately shaking. "Hell no. You two would end up trying to leave again." Jace moved, dragging the leather chair over until he could sit directly in front of me. "But, maybe I'll let you see her."

I stared at him un-trustingly. "I don't believe you."

His broad shoulders lifted and fell. "You don't have to."

Crossing my arms, I stared down at my bare-feet. "If I talk, what do I get?"

"Don't try to bargain with me." He snarled. "I've been nice enough to offer you protection, a place to live, and food to eat. I've also allowed you to roam around my house freely, which you took advantage of. I won't hesitate to tie you up or put a tracker on you if you want to do shit like that." His warm breath washed over me.

I swallowed at the anger coloring his tone "Was I just supposed to stay? Listen to all your commands?" I struggled with how to word what I wanted to get across. "That's not fair. And you know it." I whispered

"Just tell me what happened." He demanded, leaning over so his elbows were braced against his knees. "And then I'll have Ash patch you up. I bet a warm meal and some sleep would be damn nice for you right now."

My stomach growled and I clasped a hand to it. A warm blush covered my cheeks and I ducked my head, embarrassed. His finger, once again, pressed under my chin to have me look up. "That doesn't look so good." Grimacing at the cut on my forehead, he shook his head, "Talk."

"There isn't even much to say." I complained, the heat still hot in my cheeks. "I jumped out the window after you left-"

"Jumped out a window?" He stared at me darkly and I waved my hand around carelessly.

"That was nothing." I waved my hand around carelessly, not mentioning the pain resonating from my ankle. "After I wandered in circles for hours, I hit a road and hitched a ride from this guy and then-"

"Who?" He demanded, his eyes stormy and narrowing dangerously with every passing second.

"This guy named Noah. He was really sweet." I informed him, not understanding the anger growing in his eyes.

"You just got in a car with some guy?" He snarled, dropping his hand from under my chin. "You could have gotten injured! He could have hurt you. What if it was one of-"

"I'm fine." I murmured, slapping my hand over his blabbering lips. "He was really cute and I didn't recognize him, so I went with my gut and took the chance. It turned out all right. Plus, I was really lost and desperate."

"Cute?" He spoke distastefully, his eyebrows crinkling down at me.

I sighed, smacking a hand to my forehead. "That's all you got from that?"

He cleared his throat, "Either way, it was a stupid move on your part."

"He looked fifteen." I rolled my eyes at the man in front of me. "Hardly a killer." I snorted, rolling my eyes.

"Oh," He scratched at his head, looking disgruntled. "Oh, that kind of cute? Like little-kid cute."

"Does it really matter?" Not waiting for him to answer, I continued with my story. "Anyways, he drove me to a gas-station dropped me off and I had Brooke pick me up."

He was frowning, staring at me with upset eyes. "You need to be more smart." He finally said, shaking his head.

"I'm fine." I poked at his chest.

"And with all of us gone? If you hadn't run off we would have-"

"You can stop blaming me for that. Cash already did. I'm sorry that that happened to Chase, okay? I didn't mean for you guy's to get distracted from getting the guy who shot Chase." I bit my lip, look away from his harsh eyes, feeling my lip wobble. Today had been to much and I can feel the affects of it weighting on me.

He let out a breath. "It wasn't your fault. None of this was." Jace shifted in his chair. "Cash had no right to say such things to you. It wasn't your fault - at all."

"It's fine." I shrugged, moving my head to meet his gaze. "He was frustrated."

"He still had no right." He frowned, shaking his head. "I'll talk to him."

"No," I protested, standing up. "I don't know him that well, but I think everyone's stressed and he just needed a release for all his anger." I moved to stand in front of the window, wrapping my arms around my torso. "How is Chase by the way?"

"You shouldn't be that release though. Throughout the years the guys have learned to maintain there tempers. He lost his and he shouldn't have." He spoke stubbornly, shooting me a strict look. "Chase is resting in his room. Ash removed the bullet and stitched him up, but he's watching for signs of infection."

I pressed my lips together, shutting my eyes. "Do you have anymore questions?" I finally spoke.

"No." Footsteps hitting the hardwood floor signified that Jace was now approaching me. He forced me to face him, bending over so we were level. "I'm still mad - that's an understatement. I'm furious, as I should be. You put a lot of lives at risk today. If they had taken you-"

"But they didn't." I added him, flashing him a look contempt. "And no lives had to be put at risk. You didn't need to come find me. I'm fine on my own."

"You carry a lot of important information with you. You know all of us, where the house is, the past - all of that could be potentially dangerous." His hands tightened on my shoulders. "You have to understand that."

"I don't." I shook his hands of my shoulders, straightening my posture. "I won't tell anyone anything."

"Brooke?" He questioned, his eyes hardening. "I know you told her things."

I bit my lip. "I didn't tell her much - just enough to satisfy her and let her know the urgency of the situation.

"But, you also put her in potential danger." He hissed, his eyes growing darker. "You don't seem to realize that."

"I do!" I shoved a finger towards him. "I understand that clearly! Isn't that enough?"

I stalked away from him, running a hand over my arm frustratingly. I didn't want to look at that perfect face and see the blame all over it aimed towards me. No, I-

His hand locked onto my arm once again, and I turned around furiously.

"What?" I cried, throwing my hands up.

"You still haven't received your punishment." Jace spoke, his voice husky and he stared down at me with a lazy smile.

"Whatever," Rolling my eyes, I started towards the bathroom, a shower sounding amazing.

Only my plans were forcefully changed, with a hand latching around my waist, pressing against my back and pulling me into a muscled body. A pair of soft, warm lips slammed onto my own.