Nobody Like You

Chapter 20 Gabriella: Is This the End?

My head started pounding as my eyes adjusted to lights. The sound of frantic voices in the other room that sounded like they were trying to come up with a plan was enough to bring me back to what was happening. I was walking home from my school concert even though I was supposed to be meeting my family at a restaurant and out of nowhere felt a blow to my head. That felt like forever ago. Now I couldn't tell how long I'd been gone for or if my family even knew what happened to me.

"We could always just kill her now and get it over with," one of the voices said, making my heart stop.

"No not yet," another voice responded. "We're waiting to see if they get the money."

I felt my heart beat faster as I struggled to catch my breath. I tried to remember what Aiden taught me about how to handle my panic attacks but just the thought of him made everything worse. I was the reason he wasn't around to protect me. I was the reason he was back to living his own life, making me more vulnerable to these guys.

Thinking of this wasn't going to get me out of this situation. He always told me to keep my mind in the right place, no matter what predicament I was in so instead, I focused on his deep brown eyes that always felt like he was seeing me in a way that no one ever had. His arms that always felt like the safest place in the world when he held me. I could remember how it felt when he finally let his hands roam all over my body for the very first time and how addicting it felt. I wanted to always feel his hands on me no matter the cost.

It was nice to have someone make me feel free and whole. Someone who reminded me that I was more than the perfectionist girl I was raised to be who didn't need to care what the world thought of me. Aiden reminded me that I didn't owe anything to anyone except for myself. It was great to feel that for just a moment even if it meant that I was never going to have it again. As my kidnappers decided on what to do with me, all I could think was how much I wished I could see Aiden one last time. If only.

An older looking tall, bald man heard me struggling against the ropes wrapped around my wrists and looked over at me. He grinned, making my skin crawl. "Looks like our sleeping beauty is awake. Hey sweetheart. You have no idea who I am do you?"

I stared at him until I could finally figure out why he looked familiar. He was in a photo that I saw Aiden looking at once. "You knew my dad."

"Correct. Ronald Lowry," he nodded at me. "Your father and I used to be great friends until he screwed me over to take care of you. We should've been rich together but that didn't happen so now I need to do something to make it all better."

"How'd you like the messages?" a younger man asked, coming into view. He appeared to be spitting image of the older man. "My dad said they added a nice touch, getting you guys all paranoid. Clearly not paranoid enough though."

I shook my head in confusion. "Wait, your dad?" I looked at Ronald. "You got your son involved in all this?"

He shrugged. "Got to teach him how to go after what you deserve. Davis here is learning some valuable lessons right now."

Suddenly despite how upset I'd been with my dad lately, I became grateful that he was the kind of father that I ended up with. I could've been adopted by a psychopath like this guy and ended up being an accomplice to a crime. Talk about a fucked-up family tree.

Davis leaned down close to my face and breathed in. "I could have some fun with you in the meantime. You look like you'd be a good time in bed."

Disgusted by this, I swiftly stomped on his foot, making sure my heel hit it hard. Davis yelped in pain before backhanding me across my cheek. It stung like hell and I felt a cut develop because of the ring he was wearing but it was definitely worth it.

"Stop messing around," Ronald demanded. "If her father doesn't get us the money in time you can do whatever you want but not a moment sooner."

"Fine," Davis mumbled before looking back at me. "You'd better hope your rich family pays the money. If not, we're going to be spending a nice, long night together. Personally, I'm good with either outcome."

He winked at me before walking away as I hung my head back to keep the tears from falling. I was probably going to be violated and then killed here and there was nothing that I could do about it. My parents didn't know where I was and Aiden probably had no idea what was even happening to me. This was it.

My thoughts were interrupted by hearing a car pull up.

Ronald glanced at me. "Wow, maybe that call lit a fire under your dad's ass if he got the money that fast." He motioned to Davis. "Watch her while I go handle business. If he doesn't have it, we're getting rid of her."

Davis nodded as Ronald went to go check who it was. I tried to keep my composure when Davis sent a creepy smile my way. I could only hope and pray that it was my dad here to end this nightmare. Something that seemed to be the likely case when I saw a figure grab Davis in the shadows.

"Where is she?" a voice demanded. Wait, that voice sounded familiar.

"I don't know who you're talking about," Davis tried to lie.

Clearly that was a bad decision because the figure began punching him repeatedly. Finally, a final blow was delivered causing Davis to fall down, seemingly unconscious.

"Dumbass," the figure said. Now I was certain.

"Aiden," I breathed out.