Healing hearts

Chapter thirty six

Xander's pov

I was tied up beaten and mocked by the two idiots I once called my friends, Ryan and Shawn . When I woke up from my unconscious state I found myself tied up apparently by one of Caesars men who found me. He heard how rich I was and wanted to squeeze some money out of me as well. He even treated my bullet wound so it won't get infected and killed me cause he needed me alive.

He demanded that I transfer over twenty million dollars to him. I refused, He threatened to kill me, but I could see that he wouldn't because he needed the money. He told me that Caesar had been apprehended and that he wouldn't go down with him. He said he needed the money to start over, but I still refused. This made him very angry.

The man tortured me for days. He wouldn't give me any food, but then he realized that I was more useful to him alive than dead. He started to feed me, but I was still weak from the injuries I had sustained. Then one day, some of his friends showed up at the hideout. I was shocked to see that it was Ryan and Shawn. I couldn't believe they were associated with this loser.

Apparently, the police were on their tail for kidnapping me which they didn't do and they were afraid that if they were apprehended, their other illegal businesses would be found out. So they had to lie low until I was found and they could prove they had nothing to do with my kidnapping. Then the man showed them that he had me, and they were shocked and terrified.

"Let him go!" Ryan demanded.

"I'm not letting him go until I get some money," the man said, a cruel smile on his face.

"Hey, Xander, you little bitch!" Ryan said, grabbing my hair roughly. "Don't you remember us, your former friends? You betrayed us."

"What are you waiting for, idiot?" Shawn mocked. "Give us the money, and we'll let you go. Remember when we asked nicely, and you refused? You don't have a choice now."

"I'm not giving you a dime," I said. "You can do whatever you want to me, but I won't give you any money."

My words only made them angrier. Shawn slapped me, hard.

"You fool," Ryan said. "Let's see how much you can handle before we break you."

I was locked in a dark room, tied up. I knew it might be hard or impossible to find me now, since I had a different captor. I knew I needed a miracle. A few days later, Shawn and that caesar guy left, and Ryan stayed with me.

He told me that they were going to threaten my family, since I was being so difficult. That made me worried. He said they were going to leave and plan a way to threaten them. Then he said something else that made me feel sick. He said he was horny, and it was my fault that he hadn't had sex. I was horrified and disgusted. He hit me across the face, and I felt the sting of the blow.

"This is your fault," he said. "I'm going to make sure you're tortured."

I was in so much pain all over my body. I thought about just giving them the money but I fear they won't let me go and will just kill me at least not giving them the money will keep me alive and hope that someone finds these idiots and set me free.

A short while later, I heard noises from the other room. I realized that Ryan was having sex with someone. I felt sick hearing the sounds. I didn't see the lady, but I knew when she left. Soon, everyone else came back. I could hear them whispering about how it was risky to make phone calls to my family, because so many people were on my case. They said they needed to make me sign off the money.

Shawn came to me, furious. "You'd better give us the money, or I'll kill you right now," he said.

I didn't say anything. I just looked at him. He became even angrier. He took out a whip and started hitting me with it. It hurt so much. He hit me again and again. But even when he saw that I wouldn't sign, he just got frustrated and left.

"You know I'm tired of games," he said. "Maybe if I kill your bastard or your mother that will teach you." he threatened.

"Don't you dare touch my family!" I said, shivering with fear and pain.

"Shut up," he said. "You've left us no choice." Then he left, and I was filled with worry and fear. What if they harmed my family? I cried from so much pain and worry.

Cassie's pov

I was depressed and just forcing food down my throat for the sake of my unborn baby but I just couldn't . My mom was so worried about me. She had been taking care of Alexander all this time, and he had already started walking and talking a little. I was sad that his dad wasn't here to see it. I cried. I wasn't happy at all.

"Hey, Kelly said coming to me looking so worried. "Please don't cry," she said. "It's not good for the baby."

"I can't help it," I said. "Where is he? It's been three weeks since they caught Caesar. I can't sleep or eat. I'm just so worried."

"He will come home," she said. "He has to."

I shook my head. "Who has him? Is he dead or alive? Where is he?" I said, feeling like I was going to go crazy.

"Shhhh," she said, hugging me. "You're going to be okay.

I heard a knock at the door, and Kelly answered it. "Hi, Mia," she said.

"Can I talk to you?" she asked.

Kelly looked at me worriedly, but I nodded and told her it was okay. She left the room, closing the door behind her.

"I have a lead on Xander," Mia said. I was shocked, and I leaned in closer. "Where is he?" I asked. "We have to tell the police."

"No, look," she said. "It's just a suspicion. I need to confirm it first, and then we can inform the police."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I saw Ryan last night in town," she said. "I followed him to a secluded house, and I think they have Xander there."

"What?" I asked. "How could you be sure? Xander wasn't kidnapped by them. My brother said it was Caesar who had him."

"I know," she said, "but there was something I saw in that house. I waited outside for a while, and I think I heard Xander's voice. I'm not sure, so that's why I need to confirm it before I say anything to the police."

"I'm coming with you," I said.

"No," she said. "You're pregnant, Cassie. You can't come along."

"I can't stay here," I said. "I'll go crazy. Please, let me come along."

She hesitated, then finally agreed to let me come along. I could tell that Kelly had been eavesdropping, and she immediately came in and objected. She said we should just tell the police. Mia said she couldn't do that without confirming that Xander was really there.

She finally agreed, but on the condition that she came along. We set out for the location, and I was nervous and hopeful. I prayed all the way that we would find him.