Unconditionally, Inevitably, Forever Yours.

Still.

--Chapter 44--

The three men fumbled up the staircase, each muttering their own plethora of curses reflecting their hatred for the exertion. You would've thought that, after living there for a little less than a decade, the man at the head of the trio wouldn't have been affected so much by the exhaustion.

Then again; any form of exercise had never really been his area of expertise.

"You're both so fucking slow," The leader complained. "Maybe y'all should cut back on the freaking Cheetos."

"Says the man who's been climbing these stairs for 9 freaking years. Had your lady stuck around a little longer, then maybe she could've got you down with those exercise regimes she'd natter on about-"

"I took the elevator for 9 fucking years, idiot. And shut your mouth, Lambert. We don't talk about Laura, or her obsessions with health, alright? I hear it come out of your sick mouth again and you'll be goddamn sorry."

"Yeah? And what are you gonna do?" The man, now beside him, questioned. "Maul me to death with those pretty little canines of yours?" A leather jacket was clad on his back; he couldn't let the 90s trend go- even to this day. His style would've been complete if someone hadn't nicked his back before they woke up.

"I would if we hadn't got this damn job to do. We get this done for that fucking child everyone at that place worships like a god, and then I'll deal with you." He spat threateningly, glancing behind him at the fat oaf trailing them, still hauling himself up the stairs. "Oi, shithead! Hurry up!"

The perverted man looked up exasperatedly, his face red with effort. "But, Stew, how'd we know they're actually up here? This would be pointless if they're somewhere else. I mean, they're probably weird as, but they must have friends they can go to-"

"No." He interrupted. "They'll be here. Boss-man-child don't think they'd go to their friends- too much risk. And he had the kid's house burned down. They don't have anywhere else to go."

They reached the top of the staircase where they then headed into the hallway. The apartment they'd abandoned weeks ago when they'd first woken up was just beyond a measly door. If that Alpha kid was right, then they'd surely find the two bitches hiding out in there.

"Ready boys?" Dave questioned, black eyes glimmering darkly.

"April's mine to grab. It's been a while since I-"

"Darrel, as much as I'm fine with all the things you plan on doing to my niece, we don't need to know the details." The Uncle whispered bitterly, hand reaching for the doorknob, pushing slightly as the panel of wood swung open. "Let's go lads. Dave, remember, you get the boy. We've been warned about that one in particular. Feisty little shit, apparently."

"And if he bites?" Dave wondered cautiously.

Dale smirked, holding up a syringe he'd been given for the occasion. "Plug this into him. He's gonna put up a fight."

***

April's POV.

If April's sleep wasn't disturbed at some point, then it wouldn't be an ordinary night.

At first, she'd thought it was Grayson; he was quite a light sleeper after all, so the chance of him waking up shortly after falling asleep to sneak around the apartment, possibly to make himself a sandwich wasn't unlikely. He'd done it before, back at the cabin, but had hurried back up to the room where they'd been sleeping (they slept together always, despite there being many more bedrooms unattended) to ask if April wanted one too. Such a gentleman. And of course, even in her semi-conscious state, who would April be if she turned down such a generous offer?