Hostage

29. "I love you"

You know, I really should stop snooping around all the time. It never works in my favor, and I always end up either doing or finding something that I shouldn't be.

I'd been in this situation before, and the person tied to the chair was my very own brother.

I had no idea who this man was sitting in front of me, but by the chains wrapped around him instead of ropes, I could tell he was far more important than just some average captive.

A rival gang's leader perhaps?

Whoever he may be, I shouldn't be down here with him that's for sure.

But dammit, I was a curious little shit.

Curiosity killed the cat

Ah yes, but satisfaction brought it back.

If anybody came down here and saw me with this mystery person I'd be dead. Fuck, Harry would kill me himself.

But I couldn't help it . Just as my hand gripped the fabric over his head the door opened, and a whistling Zayn came into view.

However, once his eyes settled on me his whistling ceased, and an expression that can only be described as shock was portrayed.

"What are you doing?" He asked calmly, eyeing my hand that was midair, ready to snatch the bag over the mystery man's head.

"I uh -I just-"

"Go ahead" He nodded, motioning to the man. "Take it off"

"I think I should ask Harry first and-'

"Ask Harry? You were just about to do it all by yourself. I'm giving you permission....now go on"

My breathing grew heavier. Both from the anticipation of uncovering this man, and anxiousness over Zayn's intentions. Why hasn't he yelled at me yet? Screamed at me for being down here alone? He's hated me this whole time, why act like this now?

My eyes focused on the figure, who arms were forced together by heavy chains, legs secured to the legs of a metal chair with a thick rope. I tried to ignore the red tint around his ankles.

I finally decided to just bite the bullet and undo the ropes around the neck that secured the bag there. My fingers eased the knot out, and I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself of what was about to be revealed.

I snatched the bag off, and it dropped to the floor, along with my jaw as I came face to face with the man I call my father.

My father. My father.

"Oh my god" I backed away slowly, feeling my heart drop to the bottom of my stomach. This was possibly the man I despised most in the entire world. He was the cause of all this shit in my life.

He was the reason I was kidnapped by Harry in the first place. He was the reason I was beaten and abused and raped and constantly tortured.

He was the reason my mother was dead.

Zayn saw my actions before I pursued them, and he wrapped an arm around my waist just as I lunged at my father."Not yet Raleigh"

"Fucking let me go" I shrieked, clawing at his arms. Zayn hissed in my ear, and I could hear the struggle in his breath to keep me tamed.

"I can't let you touch him yet, Raleigh" He growled, bringing his lips to my ear. "Relax"

Him thinking that he could calm me by using his "charm" on me to calm me down and touching me like this only set me off further. "Let me the fuck go before I do something I regret" I growled, flailing in his arms.

Zayn chuckled. "Like what, sweetheart?"

I smirked to myself, throwing my head back and headbutting him straight in the nose before swinging my foot back and kicking him directly in the crotch.

Zayn yelped out of surprise, and I focused back on my father, seeing him smirking at me through the gag currently shoved in his mouth.

You won't be smirking for long, ass wipe.

My eyes flitted around the room in search for -bingo. My eyes caught the reflection of the glimmering knife on the table in the corner of the room, practically calling my name. I grinned and grabbed it, instantly stalking towards my father.

This was for my mom. For Spencer. For me.

However, I didn't get very far before my hand was restricted, long familiar fingers plucking the knife from my grip.

I was livid, a time bomb only seconds from exploding. "Let go of my wrist" I choked up, tears of frustration leaking down my cheeks. How dare he try to stop me from doing the only thing that would avenge my mother.

My father killed my mother. Maybe he didn't physically do it himself, but his ex-gang did it because he pissed them all off. And he doesn't even fucking care.

"I know what you're feeling" Harry mumbled in my ear. "I feel the same thing but-"

"Don't you dare tell me that" I shouted, turning in his arms to meet his angry eyes. "He didn't kill your fucking mother did he? He's the reason I'm involved in this situation. He's the reason I was raped" I choked.

Harry remained stoic, struggling to keep his anger at bay. I was breaching a very sensitive topic. "You're gonna let me go so I can kill him" I said evenly, keeping my eyes focused on his.

From the corner of my eye I watched Zayn curse and stand to his feet.

Harry only shook his head, muttering "712" under his breath to Zayn. Before I could comprehend what was happening I was being lifted over Harry's shoulder, and one hand landed on my ass while the other held my hands behind his back.

I didn't even bother struggling simply because I knew it would only tire me out.

~*~

Harry and I fought. He yelled. I yelled. He threatened me. I kicked him in the nuts. He raised his hand to hit me. I told him I dared him to do it. He put his hand back down, stared at me, and then walked out.

And that's when I decided to visit my mom's grave. Alone. Probably not the smartest idea, but I was so sick of all the drama and from being cooped up in the house all the time.

Something unexpected happens every week, and it takes its toll after a while. My mom dies. I get kidnapped. Spencer gets kidnapped. Spencer tries to kill me. I fall in love with Harry. Sophia gets shot trying to protect me. They capture my dad.

What could possibly happen next?

A few leaves crackling made me jump, pulling me from my trance as I stared heatedly in that direction, waiting for someone to pop out. Maybe I shouldn't have come here alone. I could have brought Lexi, at least. However, this was something personal and I didn't want to share it with anyone.

The only exception would be Harry. And well, we were fighting right now.

The snapping of leaves to my left had me clumsily stumbling to my feet, my back to her grave. "Harry?" I questioned shakily. My hands shook at my sides at the sound of footsteps edging closer and closer. My heart pounding rapidly against my rib cage.

I couldn't stop the terrified tears that trailed down my cheeks, wishing now more than ever that Harry was by my side.

When a twig snapped I took of running back to the main gate, never looking back and never ceasing the rapid momentum of my legs.

I didn't stop when my legs began burning. I didn't stop when my lungs tightened. I didn't stop until I hit the city, which had been at least half an hour away.

I hailed a cab, telling him to drop me off by the fields rather then the actual house as to not give away our exact location for safety precautions.

When he pulled up to the fields I threw him the rest of the money I'd brought along with me, and ran until Lexi's house came into view. My feet propelled my forwards, desperate to get back to Harry.

I was about 50 feet away when the door swung open, and out stumbled Harry and Louis, looking pissed the fuck off. Louis saw me first and nudged Harry, pointing in my direction.

Harry's icy eyes locked on me, and I could only run harder, desperate to just be with him. I could feel the tears trailing down my cheeks, and as I climbed the steps I could finally see his expression.

And he didn't look too happy.

But I didn't care as I ran straight into his arms, the weight of me sending both of us stumbling back into the wall.

"What the fuck Raleigh" He growled, clearly still frustrated at both our fight and my disappearance. "You can not just leave like that. Do you understand me?" He snapped, pulling away and grabbing my chin to force eye contact.

"You don't get to do that to me"

Finally some sort of emotion flashed in his eyes as he looked down at me, eyebrows together in concern. I saw Louis exit from the corner of my eye, a mischievous smirk dancing across his features.

"I'm sorry" I breathed out, burying my head in his chest. "I just wanted to get some air and I missed my mom" I mumbled out. "And then someone was chasing me and I realized how stupid I was so I ran home but I was so scared and all I could think about was getting back to you-"

"Alright alright" Harry sighed, running a hand down my cheek. "Just breathe okay? You're okay now"

"I love you" I cried again, wrapping my arms tighter around his waist. "I love you so much and I know I shouldn't but I can't help it" I blurted out. I knew he didn't reciprocate the feeling, but I couldn't help but confess it to him again.

I could have died today or someone could have taken me and Harry wouldn't have even known because I left without telling anybody. It made me realize how fucking stupid I was. And it also made me realize how deeply I felt for this man.

This man who'd kidnapped me.

"I love you Harry"

"I know, Rae"