New In The Territories (Book 1) COMPLETED

Chapter 45 Sam

Dragging my beat down body and pounding head out of bed, I threw on a pair of shorts that were probably too short but right at that moment I didn't care. The aspirin and my O.J. were downstairs. As I walked down the stairs the sunlight that came from the wall of windows was blinding on a good day, know it just hurt; the usual pleasant sounds of the birds chirping made me wish for a pellet gun. Head feeling like a jackhammer was so loud it drowned out my hearing. A constant thump, thump, thump was all I could hear. Making it down the stairs one painful step at a time. My goal was so near, just down the hallway to the kitchen. Why did I drink that much? Oh that's right because I am an idiot! OW! Even thinking hurt. But damn it was fun.

What felt like an eternity, I finally made it to the, of course busier than usually, kitchen. Ignoring all the eyes turning in my direction and the extreme quietness all of a sudden, I headed for the sink. Pill bottle placed in hand by my once again hero, Mady, and an energy drink in the other by Mason. I mumbled my thanks. Popping two pills with a generous size drink, I stood by the sink looking out the window, my back to the table of silent people.

Mady was the first to break the silence. "Good night?" she asked in a hush tone.

I stopped in mid nod due to the jackhammer that resided in my head. "It was fantastic. I even kept my clothes on and stayed off the table tops." I had to look over at Mason for confirmation, "Right?" Asking while thinking frantically to make sure I didn't miss something or worse forgotten something.

Mason chuckled, "Right."

"Yep, like I said fantastic night," I repeated. Finishing the rest of my drink, I turned to go back upstairs, hoping a shower would help.

"Where the hell did you get that?" Dmitri demanded.

"Shh. Not so loud," I had to grab my head before it popped off, his voice ricochet in my brain. "Get what?" Asking in a more reasonable volume. Looking down to my thigh where he was pointing, then answered, "Oh, that. Just a drunk bruise. Probably bang into a table or something. Listen if you are going to go all crazy over a bruise can we talk about it later when I feel up to telling you where to shove it?" I said, with no real feeling behind it. Not waiting for a smart-ass remark, I started to leave the kitchen.

Door not shut yet, Nate snuck up from behind, and said very loudly, "Morning, Sam. Nice hair," he laughed hysterically as I jumped and groaned from the quick movement.

"Bastard," I whispered. Laughter followed by the others reached my sensitive ears until I closed the bedroom door.

An hour later, showered, dressed, pills, and energy drink worked wonderful. I headed back down stairs with a surprise for the lovely Nate. Walking down the hall where I heard voices from the open door, I reached behind my back taking the air horn out of the waistband of my jeans. Giving Mady a sly smile as she turned from rinsing off the dishes. I swear that girl always knew I was up to something before I did it. Mady looked down at my hand. Eyes widening slightly, hands flew to cover ears just in time as I stuck my arm in the door blowing the horn then running for my life up the stairs to the room laughing as curses came from downstairs.

Slamming the door shut and locking it, impressed I beat them all, and very pleased with myself. Turning around to wait things out I decided to read a book. My pleased moment was very short lived. As soon as I turned around I screamed at the top of my lungs. The ones you hear in a thrasher movie. Standing in my room were three very large and not too happy men, Dmitri, Nate, and Mason. I rushed back to the door swinging it open to ran smack into Jack's chest, sending me almost on my ass, the grip on the handle was the only thing that saved me from at least that embarrassment.

Backing up, hitting my back against the wall with my hands up, palms out. "Hey boys. Just a little payback. Sorry if you all had to get in the middle of something that was meant for Nate," I apologized half-heartedly. "To be honest with you I think the heart attack you all just gave me is payback enough, don't you think?" I tried to reason with them but by the look on their faces it was not working.

"What do you think gentlemen, should would take her scream as our payback?" Jack asked clearly amused with the whole situation.

Quinn and Braydon leaning against the door with their arms crossed in front of their wide chests, Dmitri and Mason stood in the middle of my room, legs shoulder width apart with arms crossed and Nate taking a very large step towards me. I might have thought twice if I knew there was that many people in the house. Who was I kidding? I would have done the same damn thing.

Leaning closer, hands in his pockets he bent his upper body so he could whisper in my ear, "No Sam, that's not going to work for me." Nate gave me an evil smile stepping back between Mason and Dmitri.

I knew they were just playing around, but it still made me nervous not knowing what they had in mind. Never mind they all looked like predators at that moment. Pleading with Jack, "Come on Jack, you seem to be the pack leader here, can you help me out?"

Jack laughed aloud, were they others muffled theirs, "You could say that." Something by the way he said it made me feel I was missing the joke.

"Mason," Nate said, pulling my attention to him. I could see the light bulb over his head as his eyes lit up with an idea. "Can you check the temperature of the pool for me?"

Mason's eyes lit up too, "Sure," he sounded too eager. Winking at me he walked to the balcony grabbing the rail with his hands swinging his legs over and falling from the second storey.

"Mason!" I screamed watching in horror as he jumped. My legs working again I took off in a run to see if he was all right.

"No you don't," Nate grabbed me around the waist lifting me with one arm, "Dmitri. Belt."

"What the hell are you doing? MADY!" I screamed part in terror, squirming to get out of his hold to see how Mason was. Paying more attention to Nate and none at all to Dmitri, he had no problem securing my wrist with his belt. "What the..." I started feeling the leather tighten around my now bound wrists.

"It's says it's 80 but to be honest it feels colder than that," Mason's amused voice came from outside.

Stilled by his voice I stared out the French doors, thanking god he was not hurt.

"Dmitri, I'll pass her to you," Nate said, now carrying my still body in his arms.

"Sorry babe," Dmitri said, with a smile before jumping off the balcony just as Mason did.

Watching yet another person jump off, I felt helpless being stuck in Nate's arm, wide eyed and mouth gaped open like a fish out of water. Nothing would come out.

"Ready Sam? Keep your arms in your lap," Nate said, walking onto the balcony. Before I could make a sound, Nate threw me off the fucking balcony!

Mouth opened wide in a silent scream, brought to a stop quickly without injury. Breath rushing out, heart pounding through my chest, I found myself safely in Dmitri's arms. Only to be thrown a second later. This time a scream, an earth-shattering scream escaped. Eyes closed tightly, scream fading out, hearing the men laughing. Opening my eyes to see I was now in the arms of Mason. Feeling the air once again, only a brief moment before the very cold water surrounded me. Swimming up to the surface, I come up gasping for air and from the cool temperature of the water.

Hands no longer bound, I treaded water, glaring daggers at the two men standing around the pool doubled over in laughter and the other four laughing on the balcony. Keeping my mouth shut tight not allowing myself to say anything stupid to get into another predicament, I swam to the stairs.

Climbing out quickly I remember I had on yet another white tank and Capri's. "Ugh. I swear I am never wearing white around you people again!" I crossed my arms over my chest to cover the very erect brown nipples playing peek-a-boo through the bra and shirt. Thankful I put on some panties that covered a little more than some of the others.

"You don't have to cover up. We saw them earlier in that light nightshirt you slept in when you first came down stairs," Mason teased.

Embarrassed more than being pissed I stomp off into the house to get changed.

"Samantha," Jack called, sounding serious. Looking over my shoulder at him, he added, "When you're done can you come to the kitchen? I think you should know what's been going on the last 24 hours."

"Umm. Ok," No longer embarrassed or mad, I was concerned.