The Hidden Rose(Book One In The Rose Pedal Series) /✔

Chapter Forty-six

What the hell was Brandon of all people doing here? I had assumed it would be Luke since he's defending me. What's going on?

Is Luke working with Brandon? or did Brandon switch sides?

I watched as Brandon left the room, his gun in hand. the breeze from him walking by me ao close was chilly and i turned back to peek over the crates. The boss gestured to one of the other men.

The man stood from his chair and went into a back room, unlocking the door before stepping into the dim light. He closed the door, but not before i could hear another man yelling.

"This wasn't part of the deal you bastards!" The masculine voice echoed in the concrete room.

The boss turned his head and spoke softly into another man's ear. The man went into the dim room with the other. The boss sighed and looked up. He frowned and met my gaze. Shit. I didn't move, not even daring to blink or shift my eyes. He looked away and i blinked several times, rubbing away the burning sensation from them.

A large arm wrapped around my arm and hauled me to my feet. I looked up and found a man who had been at the table. He pushed me to the table and i stood there, glaring at the boss.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"

"Oh cut with the bullshit." I snarled.

"Alright. Would you like me to address you as Rose or Ashlyn?" He grinned. I can't let him speak to me as Rose in case someone overheard, but i don't want this shit to speak my name, let alone think it.

"Ashlyn." I replied dryly.

"Alright. So i suppose you're looking for Luke?"

"Yes." I growl. "Where is he."

"Ah, not so fast, Ashlyn. He got on the plane willingly, remember?"

"Why? Did you threaten him? What did you do?" I leaned on the table, my hands laying flat.

"Oh no, quite the opposite. I knew threatening him would be no good. So you see," he looked back up at me, a malicious grin written across his face.
"I had threatened you. But when that didn't work because he knew you can take a lot of pain, i threatened his mother."

"You son of a-"

"Now, now. Do you think name calling is going to help you any? You're my prisoner now." Two hands wrapped around my upper arms and i was dragged away, towards the dimly lit room.

"You're going to regret this!" I snarled through my teeth, getting spit on my chin.

"Maybe so. But up until that point, it's going to be a blast." He winked at me then gestured to the man holding me. He dragged me into the room and i glanced around. There were two stalls. Kind of like bathroom stalls. So i couldn't see the other person in here. I was slammed down into a folding chair and duct taped to it. My ankles were taped to the legs and my wrists to the back of the chair.

He then searched me and took all my weapons. My knives, guns and one grenade. I glared at him the whole time. He just smirked. When he backed out of the stall i stared at him.

"Why not gag me?" I asked.

"Becausd nobody can hear you other rhan us. The music up there is too loud"

Shit i hadn't thought of that. 

At least Noah knew where i was. Wasn't he coming, though? I had texted him a long time ago.

Dammit.

"Hello? Who's there?" The masculine voice asked. Did i say that aloud?

"Umm..." i said, hesitating.

"My name's Luke. If we work togethee, we can get out of here." He said.

"Luke?!" I sqealed.

"Yes?"

"It's me!" a tear of joy trickled down my cheek and i smiled widely.

"Who's me?"

"Ashlyn!"

"What the hell are you doing here?!" He asked sharply.

"I followed you."

"I knew you would, that's why i took a different plane."

"Yes. But you didn't cover up that trail very well." I chuckled.

"Shit. Well now i know we can get out of here, the question is how?"

"Noah's here. I had texted him where i was, but i don't know why he hasn't come yet. He was just upstairs."

"Ok, well we can't rely on Noah too much. We need to get out of here." I nodded before realizing he can't see me.

"Ya, you're right." Silence fell as we both thought. We sat there for at least a good twenty minutes before i couldn't stand the silence anymore.

"Luke? Why did you come here?" I asked. I stared at the top of the stall's wall that kept me from seeing Luke.

"They threatened my mom and you. They said if i didn't either work for them, or convince someone who would, they'd kill you both."

His words sunk into my heart like a dagger and my throat tightened up.

"Why Brandon?" I asked, my voice cracking just the slightest bit.

I could practically see him hesitating. He didn't say anything, so i decided to make sure he was still there.

"Luke?"

"Brandon is the one person on the planet I'm ok with dying."

"Wait what?!" I asked, my mouth dropping open. "I thoughr you had to work for them!"

"The mission was-"

The big metal door creaked open and he stopped. My stall door opened and a man stepped over. He lifted me and the chair and put me back down outside the stall.

Then the boss came in and smirked at me.

"Real pain for both of you."

He opened the other stall door and my heart dropped into my stomach. My eyes widened and i could feel the tears welling up.

There, duct taped to another folding chair was Luke. He was shirtless and had cut marks along his arms and chest. He had dark purple bruises staining his face and neck and his nose was broken.

I quickly put on my poker face, but i still couldn't keep the horror and fear for him, out of my eyes. Luke noticed this and gave me a small smile.

"Shall we begin?" The boss grinned.

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hey y'all!! Sorry for not updating yesterday, but I'm sick and i just fell asleep. I'm still sick, but since I'm awake i thought why not write that chapter. I also have a really bad sunburn and it hurts like hell. Thanks for waiting. ☺

Don't forget to vote and comment so other people can find the book and enjoy it!

❤ sillylovebug432