Stolen (Sequel To Capture)

Thirty-Eight

I flopped down on the bed angrier than I'd been in ages letting out a frustrated groan like a hormonal teenager fighting with her parents about curfew. Only it wasn't about something stupid like curfew, I wished it was, instead it was life or death.

A soft knock tapped through the door. "Go the fuck away Liam. I'm not in the mood." I swore.

"It's Niall."

"I'm still not in the mood."

"Come on Casey, I just want to chat."

I sat up in the bed knowing that he wasnt going away, I could either talk to him quietly, or air this out for the whole flat to hear. I opened the door quickly, but only a fraction, and glared at him. "I don't need fucking cheering up Niall."

"Too bad." He pushed open the door with a flat palm and gingerly stepped inside still holding his ribcage with his left arm. I watched him debating on stopping him entry, I wouldn't have any trouble over powering him, but the whole thing looked so pathetic I just let him hobble in.

"You should be resting." I frowned.

"I'm fine, I've broken more ribs before." He sat down on the edge if the bed, winded from the walk, with beads of sweat forming on his brow.

"I never would have pegged you as the tough agent type."

"What did you peg me as?"

"The loveable and plucky comic relief." I shrugged with a smile.

"Can't a guy be both?" He smiled out one side of his mouth. I didn't answer and his smile faded. "The truth is I've been pretty unhappy lately." He admitted softly. "I miss Emma."

"I know you two are close, she spoke about you often."

"You know how drawing she is, like a magnet, I knew the first day that I was going to be friends with her forever. Harry and Liam will tell you the same. She captivated us all."

"You love her?" I frowned as he compared himself the Liam and Harry's relationships.

"Platonically, yes." We sat there for a moment both of us just existing together. "I know what its like to loose people."

"She isn't dead." I snapped harshly at him.

"It's ok to be upset."

"Good!" I stood up quickly. "I'm fucking pissed!"

"I see that."

"Stop patronizing me Niall. I'm sick of you all trying to be more macho than each other. Its childish, I'm a grown woman, and she is my best friend. I deserve a place at the table."

"I whole heartedly agree."

"You do?" He nodded. "Maybe you should tell Liam that."

"Naw, I think you did already. Liam is just as scared as the rest of us."

"Isolating himself isn't going to get her back. It's going to get her killed." I argued even though Niall had agreed with me.

"Trey is hunting down the people he cares for," Niall shrugged. "Its makes the job harder."

"Sending me away is not going to protect me. He has no right to discard me."

"I don't think he is."

"And he has no right to just call my husband and tell him I need to come home now!" I spoke over Niall.

"Very true."

"Stop agreeing with me!" I shouted. "Jesus fucking Christ, just let me be angry!"

He gave me a gentle smile. "Ok."