All Grown Up (Sequel To WDE)

27.

I was nearly asleep with Adam softly snoring beside me when I heard footsteps approaching. I tap him awake and he wakes up groggily. "Zeus, " he complains. I shush him, but I have a feeling it's almost too late. The footsteps stop and I get into a crouching position. I drag Adam to the other side of the cave, trying to hide out of sight. He pushes himself with his feet to help me. I try to dig into the wall, scraping and breaking my fingernails to escape. Adam frantically looks around.

A gleam of light enters the cave. I dig deeper in hopes of trying to escape. Adam pushes me to the side of the cave closest to the entrance. I duck down, hugging my knees close. The light circles the cave and Adam tucks his feet under him. I try to press myself into the wall. This is it.

The light scans once more and a voice says, "Maybe they left."

"No. They've got to be here the footprints end here. There's prints over the cave. Check again."

"Hmm...We've looked everywhere."

"Everywhere?"

I hear a small shuffle and a grunt. The light disappears. I hear it click back on, and look for it again. Adam taps me and I look up. The lights shines brightly in my eye.

"Gotcha."

-

We were dragged back to Adam's house and placed in the basement. I'm tied up again and Adam is free with his brothers. I groggily make sense of my surroundings. We're surrounded by henchmen. The room is gray and looks like a dungeon.

"You - like your family - are a disgrace, " Abraham begins.

"I'm surprised your father actually returned for you," Aamir adds.

I look up. "My father? Dad?! Where is he?" I scan the room frantically.

The brothers look at each other, then Abraham turns around. He throws a person out. Ares scrambles on the ground with a bag. He gets on his feet quickly, glaring back.

"Pops!" I yell , trying to move from the pole.

He looks ahead, trying to recognize me. "Zeus!" He attempts to run towards me, but gets stopped by Aamir.

"You'll be reunited soon, but first," Aamir glances back at me. "We have matters to attend to." He punches my dad , then kicks him in the stomach. Ares holds back his strength and anger.

The henchmen crack their knuckles. Adam gulps. Bambi appears from the shadows, giving me eye contact. She disappears into the night.

"Right, do you have the money?" Abraham adds.

Ares spits blood, wiping his mouth with the back of his sleeve. "Yeah, I have it. All of it."

Aamir snatches the bag off the ground and throws it at one of the men. "Count it up."

"Every dime better be there," Abraham hisses.

"It is," Ares growls back. "Now, can I get my son back?"

Aamir and Abraham exchange glances. Aamir steps aside, allowing my dad to join me. He hugs me hard. "I missed you so much, Zeus! "

"Man, Pops, I'm so sorry about everything I've done. I can't even begin to express how sorry I am - I love you so much, I love Adonis, I love the twins, I missed you guys so much -"

"Zeus, I know. I'm glad you're okay." He hugs me again. "We can go home now."

"Aww, what a tender moment. Tie his ass up!" Abraham yells.

"Wait, what? " I ask. Ares tries to fight off the men but they tase him. "Ugh" he groans in pain. I begin to protest and feel a jolt of electricity race up my spine. The pain feels like whips with lemon juice. I hiss in in twin agony as they hit both me and Ares with a taser.

"You really thought we were gonna let you go? You killed our father! We'll kill you both!"

Adam steps up. "You guys can't do this! This wasn't the plan! Let them go!"

"Shut up!" Abraham back hands Adam down. "You've been trying to protect your boyfriend for too long! You're lucky we're letting you live!"

Adam lays motionless on the ground. I squirm and a figure approaches me . I sense them and jump. However, I relax when I smell the fragrance of brown sugar and warm vanilla. It also smells of flour, flowers, and cleaning supplies.

"Bambi?" I whisper.

"Shh..." The henchmen left to help count the money up.

The brothers begin to argue over who dies first as Bambi unties me. "Thank you, Bam."

"No problem, Zeus." I can almost hear her smile.

Ares clears his throat.

"Oh yeah, Dad this is Bambi. Bambi meet Pops."

"Nice to meet you, Sir," she says warmly.

My dad glances over her. "Like wise." He winks at me.

"So, Bambi, did you know about Adam? You know ..."

"Yes, I did. Why did you think I turned down that proposal? I knew we both were madly in love with you. I knew how much you meant to him, though. I turned you away so he could be happy, Zeus."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Time out. Proposal? Love? What the hell been going on, Zeus?" My dad turns to me.

"I can explain ..."

"Got it!" Bambi exclaims and I break free.

She and I work feverishly to get Dad free. I tug and pull at ropes while she skillfully undoes the knots. Adam starts to come to and the brothers' attention is back on us.

"What the-" Aamir yells.

"Run," I tell Bambi. She kisses my cheek and dips into the night. I help my dad up, and we face the brothers.

"Where's the men?" Abraham yells.

"Useless! We'll deal with her later. Get the strap!" Aamir says.

I want to run, but where will we go? I'm not like Bam, I don't know this house like the back of my hand. Ares steps in front of me as Abraham aims the gun. "Move, old man!"

Someone tases my father in the back and he goes down. "Dad!" I croak. I'm frantic - is this what I really wanted?

"How did you ... even .. find us?" My dad asks in pain.

"A family friend ratted you out. What was her name , Aamir? Natasha? Natalie?" Abraham asks.

"Nancy?"

I think about it for a moment. "Naomi!"

"Yes, her," Abraham snaps his fingers.

"Auntie Naomi set us up? I don't believe it..."