THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD || Paul McCartney [Completed]

20. She Is The Sunlight : Part I

Warning: This chapter and the next does contain violence. 

And if all the flowers faded away
And if all the storm clouds decided to stay
Then you would find me
Each hour the same
Cause she is tomorrow
And I am today

---

Paul stopped at Matthew's house before checking at the club. Luckily he did because his car was there. He pulled alongside the pavement and rushed out of the vehicle. He waltzed right up to the front door and knocked, or better, banged loudly until Matthew threw the door open to regard him with a hard stare.

"What in the hell—" He paused, regarding Paul with a curious look, "What are you doing here McCartney and where is my sist—" He choked on his words, not able to finish as Paul gripped the front of his shirt and shoved him inside, slamming him into the wall.

Matthew was completely thrown off guard by Paul's sudden aggressiveness, and he stared at the other man in shock. A paper was shoved against his chest.

"This is your fault!" Paul spat, his eyes were dark, and his jaw clenched, "they took her because of you!"

"What are you talking about McCartney?" Matthew sputtered, shoving Paul back and looking at the paper that was shoved against him. He read over the letter, his eyes widening and he looked up to glare at Paul.

"My fault! They wouldn't have taken her if it wasn't for her hanging around you. They would have just taken me instead! But they know you have money!" Matthew began, yelling at Paul and balling the letter into his fist.

Paul stared at Matthew incredulously, his mouth parted, and he shook his head in disbelief. "Are you honestly blaming me for this? You're the one who borrowed money from a criminal, and now you're telling me it's my fault they kidnapped Natalie? Honestly, you're lucky I'm involved because I'm capable of giving them the money they need, and she may actually live because of it. If it were up to you to find the money, she'd be dead!" He shouted.

Matthew didn't say anything, he just glared at him, "She didn't come home last night, how long has she been missing?"

"She was with me last night, it was this afternoon they took her."

"She was with you?" Matthew growled, "at your house? What the hell are you doing with my sister? I swear, McCartney if you slept with her I'm going to kill you."

"Go on then, good luck finding the money after I'm dead," Paul felt his ire rise, and he reached out to snatch the letter from Matthew, "Why don't you worry about what is important right now, and that is getting Natalie back."

"Fine, but after this, I want you to stay away from her."

Paul ignored his demands, "I'm going to withdraw the money in the morning. They will send another letter with the drop off location."

"Very well, but I'm going to do the drop it off. She's my sister and I'm going to be the one to retrieve her. I don't want you screwing things up."

"How much worse can I screw things up? You're the one who started this entire thing to begin with." Paul retorted.

Matthew narrowed his eyes at Paul and grabbed him, and holding his arm back as if he was going to hit him. He stopped himself though, looking at Paul a moment longer, wishing he would give into his impulses and just deck him. But he had to focus on Natalie right now and she would want him to keep his impulses in check. He let Paul go and pointed his finger at him, "How about you just shut up and let me handle this. Just get the money and I'll do the rest."

Paul fixed the collar of his shirt. His heart stopped momentarily when Matthew attempted to hit him. He didn't really know what he did to make Matthew hate him so much. But one thing he did know was that Matthew was ungrateful and obviously more troubled than Natalie thought.

"I'm at least coming with you. And you can't stop me." Paul said before walking toward the door, "I'll see you first thing in the morning!" With that said, Paul left the house, slamming the door behind him.

---

"This is your brother's fault. He should have paid me when I gave him the chance." He said.

Natalie looked up at the man, he was pacing in front of her as he spoke. She twisted her wrists against the ropes, unable to free herself from the binds. Her wrists burned from the rope rubbing against her skin and her lip pulsed from where she was hit.

"My brother is an idiot, but I have nothing to do with it."

"No, but you're my only chance. You see, I left a letter with your little boyfriend. Paul McCartney? He's a Beatle right? How does a lowly little school teacher get involved with a Beatle?" He smirked, lifting a brow in her direction.

Natalie's eyes widened and she shook her head, "Paul has nothing to do with this! Leave him out of it!"

He chuckled, a daunting sound that left a bad taste in her mouth, "No, but he does have one thing that your brother does not."

She looked upon him expectantly, "Oh? What is that?"

"Money, obviously." He scoffed, walking a little closer to her, "I gave him twenty-four hours to withdraw the money and we'll make the exchange. You, for what is owed to me. If he follows through, then I'll let you go. If not—" His tone was pitiless and his eyes dark, "you know what will happen."

"I don't think you mean it." She said, narrowing her eyes at him and forcing a smile on her lips, "I don't think you will kill me. If killing was so easy for you, you would have taken my brother out by now."

He laughed, a genuine laugh from the pit of his belly. He shook his head at her before the laughter abruptly came to a stop, and his eyes glittered dangerously. He reached back and swung his arm, the back of his hand making contact with her face.

Natalie gasped, not expecting the sudden assault.

"You're a stupid little girl. I'm not afraid to kill you or your even more dull-witted brother. But if I kill him first, I'll never see my money. At least this way I have a chance at receiving what is owed to me. And after that, I still may kill him yet."

"Fine, I get your point, but you didn't have to involve Paul." She said, ignoring his threat to her brother. She didn't want to believe it.

"Don't worry, Darling." He reached out to caress her cheek lightly, "I'm not going to hurt your boyfriend. I quite like his little band and it would be a shame to waste such talented blood," He smirked, "But you don't mean anything to me, and if you keep running that pretty little mouth of yours I'm going to cut out your tongue. Do you understand me?"

Natalie glared at him, her chest heaved, and it took everything in her not to yell expletives at him, "Clearly." She said, her voice dark and just as callous as he was.

He grinned, "Good. And if you remain a good girl for the rest of your visit, I'll make sure my men don't take bites at you. It's been a while since we had something so pretty down here."

She felt sick, her stomach tempted to hurl from the comment. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes and just wishing him and his goons away. She opened them to see his face dangerously close to her. She nearly jumped in surprise, and he grinned wildly at her.

"I want my money, but there is a small part of them that hopes your boyfriend fails to deliver the money. Because killing you would bring me such joy."

Natalie was tempted to roll her eyes, "You honestly need help." She pointed out, "You're a first-class sociopath."

He didn't like that, because the smile on his face faded once again and the look of a demon returned. He grabbed her jaw roughly in his grasp and yanked her head up before pulling out a knife. He placed it against her throat and pressed hard against her skin. Natalie whimpered, feeling a sharp sting and blood drip down her neck.

He pulled the knife back, having only pricked her skin, "This is your last warning, love. Keep quiet, and you may just live to see tomorrow." With that he walked away, leaving her alone in the cold room.

She shivered, feeling tears fall down her cheeks. She hated feeling so weak, but she was completely at his mercy, and there was nothing she could do. She thought about Paul. His eyes, his lips, his hands and his sweet voice singing to her. It was the thought of him that gave her hope. She wanted to see him again, and she refused to die until she did.