You Don't Own Me.

14.

"I'm thinking about quitting Bounce." I told Ares the next day in the family room.
He looked up from his phone with an arched brow.
"What brought this on? I thought you liked working there?" I could see that smirk trying to appear but he was restraining himself not too.
I frowned with a shrug.
"I don't know, it just feels weird working there now. I mean if I quit, I'll look for a job as soon as I-"Rocky." Ares cut me off with a smirk now.
I looked at him completely flushed.
"I want you to do whatever makes you the most comfortable, even if that means quitting the club then I'll support you regardless." He told me with a smile.

I stared back at him before relaxing then smiling as well.
"Okay cool.." I nibbled my lip as I got up.
"Where are you going?" Ares eyes followed me as I walked over to the door where my shoes were.
"Just out for a jog, I won't be long." I told him.
He blinked but nodded as he got up.
"When you get back, there's something I want to talk to you about well more or less ask." He said coming up to me.
I blinked.
"My jog can wait-"
"No, go on your job." He smirked softly.
"When you get back I'll ask you." He pressed his lips to mine as I smiled softly.
"Alright, I love you." I told him.
He smiled softly.
"I love you too." He told me as I headed out.

I forgot what it felt like to jog, it's felt like years based on how out of breath I was already feeling.
But it gave me time to actually think about this.
I mean I haven't really worked at Bounce as long as Gavin and the others have.
But it has felt a lot longer than a year.

I ran down the sidewalk avoiding the people walking in the opposite direction.
I ignored the soft glares when they had to move aside.
I guess I could of went to the park to jog to avoid this.
..
Nah.
I like pissing people off.

I wasn't really sure how long I ran until I made it to See You Latte.
I really shouldn't drink coffee after a run, it was a bad mix with my stomach.
Biting my lip I walked in anyway.

Of course the smell would make me hungry as I walked up ordering a vanilla cappuccino and a ham and cheese biscuit.
I didn't go on a run to lose weight, I just ran to think.
I had this fast metabolism going for me and it was such a great thing when I wanted to eat or drink as much as I wanted.
I mean I still worked out to keep my weight balanced out.

I took a seat at a table in the corner sending Ares a text that I'm eating before I return home.
It felt weird calling his home my home.
But it was also nice.
I wanted to know what he had to ask me.
I mean I guess it wasn't that important if he told me it could wait until after.
I hated how suspicious he could be when it came to things like that.
But still.
Hopefully it wasn't nothing negative.
I'm pretty sure things are working out for us.
We've been dating for a while now.
..
Unless he's getting tired of me.

Is that what he wanted to ask?
For me to move out?
I stared down at my drink with a frown.
There's no way that's what he wants to ask me.
He could be cruel.
But not that cruel.

I finished my food and drink before tossing them both in the trash.
I headed back out and part of me wanted to run this off.
But the other part wanted to find out Ares question.
I nibbled my lip regretting sending him that text, because now he'll be expecting me.
Fuck.
I took my phone back out letting him know I'm going for another run.
To only have him write back in seconds.

[Ares]: You are very wishy washy, either run or come home. There is no rush.
I stood there with my face burning.
[Me]: I know how impatient you can be.
[Ares]: Well lucky for you, I'm being patient today. If you want to run then run.
I nibbled my lip.
[Me]: Okay, see you soon.
[Ares]: Okay.

I took that as my chance to run to the park with now knowing the question wasn't as important as I thought it'd be.

I made it to the park and felt relief not seeing many people there.
It was perfect.
Once upon a time I used to love the attention on me.
Now it just irritated me.

I ran a few times around the park before deciding it was time to head home.
I would usually call Callum to come pick me up.
But it was a nice day for once and I just wanted to walk.

I walked through the crowd of people to only hiss at the feeling of something's shoulder hitting mine.
"Watch it!" I hissed but froze at who it was.
Ian.
He stood there looking like actual shit.
His black hair was longer and looked knotted and he had this facial hair going on, it didn't look good on him like it does on Ares.
And then the bags under his eyes made me want to go to sleep.
He really did fall after Ares fired him.
Shit.

I went to move past the other.
"Rocky wait, can we talk?" I heard him call out to me.
I frowned deeply.
I wanted to put everything in the past.
I wanted to avoid this guy after he screwed me over the moment things went south for him.
I wanted to fucking hate him.
But he looked like a god damn mess on the verge of suicide.

I turned to him with a soft glare.
"Sure Ian, lets talk." I knew I needed to text Ares to let him know what was going on.
But I decided against it as I walked off with this guy.
I wanted to hear him out on why he tried to ruin my life.
Why he had to involve me in something so petty and childish.
I mean he owed me that much.
It just bothered me that he didn't want to talk in public.
Maybe it had to do with his crushed image?
Who fucking knows.
So I followed him into this building regardless of the negative thoughts pouring in.

"I'm surprised you actually followed me." Ian laughed but I didn't.
I wanted to call Ares.
But I kept fighting against that.
I was a guy.
If for some reason this lead to a fight.
I would try to hold my own against him.
But lets face facts.
This guy was large and built.
I was a damn noodle.
But I still believed in my guns.

"I want to know why you posted the video, Ian." I crossed my arms.
Ian looked at me as if trying to read me.
He shrugged.
"I guess I wasn't in the right mind, I mean one minute you're some free fuck to only end up being my bosses boyfriend who fired me." He growled now.
He frowned at me.
"I guess I wanted to humiliate you the way you humiliated me in front of my co-workers." He frowned as I glared at him.
"So you thought by posting that video, you'd get your job back?" I demanded.
"No! I thought if I posted the video, that bastard would see you like the whore you are and toss you out like trash, but instead he fired me for hurting his poor fragile boyfriend." Ian hissed.

I glared softly at him.
"Yeah Ares isn't your normal guy where he'd leave me just because you threw a fit, you were fired for going to work drunk off your ass!"
"Shut up! I had my reasons on why I was drunk and I don't see a bitch like you understanding, see all you sluts at that club are the fucking same. You get in our heads and the moment we think after seeing you twice, we may have a chance. Turns out, you only care about leading us on and taking our money." 
"That's the fucking purpose of being a stripper Ian, we don't lean towards relationships-"

"Then why the fuck is that bastard special huh? Why does he get to date you?" He demanded.
I glared.
"Because we dated in the fucking past and I was already thinking about quitting Bounce the moment he dropped in, I never meant to lead you on Ian. But you posting that video was a low fucking blow." I hissed now.

Ian rolled his eyes.
"So you get to have fun and tell us when it ends? Who made you God?"
I flinched.
"I never saw it that way! God why the fuck are you guys so dramatic about this? Look Ian, you were a nice guy up until you posted that video. Honestly I thought it was Gabriel or Dean, turns out it was the last person I expected." I glared at him.
"If we're done here, I'd like to head home." I spat turning around to only freeze like a deer caught in headlights.

Nikolai stood there with rope.
Oh fuck.
Oh no.
OH FUCK NO.
I stepped back feeling fear rush over me.
I was literally screwed.
This was a damn trap.
I'm so fucking stupid.

"I think I told that CEO to keep you on a leash." Nikolai smirked at me.
"Now look, you've fucked yourself you whore." He snarled.
I didn't have anything to defend myself with.
My attention kept falling on the rope.
What were they going to do with that?

"Okay look," I let out an awkward but nervous laugh.
"Let's talk before you two do something you'll regret-"
"We already have." Ian told me and I didn't even realize he was closing in on me.
"And that was sleeping with you." He said.
Well that fucking hurt.
I was told I was great in bed.
Okay this wasn't the time to be salty.

"What's your end game here huh? Kill me and you'll feel better about your pathetic lives?" I demanded.
Nikolai glared.
"Killing you wasn't even on the agenda but thanks for that idea." He smirked as I flinched.
I really need to keep my mouth shut.
Think Rocky.
If you manage to get away from these two.
You break the fuck out and run to the nearest cop.
Hopefully its not Paul.
I don't need to be scolded for this.

I looked around and without giving them a chance.
I ran.
Unfortunately it wasn't to the exit, just to another room before slamming it shut and locking it.
My heart pounded as I went to grab my phone but froze.
It wasn't in my pocket.
OH FOR FUCKS SAKE.

I ran to the abandoned desk before hiding behind it.
When did I drop my phone?
I'm sure I would of heard it fall out.
Then again my head was pounding and my thoughts were loud.
So no.
I guess I wouldn't of heard it.

I covered my mouth the moment the door busted down.
I saw both of them walking in but they remained quiet.
I really would much rather be locked in Ares's haunted basement over this.
That sounded a lot fucking better than hiding from these two psycho's.

"I thought you said he ran in here?" Ian demanded.
"He did, but there are no windows so its not possible he jumped out." Nikolai said as I tried to keep my breathing on the down low.
For the first time in my life.
I was terrified.
What happens if they catch me?
Will they actually kill me?
I didn't want to die.
My eyes burned but I brushed them away.
I'm not going to die here.
I had a life to spend with Ares.
I still had to hear his question.
What was so important?
My heart was hurting as I tried to stop breathing long enough for these two to go.
But then it happened.

My phone rang.

My blood ran ice cold seeing it in my jacket lighting up.
I thought it was in my back pocket.
I didn't move.
But his name on my phone was telling me too.
I quickly pulled it out.

"Ares--"
I let out a panicked scream the moment the desk went flying and just as I went to run for the door.
I was tackled by Nikolai who held me still.
"If you don't want to die," he pulled his gun out as my eyes grew wide.
"I suggest you not do that again." He growled ripping me up to my feet.

"Let me go!" I demanded kicking but gasped in pain feeling the others fist connecting to my face.
I could taste blood as well as the feeling of myself losing consciousness.
----
"It's been five fucking days, where could he of gone?" Ares demanded pacing inside the house.
He called Nate and the others to see if they had seen him, and based on the panicked tone in Ares voice.
They all arrived to see what had gone down.

"Did you two get into a fight?" Casey asked him.
"No!" Ares hissed with a glare.
"He told me he was thinking about quitting Bounce and then went on a jog," he glared at his phone before tossing it on the couch as he ran both hands through his hair with an irritated sigh.
"I haven't heard from him since Monday, I don't know where he fucking went. When I called him Monday, I heard his voice then a lot of static." 

"Can't we trace the call?" Jamie suggested.
Ares looked to the blond who's brows were knitted.
"Ares, if we trace it then its possible we can find Rocky." He said now.
Ares looked to his phone with a frown.
"What if he's just walked off the face of the earth?" He questioned quietly.

Josie made a face.
"Why would Rocky do that?" She asked him.
Ares shrugged.
"You didn't break his heart again did you?" Paul demanded.
"No, I didn't." Ares growled at the other.
"I already explained what went down on Monday, and now I'm regretting the fact I didn't have Callum follow Rocky that day, because now look? He's fucking missing." He growled.

"Don't blame yourself for this, Ares." Devin spoke up with crossed arms.
"Rocky is smart, so I doubt its serious." He tried to reassure his cousin but it didn't.
Ares only glared at him.
"If it wasn't serious, he would of been here by now. Its been five god damn days." He hissed.

"Then lets trace the call." Casey stood up walking over to the blond who hesitated but handed him the phone.
Casey looked at him.
"Do you have a laptop?" He questioned.
"Yeah, just let me--"

They all stopped at the sound of the phone ringing.
Casey looked shocked but handed it to Ares.
"It's Rocky." He told him.

Ares took the phone from the other without trying to snatch it.
"Rocky?" He demanded.
His eyes were full of worry as he gripped the phone.
"Rocky, answer me where the fuck-"

{"So sorry, your little mouse can't get to the phone right now."} A different voice spoke up as Ares's eyes grew dark.
"Who the fuck is this and where the fuck is Rocky?" He snarled into the phone earning everyone in the room to rise to their feet.
{"Now now,"} the voice chuckled.
{"All of your questions will be answered, but only if I have your cooperation-"}
"You have my cooperation not to beat your god damn ass if you don't tell me where he is." Ares growled now.
{"Oho so scary, I think I'll take my chances on that ass beating but if you want to see him so bad. Here~"}

The phone call went to a video chat that revealed Rocky.
Ares nearly dropped the phone at the sight of him.
He was unconscious, stripped from his clothing except for his briefs and his body was bruised.
The video chat ended and returned to a regular phone call.

"You're fucking dead." Ares yelled into the phone.
{"See, that's cute considering Rocky will be dead if you don't fucking listen to me."} The voice hissed now.
Ares kept the phone on speaker.
"What do you want?" He demanded.
{"Oh that's adorable,"} the voice laughed.
{"Mr.CEO is soft the moment his mouse is taken from him-"}
"Answer me!" Ares roared into the phone now.
...
{"I want one million from you in full."} The voice said now.

The room fell still.
So many thoughts raced through Ares's head.
Some were negative.
Others not so much.

"Ares, it's not worth it-" Patrick went to speak but froze at the sight of Ares standing there glaring harshly as he tried not to break his phone.
"And I have your word you'll hand Rocky back over to me?" Ares questioned trying to breathe.
{"Only if you give me the money, if not I can't say whats in store for your little mouse."} The voice smirked.
{"I mean you saw what fun my friend had with him, you have forty eight hours to get back to me with the money, but if you fail. I can happily tell you, your mouse won't see another day."} The voice told him.

"I'll get you the money." Ares said feeling defeated but all he cared about was the safety of Rocky getting home and not touched.
Anymore than he already has.
{"That's a smart move, we'll talk later, bye~"}
"No wait!" Ares hissed but stopped as he began trembling.

"Ares--breathe." Devin tried but flinched at the sight of Ares throwing his phone as hard as he could into the wall, shattering it.
No one moved as Ares stood there trying to calm himself down.
The shape Rocky was in.
Why?
Why target someone that fucking small?
They're going to wish they never touched him.
Ares would make sure of that.

"Ares-"
"Trace the number." Ares told Casey.
"Well he can't now because you fucking totaled your phone." Anthony hissed bitterly.
"God damn it!" Ares bawled his fists until his knuckles were white.

"I'm going to kill them." He growled.
"Oh that's real smart, and then Rocky will have to visit you while you're in prison for manslaughter." Paul hissed.
"You didn't see him!" Ares yelled glaring harshly at the other.
He let out a shaky breath.
"You fucking didn't see his body, they're fucking hurting him and I don't know where he is or how I'll get to him!" He yelled as his voice broke.
"God damn it!" He screamed crouching to the floor as his body trembled.

No one moved except Josie even though Nate begged her not too.
She ignored him before walking over to Ares, kneeling down in front of the other.
"Ares, look at me." She told him resting on her knees.
He lifted his head and her heart broke.
He was crying.
Her brows knitted painfully.
"We're going to get him back," she told him.
"I can't say I understand what you're feeling, but anyone in this room could see how much you really love him." She frowned.
"Rocky is a strong and stubborn guy, we all know this." She forced a smile.
"So don't break down, tomorrow we will go get a new phone and if Casey is smart enough he'll trace the call's location." She looked at the other.

"So, stop crying and blaming yourself. You know Rocky would only give you hell if he saw you like this." She smirked softly.
He blinked but forced a small smile.
"Yeah.. yeah he fucking would," he cleared his throat.
"I'm regretting not asking him my question sooner now." He said now.

Josie blinked.
"What question?" She asked.
He reached into his jacket pocket pulling out a white box with a ring hidden inside.
Her eyes grew wide.
"Oh Ares.." She didn't hesitate before hugging him tightly.
To her surprise, he hugged back.

"We're going to get him back," she spoke quietly.
"And when we do, you're going to ask him that very important question." She told him.
He nodded.

Forty eight hours?
Not happening.
Try as soon as Ares gets a new phone and the police.
No one fucks with Ares Landry and gets away with it.
And no one.
And he means no one.
Takes what's his and demands for money to get it back.

That's a god damn death wish.
And he'll happily.

Send those two to hell for messing with him.