CHAPTER 4
BRAX'S POV:
Natalie had spent the last week in my bed and it was the first time in our relationship where we both felt completely at ease. Adam was still in the back of my mind and I had heard from Heath that he would be back in town today. "Good morning beautiful." I murmured as she stirred beside me. She smiled and nuzzled into my shoulder. "If you don't get up soon you're going to be late for work."
"I could call in sick and stay in bed with you all day." she whispered running her finger slowly down my chest.
"As much as I would like that, no." I smiled, sitting up. "Now go have a shower and get ready." I said, giving her a quick kiss before jumping out of bed. She came out to the kitchen fifteen minutes later dressed for work. I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her. "You have to go home today." I sighed.
"Why?" she asked, lacing her hands behind my neck.
"Adam's coming back. He can't know you've been here." I stated.
"Okay." she sighed and nodded, "I have to go or I really will be late." she said, giving me a lingering kiss before heading out the door.
After Natalie left I headed to the restaurant to open up for the day.
"G'day Brax." Adam greeted, standing behind me as unlocked the door.
"Adam." I acknowledged, walking into the restaurant.
"Did you and Natalie enjoy your little week long escapade?" he smirked.
I spun around to face him. How the hell had he found out.
"Well the look on your face confirms what I suspected." Adam grinned, "I told you to stay away from her."
"Adam, please." I begged.
"I warned you." Adam hissed, "And I haven't had enough fun yet. I'm really enjoying this game." he smirked as he left.
Later that day I began to get worried. Natalie wasn't returning my calls and I hadn't seen her at the Diner at lunch. I stood behind the bar numbly drying the glass I was holding.
"Brax, have you heard?" Heath called out rushing into the restaurant. "Bianca and Natalie have been taken hostage at the school."
I grabbed my keys and ran out of the restaurant with Heath hot on my heels. We jumped in my car and sped towards the school. As we pulled up we saw a group of students standing on the grass with Gina. "What's going on?" I asked running up to her.
"Where are they?" Heath questioned catching up.
"One of the students is holding Bianca, Natalie and a group of students hostage at knifepoint." Gina replied spinning around to face us.
"Well what are you doing about it?" I asked frantically. "Where are the cops?"
"We've evacuated the school and the police are on their way." she stated, "We just have to wait for them."
"Look!" one of the students yelled, pointing towards the building.
We turned and watched as a group of students emerged hurrying over to where we were standing. As they approached I searched the crowd of faces trying to find Natalie. I spotted Bianca as she made her way over to us. Heath embracing her as she collapsed into his arms. "Where's Natalie?" I asked desperately.
"She's still in there. He wouldn't let her go." she replied.
I took off running towards the building, ignoring both Heath and Bianca as they called after me. I soon found the classroom they were in and crouched down so I couldn't be seen. Peering in through the glass panel on the door I could see Natalie standing near the blackboard and a student sitting on one of the desks. I couldn't see if he was armed. I crouched down again, briefly pausing before slowly opening the door. I looked directly at Natalie and saw the look of relief on her face before the student leapt from the desk pointing his knife at me. "Easy mate, I'm not here to hurt you." I said holding up my hands.
"Are you a cop?" he asked, waving the knife around.
"No. No I'm not. I'm a friend of Natalie's." I stated, taking a step closer.
"Don't move!" he yelled.
"Alright. This is as far as I'll go." I spoke calmly.
"School sucks!" he screamed, glancing back at Natalie.
"Yeah, I get that mate. I didn't really like school either." I said getting his attention back, "But you don't need to do this."
He glanced back to Natalie then back to me, "Are the cops outside?"
"Yeah they will be. Trust me mate you'll be better off turning yourself in now before anyone gets hurt." I said as he lowered the knife. At that moment the door flew open and in charged three police officers with their guns drawn. He threw the knife on the floor and put his hands on his head. Natalie ran to me and I held her tightly as an officer handcuffed the kid. I walked Natalie out of the building and over to where the paramedics and police officers were taking statements and assessing the students. Leaving her with an officer I made my way back to the car. I was going to find Adam.
I found him standing outside the Diner. "You've gone too far this time Adam!" I yelled raising my fist.
"What are you talking about?" he questioned, ducking my blow.
"Getting some kid to take Natalie and Bianca hostage and holding them at knifepoint" I stated, giving him a shove.
"Brax I don't have a clue what you're talking about." he starred at me blankly.
I heard the sincerity in his voice and realised I'd made a mistake.
"But taking her at knifepoint." he drawled, "What a brilliant idea!" he grinned walking away.
I groaned and ran my hands through my hair. I'd just made things worse.
NATALIE'S POV:
"Hi." I greeted Brax as I opened the door, "Come in." He walked through and stood by the table. "You disappeared so quickly at the school, I didn't get the chance to thank you." I smiled giving him a hug.
"Yeah, it was probably pretty stupid of me going in there like I did." he shrugged.
I laughed, "Well I'm glad you showed up when you did." He sighed and pushed me back gently creating some distance between us. "What's wrong?" I asked, concerned.
"I think I made things worse with Adam." he admitted, hanging his head.
"Brax, what did you do?" I asked slowly.
"I accused him of being guilty for what happened at the school." he stated.
"But he had nothing to do with it. It was just a troubled teen that had a beef with the school." I frowned.
"Yeah I realise that now but it's too late." he gulped, "Nat. This. Us. It can't happen. There's been too many close calls and I know what Adam is capable of. He won't stop until he gets what he wants. I don't want you to get hurt worse than what you have been. Please tell me you understand?" he looked longingly at me, placing his hands on my shoulders.
I sighed and nodded with tears in my eyes.
"I'm sorry but it's over. For good this time." he placed a lingering kiss on my lips before leaving.
BRAX'S POV:
I walked into Angelo's, grabbed a bottle of scotch and plonked myself down on a bar stool. I took a swig from the bottle then sat starring at it.
"Hi sexy." a blonde woman drawled, sitting down beside me, "Wanna pour me a glass?"
I shrugged, poured her a glass and took another swig.
"I'm Cara." she smiled as I drank a bit more. "Want to go have some fun?" she asked, running her finger down my arm seductively.
"Nah, I'm good." I stated, taking another swig.
"Ok then." she sighed, standing up, "But if you change your mind..." she winked as she left.
