Saved By You

Chapter 35 – Warning

Jace Grey

On the rest of my way to the Escala building I take the urgency of Christian meeting urgently and run the entire way. Accidently, I run into people's shoulders. I try to apology to the passes but I'm not too sure if they can hear me. I push myself harder and faster wanting to get there immediately because I know something has happened towards Lydia's case. In my stomach I have a knot tied so tight I feel I'm going to combust at any moment.

I jab on the elevator call button and wait impatiently at the bottom in the garage. "Come on. Come on." I even pace as I wait for it. When it does finally 'ting' open I step inside hurriedly and slam the button to the top floor. I was alone in the lift and I was grateful. I seem to be swearing to myself a lot recently. "Fucking come on you slow son of a bitch!" If Taylor is watching my journey then I bet he would be laughing at my impatience to reach the top level.

When the door opens, I groan, "Oh finally!"

On my arrival, most of my family are gathered around and mumbling to themselves with drinks in their hands. I tried to find Uncle Christian but he doesn't to have joined the gathering just yet. So with my impatience I obtain a stool at the breakfast bar and wait.

When Uncle Ethan and Auntie Mia arrived with Leon and Aaron, Leon took the next bar stool besides me. "Do you know what this is all about?" He asked me, "We have practice."

With annoyance I roll my eyes and groan at him. "It's about Lydia of course or have you forgotten about her already," I snap, crossing my arms over my chest with a glare in my eyes.

Mrs Taylor swooped by carrying a tray in her hands. "Drink Leon? Jace?" Leon takes one of her lemonades but I refuse. If I drink or eat anything it will only come back up.

Uncle Christian came out from Taylor's office with Ana and Taylor at his side. The air automatically stills as everyone watches him move to the dining table. Everyone moves to take a seat as Christian and Ana stand at the edge of the table. I didn't notice before but Christian is carrying an envelope. It's not a small letter but it hold something chunky inside. Is the bulk the money to get Lydia back? No. They would probably need a big sack or sports bag to hold that kind of money. Uncle Christian taps the letter in his hands as he glances at everyone with a distraught pale face. He encounters each one of us to make sure we are all here.

Unexpectedly and wordlessly, Christian tosses the envelope into the middle of the table, making people including my Mother jump. As a heartbeat passes, everyone's eyes zoom in and focus on the envelope lay in the centre of the table. I didn't need to question what everyone is thinking because I am thinking the same. What the hell is in it to cause such a big family meeting?

Grandma removed her eyes and raised an eyebrow at her son. "Christian?" She asks longing to know the truth to what is happening just like the rest of us want to know.

Christian puts his hands on his hips and turns whilst he says plainly, "Open it." He moved closer to the window and then reaches up and lays his palm on the pane of glass looking out to the city.

Grandma returns her eyes back onto the envelope but I could see her holding back like she is not sure she wants to discover what lies inside.

Unlike Grandma, Mum jumps to the chance and reaches out for it when nobody else does. Typical of my Mother, of course she wants the scoop, like always. She lifts the letter up and peels the edge back. An automatic squeal of fright jumps out of my Mum's mouth like she's just seen a massive spider. With the jump she expresses she throws the envelop back into the middle of the table and a pile of hair swamps the table. Jesus shit! It isn't just any bodies hair, which is Lydia's for sure. They've cut her gorgeous long hair. FUCK!

The room is filled with gasps of shock, eyes have become wider and some of my family are leaning back in their seats. My chest has tightened and I'm finding it hard to breath. I look over to my Uncle and see him ball up his palm into a fist before striking the glass once.

Ana looks at the hair once more and she could no longer take it. "Excuse me…"She says, fleeing from the tense room.

Alongside the hair is a note and Dad reaches for it first. With a clear voice he reads it out to everyone. "You keep getting the press and cops involved there will be more of this." They do not want to be caught. But we need the help of the cops to help find Lydia. Cutting the investigation would like be dropping a biscuit into a hot drink and cursing afterwards. It would be a disaster. Our search will crumble just like the biscuit and we will never ever get her back.

I want to cry. All the emotions have built up through the day. Seeing her old home, picturing what Lydia had to go through and then seeing what they are now doing to her.

My Sister Ava gulps and fidgets, staring at the hair in front of her. "Is it really Lydia's?" She wondered.

For some reason I found the power inside of me to stand up. I got off the butt hurting stool and walked across to the table. Everyone's eyes fell on me as I move nearer the table. Leaning through, between Mum and Dad, I touch a clump of Lydia's hair. It is unquestionably hers. Usually it is much softer but over the months it has gone dry and dead. I lay the hair our as I spread it out to search for proof.

"Uh, Jace what are you doing?" Mum said with a disgusted tone, giving me a funny look too.

I didn't answer her and continued to look for what I need to show them. Grandma Grey looked across the table at me with a quizzing look. My Sisters watched me carefully as I gently sort through the length of the hair.

When I saw it, it makes me smile and made me think back to our happy days. I moved my eyes up and looked across to Ava. "When I dyed my hair Lydia said I should do a patch test. I didn't of course and she wanted to try the colour out on hers. So typically Lydia tried it and there it is the patch to prove it's her hair."

Lydia loved her hair and that cruel man has cut it off and taken it away from her. I'm not sure if it's cut short short or if it's cut to her shoulders but whatever length it is at I know she won't like it.

I remove away my hand from the lock of hair and place my hand over my mouth rubbing over my dry lips. I miss her so badly. I miss her touch, her kiss, her warmth and brightness she brings to the room.

A wash of tears glisten over my eyes and I quickly react by rubbing my balled up hand to eliminate them . Even with trying to avoid everyone seeing the weakness I am displaying, Mum places a hand on the arch of my back.

Mum kept her voice low as she says "Jace, maybe it's best if you come-"

BANG!

Christian pounded his fist violently onto the glass making it vibrate under the might also whilst interrupting what my Mum was saying. At the same time we all looked up together at him, wondering what on earth he was doing. But he couldn't keep it in any longer. He needs to use his fired up energy in the gym.

Ana returned as she heard the noise and came wondering to see what had happened. Nothing was broken so she didn't see anything. "Christian?"

"I don't understand," Christian's shattered voice enters. "What are they waiting for? We've got the money and they know it."

"They don't want to be caught," I say and my Uncle turns around, meeting my eye. "They know what they are doing is bad and can send them to jail again so they are waiting for the right time They are running scared because they don't want to go into that pit again."

"Sir," Taylor's voice cut's in. "Your guests have arrived."

"Show them in," Christian tells him and Taylor hops right to it.

"You've invited guest to our family meeting?"Grandma Grey asked with a slightly confused tone.

Uncle Christian snaps, "I can invite who I want to Mother."

"Christian!" Both Ana and Auntie Mia said at the same time.

Lydia Grey

If someone asked me how I am at the moment I would say I am okay, fine, perfect. When truthfully I am pissed off to the maximum and so angry I could strangle and murder Bill, Badger and Darnell. But the typical weak me does nothing to show how angry I am apart from cry. My eyes are blurred and slithers of tears sink along my pale cheek where I'm still lay on the hard floor. Brax tries to call for me so I roll myself over blocking his sound so I am in my own safe bubble. The tears then start rolling over my nose and joining the other tears on the other side as I move.

They really didn't need to cut my hair. It's short now, down to my shoulders I think. Already it has pinged into a frizzy mess that I can't stand. I want my hair back but obviously they can't glue it back on.

All of a sudden I jump as a hand is placed on my side. I look up and see Darnell standing over me. He bends down to my level and unclips the handcuffs and picks me up into a hug. "Believe me I am so sorry they did this to you Angel," He said against my right ear. "I tried to persuade them not to do it. I promise you that once this is all over I will sort it out. But you still look beautiful to me…"

Phoebe Grey

Under the table I held Teddy's warm hand under the table with our fingers gripping hard onto each others as we both stare at the hair layout in front of us. If we don't comply with what they say about keeping every out at bay they will harm our Sister more with what looks like torture. I'm scared that they'll get carried away and kill my Sister and I will never be able to forgive myself for leaving our Sister relationship as I did. I shouldn't have been so selfish and I've only got myself to blame. I understand now that I shouldn't have ignored her but she should have ignored me. I didn't deserve to be treated nicely by her. After all I did technically steal her date. Tyrone said she was interested in someone else. I wonder if they are okay and if they've been watching the news to see how she is. I need to find out who he is. "Dad," I stole his attention away from the door. "Where is Lydia's diary?"

"In my office," Dad said in slight surprise, not expected me ask for it. "Why?"

"No reason," I shake my head and detach my hand away from Teddy's. "I just wanted to read it."

"Later. Our guests have arrived," He said walking over to them.

I glanced over my shoulders and saw a devastating appearance among the family who look like they are going through as much hell as us. There is a smart dress lady and a man in a suit. Daddy greets them both as Mr and Mrs Miller. Dad then shakes the hand of a tall scruffy guy called Alex who looks like he just gotten out of bed. He works it well though. I love the messed up mop. The a little hand goes up in front of Mrs Miller. "I'm Levi," The small boy said proudly, looking up brightly to my Dad. He was the only one that held a smile but I doubt he understands what is going on properly.

Mrs Miller then introduced the girl standing next to her. "This is Brax's girlfriend Rosalyn…"

She looks really young and beautiful. He skin is amazing even though I could see she doesn't really feel it. In her arms she is holding a gorgeous baby girl. "It's nice to meet you Mr Grey," She says. "And this is our Daughter Kiera…"

Dad presented a small smile as he looks down at the little girl. "How old is she?" He wonders, slowly running a finger through her thin delicate hair. "She's nearly four months now."

"She's adorable." Dad then moves back onto Mr and Mrs Miller again. "I'm sorry this isn't a happy circumstance," He then gestures towards the table where most of us are sitting, "Please come and join us."

"Is that human hair?" Alex notices first as he steps closer towards the table.

"Yes, it's our daughters."

The young girl looks lost in this big place with so many people. I force a small smile on my lips and capture the attention of her eyes. "Hey," I get up off my seat. "Take my seat."

"Thank you…"

"I'm Phoebe by the way; it's nice to meet you…"

"Rosalyn, you too..."

Dad stood at the foot of the table and started speaking to the Millers who all had a seat accept Levi who sat on his Mother's lap. "We've received that letter today," Dad points towards the hair on the table and the empty envelope sat alongside it. "I'm having my men trace it from where it came from to get answers." Dad digs into his pocket while he says, "We also received this letter with ours but it's addressed to you…" Dad hands the letter over to Mr Miller who is closest to him.

Mr Miller peeled open the letter and he tugged out whatever is inside. He gasps but then shows everyone. It's a picture of the baby with Brax holding her and Rosalyn walking besides them holding Levi's hand. Around the babies face is a red bloody circles, trying to say she is next on the list.

"NO!" Rosalyn cried out.

I placed my hand on her shoulder. "Don't panic. My Dad won't let them get near her."

Dad growled in the back of his throat. "No I will not. I'll arrange for my security to surround all over you day and night. They will not be able to get to her."

"Thank you, Christian. I don't know how I can repay you…"

"There is no need… Lydia and Brax are family, which makes us family. We do what we can for our love ones and we will get them home."

Levi turns to his Mum. "Mummy I don't understand."

My Brother Teddy got out of his seat and said, "Hey champ, you into video games?"

Levi bobs his head up and down excitedly. "Yeah!"

"Come on then," Teddy said, ushering the small boy out of the room.

Jace Grey

So the Miller arrived and they get threatened by Bill and his bloody crew. Uncle Christian hands are grabbing the edge of the table and looks down. When he looks up he scans everyone around the table and fixes his eyes onto my Mum. "You can't report this or anything else anymore Kate. I know it's your job but we can't risk them hurting Lydia, Brax or even Kiera."

"I'll call my boss. Any stories will not be published or printed. I'll speak to the other local newspapers and pay them off not to." Mum stands up and with draws her phone from her bag before disappearing off.

Gripping harder onto the table, Uncle Christian then says, "No one else in this room can put anything on social network sites or anything. They will find it and who knows what they do. We have to play by the rules. Whatever is said between us must stay between us. Got it?"

"Sir," Taylor interrupted. "We've got something that you need to see."

I couldn't just stand there I had to go and find out what was going on. "Jace stay here," Christian soon whipped around to stop me from following into the office.

"Please Uncle Christian," I beg. I could see in his eyes that he didn't want me to come with him. "I love her," I announced to him in a small whisper so the others couldn't here. "Please."

The understanding loomed in his eyes before he swooped his head to the side to beckon me to take the lead. Yes. Yes. Yes. Let's hope this is good news. Taylor frowned at me as I entered but I pointed to Christian who gave his approval. He shuts the door behind him and we both stand behind Taylor's office chair. "I've despatched our men already… This might come to a surprise to you Sir."

"Show us," Christian orders and Taylor instantly pressed a button and pictures glowed out to me. "Elena…." He said. I assumed that was the name of the lady on the screen posting the big letter that we had got. "FOR FUCKSAKE!" Christian screamed at the top of his voice. He really doesn't like this woman at all.

"Does she know Bill?" I ask and knew it was a stupid question.

Steam came flying out of his ears and all of a sudden he lashed out and hit the bankers green lamp from the desk. It dropped and crashed to the floor and broke into tiny pieces.

N/A – Sorry this chapter wasn't up yesterday. I was over at my partners and forgot the power lead to my laptop. I'm such a douche! Haha. I am looking forward to the next Chapter which will mostly be in Christian and Ana's point of view!