Chapter One: A Lucky Break
(Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.)
I could not believe my luck. In a dive bar far outside the city, drinking away the last three dollars to my name, trying desperately to think of some way to stall the eviction, drowning in my misery... there she was.
I had to look at the photo on my phone dozens of times to be certain, but after a near hour of watching her from a distance, there was nearly no doubt in my mind that it was her.
'All of you are to be on high alert. If anyone sees this girl, you contact me or the boss immediately. And make sure you're sure. Call us for a false alarm and it will be your head.'
Emmett, my boss', words rang through my mind, and I couldn't help but doubt. What would she be doing here? In this decrepit, dirty place that looked a body short of a crime scene and no other customers to boot. It was utter coincidence that I was even here, but her..?
I looked again. She seemed completely inconspicuous at a distance. Modestly dressed in a t-shirt and jeans, a petite little thing, too short to reach the floor from the barstool she was perched on, laughing casually with the large bearded bartender. She looked like the girl in the photo Emmett sent us, but the scared little voice just wouldn't be silenced.
What if it's not her? Be realistic. Why would fate favour you now, after so many months of kicking you in the teeth? Why would you get lucky now?
What if you call them and you're wrong? Do you think Emmett was kidding about what the boss will do?
I'd never met the man, but I knew his reputation, and for a lowly grunt like me, that was enough. He was not the kind of man you antagonised.
He'll kill you if you're wrong, then what will happen to mum and Seth?
I cringed. What would happen if I wasn't here to look after them. Seth was only thirteen, and mum was too sick to work anymore. I was the sole provider for our family since dad passed, and I'd been doing a pretty piss poor job of it. Neither of them knew how close we were to being evicted, being homeless with nothing. Mum wouldn't survive on the streets and Seth was too bright a boy to have his future ripped away because his older brother was useless.
But what if it is her? $100,000 reward for her return. That would make everything right. Pay the rent, pay mum's medical bills, buy the supplies Seth needs for school. Heck, I could probably even put some money in savings with that kind of payout. But I have to be sure.
If I can't call them, I'm going to have to take her with me.
I froze where I sat, heart pounding in my lungs, sweat gathering feverishly at my back and under my arms. A year ago, the mere thought of kidnapping someone would have sent me screaming for the hills. But a lot had changed in a year.
You have to do this. For them.
Slipping my phone back into my pocket I reached in deeper. Nausea bubbled up my throat as my fingers found the small bag of powder. I was disgusted at the thought of using it, but... it was better than dragging the poor girl out of here at gunpoint.
Downing the last few drops of liquid courage, I squared my shoulders and approached my prey.
"Another, please mate," I requested, loudly interrupting whatever intimate conversation she and the bartender were having. The gruff older man with long hair and a thick ginger beard glared as he straightened from where he'd practically been looming over the girl from the other side of the bar. He's probably just mad I interloped on his flirting.
I didn't give a shit. I just needed to get close enough.
"There." He barked, smashing my drink down on a flimsy plastic coaster, nearly spilling it everywhere. "What about you, darlin'? You want another?" He asked the girl beside me in a completely different tone. Deep, warm, and welcoming, with just the slightest hint of a leer.
"Um... yes, please. I'll just have one more. Thank you."
Taking a deep internal breath, I shored up the courage to face the girl and... wow.
That photo did her no justice at all.
She was stunning. Even in the dingy purple lighting of the dusty old pub, you would see. Pale, porcelain skin, a gently crafted heart-shaped face, slightly chubby cheeks, plump pink lips and bright, vibrant brown eyes. Her thick brunette hair was tossed in a lazy ponytail, cascading down her back in dark, sensual waves, ending just above her thin alluring hips barely hidden beneath a crinkled baggy t-shirt.
I bit the inside of my mouth until I tasted copper. Stop gawking you perv.
Still... It didn't take a genius to figure out why she was worth 100k.
"Sure thing, love. On the house." He winked at her, smiling from ear to ear as she blushed a deep attractive red. I had never been the best at talking to women, even in the most normal of circumstances. Casting around desperately for some way to start a conversation, I blindly stammered, "You two seem friendly. You know each other?"
She jumped a foot and spun, seeming genuinely shocked I had spoken to her. Her bright eyes flashed with fear, then suspicion pinned me to the spot. I felt needles begin to stab up the back of my neck. Did she suspect me? Did she recognise me? I'd never seen her before, right? Did she know who I was?
What do I do if she runs?
But a moment later, the suspicion was gone. She relaxed - foolishly, but I wasn't complaining - and shook her head as though scolding herself. Fiddling with the end of her long brown hair she smiled at me shyly.
"Oh, no. We just met, but he's very nice. Been keeping me company all night long, even if I am distracting him from his work." She said quietly, a little guilt tinting the corners of her sweet, naive voice.
I held back a grunt. Work. Sure.
"'ere you are, darlin', now are you sure I can't get you somethin' to eat? You've been sittin' 'ere for hours an' you 'avn't eaten a thing. Our chicken wings and nachos are great, you know?" The bartender insisted, laying it on a little thick in my opinion. The girl merely shook her head.
"No, sir. That's alright, but thank you. I'll be boarding soon enough, and I shouldn't fly on a full stomach. It hasn't done me any favours in the past." She teased gently. Alarm bells started ringing in my mind. The bartender chuckled heartily.
"Alright darlin', if you say so, you just tell me when you're ready to leave and I'll give you a ride to the airport."
"Oh, no, that won't be necessary, sir, but thank you, again. I can get a taxi. It's not that far anyway."
"Nonsense darlin', least I can do. It's dead as a doornail in 'ere tonight and if you hadn't kept me company, I would have dried up like a prune waitin' for somethin' to do." He laughed.
I looked around the dingy bar, the layer of dust covering the glass of every tiny window and the large, ancient jukebox, the sticky substances coating half the rickety tables and chairs, the bowl of peanuts sitting beside us that looked close to being invaded by their own colony... I could certainly think of plenty for him to do.
Airport?!
She giggled.
"No, really, it's okay. I should be making my way back there soon anyway. I wouldn't want to risk missing the plane. But, thank you, again. You are very kind."
The burly, scraggly man seemed to redden around the ears, before turning hastily and busying himself with the jars of pickles fermenting on a shelf, clearly hiding his oh-so-manly blush. Forcing my voice to remain casual, I hastily inquired,
"Plane? So you're flying out somewhere later then?"
She glanced at me sideways before taking a short sip of her drink.
"Yeah, the plane I was supposed to board had some defects so they pushed the flight back. I figured camping out here was better than a crowded airport with crying babies and overpriced water."
I chuckled nervously, subconsciously fiddling with the small plastic bag in my left jacket pocket. No matter what, I could not let her get on that plane!
My heart was pounding so hard my chest was starting to hurt. I had to do this, and fast. I couldn't risk her riding off to an airport, where it would be infinitely harder to snatch her. Here... here was perfect. The bar was practically deserted save for the bartender and perhaps a cook. I could deal with them if need be. Two witnesses was better than hundreds, and if I did this right, there'd be no interference at all.
Are you really going to do this? Are you really going to kidnap this girl?
I have no choice!
I was a grunt, the lowest level in the organisation anyone could possibly be. I was hired to do simple jobs, assisting in raids, beatings for people who'd loaned money they hadn't repaid. Low level, low paid work, but the best I could get. No one wanted a college dropout with limited available hours and massive emotional baggage. Emmett was the first person to give me a chance, but even with the money I was making as a thug, it wasn't enough.
Unless I returned this girl.
If the boss wanted her badly enough to offer $100,000, then there was a high chance I could use her return to tally some favour. I didn't know what he wanted her for, I never asked, but whatever it was... I had to put it out of my mind. Family comes first.
Swallowing down the last bit of bile I reached as though to grab the bowl of mushy peanuts, 'accidentally' knocking my drink of the bar. It landed on the cold stone floor with a smash, glass shattering everywhere. The girl yelped, and I tried my hardest to look surprised as the bartender spun, immediately nailing me with a disdainful scowl, as though somehow knowing I'd done it on purpose.
"Don't move, lassy. I'll clean this up, wouldn't want ya' getting hurt." The man ordered firmly, scooping down to gather the jagged shards into a rag with his bare hands. My palms were sweating, blood sloshing violently in my ears. I only had one shot at this. With both of them distracted, I leaned over and hastily dumped the full pouch of powder into the girl's drink, giving it a quick shake before retreating a safe distance.
I about wet myself as the large man looked me over again, piercing me with a glare that punctured right through my soul. I could have wept in relief when, after the longest second of my life, the man only huffed, muttering nonsense to himself as he marched away, rag in hand, through the kitchen door, and out of sight.
Fuck. I don't have the stomach for this.
"I'm sorry, I-"
"It's not a problem. It was an accident. You did nothing wrong," She assured me kindly, before taking another drink.
If only you knew.
I felt like hot human garbage as she obliviously sucked down the poison I'd spiked her with. It wouldn't do her any harm - at least not past a headache - it would only make it easier for me to get her back to the city. A sleeping, incapacitated girl was a lot easier to handle than a screaming, crying, fighting one.
It only took a few minutes to start taking effect. It was serious stuff, cooked up in one of our labs and designed to work hard and fast. First, there was the noticeable sluggishness to her movements, symptoms easily dismissed as having a bit too much to drink. Then, there was the heavy breathing and the progressive drooping of her eyes. Finally, when she looked close to nodding off right there on the bar top, I pounced.
"Well, we should probably get you to the airport then, wouldn't want you to miss your flight," I remarked offhandedly. She turned to me slowly, blinking laggardly with a dazed expression, as though not quite comprehending.
"My... my flight. Yes. I mean no, I can't miss it. I should... I should call a c-cab." She stammered, clamouring off the stool, stumbling before catching herself. I stayed close, hands hovering, not wanting her to get hurt.
You piece of shit! You're hurting her!
"Are you alright?" I asked obliviously, ignoring the voice of my battered conscience. I had no time for it now.
"I... I don't... feel so good." She whimpered weakly, petrified fear flashing across her face before she took one final step and collapsed.
Reacting quickly, I wrapped my arm around her waist and gently pulled her up, resting all her weight on me. Looking down at her helpless form, I felt like I'd been punched in the chest
"I'm sorry," I whispered gently in her ear. "I need this."
Tightening my hold I began nudging her towards the exit. I just had to get her in my car. That was all. Just get her to the car and then-
"Oi, what's going on? Leaving without sayin' goodbye?"
Damn this man. Why couldn't he just mind his own business? Damn it damn it damn it!
Forcing a laugh, I smiled at him cheerfully over my shoulder.
"Yeah, I don't think she can hold her liquor too well. I'm just going to drive her to the airport and make sure she gets on her plane safely. Sorry about the glass, man. Have a nice night."
I went to leave again. Almost had the door open before I heard it.
The cock of a gun.
"Don't ya' dare take another step."
My heart stuttered. Slowly, carefully, I turned to face him, keeping one hand firmly on the sagging girl while raising the other in surrender.
"Whoa, man, what are you doing? Put that thing down."
The barrel of a large, aged rifle didn't even quiver from where it was pointed at my head. I felt my knees buck. What the fuck do I do now?
"What did ya' do to 'er?"
"I didn't do anything."
"Bullshit!" He screamed, so loud I jumped in shock. "That girl's been drinking nothin' but water all night long! You sit down beside 'er for ten minutes and now she can't stand? I knew you were a wrong'un! Sensed it the minute I clocked eyes on ya', I ain't never been wrong. Now put that nice girl down and get out before I decorate my pub with the back of your skull!" He ordered angrily, taking another threatening step towards us. By now I was certain we were alone, but I couldn't hope for that for long. I had to get her out of here fast and this knight in dirty armour wasn't going to stop me.
"Look, man, you have no idea what you're dealing with, just forget you ever saw her." I bluffed, shifting the girl discreetly to my right to cover my hand reaching into my waistband. He cackled humourlessly, cocking the barrel once more.
"I'm the one with the gun here, sonny, so I'm warning ya', put her down and leave, this is the last chance I'm gonna give!"
What do I do? What do I do?!
I didn't want to kill this guy, all he was doing was protecting a girl from getting kidnapped by a creep. And I didn't exactly want to get shot, either.
Maybe I should just run. No one knows I found her, no one would blame me for her disappearance. I could just leave her here, drive home and forget this whole night ever happened.
But the thought of returning to that flat, that tiny, run-down, cramped little flat and telling my family we had to leave. Seeing the look on poor Seth's face when he learns his big brother had failed to protect him. Watching my mother wither and die on the cold, unforgiving streets because we couldn't afford her overpriced medicine or hospital bills...
This one girl could save us all. And yes I knew it was wrong, trading her freedom for mine, but... she was a stranger.
'Family comes first, Edward. Always.'
"Look, you don't know this girl, alright? Some very powerful people want her, and even if you kill me now, they will find out you helped her escape. And when they do... well, you'll wish you'd pointed that rifle at your own head and pulled the trigger." I declared with all the false bravado I could muster. He didn't waver. My shaking fingers finally reached the cool metal.
"One. More. Chance. I don't want to kill you, kid, but if you don't leave that sweet girl alone, you're gonna be sent to your mama in bits and pieces. Now put. Her. Down."
He left me no choice.
Pretending defeat, I sagged my shoulders and went to gently lower the limp girl to the ground. He watched me closely, carefully. Not carefully enough.
As soon as the girl was on the floor, I drew my weapon. I didn't get a chance to order his surrender. His rifle went off, the bullet shattering the dirty stained glass of the door mere fractions from my face.
He was a lousy shot.
But I was not.
The sound of the bang seemed to echo long after the man crumbled to the ground, his eyes staring blankly as though he couldn't quite understand why he was on his knees. But he wasn't thinking. He'd never think anything again. The bullet went right through his skull, and he collapsed in a pool of his own blood and matter and was still.
Oh my god. I just killed someone.
There was no time.
Shoving the smoking handgun into my jacket pocket I quickly lifted the unconscious girl back in my arms, retching as I resisted the urge to look at what I'd done.
Not here! Not now! You can break down later. Cry later. But not now. You have a job to do.
Buckling her in I started the long drive back to the city.
I just hoped the sedatives lasted the whole journey.