Author's Note: TW for Kidnapping/Abduction. Thank you for the kind reviews, I think this chapter is where the story starts to really kick off so I hope you all enjoy!
Alison tucked herself away near the bottom of the staircase. Waiting outside would have been best but now that she knew Emily was upstairs she wanted to stay as close as she could. Out of the eight billion people on the planet, Emily was entwining her fate with the McCullers by tying the knot with Paige. No, not if Alison had it her way. It was perfect actually, she would save Emily from a very stupid decision, and at the same time, break the alliance between her family and the McCullers.
Paige's family raked in most of their cash through counterfeiting and smuggling. Smuggling was still lucrative but counterfeiting was on the decline thanks to the Feds constantly leveling up currency security. The McCullers were self righteous and fought tooth and nail to keep a squeaky clean public image. They'd even tried to enter politics but the effort failed and only exposed them as hypocrites. It didn't matter what side of the law a person was on, no one likes a hypocrite. As far as Alison was concerned, Paige, her family, and anyone who had ties with them were untrustworthy scum, unafraid to step down from their moral high ground and delve into the nastiest of dealings when it suited them.
The disdain the McCullers had for Alison's family ran deep. The DiLaurentis dipped their fingers into everything the McCullers turned their noses up at. The statuesque Family acted like they were the moral standard for crime and it was unbearable. They likened Alison's family to lowlives ruling the streets through fear and violence. It was more than a surprise when the McCullers extended an olive branch, suggesting the families shelve their long standing hatred of one another. They were the last two crime families standing, with others either going broke and starving to death or being wiped out by RICO charges. Alison had no intention of facing either fate, no matter who her father picked to lead them.
In the distance Alison heard music signaling the ceremony was about to begin. Guests not already in the backyard made their way outside. The house was practically empty, except for the staff prepping the ballroom for the reception. Then, as if on cue, Noel, Ben, and Eric walked right through the front doors. It was stupid of Paige to not hire outside security for the day, having the family's usual bodyguards stretched around the perimeter of the property wasn't nearly enough. Keeping up appearances would be the death of them, but not today. Today Alison wanted something else entirely.
Alison heard it first, followed by Noel who pressed a finger to his lips for silence as the four of them listened closely to the sound of descending footsteps. The steps weren't heavy enough to be a man, and it almost sounded like the person was tiptoeing, trying not to be heard. It was her, Alison didn't have to see Emily, she knew from how her heart started pounding so hard it threatened to break a rib. The last step creaked and Alison watched as Emily looked to her left and her right, making sure the coast was clear. Completely unaware of Alison standing less than six feet behind her. They would have to work on that. The brunette scurried from the stairs to what Alison assumed was a den or waiting area. Sneaky, Alison smiled, her feet already propelling her forward, curious what the brunette who'd been occupying her dreams was up to but Noel stepped in front of her.
"The plan?" Noel reminded quietly. Oh, right, Alison snapped out of her haze. The next ten minutes were crucial, she needed to focus.
"Noel, stay behind me. Ben, Eric, take the other entrance. We'll have her contained but don't let her see you, if she does at least try not to scare her. She screams and this becomes a lot messier." Alison explained and the trio nodded. Ben and Eric broke off as Alison and Noel pushed forward.
Alison stood at the entryway to the den for a moment, taking in the sight. After their night at the bar, Alison wondered a few times if Emily was as stunning as she remembered or if she was benefiting from low light and the fact that Alison had been drinking. Now she could see, Emily was every bit as gorgeous as Alison remembered. Barely there waves in brown hair, a white lace ribbon keeping it from falling into her face, soft makeup that accentuated already beautiful features.
"Shouldn't you be in your dress?" Alison's voice filled the empty room, catching Emily off guard and nearly causing her to drop the decanter she held.
Their eyes locked, and Alison could see the wheels turning in Emily's head. She was going through the same shock Alison had when she heard Emily's laughter echoing through the house. Emily's mouth opened and closed, resembling a goldfish and Alison advanced further into the room. With her hand at her side, Alison subtly signaled to everyone to remain in their positions.
"What are you doing here?" Emily asked, her expression a mix of confusion and disbelief.
The corner of Alison's mouth lifted into a smirk. "I was invited, my whole family was," she took a few cautious steps closer to Emily, still wary of startling her.
"Your whole..." Emily began, her sentence quickly trailing off, "Who are you?"
"That's right, you never asked my name at the club," Alison teased. Emily remained frozen, staring at Alison as if she were a mirage. Sensing it was safe to start moving in, Alison closed the distance between them and signaled Ben and Eric to start approaching from behind.
Seemingly irked by Alison's toying with her, Emily crossed her arms and huffed. Alison glanced down at Emily's bare feet and then returned her gaze to the brunette's eyes. Without shoes Emily had to look up at her, Alison's heels give her at least four inches. So damn cute.
"I didn't ask because it wasn't important," Emily's words stopped the smile beginning to spread on Alison's face. She picked up her glass from the desk, brought it to her lips, and took a slow sip.
"Not important.." Alison echoed, she hadn't meant to say the words aloud, only process them. The short exchange reminded Alison of when Emily turned down her first offer to buy the brunette a drink. No thanks, Alison recalled the swift decline. Not fucking important, Alison repeated the words, this time managing to keep them in her head. It stung, more than their first encounter.
"We were just two strangers flirting. It wasn't important for us to learn each other's names," Emily explained, the expression on her face had changed from shock to something bordering inconvenienced. "But now you're in my father in law's home on my wedding day, so I guess it matters." Emily chuckled dryly, taking another sip of her drink.
Alison recalled Emily's gusty attitude from the club, it was appealing then but not so much now. Not when it was at the expense of Alison's feelings, "Was that all it was to you?" Alison needed to know. Ben and Eric were still too far back to make the grab and waiting for Alison to beckon them closer.
"What else would it have been?" Emily leaned forward, attempting to reach past Alison for the decanter. Alison let her anger color the moment and seized Emily's arm, preventing her from moving. "Let go," Emily demanded, tugging her arm back.
"It's Alison," She declared and Emily's efforts to gain control of her arm paused momentarily. "Alison Dilaurentis" She saw the moment Emily made the connection. The brunette eyes were darting around her face, looking at her like her name was important now, like it was the only thing that mattered. Alison gave her a devilish smile.
"You're a DiLaurentis? You're Alison?" Emily questioned, still attempting and failing to free her arm. Alison signaled for Ben to get in position. While all of Emily's attention was focused on her, he managed to get right behind her, still undetected. "Why would Paige invite you? She hates you."
"The feeling is mutual," Alison laughed.
"You can't tell her about that night. She might actually kill me if she finds out." Emily groaned and pulled back again, using all her body weight. This time, Alison let go, causing Emily to lose her balance and fall backward, right into Ben's arms. Ben covered Emily's mouth first, with a cloth tie that wouldn't hurt but it would muffle her. He pulled her arms behind her back with ease and then Eric swooped in, binding them with a zip tie.
"Not if I kill her first," Alison said, her wicked smile still in place as she poured herself a drink from the decanter into the glass Emily had used. She could see fear in Emily's eyes over the rim of the glass as she downed the bourbon. "Is she secure?" Alison asked Eric.
"Yes."
"Then let's move," Alison commanded, knowing time was slipping away. A part of her, the part that thrived on confrontation, secretly hoped they would run into someone, making things more of a challenge. The darkest parts of Alison wanted to make Emily watch as she made quick work of dispensing of Paige, surely Emily would come to her senses after that. But that wasn't the plan.
Emily struggled against Ben and Eric, barefoot and in only a robe, with her arms securely bound behind her back, she stood no chance. They left the den, with Noel up ahead leading the way to the front entrance and the waiting cars. Once they were outside Alison glanced around, empty, as she predicted everyone was still in the backyard. They used the cars as cover, anyone who happened to walk outside now they would see before being seen. Alison threw open the SUV door and lifted the bottom row of the backseats to reveal a storage compartment. It was a custom feature that she hadn't had the opportunity to use yet, but Emily was small enough that it would work.
Alison grabbed Emily by her bound arms and turned her to face the underseat storage, "It's going to be a tight fit but you won't be in there for long. We just need to get past Paige's checkpoint at the end of the property." Emily's mouth was still covered but it was obvious she was trying to scream. "You won't suffocate and I'll pull you out as soon as I can. Do you understand?" There was a muffled scream again and tears. Normally the sounds and waterworks didn't phase Alison but she was already contemplating ways she could make it up to the brunette. "Eric, help me get her in."
The fit was even smaller than Alison anticipated but she and Eric got Emily inside and secured the compartment. Alison watched as Eric lowered the seats again, Emily had to be even more scared now. It was dark and if she didn't control her breathing she would run out of air. They had to move quickly.
"Noel and I are in the first car, Eric and Ben you're in the second," Alison ordered.
Everyone did as they were told and climbed into the SUVs, taking their positions. There were two guards they needed to get past. The security check on the way in was quick, but Alison had arrived with her family and was now leaving suddenly with three members of her inner circle. It was sure to attract more scrutiny. Alison was confident no sound would leak out of the storage box but if it did, the sound of both cars engines would cover it.
Noel was the only one with the guts to ask the question all three men were thinking. When the McCullers realized Emily was gone, if they realized it was Alison who took her, Alison's father and brother would be sitting ducks at the McCullers estate. Alison was always steps ahead, despite how everyone loved to focus on her more impatient and reckless behavior. The mixed crowd at the wedding was precarious enough, the McCullers wouldn't risk embarrassing themselves to their extended family, closest associates, and allies, when they realized Emily was gone. Having everyone know that Paige McCullers couldn't keep track of her soon to be wife? They wouldn't stand for it.
The drive to the end of the McCullers property was short. As expected the pair of guards motioned for Noel to stop the car. The air thickened with tension, and Alison rolled down her window as she would be the one they wanted to speak with. A short man with a less than discretely holstered Glock approached the passenger window and the taller guard circled the SUVs, eyeing them suspiciously.
"Leaving already, Ms. DiLaurentis?" The small and stocky guard asked.
"I have some business to attend to. My father and brother will have to represent the DiLaurentis family without me today," She replied. Worst case scenario it was four against two and Alison knew she could take this guy by herself.
The guard nodded, unconvinced, and stepped back. "How about you step out? Tell your boys to follow suit." He took a few more steps back to his post, hand falling to his side near his weapon.
Alison fought the urge to grab the man's gun and shoot him with it. She opened her door and climbed out. The chances that the guards would find the underseat storage if they searched were slim, but the more time they wasted with these two idiots the higher the likelihood Emily would faint or worse before they were able to pull her out. Noel was already stepping out of the driver's seat, having heard the directions. Alison called for Ben and Eric to follow. The taller guard wasted no time climbing into the SUV and looking around.
"Is this necessary?" Alison asked.
"With you? Yeah, it is."
Noel cleared his throat and Alison brushed off the guard's jab in favor of following Noel's line of sight. Paige was coming toward them, fast and on foot. She couldn't possibly know Alison had Emily, otherwise, she wouldn't be approaching alone and unarmed.
"Have the two of you seen…" Paige stopped immediately when she saw Alison. "What's going on here?" she surveyed the scene skeptically.
"They're leaving the estate. We were conducting a search of their vehicles," The taller guard explained.
Paige was only half listening, twisting and turning her body to look out onto the rest of the property. Her fingers drummed on her hips. Alison felt nothing short of delight knowing Paige was looking for Emily. "My father and brother will be staying, but I have to attend to something that can't wait." Alison kept her tone short, and professional.
Paige's eyes were wild when they landed on her, "I'm surprised you even bothered to come at all."
"I was curious to see what kind of woman would willingly tie herself to the likes of you," Alison couldn't help herself.
She didn't flinch when Paige lunged into her personal space. "One day, Alison. Maybe after my honeymoon, maybe next year, whenever I decide... because I'm the one who gets to decide. I will break the alliance, and you will pay for every slight and every insult."
Paige's mention of her honeymoon brought a menacing smile to Alison's face. Furthermore, her suspicions were confirmed, the McCullers hadn't entered the alliance in good faith. Or at least Paige had no intention of uploading it, "I look forward to it, Pigskin, but right now, I really must go." Paige was already visibly upset but now Alison was just pushing her buttons. Paige's nostrils flared, and she snapped, shoving Alison backward. Noel took a few steps in their direction but Alison raised a hand to stop him. The push hadn't even toppled her. Paige was weak and always had been.
"All of you get the fuck off my property," she snarled. "You two with me, now!" Paige motioned between her men.
"We haven't checked the second vehicle, boss." The taller guard spoke up.
"I said now," Paige rounded up her guards.
… …
The further they got from the McCullers estate, the more Alison had to push down the anger she felt boiling up. Who did Paige think she was, getting in her face like that? She should have killed her where she stood and they could have wrapped up this feud between them. When she was done with Paige she could extinguish the rest of the McCullers, one by one she would be doing all of New York a favor getting rid of them.
And Emily…Alison wasn't quite sure what she was feeling toward Emily. For the last five months, Emily had been her first thought when she woke up and her last thought before she slept. Hearing the brunette say their night together meant nothing stirred up emotions Alison wasn't all that familiar with, but she knew she didn't like them.
"Pull over," Alison said when they reached a stretch of road secluded enough for them to remove Emily from her confine.
Noel did as he was told, veering to the side and halting to a stop. Alison was out before the car was parked and she was yelling for Ben and Eric to move faster, "I want her out of there." The men lifted the back seats and cracked the compartment open. Ben placed his arms under Emily's jerking her upwards. "Gently!" Alison growled, the brute was going to break her ribs manhandling her that way.
Ben adjusted his grip and Eric grabbed Emily's feet. She wasn't moving and Alison held her breath, Shit. They sat Emily on the edge, her legs dangling out of the SUV. Alison shooed the two men back, "Emily, Emily," she tried to rouse her. Alison quickly undid the cloth gag around Emily's mouth and sat her up straight. Immediately Emily was gasping, taking deep and shuddering breaths. The fear and anxiety in Emily's eyes as they readjusted to the light didn't go unnoticed but there was rage there too.
"You crazy bitch," Emily coughed up the words. It sounded and looked like it hurt. If the new stream of tears were any indicator.
Alison smiled and let go of the breath she was holding, Emily was fine. "I prefer Alison," she said, rubbing the brunette's back. "Easy, Deep breaths," her tone softened. "Eric, grab her a water."
"Let me go," Emily screamed but didn't have the strength to hold herself up. "If you take me back now, I can tell Paige this was all a big misunderstanding. I'll tell her I got nervous and ran, she'll believe me. We can forget this ever happened,"
"Why would I want to do that?" Alison took the water from Eric and cracked the seal. She tilted it near Emily's mouth but the brunette jerked her face away. With one hand Alison grabbed Emily's face pulling it back, she tilted the water bottle for her to drink again, and this time Emily did. "I went through all this trouble to get you, why would I take you back?"
"Then what do you want?" Emily asked as if she could bargain her way out.
"I want a lot of things. For starters, I want Paige to spend the rest of the day and night running around looking for you. I want her scared. I want to hear how broken your fiancee sounds when she realizes I have you. I want to see the look in her eyes when she realizes you were in the car she didn't let her men search. I want her to beg and plead and try to reason with me to get you back. I want to watch her suffer." Alison offered honestly, deciding to keep her other wants to herself. Emily had already laughed off her feelings once that day.
"We have to get off this road," Noel interrupted.
Alison nodded, knowing he was right. "Noel, take the first car. I'm going to ride with Ben and Eric in the second. Ben, free Emily's arms, you can keep her secure in the backseat."
Ben unclipped a small utility knife and leaned in to cut Emily's restraints but stopped when he saw the intense fire in the brunette's eyes. He leaned back, "If I cut her loose, she's going to hit me," He said.
"Then let her hit you." Alison's patience was reaching its end, "She'll tire herself out.
"I won't help you hurt Paige," Emily shouted.
"Yes, you will. You don't have a choice." Alison's eyes snapped to a now shivering Emily. Paige didn't deserve this kind of dedication, she didn't deserve Emily. "Give her your jacket," she turned her attention back to Ben. "Let's go!" Alison clapped causing everyone to start moving with the sense of urgency she required from them.