Stolen (2 page)

“Sure. What about Bobby Hinders?”

“MMMM, I suppose he is pretty hot.”

“Totally hot!”

We are laughing when one of Caleb’s footy mates comes rushing in.

“You might want to go control your man!” He laughs, pointing outside.

I stand and run out to see Caleb rolling about on the ground with another bloke. They are fighting about something.

“Caleb,” I yell, rushing over and pulling him up “What is going on?”

“He’s been mouthing of about you!” He pants.

“So what. People say things, stop acting like a child.”

“He said you are a frigid and that you should have been a nun.”

I am wild now. I walk over to the other bloke and push him in the chest.

“What the hell would you know? You probably have a dick the size of a peanut, so you have to pick on other people to hide the fact that you can’t get any yourself.” I snarl, and everyone laughs.

“Come on Em!” Caleb laughs, pulling me out of the party and down to the beach.

“What would he know?” I mumble.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Well just because I am not a slut doesn’t mean I am frigid.”

“I never said you were.”

“Yeah but you think it.” I snap.

“Well sometimes I do yeah. All we ever do is kiss.”

“Well that’s because I shouldn’t have to have sex with you just to keep you around.”

“I have been around for two years. How much longer do you need?” He groans impatiently.

“Alright, I said tomorrow night, didn’t I?”

“Yes.”

“Well then leave it!”

“Fine,
let’s
go.”

“Great.”

I don’t say much to Caleb as he takes me home. We part with a weak kiss and I slip inside. The lights are out; nobody has waited up for me. I sigh and slip into my room, removing my dress and pulling on some warm
pajamas
. I curl into my comforter and try hard to ignore the niggling pain in my chest. The one that tells me loud and clear that I am alone.

I can feel his hands on me. I hate the smell of his breath. It hurts. It’s horrible. He is grinning, and I can smell smoke, lots of it. I hate the smell of smoke. He grips me, and I scream, twisting harshly to get out of his grips. He won’t let me go. He won’t get off. I beg and plead. Let me go. Please. Don’t do this.

“Little slut. You do it on purpose don’t you?”

“Let me go, please.”

“You walk around with that little body in my face, you want me to touch you.”

“No, please.”

“I am going to touch you, and you are going to like it.”

His hands slide between my legs… I bolt
upright
panting. Jesus Christ. I am in my room, alone. I am sweating and trembling. My heart is beating wildly.
God
, it was just a dream. Just a horrible dream. It
’
s ok, it is all ok. I take a deep breath and swipe my hand
across my wet forehead. It’s fine. It’s fine. I am safe now. I lay back down, falling back into a restless sleep where I toss all night long.

When morning arrives, I am tired but excited for the day to come. When I go downstairs for breakfast everyone is rushing about. There are caterers, decorators and
God
knows what bouncing around my house. I walk over to the table and grab some toast and butter, munching I go to look for mum. I find her giving orders in the dining room.

“Wow mum, this is unreal. Did you invite the whole of L.A?”

“No, just half.” She smiles.

“Thought so, what time is it today?”

“It’s going to start at three sharp. I want you ready by then, please don’t go out. Stay home today.”

“I was planning to.” I say, crunching into my toast.

“Stop talking with your mouth full, be a lady. At least for tonight.”

I roll my eyes.

“Don’t roll your eyes, just do as you are told.”

“Yes mother!”

“Thank-you, now go outside and help Mark with the decorations.”

“Aye aye captain!” I giggle, and she glares at me.

I walk outside still giggling to myself. I see Mark trying to hang up some balloons; I rush over to help him.

“Thanks sis.”

“No worries. Have you got a date for tonight?”

“Nah, the girl I want
is off with some other bloke.” He grins.

My little brother is my life. He and I have been best friends from day one; he is five years younger than me. He looks like my father, with dark hair and brown eyes. He will grow to be a dazzling man.

“Maybe you didn’t give her enough incentive.” I joke.

“Probably!” He laughs.

“Just do the lady killer eyes, works for daddy.”

“He is married, of course it works. Women know they can’t have him; that’s what makes it fun.”

I nod, considering his theory. “I think you have a point. Maybe you should pretend you have a girlfriend, and then they will all come running.”

“Hey now there is something I haven’t tried.”

“See, I do know some things.”

“Sometimes…where is Caleb?”

“HMMM who knows, sleeping probably.” I grunt.

“Did you two have a fight?”

“Why do you say that?”

“Just by the tone of your voice.”

“Nah, he just wants sex a lot.” I mumble, biting my toast again. I can tell my brother most things.

“And you don’t?”

Mark doesn’t know…about him. I just smile and play the game.

“No, not really.”

“Is something wrong with you?” He teases.

“Possibly!”

“Shit hey? Well, there is only so much info I need on my sister. Laters.”

I wink at him. “Check you dude.”

I continue to help with the decorating but the afternoon is coming on fast. I decide to go up and get ready while everyone else is still working. I thought it best to get ready then they won’t panic about that too. I head inside; it is beautifully decorated; the hall is
decked out with a huge stage, a massive dance floor and a mass amounts of tables. I am blown away.

I make my way upstairs and pick out the dress Summer, and I had chosen. It is a black shimmery piece, with a low dipping back and V-neck. It is quite stunning. After a shower, I dry and curl my hair, letting it wall in soft waves around my back. I put on some light make up and some gorgeous diamond jewellery. My mother calls out a few hours later, rapping on my door as she does.

“Emerson, everyone is here.”

“Coming!”

I open the door and gasp. She looks stunning in her red dress, very similar to mine. Her hair is pulled up neatly on her head.

“Emerson, you look so beautiful.” She breathes.

“Thanks mum, so do you.”

“Thanks,
let’s
go.” She smiles; putting her elbow out.

I hook my arm through it, and we make our way downstairs. There are hundreds of people; all dressed elegantly. I look around the room and see Summer, Caleb and a heap of my friends. I rush over quickly. Summer grabs me in a hug.

“Em, you look stunning!” She squeals.

“So do you, so who is the hot guy your with?” I whisper, noticing the hot young man standing beside her.

“This is Billy, Billy this is Emerson.” She smiles introducing us. He is handsome, blonde and tall.

“Hi Emerson, beautiful party.” He smiles taking my hand and kissing it.

“Summer.” I giggle; indicating how sweet he is.

“I know right?”

“Em-beautiful Em, look at you!” Caleb breathes, pulling me into his arms.

“You look handsome Caleb.” I smile.

“Thanks, come on and dance with me!” He grins and pulls me out onto the dance floor; we dance and laugh. It is perfect. Surely there is nothing in this world, that feels better?

After dinner has been served we all sit down. We are laughing and giggling; it is the most incredible night. Mum gets on stage with my father and announces they are making a speech. We all listen while they tell everyone about how extraordinary I am. Then they call me up.

“Isn’t she just beautiful ladies and gentlemen?”

I blush.

“She has been our pride and joy; she is clever and beautiful and she starts collage in the fall to study to be a doctor.
It’s
something she has always wanted. She is everything we could ever ask for in a daughter.” My father says proudly.

Before he can finish the door swings open and two men walk in. Their faces are covered with black masks; they have enormous guns in their hands. My heart stops and a few people scream.

“Back up!” They scream and the crowd scramble apart desperately.

“Who are you?” My father asks.

“Shut up, stand back all of you. Give me your daughter.” One says pointing to me, my heart thumps against my rib cage.

“Like hell!” My father hisses, shoving me further behind him.

They come storming up the stairs, pushing the gun angrily to my
father’s
head. I scream as one of them grips my arm, pulling me close.

“Please let me go.” I cry, and I feel a gun press to my head.

“None of you call the police, or by
God
we will kill her.”

“Please, give her to me.” My father pleads.

“Give me a million bucks.”

“No, I am not handing over money to you, you monster!”

“Then she comes with us, you have five days to reconsider that or she dies.”

“You will be found for this!”

“Let me go. Please daddy give them the money.” I scream, but no one dares to move.

“Let her go.” Caleb yells trying to be a hero. The man turns and shoots up into the roof, stopping him in his tracks.

“I’ll kill her mate, don’t put it past me. Now don’t move.” He growls, dragging me down the stairs; I try to struggle free, but I can’t get out of his grips.

“PLEASE!” I whimper.

“Shut up or I’ll kill you.”

“Don’t call the cops or your daughter is dead.” He says once more before dragging me out the door and throwing me into a car. It is dark, and I can’t see anything.

Panic seizes me; I can’t stand being in the dark. Not knowing.
God
, it is too much. I can’t breathe. I being panting and squirming. They are going to kill me. I am going to be one of those girls who just disappears and never comes back. I desperately try to move, but I am trapped.

“Who are you?” I cry.

“Shut up.” The man who is driving yells, I can see him just slightly in the moonlight.

“Please.”

“SHUT UP!”

“You will get done for this.”

“That won’t matter if you are dead now will it? Now shut up.”

“What’s the point then? You steal me all to get busted, and I die. You are going to prison either way.” I challenge, taking a deep, strong breath.

They both turn to look at me. I think they are shocked, but I can’t see their faces. They still have masks on.

“Just shut it.”

“Assholes.” I spit. If I am going down, I am going down proud.

“Blade get in the back and shut that girl up.” The driver demands.

The other bloke jumps in the back. He reefs me up and wraps the seatbelt around me tightly.

“Shut up okay?” He murmurs. He has a real drawl; he sounds like a right proper cowboy.

I feel my body shaking as I stare out the window. Why did they pick me? They went out of their way to find me, in my home and take me.

“Why me?”

My fear seemed to be pushed down by my determination. I needed to know, everything.

“Why not you, Emerson Lacey?” The driver says with a snort.

“You know who I am?”

“Of course, you are the daughter of the famous millionaires Isabelle and Joe Lacey.”

“There are so many people in L.A why us?”

“You’re the only idiots who announce such a monumental party, it is asking for it.” 

“What do you want?”

“A million dollars.”

“They will catch you!”

“We’ll see.”

“Bastard.”

“Don’t cal
l me names. You are the one who
s
e
parents let us take you, we never even thought we would get this far. They must love you a whole lot to let us just walk out with you.” He growls.

I don’t say a word; I just turn and look out the window. He is right, why hadn’t my parents just given them the money? Or somebody there? They all let them take me, and they all have enough cash. Is that all I mean? Silent tears fall down my face.