Chapter 29
“How do you plan on going about this Kev?” Howie
hissed at Kevin, who was watching Brian running his hands through Nick’s hair
and singing something very softly to him.
“I don’t know, but I’m gonna do it, D,” Kevin turned
to Howie, letting his control slip slightly so Howie could see his fear and
uncertainty. He guessed because Howie
was next in line in age, Kevin felt he could let his guard down with him, but
for the younger one’s he had to seem strong and confident, “Nicky’s seeing
spots, and he’s already stopped on us once.”
Howie
shuddered remembering the horrible event that had only happened hours earlier.
“I don’t know when’s the next time they’re going to
come check on us, so I figure I can go up there and knock on the door. You know,
make a lot of noise and they’ll be sure to come right?”
“Yeah, with their guns ready,” Howie said in a low
voice.
“Howie, I have to get their attention,” Kevin said,
“If the other... other girl was still in charge I’d be sure someone would be
down at least daily to check on us. But she’s not, it’s that maniac.”
“Precisely, and the maniac is not exactly going to be
understanding about Nick’s condition...”
“But he will be understanding of the money factor!”
Kevin said with a nod of his head, “Nick’s parents have the money. They can
pay.”
“Then why didn’t they just pay right off then?” Howie
questioned.
“I don’t know... Maybe our parents have something to
do with it... But you heard what Nick said, they have the cash,” Kevin said,
“All we have to do is make that clear to the kidnappers, and try to get a
renegotiation.”
“Kevin, you’re making it sound so easy,” Howie said.
“Believe me, when money talks, everything it says is
easy,” Kevin smirked. He made his way over to Nick and Brian. Brian was pale and shaky as he held Nick’s
head in his lap. Nick’s face was whiter
than milk, and his lips were getting a slight blue tinge to them. His coughing shook him and Brian. He ended with a loud wheeze, that caused him
to moan and try to roll over.
“What are you gonna do Kev?” Brian whispered, he
continued to stroke Nick’s hair.
“I’m gonna get their attention,” Kevin said briskly,
he looked towards the stairs, then back at Nick, “Don’t worry kiddo, you’ll be
out there with your Mom and Dad before you know it.”
He got a contemptuous snort followed by a cough and a
curse from Nick. Brian snickered,
“That’s what you get for being a smart-ass.”
Kenyon sat by the basement door sleeping on his
gun. Not the comfiest position in the
world, but he was exhausted, and scared.
What had he agreed to. Zalia was
going to wuss out on the money agreement, Zalia’s dad was too bossy... but at
least Zalia could guarantee them an out.
After having Brendon in charge for 10 minutes, Kenyon knew that when
push came to shove he would have to fend for himself. Brendon was his buddy, but frankly as a leader he sucked.
Somewhere in this whole mess Brendon had gone power crazy. Kenyon didn’t know his intentions were to
kill everyone. Sure he had gone along
with a smile, because if he didn’t, he would have joined the others on the
floor. Brody, now Brody was totally with Brendon. He was just plain blood-thirsty.
Brendon had raised the ransom without consulting
them. Now it would be even longer
before they were out of this hell. So
long that Kenyon just knew the FBI would infiltrate the place and kill them
all, or lock them up in jail for the rest of their lives. They had killed two people, and kidnaped 5
others. Five others, and, he thought
about something, something Zalia said.
He shook it from his mind. He was about to see if he could find himself
something eat, when something began to bang on the basement door. Not
something, someone. Those damn
high-strung superstars think they can run everything. Kenyon donned his face
mask and kicked the door open. He saw
the body of the oldest one stumbled back a few stairs. He stared at him hard,
“Give me one good reason not to smash your face in with this gun.”
“You have to let him out,” the oldest one showed no
concern for his own well-being, no fear of standing in front of a large gun.
“I have to let who out?” Kenyon began to tap his gun
along with his toe.
“Nick has to be set free. He’s not breathing so good,
and if you don’t let him out soon, he’s gonna die,” the oldest one lowered his
head. When he raised his eyes again
Kenyon could see the fresh tears brewing there.
“Are you gonna cry Buttstreet?” Kenyon asked in a
degrading voice, “You scared?”
The green eyes before him boiled with rage, “No I’m
not gonna cry you pitiful excuse for a....” he froze when he remembered just
who held the power, or in this case, the gun.
“Ok look, I know you guys wanna get your cash and go
right, well what if I were to tell you that Nick’s parents actually have the
cash.”
Kenyon’s eyes gleamed with interest, “Have the cash?”
“Yeah, his parents take in some of his income,” Kevin
said, “and they can pay right away. If
you can let him out....”
“How do I know you’re not yanking my leg Buttstreet?”
Kenyon moved closer to Kevin pressing the gun to his forehead.
Kevin stood tall staring Kenyon dead straight in the
eye, “Do I look stupid enough to lie to the person who has the gun? What would I get out of this?”
Kenyon blinked, thinking it over. He glanced past Kevin and over the rail to
see the other four guys. Three staring
up at him anxiously, and one lying on his back with his head in a lap.
“Are you sure about this?” Kenyon asked, directing
his gaze back to Kevin.
Kevin nodded.
“What about the rest of your parents? Are they holding back too?” Kenyon narrowed
his eyes.
“No,” Kevin said squarely, “Nick is 20 years old, he
got into this business when he was 12.
His parents managed his money, and they still kind of do.”
Kenyon continued to stare at Kevin long and hard
before nodding briefly and moving back out the door, closing it behind him.
“How’d I do?” Kevin said coming down the stairs and
sitting down beside the others. AJ
clapped for him, “You were good Kev, couldn’t have done it better myself.”
Kevin smiled slightly, even Howie looked pleased with
his performance. He frowned down at
Nick whose eyes were closed. They
opened and focused on Kevin, “I thought you reeked...” he said in that flat
tone, letting everyone know he was joking.
Kevin ruffled his hair, “You can’t smell anything,
Nick, what would you know about reeking?”
Nick was about to comment when Brian burst in, “Well
hell, maybe that ain’t such a bad thing.
One week, no showers, five guys...” He made a sour face letting everyone
know what he was indicating.
Nick chuckled weakly, “Oh yeah, the ‘funk factor,’ I
didn’t even think about it.”
“Shut up Nick,” Howie grinned, “The Funk Factor?”
“The Funk Principle?”
“Janet Jackson, Nick?” AJ questioned.
“Yeah, so?” Nick said, “I like that song!” Howie
began to hum the tune to “The Pleasure Principal” by Janet Jackson.
“You think it worked Kev?” Brian asked looking at his
cousin, “Do you think they’ll...”
“I mentioned the ‘M’ word Bri, they’re definitely
gonna talk about it!” Kevin said, “We’ll just have to pray that they’ll talk
about it and come to the right conclusion.”
“Bullshit!” Brody yelled, “I bet all those parents
are holding back on the cash! We should raise the damn ransom! Tell them
there’s something wrong with all those fags down there, and get their parents
to pull out the bu-koo bucks!”
“I don’t know Brody I just really believe what he
said. It makes sense, ya know. And besides Carter’s not looking so good,
and I really been thinking about something Zalia said...”
“Zalia...”
“Zalia said if Carter dies it’ll be considered
murder. Do you know how many murder
raps we’ll have to do time for if we get caught!” Kenyon was yelling.
“But we won’t get caught!”
“We will if we keep playing this stupid raise the
ransom game! They’ve got 6 mill now! We should freakin’ take it and get the
hell out of here. The longer we stay the longer we take the risk of the Feds
busting in here and shooting us all!”
“Kenyon, maybe we should have shot you along with
Zalia and...”
“No,” Brendon held up a hand to silence them both.
They both turned to stare at Brendon, “The Carters
have the cash so you say?”
Kenyon nodded.
“Well, lets just verify this information shall we,
then we’ll make the plans,” Brendon said sounding very amused, “Get me the
phone.”
“But Bren...”
“ARIELLA!” Brendon bellowed.
Brody and Kenyon silenced and listened for the soft
footsteps of Ariella’s small feet. She
entered with her head slightly bowed.
Her long auburn hair masking her face.
Brendon took her chin in his hands and lifted her small face to
his. Though turned black and blue on
one side of her face, she was still ravishing to Brendon’s eyes. “Ariella dear, this is your decision.”
“Her decision!
That’s not fair she’ll decide to...”
If looks could kill Brody would have been dead where
he stood from Brendon’s glare.
“Ariella,” he spoke curtly, keeping his eyes on Brody and left hand on
his gun, “Carter. Keep him or let him
go and charge an early release fee?”
Ariella’s face wore a mask of puzzlement, “Let him
go? Why? Is he worse?”
Brendon smiled, “You’re such a sweetheart, much too
sweet for the likes of me, huh?” He kissed her then. The kiss was long and
violent, it left her lips raw and bleeding.
Brendon smiled with her blood on his lips, “I’ll take that as a
yes. Go get the phone, love?”
Ariella stood stunned, rubbing her sore lips, then
turning to do Brendon’s bidding.
“That bitch,” Brody remarked, “I bet the sex isn’t
even that good... Why keep her around?”
“Are you blind, she’s beautiful!” Brendon laughed,
“You’re only upset because you don’t have one. A beautiful sex goddess who will
fulfil your every wish and desire... The things that woman can do with her hips
is incredible.” He sighed in complete
sexual fantasy bliss when Ariella reappeared holding the phone. From the look
on his face Ariella knew that Brendon would once again demand sex from her...
and if she didn’t give it to him willingly, he would force himself upon
her. She winced thinking about the last
time. He had been so rough and she was
sore for days. No, tonight, she decided she would give into him. Anything to keep him from becoming angry.
Brendon smiled at her lovingly and caressed her face
softly. Ariella almost smiled at
him. She always wondered what she was
doing with him, and just when she thought she would kill herself, Brendon was
gentle. When Brendon was gentle he was the most beautiful man on the
earth. He could be so harsh and so
mean, but other times.. Other times his other side showed, the side Ariella
loved. The one that would touch her
softly and call her pet names. The one
that would tell her she was beautiful and smart, and everything her mother was
not. Brendon kissed her softly on the
cheek and dismissed her. She cringed as
she felt Kenyon and Brody’s eyes trailing after her as she walked. They both knew Brendon would kill them if
they ever laid a hand on her, but their eyes still unnerved her.
Brendon dialed the digits carefully and calmly,
“Hello, FBI, I want to make a proposition...”