Unknown warehouse
10/02/2016 11:36am
Abbie POV

I could taste blood, warm and metallic between my lips. My body shuddered and I was awake. The first thing I noticed was that my hands were bound. Chains dug into my wrists, burning my skin slightly. The room I was in slowly came into focus and the events of the previous day scorched my memory. I struggled against the bonds and tried to shout out, but my throat burned.

"Sleeping beauty awakens." A voice said and my eyes went to the corner of the room.

A man appeared. He was dressed in a sharp suit. He looked easy-going, almost serene, but there was something wrong with him. I could tell. A memory from the last 48 hours came surging back. This man. No, this monster was the one who had ordered for my abduction. He strolled over to me and stood before me, In the corner I noticed a spare chair, but instead he stood, imposing despite his small stature.

"Good morning, sweet princess." He smiled, oily and sinister.

I said nothing, narrowing my eyes at him. I tried to look as hateful as possible. He wouldn't intimidate me.

"Now my dear, is that anyway to greet someone?" He phrased it as a question, before snapping the cane in his hand down onto my knees. I yelped out, sobbing a little.

"P-please let me go." I begged, and he chuckled.

"Now Abigail, we both know I cannot do that. It would deeply hurt myself and Cyan if you departed." He grinned, flashing several gold teeth.

Instead of speaking I ducked my head, trying to will my knees to stop shaking. My mind rushed again and when I closed my eyes I saw Andy's face. He was smiling and I held onto that.

"Now Abigail," Abaddon said, and I lifted my head, plastering on a poker face. "Cyan cannot seem to find your little boyfriend or the four-headed demon. Where do you presume they went to?"

"I don't know." I said, simply.

Abaddon tsked like a disappointed father scolding a very disobedient child. He gripped the cane again, but this time I met his stare and he seemed to sense that I wasn't going to cave easily.

"We both know that's a lie. Where are they?" He hissed into my face.

"I don't know. And even if I did, why would I tell you." I snarled, spitting in his face.

He pulled back as though slapped. Reaching into his pocket he removed a white handkerchief and wiped his cheek. His face went red and his eyes almost looked demonic. I kept my face passive and he seemed to compose himself when he realised my game. He lowered the cane and tapped it against the stone floor.

The door on the far side of the room opened and the bodyguard, or Cyan as he was called, walked in. He stopped next to Abaddon like a dog awaiting his masters orders.

"Cyan as a reward for all your loyal help, I present to you Miss Abigail Stanton as a gift. Use her a you see fit." Abaddon smirked.

My eyes went to Cyan and he glanced at me. His eyes narrowed and he leered at me. I took a shuddering breath. Please hurry Andy.

**********************

Tribeca
10/02/2016 12:47pm
Kacee POV

The night had been uneasy and the morning had been quiet and somewhat eerie. Andy seemed to not really know what he was doing. Looking at him now, seated in the chair, discussing everything with his family, he looked young. I'd never taken the time to truely look at him. His eyes were a sharp blue and his face was narrow and elven. He seemed inexperienced, but masked it well.

I hovered by the door, listening intently. It was the first time I'd seen how tactical John could be. Andy seemed to be taking cues from them like a student. No one seemed to know where Abbie had been taken. Abaddon was certainly no fool. The first plan appeared to be to involve other mafia families, but it was soon realised that they would not side with anyone that was planning on taking Abaddon down.

Donnie and Vinnie would provide no help. Dani had hacked the computer and realised Vinnie had booked plane tickets and escaped the country. Whether he had taken Donnie was another thing. Donnie would certainly be of no help.

"Donnie hates me for some reason." Paul said.

"Yeah, I can't imagine why," Ashley smirked. "You're so personable and charming."

A muffled giggle from Annaliese in the corner followed. She covered her mouth when everyone looked at her.

"Sorry, just seemed funny." She murmured.

Andy raised an eyebrow and sighed. He seemed to be struggling to think of something.

"Or we could kill Abaddon." John said, and Ashley nearly choked on the whiskey he'd been sipping.

"Are you fuckin' insane." He snapped.

The answering grins made him roll his eyes. Ashley turned to Andy to seek help, but Andy was cradling his chin in his hand, looking thoughtful.

"Don't even consider this. We'd never get near Abaddon," Ashley set the tumbler down.

"Besides it'd be like strolling right into Abaddon's clutches."

"What about Abbie? Thought you loved her." George said, and Andy's eyes narrowed.

"Yeah, let's hear all about love from you guys." Andy shot back.

Annaliese cleared her throat and they all seemed to stop fighting. Dani was sat in the corner, typing away on his Macbook. His gaze lifted slightly and he whistled the tune of 'pink elephants on parade.'

"We're not crazy, Daniel." Paul said, smirking when Dani looked confused, feigning innocence.

"Why I would never imply that. You're the epitome of sanity, you are." Dani smiled, and the
mood shifted. Dani seemed like a buffer. He was positive and funny.

"Fine, hypothetically, how would we get to Abaddon?" Ashley said.

"We'd need something that Abaddon wants, something he desires." Andy murmured.

I watched him and stepped sideways to slink away and get some food. My toe caught the door and I whimpered. Andy's gaze lifted and he stared at me.

"Kacee." He said. I looked up at the sound of my name.

The realisation hit John before it hit me. He stood and glared at Andy.

"No, you're not using Kacee as bait." He hissed.

"I'd make sure she was safe." Andy said, sounding more assured.

"You can't say that. You couldn't even keep Abbie safe." John shot back, using Andy's hurt expression as a means to carry on.

"I don't want to hear shit from you when you drugged Kacee and performed omerta, against her will, I might add." Andy snarled.

I didn't want to see them fight. My thoughts went to Abbie. I'd met her the once and she was lovely. I tried to imagine what she was feeling at this very moment. My eyes lifted from the floor and I stepped into the room.

"W-whatever you're planning, I want to help." I said.

This seemed to settle Andy and John. Annaliese was looking at me, nervously. Dani had paused and was watching the scene, possibly because it was more entertaining.

"It would be very dangerous." Andy spoke first.

I wanted to save Abbie and I also wanted there to be no more fear. No more hiding. No more running.

"I want to help Abbie and I want a normal life." I smiled.

Dani snickered in the corner, "A normal life with wanted criminals, someone is nuttier than a nutcake."

They weren't wanted were they? The FBI wasn't knocking the door down. Other criminal gangs would be though. There'd be no end to it.

"A normal life?" John said, and our eyes met. "I think I can manage that."

The momentary relief I felt washed away when I realised that this mission might be their last. If they died I could go back to having a normal life. A life where I got a job and chose a career and made my Dad happy.

"A normal life with you." I tried again.

"That's not going to happen, Kacee." John replied.

"You won't die." I snapped, fury taking over.

"So sure of that, are you?" George said, not looking at me.

"I want to help so let me." My voice was rising, becoming hysterical.

"You can't protect yourself." John sighed.

"Can so." I snapped.

Andy stepped in and raised his hands to silence everyone. He glanced at me and sighed too. He walked towards me.

"I have a friend that can slip ricin into Abaddon's men and get rid of them. I need you to offer yourself to Abaddon. He'll think he's won," Andy spoke gently, almost sadly. "I then need you to stay with Abbie."

I nodded, absorbing all the information. Andy smiled, but it was forced and he turned to face Paul.

"Explosives? How many have you got?" Andy asked.

"We've stored a load in the cellar here." Paul replied.

"I know where Abaddon lives, where he does business transactions and where his second home is. I want all three locations rigged with explosives." Andy said, nodding.

Ashley was twirling whiskey in his glass when Andy rounded on him. He set the glass down again and tried to look serious.

"Ashley I want you and CC on the roof near Abaddon's penthouse. When the girls are out, you give the signal and the explosives need to go off." Andy said, calmly.

"Sounds good." Ashley grinned.

The air was thick with nerves now. Survival depended on it. The aftermath was unthinkable so I did my best to not think of it.

Notes