5. No Pressure Zone

I was going crazy.

No, that wasn’t meant in a figurative sense - I was positive I was going mentally insane.

"Go away!" I shouted at the door, knowing that it was, again, one of the guys trying to lure me out.

I had locked myself in the bathroom. As juvenile as it sounds, locking myself in a place, where no one could reach me, seemed like a genius idea.

Of course, Jace didn't find it so amusing and over the four days I had been in here, threatening to break it down him-self. I wasn't too worried about the anger I could feel radiating off of him. My bordering starvation and the throb of my ribs were my main concerns. The hunger had thankfully dimmed to a dull throb in the back of my gut, though I couldn’t say the same for the headache that was pounding through my head.

Do you know what it’s like to go through a day without some carbohydrates?

"Just open the damn door." Jace shouted, his fist banging on it again. "You're acting juvenile! Get the fuck out."

"No."

It wasn't like I was trying to frustrate or anger anyone – okay, maybe I was a little. I was more than a little angry at Jace's demands.

I was determined to make him realize that I wasn't just going to sit back and listen to his demands like a good little girl. I have a life and I sure as hell, wasn't going to allow Jace to rule it, just because he was 'head-chief' of some gang.

Okay, maybe I had a life. My boss, sure as hell, wasn’t known as the forgiving and understanding type and me missing however many days I had missed at work, wasn’t going to just ‘fly under the radar’.

As soon as I found myself out of this bathroom, I was going to be a very hungry and very broke girl.

Submissive and a follower was something I did not want to be known as. Growing up in my parent's home had only proved that fact to me. From the young age of fifteen, they had pressured the fact that my values were to be theirs and that didn't sit well with me. I had always been headstrong - a fact they weren't pleased with.

My parents had been raised with a firm set of beliefs, so firm that the opinions that had been set into their heads, could not be changed, something that annoyed me to no end. Their ideas of a good job was something behind a desk, working nine to five, and being the head of company.

Which was the opposite of what I wanted to do.

Hence the camera I took with me everywhere.

Or I had taken everywhere. I scowled, if it had even a little damage to it…

Well, let’s just say someone would be getting something shoved up their ass.

Another knock on the door - this time Ash, echoed through the overly large bathroom. "I really need to check your injuries." He sighed. "And I can't imagine your hunger and thirst are helping your healing process any."

Of course he had to remind me of my stomach.

"I'm fine!" I barked out - a definite lie. My voice was raspy from the lack of talking and I winced at the pain that shot up from throat, as soon as the words shot out of my mouth. I was starting to feel nauseous, my lack of food wearing on me. "I just want to go home!"

"Like hell." Jace yelled back, his anger burning in his tone. I felt a smile begin to lift the corners of my mouth. Making him angry satisfied me in ways that nothing else can.

And no, that was not some dirty innuendo.

“Er, Savannah? We can hear your stomach growl from out here. You don’t need to lie.” Ash hedged out, humor lining his tone.

“That wasn’t my stomach.” I quickly yelled out, my eyes flickering around. “It was – it was the toilet!”

“You must be taking a lot of dumps then.” Riley chortled out.

My eye twitched.

I hate you, my eyes narrowed at the door. I could imagine Jace standing there, with his stupid smirk and his stupid pretty eyes. The thought only made me angrier.

"You can't control me!" I hollered. "I have rights!"

"Damn," Ash began, his tone beginning to sound exhausted. "She's one of those people."

"What's that supposed to mean – no! I don't want to know! Leave me the hell alone!"

"Not going to happen - I’ve had enough of this!" Jace growled out and I could imagine him pacing, at the sound of footsteps. "I can understand why you're mad - but, this is ridiculous."

I saw red. "Are you kidding me? My life is changing because of your idiotic decisions. Nope, not going to happen."

I heard him let out a sound of aggravation. "Shit happens - you, of all people, should know that."

"And I do - but shit can also be avoided, which I am trying to do." I hissed.

Jace sighed and I could imagine him rolling his eyes. "Hate to break it to you, Doll, but, this cannot be avoided."

"Well, I’ll still try to make it happen." I grumbled, shifting myself from where I was leaning against the wall. "You cannot hold me here when I don't wish to be, this is holding me here!"

"You're the one who locked yourself in the bathroom." I heard Riley speak up. "Technically, the only person who is holding you here is yourself."

I didn't speak, again, just leaning my head against the wall and shutting my eyes.

"Ash, you suck." I muttered, resisting a groan when my stomach flipped again.

"Ash sucks what?" I heard Cameron enter the room and I nearly groaned, again, at his innuendo.

"His penny was a total fraud." I grumbled, massaging my temples. "I should throw it out." My eyes settled on the coin, which had been placed on the floor next to me. Unlike what Ash had claimed, the penny had only seemed to make my situation worse.

That damn thing…

Cameron let out a gasp. "Excuse me? You will do no such thing! That thing has gotten me laid many times, thank you very much. It's practically a legend."

"Ew..."

I heard him laugh and I squeezed my eyes tighter.

"When are you...?”

I wasn't able to hear him finish the sentence because I was forced to lean over and start dry-heaving into the toilet, when my stomach took a particularly bad turn.

"Dammit," I choked out, wishing that I could stop - there wasn't anything that could come up. My world spun sickeningly and I squeezed my eyes tightly shut.

"Are you sick?" Ash questioned, sounding alarmed.

"No, you idiot, she's just doing that for fun." Riley snapped and I heard a smacking sound.

I leaned back when I had finished. "I'm tired," I moaned, "I don't suppose you store any extra pillows and blankets in your bathroom?" I questioned sweetly.

I received a muttered 'no'.

"Savannah - it's important I check you out. I don't want anything to get infected - you can be sick-"

"Ash, I'm sure I’m fine." I sighed, softening my tone for the worried doctor. "I just-"

"You could be dehydrated." He insisted.

I shrugged. "A day of dehydration won't kill me."

"Among what other factors?" He questioned and I bit my lip.

"I will break down the door." Jace insisted and I wanted to ask him why he cared so much. Knowing it was best not to, I stayed quiet, my eyes flickering around my fancy accommodations.

"...I don’t think you will-"

"Shut up, Cameron."

It had to be hours later when Jace spoke up again. I had been half-asleep and his voice stirred me.

"How about we make a compromise?" He suggested, his voice meaning business.

I bit my lip, already hesitant by his suggestion.

Jace… comprising?

Had I just entered the twilight zone?

"What kind of compromise?"

He was silent for a moment. "I'll put you in your own room - with a lock - where you can lock yourself in for as long as your heart contents. But, you have to open the door for a person to delivers your meals."

"What's in it for you?" I weakly guarded, still not trusting the boys that were crowded outside the door.

He sighed. "Nothing. Then, at least, we won't have a girl who is close to starving to death.” There was a false ring to his voice that made me hesitate, but his offer sounded too heavenly to pass up.

"And no one has to annoy me?" I questioned, cautiously.

"No one."

I hesitantly stood up, pausing when my head spun dizzily. I walked quickly to the door, spun the lock, and was rewarded with the sight of Jace, sitting across the hallways with his arms crossed on his knees, still looking as gorgeous as always. His eyes widened when he saw me and he pushed himself off the ground.

"You good?” He wondered aloud, his eyes sweeping over my form.

I cleared my throat, barely containing the blush that stained my cheeks. I hated that blasted thing and by his smirk, he saw it. "Do you think you can have Ash bring me up some pain medication?" I quickly spoke, hoping the slightly amused look would disappear.

He nodded slowly, his gaze sweeping over my face and lingering in the place I knew my black eye sat.

"Of course – I’ll show you to your room. I have work-" I flinched when I remembered he was a cop – a crooked one – and for the reasons he had become one. "…but, I’ll be home later, so if you need anything just ask one of the guys."

I nodded and he stepped away, straightening as he started down the hall. "We all stay here - so we put your room centered in the middle of all of ours - just in case something happens."

Another nod and another wince at the memory of why I was here hit me.

Jace cleared his throat "If you aren't happy with the room - it can be changed."

I bit my lip, wrapping my arms around my waist, as my nauseous increased. "I'm sure it'll be fine." I choked out, wishing he would just leave me alone.

His expression had morphed into one of concern, as he turned to look at me, when he stopped in front of a door. "There is also a bathroom in there, so you don't have to be concerned about anyone walking in on you."

I nodded and he ran a hand through his hair, "I'll leave you, but I’m having someone bring food up for you. You better open the door." He warned, his eyes flashing dangerously.

"I will." I forced out, the sound of food, making another earthquake shake my abdomen.

He forced a half smile. "And Ash will be up to check you soon."

"I have to go." His eyes flickered hesitantly, before they narrowed.

And then he had turned on his heel, my eyes resting on his ass before I let out a contented sigh and made my way into the room he had directed me to.

"Soup?" My nose wrinkled and I wrinkled my nose at the chunky substance. “Soup!”

"Uh-huh." Ash nodded, clucking around me like a mother hen, which made me anxious. "Chicken-noodle."

"I hate chicken-noodle." I grumbled, still staring at the unappetizing sight. "I was thinking somewhere along the lines of a big-ass burger?"

His eyebrows cocked. "You haven't eaten in a few days - we need to give you something easy to digest and that is full of nutrition. Not some big-ass burger."

"It was just a suggestion." I scowled. "I would have been fine with a salad on the side - you know, for that nutrition."

He pressed a hand to his forehead. "I don't think so."

"You can leave." I finally spoke up, "And feel free to take your soup with you. I think I’ll wait for something a little more appetizing."

"This is what you’re getting." Ash argued, crossing his arms. "Now eat the soup."

"I don't-"

He shushed me, turning to his bag full of supplies. "I need to apply some ointment to that eye. It must be hurting."

"You don't need to do anything," I shrugged, my eyes flickering to my refection in the mirror, against the wall. "I'm perfectly fine."

"Savannah..." He warned.

"It isn't the first time I’ve had a black eye." I muttered, rolling my eyes and wincing in pain. "It'll be fine - it always is."

"That's not a good mindset." He paused, his eyes widening. "Wait. Did you just say-"

"Yup, her name was Kelly Rogers and she socked me in the face in the twelfth grade because I made out with her boyfriend."

"You what?" He cried out and I nodded, somewhat sheepishly. "But, it wasn't my fault!" I assured him, "My friend gave me a drink and I didn't realize that it had alcohol in it."

"You only had one and you got drunk enough to make out with some chick's boyfriend?" He chuckled, "Someone's a lightweight."

"Am not!" I complained, shooting him glare. "Plus, you should have seen her – I can pack a punch."

He snorted, "Right... I can’t imagine that. I mean – you always seem so goody-goody.”

"What's that supposed to mean?" I glared at him and he shook his head. "Savannah... You couldn't even make a fist. And you weight what - a hundred pounds?"

"Okay. So, I had some help. And I do not! One-fifteen to be exact. I, also, have had plenty of non-goody-goody days! You know, once I climbed a fence and snuck into the pool after it closed.” I smirked, proudly. “And we got caught.”

"Wow, you seem like a big threat." He muttered sarcastically. "What happened? Did the pool manager kick you out?” He gave a dramatic gasp, clasping his hand to his mouth.

I didn’t answer, not wanting to tell him that that was exactly what happened.

“And don't try to change the subject anymore." Ash continued, giving me a warning look. "Soup."

Following his pointed finger, I glanced down at the forgotten bowl. "About that..."

“No more subject changes! I don’t want to have to report your behavior to Jace.” He leveled his gaze on me. “Your little strike wasn’t really effective."

I snorted. My pride was something I would never be able to comprise on. “Yeah fucking right. I got here, didn’t I?”

“Practically in the same bed as you had before?” He grinned, wagging his eyebrows at me. He had me there, finding the one weak spot in my armor. I floundered for something to say, before my jaw tightened and I blew a strand of hair away from my face, nonchalantly.

Narrowing my eyes at the boy, I crossed my arms. “Well, it doesn’t matter anyway,” I sniffed, “I’m not eating your soup.”

"Eat the damn soup, before I shove the damned spoon down your throat.

I jumped, before my eyes narrowed at the sound of Riley's voice, echoing down the hall and I was quick to shout back. "You won't get a chance to shove the damned spoon down my throat, 'cause I will already have shoved it up your damned ass, if you don't shut the hell up in two seconds."

A collective 'ooh' had risen down the hallway. Ash let out a muttered "Uh-oh”, before he shut his eyes and pinched the tips of his fingers to the bridge of his nose – a habit, I was beginning to realize, he did whenever he was stressed.

There was a moment of silence, before I heard a loud laugh. My eyes widened when Riley appeared in the doorway. A smirk was pressed firmly across his mouth and I couldn’t decide if it was a smile or a sneer.

Bottom line, I didn’t care.

Riley smiling gave me the creeps.

"Didn't Jace promise me this room would be private?" I wondered aloud, as Riley chortled.

My eyes narrowed at the boy. "Shut up!"

"You got guts, I'll admit that, Miss Lightweight." He chuckled and my eyes narrowed at the infuriating boy.

"Were you listening?" I shouted, my hand tightening into a fist. I wanted to resort to violence very bad, something I knew Jace wouldn't be too satisfied about.

"Not willingly." He laughed. "Though, the tidbit about the fight was a bit interesting, but nothing I didn’t know already. You're a little violent, huh?"

"If you don't stop, I will get up and make you." Hunger, combined with the fury that I was stuck here, had me in a foul mood.

"I'd like to see you try." He hid his smirk, taunting me. "You seem a bit bedridden."

"You little pu-"

"No, no." He cooed. "Eat your soup, like a good little girl.”

And like the good little girl I was, I lifted the bowl and flung it in his direction.

Oops?

Whose bad now, Ash?