16. The Junk In Her Trunk

A finger was repeatedly poking me.

An ugly-sounding, groan left my lips as I struggled to gain a grip of reality to no avail. I moaned, burrowing my head deeper underneath the sheets covering my face, though the persistent finger continued, refusing to stop its aggravating taps.

"Wake up!" A feminine voice screeched in my ear, far too loud for this time of morning and another inhuman sound left my lips. "We don't have much time!"

My body didn't move, my mind still stuck in that place of being half-asleep. I could barely comprehend the words that were being shot at me when a manicured hand gripped my arm and shook, the talons digging into my arm.

"Savannah! Get up!"

I struggled to gain enough consciousness to understand exactly what was going on, and I rubbed a hand over my sleepy eyes.

"What?" I slurred, one of my hands reaching out to explore the sheets to my left, searching for a familiar body. Even with the haze settled over my mind, making it difficult for me to comprehend what was happening, I could sense he was missing. Disappointment welled in me when that realization hit me. "Where's Jace?" Usually I was awaken by his hand tracing lazy patterns over the contours of my back - not by some annoying woman intent on pulling my arm off.

I swatted at the hand as it poked me once more, before releasing a moan of annoyance. I sluggishly cracked open one of my eyes, not surprised to find a certain blond staring eagerly back at me. "Ashley." I sighed, clasping a hand to my mouth as I released a yawn. "Where's Jace?" I repeated, forcing my exhausted body to sit straight.

A perfectly plucked eyebrow was raised in my direction as Ashley caught a glimpse of Jace's shirt that swamped my frame. I blushed, pulling the sheets tighter around me and she shook her head, looking amused. "He went to a meeting with my father - which is why we don't have much time. We have thirty minutes at most. Nice hickeys, by the way."

The memory of what had occurred the night before had me clasping my hands around my neck, hoping to hide the obvious marks that Jace had purposefully littered across my neck. A horrid redness stained my face and I narrowed my eyes at the girl.

"T-these were an accident." I finally stuttered out, rubbing at where I knew the spots would be, the memory of his lips glued to my skin burned into my mind forever.

She barked out a laugh, shaking her head. "Uh huh. I'm sure his mouth unintentionally covered you in hickeys."

Mentally cursing Jace, I looked away from her entertained gaze. "We didn't have sex." I blurted out, my hands reaching up to cover my bright cheeks.

Ashley pulled a disgusted expression, waving a hand in front of her face. "I don't even want to know. Just hurry up."

"For what?" I slowly questioned, unable to understand what she was trying to get done. I ran a hand through my tangled hair, quickly tying it up into a ponytail as she pursed her lips. "Who the hell wakes up this early?" I muttered, stretching my arms above my head in an attempt to wake myself up.

"We're escaping for the day. I think we both need a break from all this testosterone so we're going shopping." She clapped her hands together, her lips spreading into a wide smile. "And now's our chance since Jace is in a meeting with my father and his two followers are with him." The expression that covered her face had changed into something dark as she tossed a pair of leggings and a shirt in my direction. "But you need to hurry. This is a drama-free day and I want it to stay that way."

"Shopping?" I spoke distastefully, the word sounding foreign on my lips. I fingered the clothing, figuring that they were hers. "Like right now?"

"No, in thirty years." Ashley deadpanned, slapping a hand to her forehead and I winced at my ignorance. "Of course, right now! Normal people are awake at this time, which is why you have to get up. We have thirty minutes at most until he's back."

Fumbling with the sheets as I forced myself to get out of the inviting bed, I gripped the clothing between my palms as I started for the bathroom. "Why are you helping me? Aren't you supposed to be holding me captive as well?" The reason when her family was so against me, I didn't have a clue. Heck - we had only exchanged less than dozen sentances last night. I couldn't understand her motivation to want to help me when she had no reason to.

She rolled her eyes, a smile twisting the corners of her lips. "I like you. I think you're genuine and I think we all can trust you. I think." She paused to wiggle her eyebrows, "Plus, I think my brother has the hots for you."

A mortified blush instantly flushed my cheeks. "He does not." I mumbled, forcing myself to ignore the interest that her words had sparked in my chest. I lingered in the doorway, watching her carefully. "I don't know why you would think that."

"Uh huh." Her voice was saturated with sarcasm and she spread her arms wide. "Because the only reason Jace hasn't killed you and why he let you share his bed is because he's just being nice."

She turned away and I quickly escaped into the bathroom, slamming the door. I pulled on the clothing she had tossed me, while fruitlessly trying to tame the ridiculous redness in my cheeks. I firmly shook my head, before loudly replying. "Your brother is nothing but a jackass."

I could hear the snort she let out. "You two are both never going to accept the fact that you two might have babies one day." She sighed, the sound almost wistful. "You're both so stubborn."

"Babies?" I squeaked out, unable to comprehend that thought. I stumbled back, clasping a hand to my chest. "What are you talking about? D-don't say that."

I could practically see the knowing look that would have etched its way onto her face and the way her eyes would twinkle mischievously. "Whatever you want to believe. Hurry up."

I quickly brushed my teeth, before splashing cold water onto my face to wake me up. I frowned at the dark bags that colored the skin beneath my eyes, before I shrugged. This was as good as it was going to ever get today.

"So, what's the plan then?" I questioned the blond, unlocking the door before stepping back into the bedroom. My eyes flashed over Ashley's short skirt and her tank top, suddenly feeling very plain next to the tall blond.

Ashley jerked her head over to the doorway and I quickly followed her moving figure. "We just need to make it to the garage. My mother is still in bed, Brad is out, and Jace and my Father are in their meeting still."

"What about the cameras and the maids?" The cameras were lined up in every hallway, catching every movement in the house. It was impossible for us to not be captured by their lenses.

"I disabled those by hacking into my father's security base." She waved her hand dismissively, though I could see the small prideful-smile lighting up her face. "I'm not just some ditsy blond. It pays to know things." She shot me a pointed look, quietly maneuvering herself down the staircase. "I also bribed the maids with a ton of cash to keep quiet if they see us. The only thing we have to worry about is getting past the guards."

I resisted a shiver. I knew that if we were caught, Jace would be anything but pleased and I could only imagine the reaction his Father would have. My stomach dropped threateningly and I rubbed a hand over it.

"I still don't understand why you're doing this." I muttered, scrubbing a hand over my face. "Your family doesn't like me, so aren't you suppose to not as well?"

"Don't be dramatic." She slapped my arm. I rubbed at the spot her palm had connected to, my lips twisting down; Ashley certainly had some muscle on those twigs of an arm. "I can like whoever I want. My dad just refuses to see what's in front of his eyes. I think he wants to take Jace down a notch too and by killing you, it certainly would."

My eyes widened in horror, chills immediately washing over my form. I rubbed at the scar painted onto my skin, memories of the way Jace had killed that man assualting my mind. "Do you think he'll get the chance?"

"Not with Jace around," She chuckled, opening a doorway to reveal the garage. "He won't let it happen. Jace would likely kill my father before he lets anything happen to you."

"Kill his own father?" I gasped, my head furiously shaking as I followed her to a red Mercedes. "I don't believe that."

"Dad was never really a father to Jace. Honestly, he wasn't a father to anyone of us and Jace was raised on the belief that you protect your own. Jace isn't loyal to my dad, but he is to you. If my Dad tries to kill you, Jace would consider it a direct attack to himself because my father knows that you're under his protection." She stopped in front of the car. "Jace wouldn't let anyone hurt you. It's obvious to everyone, but you."

"That's ridiculous." I muttered, rubbing at the goosebumps that covered my arms. "Don't say that."

"It's true." Ashley shrugged, opening the trunk to her car. "Get in."

My jaw fell open. "Excuse me?" I gaped at her, my eyes flitting down to the tiny space she had directed me to squeeze myself into. Flickering over the random crap that she had stuffed into the space, I couldn't exactly believe that she expected me to fit. When she continued to stare pointedly at me, my eyes narrowed. "You're serious?" She bobbed her head and I tossed my hands up. "How the hell am I supposed to fit into that?" My voice rose in pitch and she a laugh left her lips.

"You shove your big ass in there and we get a move on. We don't have much time left. Get in!"

"You better buy me food for this."

"Savannah!"

Grumbling to myself, I lifted a leg into the trunk of her car. "Why does a car even have a trunk if it's this small?" I muttered, wrapping my hands around my knees as I huddled in the space. She slammed the door shut, her heels clacking as she moved around the car and into the driver's seat. I shivered in the dark, praying that a bout of claustrophobia wouldn't attack me now. "It's ridiculous." I trailed off, my eyes flickering unseeingly around the dark space.

But, at least she said my ass was big.

The car revved as she turned on the engine and my stomach turned nervously. I felt the vehicle begin to move as we drove out of the drive. I couldn't hear anything over the smooth thrum of the engine.

It was only a few tense minutes later when I felt the car stop. I held my breath, worried that we had been stopped by the guards, though it was Ashley who pulled open the latch to the space.

"Get out. We're in the clear."

Letting out a relieved grin, I quickly exited the confining space, moving around to the passenger seat.

"Now what?" I finally sighed, leaning back into the plush cushion.

"Now, we get to do whatever the hell we want."

____________________________________________

"This is heavenly." I let out a tiny moan, shoveling more of the ice cream she had bought me into my mouth. I didn't have any money and I allowed her to pay after she had alerted me to the fact that this was Jace's card, in which she had stolen.

I couldn't do any damage to anything but his bank account, so I whole-heatedly agreed.

Ashley's lip pulled back in disgust, though a smile played at her lips. "You look disgusting." She noted, shaking her hand. "You have ice cream in your hair."

"Who cares about your hair when your eating this?" I muttered, flicking my ponytail over my shoulder.

Ashley rolled her eyes, leaning back in the booth. We had already shopped more than I would have liked, though I could tell from the energetic expression situated on her face, we weren't going to be done anytime soon.

My feet ached like nothing I ever knew of. Shopping was too-much of a workout to be fun.

"What about him?" She nodded towards a dirty-blond guy walking past our booth. His hair was too-light, his arms not as defined, his stature just not as big as I liked. A frown marred my head when I realized who I was comparing everyone Ashley pointed out to. Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I focused on the girl sitting across from me.

"Too -" I fumbled with the right word to use. "Blond." I finally lamely finished, lifting and dropping my shoulders. Ashley rolled her eyes, chuckling.

"So, you like dark-haired guys. Who would have thought?" She wiggled her eyebrows, swirling her spoon around her own scoop of ice cream.

I decided to ignore her words, focusing on the guy she had been checking out. "You're one to talk. What was it that Jace mentioned last night? Hmm.., was it Chase?" I shot her a pointed look, smirking when her expression grew uncomfortable.

"Stop," She complained, smoothing her hands over her skirt. "I don't want to talk about that."

"Really? I know how you feel about that." I shot her a smug look, standing up.

Still smirking, I tossed my empty carton into the trash bin near our table. "I need to use the bathroom - I'll be right back."

She nodded, seemingly distracted by finding something in her purse and I left the parlor.

My eyes were scanning the walls for a sign that indicated where a bathroom might be. My eyes lazily washed over the walls of the mall, taking in the stores as I walked.

I was so consumed in my search that I hadn't realized someone was walking in my direction until I had crashed right into them.

My eyes shut at the impact and I was readying myself for the pain that would hit me once I slammed into the floor, when two hands secured around my arms, steadying me and stopping me from falling backwards.

My eyes flew open, my gaze focusing on the man that was still holding my arms in his. He cast me a smile which sent chills through my body, and not the good kind.

"I'm s-sorry. I didn't see you." I stepped back when he finally released me, eager to put some space between us.

"Are you okay?" He questioned, flashing his yellowed-teeth once more.

I forced a nod, finding it extremely difficult to speak. Something in the back of my mind was warning me that something was drastically wrong. "I'm fine. Are you?"

"I'm perfect." He smirked, his head tilting as he continued to stare at me. "That would've ended badly, wouldn't it have?" He laughed, the sound causing goosebumps to rise onto my skin. "And we don't want anything bad to happen because then certain people wouldn't be too happy, would they?"

I stood, terrified at what he was hinting at. I didn't say anything, tucking my shaking hands behind my back.

He finally moved around me, continuing on his path and I felt relief fill my body, though it quickly left when I heard him stop.

"And, Savannah? Have a nice day."

Sweat beaded on my temple at his words and I gasped for air, suddenly finding it difficult to breath. I had a bad feeling about what had just occurred. A stranger from another city had knew my name. A stranger from another city, where Jace was well known for his illegal business, knew my name.

I suddenly couldn't move, my eyes flickering around, paranoid. My teeth dug into my lip. I must've been standing there for awhile because I jumped when a hand landed on my shoulder. Feeling dread building in my stomach, I whirled around-

Only to find Ashley staring at me with a weird expression.

"You okay?" She questioned, her gaze puzzled as she stared at me. "I thought you were going to the bathroom and you were just standing here."

Not wanting to scare her and not knowing if I was just being crazy, I pasted a smile on my face. "I just dazed off there for a second, I think." I let out a lame laugh, waving my hand around.

I could tell that she didn't believe me as she nodded slowly. "O-kay. Bathroom then?"

I eagerly nodded, desperately wanting to forget about what had just happened and the chills that wouldn't leave my skin.

I was going crazy.

_______________________________________

"Here! You have to try this one!" Ashley shrieked, yanking out something from one of the drawers.

We were currently in the middle of a lingerie store, bags of clothing weighting down our arms, all of them in which Ashley had insisted upon. Ashley seemed to know what she was doing as she dug through piles of underwear and bras and tossed them in my direction, while I had never felt more out my element.

"Uh - what the hell is that?" I stuttered, squinting at the item she had pulled out.

"It's a bra, Stupid." She rolled her eyes, shoving it between my palms.

"I don't think a normal bra is supposed to have this many straps." I muttered, unable to comprehend how something like this could be comfortable.

"That's because it's not just a normal bra." She cast me a devious grin, her hand sorting through a pile of lace scraps. "It's for when Jace-"

"I don't want to hear it!" I tossed the bra back where Ashley had pulled it from and clasped my hands over my ears. "I am not interested in Jace!"

A secretive smile spread across her lips and she chucked a handful of underwear in my direction. "Didn't he mention a kiss?" She questioned innocently, turning away from my blushing face.

At her words, I clasped my free hand to my lips, my face increasing in redness.

She let out a devious chuckle, her eyebrows wiggling at me. "I caught you." She sang.

"It only was a couple of times." I shot back, finally gaining back to the ability to speak.

"A couple of times?" Her eyebrows shot up, before she shot me a smug smile. "Well, you both are more invested than I thought you were."

"Shut up," I muttered, turning to the growing pile of lingerie in my hands. "What do you want me to do with this?" I questioned, knowing that I wouldn't like the answer.

"Oh, we're getting those for you." She waved a hand in my direction. "Every girl needs a stash of good undergarments, don't you think so?" She innocently questioned, her eyebrow cocking in my direction.

Instantly I knew there was nothing innocent about her question, yet I decided to play along. "I guess..." I hedged, continuing to follow her around the store.

Ashley chuckled, humming as she continued to shop.

"So, where do you live?" I questioned, curious as to what she does for a living out of all the shit her parents had involved her other kids in. She didn't seem the type to be involved in the illegal things I knew the rest of her family was dealing with.