My head was throbbing in immense pain.

I woke up groggily feeling weak and uncomfortable. I suddenly forced my eyes open remembering parts of what had happened last night. Shuddering with panic I tried to move my body hastily but I felt constricted.

Why couldn't I move?!

Looking down I realised that I was sat in a chair, still in my clothes from yesterday, with my arms and legs bounded tightly with rope. My head whipped around to stare at the unknown room that I was in.

It looked like a basement with dark walls, the only light seeping through was from the small window behind me and from beneath the door in front of me. It dawned on me that I must have been here all night. It was completely silent apart from my heavy breathing.

As the sheer panic built up I shivered in fear as I wondered what was going on.

"Rise and shine sweetheart,"

I froze upon hearing the door open and the deep voice that I had heard last night. Slowly looking up towards the door in front of me, there stood the blonde man who had me in his arms. Realisation dawned on me that this was Rick. The same Rick who had approached Nixon about drug dealing and to this day had him kept prisoner to it.

My throat was dry and I couldn't find any words to say out of fear. I knew that this man was dangerous, he even looked the part. He appeared to be in his late twenties with a burly figure, both arms covered in tattoo sleeves. Wearing nothing but a pair of black slacks and a white wife beater he had his arms crossed against his chest, looking ready to pounce at me at any second.

He had a wide smirk on his face whilst staring at me. "So you're Ford's girl huh?" As he approached me I flinched which caused him to grin. Walking around me he wolf whistled and continued. "I can see why he likes you. You're cute,"

I squirmed in my seat feeling him undressing me with his stare. It all finally made sense to me. Stacey was connected to Rick through the gang so that's how she set me up. I now realised why she was so keen on getting me to drink. She had spiked it.

But why? I knew that she hated me but planning a kidnap? A single tear made its way down my face which was followed by many more. It didn't take long until I let out a full on sob. I didn't know what their intention with me was but I couldn't help and assume the worst.

I wanted to go home.

I wanted Nixon.

Rick bent down and placed his hands on either side of my face to hold my head in place. My brown eyes were forced to stare into his dark green. His hands felt rough on my skin and he used his thumbs to wipe away my tears as I tried my hardest to get out of his grip. But he was too strong.

"Shh. A beautiful girl like you shouldn't be crying," He was so close to me that his breath fanned my face which made me shiver with goosebumps.

I tried to get my emotions under control but I couldn't. I was suddenly met with a hard slap on my right cheek that left my skin stinging like hell. I was pretty sure that it was red and maybe bruised. The noise was so loud that it echoed within the room. I would have cried in pain but I was in too much shock.

"Rick don't,"

The new voice made my head perk up towards the door ignoring the pain that I was now feeling.

Stacey.

I finally found my voice as I felt rage seeing her face. "Why are you doing this to me?!" I shouted at her in between a sob.

Another slap. My right cheek was now throbbing in unbearable pain.

"Rick!"

"What?" He growled in frustration. "This was your plan right? You wanted to teach her a lesson, rough her around a little bit. Don't go soft on me now Bennett,"

Teach me a lesson for what? What the hell did I do to her?

"I never said hit her,"

"A couple of slaps here and there won't do her any long lasting harm,"

"Just let me speak to her. Alone," She narrowed her eyes at him as he left the room.

With the door slamming shut I jumped in fright at the sound knowing that it was now just the two of us. I wanted answers, I wanted to know why the hell I was in this situation and I wanted to know what Stacey's deal was. My body was burning with rage and disgust as she bent down on her knees to my level. She had changed into a casual t shirt and jeans, still managing to look like a model.

"What do you want with me?" I cried into the silence.

"You know, it's funny. Finding out that you managed to land a boyfriend really took me by surprise." She started. "But then realising that the poor sucker was Nixon Ford- well I thought to myself that surely this must mean the world's apocalypse has finally begun. I mean what other possible explanation is there? That you, Mara Ellsworth, out of all people managed to get Nixon Ford wrapped around your little finger," She sneered. Her tone was ice cold, laced with seemed to be pure hatred and disbelief.

"What?" I asked her in confusion. "What's my relationship with Nixon got to do with anything?"

Her eyes darkened dangerously as they bore holes into mine. "Everything,"

And then it dawned on me. The true emotions that were hidden behind her anger and actions finally made sense. I felt so stupid for not seeing it before.

"You're in love with him," I whispered.

I said it as a statement rather than a question. My heart felt like it dropped inside of my chest when I saw a single tear fall down her cheek, confirming what I had said. She hastily wiped it away standing to her feet and put the hatred back into her eyes from earlier. Leaning towards me she gripped my hair tightly tilting my head back as she hovered over me.

I winced out in protest.

"I've known him longer than you have and I'm still invisible to him. How the fuck is that fair?" Stacey growled. Her grip was getting tighter but she was ignoring my sounds of pain as she continued. "I'm a million times better than you in every way. God, I even put up with your stupid caveman of a brother and I still haven't gotten shit!"

Through the pain, my curiosity got the better of me after the mention of Aiden. "What?"

"He's definitely no Nixon but at least he's got the money," She smirked at me.

I knew it.

"Wait until they both hear about this. You're not getting away with it. You make me sick," I said angrily.

That earned me a hit to the face. I could taste the metallic blood at the side of my mouth as she let go of my hair and stood back. My whole face felt numb.

"How stupid do you think I am Mara?" She scoffed. "I've planned everything so no one will do a thing. And let's be honest, we both know that your brother won't believe you. The bastard's blindly in love with me," She started giggling in amusement.

I knew she was doing it on purpose to press my buttons and spark a reaction out of me. I forced myself to swallow down the rage inside me and keep my mouth shut. So instead, I thought to give her a taste of her own medicine.

"When Nixon finds out do you think that'll make him magically fall in love with you? What exactly do you gain from this?"

She laughed. "Oh sweetie. I've made peace with the fact that he won't ever be mine. But that doesn't mean I can't gain some satisfaction from watching you squirm. I gain my revenge on the both of you,"

"You're crazy," I screeched. "If you hate me because of my relationship with Nixon, what about before you knew about him? From what I've seen you've always hated me,"

She sighed dramatically. "That's true I have. I always found you to be a spoilt little brat. This whole innocent facade of yours bores me to death. Plus your brother goes crazy over anything that involves you, it's the most annoying thing ever. But it was fun watching him unfold after your whole 'pushed down the stairs' fiasco,"

My breath hitched. The only way she'd know I was pushed was if...

"Surprise! That was me,"

This stupid bitch.

I felt my anger reach its limit as I pushed against the ropes that had me retrained. But it was no use working against it. Feeling dejected I gave up.

"You will pay for this," I spoke with a clipped tone.

Stacey just winked smugly and reached into her back pocket to get out her phone. She faced it towards me and I heard the noise of the camera click which made me flinch.

"Wait, what the hell are you doing?" I huffed.

"I'm sending your boyfriend proof. He's been texting and calling your phone non stop so I had to make it stop," She drawled.

"What?" My frustration was growing.

She rolled her eyes as she was done with her phone. "I called him back from your phone earlier and told him I had you. He should be here any minute now. He wasn't very happy,"

I let out a sigh of relief with a tear making its way down my cheek. Nixon was coming for me.

But something didn't add up. Why would Stacey willingly out herself and give up where she was holding me.

As if on cue, we heard some muffled commotion from outside the door. There were multiple voices shouting with anger. I expected Stacey to look at least a little bit scared or wary but her expression was blank. She looked eerily calm as she stood to the side of me.

I gasped out loud at hearing the large door being slammed open with force, surprised that it managed to stay on it's hinges.

"Nixon!" I cried out as I was faced with the man I loved.

His whole expression softened from the anger as he wasted no time making his way towards me. His eyes looked pained with emotion as he held my face tenderly, giving me a once over. I saw him visibly flinch, his jaw tensing with anger as his eyes laid on where I was hit. From his reaction I knew that I must have been sporting bruises.

Within seconds, his warm hands and gaze left me feeling cold. Before I could process what was happening I turned to my right to see his hand gripped around Stacey's throat pushing her against the wall. She was choking and struggling to breathe as he pressed harder. Her sneaker clad feet were dangling an inch off the ground.

"You stupid bitch. I'm going to fucking kill you," Hearing his menacing voice sent chills down my spine and I actually found myself fearing for Stacey Bennett's life.

"I'd think twice about that Ford. Let's not do anything stupid shall we," Rick suddenly appeared by the door making me jump. To my surprise, Ethan appeared from behind pushing past him wordlessly, making his way towards me and untying the rope that had me bound.

"You okay Mara Moo?" Ethan's soft voice filled me with comfort.

I nodded in between sniffles as I struggled to find my voice.

Averting my attention, Nixon finally let go of his grip and stepped away as Stacey was coughing violently trying to get her breath back. She was wearing a smirk on her face looking satisfied as she made her way to Rick. They then left together giving us all one last glare, leaving us.

As soon as I was free from the ropes I stood up shakily with the aid of Ethan and I found myself engulfed tightly in my boyfriend's embrace. Surrounded by the familiar smell, I felt overwhelmed with emotions and my muffled cries echoed around the room. Nixon was kissing my head and whispering reassurances to me but I wasn't processing any of his words. I felt myself being lifted up and realized that I was being carried out princess style.

Exhaustion consumed me so I closed my eyes, meeting with darkness.

****

My eyes squinted open, adjusting to the light.

I groaned softly rubbing the side of my head to ease the dull pain, hearing movement and footsteps.

"Mara," I was met with Nixon's soft voice as he breathed in relief. Taking in my surroundings, I realised that I was in my bedroom wrapped under my comforter. Nixon was sat beside me with a worried expression. His hair was messy and looked as if he had ran his hand through it one too many times.

"Nixon," I cried out grabbing a hold of his hand in mine. My voice sounded hoarse and my throat was dry but I didn't care. I felt so overwhelmed about everything and I didn't know how to express it without the tears. Nixon sat me up and engulfed me in a hug.

"Hey baby it's okay, you're safe now. I'm here. I'm right here," His voice was exactly what I needed. We stayed in the embrace for a good five minutes until I had calmed down.

Pulling back I wiped my face, slightly wincing as I touched my cheek. He passed me a glass of water and a painkiller, forcing me to take it. Feeling satisfied, I asked. "What time is it?"

My bedroom light was on and the curtains were drawn so it had to be some time in the evening.

"It's 8pm," My eyes widened in surprise as Nixon continued. He had a guilty expression on his face. "Mara, God I'm so sorry. You got hurt because of me and-"

I interrupted his little speech with a tender kiss on the lips. "No, it's not your fault Nixon. I don't blame you for anything so neither should you. And I'm not hurt I'm okay. You saved me,"

He sighed deeply and tenderly touched my right cheek. His jaw was tense. "You are hurt. Look at your face,"

I waved my hand offhandedly. "It barely hurts. It's nothing," My attempt at slight humour didn't work as my boyfriend's serious face never wavered. "Does it really look that bad?"

Determined to see, I stood up and made my way to the mirror gasping at my reflection. It really did look that bad. At the top of my right cheek was a big purple bruise. The corner of my top lip was slightly swollen and red in colour. I looked like I had been in a fist fight. My brown wavy hair was up in a messy ponytail and my body was covered in a black oversized t shirt that reached mid thigh. Nixon must have changed me and I was pretty sure that I only had my underwear on underneath, which made me blush in thought.

Nixon made his way to me from the bed and wrapped his arms around me from behind. Kissing the side of my head, we held each other's gaze through the mirror's reflection. I smiled tentatively sighing in content. We had a lot to talk about but I wanted to save it for tomorrow.

"Are you sure you're not in too much pain?"

I nodded in response. "Yeah I'm sure. It looks a lot worse than what it is,"

Nixon closed his eyes. "Did the bastard touch you?" He spoke with a pained tone as if it hurt. His whole body tensed up behind me.

Knowing what he meant I was quick to reassure him. Turning around I placed my hands on either side of face stroking his cheek with my thumb. "No he didn't,"

"I swear to you Mara I'm going to kill them for what they did to you. They're going to regret being born,"

And deep down I really believed him.

❤️