"Rick,"

My voice was barely above a whisper as my heart was beating rapidly out of my chest. The feeling of dread consumed the whole of my body.

"It's nice to know that you recognised my voice,"

I shot up into a sitting position as if somebody had thrown water on me. My voice came out a lot stronger and was laced with anger as I retorted. "Where the hell is Nixon? If you lay a hand on him I swear to god I will kill you,"

Rick laughed in amusement. "I almost forgot about that bold mouth of yours. You're a little spitfire huh,"

I felt myself getting angrier. "Where is he?" I spat.

"Don't worry darling here's right here with me. Unconscious but alive," I felt numb. Tears spilled down my face as Rick continued. "Your boyfriend wants out so you need to pay up. Want his freedom? I want my money,"

And then he hung up.

My phone slipped from my fingers as I sobbed into my hands. My heart felt like it had been smashed into a million pieces. Things were finally good and Nixon promised me that he was working on it. Endless thoughts were swirling around in my head and they were anything but good.

An image of Nixon laying unconscious somewhere covered in blood, flashed across my mind which made me cry harder.

Aiden. I needed my brother. He was the only one who could save Nixon.

With my new realisation I ripped off the comforter that was covering my body and got up in a haste, wiping my tears away with the back of my hand. I practically ran down the hall knocking on Aiden's door desperately.

"What?" I was met with a dazed looking Aiden.

He looked annoyed, but quickly snapped into a look of concern observing my panic stricken face. Without saying a word I pushed past him and walked into his room as he shut the door.

I broke down in tears as he pulled me into a hug. "Mar, what is it? What's wrong? Did Ford do something? I swear I will kill that stupid bas-"

"Aiden no!" I interrupted. "Rick called me, he took Nixon. He took him Aiden. He said he wants money for his freedom," I was a blubbering mess and wouldn't even be surprised if my brother hadn't understood a word I had just said.

"What?" I stepped back as I felt his body stiffen. "Rick called you?" His fists were clenched in anger.

"What did he say? Tell me everything,"

I sniffed. "He said Nixon's with him and he's unconscious," My voice broke as tears slid down. "He wants us to pay for his freedom,"

Aiden's eyes had darkened as I continued. "Nixon told me earlier that you were both looking for a way out. So why did Rick just take him?"

Of course I was glad that nobody laid a finger on my brother, but the question was playing on my mind.

"I don't know," My brother replied.

I put a hand over my mouth to muffle my cries, trying to control myself. Aiden placed a hand on my shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly as he gazed into my eyes. "I'll get him back Mara, I promise. I have a plan so I need you to trust me okay?"

Not being able to form any words, I merely nodded as my brother rushed to put on his shoes and grab his car keys. Pulling me in for a final hug, he kissed the top of my head. "I've got this,"

I eventually made my way back to my bedroom.

There was no way in hell I was going to be able to sleep so I sat anxiously by my phone just in case I got a call from Aiden. It had been a couple of hours since he left and the more time that went by the more I was freaking out.

I hated this. The waiting around and not being able to do anything.

It killed me inside knowing that the boy I loved was out there somewhere harmed and alone with nobody there. All I wanted was to be in his arms, surrounded by his smell. His hugs were my safe place. It was the place where I felt most safe in the world, where nobody could harm me and I was protected. But right now, that's exactly what Nixon needed and I wasn't there to give it to him.

I pushed my face deeper into the pillow I was cuddling, to muffle my sobs as I let out all of the pain.

Nixon Ford changed my whole life and I don't know how I could go through life without him. There was no way I could lose him. No way.

I jumped up as the shrilling ringtone of my phone caught me off guard. It barely took a second for me to click answer. "Hello?" I breathed out.

"Come open the front door Mar," Aiden's voice commanded.

I responded immediately as I hopped off my bed and ran through our house downstairs to the foyer. I was quick to notice the shape of dark figures outside of the door as I opened it up. I was met with Ethan and my brother who were holding up an injured Nixon. They rushed inside and made their way into the living room, me hot on their heels.

"Oh my god," I cried as I took in my boyfriend.

The boys had laid him down on our coach as we stood over him. He was unconscious, sporting a black eye and a busted lip. His knuckles were bruised on both hands, along with his hair and shirt being disheveled. I knelt down by his head and gently ran my fingers through his brown hair as I planted a kiss on his forehead.

Ethan was quick to join me as he put his arm around me. I leaned my head against his shoulder as I cried silently. "I'm so sorry Mara," He whispered. "I fucked up. I couldn't stop them when they grabbed him,"

I turned to face Ethan whose eyes were filled with moisture as he looked at his best friend with sadness and guilt.

"No Ethan stop it's not your fault," I sniffed. "Don't do that to yourself. You're like a brother to him. He knows you did everything you could," I wrapped my arms around him in comfort which he returned.

I barely noticed that Aiden left the room until he walked through the door holding a pack of ice. Placing it onto Nixon's face I got up from the floor and gave my brother the tightest hug I could muster.

"Thank you for saving him Aiden," I cried into his chest.

His arms automatically went around me. "Well I had no choice. The asshole makes you happy,"

I slapped Aiden as we both laughed. "I'm just kidding. Anything for you little sis. Plus I kinda owed him for having my back,"

I stepped back. "Well I really appreciate it. You really are the best big brother Aiden. I love you idiot,"

My brother's eyes softened as he smiled at me. "I love you too Mar,"

"I hate to break up your cute family moment guys but I think Nixon's waking up," Ethan's voice broke our gaze as I bent down to a stirring Nixon.

"Nixon? Can you hear me?" I called out.

He groaned in pain as his eyes squinted open. "Mara?"

I let out a sigh of relief as I smiled in happiness. "Yeah it's me. I'm right here,"

"What happened?" His voice was hoarse as he spoke. He tried to get up but Aiden stopped him.

"Woah there buddy take it easy. Here, take this," He handed over a painkiller and a glass of water which Nixon gulped down.

"Don't you remember what happened?" Ethan asked. Nixon took a few moments before realisation dawned on him. His jaw tensed on remembrance but his expression softened immediately as his eyes locked with mine.

"Mara-"

I stopped him with a small shush and softly kissed his bruised knuckles. "I know you're going to apologise but you did nothing wrong. I'm just glad that you're okay,"

"You can say that again," Ethan let out a deep breath as I smiled.

"Hey Ellsworth, how did you even manage to get me out?" Nixon looked up pointedly at Aiden.

He scratched the back of his neck looking sheepish. "I paid the fees,"

"You mean-"

"I paid for our freedom Ford,"

"But why?"

"You helped me see the truth about Stacey. I figured I owed you one," Aiden shrugged his shoulders as we all looked at my brother in astonishment.

A massive smile made its way onto my face.

"You're both free,"

****

The next two months went by with nothing but bliss.

Me and Nixon made the mutual decision to make the best of our summer together, now that he was finally free. We drove out of town to spend the day at the beach with our friends, a day to relax and soak up the sun.

Nixon was in the middle of rubbing sunscreen on my back as I stared out at the ocean with a smile.

"All done," He kissed the nape of my neck as I laughed.

"Thanks baby," I turned to plant a kiss on his lips which he eagerly returned. Breaking apart, I took a few moments to gawk at my beautiful boyfriend, taking him in.

He looked at me in amusement. "Do I have something on my face?"

I laughed. "No silly. I just can't believe you're all mine,"

He kissed the tip of my nose. "You better get used to it,"

I smiled. "It's crazy how everything's changed. I still remember sitting there asking myself the same question over and over again in my head,"

"And what question was that?" Nixon asked.

"The bad boy likes me?"

Placing his hands tenderly on either side of my face he brought me in for a deep kiss that left me breathless.

"The bad boy loves you,"

😭😭😭😭

🥰