Blaze POV.
We were still travelling three days later, only moving at night, spending the days in motels. I’d hardly slept, sleeping only when they did and even then not for long. I hadn’t eaten anything either, although Zacky had persuaded me to drink the water that I’d watched him get from the tap. At least that way I knew that they weren’t drugging me.

With the exception of Synyster or Brian – I still didn’t know what to call him, so I didn’t talk to him at all – the guys had all tried to be nice. I found Matt or Shadows intimidating, as soon as we booked into the motel, he’d disappear for a couple of hours, making phone calls on his cell before returning and sleeping until we had to move on. Jimmy, I discovered quickly, was the joker. Despite the circumstances he could still get me to giggle when he irritated the others or came out with stupid comments. Johnny was quiet and didn’t say much to me, only occasionally talking to the other guys. Zacky wanted me to trust him. He would spend hours either in the SUV or in the motels just talking to me. Not about anything in particular, just asking me what I liked, what I didn’t. Just talking. None of them would answer my questions though.
“Where are we going?” I asked Zacky in a quiet voice. I’d lost count of how many times I’d asked it and got no answer, so I had little hope of finding out this time, but not knowing was driving me mad. At least if I knew where we were going, I could mentally prepare myself. Next to me, Zacky glanced quickly at the front of the car, where Matt and Synyster were taking it in turns to drive. Matt looked into the rear-view and nodded minutely. Zacky sighed.
“Southern California, near to a place called Huntingdon Beach.” I bit my lip and nodded, trying to figure out what was going to happen to me when we got there. A touch on my arm jolted me out of my thoughts, I looked up at Zacky. “I promise you Blair, just like I’ve promised you every day so far that you’ve been with us, we’re not going to hurt you.” I nodded silently and went back to staring out of my window.

~*~

I woke up with a start as the SUV pulled to a stop, doors opening and shutting as the guys jumped out.
“What the fuck?!” Yelled someone, it sounded like Synyster. “I thought that this was meant to be low profile!”
“Chill out Gates.” It was Matt’s deep voice. “I asked Danger to station them here.” I sat up, straining to see what was going on. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t see what they were yelling about.
“Are you insane?” That was Zacky. “I thought that you agreed to let me handle it!”
“Hey guys, can we hold off on the yelling and yelled explanations until we get inside?” Suggested Jimmy’s voice. Various huffs of agreement arose from everyone else and car doors began to open as everyone got back in. Matt jumped into the driver’s seat and pressed a button on the sun visor. He began to turn the car around as a gate slid open. Matt drove the car through as I peered through the tinted windows, trying to see what had got everyone so tense and angry. I couldn’t see anything but well-tended flower beds and trees. The guys stayed silent during the journey up what I presumed was a driveway.

Eventually the SUV pulled to a stop for the second time and the guys all jumped out again. Zacky glanced back at me and slid the seat forward.
“Come on, we’re here.” I unclipped the belt and climbed out of the car, taking my time to look around at the house that we had pulled up to. The house was huge. These guys must have some serious money. It lived up to every expectation I had of California, with the only exception of not being near a beach. I knew, with a sinking feeling, as I looked around, that it was as secluded as houses get. From within the house I could hear a dog barking.
“Let’s get inside” Ordered Matt, heading for the door. I flinched as Zacky laid a hand on my shoulder.
“That’s only Bella, Matt’s Labrador, she won’t hurt you.”
“It’s not her that I’m afraid of.”
“Nothing in there is going to hurt you Blair. I promise.” He walked past me heading into the house, mumbling as he went. “It’ll have to get through me first.”