Emery’s POV

“Em?”

My eyelids fluttered lightly at the sound of my name, but I couldn’t open them. They felt like they had been taped shut and weight of them was almost too much to bear. My head was spinning even with my eyes closed and I wished the ringing in my ears would stop. I had a metallic taste in my mouth but no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t swallow. Not to mention, the aching feeling throughout my entire body.

“Emery? Hey, little sis, wake up…”

Was that my sister’s voice? Was she crying? “Jo?” I rasped, my voice barely above a whisper. Why was my throat so dry? Hell, the better question was why did everything hurt so badly?

I forced my swollen eyes open and reached up to touch my aching head. As if on cue, a rush of memories from last night flooded my mind, making my temples throb even more. All I could see were images of myself strapped in the cold metal chair as the Viper leader hit me again and again. Oh and wig… I could still feel the spot where the bobby pin cut into my sculp. “Ouch…” I moaned, willing the wave of nausea to go away.

“Oh god, Em! I’m so glad you woke up. Are you feeling okay?” Jo rushed out, helping me sit up. Her soft but cold hands moved over my face, forcing me to look into her haunting blue eyes. The coolness of her hands seemed to sooth my dizzy, aching head.

“My head hurts, but… I guess I’m okay,” I sighed, trying to make lite of how I actually felt. I didn’t want to worry her, especially since we were both still living this nightmare. We had to get through this. I just hoped that Brian and the guys would come rescue us soon because I didn’t know how much more of this I could take. There had to be some way out of here… “How long was I out?”

“I guess since they brought you back,” Jo started as I slowly moved my gaze over to her. “They… god Em, I was so afraid that you wouldn’t wake up… I-I—” A sob broke through Jolie’s resolve and I pulled her close. I let my hands gently run through her tangled hair, only to notice she was no longer wearing her wig either. Oh, god had I put her in danger?

“Jo, I’m okay…” I started, quickly moving to look at her face. “But look at you, what the hell did they do to you?” I said, carefully pulling her closer to look at her wounds. Even through my swollen puffy eyes, I could see a cut on her lip as well at multiple contusions. A wave of guilt and anger washed over me as I examined her face. This was my fault… they found out who we were because my wig came off. Then they beat my sister because I lied… just like they said they would.

“He hit me, but… I’m fine,” Jo said but I shook my head, my eyes welling with tears.

I shook my head and bit down on my swollen lip. I couldn’t stand to see Jolie look like that because of something I did. I should have just told the Vipers what they wanted to hear, and then they never would have touched Jo. I had to protect her from now on. She was the only person I had left…

I looked at my sister with tear-filled eyes, slowly shaking my head. She was trying to be strong but we both knew it was a matter of time before the Vipers took things to the next level. I didn’t want to think about that…

“But you don’t look fine…” I cried, unable to contain myself anymore. “God, Jo… We need to get out of here…” A tear ran down my cheek and Jo whisked it away.

“We will… We just need to figure out a plan. We need to keep our eyes and ears open!” Jo said firmly and I quickly nodded, not wanting to think about what would happen if we stayed here much longer.

Part of me was starting to wonder if Brian and the guys had finally made a trade for us. I mean, that was the whole intention behind kidnapping Jo and I in the first place, right? What if everything Brian told me was a lie just to get me to behave until the trade? No, it couldn’t be. I didn’t want to believe that, not with the way he had been acting lately. He had to feel the same way I did…

“Do you think…?” I started, feeling a lump rise in my throat at the thought of never seeing Brian again. “I mean…” I couldn’t make the words come out, the thought of being abandoned by someone I loved crushing me. The tears were now streaming down my face and I couldn’t stop them.

“What is it Em?” I felt Jo’s hands softly comb through my tangled blonde locks, trying to calm me down.

“Do you think the guys are searching for us?” I finally voiced in a barely audible whisper.

Jo looked down at her hands and chewed her bottom lip, looking lost for words. Did she have doubt in her mind too? “Of course, they are. They must be…” Jo finally answered after a long pause of silence.

I took in a shaky breath and nodded. She was right. They would be come for us. They had too… “I hope they will find us soon. I don’t think I can go through this for long, Jo. I mean… If they come and get you—” I started to voice my fears just as the door burst open, blinding me with a burst of light.

I winced and instantly recoiled back on the mattress, fear coursing through my veins. No… they couldn’t be back already…. I felt my stomach lurch painfully as Billy and his two cronies entered the room.

“Hello, Hello, look at you two. With the bruises and the dried blood, had someone told you how good you look as the damsels in distress?” Billy grinned, looking Jo and I up and down with a toothless grin.

“So will one of you going willingly with me, or do we have to start the fun part right away?” He chuckled and I immediately looked down at the floor. I didn’t want to go anywhere with that man, not after the last time.

“Ah, I hoped you would act that way.” He walked forward, two more of his men coming in behind him.

“I want the brunette,” I heard him say and my head snapped up. No! He couldn’t take Jolie! I would go in her place if it meant that she would be safe.

“OH god!” I cried, pushing myself up only to stumble sideways into the wall. The boss laughed at my futile attempt to save my sister and shoved me backwards. I fell back onto the old dirty mattress and hit my head against the wall. I felt my brain rattle against my skull and instantly felt a wave of nausea wash over me. If I didn’t have a concussion before, I was sure I had one now.

“She stays here. Stay close to the door. I don’t want her to try anything stupid,” he ordered before dragging my sister out of the room.

“NO!” I yelled, shakily moving to my hands and knees, trying to stand up. “Please! No! Bring her back! I’ll go instead!” I was so dizzy that I could barely see straight but I wasn’t going to stop without a fight. I wasn’t in my nature.

“Aren’t you feisty?” a deep voice chuckled as I gripped the wall to stand up. “And a fighter… I haven’t had one of those in a while…” I looked up to see the tall gangly man named Joey lick his lips as he watched me from the door. “I would love to break that spirit…” he purred in a husky tone that made my skin scrawl. “Make you beg for me to stop… or hell you might beg for more. After all, you are one of those Avenged sluts. I bet you let the whole gang into your tight little hole…”

I shrank back against the wall as he took another step into the small room. My eyes instantly darted to the door that he left open behind him. If I could lure him into the room more, I might have a shot of getting past him out the door. I knew it was a long shot in my injured state, but it was the best chance I had of getting Jo and I out of this hellhole!

“Where did they take her?” I asked, gritting my teeth as the bastard inched closer. Just a little further…

The guy threw his head back with a laugh before running his fingers through his greasy hair. “What does it matter? You’re stuck with me, Princess…” That was Brain’s pet name for me and no one else was allowed to call me that, especially not this scumbag.

“Don’t call me that!” I hissed, tears instantly filling my eyes and my heart aching painfully. I pinched my eyes shut as the image of Brian’s handsome brown eyes stared back at me, his calloused fingers gently caressing my face as he leaned in to capture my lips. God I missed him. I just hoped that he would rescue Jo and I from this place.

“Why not? Is that what he called you?” the man purred in my ear, his proximity jolting me back to my senses. I could smell his foul alcohol tinted breath and I knew he was too close for comfort.

I looked down at the ground and took a shaky step away from him as he went to push my hair out of my face with his dirty hands. “It is, isn’t it? Well… I bet I could make you feel better then he ever could, Princess…”

“I said don’t call me that!” I snapped, slapping his dirty hands away.

He laughed and grabbed my face in his hand, pinching my swollen cheeks together. I squirmed under his revolting touch, willing myself not to gag. “Oh you have no idea how much your fight turns me on,” he groaned, his other hand moving to grab my hand. I whimpered as he pressed my struggling form against he wall and forced me to rub the erection that was straining his pants.

“Feel that, Princess,” Joey purred in my ear, his hot breath making me recoil and whimper. “That’s all for you… You want that cock deep inside your tight little hole, don’t you?” He rasped as I reached my breaking point. I wasn’t going to put up with this shit anymore! I’d be damned if he was going to make do anything against my will!

“Fuck you!” I hissed, stomping on his foot as hard as I could. He cursed and let go of my hand long enough for me to punch him in the nuts and dive towards the door. I dizzily stumbled toward the door, my freedom inching closer and closer by the second.

“And where do you think you’re going, Blondie?” I looked up to see the toothless grin of the Viper boss staring back at me. Behind him was the other crony dragging a sobbing Jolie. Billy grabbed a handful of my hair and raked my neck back, forcing me to look up at him. “Do you know what happens to bad little girls in the Viper house?”

I whimpered as he twisted my hair harder, making the pain and dizziness nearly unbearable. My heart started thundering against my chest as the tears rolled down my face. “No… please… I was just-just—”

“Trying to escape?” Billy laughed as the man behind him worked on restraining Jolie who was trying to break free of his hold. “Any moron could see that! That’s your second offense, Blondie.”

“Let her go! Please! I’ll do whatever you want! Please just let her go!” Jo cried in the background.

“Do you know what we do to lairs and escapees? Hmm, Emery?” Billy asked, my blood running cold when he used my real name. How did they find out the truth? My eyes shot over to Jolie as a loud sob escaped her small form. My ears started to ring as my heart rate reached a dangerous high. No… this couldn’t be happening!

“What surprised to hear your own name, Miss Pagano? Well looks like your sister let the cat out of the bag. Now we get to have revenge on your father and Avenged! It’s like mother fucking, Christmas in here, right boys?!” Billy said, pulling harder on my hair as Joey and the man holding Jolie nodded in agreement.

“I’m sorry Em… I’m-I’m so sorry!” she cried, her loud and painful sobs breaking my heart. “Please, Em… they were going to hurt you… you have to believe I didn’t have a choice. I-I didn’t mean to!”

“Will someone shut that bitch up,” Billy said, dramatically rolling his eyes before I heard a loud slap echo through the hallway followed by a thud.

“No!” I cried, trying to turn my head to see what had suddenly silenced my sister. Billy just laughed turned me away, not allowing me to see what the man had done to my sister! No… no… no! What had they done to her? God please don’t let them have killed her… no, she was all that I had left! Panic set through my body as I struggled to see what happened to her. “Jo!”

“Ahh… the silence is music to my ears. Take her to her new cell… I’m not feeling generous anymore. They ruined that with Blondie’s assault on one of my men and escape attempt. And speaking of that, I think little sister need some kind of punishment for her actions.” A sinister smirk slowly spread over his face as I let out muffled sob.

“Please… I’ll behave… just let my sister go!” I cried, my head throbbing painfully from both my beating yesterday and the way Billy was mercilessly pulling my hair. “Please… I-I wont act out again!”

“You’re right,” Billy chuckled, shoving me into Joey’s arms. “Because Joey here is going to teach you a lesson about respect and following directions here at the Viper household. I expect much better behavior the next time I see you, Emery,” he sneered before turning and walking down the hallway, whistling a happy tune.

“No!” I screamed. “Please no!” I tried with all might to squirm and fight out of Joey’s iron clad grip, but it was no use. He wasn’t letting go this time…

“Keep it up, the more you fight, the more I want you,” Joey moaned in my ear as he secured my arms behind my back and forced me into a new room down the hall. “You are mine now, Princess…”

Matt’s POV

“Are you guys sure you stay level headed about this?” Zack asked cautiously looking between Gates and I in the back seat of the town car. “You need to follow the plan and protocol… we cant have either of you going of the grid on this. Remember, we need to keep Pagano on our side.”

I rolled my eyes and looked out the window at staff entrance to Pagano’s mansion. Through the dark tinted class I could see my reflection and I didn’t recognize the man staring back at me. He had worry lines on his forehead and dark circles under his eyes. He looked weak and vulnerable, which is exactly how I felt after the Viper’s took Jo. I hadn’t slept the past three nights since the girls disappeared because every time I closed my eye there was Jolie. The only problem was that she was begging for help and I couldn’t do anything. I felt helpless and powerless and that in itself was maddening.

“So Rev will be waiting and watching by the southeast entrance, looking out for any Vipers or any suspicious movement from Pagano,” Zack said, holding out the map of Pagano’s mansion. “Johnny has hooked each of us up with an earpiece and hidden microphones so we can stay in contact and make sure you can get everyone out safely. Johnny and I will also be watching the party though Pagano’s security system.”

“I thought you couldn’t get through the firewall?” Gates asked with an emotionless tone. He had been nothing but business since we started to make the plan for tonight. I was glad to see at least one of us had a straight head in all this.

“It was a pain in the ass but I cracked the code right before we left. You can thank me later,” Johnny replied cockily.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Christ. We want to find the girls before we celebrate your small achievement,” Gates replied, flicking ash from his cigarette out the window.

“Enough of the bullshit,” I snapped, making all eyes turn on me. “Let’s get this show on the road. If anyone sees the Vipers or hears anything, we meet back in the van,” I said, my heart starting to race in my chest. This was our only outlet to find a clue to the girl’s location and I hoped we didn’t wind up empty handed. “Any questions?”

I looked around as my men shook their head. “Good, suit up and keep your eyes and ears open. We need to find some kind of clue… anything…” I said, my voice dark as I climbed out of the car.

“Remember, try not to draw attention to yourself and keep calm,” Zack whispered before Gates and I made our way through the back entrance. We had explicit instructions to meet Pagano here at eight.

We walked up the stairs to the back walk and were greeted by an armed guard. “State your name and purpose,” the guard said and I had to suppress the urge to roll my eyes. This fucker told us to be here at eight to scan the guests for information on his daughters.

“M. Shadows and Synyster Gates. We have a meeting with Pagano to run security for tonight’s festivities,” I said in bored tone. The last thing I wanted to do was talk to Pagano about his daughters, especially since Gates and I both knew this even was to action off his daughters to the highest bidders. Oh, I would love to slit that son of a bitches’ throat right here and now and end everyone’s problems.

“Leave your weapons here. Mr. Pagano does not permit weapons inside the mansion,” the guard continued and Gates rolled his eyes, putting his firearm on the table. I followed suit but made sure to leave the knife secured in my shoe. I knew better than to go anywhere unarmed.

“About time you two showed up,” A loud booming voice sounded from our left and both Matt and I turned, seeing Danny Pagano arrive with the two guard we me the last time. What were their names Chris and Jeremy? I narrowed my eyes as I watched them approach, remembering Jeremy’s unhealthy obsession with my girlfriend.

“We are right on time. You said eight and here we are,” I said, standing up to my full height and crossing my arms over my chest.

“Follow me, we don’t have a lot of time before the festivities start,” Pagano announced and led the way towards the office. I followed him, watching his every move with a watchful eye. I would be damned if he was going to pull one over on me tonight. “Please take a seat,” he said motioning to the chairs in front of his desk but Gates and I remained standing. We both looked at each other and then back at Pagano, wanting to get down to business.

“Can I offer you a drink?” he asked, motioning to the bar cart parked by his desk.

“No, we’re good,” I said, watching Gates scan the room out of the corner of my eye. He was on full alert and I was glad his head was in the game tonight. “Let’s get down to business.”

“Fine,” Pagano said, letting out a low sigh and leaning forward on his desk. “What leads do you have regarding my daughters?”

“We have a few leads we are still trying to get some more information on,” I said vaguely. “There was a rumor of a sighting near South Beach yesterday and my men are at work as we speaking looking for surveillance video.”

“That’s all you’ve got?!” Pagano raged, slamming his fist down on his desk. “You’ve been working for the past two weeks with your ‘best’ and that is all you have?!”

“We also have a few other leads we are looking into. As a leader you know you can’t just go in guns blazing, you have to do research,” I said calmly, though it was taking everything in my power not to tell him that the Gold Vipers had his daughters. I still thought it wasn’t a bad idea if Pagano could get the girls out faster. But… but what if I could win Jolie in the auction tonight? Fuck why hadn’t I thought about that before?! That was a brilliant idea! Then Pagano could help find the girls and I could end up with Jolie in the end.

I would look into the auction information and figure out how to win Jolie. If I could guarantee that she would be mine, I would tell Pagano about the Vipers at the end of the night.

“So that’s it? I just have to wait for you guys to dick around to make sure it’s a good lead?” Pagano raged, his face turning red with a deadly look in his eyes. “What about my girls that have been missing for over a month! I swear if I find out you and your men have been withholding information or trying to swindle me, I will make sure you fucking pay! Mark my words! I want answers and I want them NOW!” Pagano yelled, and it took everything in my power not to snap back at him. I knew he was pissed because he didn’t have the goods to trade in for the rewards right now. Fuck, it was disgusting to think that he would sell his own daughters like that.

“Calm down, we are using all our resources on this,” Gates said in his emotionless tone. “We are looking into ever fucking lead that comes in. We will come through with our promises like we always do,” he said sternly and I nodded in agreement. “Now what are we on the lookout for tonight? If I’m not mistaken your party is about to start,” he said, his voice darkening.

Danny ran his hands through his hair and let out a frustrated sigh. “You will be infiltrating the guest. The girls were taken at the last party and I suspect the captors will be back, looking for some more bragging rights,” he said darkly. “So if you hear anything, you are to find a guard and take action straight away. Do you understand?” Pagano and I nodded.

“Got it,” I replied, looking at Gates who nodded in reply. It was took every ounce of energy to keep myself under control, especially when Pagano was telling me what to do. I wasn’t his fucking watchdog and I certainly didn’t work for him! Fuck, what I wouldn’t give to rip out his fucking throat! Pagano was a low-life piece of scum who didn’t deserve to walk the face of the earth, not with the way he treated his daughters. “We will report in at the end of the night.”

With that Gates and I turned and headed out of Pagano’s study, anger flooding my veins with each step. “I swear if he said one more word…” I heard Gates mutter beside me as we followed the dark haired guard, Jeremy toward the main ballroom.

“You and me both,” I hissed, knowing this was just as hard for Gates as it was for me. Pagano was a sick bastard and we were only here to find a lead on the girls, not help his sorry ass.

By the time we reached the ballroom, guests were coming in from all different directions dressed to the nines. The ladies wore lavish dresses, hats, and masks, while the men wore very expensive tuxedos. Luckily we blended in with the surrounding guests and got in without anyone looking at us twice. The first obstacle was avoided but the game wasn’t even started yet.

The mansion was huge and lavishly decorated. Everything from the drapes to the huge marble staircase in the back of the hall was lined with gold trim and royal purple. I heard the rumor that Pagano considered himself royalty, and just looking at everything in this extravagant ballroom screamed the truth in that statement. It made me hate him a little bit more. Though I had to admit, Pagano knew how to throw a party. Everywhere I looked, people were dancing, drinking, and laughing. That was perfect, no one would pay attention to us!

“So what’s the plan?” Gates asked once we were alone. “Were should we start?”

I scanned party with narrow eyes, watching a small group of men going to a table in the corner of the ballroom, grabbing something off the table, and then heading into a guarded room. What the hell was that? “There,” I said, elbowing Gates and motioning in the direction.

“What the hell are they doing?” Gates asked, watching the scene with a raised brow.

“I bet I could take a wild guess…” I replied with a clenched jaw. Gates and I both knew this party was to sell the girls off to the highest bidder. My guess was that was the room where the secret auction was taking place and the table was place there to only let the designated guest into the room. “I’m going in. I’ll meet you back here in ten. See what you can find out.”

With that I turned and headed down the stairs, listening to every conversation along the way.

“Did you hear about the auction set up in the parlor?” I head and older gentlemen say as I stood in line to reach the small table “Apparently the bid is up to a hundred and fifty thousand for the blonde.” I instantly clenched my fists, trying to control my rising temper. How sick were these people?!

“For a virgin? That’s nothing. I’d pay up to a million for a girl like that. The bloodline, the looks, the age? Just imagine the things you could do,” another gentleman laughed, moving forward in the line. I couldn’t let this continue. I had to get rid of these bastard… No girl deserved this fate! “Not to mention all the benefits that Pagano promises with her hand.”

“So the auction is still going on?” I asked, interrupting their conversation. Both men turned to look at me with raised brow.

“What do you think this party is for, boy?” the man asked with a barking laugh. “Pagano has been planning this for the past five years!

“Even with the girls missing? I mean, last I heard the whole thing could be a set up. Apparently both girls are already spoken for and this auction is a ploy to get more money,” I said with a shrug, making both men huff. Thankfully a few minutes later they headed out of the line and back toward the bar.

“Hello, name?” the woman at the table asked as I stepped up. Fuck, there was no way Pagano would allow me into the auction room to bid on his daughter. I had to think fast. My eyes quickly scanned over the list of nametags on the table and picked up the one closest to me.

“Michael Santos,” I said, flashing her a charming smile. She nodded and checked the name off the list and I headed into the smoky parlor room. “What the fuck…” I muttered to myself as I walked around the room. Me were drinking and smoking all around the room, talking about different stats of each girl. What the hell was wrong with these people?!

I felt my blood starting to boil as I made my way toward the front of the room to two separate tables. There on the left was a large picture of Jolie and had to fight a smile from coming over my face at the sight of Jolie. God that girl was beautiful, even looking out the window like she was doing in the picture. Just the way the light reflected off her tanned skin made her look even more attractive, and the smile on her face set me over the edge. Fuck I missed her and had to get her back.

“What a looker, huh?” a grey-hair gentleman said, elbowing me in the side. “She’s the older of the two and definitely the most fertile,” he said and I clenched my fists. No one talked about Jolie like that! She was mine and it took everything in my power not to reach out and strangle this old bastard. “Pagano promises an heir from that one in the first year…”

“Hmmm that’s funny,” I said, narrowing my eyes at the old man. “I heard she was already spoken for and that this auction is all for show. You didn’t hear it from me but apparently Pagano already collected land and money, and the disappearance is a cover up for it.”

The old man opened and closed his mouth a few times before walking over to the list and scribbling his name off it. “Thank you for telling me. I’ll be damned if Pagano thinks he can make a fool out of me!” he said and stormed out of the room.

Without another thought, I quickly made my way over to the list, trying to control the rage that was boiling inside of me. What kind of father could do this to his daughters? Every fucking detail about her body was on display for these men to see and read and I felt sick. This was private information that you had to earn the privilege to, not win as a fucking prize! No… I couldn’t subject Jo or Emery to this. Over my dead fucking body! I would find them and then hid both girls from their father for the rest of their lives! No child deserved this kind of treatment.

I quickly leaned down and wrote ‘private buyer’ and the amount of five million dollars on the line before moving out of the room. I had to find Gates and see what he found out before I beat someone to a living pulp. Hopefully he was in a better state of mind than myself.

“Shads…” Johnny’s voice suddenly called through my earpiece.

“What’s up?” I whispered, pressing the button on my tie to respond.

“Vipers just entered the party…. Stay calm and keep an eye on them. They are at the base of the grand staircase,” he said and my heart immediately started thundering in my chest.

This was it… show time.

Notes

Are the guys getting closer to the find the girls, or will they be too late?!

Comments please!