Rebel Chic

Chapter 15

I watched Frank get out of his car on the screen. He had some blood on him and I could tell it wasn't his own

“Frank!” Pete shouted.

Frank looked so angry, it made me whimper.

“We got an email,” he said. “Gee, he's with the gang on the east part of town. They want money for him.”

“How much?” Frank asked.

“Ten million in cash,” Pete said.

“Okay, done,” Frank said.

“B-but that's a lot of money,” Pete said.

“My baby is worth so much more than ten million,” Frank said. “Who gives a s**t?”

They started working and organizing money. They shoved it all into a duffel bag.

“They want you to go in alone,” Pete said. “I'll have a couple cars with men outside, though.”

They worked and I cried as I watched, my wrists hurting slightly from the rope so I tried my best not to move them. Eventually some cars drove off and the camera switched. I frowned in confusion, looking at the curb of a road. It took me a while to realize it was security cameras outside this building. Eventually, cars pulled up and Frank got out, holding the bag. They shut off the tv and I whimpered.

Two more men came in, both holding guns. I heard footsteps and my eyes widened as I saw Frank walk down the stairs, gun drawn. My screams were muffled by the duct tape as he looked at me. The men grabbed him, searching him and taking his gun away. Frank handed the money to the man and started towards me but the guards stopped him. The man opened the bag and smiled.

“The money’s all here, boss,” he said.

“Good,” the lady said. “Get the kid.”

The man came over and grabbed me by my hair, dragging me up to my feet while I screamed. Frank’s jaw clenched as the men held him back, kicking the back of his legs to push him down to his knees. The man ripped off the duct tape and I cried, spitting out the cloth.

“Daddy!” I exclaimed.

Frank wasn't even doing anything. I didn't understand, he was just sitting there. I looked back and shrieked when I saw the lady pointing a gun at my head. That's why he wasn't doing anything, he didn't want to get me hurt.

“Now the fun begins,” she said.

The man put Frank’s gun into my hand, pointing it to aim at Frank’s head. I whimpered, trying to pull it away but he wouldn't let me.

“Shoot him,” the lady ordered.

I shook my head and cried.

“Do it and you'll live,” she said.

“I don't wanna live without my daddy,” I denied.

Frank looked up at me, looking sad.

“It's okay, baby,” he whispered. “I love you and I know you love me. And it's okay, baby, just know that I forgive you and this isn't your fault, I should've kept you safe like I promised. I love you, princess.”

“No! I'm not doing it!” I shouted.

I heard a gun c**k behind me and I whimpered as it pressed against my skull.

“Baby, it’s okay,” Frank said softly.

My finger ghosted the trigger as Frank gave me a small, sad smile.

“I love you,” he said

There were gunshots and I jumped the two guards fell and Frank was quick to get up and grab the gun from my hands. The lady grabbed me, pressing the gun to my head. I saw Pete standing there with a gun as he shot the man.

“Daddy,” I whimpered, the gun roughly pressing to my head.

“Let him go!” Frank yelled, pointing the gun.

I whimpered, scared that he might even shoot me too, he looked so angry.

“You messed up my f*****g plan,” the lady said.

“You took my f*****g baby,” Frank spat.

“Daddy,” I cried. “Daddy, help me.”

“Don't worry, princess, daddy's gonna keep you safe,” Frank said.

Tears stained my face as I looked at Frank with wide eyes. He kept his gun aimed, clearly trying to think but I could tell he wasn't focused, only paying attention to me. Pete, on the other hand, looked like he was about to make a move.

“Just take the money and leave,” Pete said.

The lady still held me and I whimpered. I just want my daddy. She pushed me forward but my hands and feet were tied so I just fell on my face. Or at least, I would've but Frank ran forward and caught me. She ran to grab the money but Pete shot her in the back. He grabbed the bag and Frank carried me outside, getting into the back of a car with Pete in front, driving away quickly. Frank cut the ropes and i cried, hugging him tight.

“Baby, it's okay,” Frank whispered. “Daddy’s here, daddy’s got you.”

I buried my face into the crook of his neck, sobbing quietly.

“No tears now, sweetheart, it's okay,” Frank mumbled. “You're safe now. You're with me.”

“I'm sorry,” I whimpered. “I-I thought I was picking out your birthday present.”

He hugged me tight as we got home. Frank carried me upstairs, setting me down on the bed.

“Let me see your wrists, baby,” he said, kneeling in front of me.

I looked at the red marks and whimpered. Frank grabbed some sort of ointment and I winced and cried when it touched my skin.

“Baby, I'm sorry,” Frank said, “But this is the only way to make it better.”

I sniffled, holding my hands back out. I cried as he rubbed it over my skin. It stung but after a bit the stinging went away.

“Good boy,” Frank muttered, leaning up to kiss my cheek.

He wiped my tears away and wrapped his arms around me.

“You okay, princess?” He asked, sitting beside me and pulling me into his lap.

“I was so scared,” I mumbled. “Th-they said they were gonna sell me and then the man said he wanted to keep me and he called me pretty and said he was gonna have fun breaking me.”

“I'll never let that happen,” Frank stated. “I'll protect you always. Even if I slip up like I did today, I will always get you back in my arms again.”

“Is your birthday really on Halloween?” I asked.

“Yeah, it is,” Frank said, kissing my forehead. “Do you wanna take a nap, baby? Wanna cuddle?”

I nodded as he changed out of his bloody clothes and into sweatpants. I smiled as he cuddled up beside me and I just ran my fingers over the tattoos on his chest.

“Daddy, did you hurt my family,” I whispered nervously.

“No, princess,” he denied.

I looked up and saw he was telling the truth. I smiled, resting my head back over his chest. My fingers ran over all the pink band-aids as I giggled. My gaze went up to a tattoo he had that said Jamia on his chest.

“Hey daddy, what's--”

I was interrupted when the door opened and Pete stood there.

“Frank, I need to talk to you out in the hallway,” he stated.

“I'm cuddling with my baby boy,” Frank said, hugging me tight as I giggled.

“It's serious,” Pete said.

Frank sighed, sitting up and kissing my forehead. He followed Pete out and shut the door as I immediately scrambled up and pressed my ear against it.

“You're doing it again,” Pete said.

“Doing what?” Frank asked.

“Getting distracted,” Pete said. “This is what you do. You fall in love and get so wrapped up in whoever you're dating that you completely disregard the business. It's dangerous, Frank. You don't think straight. You've been in a situation with hostages before and you get them out within seconds. Today you looked like you could barely even tell left from right without thinking of Gee. You're gonna get either yourself or him killed. You don't want anything to happen again like last time.”

“What do you want me to do?” Frank asked and I could tell he sounded angry. “Break up with him? Send him back home?”

“You have rules set in place for him but you never enforce them,” Pete said. “He's sitting in on our meetings, making you end our meetings early. He's distracting you.”

“I love him,” Frank stated.

“That's the problem,” Pete replied and I heard him walking away.

I sat back on the bed, eyes filled with tears as Frank walked in.

“I'm a good boy,” I promised. “Please don't send me away.”

Frank ran a hand through my hair and kissed my forehead.

“Were you listening, baby boy?” He asked.

“I'm sorry,” I whispered.

“It's okay,” he said. “But Pete’s right, I'm getting distracted again. Now, I’m going to call for another meeting right now. I expect you to stay in your room the whole time, understand?”

I whimpered and nodded quickly. Frank walked me to my room, giving me a kiss.

“I'll come back for you later,” he said.

I nodded as he walked out and shut the door. I flopped down onto my couch with a frown. What do I do now?

A thought popped up in my mind and I frowned. I need to tell daddy something but he said I couldn't leave. I opened my door, looking out of the room. I stepped out carefully and went downstairs. I stood outside the meeting room door, contemplating what to do. Finally, I opened the door. Frank looked up at me, a small frown on his lips.

“I-I have something important to say,” I mumbled.

“What is it, Gerard?” He asked.

“Th-they put cameras in the house,” I said.

Frank’s eyes widened as he looked around.

“Search for the bugs,” he ordered.

His men got up and Frank walked over to me.

“S-sorry for leaving but it was important,” I said.

“It was, thank you,” Frank said. “Now go back to your room.”

“But there's cameras there too,” I said.

Frank held my hand, leading me upstairs. I sat on my couch and watched as he searched the room. Frank found a small camera and then searched my bathroom and closet but there was nothing in there.

“Okay, baby, stay here now,” he said.

“A-are you gonna send me away?” I squeaked.

“No, never,” Frank denied. “But I will need to punish you.”