"Damn I hate when stuff like that happen..." Kevin groaned as he layed on his bed, his hair still wet from the shower he had just taken.
"Calm down baby..." Vickie sighed, sitting at the edge of the bed next to him. "They'll find them... they have to!"
"The damn thing is that we don't know where the fuck is that William at... and I don't know, it's freaking me out! We need to find them as soon as possible 'cause if not, all the press and medias will be on it first thing in the morning!" he replied, burying his face in his hands.
"Kev... stop worrying about your image and the image of the group... think about the two girls... probably scared to death right now... I mean, whatever happens, it won't do anything bad to you guys... it's not your fault you know... "
"I know but we don't need that kind of publicity Vik... you know that.." Kevin said, looking at her.
"Yes but you won't have the choice... you can't do any concerts before you find them... and we don't know how long this will take so... it's like... 99.9% sure medias will find out sooner or later.."
"I know all that! But the sooner we find them... less shit it's gonna do..that's all.."
"Yeah.." Vickie replied, shaking her head a little. "I just can't imagine how scared or... what is happening to them right now...it's so freaky.."
"We don't even know if they're with William yet.."
"Where do you want them to be? It's not like they were the best friends and decided to leave together like that.." Vickie said.
"Yeah... " Kevin nodded. At that moment, the phone rung beside the bed and Kevin almost jumped to get it. "Hello???? ... Yeah... Really? Shit... She was right... yeah... so what do we do now? ... Huh-uh... Ok call ya back in a few." he spoke and hung up.
"So???" Vickie demanded.
"It's that William guy... they found something in Ally's phone memory..."
"And? What do we do now?"
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** A little while later ***
"So what do we do now??" Nick asked after the police officer finished his explanation about what they thought was going on. On the memory of Ally's cell phone was several calls from a phone that they thought was belonging to William. They couldn't be sure it was him but when they had tried to retrace the number, they had found it was located in San Diego. So the five guys, the security team and Lylian were all sitting around the little conference room of the hotel, in the middle of the night, listening to what the two police officers had to say.
"You stay here... you guys can't do anything except to tell us if anyone calls or report something about the girls or William." the police officer said as Nick let out a groan.
"You think he could ask for a ransom?" Brian asked.
"He could... we did researches about him and the police of San Diego told us they tried to catch him for a while now but never succeed 'cause he has a good lawyer and always a good alibi when they arrest him. So the police central there is kinda happy about the situation 'cause they think it might be the time to finally get him. For a while now they've had a few officer on his case... doing infiltration in his 'company'... one of them actually died a few months ago because William found out she was a police officer. He shot her... well, that's what they think." another officer explained. "So we think he might want a ransom but... we think it's maybe something else, more related to Gabriela."
"It has to be!" Lylian said. "He has like tons of other girls. I've seen a lot of them...I don't see why he would just follow her to get her back, you know, do the work himself. He could ask to one of his other pimp to do it.. He always had something for her and he never wanted her away..."
"That's what we'd like to find out.." the officer smiled a little.
"What about Ally?" Howie demanded.
"She was in contact with him and I guess he wants to make sure she'll keep her mouth shut so he took her with him... or killed her."
"What? No way... this is insane!" Kevin sighed, rubbing his temples.
"But that's supposition alright? We can't be sure about that!"
"But don't you think he's smarter than that?" Aj suddently said a after a little moment of silence. They all turned and stared at him. "I mean.. the guy has like the FBI following his ass all the time and he knows it... would he really take this risk? I mean... it's obvious we were gonna call the police and that it would take only this to make every police officer from San Diego to run at his place and arrest him... " Aj pointed out. "So I don't think he is in San Diego.."
"The thing is that he runs like... the whole drug and prostitution market in San Diego... he's the boss now 'cause the other has been arrested a couple of years ago. Anyways it's a bit long to explain but in brief, we're sure he's back in San Diego 'cause they told us someone saw him in a van... and because they've followed his ass for about 5 years now, they know his every little hid places." the officer said.
"Ok...but again, what do we do now?" Nick asked again, impatient.
"You continue your routine... we've talked with your security to make sure everyone is safe... we're working on our side and tell you if we find anything. No talking to the press about it... it could be a huge mistake if he learns the whole planet knows about it."
"Alright...well thanks... we'll wait for your calls, hoping it'll be as soon as possible." Kevin stood up, shaking the hands of the two officers.
"We'll do our best. Be careful.." one of them said and then left the room.
"Man... I don't really feel like doing a concert tomorrow night if Gaby and Ally aren't there... we don't even know if they're still alive.." Nick said but regretted it when he saw Lylian's eyes looking at him sadly and Kevin giving him a 'shut-the-fuck-up' look. "Sorry Lily.." he apologies, standing up to go sit beside her. "I'm sorry." he repeated, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"It's okay." she sniffed.
"So we should ... like re-arranged the show since we'll miss a dancer..?!" Aj sighed.
"Why can't we just cancel it?" Nick asked.
"'Cause if we cancel tomorrow night's concert, we'll have to cancel after tomorrow too... and maybe the day after after tomorrow.." Kevin started.
"Come on Kev, you know we all don't feel like doing a concert.." Nick continued and a looked at the others around.
"I'm sorry but I won't be able to dance knowing that Gaby... is in danger like that." Lylian said, shaking her head no.
"It's okay Lily... we understand that." Aj told her. "Can we do a concert without two dancers?" he turned his head to look at Kevin.
"You know we can Aj we already did it." Kevin said.
"But I think Nick is right I mean... the concert won't even be good if our thoughts are like completly somewhere else." Brian bursted in the conversation.
"What do you think D?" Kevin asked.
"Well...um... I have to admit I don't really feel like smiling, singing and dancing happily.." he said, looking down. Kevin stared at all of them, all looking at their hands of at the floor, ready to hear some screams from him. But he didn't scream, he sat down on a chair and sighed noisily.
"I don't feel like it either.." he nodded, rubbing his cheeks with his hands. "We'll cancel tomorrow night's concert." he added, taking his cell phone out of his pocket, ready to wake up the management team to announced the news.
"Thanks Kev." Nick said lowly.
"Now everybody go back to sleep... we'll talk about it tomorrow morning." he told them as he dialed a number.
"Good night.." they all told him as they walked out of the room.
Nick went up to his room, shaking his head, still not believing what was going on. He just couldn't believe it. It was too unreal. He wasn't going to admit it, but he was so nervous and scared, knowing that girls were scared, maybe hurt..maybe dead. Two friends of him were in danger and he couldn't do anything... it was making him angry at himself. He didn't know why he was feeling guilty, he knew he had no reason to feel this way but...he couldn't help it, it was permenently inside of him.
When he walked inside his room, he thought it'd find it dark and empty, like when he had left it two hours ago... but the lights were on and someone was sitting on the bed, playing nervously with the blanket. He stood there looking at her, wondering what to say.
"Hey.." Lexy said softly, looking up at him.
"Hey!" he replied, half smilling. "Wha..What are you doing here?" he asked, walking toward the bed.
"I... um... I have some things to tell you.. and something to know." she said, her eyes alternating from the bed to his.
"Um yeah..sure.." he replied, frowning. He sat next to her and stared...until she finally looked up.
"First... I'm sorry for my little fit this morning... but I just... couldn't believe the way you were reacting."
"No, I am sorry... I did reacted like a jerk.." he shook his head.
"Yeah.. anyways... I walked around the city this evening...and I wondered... how you would react if something like that would happen to me.." she said, looking up to him. "And I thought about how I would react if something like that would happen to you...if you'd get hurt or...killed."
"But nothing of that happened.." he interrupted.
"I know... but it still came up to my mind... and that's when I realized something." she continued, her eyes back to the bed as she playing with a part of the blanket again.
"What?"
"I know... I know we don't know each other that well... I mean, we didn't meet a long time ago.. and even if I tried and tried to deny it all day long... I finally had to admit it to myself... but..." she said and looked up. "I don't know if you feel the same way and don't think I tell you this to make you change your mind about what you feel about me...I want you to be sincere and fair with me... I wanna know the truth... but anyways, what I realized today is that....... I fell in love with you..." she finally let out.
Nick stood silent for a moment, staring at her right in the eyes, trying to search for the truth...but he didn't have to search... it was there, it was pure, she was sincere he could see it. A suddently high of happiness rushed inside of him, something he had not felt for a long while. He still was mixed up but just the fact that he knew someone had real, true, feelings for him was enough to make him forget about everything else. He smiled, moved closer to her and pushed softly his lips on hers. They kissed for a little a while and broke apart, both with a little smiles.
"Listen..." he started softly, taking her hand into his and stroking it a little. "I like to be with you... really. I don't like you only for sex as some people would think. I enjoy your company a lot... I like to kiss and touch you... and now that you told me that... I just... realized how much it feels good to be with someone who love you for who you really are..." he said, never leaving her look from hers.
"I'm not asking you to fall in love with me but I just.. want you to know how I really feel about you. But if you don't feel the same way... I will leave 'cause I don't wanna get hurt." she said.
"I more than just like you... I can tell you this." he said as she smiled a little. "But as you said, we haven't known each other for a long time... but... I'd really like to give it a try... "
"Really?" she asked, her eyes suddently sparkling.
"Yeah!" he giggled, looking at the bed shyly. She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. Their forehead touched as they looked at each other with smiles.
"Are ya gonna kiss me now?" she giggled. He did too and pressed his lips passionately on hers.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Meanwhile ***
Lylian walked back in her and Gaby's room trying to wip off tears that had been falling on her cheeks for the past few minutes. She was feeling tired and shitty. She just couldn't bare what was happening. 24 hours ago she was sleeping peacefully while her best friend was somewhere with some freak guy doing her whatever freak things he could do. She got chills just to think about it and it was really driving her crazy. When she opened the door, a worry Deryck fastly ran to her and without saying a word, just held her tight. She cried on his shoulder, like she did the night they shared their first kiss. That's what she loved of him..he was always there when she needed him and he was never asking explanations...he just held her, letting her cry. It's in those arms that she finally found the strenght to do what she had thought about all day, since the first minute she had known that Gaby was missing.
"You okay?" he asked after a couple of minutes. "Is everything okay?"
"They found that it is William... they say they'll do their best to catch him fast... and that we can't do anything for now so just go on with our routine... but I can't! I can't do that" Lylian said, sniffing. "I need to go in San Diego.."
"What??" he exclaimed, wide eyes. "You can't do that.." he added softly pushing away some tears from her cheeks.
"Why? I can't just stay here and do nothing... I can't do that" she shook her head no. "Please understand... "
"I understand... it's just... " he sighed. "It's dangerous..."
"I know...but I really need to go... I have no choice!" she said, looking at him straight in the eyes."I'm sure they are back there... I can feel it... "
"Why don't you let the police work this out?"
"'Cause they'll take too much time!! I know I can help them... I know some stuff... I can help... well I'll do my best to... 'cause I wanna find them alive!" she exclaimed.
"I don't want you to get hurt.." he said shyly, but looking at her in the eyes.
"I promise I won't... I promise." she told him, leaning her forehead on his chest. Deryck sighed noisily, not enjoying the idea at all, but who was he to tell her not to go? He knew he would feel the same about his friends... and mostly for her. He didn't know what to tell her... 'cause he didn't want her to leave, but knew he couldn't held her back... and he also knew he was gonna feel scared and worried all the time she would be away alone... there was only one solution.
"Can I come with you?"
"You can't... you still have concerts to do... they won't let you go... they need you here."
"But you can't go alone by yourself like that.. let me come with you."
"I ... I don't know.." she whispered, on the verge of tears again. She knew she wanted it, she defenitely wanted him with her but she knew Kevin wouldn't want... three dancers missing would be too much.
"Listen... why don't we talk about that tomorrow morning? You need to sleep... you look exhausted... " he said, touching her cheek gently.
"Yeah... Okay."
"Come here" he pulled her over the bed where she layed down and he did next to her, wrapped his arms around her and watched her falling asleep slowly.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** The Next Morning ***
"Sup?" Keri smiled softly when Aj opened the door.
"Hey.." he replied, his eyes suddently lighting up. He walked out of his room and closed the door behind him.
"What's wrong?" she frowned, wondering why he didn't want her to come in his room.
"Amanda is asleep on the couch... she's kinda upset because Ally is missing and all... it took me forever to finally get her to sleep so I don't want her to wake up now.."
"Oh.. Sorry.."
"It's okay. What's up with you?"
"Nothing... I just wanted to tell you goodbye since you're leaving today.."
"Oh..we're not." he told her. "We cancelled tonight's concert... we're staying another night and leave tomorrow... I think."
"Oh... I'm sorry for what happened... "
"It's not your fault." he said with a sorry smile.
"I know...So you'll stay here all day long?"
"I really don't know. We're waiting for some news from the police right now... and for Kevin to wake up..."
"I see... that's so sad really..."
"Yeah I know. Man I wish we could do something but we just can't and that's the saddest part I think." he sighed. "Wanna go eat some breakfast or something?"
"Yeah sure!" she smiled.
"Alright wait here it won't be long.." he smiled back and went in his room to change.
He came back a few seconds later with some baggy jeans and a black t-shirt on and the two of them walked together downstair to go to the restaurant. There, they sat down and ordered a few things to eat and talked about all and nothing... just trying to forget about everything going on. Well, Aj was trying to forget about it... but it was hard. Even though he was haveing breakfast with the girl he had been dreaming about for the last weeks, the girl he felt so attracted too... the thought of Gaby and Ally dead, lying on the floor was haunting him.
"You okay?" Keri asked, a concerned look on her face.
"Um..yeah...sorry."
"You haven't heard a damn word that I said huh?" she giggled.
"I'm really sorry... " he apologies. "I'm kinda worried... kinda...a lot worried.."
"I know. And you should be. But keep good thoughts in your head... don't think about them dead or something... it won't help.." she said with a little smile, reading his mind. As he was about to reply something, Deryck entered in the room and walked straight to them.
"Yo Aj."
"Hey Deryck... what's up?"
"I have something to ask you.. " his eyes moving from Keri to Aj to the floor.
"Yeah sure... " Aj frowned. "Be right back.." he told Keri and stood up. The two guys walked to another side of the room. "What's up?"
"Yesterday, Lily told me she wants to go to San Diego today..."
"What??" Aj shouted.
"I had the same reaction. I can't let her go like that on her own, alone. It's too dangerous... but I can't tell her to stay... " Deryck said with a sigh.
"In a way... I understand her... I'd like to go too if I could. But Kevin would kick my ass..." Aj replied and Deryck laughed softly.
"Do you think he would kick mine if I'd go with her?"
"You serious?" Aj said, raising an eyebrow.
"I won't be able to handle knowing she's out there and wants to get the freak who just came to beat her up like...a week ago... I know I'll be worried sick all the time.."
"Man... you must really like her.." Aj smiled warmly. "Well I unerstand. But we can talk with Kevin and make a deal like... sending a bodyguard with her or something. Because I'm sure she'll leave even if Kevin tell her not too... but as for you.. I won't be the one whining but... Kevin might be angry. We should talk to him about it."
"Yeah. Thanks. At least, if a bodyguard is with her... it's better than nothing." he shrugged.
"I know you'd prefer to be with her and protect her but... I really don't know what Kevin's reaction will be and if you want to keep your job.."
"Yeah I do!.. well thanks. I'll come down later with Lily to talk to Kev. Thanks man!" Deryck said, patting Aj on the shoulder.
"No problem dude. See ya later." Aj replied and walked back in the restaurant, to find Keri, Brian and Mary sitting all together at a table, talking with animosity. He joined them and they al ate breakfast together.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** During this time ***
Gaby sat in the large room she knew so well and watched the city through the big window next to her. Her hands were hurting so bad because they were attached too tight. She felt dirty and all she wanted was to lay there and let herself die. Tears kept fallling slowly on her cheeks and she couldn't control them, even if she would have wanted, she couldn't. She knew her life had started getting too good to be true... she had real friends, who loved her for who she really was.. she had fun without taking any shit... she wasn't in a different bed every night... well, yeah she was but not with a different old guy ready to use her for his personal pleasure. She had hated her life... so much that more than once she had wanted to stop it... but her only real friend was there, ready to help her everytime. And now, she was missing her so hard it was hurting inside.
"So do you think you'll be able to talk to me... without screaming???" a voice said behind her, making her jump on her seat.
"Yeah.." she whispered.
"What??" he shouted.
"Yes!!" she replied, louder.
"Good!" he smiled evilly, sitting in front of her. "Happy to be back home."
"Do I look happy?" she snapped.
"You'll be. You're better here than somewhere lost with this pop group. Here you're useful."
"Yeah right.." she rolled her eyes.
"You used to be happy with me...what happened suddently?" he askes softly.
"I realized how 'useful' I was and how I was totally wasting my life..." she told him with a cold glance, what made him snorted.
"I'm sure it's that little bitch's fault. Anyways, I corrected her... she knows that she can't fight with me 'cause I'll win."
"Asshole.." she murmured.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing.." she sighed.
"You know, some clients really missed you... they'll be happy you're back!" he said with this devil smile.
"I don't give a fuck I didn't miss them a bit." she spatted.
"Yeah yeah whatever." he sneered.
"What are you gonna do with Ally?"
"What do you think?"
"Please...you can't kill her... let her go... please.." Gaby pleaded, her heart beating fast.
"I'll have to think about it.. but I think I might use her.. ya know, get a new member in this company.. I'm sure a lot of people would like her." he said.
"Damn.." Gaby said, shaking her head no. "Don't do that...let her go.."
"Why? You should be happy, the bitch wanted to kick you out of this tour... "
"I don't care. She do not deserve to be here."
"Yeah well I want her here. So we'll see." he said. "I can't let her go anyways. Like she won't go tell the dogs where I am.. yeah right!! I'm not that stupid."
"You really think the cops won't find you? They've been on your case for the last 2 years!!"
"So what? Even if they find you, that doesn't mean they'll find me my dear. You know me better than that!" he giggled.
"Why do you want me here anyways? You have enough people in your 'company'. You know I would not sell you out... why did you come to take me back by yourself? You could have ask anyone else .... "
"I have my reason.."
"That I'd really like to know!" she snapped.
"Let's just say that... someone ask me to go get you personally. I'm still under someone's orders and even if I didn't want to, I had to do it. Believe me, I'd rather kill you right now and get over this shit but I can't... "
"What the fuck? Since when are you under someone's authority??"
"Only about your case... let's say."
"What for?? Who??" Gaby asked, confused. "Will you fucking explain!!"
"Wooo calm down sweetie!" he laughed.
"Cut the fucking crap and spill!!" she said, getting really angry.
"Let's say that... you father asked me to keep an eye on your cute ass!" he grinned evilly.
