A Loaded Gun

Chapter 17

Brooke POV

I could hear voices downstairs, but I didn't dare step outside my door. They were arguing about something, I just didn't know what. Wait, there's a new voice. 

One that sounds really, really familiar. Who is it? I didn't have contact with a lot of people, so there's only a few choices. 

It sounds like Benny, but it can't be. Unless...that's what they were talking about! They brought Benny here! Why, though? To take me away? 

Did they get tired of me, decide they didn't want me anymore? They're rich, they probably could've gotten the charges against Benny dropped. I can't go back to Benny. I won't.

I looked around the room in a panic, trying to figure out how to escape. My eyes landed on the window, then the hundred different pairs of pants I was bought. 

I gathered essentials; clothes, toothbrush, the little money I had saved, and my bunny, and began my disappearance.

Marcus POV

Lucas dragged a handcuffed man through the door, being none too gentle with him. I raised an eyebrow. "Benny, I presume?" 

He spat out a loose tooth from his mouth, which I hadn't noticed had blood surrounding it. "Yeah. Who the hell are you?"

"My name is Marcus. Marcus Amoretti. I am the new guardian of Brooke Amoretti."

He chuckled. "And you're tired of her and want to send her back. I'm not surprised, could never stand that bi–girl." 

He changed his words at the last second as he noticed Lucas' raised fist. We all knew what he was about to say, though.

"Daniel, go get Brooke."

"NO! Marcus, look at this guy. Isn't it obvious he did it to her? You don't need her to confirm, we all know what happened."

"I won't be satisfied until I see her face."

"Marcus, I will never, NEVER forgive you for this." He stormed up the stairs. We heard him knock gently on her door. 

"Brooke? Hey, Marcus wants to talk to you about something." His tone made it obvious that he wanted no part in this. There was no answer.

"Marcus, she's probably asleep. Leave her the hell alone."

"Wake her up."

"Yes, let's see the little sl–" Benny was thankfully cut off by a punch to the nose, precisely where he presumably hit her. I nodded towards Lucas. "Thanks for that."

Daniel rushed down the stairs, a wild look on his face. "She's gone. Oh my God Marcus she's gone. She left, she's not here. Marcus, we need to find her!"

"Ok, calm down. Did you check the bathroom?" Michael made the mistake of opening his mouth.

"YES YOU IDIOT I CHECKED THE BATHROOM! SHE'S GONE! SHE TOOK THE BUNNY AND RAN!" Daniel exploded at Michael. "AND DON'T YOU DARE TELL ME TO CALM DOWN. MY BABY SISTER IS MISSING AND IT'S YOUR FAULT!" 

His last words were directed at me. His glare was angrier than anything I've ever seen. I'd never seen him so panicked.

He's right though. It is my fault. Brooke probably heard Benny and panicked. I can't dwell on this now, though; I need to find her.

"How did she get past us?" Think logically.

"She tied a bunch of clothes together to make a rope and used it to lower herself down the balcony. She's smart, I'll give her that." Daniel's breathing evened out as I spoke calmly.

"Ok, she's on foot and hurt. She can't have gotten far. Lucas, take the Aston Martin and go drive around the neighborhood. 

"Michael, stay here in case she comes back. Daniel, keep our guest occupied. I'll take a look at the security cameras and see which way she went."

They all nodded briskly, realizing my mafia tone was present. Daniel sent one final glare my way and dragged Benny to our basement.

I rushed to my office and quickly pulled up the security tapes. I watched, wincing, as Brooke lowered herself slowly down the rope with a look of agony on her face. 

She must be really terrified if she did all that with hurt ribs. This is all my fault. I watched as she ran with a pained expression on her face down the driveway and onto the street. 

Oh no. She was headed for the subway station. If she got on one, we'd never catch her.

Brooke POV

I panted heavily, trying to ignore the pain in my ribs. Finally reaching the subway station, I scanned for routes that would take me as far away as possible. I cannot go back to Benny. I can't go through that torture again.

A/N I have no idea how subways work, I live in the suburbs and I've never taken one so this is all guesswork. I have done no research whatsoever for this book. If anyone knows how it's supposed to be, let me know so I can fix it. Thanks! I also suck at geography so don't judge

I found one that would take me out of New York City and into New Jersey. Breathing a sigh of relief, I bought the ticket, frowning at the price, and sat down on a bench to wait. 

I had to wait 15 minutes, then I would be gone. What if they found me though? No, they obviously don't want me, otherwise Benny wouldn't be here. They wouldn't come looking for me.

"Brooke!" Maybe they would. My heart jumped, and I looked around fearfully. I knew it was one of my brothers, but I couldn't let him find me. 

The worst thing I could do was run, so I slouched down in my seat and pulled my hood over my face. Hopefully he'll just run right past me. 

"Brooke, where are you?" Dude, I ran away. You really think I'm just gonna answer you?

"Brooke, it's ok. You're safe with us, I promise!" And I promise I don't believe that.

"Brooke!" The voice got closer. No no no I couldn't let him find me.

"Oh my God, Brooke! Are you ok?" The voice was right in front of me. I still didn't raise my head, afraid of looking at an angry face. I jumped as my arm was grabbed and I was yanked into a hug.

"Brooke, I was so worried about you! We all were. Everything's ok, you're safe now." I really, really don't believe that, not with Benny around. 

I hesitantly looked up and saw Lucas with a worried expression painted on his face. It must be fake.

"Come on, Brooke. Let's go home." He must mean home with Benny.

"No Lucas, I can't go back there. Not again, please." I started breathing heavily, imagining the things Benny would do to me when he got ahold of me.

"Hey, hey it's ok. Breathe with me, hon. Ready? Inhale, hold one, two, three, exhale. That's right, just like that. You got it, good job." 

I shakily inhaled and exhaled until my breathing slowed and my heart stopped feeling like it was trying to punch its way out of my chest.

"Brooke, you're not going back to Benny. You're staying with us, he'll be far away from you. Ok? I promise, you don't have to see him ever again."

"You really promise?" I hated how vulnerable my voice sounded.

"I promise," he said, with his arms outstretched. I smiled softly and gently wrapped my arms around him.

A/N Marcus is an idiot, just gonna put that out there.