Chapter Twelve

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Two hours after we got to the warehouse, I was still sat on the chair, curled up in fear.

A few minutes ago I texted my dad that I was at Lisa's house, so he wouldn't worry. I felt bad for lying, but I'd feel even worse if he knew what was really going on.

Not long after Garrett and the scary guys left, Liam went back into the room he had been talking to Garrett in, and hasn't gotten out since. What is he doing in there?

My silent question was answered when he finally came out, cell phone pressed up to his ear.

"She's going to ask questions." He muttered to the person on the other end, his eyes meeting mine for a moment before he trained them on the main door.

I was calmed by the fact that he didn't look worried, but then again, he didn't look worried when we were getting shot at either. He's good at hiding his emotions.

A minute later Liam got off the phone and silently looked back at me.

"Can I leave now?" I asked, breaking the silence when I became uncomfortable. Why was he just looking at me?

He closed his eyes and sighed, opening them a moment later before finally replying, "It's not safe yet."

My heart sped up in fear, I'm not safe? I thought everything would be okay now. We got away from the bad guys and they probably didn't even see me. Why isn't it safe?

"What's going on? Why were you shot at?" I questioned, my curiosity getting the best of me. I knew he wasn't going to give me any answers, but I asked anyway.

He walked over and sat down in a chair beside me, running a hand through his hair as he thought of what to say.

"I can't tell you." He finally said.

I rolled my eyes, that's exactly what I expected him to say.

"I have the right to know, especially if I'm in danger." I argued.

He clenched his jaw, obviously frustrated by my persistence.

"Tell me." I demanded. I need to know the truth.

"You'll be in even more danger if you know." He snapped, his golden eyes darkening in anger.

I shrunk back in my chair and kept my mouth shut. There's no point in arguing, it'll just make him madder.

Suddenly something was tossed onto me.

"Get some sleep. I'll make sure you're safe." Liam said, and it finally registered in my brain that the thing tossed on me was a blanket.

I continued to keep my mouth closed as I spread the blanket out on top of me, and tried to get comfortable on the very uncomfortable chair.

The lights dimmed as I wiggled around in my seat, and I was internally grateful for it. I wouldn't be able to get one minute of sleep with the lights shining right through my eyelids.

Before I closed my eyes to attempt sleeping, I saw Liam settle back into the chair beside me, and he looked tense and uneasy. How was I suppose to fall asleep when he looked like that? Were we really in that much danger?

If those guys come back, hows he suppose to keep us safe? They have guns.

Does he have a gun?

I wasn't getting any sleep with those unsettling thoughts swirling around in my head.

"I can't sleep." I grumbled. If I was going to be miserable all night, he was too. I'll make sure of it.

There was a long pause before he sighed and replied, "You're safe, there's no reason to stay up."

"I'm scared." I argued. I don't care how safe he claims I am, I don't believe him and there's nothing that will convince me otherwise.

"Emma, I will keep you safe. Besides, they don't even know this place exists." Liam again sounded angry as he spoke.

Pick and choose your battles Emma. I told myself, and again kept my mouth shut. Instead closing my eyes tightly in an attempt to chase away all bad thoughts so I could fall asleep.

• • • • • • •

Bang

Bang

Bang

My eyes shot open at the sound and I was wide awake even though I was fast asleep only a second before.

A moment later the main door to the room flew open and Garrett rushed in, slamming it behind him.

"They found us." He whispered, clutching at his side.

"Get in that room now Emma, we're right behind you." Liam ordered, pointing to the room he spoke to Garrett in earlier.

Without hesitation I ran to the room and left the door open for them.

When they finally entered Garrett was using Liam as a crutch and my heart stopped at the sight of blood where Garrett has been clutching when he entered the room.

Liam helped his friend to a chair before running to the window, which didn't take long because it was a fairly small room.

"Well go out this way, my car is parked close." Liam told us, reaching into his pockets as he spoke and flinging his keys at me when he found them.

"You go first Emma, I'll be right behind you, I just need to help Garrett." He continued, sliding the window open and pushing the screen part out.

I opened my mouth to protest, paralyzed in fear at the very possible chance of being shot. I'm too young to die.

"Go, now!" Liam yelled, and I was jolted into action.

First I ran over to the window, and once there I looked for his car. I spotted it about ten feet away, and pressed the button to unlock it as I climbed through the window. Thank god we're on the first floor.

As soon as my feet hit the ground I sprinted over to the car and got into the drivers seat, immediately starting up the car and driving it closer to the window when I saw Liam struggle to get Garrett through the window.

Thankfully they soon made it out and maybe thirty seconds later we were all safely in Liam's bulletproof car, and speeding away from the warehouse.

"Where's the nearest hospital? I have no idea where we are." I panicked when the fear of being shot was gone and replaced with worry for the bleeding boy in the back.

"No hospital." Garrett grunted, the pain obvious in his voice.

"Are you insane!" I exclaimed, if he didn't see a doctor he'd surely die!

"He's right, they'll look for us at the hospitals. We have a friend that can patch him up." Liam explained, and then told me the address, which didn't help much since I still didn't know where we were.

"You need to tell me exactly how to get there, I don't know where we are!" I exclaimed, panic lacing every word. I don't want to be the reason Garrett dies.

"Calm down Emma, everything's going to be fine. I'll tell you where to go." Liam coaxed me, which only slightly calmed me down.

You can do this Emma. I told myself, taking in a deep breath to calm my nerves. I just need to focus on the road in front of me and Liam's directions.

Twenty minutes later we were finally pulling into a driveway and someone was already waiting outside for us. Liam made a call while we were driving to give his friend a heads up.

"Keep pressure on the wound and carefully bring him inside. I cleared the kitchen table, put him there." A man in his mid thirties instructed once we were all out of the car.

I rushed to Garrett's side and helped Liam bring him into the house. Once we placed him on the table I stepped back and my heart hammered in my chest at how vulnerable and pale Garrett looked.

What if he dies?

Sure I don't know him that well but he was never horrible to me, and he's Liam and Leo's best friend. They'd both be crushed if he didn't make it.

And I don't want to see someone die.

The man shooed us away once we set Garrett on the table, and an older woman stepped in to help him.

"We'll be in the living room." Liam told the two people as they got to work on his friend, then he grabbed my wrist and guided me to the living room.

"Sit." He ordered, pointing at the couch, and I immediately did so. I'm not in the mood for an argument and by the way he's pacing around the room, I don't think he is either.

"He'll be okay, right?" I asked, my voice coming out small and scared, mirroring exactly how I felt.

"He'll be fine." Liam assured me, nodding as if to convince himself.

I gave him a reassuring smile, hoping to put him at ease, but he wasn't paying attention. He just kept pacing the small room, running his hands through his dark hair every so often. I've never seen him so worried.

"You're scaring me." I whispered when I couldn't take his pacing anymore. Every time he'd walk past me my anxiety level would increase.

Without a word, Liam sat down beside me, so close we were almost touching, and I could practically feel the nervous energy flowing from him. This whole thing must be even more serious than I thought.

"Something's bothering you. Maybe if you talk about it you'll feel better." I suggested, mostly because I wanted to know what was really going on. I had the right to know.

Liam closed his eyes and let out an annoyed huff as he leaned back against the couch.

"There's a mole in the gang." He finally said, opening his eyes to see my reaction.

My face scrunched in confusion. Gang? Mole? What's he talking about?

"The people shooting at us were from a rival gang, and they didn't know about the warehouse, only members of the gang know where it is. And you." He explained when he saw my confusion.

My eyes widened in shock, "So someone from your gang told them about the warehouse."

Liam nodded, "Now I have to figure out who did it."

My mind reeled at all this information. Liam and Garrett are in a gang, that could explain why Liam was beating that guy up over some money at the football game. Maybe his gang sells drugs or something.

And now I'm stuck in the middle of all of this.

What have I gotten myself into?

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