~ ~ Chapter Twenty Three ~ ~

"What? You can't be serious!" I screamed at Baden, getting right up in his face as he stared at me with a blank expression, I know he is trying his hardest to keep his cool with me right now because he doesn't want to snap back but I can't help it! My best friend who is like a sister to me has been kidnapped! And I know for a fact that all of my emotions from the past few weeks is coming out right now in one big hit.

"I am very serious Leila." Baden spoke calmly but with a stern tone to his voice that I so badly wanted to slap off of him right now as my hands curled into tight little balls along my sides.

"Listen here Baden!" I yelled again, leaning back so I wasn't in his personal space as much as I was a second ago, "I don't care who you think you are, you are not telling me what to do right now!" I growled with all the fury running through my body, "I am not staying back! I am helping get her back!"

Baden took a long deep breath and stayed silent as I glared angrily into his eyes while we listened to Caveman carrying on in the other room. We are currently at their house right now and I am in Baden's bedroom with him while Caveman is in the lounge room with Phil and a few others.

His voice booming through out the house, shaking the very foundation with his string of threats and plans of attack, he literally nutted it after he snatched the phone of me half an hour ago, not even Baden could calm him down as we headed over here, leaving mine and Amberly's apartment behind for good.

All I can say is that Paul Gianni is a dead man walking. He will meet his fate sooner or later, preferably sooner. Yes, I am that furious that I am even wishing his death upon him, all my previous thoughts about everyone deserving to live has flown out the damn window, I can feel it inside of me, something small snapped but even though it was small, it will be leaving a permanent mark on the girl who I use to be. I can feel it.

"I will not be putting you in any kind of risk Leila, so stop trying to argue or threaten me to do otherwise. I can't concentrate on what needs to be done if I am worried about your safety." his voice still calm but stern.

Scoffing at that I spun on my heels, "I don't have to listen to this." and I stormed off, only to have Baden grab my arm moments later before I even got close to the door leading out of here and spin me around abruptly, still holding on.

Looking up into his now furious face, I glanced away, I had really pushed him too far but I didn't care. Why cant he see I just want Amberly back? I'm not doing this to purposely go against his wishes, I'm doing this for my best friend, the one who has always been there for me when I had no one else left.

"Leila." he growled, "If I have to chain you up to that damn bed, I will! You. Are. Not. Coming!" he roared, blowing his warm breath across my face and making me cringe back slightly, I needed to let him calm down before I went at it again otherwise things will get ugly.

Looking away and staring at the wall across from us, I blinked back the tears that have been trying so badly to escape ever since we realised who had Amberly. My fear for her safety was so overwhelming that when I actually stopped and thought about the situation properly, I struggled to breath. This was starting to happen right now.

Baden's strong arms wrapped around me instantly and pulled me in nice and close to him as he rested his head on top of mine as I wrapped my arms around his waist, not wanting to ever let go. He was my safety blanket, as long as I had him around I could do and deal with anything.

"I'm sorry, okay?" he mumbled soothingly, "I am, I know you're worried about her but I promise we will get her back but I really need to know you are safe while doing so. I need a clear head when we go in." one hand rubbed my back gently and I began to calm down once more.

"And what about you two? Will you both come back safely too?" I whispered, fearing the answer. Baden told me on the car ride over here that I am basically being put on house arrest by him and I am staying here with Phil and some other guy I have never met because Baden trusted Phil with my life and no one else, well, except for our little group.

But Dougy was out of the question and so was Caveman because he was leading this little rescue and kill mission and Baden was going with him. So Phil offered to stay behind and keep me 'safe', though I don't see why they all just cant go, I'm not exactly the one in any danger here. Amberly is but Baden is a paranoid old fool and wouldn't let it be.

"We will be back, no matter what. I promise you." He whispered before taking my chin into his hands gently and tilting my face up towards his, our lips meeting softly and gently at first, making my heart race a little as I trailed my arms up and around his neck, pulling him closer to me and kissing him harder.

After a few minutes we pulled apart, staring deeply into each others eyes and breathing a little heavily as we caught our breathes back. Baden smirked slightly as he leaned in and kissed my forehead gently, "I love you so much Leila." he whispered huskily.

Smiling shyly and blushing a little as my face heated up, "I love you too Baden." and I reached up on my tip toes to kiss his cheek softly, lingering my lips a little before I pulled away.

Baden took my hand into his and hugged me once more before stepping away but not letting my hand go, "I better go and get your sister back now but Leila, please listen to Phil and don't try anything." he pleaded softly, making me feel guilty when I haven't even done anything yet.

"Fine." I sighed, looking away as he nodded slowly, not sure whether to believe me or not but he was giving me the benefit of the doubt right now and trusting me. Damn him for that because now if I wanted to do something, I cant. It would hurt him emotionally so much.

Walking out into the lounge room, I gasped quietly at the sight before me and shrunk into Baden's side a little. There were about fifteen guys all here, guns and other weapons of sorts in their hands and laying all over the coffee table and lounges as well as big black duffel bags full sitting on the floor around the place.

Caveman was off to the side, standing alongside some guy that was almost as well built but not as tall as they pushed bullets into cartridges. Everyone had the most serious expression on their faces and not one smile of any kind.

All of them were dressed similar to how the boys did, some were heavily covered in tattoos while others weren't but on a few, I noticed the familiar 'Johnson' name tattooed somewhere on their bodies. Caveman had his across his back shoulder blades, so Amberly told me and I know Baden had his across the top of his chest. When I first seen it, I didn't think much of it, just that he had his last name tattooed on him but now I know the real meaning behind it.

 I noticed one other familiar face in the small sea of people - Craig, the bouncer from the club and Dougy's friend I met years ago. He glanced up and gave me a small nod before someone else got his attention.

Phil emerged from the crowd towards us, with a big guy walking behind him but when they stood only a few feet away, the 'big guy' looked small compared to Baden who was so much taller and wider in muscles but then again, some of the other guys here looked like the freakin' hulk and Baden was no match for their sizes.

"Lee, this is Max, he's staying with us." Phil introduced the guy besides him. Max gave me a small nod but didn't smile or look friendly in anyway possible. He had a shaved head and I noticed scars on his bare arms as he folded them over his chest, making his black shirt pull tight against his biceps. With his casual jeans that looked like they needed a wash and black biker boots, I would never have really pictured him as a 'gang' type of guy.

His face looked kind of boyish despite the one scar that cut through his lip which is what made him look dangerous and slightly scary but I didn't get that feeling from him, unless I were to provoke him.

"Jeff is ready to leave." Phil muttered while looking at Baden, Baden nodded slowly as Max suddenly handed him a jam packed black duffel bag while Phil spoke again, "I loaded them all personally and double checked everything, so you're good to go."

"Thanks man." Baden nodded as he held the bag with his free hand while still holding my hand with his other, looking down at me he smiled before kissing my forehead, "Everything will be fine, so don't worry." he whispered soothingly, I nodded as he looked back up at Phil and Max but kept his eyes which were now cold and hard on Max, "Don't fuck with her or I'll kill you." he growled.

My eyes widened slightly, wasn't Max his friend or something like that? Phil caught my sight and shook his head a little, telling me not to say anything, so I didn't.

Max nodded, "Yes Baden." he groaned slightly, "We all know, she will be fine." Baden kept his glare on Max for a few minutes as if he was weighing him up, then gave a short nod and faced me again.

"Listen to Phil, remember?" he asked, I smiled slightly and nodded, "See you soon." he kissed me quickly as the others had already started heading out the door, Caveman stopped to wait for Baden and he let my hand go, but not before giving me one last reassuring squeeze and walked off.

Caveman looked over at me, anger and rage filling his eyes as ours met, I gave him a small smile, "Make sure you bring her back and make them bastards pay." the corner of his mouth pulled up slightly as he nodded and turned around.

Then there were only three of us and complete silence.....well, until Phil ruined it.

"I hope they blow up the whole damn place." he muttered as he threw an arm over my shoulder casually and I wrapped an arm around his waist, causing Max to raise an eyebrow and look at Phil like he was a dead man, Phil noticed too.

"Settle down Maximus, Lee here is my little sister and I've her known her a helluva lot longer than Baden has." he grinned, proud of this small fact while I groaned and rolled my eyes at him.

"And don't we all know it. I have been suffering from Phil-syndrome for years now, an annoying little voice that follows me everywhere and harassing me with everything I do."

Glancing back up at the clock as I chewed on my finger nails while pacing the lounge room, it felt like the damn thing wasn't moving anymore. I was good for the first thirty minutes, then the second half of the first hour I became a little restless and agitated. Now, I'm flat out pacing the lounge room floor, glancing at the clock on the wall every time I pass it and chewing my nails off like there is no tomorrow.

"Why aren't they back yet?" I asked Phil, my voice cracking from my nerves, it's been just over two hours now and I just want them all home, safe and sound. I want to be able to see them and know that they are all alright. Even a phone call would settle my pounding heart and racing nerves.

Phil sat in the single arm chair, not moving and just watching me, he groaned slightly, I know I was annoying him with the pacing right now but I didn't care. I'm not him and I cant sit still while I'm going out of my mind with worry for everyone.

"For the last time Lee, they are fine." he muttered as he shook his head at me.

"How do you even know that? You're just saying it to try and calm me down but guess what Phil? Its not working." I snapped a little too harshly, "Sorry." I mumbled quickly as I shot him an apologetic look, it's not his fault and I shouldn't take it out on him.

"Look, I don't know you at all but I know Baden and he isn't going to let the Gianni's get the better of him. You have nothing to worry about." Max suddenly spoke up from the window which he has been standing in front of and looking out for the past hour, barely moving a muscle.

"That still doesn't comfort me." I muttered nastily as I spun on my heels and kept pacing again, I swear I have made a slight trail in the carpet already.

"Lee." Phil scolded, causing me to stop and look at him with shock, what's his problem now? "You don't need to be such a bitch at times. I know you're worried but you don't need to take it out on us." he frowned.

Tears filled my eyes, man, my emotions are all over the place right now as I stared at Phil, now feeling guilty for being rude and snappy. I wasn't doing it on purpose, it's just I can feel how tense my body is right now, like one wrong move and it will snap. I wish Baden had just let me go so I didn't have to wait around to find out what was going on.

Phil got up and walked out to the kitchen, I watched his back until it disappeared and then started pacing again, glancing over at the clock, five lousy minutes had passed! That's all, five damn minutes! When the hell are they going to be coming back? Is everyone okay? Is Amberly safe? Has Caveman and Baden found her yet? Think positive thoughts Leila, I told myself as my mind was about to run crazy from me.

"Lee." Phil spoke my name softly from behind me, spinning around to see him standing close, he held his arms out wide and I collapsed into them, my body shaking from fear, worry and anxiety about everyone. He rubbed my back in a soothing gesture as I clung onto the front of his shirt. I don't know how much more of this worry I think I can take.

The sound of screeching tyres was all I could hear from further up the road and I thought absolutely nothing of it, just some hoon driving past but within the next second Max was yelling, "Shit!" he roared from his position still near the window, "Drive by!"

Drive by? What the hell.....oomph! Phil had dropped us to the ground instantly, half collapsing on me, groaning from pain in my elbow as I hit my funny bone, I rolled around to the best I could and held it tight, clenching my teeth and cursing at the fool whoever thought up to name it the 'funny bone' because seriously people - there is nothing funny when you hit it! It has to be one of the most painful spots in the history of life!

"Lee, stay down!" Phil growled as I bit back a sob, he reached out and yanked on my leg, pulling me towards him roughly and behind the couch just as the sounds started. At first I had no idea what was even going on, it was all happening way too fast for me to keep up but the sound of continuous gun shots echoed all around me.

Screaming from the fright and unexpectedly, I covered my ears as Phil kept on yanking my leg, he was pulling us behind the lounge at the back of the room as the windows shattered, sending a spray of glass everywhere, opening my eyes, I watched as objects inside of the house just suddenly combusted, chips of wood flew through the air and holes appeared in the walls with loud bangs.

Then it was all out of sight but it didn't stop the deafening noise of gun fire, keeping my hands over my ears, I stayed still on the floor until Phil's face was in my eye sight, he was laying above me, looking down, I could feel his body pressed to mine but everything was numb, his mouth was moving but I couldn't hear a thing he was saying.

Yanking my hands away from my ears, he stared down into my eyes, worry behind the ruthless look that was in them right now, "Take this! Stay low and don't move!" he shouted above the roaring gun fire.

Looking to the side at what he was holding out for me, I cringed away and shook my head but he thrust the cool metal into my palms and kissed my forehead, "Everything will be okay, just don't move from here, okay?" he asked. I nodded numbly, not knowing what was happening and then he crawled away.

Oh god! Phil just left me alone! That jackass just crawled away and left me alone! I would have chased him down right now if the house wasn't under attack, man, what does he even think he is doing? Then it clicked, Phil is going to fight back.

Staying low to the floor, I slid to the end of the lounge he disappeared from and peeked out, only to scream and pull my head back in again as a bullet went flying past and hit the small table a few feet away, splitting the wooden leg and making it fall over.

"Don't you dare die on me Philly boy." I muttered as I stayed hidden for what felt like an eternity but all too soon the bullet fire stopped and everything was deathly silent, not a peep could be hear apart from certain things that were falling down or breaking still but once they all stopped, you couldn't hear nothing.

Sitting up slowly with my back to the lounge, I kept my breathing steady and my fingers wrapped tight around the gun. Oh man, I have never used a gun before! Dougy showed me not long ago how to load one when I walked in on him in our bathroom cleaning his but I didn't pay attention, I was too furious at him for having a gun in my damn apartment in the first place.

Crap! Why didn't I pay attention? Looking down at it in my hands, I at least remembered where the safety was but was it on or off right now? I have no clue. I think it might be off. Crap! I wanted so badly to call out for Phil or even Max but I had that dreaded feeling in my guts that it wasn't a smart move, so I stayed silent and still.

I never heard the car take off again, but it could have just kept driving past but then again, it could have stopped out the front and still be here. Dammit. Where the hell is Phil? What if he has been shot and is badly injured right now and that's why he hasn't come back yet?

Movement to my right caught my eye, snapping my head to face the open archway into the kitchen I stared at it, my heart pounding in my ears as I waited for it to move again. A scream almost escaped my lips as a face peered around ever so slightly but I stopped myself. Max. I sighed a small breath of relief as he locked gazes with me, bringing his pointer finger up to his lips to motion for me to stay silent. I nodded quickly.

His eyes darted around the lounge room then behind him in the kitchen. What is going on? Looking back at me, he held up two fingers and pointed behind me. Panic instantly rose in my chest and I felt the blood drain from my face but he quickly shook his head and held his palm up flat and knocked on it with his knuckles. Frowning, I had no idea what he was on about. Did he want me to knock on the floor or something? Is he insane?

Just then I could hear the front door open up slowly and my entire body froze rigid, I struggled to breath. Oh God, they are inside now! Closing my eyes and willing myself to get a grip, I had to be strong right now, I had to be brave but not foolish. Opening my eyes up again Max caught my sight and held up two fingers again and pointed behind me.

I made a silent motion of 'all around us' and held my hands up in a 'I don't know' gesture, he frowned for a few seconds and then realised I was trying to ask how many where all around us. He held up five fingers and I wanted to groan. Great, that's five versus three but I'm still yet to see Phil.

I mouthed 'Phil' to Max, he nodded and gave me the 'okay' signal and I felt my body relax. Alright, so we are all okay and all armed but so are they but they more than likely don't know how many are actually in the house or if any of us are still luckily unharmed. So we have the element of surprise on our side? I don't know, I'm not good at this gang crap and probably watch too many movies.

Max suddenly pointed up at the roof and mouthed Phil's name, looking up I guessed he was upstairs. Way to really abandon me jackass. Just leave me down here, hiding behind the lounge in probably the first room these jerks will bloody check! Man I could hit you right now Philly boy.

I watched as Max slunk back behind the wall, out of sight and went to start panicking again but I mentally slapped myself and silently screamed at myself to harden the hell up. This isn't a game Leila! Its real life and I doubt these guys will hesitate to kill me because I'm a freaking girl!

The sounds of crunching glass indicted at least one person was by the window somewhere, I didn't know what to do about this but apparently Max did as he stepped out from his hiding spot quickly and fired off one bullet, making me jump and bite my tongue from screaming as he quickly stepped back as a loud thud could be heard.

My heart started racing once again, oh man, did he just kill that guy with one shot? Slowly, Max peered around again and glanced in the direction of the window before his eyes kept moving, so obviously that guy is defiantly dead and no longer a threat now. He stood still as his eyes travelled across the room, moving towards the roof at the same time I jumped from a gun shot up there and then more silence.

Max held up three fingers to me, I couldn't stop myself from rolling my eyes, no duh Sherlock, I do know how to flipping count. He shook his head a little at me and walked over to me but stayed standing up, "Just stay here." he whispered, "We don't want to accidentally shoot you." he glanced down at me and then the gun in my hands, sighed in annoyance and reached down to flick the safety, "How are you suppose to shoot with the safety on?"

Frowning at him as he quickly walked away and left me all alone once more, I glanced around, too afraid too move. Listening carefully as Max walked out the front door almost silently apart from the crunching of pieces of broken debris on the carpet, my eyes roamed the kitchen opening. It was all I could see.

Minutes passed but it felt more like hours to me, drops of sweat had formed on my forehead and I could feel beads of it running down the back of my neck. Well, at least this has distracted me from my worrying over everyone else because now I am worrying about myself, Phil and even Max.

"Leila." a voice sneered in a teasing tone, my body went rigid from the unfamiliar person, who was no doubt one of the remaining three jerks of Gianni's who had just sprayed countless bullets through the house in an attempt to kill us all.

"I know your here." he sneered again, I could tell he was near the front door, my fingers wrapped around the trigger on the gun. Man, I cant believe I'm even contemplating on shooting someone but hell, if its either me or him, I'm not ready to die yet.

"Your boyfriend has caused quite the stir at our head quarters, so you will pay for his actions." he continued talking in that teasing tone but at least it gave his location away to me, my body was slightly shaking as I could tell he was just on the opposite side of the lounge from me.

Closing my eyes for a split second I prayed to God that I didn't die right now as the man moved further around, "Found ya!" he sneered loudly, I screamed as his face and whole body came into view but the worst part was the small barrel of a hand held gun pointing at me threateningly.

Everything happened so quick from that moment, within seconds I raised my own gun from the adrenalin that was suddenly pumping through my body as I stayed glued to the floor, his eyes widen in slight surprise, obviously he expected me to be unarmed. Once I had it pointed at him I pulled the trigger, my hand jolting back from the unexpected force as a loud bang filled my ears and his eyes widen in more surprise.

Slowly, he looked down at his chest were a patch of blood was leaking through his brown shirt, he raised one hand to the wound and then glared at me, choking slightly as blood dribbled out of the corner of his mouth. With his other hand that still held the gun, he raised it again but I was quicker as I fired off another bullet instantly. I was determined not to die.

He took a stumbling step back, his eyes flickered to something in the room before he fell backwards to the ground. A gun shot off, making me scream as I felt a bullet whizz straight past my head through the lounge, turning I looked at the small hole in the material with wide eyes and jumped to my feet instantly, facing another man on the other side of the lounge.

His eyes narrowed dangerously at me as I raised my gun and fired another shot, not even thinking about what I was actually doing. My instinct for survival had kicked in, it's either me or him. Kill or be killed. Firing another bullet, and another and another and another but only to hear a loud click on the last shot.

Glancing down at the gun in my hands, I screamed out in anger and threw the gun at the mans body which was already lying on the floor. Breathing heavily, when on earth did he even fall? Blood was pooling out from under his body as he stayed lifeless.

My hand sprung up to my mouth and my entire body jumped as I heard another gun shot from in the direction of the stairs and a loud thump sound which filled the silent air for a  few seconds before it all fell silent again.

"Lee! Lee!" Phil suddenly started shouting out really loud, causing me to jump again as my eyes stayed glue on the body of the man I had just thrown my gun at. Phil's frame appeared in the lounge room entrance, his eyes darted over the three dead bodies in here and then to me, "Fuck, tell me your not injured Lee!" his voice sounded panicky all of a sudden.

My eyes still stayed on that last man as the impact of the situation hit me, "I I-I k-killed some..o-one." I stuttered as tears filled my eyes and blurred my vision, my body started trembling from the reality of what I had just done but the adrenalin was still pumping through my body, confusing my own emotions. I took someones life.

"Lee?" Phil asked more quietly now, stepping forward towards me, "You okay girl?" I nodded my head instantly, I was okay, I was more than okay even though I just took some lives. It was self defence though but they still deserved it, they were going to kill me. People actually came looking for me to end my life.

Who the hell did they think they were?!

"Fuck!"Phil cursed, "Max! Get on the phone to someone and find out where the fuck everyone is and what the hell is going on!" Phil roared loudly, turning to look down the hallway at something I couldn't see.

Slowly, I walked over to the first body I had shot at, refusing to look at his face, I didn't want to remember anymore than I would of what he looks like. Reaching down, I picked up the gun he had pointed at me, the first gun that was meant to end my life and held it tight in my hands.

"Put it down Lee, you don't need it." Phil mumbled from behind me.

Turning to face him with a slightly dazed look, I smiled. I had snapped inside and the look in his blue eyes told me he could see this too. I'm not going to sit back and just let people try and destroy my life, my friends lives.

Anyone associated with the Gianni crew can burn in hell for all I care. My outlook on humanity has changed completely now that I had literally just stared down the barrel of a gun which had intent to kill me but it didn't. I came out on top.

I'm the one still standing here, alive and well and I'm the one who will keep on living, not these idiots who chose the wrong people to mess with.