2,000 fans, so exciting! So thank you to everyone for all your support on this story, it keeps me going. Xo

And also I'm not sure how long until my next upload because my dad will be down tomorrow and then the day after we have the funeral to go to and I know I'm going to be a mess but soon I should be back to my regular 3 day-ish upload that I’ve always tried my best to stick to.

So thanks for sticking with me through all this. You guys are awesome.

Enjoy.....xo

~ ~ Chapter Thirty One ~ ~

(Leila’s POV)

The rain was bucketing down now and I regretted going for a walk especially since I'm lost in a part of town I don’t know and I was also stupid enough to leave my phone at Phil’s mums house. This crap isn’t meant to happen in real life, only in the movies! So why on earth is it happening to me right now?

Baden is so going to have my ass when he finds out.

Then again, if he hadn’t basically put me on house arrest I wouldn’t have felt the need to go for a long walk around the neighbourhood. He thinks he has been sneaky about it but I'm not dense and all his little side comments about how I should stay and help Amberly out or that she needs girl time or that I should spend time with my gorgeous nephew before Phil hogs him again and blah blah blah – I can see through it all.

He is keeping something from me, they all are and it’s something big. I eventually found out where they had gone that night for ‘guy time’; that was five days ago and I'm kind of annoyed I wasn’t allowed to go but then again I don’t really want to purposely go out and harm people just for the sake of it. Yes I snapped that day we were freaking shot at through the house but since then I’ve calmed down.

Don’t get me wrong through – I'm angry and I know I am. I haven’t been this angry for such a long time and that is why I needed to go for this stupid walk. Being cooped up inside a house all day does not help when you need to let off steam.

I love Amberly and I love Phil’s mum like she is my own but those two girls are starting to drive me insane and I was worried I would snap at them if I didn’t get out right now.

Apart from that it has been a quiet few days. A little too quiet if you ask me and I know the boys are thinking the same thing. What they did on their ‘guy’s night’ has had an effect of some sort but none of us know what that is yet.

“This sucks.” I muttered out loud to myself as I squinted through the rain, glad I at least had the common sense to wear boots and a jacket even though the front of my shirt is soaked through making it stick to my skin and I could feel the coldness of the rain getting to me now as my teeth were beginning to chatter.

Glancing up at the street sign I groaned again. I had no clue where this street was or if I was even close to Phil’s mum’s house and since it had grown dark already it made everything even harder to see. I grew up at Phil’s house, she use to babysit me all the time for my mum and dad but do you think I ever once paid attention to the surrounding area? No. Because I'm a complete dumbass - that’s why.

Turning left along the footpath I wondered how long it was going to take until any one of them boys got back and noticed I wasn’t back yet and then come to look for me. I hope they are looking right now as I think it but I also hope Baden isn’t the one to find me....or Dougy. Okay, so really I only want Caveman or Phil to find me because they won’t yell. Well Phil will but not like the others, he would just be happy to see me.

Stopping at another crossroad I looked left then right then straight ahead and groaned loudly again before heading straight ahead. For all I know I'm probably in the next suburb over with all the walking I have done. My feet are aching already and I just want to sit down and relax.

Hugging my jacket closer to my chest a shiver ran through my body before the sound of car engine could be heard and then bright lights swept over me, forcing me to close them and turn my head away but when it screeched to a stop – I froze.

Turning slowly as the door opened up I got ready to run if it was someone bad or dangerous. It was too dark to make out features but the shape told me it was a man and when he spoke relief filled me then dread.

“Get your ass in this car now!” he shouted furiously before climbing back in.

Looking up at the dark sky as raindrops forced me to continually blink, “Damn you.” I mumbled softly before walking over to the car and jumping in. A fifty fifty chance I had and I just had to luck out.

Shutting the door the car took off instantly, not waiting for me to buckle in as I reached over and turned the heater up with a shaking hand and chattering teeth before I looked up at a very ticked off older brother but I said nothing as I looked away and he said nothing either. Maybe it wasn’t so bad having Dougy find me after all? Until we pulled up in the driveway and I spotted everyone’s cars parked out at the front kerb or on the front lawn.

“Why haven’t you yelled at me?” I asked quietly, not sure if he heard through my shaky voice and softly chattering teeth since I was warming up slowly.

Dougy turned to face me still with an angry look, “Because Baden will do all the yelling for me.” Then he climbed out and headed for the front door not even bothering to wait for me.

“Some brother loving there.” I muttered sarcastically to myself as I opened my door and ran for the front porch not that it mattered since I was absolutely soaked through already. Apparently my jacket didn’t protect me as much as I had thought.

The second I stepped through the door a very ticked off Baden greeted me - well glared at me, “Bathroom now!” he hissed through clenched teeth and I shot my own glare back before heading off to the bathroom down the hall which he followed me into.

Baden closed the door behind us and leaned against it as I started peeling off my wet clothing while he turned the shower on and I waited for it to heat up as he went back to leaning on the door. He was still yet to say anything but I knew it was coming, hell, everyone out in the lounge room knew it was coming still and I wouldn’t be surprised if Phil was outside the door right now trying to eavesdrop and understand why Baden wasn’t abusing crap out of me yet.

Jumping in under the warm water I gasped as it felt like it was burning my skin but I knew it was only because of how cold I actually was as I tilted my head back to let the warmth soak into my freezing hair.

“I can’t believe you would just take off like that!” Baden snapped, obviously his patience of not yelling at me wore thin, “Do you have any idea how worried everyone was over you? We thought the worst had happened! Do you not know how childish and immature - not to mention dangerous that was of you!”

All that stood between us was a thin flower patterned shower curtain and the sounds of the running water.

“I only went for a walk, it’s not like I planned on getting lost or anything.” I muttered back loud enough for him to hear me.

“I don’t bloody care!” his voice boomed all around me, “You could have been kidnapped! Shot! Killed! Ra-.” He cut himself off real quick there.

“You can say it.” I muttered as hot tears pricked at my eyes.

“Sorry Leila, I wasn’t thinking....” he trailed off, voice more calmed down but I knew he was still angry and wanted to yell at me more.

Pulling the shower curtain back so I could look over at him he raised his head to look back at me, I smiled slightly, “C’mon Baden, we both know you can yell at me better than this – so just finish it off already.”

Baden smirked slightly, “Love you beautiful.”

“I know.” I laughed quietly before turning back to soak my body under the warm water some more.

“So what on earth were you thinking?” he shouted as a demand once again and I smiled to myself as he kept on yelling at me for the duration of the shower and while I got dressed into a warm jumper, track pants and a pair of ugg boots.

We were in the spare room as he watched me dry off and dress while he yelled and once I had finished and was nice and warm I walked up to him, wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my lips softly to his then looked up into his deep eyes, “I love you and I'm sorry. It won’t happen again, okay?”

He groaned quietly and nodded as his eyes filled with desire and he brought his lips back down to mine hungrily. Let’s just say we finished off the night with soft touches, kisses and used our body warmth to stay warm.

~~

Rolling over as I opened my eyes and glanced at the digital clock on the bedside table I groaned, it was only just before lunch and I was still tired but if I didn’t get up now then I was never going to get up and then I won’t be able to sleep tonight. So with a groan I climbed out of bed noticing Baden was already up and about.

Running my hand through my hair as I yawned and trudged down the hall towards the room full of arguing voices until I stepped in and they all fell dead silent. Opening my eyes more I glanced around at all of them and all of them looked away except Amberly – she looked angry and like she had been crying for some reason.

“Alright.” I growled, “Who made Ambo cry?” I demanded as I looked at each of them again only to have them all ignore me.

Landing my eyes on my best friend she pointed over at Caveman with a smug ‘you’re in trouble now’ look on her face as he shook his head lightly at her, “I don’t want to but it’s for the best.” He muttered before looking away from her tearing up eyes.

Frowning, “What is going on?”

I noticed out of the corner of my eye Dougy nudging Baden and Baden shooting him a glare before he sighed loudly as if bracing himself for the worst and faced me. I took note of the distance he kept between us though and this is what worried me. Why would he need space from me unless he thinks I'm going to over react?

“We have booked a bus leaving the city in three hours for Amber and.....you.”

“What?” I demanded instantly, turning to look at the others and noticing the serious faces on them and now understanding why Amberly is crying and Caveman isn’t comforting her like he normally would. Though the pain in his eyes was clear and it was obvious he wanted to go over to her but something was stopping him.

“It’s for your girl’s safety. This is getting big and quick too and it’s obvious we can’t keep you both safe like we had originally thought. So we guys decided this was the only option and you’ll be going to stay with someone I trust.” Baden blurted it out quickly while I stood there and glared at him.

“Is this because I went on a bloody walk and got lost? Because that’s just pathetic!” I snapped angrily.

“It’s not over a walk!” he growled back, “Its more than that – the drive by, Amber being kidnapped, having to move you girls to two different homes now and finally Amber getting run off the road.”

 I said nothing and after a few silent minutes I looked over at him and thought he can’t do this to me. He can’t just shove me onto a bus and send me off like some child with no opinion on the matter.

“No.”

“What the hell do you mean no Lee?!” Dougy snapped furiously and Baden stepped out in front of him and faced me.

“Can we speak alone?” he asked quietly but loud enough for everyone to hear him.

“Who is this so called person you can ‘trust’?” my tone demanding once again as images of Eddie popped up into my head. Baden better not be sending us to him, that guy will eat both me and Amberly alive! Especially me considering what I did to him because I'm sure he would still be holding a grudge and would love payback of some kind. I know I would.

“You don’t know him.” Baden spoke slowly making it obvious to me it’s not Eddie without the others catching on because he most likely still doesn’t want them knowing about him for some reason.

“Knowing him or not, I don’t care because I'm not going and you can’t force me.” I smiled slightly at Baden and then Dougy knowing I had them there.

Until Caveman spoke up and man did I want lightening to strike him down where he stood because of what he said.

“We can force Amberly though, she’s in no position to run away with that cast on her leg and unless you want her being alone with some stranger – I suggest you go with her because she will be getting on that bus.” His eyes hard as stone and he sounded serious.

“What...” I trailed off desperately trying to think up of a way out of this and with a sound in the distance, it hit me, “What about Cole and Phil’s mum?” I blurted as Cole laughed from the back of the house somewhere.

Phil smirked at me like he knew I was going to pull this card and his face said he already had it covered. Which he did, “They are going on a holiday to my Aunt’s for awhile.”

“Why can’t we go with them?”

“Leila, I don’t think you realise how this all works. Every gang around this state would now know all about you and Amberly. Half of them would at least have a photo of her, so you will be found out.” Baden muttered.

Shaking my head, “You still can’t make me or Amberly do this. We have rights you know.”

“Pfft, what rights? I'm your only legal living relative and since I'm older, I have more say than you do.” Dougy snapped.

Glaring at him, “Don’t push me Dougy because you do not want to go down that road with me right now.” Growling back at him and then everyone started arguing all at once. I was mostly snapping at Dougy and Phil while they tried to tag team me with crappy reasons as to why I should just and I quote ‘shut up and get on the damn bus’.

“Enough!” Baden s voice boomed over top of all of us, and then his eyes met mine, “You will be getting on that bus even if I have to drag and push you on there myself. No arguments.” He snapped with finality in his tone which irked me beyond words as I stormed off down the hall not wanting to see any of them right now.

~~

Baden was true to his word, he broke the lock on the bedroom door and packed my bags for me while I fought and argued with him, throwing everything back out the bag like a stubborn little spoilt child but I didn’t care. No one even asked me for my opinion on this, they could have had at least the decency to run it by me rather than just plan it behind my back.

So this was it, my last hours with Baden and we are at each other’s throats like an old married couple filing for divorce. So tragic and so sad. He literally threw me over his shoulder and walked me out the house while Dougy took my bags to the car and Phil helped Caveman organise Amberly who had no hope in getting away.

Damn her cast to hell.                  

We were now at the bus station and my two brothers had gone and booked us in and checked our bags onto the bus while Caveman carried Amberly onto the bus and gave her a pair of crutches to help her walk around with when we get to ‘destination unknown’.

Baden had me wrapped up tight in his arms so I couldn’t run away and I was biting back the tears that threatened to stream down my face as he lifted my feet off the ground and walked us forwards to the bus doors. I hate him for this!

“Leila please speak to me, please? I really am sorry but I can’t risk you getting hurt.” He begged softly in my ear and kissing my neck while I still refused to speak to him since he shoved me into his car.

I don’t want to go; I don’t want to leave him and everyone else behind. What if something happens and I never see any of them again? Phil and Dougy walked up and hugged me tightly, whispering ‘see you later’ in my ear and ‘I love you’ but it only made me more angry that they sounded so sad but were still doing this to us.

My feet were now planted on the bus steps and everyone was giving me weird looks as I glanced over the whole of ten people on here but I didn’t care as I spotted Amberly up the back and crying with her back to the window. Unlike me with Baden; she had ‘alone’ time with Caveman.

Baden sat me down on the seat and squatted to be at eye level with me, reaching up with one hand he gently brushed the hair out of my face and tears escaped at the heart wrenching look on his face and the pain in his eyes, “Just promise me that no matter what you will stay safe.” And he leaned forward to plant one soft lingering kiss on my lips before standing up and turning around.

I waited until he had reached the front of the bus, I had to say it or I may live to regret it, “I love you Baden.” I called out with a loud sob. He stopped and turned to look at me with a small smile.

“Love you too Leila, stay safe.” And then he was gone.

I was tempted to run off the bus before it pulled away and keep going but that would mean laving Amberly behind and I couldn’t do that to her despite how much I hated this idea, I just couldn’t abandon her.

“I'm sorry Lee-lee.” She sobbed quietly from beside me as we pulled away from the station and headed down the road.

Turning to look at her with a frown, “What for?”

She looked up at me and smiled weakly, “If I could run we wouldn’t be on here right now. I'm not stupid; I know I'm the reason why they managed to pull this off so easily.”

The bus turned the corner and I smiled at her, “Don’t worry about it.” And as I poked my fingers into my back jeans pocket my tears dried up and I felt so much better, “I have a plan.”

Let’s just say I managed to pocket something during mine and Baden’s argument that will be extremely useful for us very soon. Baden never even noticed because he was too busy picking all my clothes back up and shoving them back into my bag as he yelled at me to stop fighting him on this and so on and so on.