C4 Bad luck and all that

“How long has she been out Collins?” An unknown voice asks

“For over an hour now boss” a voice, which must belong to Collins replies from somewhere near me.

My head is ringing as I try to gather my bearings. I slowly open my eyes, zoning out the conversation happening, and see that I’m lying down on someone’s sofa. I look around and realization dawns upon me; I had been kidnapped shit! Shutting my eyes I try to recall the last thing I remember but my memory comes up foggy, the last thing of consequence being the black van that I was dragged in. I shifted in an attempt to escape and discovered my hands and feet were tied. Well duh, stupid, I thought bitterly to myself.

“Boss I think she’s awake” the voice which I remember as Collins says loudly.

“I know you don’t know who I am Peterson but someone related to you owes me a lot of money, well owed since he’s no more” The deep raspy voice boomed before me.

I looked up to see the face of my captor and I was met with an empty gaze from deep brown eyes. Ugly scars marked his hairy face, a particular one running from the length of his eyebrows. He was average heighted with a slightly Buffy body. He looked to be around his mid 40’s and the aura that radiates from him made it clear of his person.

“Now I won’t bore you with the details of how your Father died, you must’ve seen that on the news, however, the debt now lies on your head and I am giving you a month to come up with the sum of £750,000 that your father owed. Think of this as more a courtesy visit, Next time wouldn’t be as pleasant.” His intimidating voice threatens with the promise of danger.

My eyes widened at the amount he called. How on earth did that scumbag manage to owe that kind of amount and how the hell am I supposed to pay back.

I felt tears brewing behind my eyes at the realization that I’d be dead soon in a month. Doing my best to hold the tears at bay I fixed my gaze at him, my face devoid of any emotion.

“Sorry to say sir, but I and Frank aren’t blood relatives. He wasn’t my father, he was merely my guardian for a brief period and for us sharing the same last name, it’s something I’m working on changing “ I tell him as calmly and politely as I possibly could.

“Does it look like I give a fuck about your family dynamics” He sneers at me then gestures for two men who have been silently standing by the corner to come forward and raise me to my feet.

“1 month Peterson or be prepared to Join your father in hell “ he threatens then brings out a blade from his pocket. Almost immediately one of the men loosens the tie on my hands only for both of my hands to be snatched up by him.

Before I could react I felt a sharp ting and realized he was carving his name on my arms. I screamed the loudest scream I’ve ever heard in my life and soon enough he was done.

Clutching my arms close to me I sobbed and looked at the name engraved on both arms.

THANE BLACKWOOD.

“Collin take Miss Peterson back to her residence as soon as you’ve cleaned up this mess” he ordered in a monotone voice, leaving soon after.

*****

“What the fuck happened to you Lay” Melody shouts as soon as she walks into the apartment, her eyes full of shock and concern.

After I was dropped off, or rather shoved out of the van, I kept my hands hidden and made my way to my block. As soon as I stepped in I examined the wound seeing as it was superficial, it’ll heal itself soon. I walk over to the cabinet to get the first aid kit, after all, I’ve gotten used to treating my injuries myself over the years and I cleansed the blood off my arms.

When I was done taking care of the wounds I bandaged my arms took some painkillers and went to sleep, my body still working in auto mode being charged with adrenaline.

“Thane Blackwood happened Melody, the dangerous man Frank owed £750,000” I replied to her bitterly. Even from the grave Frank still manages to fuck me over.

“700 and what, wait, Blackwood, as in the Blackwood construction firm?” Her voice goes up several octaves towards the end of her sentence.

“ Yes, I guess, dude I'm fucked. How am I supposed to get that amount of money to pay this off” I whisper brokenly, fresh tears rolling down my cheeks. She engulfs me in a tight hug making sure that she isn't pressing on my arms.

“We will figure this out together honey, I promise I'll help you fix this” she assures trying her best to calm me down.

“How Mel, he only gave me a month to pay him back. I'd be dead within a week if I can't come up with the money Mel, I don't want to die yet Mel” I say to her, my voice cracking at the last part.

“ Stop it Layla, we must find a way out. You've come too far to die so soon and I'll be damned if I let that happen” she tells me sternly. I nod my head almost robotically at her words.

“You know I love you right Lay, Nothing will happen to you I promise. I'll make sure of it if it's the last thing I do” she promises me and I'm filled with so much gratitude for her that I almost forget the mess I'm in.

Before I could reply to her, I heard my phone ringing from beside me. I stilled, thinking that Thane somehow managed to get my phone number. I picked up the phone in dread and saw it was Claudia that's calling. Shoot! I forgot I was supposed to babysit her kids today.

As if my day couldn't get any worse, I picked up the call and she didn't even give me a chance to explain before firing me.

Well, there goes my source of income.

“I have the shittiest luck ever don't I Mel?,” I ask her with false amusement.

“ You sure as hell do” Melody replied to me.

Well, that's something to ponder on.