The Search II

I looked at myself in the tall mirror that was hanging across from me on the wall. Grey eyes like steal framed with dark circles beneath them were staring back at me, as if they were looking at a stranger. Since my son called me, I didn’t really got much sleep last night. Elsa has been hectic, and I tried the whole night to calm her down, afraid that it would damage her heart in any way. 

I ran my hands through my jet-black hair, refraining myself from tugging it on the back of my neck. Eli would never ask me for help. Never.

Even as a kid he refused to show any weakness. One time someone had bullied Creighton, some little fucking idiot that had pushed him down the swing. He was taller than both of my sons, but it didn’t stop Eli from getting into a fight with him them. Long story short, he had pretty bad bruises all over his body and an even worse cut on his knee but had refused to tell us. Elsa had only found out when she undressed him for the shower the next day and saw all the blemishes. 

Even if Eli never wants to see it – he was truly my son. His only weakness being the woman he loved. Thinking about it, both of my sons truly came after me. Creighton fucking almost died because of his girlfriend.

I didn’t talk to him yet but I couldn’t imagine how he felt after what he had been through 

“Fuck..”

Levi King entered the room. It was his office that we decided to meet up. His dress shirt was rolled up at his sleeves, the first two buttons opened when he started walking back and forth in the room. I sighed and grabbed my glass of whiskey from the mini bar.

The loud banging sound against the main door downstairs reached the office of my cousin like it was this door that was being assaulted. Levi and I locked eyes, both of us knew exactly who it was. 
My cousin leaned for, putting his palms flat on his office table, supporting himself while he let his head hang low. I was now seated across from him in a black leather couch, my eyes focusing on my glass while I swirled the whiskey inside of it. Footsteps approached the closed door before it flung open, a huffing Cole Nash standing in the frame.

He still had his suit on as I had announced the news first thing in the morning and all of us were at work. His face was clean shaved, his green eyes had turned to a dark, muddy color.

There weren’t many occasions where Cole Nash showed extreme emotions. Not many, but one might say that the disappearance of one’s daughter – daughters, plural – would be a good reason for an exception.

“King”

He was talking to me. Cole had never called my cousin by his last name. To this day all of the four horsemen stayed the four horsemen and my cousin stayed ‘Captain’ to them. 
“Where are they?”, he barked, striding inside the room and standing in front of me with accusation written all over his face. 

Crying echoed through the halls as Silvers desperate hiccups were heard through the open door. Cole exhaled deeply, jaw tightening at the sound when he moved to the door to close it.

Before he could do that a tall, muscular blonde appeared in the door frame, holding the door open. Xander Knight entered the room, his blonde her combed back, his black suit unbuttoned, the dark green tie around his neck loose. Amongst us, I’d say he was the most unhealthily obsessed with his daughter than any of us. Glyndon sure was the family’s princess. But I think Levi learned to share her exactly because of the reason that she is so loved by her entire family. Cecily on the other hand is Xander’s only daughter and only child. And truth to be told, Knight was a little emotionally imbalanced and addicted when it came to his daughter. 

“Captain” His voice sounded thick, heavy. 
“Cecily..”
“She’s safe.. for now” My cousin and I exchanged glances as we both remembered the attack Eli told me about shortly after they found Knight’s daughter. She almost wasn’t safe …anymore.

Xander exhaled deeply, closing his eyes in relief before he moved over to the giant window.

It was such a fucked up situation. Were you able to be happy because your child was safe? Were you allowed to when everyone else children were missing? And how long would their safety be ensured. We aren’t there. We don’t know what is going on.

For the first time in my entire life, I was happy that I only had sons. 

I never understood the obsession my friends and my cousin had over their daughters as I did everything to let my sons grow up independent and true to who they are and what they liked.

They were strong and smart, and I’ve always been proud of who they’ve become. But they were guys and they were able to protect themselves. Society wasn’t cruel to them. They didn’t need preservation, no one to keep them secure because they were the predators in this world. 

I wouldn’t have minded a tiny version of Elsa and I know I would’ve loved her more than my sons. I’m just being one hundred percent honest. And maybe that’s why I am grateful for having Eli and Creighton as my children and not Cecily, Glyndon, Ava or Ariella.

The last of the four horsemen entered the office. 

It was the first time since I knew Astor, that he had stepped into a room this quiet with no extravagant speech or a witty line. The first time he didn’t immediately thirsted for attention and gloated in it. In fact, he looked like he wanted to be ignored and left alone in the corner.

He was wearing all black. Washed out black jeans with a tight black shirt and topped of with a black leather jacket. He had obviously skipped work or was about to when I called, as this looked like an outfit that would’ve successfully seduced his wife. His brown locks were brushed back messily that yet still looked intentional. 

Ronan did not to say anything, just merely nodded towards us before he took a stand next to Xander.

I took the final sip of my whiskey and chose to ignore Cole who was still throwing daggers with his eyes to the side of my face. 

Levi sighed when everyone found their place and walked over to the door to close it finally. He moved back to his desk and sat down. Elbows set on the table, fingers intertwined with each other in front of his face, he just stared ahead with a grim look before talking.

“You contacted Carson?”

I hummed no.

“Volkov?”

Xander’s head tilted towards us, his interest peaking.

“No”

“Why?”

“Because this involves us first and they are not exactly my favorite people”

“Fuck your favorite people. My fucking daughters were kidnapped! I’m not going to miss a chance on finding those fuckers and murder them just because of your personal issues and pride, King!”, Cole barked.

I still didn’t look at him and just set my glass on the coffee table in front of me. Cole Nash was the pettiest bitch on this planet but for the first time I couldn’t blame him for this.

Doesn’t mean he didn't get on my last damn nerve with the attitude though.

“The americans, as we all know” I threw a pointed look in Cole’s direction without locking eyes with him. “have relations or are with the mafia.”

I witnessed Knight’s jaw tick from the peripheral of my eye. I remembered when he found out about Jeremy Volkov’s true background. He had spammed the whole group, mainly attacking me if I knew that Annika had a mafia background. When I said yes he was the sulkiest, most whiniest and wussiest fucker I’ve ever encountered. Thank god for Kimberly for being able to calm him down after a few days.

“I wouldn’t say we don’t have great influence ourselves but I’d like to humble each and everyone here by reminding us that the mafia have their own morals.”, I continued.

“So do we”, Levi stated, still observing me.

“So do we, yes. I didn’t say I am completely appalled against their idea of justice. In fact, I think at the moment we all grew a little liking to their methods. I’m just saying, the involvement might be too quick. We don’t know what is going on ourselves and I’d suggest we figure it out before we start the next world war.”

“What makes you think we are going to be calm?”, Cole asked with a deathly undertone.

“We are going to be calculative and calm Nash, because it’s factual that Glyndon and Ava seem to be the main target and the other girls are just means for the purpose.”

Now everyone in the room turned towards be, Xander and Ronan stepping closer to the desk, Levi lowering his hands from his face.

“What do you mean?”, Astor asked.

“Yeah, King. What do you know? Spit it out!” Knight crossed his arms in front of his chest, looking expectantly.

“All of the girls were kidnapped. Why do you think it’s just Ava and Glyn?”
Levi’s voice was stoic but had yet a sharp undertone.

“Actually, it’s anyone related to the King name”

Eight pairs of eyes were now boring into me, waiting for me to continue.

“Do you need me to fuck you in order for you to spill it because I swear to God King I’m this close in murdering you and finding it out myself”

I looked at Cole for the first time and saw nothing but hatred and impatience in his forest green eyes. And maybe a glimpse of worry, pain.

I swallowed the nasty comment in the back of my throat and reminded myself that in this situation I was the bigger person than bitch ass Nash. But to be fair, it wasn’t my daughter that was God knows where.

“Ariella and Cecily were found” I left out the truth about how they found the girls for Knight’s and Nash’s sake. I couldn’t have them losing their minds before we even arrived there.

“Intentionally” I added, before anyone interfered.

“Well, more or less. Ariella definitely but Cecily wasn’t supposed to be there when the boys found her. They were behind Sokolov’s daughter. The fuckers knew that they were being followed and chose someone not directly connected to the King name just to be safe so when they found them, they still didn’t have the main targets.”

“How is Sokolov’s daughter related to the King name?”, Ronan asked confused.

“Yeah, and I thought this was about Ava and Glyndon?”, Xander adds, nodding to what Ronan said.

“Landon”

Realization exploded in Levi’s blue eyes when he spoke his own sons name. 

I nodded agreeingly.

“Glyndon is a King. Ava is dating a King. So is Mia Sokolov.”

“If your theory is right, then you have to include Annika” Xander walked now around the leather couch to plant himself in it. 

“Therefor I think we should really contact the Volkov’s”

“I thought about that, but something doesn’t add up with this”, I said, thinking out loud.

“What do you mean?”, Ronan asked leaning against Levi’s desk.

“Annika is a big target I mean if you think of who she is and what she’s been through, I have a hard time thinking that the Volkov’s didn’t notice anything yet.”

I stood up, taking my glass from the coffe table before going to the open mini bar again to pour myself a drink. Ronan joined me and I poured himself a glass as well.

“So you think they are part of this”

I shook my head no. “That’s not what I mean. I rather have the theory that Annika is kept to prevent them from coming at all.”

“You mean like blackmail?”, Ronan continued, trying to understand my brain.

“More like control. I don’t think the Volkov’s would stay still when someone threatened them to not come find them when they want their daughter alive. I think they are keeping her somewhere in order to keep everyone at bay.”

“And what makes you so sure of that, cousin? What prove do you have?”

I took a sip of my whiskey, letting the burn subside before answering him.

“The guys all spread up, trying to find some clues when my sons found something on their hunt. Before they were attacked they witnessed a man sending an audio message that sounded like Annika. They managed to listen to it”

“And?” Xander lifted an eyebrow, making a go-on-already hand gesture, impatient clearly written on his face.

I might still not be the best storyteller among this group.

“It was Annika’s voice telling her mum that everything was alright and that she was having fun with the girls.”

“Maybe it was an old message?!”

I took another swig, raising my eyebrows no in response. 

“Annika was saying that she and the girls just got back from the museum Galleria dell’Accademia”

I looked out of the window, my eyes narrowing at what Eli had told me.

“Creighton and Eli instantly realized that that was a lie. Maybe a fake audio or maybe someone forced her to speak. Because Glyndon got the tickets for the museum. They remembered how Ava and Annika told them they probably would sneak out of the museum and leave Cecily and Glyndon to it to do something else to enjoy their last day somewhere more fun”

I drew quotation marks in the air.

“So… they would’ve visited the museum today basically.”

I nodded when Xander brought the pieces together.

“Maybe they just went earlier”

“No”, I went over to my cousin to show him the picture Eli send me from Creighton’s chat with Annika. She had sent him the tickets when Glyndon got them.

“They have fixed dates and can’t be exchange” I say, pointing at the date on the tickets. 

He looked at it a bit longer like he wanted to find any more clues on the picture. Anything that would make finding Glyndon easier. Faster.

A subtle knock made us all look towards the door.

“Cole?” 

A tiny women with blood red lips and short, silky-black hair, opened the door carefully. Teal Astor was wearing a black tight dress with wine red high heels.

Ronan stood up after putting his glass aside, reaching her at the door. She tried to give him a smile before his hands cupped her face. Her eyes instantly teared up.

“What is it, Belle?”

“Silver” Right when she said her name, Silver’s gut-wrenching scream were echoing from downstairs.

Instantly Cole jumped up and ran downstairs to be with his wife.

Teal buried her face in Ronan’s chest who sighed in defeat.

“Do you think Jonathan-“

“Fuck Jonathan” Levi interrupted me, standing up from his desk. “Glyndon is my daughter! I will bring her back!”

Hurried steps echoed from outside again when Kimberly Knight entered through the door. Her brown-green hair was up in a messy bun. Her flower dress a stark contrast to the dark and gloomy atmosphere.

“Levi.” Her voice trembled, making Xander jump up instantly.

“Green, hey” She crushed against him, crying in his chest. 

“Kimberly?” Levi asked, already on his way outside, sensing that something was going on with Astrid.

Kimberly only shook her head, hiccupping into her husband’s chest.

My cousin didn’t waste any more time and rushed downstairs. The screams were getting louder and the chaos was now so deafening that we all hurried downstairs to see what was happening.

“What is going on?” 
I asked, catching Elsa in my arms when her trembling frame was weakly trying to reach me.

Fuck!

Instantly I grabbed her wrist to feel her pulse only to realize that it was slower.

“Sweetheart, baby, look at me” 

Else shook her head, burying it only deeper into my neck.

I held her tightly against me, maybe even suffocating her a bit but I had to feel her heart pounding against my chest to not go insane.

“Oh my god”, Xander gasped, pressing Kimberly deeper into himself when looking over Cole's shoulder. Levi had taken Astrid’s phone who was close to fainting against his side when his eyes bore into the device he was holding. He was frozen while Knight threw his head to the side, eyes closed shut in pain when he cupped his wife’s head to keep her from coming up and see -probably again- what he saw.

Ronan had a similar reaction, whispering ‘fuck’ under his breath, when he pulled Teal to the side in order to protect her from the visual on the phone.

Nash was holding Silver’s phone and from my angle now so I could see that it was a message.

‘Tell your husband I said Hi. Oh and her daughter greets him too”

Over the years I never witnessed major change in the way Silver looked. She still was the blonde tall girl, with too short dresses and model-esque physics but in this moment, I swear she looked like she matured 50 years.

Silver Nash looked like the most devasted and lifeless person I’ve seen in, maybe ever.

“It’s all your fucking fault!”, suddenly Cole barked, his head shooting up at me. 

“What?”

“Because of your fucking son! I told you King, to keep your son away from my fucking daughter!”

“Oh, because Eli is such a good listener”, I commented with a sarcastic undertone.

He stomped towards me when Silver held him back, begged him, drowning in tears, to no get into a fight now.

“What does that say about you as a fucking father if you can’t make your child listen?!”, he hissed, pulling Silver against his chest. His voice towards me was nothing but poisonous whereas he was nothing but delicate with his wife.

“I don’t know, you tell me. You should know since your daughter obviously didn’t listen to you, when it came to keeping a distance to my son”

“You fucking-“

“Hey!”, Levi shouted loudly, interrupting us both whilst crouching in front of Astrid’s feet who was crying miserably on the couch. He was holding her hands but she was so out of it I was pretty sure that she wasn’t able to see, hear or feel anything at all.

What was on her phone? What message did she receive?

“Listen”, I took a deep breath, stroking a hand down Elsa’s back in order to collect my calm.

For her sake.

“You can beat me up for something that I just learned myself or you can get your shit together and get ready for the hunt, Nash”

All of the four horsemen and my cousin included, looked up at me. The change and the challenge in my voice not going unnoticed when Levi rose from the place in front of his wife.

Pure and raw revenge and hunger for a dark, very dark justice was written on all of their faces.

Cole’s jaw clenched when his eyes darkened, looking almost black. He didn’t nod but I could see the clear commitment on his face.

Levi’s phone vibrated and after a short look he stepped into the middle of the room.

“Get packed. The jet is ready”

I instantly cupped Elsa’s face and kissed her forehead softly. She was still hiccupping. Her big blue eyes were looking into mine and fuck I wanted to burn the world for every drop of tear she was losing.

But instead I would torture the men who did this to us and our friends in order to get back for her tears. 

“Promise me to take care of yourself, sweetheart”

“Aid-“

“Promise me!”, I cut her off. “I can’t be worrying about you when I’m gone.”

I leaned my forehead against hers “Please”

She nodded against me.

“Please..”, she whimpered “bring them back!”

I engulfed her in a tight hug that translated as a silent promise.

I looked around and saw that Levi had already disappeared with Astrid. 

Ronan stopped kissing Teal to brush her short hair behind her ears. 

“Be safe, Belle”

“I will”
“And I promise I will bring our son back…”

She looked at him with slight furrowed eyebrows. Looking for the answer of what he meant by that.

“I’ve never heard my son like this. He sounded haunted… and far, far away”

Teal’s bottom lip trembled at that and Ronan quickly kissed her to prevent her from bursting down into tears.

Xander was busy wiping Kimberly’s tears while he was fighting his own. He was angry, fucking furious yet so, so in pain. 

“She’s safe, Green. She is safe with Jeremy. We will bring her back safely I promise”, he vowed before kissed her so softly that it made her well up in tears again.

“Hey” Cole’s harsh voice caught my attention when he grabbed Silver’s neck tightly, making her immobile to move, forcing her to look at him.

 “I didn’t wait 10 years to be with you, to build this family only to watch it break apart like this. I’m going to bring back our daughters. Both of them. I swear, Butterfly!”

 “Cole..” 

 Silver cupped his husbands face and captured his lips. 

“I love you”

The little voice against my chest made me look down at the beautiful blue eyes that were staring at me, now a trusting and hoping glint visible in them.

“I love you, too, sweetheart!”

I kissed her lips for the last time and as if on que all of the four horsemen followed me.

Adrenaline was starting to pump through my veins when I realized that this was the first time in years we came together, justifying our title as the 'four horsemen'.

Who would've thought that outside the football field we would join forces again to protect our children.

To make our wife's stop crying.

To hurt those who hurt us.

I felt my eye started to twitch as wrath engulfed my whole being.

You motherfuckers better run.

Because the search is just the foreplay before the hunt starts..