seas_open: (004)
April Ross ([personal profile] seas_open) wrote2015-02-01 12:07 pm
Entry tags:

[closed - Caden]

Over the past month, the list of people April has kept in touch with has been very small. She talks to Caden the most, followed by Coop and then her father, though she's really only texted Robert twice, mostly just to let him know she's still alive. If she decides not to return to Siren Cove, she isn't sure what she's going to do. Keeping in touch with him seems like it's the right thing, but when it comes to family, April has no idea if the right thing is always the best thing. Maybe it would make more sense to just cut her losses and get out of Siren Cove for good.

Caden can travel, clearly. He has money, he has a house in California, he's no more tied to the town than she is. And since he isn't, there's really nothing keeping her there. Nothing except maybe Coop and her father. And maybe Les, even if she hates to admit it even to herself.

That's what she's thinking about when she enters her hotel room that afternoon. She's thinking about family and people she's allowed into her life. She's thinking about packing and about maybe heading to California for a little while before going home. (Is it home? The label scares her a little.) She's thinking about these things and she's distracted, it's the only reason she doesn't immediately notice that there's someone else in her room.

He hits her hard enough to knock her out.

The next two days are a bit of a blur.

They don't hurt her, not at first. They just want their money, same as before, only without Les here, without Lara, she's in a bit of a bind. They're different sirens this time, less prone toward brute force and more likely to find what they're looking for just by being thorough. They go through her belongings, looking for something that indicates where she might be storing the money from her mother's estate, but April doesn't keep anything in her real name. All her assets are held in banks across the world under various identities and the only account under April Ross has sixteen thousand dollars in it. Not bad, but not enough.

They go through her phone, whisper amongst each other, then send someone a text. When she asks who they're trying to communicate with, she's hit again, so hard that her head rocks back against the chair they've tied her to, and she keeps her mouth shut after that. She isn't afraid, not exactly, but she doesn't know how she's going to get out of this. Not this time. The only real solution seems to be to pay them off, but she hates the idea of tipping them off to what she's really worth.

"Maybe her boyfriend will be more interested in paying off her mother's debt if he sees he bruises," one of them says and snaps a picture of April on her phone.

She laughs. "If you're texting Les, you're out of luck."

"Not him. The rich one. The writer."

And something in her chest seizes. She doesn't want Caden involved, not in any of this, but they send the text with the picture of her, bruised and tied to a chair, and she isn't sure there's anything else she can do but wait.
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[personal profile] writtenby_caden 2015-02-02 05:24 pm (UTC)(link)

Someone with a slick, smarmy voice picks up and Caden has to take a deep breath in through his nose as anger overwhelms. Someone took April. They hurt her. Another clap of thunder booms overhead and he ignores it, fingers trembling slightly as he holds the phone. He's fucking terrified, but showing that isn't going to help right now. Being scared won't do any good. It won't get April back safely.

But it's okay. He can do this. He just has to be calm.

"Hey, it's okay. There's a lot of big words in there. Maybe next time I'll put out a picture book, just for you. Now how about we save the bullshit smalltalk for the movies." He's proud of the way his voice doesn't waver. He sounds angry, but that's better than scared. They can use scared against him. "You know who I am, and I'm pretty sure I know what you want."

Suddenly he's worried that this is all his fault. Someone is trying to extort money from him by taking April, but that doesn't really make much sense. No one outside of Siren Cove even knows they're dating, and neither one of them have been there for weeks. He bites his lip and goes to look out the window, letting his steely gaze focus on the rain as he speaks. It makes him feel strong, for some reason, to see the rain beating down onto the chopping ocean waves. "But I'm not negotiating anything with you until I know that she's alright. Put April on the phone, and then you can tell me what it is that you want."

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[personal profile] writtenby_caden 2015-02-02 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)

He sags in relief when he hears April's voice, and of course she says she's fine. Caden doesn't know to what degree of fine she actually is, but it's at least enough to talk and try to tell him what's going on. "Fuck, April, I - "

Her voice goes muffled and quiet like the phone is being pulled away, and Caden snaps his mouth shut so her captors don't hear the emotion in his voice. It doesn't really make him feel any better to know that this isn't his fault, because April is still in danger, but he can get her out of it. They seem willing to make this a simple transaction, and Caden will do whatever it takes.

"Fine. How much is it that her mother owed you?" Caden asks. He isn't worried about being able to pay. He literally has more money than he knows what to do with, thanks in part to an amazingly savvy agent and a good friend that has an incredible way with stocks. Caden has barely touched what he's made so far on his last book, not to mention the nearly obscene amount he was given for the movie rights to Harbinger.

None of it matters, because he would give up every cent for April. But still, he can't tell them that. "And you'll need to tell me where you are. I won't do anything stupid, but I want to do this in person. I get April back without another scratch on her, and you get your money in cash. Everyone goes home happy."

He's imagining lightning striking these men where they stand, or the ocean reaching out to swallow them whole. He's imagining ripping them apart with his bare hands, but he still manages to make his voice sound almost pleasant as he speaks. "Sound good?"

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[personal profile] writtenby_caden 2015-02-04 07:28 pm (UTC)(link)

The call disconnects and Caden lets out a frustrated shout as he pulls the phone away from his ear. The photo of April is still filling the screen and Caden tears his eyes away from it, tossing the phone onto the couch as another loud clap of thunder sounds just overhead. He feels so, so angry and so fucking scared, and it's like he's vibrating with it. There's an odd sensation in his chest and he paces, flipping on the television just for some background noise to distract him while he thinks. Two familiar anchors are sitting at a news desk, and Caden turns his back on the television.

A sudden severe storm has appeared just over San Francisco, and it's leaving meteorologists baffled. The forecast called for clear sunny skies throughout the week, and this sudden weather pattern has them scratching their heads. Residents are encouraged to take cover until this strange occurrence passes.

The first thing Caden does is call to arrange for a private jet because he's far too frazzled to deal with public transportation right now, and he doubts April will want to deal with it either. That is, if she even wants to come back with him. He hopes so.

He's on hold with the flight company when he realizes that there's no way they'll take off in such a storm. He stares out of the window and grits his teeth. "Stop fucking raining."

Within moments the rain starts to slow, going from a torrential downpour to a trickle as he watches. Caden is still staring with wide eyes when someone comes on the line. "Mr. Carter? Hello? You're in luck. All flights were set to be grounded, but if the weather keeps easing up like it is we should be able to get you off the ground in a few hours."

"Uh, good," Caden says distractedly. He takes down the time and where he's supposed to be, giving her his credit card information before disconnecting the call. He stares out at the horizon and lets out a shaky breath when the sun peeks out, sky clearing little by little. It has to be a coincidence. A very strange coincidence. What other explanation is there?

He packs a duffel with a change of clothes and the charger for his phone and changes into a casual suit before hailing a cab to the bank. He gets some odd looks when he requests the cash, but Caden weaves a good story. It's what he does.

Soon he's on a small jet with a briefcase full of cash at his feet, clutching uneasily at a champagne flute the flight attendant stuck in his hand. This is all too easy. The amount they're asking is far less than he was expecting, and far less than these assholes know Caden is worth. What's to say they won't just pull this again and again? He wants to stop them, put an end to it, but he doesn't know how. Going to the police would be idiotic, and for one brief moment he considers calling Les. He's powerful, and despite what he put them through, Caden knows that he still cares.

He dismisses that idea quickly and stares out the window, gears in his mind turning as he hopes for April's safety. He'll get her back, and hopefully make them pay for ever touching her.

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[personal profile] writtenby_caden 2015-02-05 08:16 pm (UTC)(link)

Caden has never really been this freaked out, and there are many reasons for his current state. April, for one. He's fucking terrified and it's simmering with an undercurrent of anger like he's never felt. He wasn't even this upset when he was kidnapped.

And the other reason? The weather.

"Huh, report said sunny skies," says the pilot as they make their descent. "It's looking a little gray. Guess the weather's freaking out all over the place."

Caden swallows hard. Coincidence. Very weird coincidence.

He keeps telling himself that as it starts to drizzle when he hails a cab. The closer he gets to the hotel, the harder it rains and the darker it gets. It's not quite a storm, but it's getting there.

Once he's in front of the hotel room, he takes a deep breath and reaches up to knock. He's going to be calm. He's not going to beat the shit out of whoever opens the door. He's not.

(He wants to.)

The door opens and Caden radiates steely calm. "I believe we had an appointment."

A surly looking man steps aside to let him in and turns to close the door behind him. And there, bound and gagged is his girlfriend. Wait, no. Okay, fuck it. Right now she's his damn girlfriend, and she's hurt and bleeding and tied up and he knows he can't show emotion in front of these assholes. He just can't, so he bottles it up. Internalizes it. Feels that strange vibration in his chest again.

And then the wind picks up. It's insanely loud and thunder cracks overhead, lightning striking the sea as a strong gust blows heavy rain in through the open balcony door. Caden flinches a little and watches with wide eyes as the guy moves over to shut the door.

"That's fucking weird. It was just nice outside," the guy says, and then turns to face Caden. He puts his hand on April's shoulder and Caden swallows hard as the wind hits the door hard enough to rattle it in its frame. The weather feels angry, and Caden doesn't know how he knows that, but good. He wants it angry. "You got the money?"

"Yes," Caden grits out, and another clap of thunder sounds overhead. "Untie her."

writtenby_caden: (sad)

[personal profile] writtenby_caden 2015-02-07 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)
The man's comment infuriates him even more and the room lights up with a flash of lightning. He wants to tear him apart but he just nods and wraps his hand around April's arm. Just touching her makes him feel a little calmer, because she's okay. She's safe. They just need to get these men away from them.

"Here," Caden grits out, holding out the briefcase. "This will take care of the debt, and we can go our separate ways."

He swallows hard as the briefcase is snatched from him and he takes a step back, keeping one hand low on April's back as he waits for them to go. His composure is so close to slipping, and all he wants to do is take that goddamn tape off of April's mouth and hold her, make sure she's okay for himself.
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[personal profile] writtenby_caden 2015-02-10 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)

Be seeing you.

It's all the confirmation that Caden needed that this isn't over. They're going to extort him over and over because they know they can get away with it, because there's no amount of money Caden wouldn't give to ensure April's safety. He knows it and they know it.

Caden's jaw ticks at the comment and a final clap of thunder sounds overhead as they leave the room. April lurches away from his side and Caden follows like they're connected by a string, wincing in sympathy when she rips the tape off of her mouth.

"God, April, are you okay?" She is okay. She's whole and standing in front of him, looking more pissed off than anything else, but he still has to ask. He reaches up to cup her cheek, taking a deep breath for the first time in a day. "I was so fucking scared."

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[personal profile] writtenby_caden 2015-02-12 06:11 pm (UTC)(link)

"What in the world are you sorry for?" Caden asks, confusion written all over his face. "The money? God, April. I don't care about the money. I just care that you're okay."

He kisses her forehead and pulls her into a hug, wrapping his arms around her and holding on tightly. "I was so worried, and I'm just happy you're safe. I feel like I can breathe again."

The longer he holds onto her and has her safe and whole in his arms, the calmer he feels. He breathes easier and as he does, the rain lessens. The wind stops howling and the clouds stop growing dark. But Caden doesn't notice because he's too busy concentrating on April.

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[personal profile] writtenby_caden 2015-02-13 06:32 am (UTC)(link)
"April, you don't have to pay me back. It's just money." He pulls back and cups her cheek, thumbing lightly under a bruise there. He's curious as to why she didn't just pay them the debt if she had the money, but that's not important.

It's just important that she's okay.

"We'll figure it out, okay? We won't let them get away with this," he assures her, and he means it. He's not going to take this lying down, and he's definitely not going to let them do it again. "Now, there's a jet waiting for me at the airport. How about you come back to San Francisco with me and get some rest, huh?"
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[personal profile] writtenby_caden 2015-02-22 09:34 pm (UTC)(link)
He kisses her back softly and smiles, just a little, following her as she packs and helping where he can. Part of him doesn't want to stop touching April, or let her out of his sight, but the bigger part of him knows better than to even try that. He's just scared, and he doesn't want to see her get hurt again.

Caden frowns when she mentions the weather and looks out of the window. The sky is still dreary and gray, but the storm that had come on so suddenly is over... as soon as April was safe.

"Yeah, uh. The weather was acting strange at home too," Caden says slowly, turning to face her. He's obviously confused and a little scared. "It's almost like... no, never mind. That's insane."
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[personal profile] writtenby_caden 2015-02-28 01:18 am (UTC)(link)

It's crazy. It's totally crazy. It's the kind of shit he would write about, but only... is it that crazy? He's seen what Les can do. Magic is real; it exists. Caden knows this for a fact.

"The weather is acting like it's, I don't know, reflecting my mood?" He bites his lip and goes over to sit on the edge of the bed, fiddling with the edge of the duvet before looking up at her. "I seem to always have good luck with the weather, but I thought that's all it was. What happened today - "

He trails off and swallows hard, brow furrowed for a moment. "That wasn't luck. It was something different."

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[personal profile] writtenby_caden 2015-03-02 08:15 pm (UTC)(link)

Caden swallows hard and looks at her, eyes a bit wide, and then nods. "I don't - I can try."

He turns and looks out at the dreary gray sky. This could be huge. This could change everything. He furrows his brow and thinks about clouds rolling in, about rain coming, but nothing really happens. Then he turns to look at April's face, and the way her expression just barely gives away how much pain she's in. There are bruises on her face and Caden's blood boils. Seeing her hurt makes him boil with rage, and he reaches up to gently cup her cheek. "God, I could kill them."

Rain patters against the windows again and Caden blinks, turning to stare with wide eyes. "Holy shit, it is me. I don't understand. I've never - " He turns to face April, suddenly concerned with what she may think of him now. His voice is quiet when he speaks, full of worry. "I had no idea."

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[personal profile] writtenby_caden 2015-03-03 08:00 pm (UTC)(link)

"Joel? Yeah, I know him. He's a witch?" He blinks and swallows hard. "I'm a witch? God, yeah. I need to learn how to control it. I don't want to be dangerous."

He looks out of the window and takes a deep breath, watching as the rain dies back down. After a moment he turns to look at April, cupping her cheek and smiling a little. "But right now I'm concerned with you, okay? Let's get out of here. We can go to my place and relax and figure out what to do next."

April is sure to have some sort of plan, and Caden's prepared to support her in whatever it is. He stands up and grabs her bag, holding out his hand to her and giving her a reassuring smile. It's been a very long day, and there's lots to tackle now, but the most important thing is that April is safe.

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[personal profile] writtenby_caden 2015-03-04 07:28 pm (UTC)(link)

"He did, huh? Well, can't say I don't understand why." His gaze hardens just a bit when he focuses on the bruises on April's face. She takes his hand and stands and Caden wraps an arm around her waist, leaning in to kiss her temple just above a bruise. What she says makes him feel better, for now, and he smiles softly.

"Thank you," he says sincerely, and he's relieved that April can take this in stride. "And you're right, it will. Now let's get you onto the jet so you can get some rest."

He carries her bag over to the door and opens it for her, sparing once last glance around the room before shutting the door with a loud click. Then he takes April's hand again, for as much his benefit as hers, and leads her to the elevator. "I have a private plane waiting. I just didn't want to deal with anyone, and I figured you wouldn't either."