Chapter 14 - The Arrest

it's good that your wife didn't make it?

Yes, because then I wouldn't be able to do this

Eli fires the gun. I watch in horror as Warren falls to the floor. Eli walks over to where Warren is lying and kicks him in the side. Warren groans, and I bite my lip to keep from screaming

Useless, that's what you are

I hear Eli's footsteps racing up the stairs, and I move to run to Warren, but he stops me

Don't move

His voice is strained and weak, so unlike him

Kiara,don't you dare move a single inch from that couch

I can't just leave you

Seconds later, Eli's footsteps pound back down the stairs as he waltzes over to Warren. He watches me until his eyelids start to drop, I stay immobilised, watching colour drain from his cheeks

I couldn't have pulled it off without you

He smirks

You were instrumental in all of this. I appreciate everything you've done for me, Garcia

His laboured breathing can be heard echoing throughout the room, and it seems to only make Eli smile . I nearly choke out a sob when I see Warren's chest barely moving up and down. He carefully dips the scarf in Warren's blood until it's drenched. Eli bends down with his assistants, forgotten scarf in his hands. Eli places the scarf in Warren's outstretched hand and then straightens up and heads towards the door .

i almost feel sorry it had to end this way. Thank you for your service

As soon as I hear it close behind him, I race over to Warren.

Just wake up! Warren,please! Warren!

Tears clouding my vision, I desperately try to wake him up

I need you! Please, please

Blood smears on my clothes as I take his head and place it in my lap. His raspy breaths are the only indicator that he's still alive.

I need to call an ambulance!

I reach into his pocket to grab his cell phone

Hello, 9-1-1, what's your emergency?

A sob wracks through my body as I try to describe the scene

There's been a shooting!

she asks me questions about where Warren was shot, if there are any weapons in the home, and instructs me on how to slow his bleeding . The 9-1-1 operator stays on the phone with me while we wait for the paramedics to arrive at the house

A few minutes later, I heard the sirens. The door bursts open, and four people in medical uniforms surge into the room

Please help him!

They make quick work of bandaging the bullet wound and lift him up onto a stretcher. As they load him into the ambulance, I hop in, too, clutching Warren's cold hand in my own

The race to the hospital is a blur

I'm asked countless questions and ordered to write a witness statement. The police take down my statement, and I'm given a clean set of hospital clothes to change into. By the time I look at the clock, nearly three hours have gone by since we arrived at the hospital, and I still haven't been able to see Warren. Only the family is allowed to hear updates on Warren's condition. Thankfully, I still have the I.D. that Warren gave me in my pocket, so I can easily pass as his wife for the time being

How long does it usually take to remove a bullet?

Kiara... Don't worry

it's been hours! is he okay?

if anyone can help Warren, it's him. He's been a colleague of mine for almost four years now. That man who performed the surgery is someone I have great confidence in.

As much as I want to know what's happening, I know there's nothing more she can tell me right now

He's alive. They'll be moving him to the recovery room soon, and then you can see him. Just stay patient, okay? And... Try to stay positive

Her words don't offer me much reassurance, but at least I know he's alive. A few minutes later, the door to the room opens, and a doctor beckons her in

Hannah?

I have to go.

She disappears for a few minutes, then comes back

come with me. I'm going to sneak you into his room, but we have to be quick. The most I can offer you is five minutes since he's monitored every fifteen

You're letting me see him?

Hope blooms in my chest. She presses the up button on the elevator, and we wait for it to arrive

Try not to panic, okay?

My stomach drops

why would I panic? what's going on?

The surgery was a success

I can see the word "but" dancing along her lips. The elevator finally arrives, and we step inside. We're both quiet as the elevator ascends, and when the door pings open, Hannah pulls me down the hallway. She pauses outside the room with a beeping monitors and what sounds to be a ventilator

stay calm. What he needs from you right now is to hear your voice

I step into the room and push the curtain aside. I eye the machines hooked up to Warren, and my heart breaks at the sight. His eyes are closed, and a ventilator is helping his chest to move up and down as it forces oxygen into his body. The steady beat of the heart monitor is the only reassurance that Warren is still alive

Warren?

There's no movement or sign that he's heard me at all. I sit down in the chair beside the bed and gently take his hand in mine. An IV protrudes from his skin, and fluids drip down into the tube connected to his arm. A huge bandage is wrapped around his chest, completely covering where the bullet tore through him

Warren....I can't believe you'd do that for me. You literally took a bullet to save me. I should've told you this sooner... how much you mean to me

A tears falling onto his hand as I bring it up to place a gentle kiss on his wrist

I love you, Warren Garcia. And I want to spend my life with you.

I study his face for any sign that he heard me, but there's no movement whatsoever. Not even a minute later, Hannah walks over and puts her hand on my shoulder. Reluctantly, I stand up and follow her to the door. With one more glance back at the man who saved my life, I leave the room

I really appreciate this, Hannah. I didn't realise how awful I look .

it's no big deal. I knew it was the best to get out of there. Waiting around like that can drive a person crazy

I nod

Just yell if you need me, okay? I'll be right outside the door

Thank you

I watch as Hannah leaves the room and clicks the door shut. Turning to face the mirror, I take a look at my appearance again and shudder

I look like hell. But Warren looks even worse. I don't want to think about what life would be like without Warren. He's been such a huge part of who I've become. He's helped me find myself again. if he dies.....

I stop myself from even going there. instead, I think back on all the things i should've done differently

it was my idea to go to the house

He's never would've gotten shot if I'd just stayed at my parents' house. I lean my head against the wall and try to calm down

Warren's going to be fine. He has to be fine

okay, it looks like Hannah left a few outfits for me to choose from. I can't exactly wear a hospital robe or my blood clothes, anyway....what should I wear? I picked a Black jeans trouser and a grey crop sweater

This will work

Hot enough for you?

I nod my head, taking a careful sip of the hot chocolate she's set out before me. A tray of marshmallows rests on my lap along with whipped cream, fluff, sprinkles, and chocolate chips

I haven't had these in so long

how did we even come up with The Ultimate Hot Chocolate?

Hannah pauses with her mug raised to her lips

I think it was right after you found out that you passed the bar exam

oh, that's right! That was the hardest damn test I've ever taken in my life

But you passed in flying colours

I smile when a whipped cream moustache appears on her face

Thanks for doing this, Hannah . I really appreciate it

Stop, you know you don't even have to ask. I'd do anything for you, especially when you're going through something like this

She wipes her finger across her upper lips and scoops up the whipped cream

so how are you feeling?

I'm...just so sad

I can understand that. I'd feel the exact same way if I were in your position.

She reaches out to place her hand on mine but hesitates

Are you ready to talk about what happened?

I don't really know, to be honest. it all happened so fast

was what you told the place true?

Not entirely

She waits patiently for me to continue

We were at the house looking for clues

Clues for what? The threats?

Yes, and things just weren't adding up. I left my parents' house without even saying goodbye, and Warren caught me before I could leave. I actually tried to sneak out

I chuckle humourlessy

I should've known better

He would've followed you anyway. That man is completely devoted to you

yeah... We saw Eli with his assistant while we were hiding in the closet. They... they had sex

I wrinkle my nose at the memory while Hannah looks disgusted

it was so uncomfortable. Then he told her to leave

He kicked her out?

Right after they had sex

What an asshole

Right? When Warren and I got downstairs, we thought we were going to make it to the door, but then Eli showed up. I was able to hide behind the couch, but Eli saw Warren and stopped. Warren tried to pretend like he was there to check in with Eli and report that I was dead

Did Eli believe him?

I shut my eyes

He believed him enough to try and kill him

Why would he want Warran dead, though? Did Warren try to attack him?

The exact opposite, actually. Warren just stood there with his hands up, and Eli basically said he was happy I was dead because now he could kill Warren

Why would he want to kill Warren? That doesn't make any sense?

I shake my head at a loss

Then what happened?

He...he shot him. And then he kicked him

What!

Her eyes widen with fury

What the hell?! What is wrong with that prick?!

it was so awful to watch. I couldn't do anything to stop it

And he just left there like that?

Yes, he- -

I stop

No, actually, he didn't

he didn't?

He went upstairs and grabbed the scarf his assistant left at the house

Her scarf? Why would he want that?

My hand started to shake at the memory

He d-dipped it into Warren's blood -

okay, okay! We don't have to talk about that

Hannah is staring at me with concern written across her face

You're so place, Kiara. When's the last time you actually ate something?

I..

I tried to think back to my last meal, but I couldn't even remember

At dawn?

Kiara! Are you serious?

She steps away from me and heads into the kitchen

Hannah, I'm fine!

No, you're not!

A few minutes later, she comes back with chicken noodle soup and a turkey and cheese sandwich

Eat this, or I will force it down your throat

You're making way too big deal out of this!

You're so pale you could pass as Casper. Eat

Unwillingly, I follow her advice and take a bit of the sandwich. My stomach seems to groan in appreciation, causing Hannah to shoot me a satisfied smile

That's what I thought

Thank you. I'm not really sure what I'd do without you in my life

You're more than welcome. You're going to need all the strength you can get to take that bastard down

A few hours later...

Kiara, wake up! Kiara!

Groggily, I squint as Hannah turns on the lamp beside the couch

He's awake

Who?

She rolls her eyes, and my hazy thoughts finally start to clear

Warren's awake?!

Yes!

I scramble up from the couch

Do you want to see him?

Actually, I think I'm going to stay here

Hannah opens her mouth to respond, but no words come out

I don't want to see him right now

why not?!

What if Eli didn't believe Warren's story? What if he's out there, looking for me? I don't want to push my luck

I can understand that. He seems like a total psychopath. He won't get away with shooting Warren

I sigh

He's smarter than he looks

I'll believe that when I see it

Hannah's phone starts ringing, and she immediately answers it

Hello? Yes, this is she

She listens for a moment before her mouth drops open

I'm sorry, can you repeat that?

Wondering what's wrong, I step closer to her. She hangs up the phone and puts a hand on my shoulder

Oh, God. Did something happen to Warren? Please, tell me he's okay

it's not Warren, actually

Then, what is it?

Eli's assistant, Lana Hale, has just been arrested for attempted murder