Chapter 86 Is Someone Hurt?

Chapter 86 Is Someone Hurt?
EILEEN POV:

The car stopped in the middle of the road. The bodyguard rushed out of the driver’s seat and jogged to my side. When he opened the door, he waited patiently for me to step out. It was as if he was ready to catch me when I fell. 

But I wouldn’t allow myself to fall. 

My babies were waiting for me. Lucy was waiting for me. If I stumbled, who would catch them when they returned to me?

That was what I kept telling myself. 

After the initial shock, the bad thoughts gripped me. But as the tears ran dry, I realized that nothing that bad would happen. I had to trust Dominic and the system. Even if I had brought trouble into our lives, he was capable. At least, he would never allow anything terrible to happen to our family. 

I steeled my heart as I stepped into the road. I heard the sound of wind and squinted towards the sky. A helicopter hovered in the sky, circling overhead.

Ahead of me, the highway had been blocked off by cop cars and officers. I saw a small group of people waiting on the side and realized I recognized a few of them. 

I hastened my steps. 

Dominic turned to me when I was a few feet from him. His eyes brightened and he extended his hand for me to take. I approached them and gulped when I saw an officer speaking to Dominic and a few of the bodyguards.

“She’s here,” he said softly, nodding in my direction. 

I took his hand and gripped it tightly, allowing his strength to tie my heart, which was on the verge of shattering. 

The officer turned to me and nodded in acknowledgment. “Mrs. Presley, we have cornered the assailant. He is sitting inside the car and holding three people hostage.”

My eyes widened in terror. 

It took me a moment to realize what he had called me. I didn’t have time to think too much about it.

“Are they alright?” I whispered, a shred of hope in my voice. 

He nodded. Dominic squeezed my hand back reassuringly. 

“With your bodyguards and nearby cops all chasing him, he didn’t have time to stop and do anything to them. We don’t know the situation inside the car, but we have gotten him to roll the back window down. He has a weapon.”

I gulped. That’s why the bodyguards had to let him go for the time being. I understood, but my stomach tightened.

“He is refusing to come out?”

The officer nodded. “The negotiator is trying to get through to him, but he is getting desperate,” he informed. “He has been asking to see you.” He looked straight at me. 

I winced. 

“He wants to talk to an easier target,” Dominic said under his breath. “What do you recommend?” he questioned after a beat. 

The officer thought for a moment. “We can only comply with his request for now.” 

Dominic hesitated. 

“I’ll do it,” I announced before he could speak. The priority was talking to Arthur and getting him to let Lucy and the babies go.

Dominic turned to me. “Eileen, we need to think about this again. I can go–”

I shook my head, cutting him off. “He won’t hurt them if I go…”

His face fell and I cringed. The look of hurt in his eyes cut deep, but I couldn’t linger on it. 

“Mr. Presley, don’t worry about anything. We’ll make sure Mrs. Presley is protected. No matter what, we will get everyone out unscathed.”

I heard the sound of sirens from behind and looked over my shoulder. Three ambulances appeared. 

“Is someone hurt?” I blurted out. 

The officer stepped forward immediately. “No. But we have these on standby so that we can take everyone for a thorough checkup right after the issue is resolved.”

I sighed with relief. A female officer stepped forward and started putting on a protective jacket on me. I looked down on it, bewildered. 

“Just in case,” the officer replied stoically. I jerked my head and followed her blindly. When I broke through the circle, I had the first image of the situation. Dominic was arguing in hushed tones in the background, asking to go with me.

The window of the back seat was halfway rolled down. I could see Lucy’s face. Tears streamed down her cheeks but she bowed her head. I heard loud sobs coming from the car and felt my throat tighten. 

It was Harry.

It was past the time for him to feed, but how could Lucy have the bag when she was dragged away without notice? He must have been starving. I couldn’t hear Bethany, but she had to be inside as well.

The earpiece put on me pinged. “Announce yourself,” someone spoke into my ears. 

I froze, the feeling of being instructed, feeling foreign. I opened my mouth, “Arthur, I’m here.” I didn’t know if my voice was loud enough, but I saw him peer out. He was leaning out of the driver’s seat, but still out of sight.

“Ask them to move back!” Arthur yelled. 

Lucy winced, and Harry sobbed louder. This time, I swore I heard Bethany sniffle as well. I took a deep breath.

“Tell him you can’t hear what he is saying. That he needs to roll down his window…”

Would he agree to it? I didn’t know. 

But he was just as desperate as I was. 

“Could… could you roll the window down? I can’t hear you.” My voice shook with emotion.

A moment passed. He was thinking about it. That was a good sign. 

The driver’s side didn’t roll down, but Lucy’s side was fully open now. I heard mumbling in the background and everyone got into their respective positions. 

I had a better view inside the car. Lucy’s body covered the view of the backseat, but I saw the fabric of Bethany’s dress in the background. She was seated in the back. Harry was in Lucy’s arms and she looked at me with pleading eyes.