Chapter 30

©S A F I E

CHAPTER 30

GABRIEL

I hurried down the stairs just on time to see Victoria and Elle fighting over the gun. Elle appears to have been shot previously judging by the bloodstain on her shirt. The room was dim and I couldn't make out the things as I stumbled across, my hands tight on the gun.

"Victoria!"

She stares at me and for the slightest second and I thought she was going to come running back to me. Her eyes were filled with pain and longing as she hesitated, "Victoria please, you should stop," she stopped strangling Elle, her hands going limp on her side and she drops the gun, her gaze focused on me. This results in Elle successfully taking the gun from her grasp. "No, Victoria. Stop!" Victoria was snapped out of her trance as she lounges at Elle and looks up to me, her eyes blazing with hatred and anger. She punches Elle and hit her with the back of the gun as she takes possession of it. Victoria lets out a cry as she pressed her fingers and pull the trigger, "NO!"

I throw my body upon her only to see the bullet shooting out from the gun, slashing Elle's shirt as it makes its way across the room and into the dark. Victoria struggled from under me but my eyes remained on Elle as she nurses her bullet wounds and pressed her fingers on the lump on the side of her head. I wanted to go to her and comfort her but I need to deal with Victoria, gritting my teeth, I pressed my knees on the back of her thigh and pulled both of her arms on her back to prevent her from clawing my face, "Let go of me. Let go! Ahh." I cringe as I hear her pleas; she doesn't deserve my pity nor redemption. She deserves a punch in the face even though I am not fond of abusing women. She has done a lot of awful things to my family and I cannot allow her the chance to do any of that again.

I blew a sigh of relief as Joe assisted me up. He pulls Victoria off the floor and she struggles, her face red, "No, Gabriel, please! Stop him, take me. Take me with you."

" 'ight. Stop with these lousy excuses, aye?" Joe snapped as he takes Victoria up the stairs. Ryan nods to me and began his inspection around the basement, looking for Jacob.

I can hear Victoria swearing at Joe as they went up. She was delusional, it's only right that we have taken custody of her. She needs special medical attention. I carefully took Elle, pulling her on my arms and smelling her hair, not caring about the blood clump on her hair, "Oh love, I thought I'd lost you again. It has been a very long day for us," Elle looks up to me, her face scrunched up with tears flowing down her eyes, "I was so scared, Gabriel. I thought you are never going to find us. She is so unpredictive, she hits me and does things to Jacob. It is so-oh" She struggles out of my hold and stares around the room, her eyes wide. " Where is Jacob?”

Those three words caught me off guard. She tightens her grip on my arm as she frantically searched the room with her eyes. I put my hand over hers as I called for Ryan, "Ryan! Have you seen him?"

"Where's Jacob?" Elle asks out loud startling me. I couldn't hear Ryan. Where is he? I take Elle's hand on mine, tugging at her wrist as I stand. The room is so dark that she stumbled a couple of times on boxes of books and forgotten things. I locate the carrier behind the fallen box of the discarded Christmas tree and Elle cried out.

Together we trace the remaining distance and stare down, our faces crestfallen - Jacob is not in the carrier.

Elle takes the carrier from the floor and removed the blankets, holding Jacob's favourite stuffed toy, “Gabe, where’s Jacob?” I took her in my arms and smooth her hair as she cried out, "Gabriel? Where is he?

“Shh, he’s alright. We will look for him okay? Maybe Victoria has taken him upstairs.” I look around the room, squinting my eyes trying to see past the dark corners. I have never known this place and seeing it now sends shivers down my spine.

There is a lot of stuff hidden down here in her basement. Most of them are discarded for it is old, such as the toys and books; I can see old robes hanged neatly by the far side while a large boudoir sat by across me. I move the boxes and pulled Elle's hand, and she tightens her hold at mine, her face filled with worry. I caress her face and make her lean her head on my shoulders, "He's alright, yeah? Jacob's not here because Victoria chose to not bring him here, right? He’s just upstairs...sleeping."

"He might be," I whispered, trying not to give her so much of false hope, afraid of hurting her even more. Elle pulled at the collar of my shirt, trying to make me look at him as she whispered, "Tell me he's alright. Please, I can't lose my baby," she bowed her head and cried. I take her in my arms and kiss her forehead, startled when I saw some movement from the dark.

Ryan emerged from the broom cupboard, carrying various baskets with him. He laid them down on the floor, checking each of them for any signs of Jacob only to come up with nothing. He looks up to me, "Shall we search upstairs?" I nodded at him, my eyes not leaving Elle as she hugged me tight, her hands clasp on mine.

Ryan proceeds up the stairs, his feet thundering on the floorboards. Elle pulled away from me, her eyes confused at first before they glisten with hope as she ran up the stairs to the sitting room while I continue pursuing, her, heart on my throat. Elle did not pause, I watch her as she takes the steps two at a time, heading for the rooms, not even looking back to see if I am following her or not. It was her maternal instincts kicking in and I rely on her to locate our child with their connection. I trailed behind her, my mind trying to catch up. What if Jacob is gone, taken by Victoria to a place where we cannot reach him, where we cannot find him?

"Elle--" She didn't look back as she pushed open the door, running as she called out, her voice echoing from the empty house.

“Jacob?”

We open each door, calling out his name even though we know that he won't answer to it. When we reach the farthest room upstairs, we heard his cries. Ryan was already there, wildly looking around, throwing things with lesser care than the owner. He went inside the closet, adjusting his glasses as he crouches down, pulling the drawers. We can hear Jacob crying but the problem is we cannot find him. Elle bit her lip, following after Ryan and helping him to search while I bend down, looking under the bed, trying not to be negative about our investigation.

Elle is crying as she headed back from the closet, her face stained with tears and blood from the wound on her head. She swayed on her feet and I held her in my arms, trying to comfort her the best that I could. Jacob's cries became more urgent than before and Ryan crouch next to the bed, straining his ears. I watch him as he leans down and with a desperate attempt, Ryan pushes the bedside table to reveal a hole on the wall.

Ryan held out his hand and grope around the hole, Jacob's cries now getting louder. He takes the tangle of blankets and there we saw our baby wrapped in blankets and packaging tape. Jacob's face is so red as he trashes around, crying so loud. Ryan quickly frees him from the tape and blankets with the knife from his pocket. Elle takes Jacob and cradled him on her arms, crying as she kisses his cheek.

“Oh, baby, what has she done to you? Jacob, my poor prince,” Elle examines our baby, her eyes flooding with tears. I held them in my arms and frown down at the marking in his face; we could see a couple of bruises on Jacob’s delicate skin as he gazes up at us, snot running down from his nose. My blood boils as I watch Elle caress each bruise and I kiss his fingers, swearing revenge at Victoria for doing such unforgivable thing to a baby.

How can she be so heartless to even hit a child? A baby!

Ryan leads us downstairs to the sitting room and frowns. He held out his hand and we stopped, hearing the commotion. Elle looks at me with worry on her eyes, her hand automatically tightening as she holds Jacob on her chest, the baby snuggling closer to Elle, “What’s happening, Gabriel? Is it her? Is Joe, alright?”

“Stay back,” I ask her as I motion for Ryan. Ryan opens the door and the commotion becomes clear as we both hear Joe screaming at Victoria to let him go as she rode him, her hands on his neck. Victoria cackled as she leans down, licking Joe's face. My eyes widen and I am frozen on the spot, not believing what I am seeing.

“The fuck, lady. Urrgh, fuckin get off.”

Joe is struggling as Victoria continue to mount on his back, choking him with her bare hands, bouncing on him. “You ignorant fool. You are the one who ruined my plans. You are the reason why I failed. I should kill you.”

Ryan rushed to his side and pulled Victoria off of Joe, and I help Joe up from the pavement watching as Ryan drag her off. Elle headed for the car, her eyes wide while Jacob cries on her arms, fussy because of the noise he was hearing. Victoria continue to scream, trying to turn so he can spit on Ryan “Ahhh! Let me go, you f*cking dumb ass. Let me go!"

"No, ma'am. I am afraid I cannot do that." Ryan stated, sounding more like Joe. I watch as he leads her to another car, sweat glistening on his brow as Victoria thrashed around, trying to kick him, "You fucking slab of meat!"

It was like in slow motion as Victoria pulls the gun from Ryan and hit him with it, before pressing the trigger. Another bullet pierces the sky, making Jacob cry louder. I turn just on time to see Joe, collapsing down the pavement as Victoria escape, running away from the crime scene. Her eyes were wild as she bolted off, barefooted and delusional.

Ryan pulled another gun from his chest pocket and shoot her, not hesitating for a bit as he make her fall in an instant. Victoria swore like a sailor before she started screaming like a madwoman.

Indeed, she’s a madwoman.

I rush off to see Joe struggling, trying to move and stand up yet his chest is bleeding profusely. I sat by his side, putting my hand on the back of his head so he won't collapse on the pavement. Blood trickled from his mouth as he looks up, his kind brown eyes enveloping me with warmth. I felt eyes trained on me so I gaze up, surprise to see Elle trying to go out of the car but I pointed back to her, "Stay in the car!"

I press my hands on Joe's chest, trying to stop the bleeding but Joe is turning paler by the second, a steady trail of blood pouring out of his mouth, "Joe, no. No, no, no..." He stares up at me and smiled while blood poured out of his mouth as he speaks, "Gabriel, attend to your family, now. You came here so you could save them, not me. I will be fine so don't you worry, boy. I will be fine." he raises his fist and offered it for a bump. I shake my head and hit it, making him laugh and cough up more blood.

"Joe. You're like my father. I don't want to lose you. I don't want to lose another person close to me, Joe. Please., stay awake, alright? I'm sure that Ryan has called the paramedics, they will be here for you." I stated, holding his hand and trying not to cry as he tightened his hold, his face screwed up in pain. Ryan was struggling with a wounded Victoria, his face unreadable as he updated the backup and ask them to check the interior of the flat. He opens the car door and pushed her inside.

I was astounded when I hear the sirens blaring, paramedics coming down, assisting Joe inside the ambulance. I nod at Ryan and he gave me half a smile, before focusing his eyes back to his uncle. It was a good thing that I have a responsible guy behind my back. I'm glad that Joe taught him well. I look down at my phone, my eyes hard as I stared at the screen, my hands tightening at it. I scowled and breathe out, gritting my teeth.

They aren’t serious, are they?

I weigh my options and shake my head. I do not want to go but talking to them is essential. I have to respect the, it is the least that I can do for them with regards to their daughter. I catch Ryan’s gaze as I headed for the car, opening the door and taking a seat next to Elle. She was crying silently. I kiss her forehead, before leaning in to nuzzle my head on Jacob’s chubby palm. "How is your shoulder? And your head? You need to go to the hospital," Elle shakes her head but I held her arm, making her stare at me, "Elle, you have to. It is a bullet wound. You don't want it getting infected, and your head, we have to make sure that it is not something major."

"But I am fine. I have my baby now. I'll be alright."

"I insist!" Elle bowed her head in defeat, pouting her lips and I kiss her cheek, pulling her closer.

"Can't you just ask to have a doctor back in my flat? I don't want paparazzi hearing about this." I rolled my eyes, contacting the hospital before I call for another driver and wait, whispering to Elle's ear as she laid her head on my chest, “I’m sorry. I am such a failure. I have failed to protect you, all of you.” I pull her closer, crying with her as I look down at my son for the first time in months. He has grown and I hated the fact that his beautiful face is tarnished with Victoria's wrongdoings "I really can't do something right. I'm a really screwed up mess, Elle. I've screwed up big time..."

"No Gabe. Be hopeful. It’s not your fault,” She caresses my face and smiled a little, “Joe did that because he loves you like a son. He wanted to protect you, to protect us." She said, staring down at the blanket as Jacob falls asleep, his little eyes closing. I kiss her cheek and watch as Rico arrives. I got out of the car and told him about what had happened, and what he has to do since Elle has to go to the hospital. I lean at the window, holding Elle's gaze a she looks at me, confused.

"You are not coming with us?" I pointed at my back and sigh, "I have some unfinished business that I need to attend too. I am afraid that I have to deal with her first so I can live the rest of my happy ending with you." I pouted my lips to kiss her and she smiled, pouting her lips back. I pulled away, "Get patch up, love, I don't want you writhing in my bed complaining about painful shoulders and throbbing headaches after this week," I wink at her and Elle stuck out her tongue, closing the window. Rico nodded at me and switched the engine. The car speed down the road, rounding up the corner and disappearing out of my sight.

"Sir?" I look behind me to see Ryan offering me the passenger door.

"I'll be the one to drive this. Call the forces, wait for them, don't follow me. I'll just have to do something.”

"How 'bout her?" Ryan ask.

I stare down at Victoria as she lies helplessly on the backseat, her mouth gagged, her hand tied behind her; the injured feet she has doesn't help her to escape in any chance at all - that wound will continue to hurt since the bullet has not come off.

"Let her rot..." I snatch the keys away from Ryan, got in and speed down the road.

*

ELLE

We arrive at the flat in no time. Rico, the new driver, opens the door. I hug Jacob close to me as he whimpered, “hush my baby, you are cared for. Everything is alright.” I glance at Rico only to notice that he is following me around, his face brute and stiff.

I couldn't feel my shoulders and I do not know if that was bad or not. I am probably shocked by all that had happened. “Rico, there is no need for you to follow me around. Go and do your rounds, alright?” I tell him as I put Jacob down on the bed. “But I was given strict orders about—”

“I know that. Gabe ask you to watch and protect us and you are doing fine with that. Though, you do not need to follow me around.” He blushes at that which made me amuse. What a gullible guy he is. A tough-looking bear is slumbering inside, I see. I square up my shoulder and wince at the pain it brought, “ If it is okay with you, go check on updates about Joe. I will be much happier to know he is alright.” He nods, leaving the room with the door slightly open.

I gaze down at Jacob. He is sleeping soundly. I kiss each bruise on his arms and smoothen his hair. It was a pity that he has to suffer in the hands of Victoria at such a young age.

After a while, a knock has startled me. I look up to see Rico, as he moved for me. I reckon him in and he nods. I ask, ”What is it?” He smiled at me and said, “ Joe is finally stable. He is lucky that they brought him to the hospital right away."

“Oh thank God. “ I breathe out a sigh of relief and ask, “Is that all you have to say?” He bit his lip, “And the doctor, well she is here." Rico opens the door to reveal a young blonde woman who has a small kit with her. She asked me to lay Jacob down on his cot while she patches me up. It did not take her long to remove the wound and patch me up. Luckily, it wasn't deep enough to tear at my shoulder blades and cause lacerations that might cause trouble in the future. In no time, the doctor has finished and have quickly left, muttering about an emergency that she needed to attend to.

I raise my brow at Rico as he stands by my door after leading the doctor out of the flat, "What is it?" Rico gave me a shrug and said,

“About Mr. West, well after he has gone to check Joe, he went back to his office. He would probably go home later after sorting the charges pressed against Victoria.” With those words, Rico left the room, whistling about.

I change into robes since I cannot move the stitches, afraid that they will tear. I settled next to Jacob, kissing his chubby cheeks and ask for sleep to come.

I hope Gabriel can finally fix all these things so he can go back home and be with us.

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