Chapter 100
Nick
From afar, we spotted a van. The men in the group ran towards it and forced it to stop. We watched as they pulled a man from the vehicle, and he collapsed onto the ground. They hid the van amongst some bushes and brought the man over, unconscious.
“Who is he?” I asked, seeing him lying inert over the shoulder of one of the men.
“He’s the pilot, according to his ID,” he replied. He threw him to the ground, and I sat down as I watched them tie him up and cover his mouth.
“There’s an entrance from the riverside. We saw lights on in a second–floor room, where the woman and child were. We’ll clear the way and signal for you to go up and get them p>
We nodded and walked through the grass, my heart pounding at the thought of seeing my son and bringing him to safety.
Once we were near the back of the house, we saw two men walking back and forth, keeping guard.
“I don’t want them dead, only if you have to choose between their lives and yours,” I ordered, and Alejandro nodded.
We watched as two of our companions moved forward and neutralized the two men, quickly changing into their clothes after dragging them away. We entered through the back, and I recalled the layout of the house, getting my bearings.
From the kitchen, we saw two more men on the stairs. The living room windows offered a view from the entrance to the interior, where there were eight men, with another three entering and leaving the house.
“We need to take care of the men at the entrance. We’ll go out the back and give the signal for you to neutralize those on the stairs,” Alejandro told us.
“Go,” I said, and we watched them leave. I stayed behind with Gavin, two of his men, and Will. I gripped the gun in my hand tightly, my focus solely on the stairs that would lead me to my son.
A movement in one of the side windows caught my eye. I saw Alejandro signal before launching himself at the entrance. At that moment, we moved to confront the three individuals in the living room.
I pressed the gun to the head of one of them. He tensed and raised his hands. The others became aware of our presence, and my companions pounced on them while Alejandro and the others engaged with those at the entrance. A couple of gunshots rang out. I disarmed the man in front of me, and we proceeded to bind the hands and feet of all three.
Without hesitation, I got up and looked towards the stairs, adrenaline coursing through me as I ascended to the second floor.
I went directly to the master bedroom, remembering the countless times I had walked in and out of this room to see my grandmother.
I grabbed the handle, and as expected, it was locked, with another device securing it further. I growled in frustration.
“What’s wrong?” Patrick asked, looking around.
“Patrick?” Paula’s anxious voice reached us, and I felt my soul return to my body.
“Paula,” he said, and we heard a sharp intake of breath followed by a sob. “We’re coming in for you,” he whispered. “Are you alright? How’s Noah p>
“We’re okay. He’s asleep,” she replied, and I closed my eyes, knowing I was seconds away from seeing them.
I tried to find a way to open the door, but the second lock proved impossible to pick. With no time to waste, I fired my gun three times, and the lock gave way. I pushed against the door with my shoulder, forcing it open until we could see them.
Overwhelming emotion washed over me as I saw Noah in Paula’s arms. Without thinking, I walked towards them and pulled them both into my embrace.
“Nick,” Paula whispered, her shoulders trembling.
“It’s okay. We’re leaving here,” I said, looking down at my son bundled in Paula’s coat.
“Daddy,” Noah smiled, breathing life back into me. He reached for my face with his small hand, and I leaned closer so he could touch my beard.
“Daddy’s going to take you home, to Mommy and Alana.” I kissed his head and wiped the tears from my eyes. Words couldn’t describe the emotion I felt at that moment. It was as if there had been a gaping hole in my chest, and now it was finally whole again.
“We have to get out of here.” Patrick took Paula by the shoulders, and she clung to him. He nodded in understanding. Gavin, Will and I shielded them with our bodies as they followed behind us.
We descended the stairs and found that Alejandro and his men were securing the main entrance. I decided to leave the way we came, avoiding another confrontation. I looked at them to follow me.
“You’ve got guts,” Killian’s voice rang out, stopping us in our tracks. We watched as he emerged from a dark hallway, followed by a man holding two guns, aiming them at us. I stepped in front of Paula and my son.
“Not as much as you,” I retorted, lifting my chin, “daring to touch my son p>
“So, you remember.” He glanced at the house. “I don’t know if I chose this house thinking you wouldn’t remember or because I wanted you to, wanted you to come here, where I could finally get rid of you and everything you represent, my failure.” He looked at my companions and fixed his gaze on Will.
“Or maybe my time has come.” I aimed my gun at him, and he tensed.
“You wouldn’t dare, boy,” he challenged.
“I’ve had enough of you, of your bullshit. I think you should rest, don’t you?” I suggested, and Killian laughed.
“No one gets out of here alive. If you hand over the boy, I’ll let him live,” he assured me. I exhaled in fury, taking a quick step towards him.
“You won’t lay a finger on him.” I squared my shoulders. “Run!” I yelled, throwing myself between them and Killian’s accomplice.
To my relief, I felt them move behind me.
I grappled with the man, forcing him to drop the guns, and started hitting him. I noticed that the bastard Killian was leaving.
“Nick!” Alejandro arrived with two other men, and we managed to subdue him.
“My son!” I said, rushing out of the house. I saw them running towards the cars that Alejandro’s men had pulled up. All my companions were there.
“Killian,” I said, searching for him.
“He decided to flee like a coward when he saw it wasn’t just you, but my team as well. He’s trying to escape.” Alejandro pointed to the path Killian took.
I clenched my fist. If I let him go, I knew we’d never be free. He’d be lying in wait for the rest of his life. I saw Paula getting into the car but waiting for me. I walked towards them and hugged my son tightly, feeling his little arms wrap around my neck.
“I love you, buddy,” I said before kissing his forehead.
Paula looked at me, and I stepped back, taking the path Killian fled down. Paula’s eyes widened.
“Nick, no!” she cried out in fear. Will closed his eyes heavily but nodded, giving me his silent approval.
“I have to do this. Take care of them,” I told Will and Patrick, gripping the gun in my hand.