SHE IS THE MAFIA (BOOK#2)

Chapter 40

** Elias POV**

My fingers tap against the steering wheel.
I watch the door.
I have been watching the door for what feels like days.

A few moments earlier, I could have sworn I heard a gunshot.

But maybe it's the agitating side effects.

Maybe this is all a lie.
This is all a ruse.

What reason do I have to trust Jacob?
Why shouldn't I go in there and get Tempest out myself?

I open the door, leaving the key inside.
Just as I step out, I see the door open.

Malachi's head peers out and looks around.
Then my breathing stops.

Tempest slowly walks out, holding onto his hand for dear life.
She looks exhausted, on the brink of death.

Blood on her clothes and face.
A knife is drawn into my chest as she looks around the garage in hope, whispering something to Malachi in confusion.

"Tempest," I call out.

Her doe eyes find mine.
I am utterly speechless.

There are infinite moments where she has made living a privilege to me. And this must be the number one moment where life is defined in a completely different manner.

She unsteadily begins to walk without the help of Malachi, possibly feeling the disbelief of seeing me alive.

"Oh my God," she breathes out the words in an overwhelming form of relief, "You're alive,"

Her legs don't fail her as she runs without a care in the world.
I tend to meet her in the middle, with my arms wide open.

I will never let you go, Tempest.
I don't care what grave sin and betrayal you commit against me. I don't care for your flaws. I don't care about your temper. I just want to be yours, and you to be mine, forever. Just reach out and continue to fight for us as I will continue to fight for you.

"TEMPEST!!"

I pause. I look at Malachi, stopping in my tracks.
His eyes aren't on us but on someone else who I cannot see.
Tempest continues to run the few feet we have left.

"STOP!!"

My eyes avert back to Tempest, who jumps into my arms.

Just as our bodies collide...

A gunshot blares, echoing off the walls.

We both fall to the ground.

My heart pounds inside my chest.
My hand protects her head as another gunshot fires.

I wait a few moments until I hear Malachi call out my name.
I pull away from this short embrace of reunion.
Tempest smiles, no fear in her eyes.

Her trembling hand cups my face

"I love you," she chokes, tears slipping from her eyes, "Beyond any measures, Elias. I love you,"

Her face contorts to display physical pain.
Her hand slides off my face and onto the side of her stomach.

"Oh my GOD! Tempest!" Malachi's voice snaps out of my trance.

I watch his hand press over hers in a desperate effort to stop the blood that is fast-spreading on her clothes.

"Get up! We have to go... W-we have to go now!"

I don't know how my body moves.
It's an automatic response to every word Malachi says, but I don't feel in control of anything. Even as we put her in the van carefully laying her down so Malachi can keep pressure on the wound. Even as I go beyond the speed limit, racing against death to the hospital.

I cannot form a single thought in my head.
Malachi's frantic breathing is all I can focus on.

Why can't I hear her breaths?

I love you, beyond any measures, Elias.

The nurses from the ER load her on a stretcher, hurriedly yet unphased.
As if she is just another patient to deal with.

As if she is just another life in this miserable fucking hospital.
Another person to tend for.

I watch them take Malachi.
I didn't even notice how badly bruised he is.
The edge of his left eye is swollen and black as he stands there watching Tempest disappear behind double doors for what I assume is the second time this week.

I see his undying love for her.
His urge to save her from everything.
His wish to be the one in her place.

And he cries with no shame as they push him away on a wheelchair.
But how can a doctor fix a broken heart?

"Sir? You need to come with us.... You're bleeding... Sir?"

My vision blurs as I fall to my knees.

God.
If You are out there...
I am begging you...
Let her live.

Take me instead.

********