Still Holding On

Chapter Twenty One

I sigh as I pull on the black sweater and start to fill my holsters. I turn to Rose's sleeping body in bed and slowly walk over to her. I kiss her temple and leave my note by her dresser telling her what I'll really be doing. It's four now. Art will be expecting me downstairs any second. I put on my black leather gloves and put my M16 over my shoulder. I hope this goes well. I head downstairs to see Art dressed similarly to me and he opens the door walking out to his car. Forgive me Rose. I'm doing this for you. I get in his passenger seat and he turns to me. "Are you sure you wanna do this? You don't have to do this today. You can always try another day." He sighs and I glare at him. "I'm not risking her one more day. She needs to feel safe." I snap and he nods. "Agreed. Let's go." He sighs and I nod in approval as he speeds away from the house. I can't even believe this is happening. I've been waiting practically my whole life to kill these men and now... I'm doing it. I knew this day would come. I just never knew I'd be so nervous about it. 

We get to the house and both of us get out. "Art... Go around the back. Make sure everyone's in position. When Gilbert gets in send me a beep through the bluetooth. Two beeps and we all abort. Got it?" I order and he nods. He takes his AK-47 out and takes off running to the back. It's been so long since I've been in a shootout. I forgot how it feels. I ready myself to run and hear a beep through the pager ten minutes later. I take off running to the house and open the door. I turn to the alarm and put in the code Rose gave me. Alarm off. Easy. I hear a gun click behind me and smirk. And they thought it'd be easy to kill me. I spin around as fast as I can and pull the trigger immediately before he can. The guard hits the floor and I sigh. At least we got the suppressors. I start to walk through the house taking out guards left and right. Where the fuck is Ivan? He's supposed to handle these fuckers. 

I sigh and shake my head as Art sends three beeps through the headset. Living room. I walk to the living room and he points to something on the table. I look down and sigh. Rose. He's still trying to find her. He was investigating me still... He never could let go of a grudge. He points upstairs and I nod. "Where's Gilbert?" I whisper and he shakes his head. "I don't fucking know. They should all be here." He whispers and I sigh. This is getting weird. We head upstairs and take rooms one by one. But they're all empty. Even the office. This isn't right. Nothing about this is right. "Garden?" He whispers and I shrug. Might as well.

We head down to the garden and start to sweep it until we hear several guns being pointed at us. Mother fucker. I lower my gun and turn to see Ric with four other men. Fuck me twice on Sunday. "How'd you figure it out? Did you finally get a brain?" I ask and he smirks. "You've always been so funny Alek. Tell me another joke before I kill you." He replies and Art scoffs as he rolls his eyes. Glad I'm not the only one that thinks he's retarded. "You won't kill me." I sigh and he raises an intrigued eyebrow. "Oh? Why not?" He asks and I smirk. "Because you know I'm the only person that can get Rose back into the United States." I reply and he glares at me angrily. "You helped her out?" He seethes and I nod happily. "Yup. And I paid for everything. So, what's it gonna be Ric? Rose and 'your' baby or me?" I ask and he sighs. "Get them in the basement. Now!" He orders and they start to drag us into the basement. At least we'll live long enough for us to escape or something.

I groan as I wake up to see a note on the nightstand. Did he already leave? I gently pick it up and pull out the letter. Kitten, I know once you finish this note you'll rush to save me. But you'll be too late. I lied to you yesterday as hard as it was. Today we executed our plan to kill Ric and your father. I left at four this morning. By now it's probably eleven and if you're reading this it means that I failed. I don't want you to cry or mourn me. I loved you to no end. You're my everything and now you are carrying our child. I need you to stay alive for him. Nik has Ardita with him so that she won't run to save Artan. Just call him and they will come with several men to take you to London with your uncle. You'll go to school there and you'll be protected by all my men. They'll listen to your every order and command. Live your life to the fullest. Live it the way it's meant to be lived. That's all I've ever wanted for you. I love you, kitten. Now and forever. Yours always, Alek.