Four men got down from the white Camry and pulled out a huge sack from the trunk of the car. Ashton gasped, recognizing Costello as one of them. The sack surely had Hayley inside as it looked big enough to accommodate a human body. With Mr. Barclay’s grip on his hand holding him back, he couldn’t rush to rescue Hayley. Not that he could with his injuries.
Suddenly, gunshots rang in the air, taking the men by surprise. Three men fell to the ground, while the other one dumped the sack and pulled out his gun. But he too was overpowered by the SEALS Team who had been waiting for an opportunity to nab them. But where was Francesca? Ashton searched inside the Camry but didn’t see her inside. Under the dim lights, it wasn’t possible to see properly.
Just then, a black Maserati pulled up stealthily into the street. Henry’s eyes widened at seeing the driver’s window roll down and a silencer gun peer out, targeting the sack Hayley was in. He realized immediately what the person was up to. He was about to kill Hayley! The SEALS Team was busy since one of the men gained consciousness and shot one of the officers. There was utter chaos as more of Costello’s men emerged from inside the mansion to help their comrades. It took the SEALS Team by surprise and a full-fledged battle ensued. The officers didn’t get access to the sack Hayley was in, which was in the custody of the men who emerged. Under the circumstances, Henry had to take matters into his own hands and act fast.
In a flash, he pulled out his pistol and shot at the man in the Maserati. The bullet pierced his head, and he fell down dead before he could shoot Hayley. But Henry didn’t stop. He shot at the tyres of the car before it could escape. Emerging from the car, he crept up to the car to check. All was quiet inside.
The gunshots got the attention of the team, who had wiped out the criminals and rescued Hayley. They immediately rushed over and surrounded the Maserati, pulling the door open.
Francesca sat inside looking petrified with a gun in her hand while the driver lay dead in the front seat. She knew her game was over since all her men were dead or captured.
“Give yourself up, Ms. Gambino.”
“No, don’t come near me. I’ll shoot.” She looked around like a crazy woman, desperate to escape.
“You can’t escape. Your game is up.”
“No, don’t come near me.” She shifted to the far end of the seat and pointed the gun at her head. Yet the officers approached her and she panicked and pulled the trigger instantly. Blood sputtered everywhere, and she dropped to the seat, dead.
“Great job, Stewart!” said the Commander of the operation, who seemed to know Henry Stewart, having met him before.
“Thanks, Bentley. Congrats!”
“Thanks. See you around!”
Ashton and Mr. Barclay emerged from the car and walked down towards the team.
“I’m the victim’s father, Christopher Barclay, and this is her fiance, Ashton Pierce. How is my daughter?” asked Hayley’s dad, watching her lying still on a stretcher, waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
“She’s breathing! The ambulance should be here any minute. We need to take her to the hospital for a thorough check-up.” Ashton went near Hayley and watched her pale face with tears in his eyes.
“Why isn’t she waking up?” he cried, his heart sinking with dread. The ambulance arrived, and the premeds revived Hayley and gave her water.
“Where am I? Please take me home. They’ll kill me,” sobbed Hayley. Ashton came forward, and so did her dad.
“Hayley, you’re safe now, baby! We’ve saved you. We’ll take you to the hospital now for a check-up.” Hayley gazed at him with tears of relief in her eyes.
“Ashton,” she gasped with surprise.
“Yes, we’ve rescued you,” he whispered, kneeling beside her to plant a kiss on her forehead.
Mr. Barclay thanked the Commander, and he left with his team and the criminals. The ambulance sped away with Hayley and Ashton while Henry followed with Mr. Barclay.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for us, Henry. I’m obligated to you for saving my daughter yet again.”
“It’s my job, sir. I’m glad to be of some help.”
At the hospital, they admitted Hayley and checked her up. The police arrived to take her statement, but her dad didn’t allow it. She wasn’t in a condition to give any statement. Ashton stayed with her in the same room while her dad left them alone and went home. With Henry staying guard outside the hospital room, he could rest for a few hours and come back to get them. It was almost four in the morning and they all closed their eyes to catch up on sleep.
Ashton opened his eyes the next morning when the nurse attended to his wounds. It was lunchtime, and he saw Hayley up and having her food. How much had he slept?
“How are you feeling, Ashton? You shouldn’t have come down in this condition,” she scolded him.
“Then we wouldn’t have found you. I called Dad’s friends from his old phone to locate your whereabouts.”
“Oh!” she gasped with surprise.
The nurse finished tending to his dressing. “I’ll get your meal. You can freshen up in the meantime.”
“Are you okay? Did they torture you?” asked Ashton, going to her bedside after the nurse left.
“I fainted when Costello and his men forced me into their car. I didn’t know they were Francesca’s men. They tied me up and dumped me into a sack when I gained consciousness. We were being tailed by the cops or the Navy SEALS, I’m not sure which. Costello tried to get them off track and switched lanes and by lanes. It was after Francesca’s call that they stopped in front of Gambino’s mansion in the middle of the night.” Ashton released a sigh of relief that they didn’t get an opportunity to harm her.
“Maybe they would have harmed me after reaching the mansion.”
“Yes, they were planning to take you to the underground torture chambers.” A shudder went down Hayley’s spine, imagining what would have happened if Ashton hadn’t found out her whereabouts.
Ashton went to freshen up, and her dad arrived to check up on them. “I’m so glad to see you up, Hails. The doctor has released you. I’m here to take you home.” Ashton emerged from the washroom and hugged her dad.
“How are you, son?” he asked Ashton, making Hayley’s eyes pop out at seeing their interaction.
“I’m better, Uncle Chris. How about you?”
“I’m fit as a fiddle.” The nurse arrived with Ashton’s food and he ate up hungrily. The doctor came in to talk to them about the discharge summary.
“What about my baby, doctor? Is it okay?” It was something she was too scared to ask. She couldn’t live if anything happened to her baby.
“The ultrasound test doesn’t show any damage. Your baby is fine as of now, but I would advise you to complete rest for the next two weeks.” Ashton smiled at Hayley with relief and nodded.
After the doctor left, her dad got up to complete the formalities. Later, he drove them over to his house.
Hayley’s mom welcomed her daughter with open arms and tears of happiness in her eyes. “I’m so happy to see you safe and sound, sweetie. Your Aunt and I prayed the entire night for you. None of us slept until your dad called to inform us they had rescued you.”
“Are you okay? Is the baby doing fine?” asked her aunt, hugging her.
“Yes, I’m alright and so is the baby. Maybe God has heard your prayers.”
Ashton smiled at their interaction, standing awkwardly in one corner. Where was Victor? He had his luggage with him.
“Come inside, son,” said Hayley’s dad, ushering him inside the house.
“No, Uncle Chris. I’ll go home now. Where’s Victor?” he said, making Hayley look upset.
“No one is leaving. Ashton, I have kept your luggage in Hayley’s room. You will stay here until both of you are better,” said Hayley’s mom. Hayley smiled at him and grabbed his hand.
“Thank you, Mom. Have you heard that, Ashton Pierce?” she scolded him while the others chuckled.
“Take him upstairs to your room, Hails. I’ll send Elsa if you need anything.”
“Yes, Mom.” Hayley led Ashton to her room, eager to show it to him for the first time.
Ashton couldn’t erase the excited smile from his face. He had always wanted to see Hayley’s room and spend some time with her there. Now it was coming true.
“I’m so happy that Mom and Dad have accepted you, Ashton.” They went inside and Ashton closed the door.
“Yes, I’m happy that they have. I never expected them to after what you’ve been through because of me,” he said, feeling guilty to be the cause of it all. Hayley pulled him into her arms and gazed up at him lovingly.
“No, Ashton. She was a criminal’s daughter who wanted to take revenge. You aren’t responsible for her twisted ploys. You saved my life instead and I’m happy to reunite with you. I never thought I could escape them in this life. Now that she is dead, we are free to lead a happy married life.”
“I would have given up my life to save yours, Hayley. You are my everything. I can’t live without you!”
“Oh, Ashton! I love you so much!” She cupped his cheeks gently and claimed his lips in a sweet, addictive kiss. A kiss promising togetherness forever!