Thou Shalt Not Kill
She felt herself lifted, her feet dangling in air as Elliot took the few remaining steps and placed them both on the bed. He had not broken the kiss but deepened it when she Stephanie felt herself pushed into the mattress. The feel of his chest upon hers, rubbing against her breasts sent her senses tingling as a funny little ache in her belly began to grow and expand. Tilting her head more, Elliot covered her mouth fully as his tongue softly tasted the rim of her lips. The feathery soft touches fueled her desire and coaxed her to relax further in his arms. It sent a thrilling need from her chest to her lips, as she intertwined her arms around his neck, securing him to her, unwilling to let him go.
She was as sweet and as intoxicating as he always dreamed she would be. How was it possible that she had the softest skin he ever felt, that her scent was that which made his breath whole, that her kiss melted away all the harshness inside of him, that when he looked into her eyes, he felt his heart sing out for joy. His heart? No not his. The solitary thought chilled him again, halting the warmth that had begun to grow and fill him, only to stop and fade away. This beating in his chest, the ache that centered around it when he looked at her, the feelings he tried to hide, none of it came from him. It was not his heart that felt, or cared, or hurt, or loved.
When he suddenly pulled up, removing Stephanie’s arms from his neck, she looked back at him completely confused and bewildered. He could sense her eyes upon him though he chose to look away, to avert his gaze so she would see, she couldn’t see the pain inside. With each breath he took, the pounding sounded in his ears, and he heard, loudly, clearly the distinct beating of the boy’s heart living for him. Even when she placed her hand upon his cheek, he still could not face her, he could not look so she could see his shame.
“Elliot? Look at me… please… look at me.”
“I can’t.” He told her and turned his head more staring off at the bare walls. The feel of her body against his grew more pronounced as she shifted on the bed and leaned into him, letting the man feel her as she tried again to make him return.
“Why can’t you? Am I that bad to look at?”
“It’s so hard to look… at you… to see someone so beautiful…”
He thinks I’m beautiful. Stephanie thought to herself. Just the thought made her feel like bursting into a hundred smiles until the whole world could see how happy she felt. A part of her always thought simple compliments would never turn her head, or make her giddy with silly emotions. But she hadn’t realized that hearing it from a man she cared about, someone she felt deeply for could have a different effect. Ben had told her she was beautiful countless times, but she never felt the churning sensation in the pit of her belly, or the fluttering that poked and shook the quiet confines of her heart. His words could not make her feel the yearning and emotions that this man before her had showed. She wanted him to face her again, to see that his feelings mirrored hers because she had discovered it was love that brought them together, and it was love that she wanted to give to him.
“How can you see me if you look the other way?”
“Stephanie… please?” The tone of his voice was so soft that the words were whispers on his lips and she leaned in closer to catch every syllable. “This isn’t right.”
“What are you talking about? I want to be with you. I came here… to be with you.”
“Then you’ve made a mistake. You shouldn’t have come here.” Taking a deep breath, he felt a twinge at his chest followed by a dull ache. Turning to finally face her, she was shocked to see the sadness that now filled his face, the overwhelming sorrow that controlled and suffocated him with its bleakness. “There’s nothing here but death and darkness… and it’s not for you.”
“Then it’s not for you either.”
“This is my house.” Saying the words made his ownership feel more real as he inherited not just the four walls, but all the broken dreams and lost hopes that filled the empty rooms. “I am the owner of all the sorrow that this house has felt and endured.”
Instead of agreeing with him, Stephanie gently shook her head as took hold of his face. Cupping him with her dainty hands, the frailty and gentleness of her touch pulled him back from the corner of despair and self-pity he had placed himself. Like a light shown in the dark, she was the beacon, the source of brightness that led him back out.
“You may own the house… but it doesn’t own you. It’s just a house.”
“It’s part of my past.”
“Not anymore. You don’t need any of it, none of this…” She gestured with her hands around the room. “… Because you have… me.”
She almost looked shyly at him when confessing her feelings and it took him a moment to realize the meaning of her words. A big part of him wanted to shout for joy at her declaration, that she had chosen him over Benjamin, when it was more in his favor to be the winner. But his victory was short lived when he realized how grave a mistake was making by being with him. Even knowing the strong dislike her father had for him, he was a man living a borrowed life. The sin of the boy’s death was not his, but the reward of life what he had enjoyed all these years while the other lay forever young in his cold grave.
“You’ve chosen the wrong man.” He was being noble he told himself in trying to dissuade her.
“I’ve picked the one I want to be with, the one I need in my life.”
“Benjamin is the better man.” The words were said and he wanted to believe them too, but a voice inside him cried out that he was the right choice.
Stephanie moved until she was just inches from him, and she could feel his soft breath against her lips, warming them, “Not for me… and I know… you feel the same as I do.” Before he could respond again, the remaining gap was closed between them as she kissed him back, fitting her body against his. Elliot reacted instantly, drawing her closer to him, feeling her mold her feminine curves to him. His arms had come around to hold her, keep her with him as she made small mewling sounds at the back of her throat that spurred him on and he quickly deepened the kiss they shared.
It didn’t take long to feel himself lose control in his need for her. Elliot told himself he needed to let her go, to have her find someone who wasn’t as broken as he. But what his head was whispering, he could not make himself follow or obey. He wanted Stephanie right where she was, with him, close enough for him to touch and feel, as he breathed in the scent of her. What his desire had asked of him, common sense and pride threatened to barter away. As their lips parted, he could feel the sharp gasps of her breath against his chin. Stephanie took several deep breaths, trying to calm her raging heart yet wanting to let it expand and fly apart, knowing Elliot would hold her and keep her safe.
“Elliot… I want to be with you.”
He started to shake his head, but she stopped him by placing her cheek against his effectively halting his movements. As she rubbed her cheek against him, he felt himself losing the battle to keep her at arms length. He grew powerless as she stripped at the layers of doubt he had placed around him, entering that part which no one seen since he was a child. As her lips found his again, Elliot accepted that he wanted this, he wanted Stephanie much in the same way he needed to the air to breath. Holding her head in his hands, he gently cradled her head, while placing soft, quick kisses on her lips, cheeks and one small one at the tip of her nose.
She let out a small giggle as he smiled in return. Lowering his hands, he got to his feet as she sat back on the mattress looking up at him. When he removed his shirt, her eyes darted to his chest, seeing the muscles ripple and move. He unclasps his belt and tossing that to the side undid the button and zipper of his trousers, but kept his pants on. The thought came to her that it seemed funny and somewhat amusing as she watched him remove his socks and shoes. Of course it made sense to take them off but actually watching him do just that was something she hadn’t seen yet with him.
Giving her a quizzical expression, he smiled tenderly while extending his hand to her. She stood just before him, her breasts just a hairs breath away from his stomach as she kicked off her own shoes and sunk even lower in stature. The height difference was so pronounced now that it became his turn to chuckle as he bent even lower towards her. The tip of her head barely reached his shoulders, still Elliot found her petite size all the more alluring as it enhanced the vulnerability he sensed in her and increased the need to keep her safe.
As his hands came around her back, Stephanie felt him lift her hair out of the way as he undid her zipper and her dress came loose from her shoulders. It pooled to the ground leaving her just in her silk undergarments. It was the first time any man saw her as near naked as she could be and she instinctively raised her arms around to cover her exposed chest. He thought her modesty in the situation utterly charming while feeling the need to uncover the rest of her that was still closed off to him. As his hands came to rest at her back, she felt the heat of his palms warming her skin.
The goose bumps that had appeared on her skin had double, then tripled before disappearing, as she grew more relaxed and easy in his embrace. Stephanie had tilted her head back so she could look up at him, but now she bent it forward as she began to unclasp the snap at her bra. As it came free, she slid the straps from her arms and let it join her dress at the floor. Elliot took a step back, wanting to see her as she stood in a deep blush with the silky bottoms her last article of clothing. He inhaled sharply at the quick desire that rose through him and tugged down at his trousers.
While her eyes opened wide, seeing him fully exposed, his darkened to nearly black pools. Kicking at his pants so he could be free of them, he turned slightly at his side, reaching for the covers on the bed and pulling them down. He kept his gaze on the lovely woman before him, trying to hold her attention, while controlling his own rising passion and desire. He watched as she nervously wet her lips and brush a strand of her away before he came forward. Elliot waited only a moment before lifting her in his arms and walking the few steps towards the bed.
One arm went over his shoulders as the other touched his chest. His muscles jumped wildly beneath her hand, making him inhale at the feel of her. His sharp intake of breath made her look up at him as he bent his head and kissed her soft lips. Lowering her down, Stephanie could smell his scent all around her. A wonderful combination of his favored cologne and own unique, male smell that filled her lungs making her slightly dizzy. The bed dipped as he joined her on the bed and pressed his entire length beside her. The small barrier between them seemed so flimsy and weak now, but he let her keep it until she was truly ready to let him love her.
It only took a few minutes for her to go from being chilled, to feeling the heated explode from within. Stephanie thought her face must be in flames as her fevered skin made her feel as though she was melting. No one could have explained how wonderful it felt to have someone softly touch and caress her skin as Elliot was doing. His hands seemed to be everywhere, touching her from her face, down to the back of her legs. They were soft, soothing touches meant to coax her out from her fears into to the desire and rising passion in her heart. The pounding sounded loud and steady in her ears as she watched him take her hand and place a tender kiss at the center of her palm before putting another just at her wrist.
When he took her hand and laid it over her heart, she felt the bottom fall out from her belly as her tears began to fall. Ever so slowly, he eased her silk bottoms down her legs, then moving them apart, placed himself in between. Stephanie lifted her legs slightly to hold him as he lowered himself fully on top, letting her feel as each part of his body touched hers. For a long moment, Elliot just hovered above, staring deeply into her eyes before placing a kiss on her forehead. He followed with another at her chin, then down to her chin. More kisses were placed all along the curve of her neck, then to the top of her breasts. Her chest rose with each shaky breath as she watched him lay his head upon her chest and closed his eyes.
Elliot kept his hands at her sides, holding her stead as he breathed in her scent. He could hear her heart beat and he smiled, knowing the fast rhythm was because of him. The seconds ticked by before he lifted his head to look back at her. Stephanie had surrendered herself part by part. When he stood poised to enter her, she felt a moment of panic and tensed. He passed slowly through her barrier and moved gingerly inside her, watching as her eyes widened at his progress. Her breath came out in small gasps and she clung to his arms, tightening her fingers and leaving red marks on his skin. Waiting just a moment for her to get used to him, he silently counted to ten before moving himself within her.
Stephanie had let out a small gasp at his entry and the discomfort was strong but faded away within seconds. As he began to move, she tensed again, tightening her muscles, but it only took a moment before she started to move with him, feeling more of his weight on her. She had begun to close her eyes, lulled by the rocking motion, but opened them again when she felt his lips pressing against her hair. She raised her arms to wrap around his shoulders as he started to move faster. Elliot’s hands were at her sides, holding her firmly but gently, They moved as one, with the slight creaking of the bed echoing in the room and the shadows dancing against the wall, reflecting the movement in the bed.
Tilting her head up to him, Stephanie pushed down against the pillow as the pressure grew wild and fast within her and she felt herself near the edge. As Elliot moved faster still, making his plunges deeper and harder, she felt a series of explosions rock through her and she cried out. Pushing himself one more time and he quickly followed her as her muscles tightening around him, drawing his wetness into her passage. He collapsed on top, crushing her for a moment before pulling away and falling to her side. Elliot kept his eyes opened as she had shut hers. Watched the rapid rise and fall of her chest, he knew it mirrored his and saw her slightly parted lips beckoning to him to taste her.
Nothing could have taken his attention from the sight of her beside him. It wasn’t until the smile formed on her lips that he had let lose the breath he held and moved his head closer to hers. His dark locks nestled against her long, silky curls as she took hold of his hand and draped it over her chest, holding it in place between her hands. Elliot had watched silently as she placed her hand in his. He couldn’t find the words to tell her how it felt to have her hold him like that. It was more than anyone had ever done for him.
**********
When the man nodded to him, Gabriel – 2 knew the ISA had been contacted and were on their way. The number of agents they would send would be interesting he mused as though an equal count to their numbers would be in their favor. They never understood that quantity was more to their disadvantage, for excess agents meant there were more for them to try and dispose of. Most of the men had already gathered outside Portia’s house and were just awaiting confirmation from him.
“It’s done.” The man told him as he disengaged the headphones. It hadn’t taken long for Johnson to move on this, so obviously the threat to his wife and daughter had been the correct path to take. “My guess is, they’ll be here before daylight tomorrow.”
“But… gentlemen… will they have the discs?” Gabriel – 2 appeared to think the matter through intently as he paced up and down the small confines of the room. He had sent most of the men to the lake and left himself plus two to keep tabs of the happenings at the Johnson home. Hearing about Stephanie made his heart race again and it also sparked his curiosity on where the little minx could be.
“If they don’t, it will be a blood bath. The others have lost all patience already.” A second man spoke up from the shadows behind him.
The slight interruption halted Gabriel – 2’s thoughts for a brief moment before they were re-directed back. “They’ll bring them… to use as bait. Perhaps even a large number will arrive hoping to overpower us.”
The other two laughed maniacally while he refocused on the one bit of news he found interesting that evening. The others had checked in already upon arriving at the lake, but for now, had chosen a vantage point outside. Only one had ventured but quickly excited when a second visitor arrived. His first guest would have been DiMera, but now he wondered if young Lansing had been able to secure someone else’s interest. The implication did not suit well with Gabriel – 2 as he had hoped to be the first in that field.
Picking up the phone, he contacted the one placed in charge, inquiring on the current situation at the house. “Quiet so far. Apart from the woman… no one else has entered or left.”
Gabriel – 2 smiled slightly on hearing the news. “A woman, you say? Her identity?”
“Johnson’s daughter.”
The idea of her almost within his grasp was just too delicious and he groaned aloud. Perhaps the rest of the evening could be put to some better use than waiting around for their fight to begin. The image of the other female he found earlier had already faded from his memory and all he could recall of her was that she had been nineteen years old.
Other than that small information, she was as unimportant as were all the others. This time a prize was awaiting him on the other side of town and he was growing hungry and anxious waiting to receive it.
“Perhaps we can up the ante a little, while we’re waiting.” He offered as his two companions eyed him carefully.
“What are you suggesting?”
“Both Lansing and his guest are at the lake house… perhaps they wouldn’t mind being our guests until the ISA show up.”
The voice on the phone replied with a moment of silence before answering him. “Your intentions are hardly hidden. You do know the man will kill you if you touch his daughter?”
“I’m counting on it Gabriel.” Nearly licked his lips in anticipation of what he expected would happen later that evening, neither of the men with the second Gabriel knew which would please him more, his unplanned meeting with the girl, or his confrontation with Gabriel – 3. “ I so look forward to it.”
**********
Steve dialed Elliot’s home number next, but after three rings his voicemail picked up and he slammed the phone down in frustration. The only way he could speak with Benjy was to actually go over there. The last thing he needed right now was to see Lansing, but when it came to his family, any little discomfort would be endured.
“Sweetness… I’m going to try and talk with Benjy… maybe found out if he saw Stephanie after her lunch with Abby.”
Kayla gave him another depressed stare as he quickly went over to her and gave a comforting hug. “I don’t like this Steve… some thing’s not right… I can feel it.”
“Baby listen to me… you have to try and relax.”
Pulling away, she whirled around, wildly waving her hands, the frustration and worry taking its toll. “How can I when some crazed psycho is out there and we don’t know where our daughter is?”
“I think she might be with Benjy…”
“Then why doesn’t she answer her phone… tell me that.”
“I can’t. I just feel that she’s okay… somewhere.”
“Where? Where is she?”
“I don’t know!” He yelled back and regretted the harsh tone when he saw his wife recoil from him. “Baby… I’m sorry!” He told her as he held her tightly in his arms. It seems her tears were just waiting for an opportunity to fall as they quickly washed down her cheeks. “I just know she’s all right. Look… I don’t want to leave you here alone… so if you want, I can drop you off at the pub or at Bo’s?”
Kayla had worried too about staying by herself at home. She would go with Steve in an instance, but opted instead to do some more work. “No… just drop me off at hospital. Making staying busy will help… I don’t?’
“Are you sure… maybe it’s not a good idea to go back there?”
She thought about that, as well since Gabriel – 2 was able to see her in her office. “I know he can walk in… but there’s always people there… it’s really the safest place to be at. I can always call security if there are any problems.”
It wasn’t a perfect plan, but right now, it was the best he could think of as well. He waited by the door as she got her purse and they walked out to the car. Neither said much on the way to Salem Hospital, but each time Steve would look over to his wife, he would catch just the barest hint of fear before she would put up a false smile then look away. Now he was wondering if he was wrong to assume Gabriel – 2 wouldn’t try anything. The memories he recalled of the man shock him to the core and it took everything in him not to tell Kayla.
If she knew what he was capable of, she would be out there, risking her own health, putting herself and their baby in danger. It was better this way he kept telling himself. The chances of her getting angry afterwards were high, but he would rather deal with her anger than have her in pain. So long as the discs were on their way, he had a chance, they all did. He had to keep that thought uppermost in his mind. The only alternative he had was if he failed and his daughter paid the ultimate prize.
If only I had been stronger before, he thought to himself, Gabriel – 2 would not have had the chance to come back in his life and those girls wouldn’t have been killed. Steve was more certain than ever that Gabriel- 2 was behind the murders. From his calculations, the man would have been in town less than a week and already they had to deal with three dead bodies. There were so many things he had to atone for, not just for himself, but for those he had failed to help in the past. Tonight, all debts would be paid.
When Benjy answered the door, the last person he had expected to see was Steve. Though he gave him a warm smile and immediately invited the man in, he could sense something wasn’t right. Steve barely acknowledged his greeting as he looked around Elliot’s apartment expecting to see the man and was more disappointed that he wasn’t there.
“Steve? Is there something wrong?” The agitated look on the man’s face was very apparent and it made Benjy instantly worried.
“I hope not.” Steve said under his breath before looking up and signing to him. “Where’s… your cousin?”
“Don’t know. I haven’t seen him since morning.”
“Have you been here at the apartment all day?”
Benjy shook his head first before answering. “I was at Elliot’s office. He let me use it to do some business Brymera sent me. Why do you ask?”
He seemed to have difficulty swallowing then as it explained his whereabouts most of that day. “So… you haven’t spent any time with Stephanie? Maybe met up with her this afternoon?”
“She told me yesterday that she was meeting with Abby. I was going to call her, but got tied up with work. I’m sure they spent the whole day shopping.”
“No they didn’t.” Steve mumbles to himself
then looked away. Benjy looked back confused since he wasn’t able to read
his lips when he replied.
“I’m sorry… I couldn’t see what you said.”
“I was saying… she and Abby were only together until lunch, then she dropped her off at Chez Rouge.” Taking a few steps, he wandered off to the writing table. There were letters there, still unopened from that day’s mail and all of them were addressed to Elliot Lansing. He was worried again but for an entirely different reason now. If he had to take a guess, he would venture that perhaps, Stephanie was with Elliot. While the idea gave him some relief that at least she was out of harm’s way, it still didn’t explain why she wasn’t answering her phone.
“I was going to contact her about having dinner… but if she has other plans…?”
“Look Benjy… do you know where Elliot is?”
“No. He dropped me off at the office and said he needed to run some errands for his trip. He’s leaving for England in a couple of days.”
“Yes. He mentioned that to me a few days ago. But you haven’t heard from him since?”
“No.” Benjy shook his head again as Steve was having second and third doubts about what was going on.
“And you have no idea where he could be?”
Benjy thought for a moment and almost suggested Portia’s house, but shook his head instead. Elliot had mentioned possibly going there before he left, but he really wasn’t sure. “Sorry… I don’t know where he could be.”
“Look… if you hear from him, can you please have him call me. It’s very important. I’ll be at the police station for a while, so please… if he can’t get my cell, then have him contact me there. Okay? Can you do that for me?”
“Sure Steve.” Benjy told him and grew more bewildered when the man rushed out of the apartment. He looked worse then when he arrived just moments ago and so far, he hadn’t answered his question on whether something was wrong. “Steve wait!” Pulling at his sleeve, he quickly asked about Stephanie. “There’s nothing wrong is there?”
“I don’t know… Kayla hasn’t been able to reach her all afternoon and she’s worried.” If his wife was worried, she wasn’t the only one as the man looked ready to snap.
“Do you think she’s with Elliot? They could have met up… somewhere?”
“You know… I never thought I would be saying this… but right now… I’m hoping she is with him. I really am.” Giving the man a small smile, he quickly left as Benjy watched him walk swiftly down the hall towards the elevators.
The idea of Elliot being at Portia’s house suddenly didn’t seem so farfetched but he still couldn’t see how Stephanie would end up there too. As he closed the door, Benjy stood just at the center of the room, thinking hard about Steve’s strange behavior. The man didn’t just seem worried, there was something more, as though he could easily have jumped out of his skin. As far as he knew, Stephanie had spent a nice day with her cousin, but something must have happened in the afternoon.
What worries the Johnson’s had now transferred to him as he grabbed his jacket and keys and went downstairs to hail a cab. Elliot did mention his mother’s house, almost out of the blue. It could be one of the errands he mentioned. If Elliot had asked, Benjy would have gone with him there. Right now, there was only one way to find out if he went there or not. When the cab pulled up, he handed him a piece of paper indicating a trip to the lake. The car sped off as Benjy settled back in his seat. If his cousin was there, it would explain his whereabouts, but where was Stephanie?
**********
“Stephanie! Stephanie! Get up!” Elliot kept his voice soft and low, but there was an urgency that she heard in his tome. Opening her tired eyes, she smiled and reached for him, hoping he would kiss her back. Her lips just skimmed his when he pulled back and placed her clothes in her hands. “You need to get up and get dressed, sweetheart.”
“Sweetheart? Is that who I am now?” She tried to tease him, as he scooted off the bed already wearing his trousers and now was trying to button up his shirt. “You’re getting dressed?” She looked incredulous at him.
“Please…” He told her, a strange expression on his face. “Something’s wrong? Just dress quickly.”
Throwing back the covers, Stephanie nearly leapt off the mattress as Elliot was treated to the site of her nude back and other bits before she turned her back towards him and slipped on her bra and silk bottoms. “What kind of wrong?” She called over her shoulder as the dress followed and she struggled to zip up the back. Elliot quickly came around and finished the job for her, letting his fingers linger on her neck a second or two longer than necessary.
When she faced him again, she saw the difference in his eyes. Where before they were always calm, cool reserve, it was now replaced with a warmth and tenderness that just made her weak in the knees. She started to go up on tiptoes to kiss him when a loud bang sounded in the next room. She barely had a chance to slip on her shoes when two men push the door open and grabbed at the surprised couple in the room. Elliot had instinctively moved in front to protect Stephanie, but was roughly pulled away as a third individual entered a moment later and came right up to the young woman.
He merely looked her over, noting the glow on her skin and flush across her face as he smiled. It made her skin crawl seeing his expression for it seemed so unnatural in a man like him. Elliot struggled against the arms that held him, but he was no match for the two men at his sides. His eyes widened in shock when Gabriel – 2 came into the room and saw the same telltale expression on his face that scared him as a child. There was no question as to what was going on in the man’s mind and it was only Stephanie who was still unaware of the immediate danger.
“Miss. Johnson… we finally meet… in the flesh…” He told her, as his smile grew wider.
Benjy was dropped off at the edge of the lane and began to walk up the long drive way to the house. He had just rounded the corner when he spied both Elliot’s and Stephanie’s car parked in the open space in front of the house. “So they are here together?” He wondered to himself. The implication that something maybe going on did bother him, but until he could see for himself that there was anything to worry about, he wasn’t going to jump to conclusions. Benjy wasn’t like that. Stephanie never gave him cause to fear so far. Being too engrossed over reaching the front door, he should have been more aware of his surrounding and did not see the two men who came up from the bushes just as he passed them. It was only starting to get dark just then as the Gabriel’s finally came out of hiding and trailed the other man.
They let him take another few steps, before one blocked his path and another held a gun to his head. It was a silent confrontation as his arms were roughly pulled and Benjy was dragged into the house to join the others. A large group had already settled in the main living room as he was shoved in. Falling to the floor, he faced another five or six men and more entered the room bring in the people he had come there to see. Stephanie was white faced and trembling as Elliot already sporting bruises on his arms was trying unsuccessfully to get to Stephanie’s side.
Gabriel – 2 kept his hold on the woman, twirling her around in his arms while she began to fight him. “Let go of me.” She yelled pounding away at his chest and arms as Elliot struggled to reach her.
“Please let her go!” He called out to Gabriel –2 as the man pointedly ignored him, choosing instead to keep his focus on the woman. She as magnificent in her anger and the more blows and strikes she rained upon him, the more his blood boiled and sparked. With almost all eyes on Stephanie, no one had bothered to keep a closer hold on him, as Benjy suddenly darted forward grabbing Stephanie from the man’s clutches. The sound of gunfire stopped everyone in their tracks as Benjy fell against her, his arms now bleeding and heavily injured from a wound.
“Ben!” Screaming out his name, she tried to hold him as he slumped to the floor. Elliot struggled harder against his captures, but was rewarded instead with a sharp blow to the face and gut.
Gabriel – 2 approached the new Earl and just shook his head at him. “You shouldn’t go against us… see what happens when you try to fight.”
“Just let her go.” Elliot told him between gritted teeth. A strong trickle of blood was already forming at the corner of his mouth as he looked up at the man, his face reflected the pain from his beating.
“Let go? But I want to get to know her?” Gabriel – 2 mocked. “I want to know her as intimately… as you do.”
His laughter filled the room, as the others stood at his side. No one made any attempt to help or hinder them, merely looking on as disinterested viewers as Gabriel – 2 grabbed the younger woman and held her in his arms. Her yells and screams grew louder as his laughter joined in with hers, growing stronger with each passing second. Benjy whimpered in pain as he struggled to get up, but only fell back down in pain. All the strength he had seemed to be drained as he tried again only to see they were on the losing side there.
**********
The call came in quickly and was passed to Roman first. His face remained impassive as he called his brother and brother-in-law over to his office. Steve had shown up not too long ago, expecting some kind of news, but so far, nothing came on the wire about Stephanie.
Steve had told them both about his visit with Benjy and the lack of information he had. “Benjy hasn’t seen or heard from her either. Okay… I wasn’t panicking before… but I am now.”
“Just hold off on that!” Bo cautioned him. “We don’t know anything yet.”
“Okay you two… “ Roman spoke up as they stopped just at his desk. “ …Something’s come up, which you both should check out. I just got a call her about a shooting.”
“Roman, send someone else… I can’t think about work with my baby missing.” Steve answered back
Bo gave him an aggravated look, though he was trying hard to be supportive “She’s not missing! Don’t get yourself crazy! And we still have the murders to deal with too.”
“Enough!” Roman stood giving the two of them a hard look. “This shooting was at a house on the lake!” Both Steve and Bo just looked at him for the longest second, saying nothing while the phone started ringing again. Roman narrowed his eyes slightly and gave a small nod of his head. “If anyone asks… you’re investigating a murder scene… on the other side of town.”
The pounding of his heart was so strong, Steve was sure it would burst inside him. His hand automatically reached at his side, and feeling the gun there felt the cold shiver go down his back. Bo seemed to have the same idea as he pulled his out and checked. Roman picked and answered, turning his back to the two of them as Bo got to the door. Steve had remained as he was, standing solo by the desk staring at the back of Roman’s head.
“Steve!” Bo called out to him. “Are we going or what?”
When he faced his friend, gone was the fear that had controlled him early. A deep, all consuming determination was seen on his face, one that clearly told all, he was no longer abiding by any rules. Gabriel – 3, came out from behind the shadows, his anger tempered just barely by his compassion. He had been a long time in hiding, unwilling to face the truths of his past. Tonight was the night to settle all scores and to prove his worth and to end the haunting of his life.
**********
Parking further down the road, the two men approached the house in near silence, their guns at the ready as they crept in and out of the foliage. Steve had signaled to Bo to stay back as he came up just behind a Gabriel and quickly dispatched the man with a blow to the neck. Not bothering to check for a pulse, he preceded closer to the house, and meeting up with two more just within another dozen yards. Bo pushed at the fallen man, hiding him behind a tall bush and tried to keep up. The call came while they were on the way to the lake that the ISA had arrived and would meet up with them.
When he told Steve, the man barely gave him a glance but remained steadfast and secured in his own private mission. “Just so they don’t get in my way.” He had whispered.
His steps were silent and quick as the other two fell as quickly as the first one, though a much stronger injury was inflicted. Bo felt the wetness on the man’s skull, and his own fear of what his friend had done had chilled his bones. The idea to have them act with caution was long past as Steve made it to the glass doors and quickly slipped in, disappearing into one of the many dozen rooms on the ground floor. So far, no alarm had been raised and he was able to work his way down the darkened corridors, listening and searching. It was the sound of his daughter’s anguish yell that propelled him to run as he burst into the main living room to find her within Gabriel- 2’s hold.
“Oh look little girl… your daddy’s come home.” The feel of his breath on her ear made knots in her stomach, as Stephanie tried to wrestle his arms away. Her eyes betrayed the pain she was feeling, but the relief was too great not to show how happy she was that her papa had come to save her. Off to his side, Steve gave a quick look at the badly beaten man who also eyed him upon his entrance and Benjy, who’s bloody arm was preventing him from making any further moves. They seemed to have suffered a great deal, but the fact that his daughter was in the hands of his enemy did not bode well for the man or his companions.
The two others in the room with them had started to advance when Bo came up from behind to back him. “Just hold it right there!” He ordered as the two instantly stopped.
Holding their weapons, they both took a step away as Bo came up to his friend’s side. The standstill seemed to have stunned everyone in the room but the two that eyed each other with growing anger and rage. Steve could see his daughter was scared, but she was alive and well. No one was making an effort to move and it would seem that the situation would remain as such if not for the subtle look his daughter now made at him. She had sensed the break in the man’s hold on her as she gave her papa a warning look, she suddenly broke free and tried to run at him. Two shots went off instantly as Stephanie stumbled and fell to the floor, her leg bleeding profusely from the gun shots that entered her.
“Stephanie!” Elliot cried out as he tried to go to her, falling to the ground at her side. Cradling her head, he heard her soft groan of pain before she slipped into unconsciousness and she lay limp in his arms
Bo fired one shot at the nearest man, injuring his arm as he dropped the gun he held, while Steve aimed at the other man, shooting straight into his heart and watched him fall lifeless to the floor. “Steve! Don’t kill them!” Bo screamed too late.
The second Gabriel looked dispassionately at his fallen comrades and merely took a few steps away to avoid contact with them. Rather than looking worried or fearful at his position, he seemed to find the whole scene amusing as he laughed heartily at all of them.
“I say… good shot!” His cheerful tone only made the anger Steve felt explode to a nearly raging inferno. The more the man laughed, the closer he placed himself towards the edge of madness. “It’s getting crowded in here… wouldn’t you say?” Moving towards the glass doors, he swung them open and took in a deep breath, filling his lungs with a good dose of fresh air. “Smell those roses…” With his eyes closed, he took several more deep breaths before turning.
Both Benjy and Elliot were trying to tend to the fallen girl and he nearly scowled at that lost opportunity. If only he had gotten his chance with her, but such was not to be. Bo had already gotten on the phone calling for an ambulance. Bending down, he looked over his niece’s injuries and frowned deeply noting how bad it was. The bleeding was abundant that all the pressure Elliot was placing to stop the flow was having little effect and a large crimson red stain was now filling the rug beneath her.
“Steve… the ambulance and ISA will be here soon. Just let it go… and let them deal with this.” Standing up, Bo tried diverting his attention back to his daughter, but Steve just nodded while keeping his attention at Gabriel – 2.
“Just take care of her Bo… I have to finish up here.”
“Damn it… he’s baiting you! Don’t fall for it!”
“I should have finished this long ago. There’s nothing stopping me now.”
Trying to hold him back. Steve just shrugged Bo’s arm away and walked over the dead man at his feet straight towards the doors. Gabriel – 2’s eyes glowed with excitement as he walked outside onto the grass and held his stance while his old companion joined him.
They stood a few yards away, as Steve tucked his gun back in the holster and gave the man the opening he had been waiting years for. Bo could only watch from Stephanie’s side, as her father was preparing to end the last link to his lost years. “Are you ready to die?” Steve asked him, his eye and face showing nearly infused with a light that burned from with in.
Tilting his head, Gabriel – 2 took one step closer. “I can’t wait.”