No.
There was no outcome in which she didn’t survive. She was my soulmate. We were meant to live our lives together until the very end.
I ran with Gabriela in my arms, crossing the lawn of the Prescott property. My Jag was parked haphazardly on the other side of the iron-wrought fence. I arrived here with some guards. While they demanded entry into the residence, I’d heard a distant but potent feminine shriek that I would recognize anywhere. I didn’t think. Just acted on pure instinct by climbing over the fence and beelining it straight for the source before anyone could stop me, let alone catch up to me.
The scene I stumbled upon—Tom looming over Gabriela and stating he’d slice her throat—would haunt me for years to come.
Fuck, the thought of arriving any later and finding Gabriela in a pool of her own blood, throat cut open by that insane motherfucker, made me want to howl in pain.
My panting and the heartbeat rushing in my ears were so loud that I almost missed the open gates and the harsh voices resonating in the air. I abruptly halted at the silhouettes of Enzo, Cade, and Josh, guns out and threatening demeanours in place.
A brigade of Remington guards circled Prescott staff members. Enzo had a gun cocked against the head security guard’s head, barking instructions.
“Enzo!” I shouted raggedly.
His head craned to see where the sound came from and he stiffened, the way only a father who loved his daughter would after searching relentlessly for her whereabouts.
The fear sketched over his features spoke volumes. He thought the worst.
“She fainted.” I wheezed, crossing over to him. “Needs medical help.”
“Go!” Josh ushered us, failing to hide his wince upon seeing Gabriela’s injured state. “Take her to a hospital. Now.”
“Where’s Tom?” Cade demanded.
“Dead,” I said low enough that no one except for us four heard. “She killed him.” After he terrorized and hurt her. “His body is by the mausoleum.”
Cade clutched Enzo’s shoulder. “Go, Enzo. Josh and I will handle the rest. Don’t worry.”
Enzo didn’t need to be told twice. He caressed a shaky hand over Gabriela’s face, crestfallen. “I’ll drive,” he said. “Put her in the backseat of my car.”
I nodded and Josh took my keys from my pocket, saying he’d drive my car over to the hospital once this was settled.
At Enzo’s SUV, we draped Gabriela across the backseat and I got in with her, positioning her head over my lap. Enzo dove for the driver’s seat.
The tires screeched as he gunned it for the nearest hospital, less than five minutes away.
All I could do was sit here helplessly, holding Gabriela and hoping she woke up soon.
My prayers were answered.
The moment we arrived at the hospital and Gabriela was laid onto the stretcher, she showed signs of waking up, right before she was wheeled into the ER.
The figurative noose wrapped around my neck slowly loosened. They were performing tests on her right now and all I could do was wait for the verdict in the hospital’s waiting room.
The antiseptic smell lingering in the hospital made me sick, but not sicker than the faint traces of blood on my soaked dress shirt.
Gabriela’s blood.
I screwed my eyes shut, attempting breathing exercises that unfortunately did nothing to calm me. I needed to erase the scene of her bruised and bloodied. Purge it from my mind like it had never existed. I cursed Tom Prescott’s wretched soul. I hoped he was burning in hellfire right now—hoped he never knew peace since he was so quick to try to rob me of mine.
I ached for Gabriela. I wanted to hold her. To feel her softer curves against my hard planes. To feel her spirited heart beating against my skin. To feel her cheeky smile tucked against my neck as she lay on top of me, clutching me like I was her very anchor to this reality.
Tired and weary, my head lolled back against the wall. Two of Enzo’s trusted guards were here too, keeping watchful gazes on me. The rest were outside, monitoring the hospital entrances for any threats.
Given that Josh and Cade were still stabilizing the situation at Prescott Mansion and trying to figure out if Tom was acting alone or in cahoots with anyone else, Enzo wanted to minimize the risk by only having me, him, and Lucia at the hospital. Nonna was back at their family home with Luna, desperately waiting for news.
I remained optimistic that Gabriela would be okay. She would smile for me again. She would laugh for me again. She would whisper the wordsI love you Hunteragainst my lips before she kissed me again.
