Chapter 35: Chapter 35

Thirty Five - Judgement Day.

My heart almost leaps out of my mouth as I stand in the doorway, taking in the scene in front of me. The room is a complete dump, the musty smell so evident in the air, it was a struggle not to gag. My jaw clenches as I meet his cold eyes, Jones.

He's sat on the opposite side of the room, looking as calm as always, his signature smirk plastered on his evil face. His back is against the wall and I almost lose control as I notice Emily unconscious in his arms.

I control my anger as I realise he also has a gun... pressed against Emily's head. I immediately raise my own and force myself to think straight. The temptation to put several bullets through every single one of his main organs is strong but I couldn't considering he was holding my entire life in his arms.

Calm down Jake, focus on your aim.

I forced myself to forget about Emily for now, if I don't get my aim spot on, the chance of DC Jones taking all three of us out will be high. I can't risk that, I'm more trained then Brett and Jamie and I know I have to protect them aswell as Emily. She looks so peaceful in her sleep and I ache to run over to her and tend to her wounds. She's weak, I know that the second my eyes landed on her. She's pale, the colour of her usual tanned skin now pasty and ghost like.

"What have you done to her?" I growl, aiming my gun directly at Jones heart. He sneers before pressing the gun tighter into Emily's skull.

"Put the gun down Jones!" I yell, taking a step towards him. A hand instantly shoots out and grabs my arm, pulling me back. I turn slightly to see Brett, his gun trained on Jones with one hand. His other hand holds my arm tightly, pulling me backwards. Without his sight never leaving Jones, he mutters quietly —

"Don't move or he'll shoot her."

I know he's right.

I take a step back, my eyes never blinking once. I cannot risk taking my eyes off him even for a second, he's a snake as sly as they come. Jones grins at my actions, knowing he has the power in the situation. Maybe he does but it's three against one and the three with better guns than him are also blocking the only doorway.

No matter what happens, someone isn't leaving this room alive.

"If you come closer even an inch, her brains will be splattered all over the floor," he spat towards us and I instantly want to rip his throat out and make him eat it. I've never felt so much hatred for a single man and my line of work isn't exactly rainbows and fucking sunshine.

"What do you want with her?" I repeat, my voice low and dangerous. I'm ready to kill.

"She's my daughter, do I need a reason?" Jones shot back and I instantly lower my gun, shocked at his response. . . Jones is Emily's father?

"Jake..." Jamie mutters at me, pulling me out of my shock filled daze. I let my guard drop and I need to stay focused. Jones notices my shocked response and he chuckles quietly, the hold on his gun getting tighter.

"You didn't know, no-one did. I love her! She's my flesh and blood." Jones voice softens as he looks at Emily, lifeless in his arms.

"She needs help. If you really love her, you'll let her go and let us help her." I said quietly, hoping my tactic was working. I'm definitely not a psychologist but I know he isn't thinking straight. He also needs help but it's a shame my bullet would be lodged deep into his brain for him to ever get it.

"No! You'll take her away from me!" Jones yells, pointing the gun at me instead. I gulp as the end of his barrel stares me down. My eyes never leave his and neither does my gun. The tension in the room was growing higher as each second passed.

"Let her go, she needs help."

"No! She's mine," Jones argues back, the frustration in his voice growing. The pain in his face is clear as day and he looks deep in thought as he ponders over his decision. That's when I see her move, Emily begins to wake up.

Her eyes shoot open and she looks around terrified before her eyes land on me. I can't make out the expression in her eyes even though I'm aching to look into them to reassure her. I will myself to keep my aim on Jones instead. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch her gaze focus on the gun in my hands.

"Emily, it's okay, stay calm." I plead with her through my words, hoping to reassure her in any way I can. The last thing we need is for Emily to freak out. Too much movement in a situation like this could end up fatal. Emily turns as she finally realises DC Jones is behind her. I hear her whimper and my jaw clenches tightly, knowing she's scared. I feel a piece of my heart break off knowing I can't be the one to make her feel safe right now.

"Emily," I repeat, my voice wobbling with emotion. She turns back towards me and I don't need to look at her to know tears are sliding down her face.

"Jones, please let her go." I beg.

I can't take anymore of this.

It's too personal for me to be focused right now and I'm going to get us all killed. Jones immediately snaps at my words, grabbing Emily tighter and turning his gun back to her head. Jamie and Brett's hands shoot out, pulling me back and if it wasn't for them by my side, I would have charged over to him and dragged him as far away from Emily as I could. His hands alone on my girl is enough to blow me over the edge, I have no idea how I remained so composed for this long.

Emily's eyes plead with mine and I have to look away as I feel my own tears threaten to spill at her broken face. She looks defeated and it's killing me inside. She slowly turns towards Jones and I immediately snap at her.

"Emily, stay still!" I growl, the grip on my trigger tightening. She turns back towards me giving me a little nod, letting me know she knows what she's doing. My heart leaps into my throat as I watch her uneasily.

I couldn't believe my eyes or ears as Emily turns towards Jones, forcing him to look at her before she whispers loud enough for us to hear.

"Please let me go. . . Dad."

Jones whole composure relaxes and his gun lowers as he stares open mouthed at Emily.  This is it, this is our chance.

I'm about to prepare myself to shoot when I see Emily hold her hand up at me, willing me to stop. She shakes her head before turning back to Jones. Her face appears emotionless, eyes dead and broken.

"What did you just say?" Jones asks her, placing his gun onto the floor. I take a step closer but never let my gun drop incase Jones decides to pick his back up.

"Dad, I called you Dad." Emily repeats, swallowing the lump in her throat. She's lying. It's killing her to say these words but it's working. My shoulders slump in relief as I realise she really does know what she's doing. Jones leans back against the wall and does the last thing I expect him to.

He cries.

*****

Emily's POV-

I watch him fall apart in front of me as I say the one word I never thought I'd call anyone else but my father. I had to do it, he was pointing a gun at Jake and I couldn't risk him being killed. He's the only family I need, not this sick perverted sperm donor. I almost passed out again when he switched and aimed his gun back against my temple.

Jones was now sobbing fast, his chest rising and falling fast. I slowly release his arm off me and he drops it weakly against his side, admitting defeat. I take this as my chance to run and be safe. I stand to my feet, wobbling a little from lack of balance before I take slow steps backwards, never turning my back on the man who was currently breaking apart.

I can practically feel Jake's presence behind me, it was so powerful. The aura around him screams safety and I instantly relax as I feel my back touch the front of his body. I smile, relieved this nightmare is finally over. Jake's free arm slides over my waist and he also lowers his gun as he realises I'm back in his arms, safe once again.

"Jake," I whimper, the roles now reversed as I

start to to fall apart from his touch. His arms held me up close, carrying most of my weight. He brings his head down and tucks it into the crook of my neck, kissing the skin tenderly.

"Shhh Muffin, it's okay. I'm here."

I shut my eyes and sob quietly, the realisation that I'm rescued finally hitting me. I'm away from him, away from the man who stalked me, frightened me, kidnapped me and let me bleed as he watched.

I open my eyes to get one last look at him before I knew Jake would kill him. My eyes open to the image of Jones sneering, his hand reaching for his gun. My heart pounds painfully against my chest and I suddenly can't breathe, my lungs restricting the oxygen I so badly need to shout out loud and warn everyone. It's like time stops and everything happens in slow motion.

I see the gun rise in the air and point directly towards Jake. My heart leaps out of my mouth as Jones' finger presses against the trigger and a loud echoing boom fills the room followed by a scream. It only takes me a millisecond before I realise the screams are coming from me. I snap my head to look at Jake who's eyes are wide with fear as he screams back at me but everything sounds muffled, drowned out in a sea of pained cries.

Is he hurt? Is Jake shot?

I scan his body, looking desperately for the source of the blood that stains his shirt. His face is scrunched up in pain, tears streaming down his cheeks as he drops his gun and catches me between his two arms. He holds me up close as he continues screaming but I can't hear anything as if I'm trapped in a silent movie. I scrunch my eyebrows at him in complete confusion until I glance down and finally find the source of the blood.

How is it possible that I can taste the blood in my mouth, in my throat, in the air?

Who's blood is it?

My blood, it's me.

I'm shot.