Chapter 33: Chapter 33

Author’s POV

“Cara!” Chase shouted at the top of his lungs as his eyes literally popped out of its sockets when he heard the loud gunshot echoing around him.

His fear filled eyes dropped to her stomach and his heart stopped beating inside his chest seeing the blood gushing out of her abdomen.

Cara’s hand went up to press against the wound and her legs buckled under her weight as she lost all of her strength to keep standing on her feet.

But before her body could collide with the ground, Chase reached forward and held her by her waist preventing her from falling.

He dropped on his knees holding her near his chest. “No.. Cara…” a whisper left his trembling lips as his shivering hand reached to touch her face.

Cara’s half opened teary eyes met with Chase’s moist ones. She could see panic taking over his features. She wanted to reach her hand and wipe his tears with her finger tips but it was as if her body had lost all of the energy.

Chase saw tears leaving her eyes and felt his gut tightening. His gaze then landed on her wound which she was covering with her palm.

He moved his hand from her face to rest it on the back of her palm which was covered in her own blood to assure her that she is going to be okay, but he couldn’t.

His hands were shivering so badly. He could not bring himself to touch her wound fearing that he would hurt her.

It looked like it was him who needed the assurance. His fear was overpowering him. The fear of losing her was numbing his insides.

He heard a loud sinister laugh falling on his ears and he lifted his lashes to look at the source of the sound which was all too familiar to him.

“I think you are going to lose yet another important person in your life” Albert smirked. “And remember this time as well it’s your fault”.

If Chase was not feeling enough pain already then he definitely was right now.

Those self blaming thoughts which he had pushed away from his mind after Cara assured him that he was not responsible for either his mother or sister’s death when they visited his sister’s grave on her death anniversary, came rushing back to his mind.

“If your Cara died tonight, it’s all on you” Albert continued with a snicker.

His mouth was shut by Frank when he landed a hard punch on his jaw, almost cracking it in the process.

But his words had already left an effect on Chase’s mind and his heart. He was already blaming himself for everything.

For ever coming into her life, for ever pursuing her, for ever asking her to be his girlfriend, for ever letting others hurt her, for ever pulling her into his messy past and f**ked up life, for getting her kidnapped by Albert, for making her lie in his arms in this condition where she is bleeding like this and is in so much pain.

Cara heard what Albert was saying to Chase and she could see that his words were breaking Chase. She didn’t want Chase to blame himself again, not for her condition as well. She wanted to tell him that it’s not because of him that she is in this condition.

His self blaming thoughts came to an halt when she used all of her strength to reach her hand up to cup his face in her shivering hand.

He moved his teary gaze filled with guilt to stare into her blue orbs. She shook her head slightly and gathering her strength she let out in a voice barely above a whisper.

“Don’t… don’t listen to him” she coughed. “It’s… it’s not your fault”.

With that her hands slipped from his face and landed beside her body as her eyes closed shut, making his heart wail in agony as he cried out,

“Ca.. Cara..”.

***

Chase sat on the floor leaning his back against the wall beside the door of the emergency room, with his legs spread wide. His elbows were resting on his knees and his head hung low between his legs.

He has been in this same position since they reached the hospital and Cara was taken inside the operation theatre.

The tears which he didn’t know a monster like him could ever shed were streaming down on his face non stop. But he wasn’t making any move to wipe them.

Just as she lost consciousness in the compound of that abandoned warehouse, after telling him that it was not his fault that she was hurt, the ambulance came there.

It was actually John who called the ambulance when Albert shot Cara in front of their eyes.

It didn’t take long for them to reach at the location, as they were already on stand by at a little distance from warehouse.

When Chase, his father and his friends made the plan to rescue Cara from Albert’s hold, Frank had called the hospital under his Victoria foundation and told them to send ambulance to the location and be on standby.

And they were thankful that he did make sure to consider every possibility while making their plan.

***

Flashback…

Chase took out the gun from the box and closed the door of the cupboard in his room. His phone started ringing and it was a call from his father. He disconnected the call.

With his jaw set tight and burning sensation in his heart he came out of his room and strode towards the main door of his apartment, without even acknowledging his friends.

He was determined to kill the bastard who dared to touch his Cara. He didn’t even care that it might put him in a difficult situation, he might even have to spend the rest of his life in jail.

Actually he was not thinking that far. He wasn’t even thinking straight at this moment.

He was getting controlled by his anger which was nowhere to be calm. At least not until he sees his Cara safe and sound in front of his eyes.

John and George saw Chase coming out of his room and storming in the direction of the door, without even glancing in their direction.

Both of their eyes widened when they saw the gun in their friend’s hand and they immediately knew what their friend was trying to do.

John quickly made his way towards Chase and stood in front of him, blocking his way and asked, “Where are you going Chase? What happened?”

Chase didn’t answer him and tried to side step his friend but John put his hand on his shoulder, to hold him to his place.

“I asked where in the hell are you going with that gun?” this time John sounded dead serious.

He usually doesn’t get angry and acts all dominating like he is doing right now, at least not in front of his friends. But right now John knows what is going on in his friend’s head and he needs to stop Chase from doing anything stupid.

Chase finally lifted his thick lashes to stare at John and replied, “I am going to kill that f**ker with my own bloody hands”. His voice came out as a low and deep growl.

John sighed and asked, “What did he say on the call? Did he ask you to come where he is?”

Chase didn’t say anything to him. He can’t tell his friends anything. Because if he told them they would want to go with him and according to Albert’s demand, he has to go alone or he would hurt Cara.

So he pushed John’s hand away from his body and again tried to walk away but John pushed him back making Chase stumble back on his feet.

He sighed in frustration. “Let me go John. I need to bring Cara back”.

“You are not leaving this apartment until you open your mouth and tell us what’s going on. And you are definitely not leaving with that in your hand” John said in serious tone, pointing at the gun Chase was holding.

He was looking intimidating. Both Chase and George were shocked to see this side of John. It’s been a while since John acted this serious around them, or in any situation actually.

“Speak up man. What did he say?” It was George this time who asked diverting his attention from John to Chase.

Chase sighed, running his left hand through his hairs. He knew his friends won’t let him go until he tells them what is going on.

So he decided to tell them everything Albert said to him on the call.

“So are you going to kill him, huh?” George asked exasperated.

“I will, if I have to. I have stabbed him once, it won’t be difficult to do it the second time” Chase spat.

“And what are you going to do after you kill him? Go to jail?” John asked with edge to his voice.

“I don’t care. I don’t care what happens to me. The only thing that matters to me at this moment is Cara’s safety. Only she matters” Chase replied.

“And how do you think she will feel when she will see you kill someone?” John asked again with the same edgy tone.

Chase’s gut tightened at the thought. He knows Cara would never want him to do something like this.

He remembered the time when she requested him to never do something to ruin his own life.

He remembers she told him to think about her before making any rash decisions, because if something happened to him, it will hurt her more than it will hurt him.

She told him that she doesn’t want him to get in trouble and go to jail, leaving her out here alone.

“She wouldn’t want you to take such a measure in order to protect her Chase. She will always hate herself and blame herself if something happened to you because of her” George spoke.

Chase sighed again, throwing the gun on the couch he raked his hairs with both of his hands in frustration.

“Then what do I do now? I don’t know what to do? My mind is not coming up with a solid plan. F**k, my mind is not even thinking straight at this point”.

“Let me ask my brother for help, but this time discreetly” John suggested.

Chase instantly shook his head remembering Albert’s threat. He can’t put Jacob’s life in danger as he knows Albert is a very crazy person who will definitely do as he says.

“No, we can’t John” he said. “Albert threatened to take his life. We can’t get him involved in this matter. For that matter, we can’t get anyone involved in this anymore”.

“That bastard is keeping eyes on each and every movement of ours. He already knew that you two are here and that police has been looking for him. I shouldn’t even have told you guys about my conversation with him. By telling you I have put both of you in danger” Chase paused to take in a sharp breath before uttering next words.

“Also if Albert found out that I didn’t heed to his warning then he will hurt…” his voice cracked. “He might hurt Cara”.

George put his hand over Chase’s shoulder giving it a light squeeze in order to comfort his friend but it was not helping him. Nothing but Cara’s presence around him, her coming back to his arms, safe and sound is what will calm his aching and afraid heart.

“I think now only one person can help us” John said with a serious look on his face, as if he was in deep thoughts.

It got both John and George’s attention and they turned around to look at him.

“Who?” Chase asked.

John looked at Chase with a look which clearly showed that he was a little unsure about whatever he is going to say. But still he decided to say it.

“Your father” John said and instantly Chase’s jaw clenched tight and his hands balled into fists.

“I think he can help us out Chase” John continued hoping his friend won’t burst out in anger.

Chase closed his eyes, lifting one of his hand up to rub his aching temple with his forefinger and thumb.

His friend was right. The only person who can help him with his situation right now is his father. After all he is the Mayor.

But problem is if Frank will help him? And the more bigger problem is if he will be able to ask his father for help.

Since the day his mother died, the distances between his father and him started increasing.

But after his sister died in the hands of Albert because of his father’s lack of attention, his disliking towards Frank turned into hate.

He has been hating him every day, every moment of his life for past eight years. He never asked his father for anything. Of course Frank did provide Chase with all the necessities but that was all.

He never went to his father for anything even if he needed something. Hell, he never even talked property with his father after Valarie passed away.

So will he be able to go to his father and ask for his help?

‘You can’t hesitate at this moment Chase’ his heart said to him.

‘No, you can’t go to that man. He destroyed your life. Will you ask for help from him, who never cared for you?’ his mind retorted.

‘You have to Chase. For Cara’s sake. You have to decide for yourself, what is more important for you? Your ego, your stubbornness or Cara?’ his subconscious mind asked him.

He didn’t even need a second to answer that question. Of course it was Cara. And neither his heart nor his mind disagreed with his answer.

Releasing a deep breath Chase opened his eyes and turned around to look at his friends.

“You are right John. We can get help from him” Chase said. John and George also sighed in relief. They knew Chase would say yes to get help from his father for Cara’s sake. They know that their friend can do anything if it’s for Cara.

They were just worried for him because they also knew that it was difficult for Chase to take this decision, especially because of how his relationship is with his father.

“But how should we inform him about it? I am sure Albert is tapping my calls so I can’t call him. I can’t go to his house or office because I feel like Albert is still keeping eyes on each and every move of mine. And I don’t want to do anything which will trigger that psychopath’s anger and make him hurt Cara” Chase said.

“I can call him using my phone” George suggested.

“No man, What if he is tapping both of our calls as well?” John said shaking his head. “Because I am still not sure how he found out that I called my brother. We can’t take any risk considering Cara is still in his hold”.

“We don’t have much time. I will have to leave as soon as Albert sends me the location, he said he would call me again. I will have to go there alone as per his demand” Chase said.

“But we can’t let you go without a plan Chase. We can’t trust that f**king bastard Albert. What if he hurts you and Cara? You can’t go there alone” it was George who expressed his concern for Chase and his girlfriend Cara.

“But…” Chase started but was cut off when the doorbell of his apartment rang.

All three of their heads turned in the direction of door and on the cue, a very worried Frank walked inside the house.

“What’s going on Chase? Is it true that Albert kidnapped Cara?” Frank sounded concerned at the same time a hint of anger lacing his tone didn’t go unnoticed by Chase and his friends.

Chase’s eyes widened slightly. He knows his father tries to keep track of what is going on in his life as Chase never tells him anything about himself. But he was still shocked that his father actually found out what is going on in his life. And this time he was not late.

Frank has been trying to pay attention to his son after what happened with Valerie, so that he can help Chase if he ever got in trouble or is in any kind of danger.

“I am asking you something Chase” Frank asked in a serious and hard tone.

It made Chase even more shocked. He doesn’t remember when was the last time his father used such a stern tone with him. After what happened with Valerie, he always sounded guilty while talking with him. He never shouted at Chase and talked to him in a soft tone, even when Chase made a grave mistake, he never scolded him like a father should. His guilt was burdening him so much.

But right now, he was sounding like a father. He sounded just how he used to do when Chase was just a kid. When his mom was still around. When he loved his father more than anyone in this world.

Shaking all of this thoughts Chase nodded his head. “Yes”.

“And you didn’t even consider telling me about it, huh?” Frank scolded in fatherly tone again.

“I know Chase that you are angry with me” Frank said now sounding like his usual self but still the sadness in his voice didn’t go unnoticed by Chase.

“I know you haven’t forgiven me yet for my mistakes. But I am still your father. If not for anything else, you could have come to me for Cara’s sake. You know that I have power to help you with this situation” Frank said.

Chase hesitated a bit but spoke, “I was.. I was about to call you… da..” he couldn’t complete the word and it sting Frank’s heart. But he knew it was because of his own mistakes.

“I mean we were just talking about you. But we didn’t know how to call you or inform you about it” Chase said.

“What do you mean?” Frank frowned at his son’s words.

“The thing is…” Chase told him everything.

Frank cursed under his breath once Chase was done telling him about everything that has been going on since the day he got call from Albert a week ago.

“You should have told me about him sooner Chase” Frank said in disappointment.

And now that Chase is thinking about everything again, he also feels that he should have told his father about all of it when Albert first contacted him for the first time.

If he did, then the situation might have been a little different. His Cara would have been with him. He should have pushed all the bad feelings aside and should have asked for Frank’s help.

“But let’s not think about it right now. I know what we should do to get Cara out of Albert’s hold” Frank said getting all of their attention.

“And what is it? Just a reminder but we can’t get help from police” Chase said.

“You are right. But we can get help from my security team” Frank said.

Frank is a Mayor. So he has his own security team, who have the duty of protecting him from all the dangers.

Albert might be keeping his eyes on police department. But he won’t find out if Frank moved his team in secret and raid the location where he asked Chase to come.

Also according to Albert Chase and Frank don’t have good relationship which is the truth actually, so he was sure that Chase would never ask for Frank’s help. That is why he was not paying much attention to Frank in this situation. And it worked in Chase’s favour.

After planning out their strategy Chase left his apartment with a tracking device on his clothes. Of course they acquired it from Frank’s security team.

With the help of his security team, they were tracking Chase’s location. But Albert was smart with his planning.

The place where he was keeping Cara had jammers installed, so that no tracking devices would work. Just as Chase and his friends speculated, Albert’s men were tapping not only his but his friend’s phones.

Because of the jammers, his friends couldn’t locate Chase anymore. They couldn’t get the exact location of where Chase was. This is why it took long for Frank and his team to reach the warehouse.

First they had to come to the location where they last located Chase. And after reaching there, they had to find a place where someone could keep a person after kidnapping them.

At that time this abandoned warehouse came to their minds and they reached the place at the right time.

This is how they succeeded in saving Cara from Albert.

Flashback end…