Something was off about Richard but Ryan just couldn't put his finger on it. He'd been noticing it for a couple of months now.
His gut feeling told him to call Alec. He stared at his phone before calling.
" Hello..." There's was silence on the other side. " Alec?"
" It's Derrick, Mr .Reinster. "
" Where's Alec? Hand him the phone. "
" I can't. He's a bit...tied up at the moment. " Derrick sighed.
" Be clear. "
" Okay. Richard kidnapped Gwen and forced Alec to surrender. They're currently at your Ancestral Villa. Is that clear enough ,sir?"
" I'd appreciate it if you were less sassy." Ryan pursed his lips.
What was Richard up to? He'd been so distracted lately. He had no idea what was going on with business.
He spent most of his days bed ridden or drowsy from strong medication. What a waste.
" We-" He was cut off by a violent series of coughs. It was like his chest would explode. He gasped for breathe and took his handkerchief out to clean the fluid escaping his lips.
" We need to find a way to get Alec out of there. " He gasped.
" We've surrounded the villa. We'll storm in anytime now. "
" Don't!" Ryan exclaimed. " I'm on my way there. Don't do anything yet. It would be a stupid idea to go in like that. "
" What do you mean? You do realise that Alec could be dead by now , right?" Derrick barked.
" I know Richard. I'm sure he's well prepared. Don't walk right into his den. " Ryan coughed. " There's a secret passage just a few miles from the forest. It's an underground tunnel. "
Derrick sighed. " Do you really think Richard has no idea about this? "
" He doesn't. No one does. It's a secret bunker for extremely delicate business deals. "
He winced as a migrane surged across his head. He glance at his handkerchief and froze when he saw blood.
He was coughing up blood.
" Sir ? " Derrick was waiting.
" Yes...I'll...I'll send you the layout. We have to act wisely. "
Richard played with a pen in his hand as he looked out the window. The cold air blew in fiercely through the curtains.
" Why is he taking so long? " Richard was getting impatient. He turned to Alec. " What do you think he's doing ? "
" I don't know. He's probably ignoring you. " Alec nodded his head sympathetically. " You can be very annoying Richard . "
Just then , a car pulled in. Richard smirked. " Finally! I'd rather talk to anyone other than you right now Alec."
" And here I thought you were enjoying my company." Alec retorted.
Richard walked out of the study and two of his men followed. Rick stayed.
" You're offly quiet. " Alec teased Gwen.
" You and your brother were having a moment. I didn't want to ruin it. " Her tone was flat and she had a poker face.
Alec swallowed. " Why do I get the feeling you're angry ?"
Gwen raised a brow. " Why would I be?"
" Sweetie...I-"
" Why don't we talk about the fact that you have been the biggest asshole these past weeks? " She burst out.
" I stay up waiting for you at night and when I wake up you're gone! You don't talk to me anymore! "
Rick yelled as he took a step forward. " Stop talking!"
" You'd better back the fuck up big guy! Today is not the day and I sure as hell am not the one you should be messing with right now!" She barked at him and he took a step back reluctantly.
Alec was frankly surprised. He'd never seen her this angry. He didn't know whether to laugh or be worried she'd do worse to him. She'd scared off a giant with just words.
She turned back to him. " I know we have all been going through alot recently. More than we can handle. But we could just...talk it out. Alec , I'm pregnant. " She paused.
" I need you. Emotionally , physically...hell , I don't know. I need you to be there. "
She knew he was sorry. She could tell from his face. But she had a lot to get off her chest. She knew this was a horrible time but she felt like she was about to explode.
She was so angry right now. She'd missed her doctor's appointments for the day , she felt like throwing up .The nausea was killing her. Even the smell of the books in the shelves made her feel repulsed. Her whole body was fighting her.
" I'm-so-angry- Alec. " She spoke through clenched teeth.
" Im sorry. I know I've been horrible. I won't try to explain myself to you. I'm so sorry." He sighed.
" I was running from what I was feeling. I thought if I could be alone for a while , I'd be able to get it together and-"
" Shut up. " Her voice was softer now. " It's you and me. "
"Us. "
"You don't have to fix things alone all the time. It's okay to break down. "
She smiled. " I'll always pick up the pieces."
" I love you Gwen." He said this with full certainty.
She was quiet for a while.
" I'm still mad at you. " She frowned and looked away.
Gwen sighed. Now that that was over. She had to get back to her work. They didn't notice but she'd practically torn the zipper off her pants. She'd been fidgeting with the stands of rope for long .
Luckily, she had a table before her. It made it easier to hide. She didn't have a plan. She was just following her instinct.
" Look who's here!" Richard came in announcing.
Ryan followed. He looked deathly pale and his eyes had dark circles. Gwen noticed this. He didn't look so good.
Richard had him seated.
" Shall we begin?" He took out a gun and pointed it at Alec. The room went silent.
" How much longer ?" Morris whispered.
Derrick frowned. " Just a little longer. Keep alert. We have no room for error guys. "
They'd been treading through the underground tunnel Ryan had told them about. It was dark , moist and smelt like a fucking corpse.
" I see something ahead." One of the men flashed his light in that direction. There was a rusty iron ladder clung to the wall. And according to Ryan , just above it was the master bedroom.
Derrick clenched his jaw. " Men , get ready. Time to get our hands dirty."