Gabriel made the hour-long drive in twenty minutes and pulling to a stop jumped out of his car and found Antonio loitering around outside.
"Why are you out here? You're supposed to be inside causing a disturbance."
"I did what I could but I was outnumbered. You don't have time to stand out here giving me hell when you should be inside saving your wife." He dared to snap at Gabriel.
"They have her in the room marked S, you better hurry."
Gabriel knew he was right.
"Call the police and tell them what's going on," he said, taking his gun from behind his back and hid it in his jacket.
"I can't," Antonio said, showing Gabriel his phone that had gotten smashed when the men threw him from the club and it fell from his pocket onto the cement pavement.
Gabriel handed him his phone and walked away. As usual, the club was dimly lit and he was able to walk in without anyone noticing him.
He had to take it slow and remain calm as not to tip anyone off as to why he was here. He was able to slip past the bartender and headed towards the back where the rooms were located.
He finally got to the door marked S, luckily there was no one standing guard.
Pressing his ear against the door he listened, trying to hear something. He heard two men laughing, one he knew was his father's laugh. Taking his gun out aimed it as he kicked the door open.
There were no words to describe how he felt when he saw the love of his life laying half naked on the table with his father's hands on her panties, about to pull them down. Even with the mask over his face, he knew it was him.
"Get the fuck away from her," he yelled, waving his gun back and forth between the two men.
As Sergio moved away, removing the mask Gabriel went over to her. He could see the bruise on her cheek and welts across her shoulder.
He untied her hands and pulled her into him, his one arm holding her, he felt her trembling against him when she wrapped her arms around his neck, sobbing. He kept his eyes and gun on the two men.
"Son," Sergio said, a wicked grin appeared on his face. "I was just having some fun."
"Fun," Gabriel yelled. "She's pregnant. You could have hurt the baby you sick bastard. You're going down for this. If the law doesn't make you pay I will."
Reaching for Paige's dress hands it to her.
"Put this on," he said, standing in front of her as to shield her from the men's view.
"You didn't give her time, she might have enjoyed it," Sergio said, smiling.
"I'm taking her out of here so don't try and stop me or else."
"Or what Gabriel, will you show your young bride who you really are? A killer, a cold-blooded killer.
"Shut your mouth," Gabriel hissed.
"Have you not told her what you've done son?"
"Do not call me son, you are no longer my father." He was busy arguing with Sergio and didn't notice Elliot had pulled a gun till he heard Paige cry out.
The two men stood facing each other, guns pointed.
"Put the gun down Gabriel or he will kill you," Sergio growled.
"Not if I kill him first," Gabriel answered.
"You can only get one of us before you are gunned down and then who will protect your precious wife?" Sergio said, pulling a gun behind him.
Gabriel turned his weapon on his father. "I'll make sure you go first."
It happened so quick, the door swung open and Antonio hit Elliot over the head with a blunt weapon, causing him to fall, dropping his gun.
Sergio want to shoot him when Gabriel pulled the trigger, shooting his father in the arm. A split second later the police rushed in with guns pointing, shouted for everyone to drop their weapons.
Gabriel dropped his gun and turned to Paige, removing the collar from around her neck drew her into his arms. When her sobs subsided he took her face in his hands, "Did he hurt you?"
******************************************
Paige had prepared for the worst, willing her mind to leave her body when the door opened and she saw Gabriel.
That's when she crumbled, letting the tears fall. Her demon had come to her rescue in the nick of time. He untied her and she clung to him, feeling his heart beating against her chest. His arm protectively around her as he held the gun on the two men.
Then she thought it was all over until Antonio burst in, smashing Elliot across the head, knocking him out.
"He was going to do some terrible things to me and then have others take their turn. Oh Gabriel, thank God you found me." His lips went on hers, giving her a deep kiss, letting her know she was safe.
**********************************
He lifted her up, setting her on the bed, holding her hand he turned to Sergio.
"You'll be going down for a long time for what you've done."
As he was being cuffed he cursed the cops, saying he had been shot and to take it easy. He stopped in front of Gabriel when he was being dragged out.
"My lawyers will have me out in no time. I'll be seeing you son, both of you."
"Get him out of here," Gabriel snapped.
The police asked them all some questions, about the kidnapping and what goes on in the club. They had been wanting to shut the place down for years but could never get anyone to talk.
"I'll tell you everything you want to know, but later. My wife is pregnant and has been through a horrible ordeal and I need to take her to the hospital to get checked out."
The older officer looked at her, he could see her bruises on her face and arms, the fear still in her eyes.
"We will get your statement later Mrs. Maestri. And anything you can tell us to help close this place will be appreciated. I'll call you tomorrow Mr. Maestri."
Gabriel looked for her coat and when he couldn't see it took off his jacket, putting it on her. She seemed weak so he picked her up in his arms. As he was getting ready to leave Antonio walked over.
"Paige," he said, then seeing the way Gabriel's eyebrow shot up he corrected himself.
"Mrs. Maestri, I am so glad you are OK. If there is anything I can do please, just ask."
"She is in shock but I can speak for us both when I say thank you for helping us. Could you drive us to the hospital."
"Of course," Antonio answered and followed them out.
Once in the car, he gave Gabriel his phone back. He glanced at them in his rearview mirror. The way he cradled her in his arms, stroking her hair and telling her everything would be alright was very touching, especially for a man with his reputation.
"Gabriel," she said weakly, looking up into his eyes. "Mitch, they killed him."
"No angel, he is alive."
She squeezed her eyes tightly shut, yet the tears still came. "Oh thank God. I would never forgive myself if he had died."
"Why would you say that? it was not your fault."
"It was Gabriel, it was I who made him stop to help that woman."
"What woman?"
"As we were driving into town there was a car stranded on the side of the road with its hood up, a young woman was there. I made Mitch get out to help her and that's when I was taken, I saw them pushing his body down a ditch."
"This woman, did you see her face?" He asked.
Now he knew what happened and wouldn't have to drill Mitch. He was angry when he found out he had left her alone in the car but Paige explained everything.
"I didn't see her face but she was tall and slender with long dark hair."
Gabriel looked into the mirror to see Antonio's eyes. "Do you know anything about this woman?"
"No, no woman walked in with them," he answered.
"Why were you in that club to begin with?" Gabriel asked, still not sure about Antonio.
"I heard about these types of club and I've never been to one and was curious. Honestly, I could never afford their prices, even the price of the beer is ridiculous. Not to mention the sick shit they do in there. I hope they close that place of horrors down."
"I believe they will," Gabriel said as he kissed the top of her head. He would destroy that place and the people who were involved with what happened to his angel.
Arriving at the hospital Antonio got out and opened the door for them, waiting while Gabriel picked her up in his arms.
"Thanks again for all your help, but you can leave now."
Antonio nodded and went to touch Paige's arm but stopped when he saw Gabriel raising his eyebrows at him. God, this man was overly possessive of his wife, he thought to himself.
"Take care of yourself," he told her.
"Thank you, Antonio, for everything."
"My pleasure, and if you find yourself in need of a tutor I would be more than happy to come back."
"I have that covered," Gabriel said. No way would he consider having that man back. "I have to get her in now, goodbye."
The nurse took Paige in right away while Gabriel was made to wait. Having time on his hands he went to the front desk and inquired about Mitch.
"He's out of surgery sir, you can go see him if you like." The young nurse said, checking him out and was disappointed that he never gave her a second glance.
Gabriel walked into Mitch's room, the man had a bandage wrapped around his head, his leg in a cast and he looked like death. "Hey, buddy, do you feel as bad as you look?"
"Boss, I'm so sorry. Mrs Maestri, did you get to her in time?"
"Yeah, she's being checked out by the doctor now. I got there before Sergio could do any harm. I wish I could have killed the bastard."
"I left her alone in the car."
"Paige has explained to me that she made you go and help that woman. Speaking of that do you have any idea who that woman was?"
"No boss, I've never seen her before."
"I need to find her, she must pay for her part in Paige's kidnapping. I should go now and see to my wife. Do not worry about anything Mitch, whatever you need to help your recovery I will take care of. I will be back to see you soon."
"Say sorry to your wife for me," Mitch called out before Gabriel walked out.
When he walked into her hospital room she turned her head, looking at him she held out her hand, waiting for him to come over.
Sitting up she held him when he hugged her, she groaned when his hold tightens around her. She was sure he was going to crush her.
"Gabriel, I can't breathe."
Letting her go he takes her face in his hands.
"I'm so sorry my angel. I'm just so glad you are OK and the doctor says the baby is also doing well. He said I can take you home as long as I keep you in bed for awhile." He smiled wickedly. "Little does he know that's where I plan on keeping you."
She blushed, knowing what he was insinuating. "Have you seen to Mitch?"
"I have and he will make a full recovery but it will take time."
"I'd like to see him before we go home."
"Alright, but only for a few minutes, you both need to rest," he said, helping her up so she could get dressed.
She went right over and took his big hand in hers. "I'm so sorry Mitch. I should have listened to you and you wouldn't have been hurt."
"No Mrs Maestri, I could have ignored your request. I'm the one who's sorry for not protecting you."
"Alright you two, no one is to be blamed except for the people responsible," Gabriel said, his hand on her back, stroking.
She smiled at Mitch. "When you are able to leave the hospital you will move into the main house with us until you are all better."
He looked at Gabriel and back at her. "That's not necessary."
"We won't take no for an answer. Will we Gabriel?" she asked, turning to look at him.
"That's right," he replied. "Now we must get you home and into bed."
Paige bends down and kissed Mitch on the cheek before leaving. When she was gone he touched where she had kissed him. She truly was Gabriel's angel.