(!Slight mentions of abuse!)
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
A military camp
(Specialist T. A. Centre)
(9:30 am....)
"We're ready for you, sir," Commander Jenkins said, hands clasped behind him in an authoritative pose. Nodding, Trey stood, undoing the cuffs on his sleeves as he followed.
Upon leaving the house with the briefcase-like fax machine he'd made himself, Trey had met up with Jason who had called to make sure the transfer would be done before eight pm.
They'd shoved Carter — still bound — into the back of one of Trey's SUVs, and questioned her about the exact location of Ethan and the others.
She had tried to evade the question, but had ended up letting it slip that she couldn't possibly know the location off head because a pin had been dropped to her.
They had been quick to take the phone out of her pocket again, watching as Mitch searched for a location pin. The other three men —Trey, Jason and Billy — had been surprised when Mitch had mentioned they were in Waverley, Edinburgh. Carter hadn't been joking about the distance.
From then, Trey had formulated a plan. The transfer document was with him, signed, awaiting Donovan's signature. To be on the safe side, he called the state for assistance and had immediately been directed to the Specialist T. A. Centre, one of the nearest military bases to him.
And there was no catch. He had special forces to his disposal, and all he had to do was tell them what he needed done.
So there he was at the base, after gathering all his family as well as friends' wives — Melissa, Ashley, Tony, Andrew (had decided to stay), Sierra, Samantha, Wren, Paige, Dustin, Zoey — into his house and installing security tight around it.
Dustin had already began directing Tech Geniuses' quietest drone to the location so they could survey the area and avoid unwanted surprises, and he was to let Trey know when the drone arrived.
Having finished folding his sleeves, he entered after Jenkins and came face to face with a team of the base's special forces. With a nod, Jenkins left him to it and sat down himself.
Trey took a deep breath. "I'm going to cut to the chase since we're on borrowed time." Upon getting nods, he continued, "I'm sure you've been briefed on the situation with Ethan Donovan and know I want to get my kids back.
"He wants a portion — a quarter of my wealth in exchange for letting my family go scot-free. And so at exactly 8pm tonight, I'll be giving him this," he waved the paper in his hand. "It is a document which states that I am relinquishing a quarter of my wealth.
"What he doesn't know if that, as authentic as this contract is — stating what is being exchanged for what — it is useless because before 8pm, there'll be nothing left in my account to hand over." When murmurs of approval erupted, Trey lifted a hand to quiet them.
"Between that farce, and his true intentions of which you've already been briefed, things might get messy, and that's why I need your help. Admittedly, a condition was that I meet him alone, but I don't trust that he'll make it a peaceful transaction.
"This is what I want you to do. How you do it is totally up to you." After a pause, he continued, walking now. "I have a member of my security team driving a drone to the location where my family is being held. As soon as the drone arrives, we'll give you access to the footage so you can plan it out.
"I'll need you in complete camouflage and for you to go ahead of me to the location. You might want to stop a distance away and walk the rest of the way, spreading out to surround the building from the trees.
"Note though, that no one is to shoot him dead. If he tries to hurt someone then a shot to somewhere not so vital should be enough. I hope everything is clear," he concluded.
He received a boisterous 'yes sir'. "Thank you for your time. We'll be counting on you to ensure it doesn't get bloody."
They all rose out of their seats, and after a uniform salute, sat back down as Jenkins walked forward to take the floor. He took Trey's hand in a firm handshake, then pressed a kevlar vest to his chest, smiling a little. "My gut says you'll be needing this. We'll see you there."
Accepting the vest, Trey nodded and exited with a two-finger salute. Before he closed the door after him, he heard Jenkins clap twice and say, "Let's get to work!"
* * *
Waverley, Edinburgh.
The Hostage Building.
(07:52 pm...)
She finally stirred from the deep sleep whatever Nicolysse had injected her with had plunged her into. Ethan breathed out, turning to Nicolysse who stood over Maya — she was unbound to care for the babies.
"In the future," he said, pointing at her, "I ban you from injecting her with anything. I know you think of poison as nothing and I'd rather not lose her to such a quick death. I had too much pent up pain I want her to feel before I let go."
"Does that mean then, that you have no intention of honoring your deal with Trey?" Nicolysse asked while Maya remained quiet as promised.
Ethan blew out another breath, cocking his head at Nicolysse. "What do you think? If I let her go back to him, you can kiss your chances of getting him back goodbye." He walked towards the bed where Alexandra lay.
"I just made him think I'm willing to give her back so that he gives me my share. I can start up a different business after paying off the debts of my company and go live elsewhere. He's that rich that a quarter of his assets would have me set for life."
He, however, didn't tell Nicolysse what he actually intended to do. He kept mum and went on his knees so he was level with Alexandra's face. "Wake up Alexandra. I've been waiting for you."
There was a beat, then she shot up into a sitting position once she recognised the voice. It was a bad idea and she found herself clutching her head in hopes it'll ease the headache.
"My babies," she whispered. Then she pushed away from the side Ethan was on, but she wasn't quick enough.
He caught hold on her ankle and smiled as he dragged her back. "Not so fast. I need you at full power for your husband's arrival and the exchange."
Alexandra's eyes went wide when she remembered Trey agreeing to come over when she'd told him not to. She didn't have a good feeling about his intentions, and suspected Nicolysse herself didn't.
Ethan pulled her till she was pressed against what was left of his chest, then tugged on her shoulder to lower her further so he could whisper into her ear. "The exchange will be... fun. I'll make sure of it.
"And you know, you were right in thinking it wouldn't be a good idea for him to come because in less than two minutes, he'll be at my mercy." A pause. "I'll kill him."
Lexi gasped and he pressed a finger to her lips as tears left her eyes, shushing her even more when she started pleading for her man's life. Then he continued in a whisper, "Nicolysse — stupid girl — won't get what she wants buy it'll prove me right; if I can't have you, no one will."
Alexandra shed more tears, muffled by the finger kept in front of her lips. "He'll die, and you're going to watch it. If you try anything stupid," he pressed even closer to her ear, whispering still the words, "those two will die as well."
Just then, they felt the vibration of what could only be a powerful engine. Ethan smiled a little and drew back to bunch a cloth into the now sobbing Alexandra's mouth. "The man of the hour is here," he said in a normal voice, rising to his feet.
After instructing her to take the babies, and after telling Nicolysse to bring Maya out as well, he said, "Let's go greet him."
* * *
(8:00 pm....)
Trey was already stood a little ways from the car he'd parked some distance in front of the building. He didn't want to get too close yet.
On his way, he'd confirmed with the military that they were in place — he'd been told what signals he could give for what —and the notification for a transfer completed had been faxed to him. He'd then floored it as much as possible to make it on time.
Billy, Mitchell and Jason were going to be parked right where the military vehicles were. The ambulance they had arranged just in case was also there, not too far, but far enough to be hidden under the cover of trees.
It was a forested area in the middle of nowhere where the building was located, and grudgingly, Trey admitted Ethan was being both careful and much smarter this time. But he still wasn't a problem with the backing Trey had.
He was ready, even though there were still many unknowns.
Ethan appeared then, holding a gun to Lexi's head while he smiled at Trey. For his part, Trey was relieved both his woman and the babies she was holding were okay — physically. That was until he saw the gag in her mouth and the tears pouring down her cheeks.
"I'm impressed," Ethan began, snatching Trey's attention from Lexi. "You're such an admirably punctual person," he continued in that same mocking tone.
Trey's fist bunched and that reminded him of the envelope he was holding. He took two steps forward only to have Ethan say, "Don't come forward really. Stay right where you are."
Trey hesitated but a glance at Lexi and he obeyed. Just then Nicolysse appeared with Maya, unbound, saying, "You can have her back. We're done using her."
But Ethan lifted a hand, halting Maya's movement. "What's in the envelope Robinson?"
In a calm, composed voice, Trey responded, "The document stating clearly my handover of a quarter of my assets to you. I've already signed them," he said, tossing the brown paper to somewhere between them. "All you need is to put your signature in agreement and that's it."
Ethan turned to Nicolysse, asking her to get the document while she escorted Maya over and that he would keep her covered. Though skeptical, she did, picking up the document and backing away, never turning her back to Trey.
"Here," Ethan said giving her the gun to hold against Lexi's head, then went ahead to skim the document. "Nice," he muttered, signing where he had to with the pen in the envelope.
He took back the gun while holding the brown envelope in the other hand. "Thank you for doing your part." He paused to smile. "I know you have Carter too. Let me have her."
Without a word, Trey took steps backward till he was at his car. He opened the backseat, and letting the door shield him, he pulled Carter out, shutting the door, and leading her over.
Once he got to the spot where Ethan had asked him to stop, he paused and let Nicolysse who had come forth with one of the babies take her. He collected his son, eyes on Ethan, and handed him to Maya, asking her to back up.
"What's the meaning of this?" Trey asked quietly.
"That was in exchange for Carter," Ethan said, smirking. "And for this," he continued, waving the envelope, "you get to choose one more out of the two."
"That wasn't the deal," Trey argued, his anger beginning to surface. "I was supposed to get all of them back in exchange for relinquishing a quarter of my assets; that was the deal."
Ethan cocked his head, as if trying to gauge how serious Trey was. Then. . .he laughed. "There was never an agreement!" he yelled. "You just assumed there was because I asked you to bring my share of your wealth."
Thinking back to the phone call, he realised indeed that Ethan had never said he would give them away in exchange for the assets, and that made him curse himself for letting emotions lead his decision.
It made him angry that he'd allowed himself make such a folly that could very well cost his daughter or woman their freedom or lives, if it came to that.
Now, Ethan had the upper hand. And since the only bargaining chip he had — namely, the fake transfer document — was already in his hand, Trey could only watch it play out as he would want it to.
"Now, let's finish this quickly," he said, waving the hand holding the envelope again. "For the documents, I'm letting you choose either this woman," he lightly thumped the other end of the gun to her head, "or the babe."
Before Trey could argue, he spoke again. "I understand this might be a difficult choice so let me help. If Alexandra stays, I get to use her — all of her, and I'll make her feel the pain and despair I did for all these years.
"On the other hand," he brushed her head with fingers from the hand clutching the envelope — Lexi pulled the baby away, earning a thunk on her head, "this baby shows promise.
"She's as tight as they come," Trey had to keep his face blank when he added, " — I would know. I've sampled it." Alexandra looked pained, probably because she'd been out of it and unable to stop it. "And it would be even better when she grows enough to lay under me."
Then he smirked at Trey, knowing it'll be an even harder decision now.
Trey had never wanted to kill someone so much in his life. His idea of helping was to make it worse, then he opened his mouth again. "So, what will it be? You have ten seconds to decide."
Ten.
Nine.
Eight. . .
He glanced at Lexi to find her holding out the baby while tears leaked out of her eyes. Her eyes were pleading, and it seemed to Trey that she knew something.
Four.
Three.
Two. . .
"I'll take my daughter," he decided, though it was killing him inside to say the words. Because even though it didn't mean that, it felt like he was abandoning Lexi in favour of the baby they'd created.
All he wanted was to get the baby out of the way in case it got messy, and Lexi looked relieved, falling on her knees as she hugged her daughter goodbye.
Trey wanted to strangle her. Did she really think he was going to leave without her? He watched Nicolysse take Kyleigh from Alexandra — not very gently — then he head over to their side.
While she was still on her way, Ethan roughed up Lexi into getting on her feet — she paid no attention to him, instead watching till Ky was settled next to her brother in Maya's arms.
"Get into the car Maya. Now," Trey instructed, not taking his eyes off Ethan.
The man in question gave a mocking bow. "I believe we're done here now. It was a pleasure doing business with you."
Trey took a step forward, then a second. When he didn't seem like he was stopping, Ethan pressed the gun closer to Alexandra's head. "You really shouldn't do that."
Trey hesitated, then took another step. It was a gamble, he knew, hoping that his assessment was true. Since Ethan wanted to 'show' Lexi the pain he'd felt over her, he wouldn't want to kill her instantly.
So banking on that, Trey took another step, getting slightly alarmed when the playful smile was wiped off Ethan's face. "You deliberately had me believe I would get them all back in exchange for giving you a share of my assets."
"I'm warning you —" he began in the most serious voice he'd used since they'd come together.
"You also had the guts to shove your finger up my daughter's privates, bragging in my face about how tight she was," he continued in the same low, anger filled voice, not stopping his slow advance.
Ethan's expression switched. He smiled. "Well, you asked for it."
Trey paused, his breath hitching when Ethan clicked the safety off the gun. What he didn't see coming, was Ethan switching the gun from Lexi's head to him.
Bang.
He stilled, seeing Alexandra's eyes go wide and watching as she buckled, not a sound coming out of her mouth. It was then realized he was the one who'd been shot — in the leg he found when he looked down.
His relief as he fell on his knees was great, knowing he'd been right and that Lexi was temporarily safe. "And the finishing touch," Ethan said in a cheery voice.
Bang.
The force of the second — aimed at his heart — knocked the breath out of him. It disoriented him, and he found himself falling foward. He blacked out, not before he heard Alexandra's shriek, very much like the one that had erupted when she found the babies had been taken.
"TREY!!"