“No!” Amanda said in horror.
“Time to go,” Hilbert said, rushing towards the front door. Amanda could do nothing to prevent him from taking her.
Just as Hilbert was walking towards his car, there was the sound of screeching tires. He looked up to see Hayden arriving. He promptly blocked their way with his car.
“Damn it,” Hilbert said, fuming.
“Drop this, Mr. Melendez!” Hayden commanded.
“Get your hands off her, you bastard!” a voice yelled. Amanda gasped. She and Hilbert turned to look towards the sound. They saw Nathan walking towards them. He came from the direction of his building.
Hilbert turned southeast and ran. Hayden took off on foot in pursuit.
Amanda began to struggle.
“Stay put!” warned Hilbert, looking over his shoulder. He took cover behind a car and fired.
“No!” Amanda said, wrestling herself free of his grip. She then tried to run in Hayden’s and Nathan’s direction.
“Stop or I’ll shoot you! I promise I won’t hesitate.”
Amanda froze in her tracks. She slowly turned around to face Hilbert.
“Come with me.”
When Amanda got close enough, Hilbert hit her with the gun. She fell to the floor, unconscious. He picked her up and hoisted her on his shoulder.
Hayden was getting closer. Without thinking, Hilbert turned and ran the hell away. He turned around the next building without looking over his shoulder.
Back outside the apartment, Grayson had just gotten outside. He scanned the cars, seeing that Amanda’s and Hilbert’s were still there.
“Hilbert took her,” Nathan said to Grayson. He turned to look at him, and then cursed. “Don’t worry, Hayden’s in pursuit,” Nathan added.
“Where did they go?” Grayson asked.
“That way,” Nathan said. After Grayson called for backup, he and Nathan started walking to the right of the building. They rounded the corner. Halfway down, they stopped when they saw Hilbert running towards hem. He was carrying Amanda on his shoulder.
“Damn it!” Hilbert said, looking back. Hayden was closing in on him.
“Stop right there, Mr. Melendez!” Kellan commanded, his gun ready.
Hilbert ran towards his left. He curved his path down to try to get past Grayson and Nathan. They watched his progress.
“I think he wants to get to his car,” Nathan said.
“Oh, no he won’t.”
Grayson and Nathan advanced as the former fired at Hilbert’s feet. The latter changed direction, hiding behind another car.
“Let’s take cover behind his car,” Grayson told Nathan. “We won’t let him escape.”
At that moment, Hayden came into sight again.
“Yes. We’ve got Hilbert cornered,” Grayson said. Hilbert noticed Hayden approaching and moved to take better cover. He moved out of sight.
“Shit.”
A shot erupted. Hayden moved to stand behind a car. He exchanged fire with Hilbert.
“He needs support. Stay here.”
Grayson walked in a circle around Hilbert, moving between cars. He got closer towards Hayden. A few moments later, Grayson got within sight of Hilbert, who was no longer firing.
“Turn yourself in, Mr. Melendez. Drop your weapon and walk forward with your hands behind your head!” Hayden demanded.
There was silence. None of them were able to see what Hilbert was doing.
“Come on, bastard. Give up,” Grayson muttered.
Several minutes later, the door of the car behind which Hilbert was hiding opened. Hayden, Nathan, and Grayson saw him load Amanda into the passenger side.
“He’s not taking her,” said Grayson, standing up and firing in Hilbert’s direction.
“Hold your fire, Grayson!” Hayden yelled over. “You’ll hit Ms. Tilley!”
Hilbert kept the door open, crouching low behind it. He aimed and opened fire again. Hayden fired back.
“We need to blow the tires,” Grayson said. Hayden nodded. Together, they aimed at the tires and shot. Hilbert cursed.
“You’re not getting out of this, Mr. Melendez!”
Nathan watched the scene. He then looked around, wondering why no reinforcements had arrived yet.
Just then, Amanda woke up. She opened and closed her eyes, disoriented. She looked at where she was, and then remembered.
Hilbert’s got me.
Amanda moved her head slowly. She was able to catch a glimpse of Hilbert. He was kneeling behind the car door, using it as a shield.
I can escape.
In a sudden movement, Amanda aimed a kick at Hilbert’s head. He didn’t react fast enough to avoid it. Amanda heard a grunt of pain as Hilbert collapsed on his side. She took the opportunity to get herself out of the car.
“She’s escaping!” Hayden said. Nathan watched the car like a hawk. He spotted Amanda getting out and standing on her feet.
“Amanda!” he called.
As soon as she got on her feet, Amanda aimed another kick at Hilbert’s ribs. He yelled.
“Argh! You’ll pay!”
Amanda took off and ran. Hilbert stood up, clutching his side. His hand hung beside him, holding the gun.
Nathan watched with dread as Hilbert lifted his hand.
“Amanda, watch out!”
Nathan took off in a sprint towards her. She was running in Grayson’s direction without looking back.
In what was really a few seconds later—though it had felt like an eternity to Nathan—he reached Amanda. Nathan quickly embraced her. His gaze was on Hilbert, who was aiming a gun at them. Nathan didn’t think twice. He pushed forward to make both himself and Amanda fall.
A shot rang out. Nathan and Amanda landed on the asphalt on their side.
“Amanda!” Grayson called. She opened her eyes, her expression fearful. Nathan’s eyes looked back at her. He seemed to be okay.
“Are you hurt?” he asked.
“I think I’m fine. Thank you.”
The sounds of footsteps got closer. Nathan and Amanda looked up. They saw Grayson stop a few steps from them. He kneeled down.
“Are you both okay?”
“Yes,” Nathan said as he and Amanda straightened up. They saw Hayden cautiously walking towards where Hilbert was.
“Stand behind me,” Grayson said. Amanda and Nathan stood up, doing as he said.
Without warning, Hilbert sprung up from behind the door. He wasted no time in firing at Hayden.
“No!” said Amanda. She watched Hayden hastily roll on the pavement to avoid the shot. Grayson and Hilbert aimed their guns in each other’s direction at the same time. Nathan moved Amanda behind him just as Hilbert squeezed the trigger. No sound came.
Grayson shot towards Hilbert. He ducked, and then hastily ran away.
“Coward,” Grayson said, walking towards Hayden. Amanda and Nathan walked behind him. Grayson checked the agent, who had straightened up.
“Bastard. Let’s go get him.”
“I’ll stay to protect them.”
“No,” Nathan told Grayson. “You help Hayden. I can protect Amanda.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. Reinforcements are coming, right?”
“They should be here any second.”
“Then let’s not waste more time,” said Hayden. He and Grayson ran after Hilbert.
Amanda turned to face Nathan.
“Thank you. For protecting me.”
“I would do it over and over. I won’t ever let anyone hurt you again.”
Nathan embraced Amanda, comforting her after the ordeal they had just lived. She nuzzled against his chest, closing her eyes. Right then, Amanda felt safe.
They’d managed to capture Hilbert. He had run straight into the police. Seeing no escape, Hilbert had surrendered himself. Only, not before forcing an officer to shoot him. He survived, but was taken to a hospital in New York.
That night (or very early morning), Amanda and Nathan were inside the former’s
apartment. They had just returned from making their statements at the police station.
Amanda went over to sit on her sofa. She felt exhausted. Nathan sat down with her. He took her hand, squeezing it gently to reassure Amanda. She looked at him, finding comfort in his brown eyes.
“I’m sorry for shutting you out again,” Amanda said, closing her eyes.
“Don’t be,” Nathan told her, moving a lock of hair from her face and tucking it behind her ear. “I know why you did it. You wanted to keep me safe.”
“I could never have lived with myself if you had died because of me…and I could have prevented it.”
“You could never have foreseen the car accident.”
“No, but I should have expected it. I thought I knew Hilbert. And a moment of passion was all it took to blind me.”
Nathan raised an eyebrow.
“Is that what you call it? A moment of passion?”
“It’s a figure of speech,” said Amanda. “You know that it was the best night of my life so far. I’ll never forget it.”
“Neither will I, my love.”
Amanda looked at Nathan with a tender expression.
“I love you.”
Nathan’s eyes widened, looking ecstatic.
“Say it again.”
“I love you,” Amanda repeated, throwing herself forward and kissing Nathan. He loved the feel of her lips on his. It was exhilarating.
Nathan broke the kiss gently, then reached forward and caressed Amanda’s cheek.
“You look exhausted. What would you say to a nice, warm shower?”
“That would be perfect,” she replied. Nathan stood up, taking Amanda’s hand and helping her up. Then he led her to her bathroom.
“There’s something about you in that SWAT jacket,” Nathan commented, looking Amanda up and down. A SWAT agent had lent it to Amanda outside because she hadn’t been wearing a jacket when Hilbert took her, and the day had turned colder. “In fact, you’d look gorgeous in just about anything.”
“Oh, crap. I forgot I was still wearing it. The guy who owns this won’t be too pleased.”
“I wouldn’t mind being that guy.”
Amanda snorted, slapping Nathan in the shoulder. She then removed the jacket, and then her blouse.
“What’s that thing you’re wearing?”
“It’s a voice recorder. I borrowed it from Kellan.”
“You recorded Hilbert?”
“Yes. I tricked him into admitting some of his crimes. Hayden advised me not to mention it to the cops yet, so I’ve kept it all this time.”
“Yeah.”
Amanda then took off her shoes, her pants, and then her underwear. By then, Nathan had the shower ready at the optimal temperature.
“It’s ready.”
“What, you aren’t getting in with me?”
“Why, sweetheart, I thought you’d never ask.”
Shortly after the crack of dawn, someone rang the front door bell. Nathan stirred in bed, waking up. He saw Amanda sleeping next to him.
“Love, wake up,” Nathan said, grasping Amanda’s shoulder and shaking gently. “Someone’s here.”
Nathan stood up and went to put on his clothes while Amanda woke up. She sat up in bed.
“What time is it?” she asked, yawning.
“Seven in the morning. Whoever’s ringing the bell must have something important to tell us.”
A minute later, Nathan and Amanda walked to the living room. The former answered the door.
“Good morning, Mr. Ferland. Ms. Tilley,” said Hayden, shaking their hands. “May I come in?”
“Of course, Mr. Hayden,” said Amanda, letting the agent pass. She closed the door, and the three of them went to sit on the sofa.
“Is Hilbert behind bars?” Amanda asked without preamble.
“He’s at the hospital, in critical condition. He got three shots, one from me in the shoulder and another two from a SWAT agent in the torso. The doctors aren’t sure he’s going to live.”
“Hilbert tried suicide by cop?” Amanda asked, her eyebrows furrowing. “That doesn’t sound like him.”
“It’s possible he preferred death to a life behind bars. There are several crimes we’re charging him with. Speaking about it, do you have the recording?”
“Yes,” Amanda said, standing up and leaving the room. She returned with the recorder and the SWAT jacket that she’d been lent.
“Here.”
Hayden stood up to grab the stuff.
“Thank you. I’ll have the authorities analyze this recording. They’ll use it in court if Hilbert makes it.”
“Thanks for everything, Mr. Hayden.”
“You’re welcome, Ms. Tilley.”
Amanda and Nathan accompanied Hayden to the door.
“My duty here is over,” said Hayden. “I’ll sort out the rest, and then leave tonight.”
“It was a pleasure to meet you,” Nathan told him.
“Same, to both of you. Stay safe.”
Hayden bowed slightly. With that, he opened the door and left.
“I’m leaving for a moment, too,” Nathan said, turning to Amanda. “I have to, you know, do my necessities, and then I’ll come back.”
“You do so,” Amanda told him. “I would like to drive with you to school today.”
“Wow, that’d be great. Thank you.”
“No problem. See you in a few.”
After he was ready, Nathan returned to Amanda’s apartment. He crept silently towards the kitchen, wanting to surprise her.
When Amanda finished dressing, she walked to the living room and noticed a delicious scent. With a knowing smile, Amanda walked into the kitchen. She found Nathan just as he finished making breakfast.
“Pancakes for Madame,” Nathan said, motioning to the plates on the table. Amanda chuckled.
“You know, I am half French,” Amanda revealed as she walked forward.
“You are? I had no idea!” Nathan said as he moved the chair back so Amanda could sit on it.
“Thanks. It’s a long story. My mother is French. Her family moved to the U.S. when she was young. Eventually, she met my father, and they got married.”
“Do tell me the full story sometime.”
“I will.”
“And, do you speak French?”
“Bien sûr. Je parle couramment.”
Nathan whistled.
“Vous voulez en savoir plus?”
“I’m so going to learn French. It sounds hot coming from your lips.”
Amanda let out a laugh, blushing slightly. The two started to eat.
“Holy moly,” said Amanda after swallowing her first bite. “You’re a whiz of a cook. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted yummier pancakes.”
“Anytime.”
After finishing their breakfast, Nathan offered to clean the plates. Amanda let him do it. Then they returned to the living room. Just then, the bell rang.
“I have an idea who that might be,” Amanda said, walking over to answer the door.
“You’re all right?” Nathan heard Claire’s voice say. Then Amanda stood aside to let the girl come in, followed by Ashton, Grecia, Judith, Oswald, and Kayla.
“It’s great to see you guys are okay,” the latter said.
“Friends,” said Nathan, glad to see his friends. “It’s great to see you here.”
“We wanted to see that you both were safe,” Judith told him.
“Yeah,” added Claire. “When Kellan phoned us to tell the news, we thought the worst.”
“Fortunately, the nightmare’s ended,” Nathan said as he and his friends sat on Amanda’s sofa.
“It’s great to see you two together.”
“Thanks,” Amanda said, taking Nathan’s hand and smiling at him. “We can’t live without each other now.”
Nathan shot a quick glance towards Kayla. She looked casual, her expression like that of their other friends. There was no jealousy in there at all. That made Nathan feel warm inside. He was
not only with the woman of his dreams, he had kept Kayla as an irreplaceable best friend.
“Thank you all for coming,” Nathan told his friends. “It means a lot.”
“That’s what friends are for,” Ashton replied. “To be there for each other.”
Nathan noticed that Ashton had his arm around Grecia. He was happy that they seemed to be together now. Grecia had made Ashton fight for her as hard as Amanda had to Nathan.
“Frankly, we couldn’t wait another couple hours,” Judith admitted. “We just had to see you.”
“Oh, Judi. Yesterday, when that creep tried to kidnap me, you were one of the people I thought about,” said Amanda. She glanced at Nathan briefly and then looked back at Judith. “I have really missed you for these past several hours.”
“I missed you too, friend,” Judith replied, standing up. Amanda did the same, and they hugged.
***
When Thanksgiving break came, Nathan and Amanda flew together to Joliet to see their families. The former first drove Amanda to his house in a rental. They arrived shortly after noon.
Nathan’s dad looked overjoyed to see him back.
“Son!” Jeffrey said, hugging Nathan soon after opening the door. Amanda watched them with a smile. “It’s great to see you back.”
“It’s great to see you too, dad.”
They broke apart. Jeffrey glanced at Amanda. He had a warm and easygoing smile that clearly charmed the ladies in his youth. Underneath, though, she knew that he kept pain hidden from view. It took one to know one.
“Is this the lovely lady I’ve been hearing so much about?”
“Yep,” Nathan said, standing a little to the side. Amanda walked forward to shake Jeffrey’s hand.
“I’m Amanda Tilley.”
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Come in, you both. I presume you are hungry.”
Jeffrey entered back inside the house with Amanda and Nathan. The latter looked around.
“It’s a nice place,” he said. “Looks bigger than in the photos.”
“Of course. Nothing beats seeing the real thing.”
Jeffrey led them both towards the kitchen. He had prepared omelets.
“Eggs?” Nathan asked.
“Yes. We’ll be eating turkey soon, so I thought I’d make something that’s not meat. You don’t want to get sick of meat so soon, do you?”
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