Redemption (The Bet)

by Phal, Francette

  Two of those five doctors were now ready and waiting for Nicholas’s daughter and the minute Sophie was carried in by Nicholas's trusted bodyguard, they set right to work. While they toiled over Sophie's extensive injures, another Doctor appraised the abrasions on both Dylan and Bella's wrists and ankles and checked to see whether they were injured anywhere else. Exhausted from the entire ordeal they fell asleep not too long after, with Bella begging Nicholas to stay with them.

  Nicholas couldn't pry himself away even after they'd fallen asleep. He sat in the brocade chair in his bedroom, obscured by shadows. He gave his mind a chance to churn. His shoulder had been examined and bandaged and was now healing beneath the layers of white gauze. The bullet having only grazed a nerve it hadn't been as fatal as expected.

  He'd been forced to take painkillers to ease the agonizing burn by Dr. Morrison, the only one who knew him well enough to order him about when it came to his health.

  Training his granite grey gaze on the immense four-poster bed with the king-sized mattress that ensconced the twins peacefully sleeping on it, Nicholas had to keep reminding himself to blink and breathe from time to time. Otherwise, he'd expire before he even had time to go see how Sophie was fairing.

  They were here with him and they were safe. It was a mantra he'd gotten used to repeating over the last two hours. Somehow saying it and seeing them sleeping only a few feet away, wasn't registering just yet. But it would, Nicholas was sure it would. It was simply that his nerves were far too frayed to comprehend anything other than the basics. Sitting there, his mind raced while his body listlessly attempted to keep up, but eventually his eyes drooped shut, his head slackened and his body finally succumbed to the onslaught of fatigue, thirty hours without rest was bound to do that to anyone.

  That was how Ellie found him once she'd finished appraising her slumbering children. He was seated on his chair, hair as black as sin fell across his forehead and curtained his slumbering visage from view. His long legs, encased in a pair of black slacks, were spread opened with his naked feet flat against the Persian carpet. The white linen shirt he wore was slightly open so the she was able to see a sliver of the gauze bandage beneath.

  Ellie tentatively approached, careful not to her children and their slumbering father. She stood at a distance and basked in Nicholas slumbering beauty. He looked so peaceful, his face devoid of lines, lips slightly parted, he bore resemblance to a small boy---Dylan actually, Ellie remarked.

  She'd arrived at the manor approximately half an hour ago, after receiving Nicholas's call and had been greeted by Nicholas's godfather and his wife. Sonya, the first time in having actually made her acquaintance hadn't been at all what Ellie expected of Nicholas's mother. She'd seemed genuinely kind, warm and reminded her in some ways of her own mother.

  They’d filled Ellie in on what they knew. Which had been namely on the wealth of the children and Nicholas. With the knowledge that the twins hadn't suffered fatal harm, Ellie had asked Sonya to show her where Sophie was. It was there by her slumbering daughter's side that Ellie eventually decided to pull herself away long enough to check on Bella and Dylan.

  Once outside of Nicholas's bedroom, Ellie had made sure to wipe any evidence of tears from her face before entering.

  Not knowing what she'd expected, but knowing it wasn't a quietly slumbering Nicholas slumped in his chair, Ellie found herself taken off guard at the sight. Unguarded and almost vulnerable in sleep, Nicholas was beautiful. It was a side the typically pragmatic and unflappable man didn't display to the world. Ellie was glad that she could witness this.

  Curiosity carried her forward until Ellie stood between his splayed legs. Lifting her arm, she made to brush Nicholas's unruly fringe from his face but retracted her fingers. But she was unable to help herself as she furtively reached out and touched the dark strands. They felt like silk between her fingers, she'd forgotten how soft Nicholas's hair was. Her indulgence was short lived when seconds later she felt a hand wrap securely around her wrist. With her hammering heart lodged in her throat, Ellie held her breath as dove grey eyes captured her in their unrelenting hold. They were clear and probing, almost as though he hadn't just woken from sleep.

  "Nicky." Ellie breathed; the utterance of the name far too intimate to her own ears. She attempted to pull away but managed only a peep when Nicholas tugged on her arm. She landed with an oomph on his lap. "Nicky…"

  Ellie quieted instantly, words turning to dust in her mouth when Nicholas buried his face against her neck. She felt the tears before she felt the shudder of his shoulders and Ellie's heart went out to him.

  "I'm here, now." She echoed back words that had been spoken to her not so many hours ago. She rested her chin on Nicholas's head and held him tightly while he cried.

  The silence that surrounded them was comforting, words were unnecessary. They stayed close, Ellie providing comfort and Nicholas resting against her, taking it in like a man starved.

  "Hey," Nicholas finally lifted his head from Ellie's wet shoulder and crinkled his nose at the wet spot he'd created. Ellie looked down and back up again, only to meet Nicholas's dark gaze.

  "Hey yourself," she murmured. "It's feels good not being the one crying."

  "Yeah?"

  "Yeah, I'm capable of doing other things besides crying, you know. Like comforting you for one."

  Nicholas's smirk disappeared as he stared at Ellie, anchoring her hazel gaze to his. "You're the only who ever could." Ellie unconsciously leaned into Nicholas's touch as warm fingers caressed her cheek.

  "I was worried."

  "You always worry." Nicholas whispered.

  "You didn't call."

  "I'm sorry." Nicholas kept their gazes locked, their foreheads touched.

  "You left." Nicholas thumbed Ellie's tears away.

  "I'll always come back though." There was meaning, heavy and heartfelt in that one phrase and they knew the gravity of it.

  "Yeah," Ellie sighed, letting her eyes flutter shut, "You always come back." She opened her eyes and bit down on Nicholas's lower lip. "You're like a damn rash." Her fingers played with the curls at his nape. "I can't get rid of you. Tell me how to get rid of you, Nicky."

  "Never."

  Their lips touched.

  "Mom!"

  "Daddy!"

  They sighed in unison before Ellie sat up from Nicholas's lap. Ever mindful of his fresh wound, she was careful in pulling away from him.

  "Bella! Dylan" Ellie enveloped them both in a hug that took all of their breaths away. They both held her just as tightly and sobbed against her shoulder.

  "Daddy where's, Sopie? How is she?" Bella pulled away from Ellie's arms at the sight of her father.

  The abrupt knock at the door put a halt to Nicholas's response. "Sir," one of the attendants assigned to Sophie's care quietly entered. "Your daughter is awake and has asked to see you."

  Giving her a brief nod of acknowledgment, Nicholas nursed his arm to his chest before helping his daughter down from the bed, while Ellie did the same for Dylan. "Thank you." The small family of four made their way out of the manor's master bedroom and began a steady trek to the East wing.

  ~*~*~*~

  Sophie stared outside. From her prone position on the bed she could see the dawning of a new morning, the sun making an ascent to the dark blue sky. For one so young she could say that she appreciated the breathtaking sight and silently took it for what it was. A new dawn meant a new beginning. She was here, safe and healing. The memories of what had transpired were now and forever etched upon her soul, buried deep beneath Sophie's core, hopefully never to surface. All she wanted now was her mom.

  "Soph!"

  Sophie turned her head to the door and was overjoyed to see her mother running towards her bedside. "Mom!" she tried to rise and give her a hug, but her injuries prevented her from doing much.

  "Oh God, Sophie!" Her mother's hug was everything warm, sweet and healing. It chased away the darkness from Sophie's mind and replaced it with everything
good. Her wonderful scent bringing tears to the young girl's eyes. And if the embrace was just a little too tight and didn't permit her to breathe properly, Sophie didn't mind in the least. "God, Sophie, I'm so sorry, baby." Her mother wept all the while showering her with kisses, sweet touches. The hugs were the best though, only god knew how much Sophie had missed her mother's hugs.

  "Mom, don't cry, I'm here and I'm Ok." Despite her own tears, Sophie tried to reassure her mother that she truly was all right.

  "Yes," Ellie cupped her face and smiled. "Yes you are and this is where you're going to stay, Sophie. You, your brother and sister, nothing will ever happen to you again, nothing like this."

  "I know, Mom." Sophie accepted another hug, before giving her attention to her brother and sister.

  "Hey, you too."

  "Sophie!"

  "Sopie!"

  They chorused and climbed on her bed. "How are you feeling?"

  "Better now that you're all here, you guys were so brave."

  Bella shook her head as she stared at her older sister in admiration. "Not like you."

  Sophie smiled and tugged on Bella's curls. "I'd do anything for you two."

  Ellie watched the interaction between her children. She would have the chance to speak with them later, but now, she was content in being around them. They appeared far closer than before, wiser and more aware of their surroundings now and it saddened her that they had to learn the harsh reality of the world so soon, in the worst way. Ellie sincerely hoped whatever happened to Tony, the man realized just how deeply he'd wounded these innocent lives. She wanted him to suffer for the lifelong scars he'd undoubtedly left on her children and agony he'd put them all through.

  "Ellie?" Ellie jumped at the feel of Nicholas's hand on her shoulder.

  "What did the doctor say?" on their way to the clinic, a Dr. Long had requested to speak to Nicholas and he'd reluctantly left them to hear what she had to report.

  "She has a few broken bones, nothing that won't heal in a few months’ time. They've given her antibiotics to fight the infection that caused her fever. Aside from that, Dr. Long says she'll be just fine as long as she stays in bed and minds her wounds."

  "Awesome no school!" Sophie cheered.

  Her enthusiasm brought smile to both Ellie and Nicholas's faces. "Doesn't mean no homework."

  "Aww Mom!"

  Nicholas laughed and settled on the mattress by Sophie's side. "We’ve missed you."

  Sophie glanced up, part of her attempted to find a hint of dishonesty in Nicholas's eyes. She searched, hard, and found none. Just as she knew she would. "I missed you both too, thanks for coming to get us."

  Nicholas carefully gathered her in his arms and held her for a beat of eternity. The kiss at her temple lingered for just as long before he spoke. "I'll always come for you, Sophie."

  Sophie squeezed back, her hold bruising as she chocked on a sob. "Let it out, baby, let it out." Nicholas whispered for her ears only and Sophie did. She buried her face on his shoulder and wept for all she was worth. She wept partially because she hated herself for having doubted something she'd been so sure of since she'd been a child. The agony of what she'd endured, the realization of what her biological father had done to them, to her, poured free against Nicholas's shirt. Her heart ached, terribly, but Sophie knew she would be alright. This was her dad and despite what Tony had told her, Nicholas was the only father she knew. He loved her and that was all that mattered.

  Unable stay away, Ellie approached them, her own heartache paled in comparison to the agony her children had gone through, but doing only what a parent could do in such a situation she gave her comfort and hoped it was good enough to see them through.

  "We love you," said Nicholas to his three children. "We're a family and we're going to get through this together. No matter what happens from here on end, nothing will ever change the fact that your mother and I will always love you." He held Sophie by his side and looked to Bella and Dylan with a smile. Then he kissed the top of Sophie's head, the next words for her only. "Never doubt my or your mother's love for you, Sophie, because it is everlasting. How your mother and I feel about each other does not and will never affect how I feel about you. Understand?"

  Sophie nodded. "Yeah, we're a family." She quietly echoed, liking the sound of it. She grabbed Nicholas's pale hand and settled it on top of her mother's smaller one. Then looked at them both with a smile. "Now we're a family."

  ~*~*~*~

  Throughout the rest of the day, the Akers and Holbrook brood arrived at the manor, Maddie with them. Overjoyed to have their family around them, Sophie, Dylan and Bella recounted their harrowing ordeal and Nicholas's rescue. They ate lunch together in semblance of familial bliss, even Gabe, first member of the I-hate-Nicholas-club fan club, enjoyed the momentary peace they shared.

  Late into the afternoon, he caught up to the silver eyed man on his way out the door. "Grayson!"

  Nicholas spoke a few words to his bodyguard and once the man took his leave he turned around to give Gabe his undivided attention. "I don't have time for this, Gabe."

  "It'll only be a minute."

  Nicholas stuffed his hands in his dark grey slacks and waited.

  "I…"he frowned, "I…thanks."

  Nicholas grinned dryly, understanding how much of an effort it'd taken the other man to utter that one word. It wasn't exactly a peace treaty, but it was a start. "Despite what you may think, Gabe, I'm not the boy I used to be."

  "You don't deserve her."

  "Believe me I know that more than anyone. But I'm going to spend every second of my life trying to be worthy of her."

  "You're going to die trying."

  Nicholas gave a halfhearted smile. "Then I guess I'll die a happy man. I'll see you later, Gabe." He walked away then and left Gabe in the foyer to contemplate his words.

  ~*~*~*~

  When Tony awoke it was with a wave of blood rushing to his head and the burning glare of lights blinding him. Suspended high above a basin of water, Tony struggled to get down, but found that he was only making himself sick.

  "Hello up there, Tony."

  "Who…who the fuck said that?" He squinted, trying to make out a face through the glare of the lights. "What the hell is going on?" the light clicked off and for a brief moment submerged him in complete darkness. He heard another click a minute later and the light, dimmer than before spotlighted his capturer and really Tony shouldn't have been as surprised at who it was.

  "Nicholas!"

  A cold terror washed over Tony as the wire holding him up suddenly whirred, bringing him crashing down to the basin below. He found himself submerged and in his panic he struggled for breath but only swallowed water. For what seemed like eternity he was kept inundated until finally the wire wrenched him back up. He coughed until his throat was sore all the while attempting the breath in between. His eyes and skin burned as he came to the realization that the water had been laced with chlorine.

  He felt a towel on his face and opened his eyes to see Nicholas carefully dabbing the water away. "How'd you like your swim?"

  "Fuck you, asshole!”

  "You're welcome, Tony. Your comfort will be of the utmost importance during your stay here." Nicholas threw the towel on the floor. He put his hands into his pocket and withdrew a flat sterling case along with small matchbook. From the case, he took out a cigarette and set it between his lips.

  He pocketed the case and struck the matchstick to life. Lighting his cigarette he took a long drag before blowing the smoke in Tony's face.

  "Welcome to my hell, Carlyle.”

  Chapter 23

  There wasn't a source of light to indicate the hour of day nor was there anything that gave Tony hint of where he was or how long he'd been there. There wasn't much of anything except noise. So much noise. It deprived him the ability to close his eyes in momentary peace. From his tethered position above the chlorine-contaminated water, he'd been dropped to the cold concrete floor. With room bathed in darkn
ess he'd listened after the rhythmic tap, tap of Nicholas's shoes as he receded into the darkness.

  Tony had chased him then, ran around the darkness like a man ridden with madness, screamed so loudly that his vocal chords ached. But no one heeded his cries, no one but the deafening silence that followed. That had been millennia ago, now he only wished the silence would return and take with it the concealed source of cacophonous noise. It was inescapable; pressing his palms to the shell of his ears was moot.

  Tony closed his eyes, huddled in his corner he counted a hundred and twenty seconds. One hundred of twenty seconds in which to rest his mind, two minutes of reprieve, before the noise returned. For ten, long arduous minutes, all that ran through his mind was the constant grinding and blood curdling screams that reverberated throughout the cavernous warehouse. He couldn't form a coherent thought and when he did, in the given interval of silence, all he could hear was the grinding and the screams.

  He counted, counted and waited longer than ten minutes now and still the noise did not come. He unfurled from his position, stared into the infinite darkness and waited. The fine hairs on his arms stood on end, a feeling of foreboding overcame him.

  "You fucking coward!" he screamed. "Let me the fuck out of here! Pussy-ass-bitch! Let me out!" his shrieks echoed, bounced off the walls and disappeared in the darkness. He blindly walked around, hands reaching out before him. He searched for something...anything that would help him escape. When his searched proved futile, Tony finally encountered something. He touched the cool material and beneath his hands it almost felt like leather. Suddenly, the blinding light from before returned and spotlighted Tony where he stood. Forced to close his eyes, he waited for them to adjust before opening them again. When he was finally able to, he took in his surroundings and just as he'd expected, there was nothing but empty space all around. The only exception being the six wooden beams holding the flat metal roofing in place and of course, the conveniently placed leather chair that stood before him.