The Last Blow

by Taylor R. C.

  The house was completely overturned, surely it had been the Baron, just saying his name mentally Gisele felt her chest tighten in pain. She had left his mansion with the maximum dignity she had, avoided Pottes, taking her things, disappearing from there as James wanted and without his damn money. She couldn't, nor could she take any more money from him, everything was already protected from her and what came at that moment was profit, that is, not having been arrested, she would have to warn Benett that the whole plan had gone to hell.

  Gisele looked at all those jewels, documents and money turned over feeling her chest getting cold. James had not "confiscated" anything to send her straight to jail, that alone should be a consolation, but no, she was selfish in all aspects of her life and apparently even in love, because she had hurt the Baron of Blackcastle on levels beyond the deep and yet I still wanted it to remain yours as it was for a while. She sat on the floor of that house that belonged to her now feeling more empty than ever, however, it was necessary to collect her pieces and disappear as soon as possible, James' mercy clearly had limits, but exactly one day's deadline.

  £££

  Surely his uncle must have been turning over in the grave, James thought. He had set aside all aspects of the Blackcastle business for a woman, a beautiful, scammer, woman.

  - Sir. Blackcastle, excuse me. - Pottes said entering the office with a tray.

  - Didn't you hear that I told you I wanted to be alone?

  - Sorry ... - There was no consternation in his voice. - My hearing must be failing sir, I brought strong tea and cookies.

  He put it in front of the table on the sofa where James was sitting and he gave him an unfriendly look, but he took one of the cookies, for almost three days he barely knew what it was to eat, besides of course, to drink.

  - You already saw that I'm not drunk, and that I didn't kill myself, so you can leave me alone! - James grunted taking another cookie.

  - I wouldn't take your life when she's still alive ...

  Pottes said and saw the Baron's movements cease, until he looked at him coldly, harshly, it was clear that he had stoked the beast, however, the butler was never afraid of his own boss's worst side.

  - What did you say?

  "What did you hear, sir ..." Pottes sighed. - Your love for Eliza was young and fragile, I watch, don't forget, but this time I can see that with Miss. Gisele's feelings are deeper, she was so numb that when she faced a passion she consumed him ... He could have hurt her, ended this woman by deceiving him, but he didn't, because he can't and he never will, but I believe that if something happens to her ... We will lose you, forever.

  James looked at Pottes in awe, anger gave way to the anguish of seeing himself reflected in words, having someone who knew him so clearly could be compared to having two consciences, one hidden and the other who was walking around ready to take you by the collar and shake it until you say enough.

  - Stop saying those damn things, never speak of Eliza again in the same sentence that you quote Gisele.

  - Sure. - Pottes agreed and paused for a long time. - You should know that Miss. Gisele left here as if she had been shot, I believe she deceived him and at the same point did this to herself ...

  - Get out now!

  James screamed, he didn't want to hear any more, it was too painful to love a lie and watching Pottes encourage it was too much, I couldn't bear it, because I didn't trust her anymore, Gisele broke all her barriers and with one blow she only did Baron lift them back. Pottes said nothing more, just nodded, then left, heading toward the exit leaving James with his own ghosts, new and old.

  £££

  Benett had disappeared from the map, it seemed, Gisele couldn't talk to him, he didn't doubt that he was giving someone another blow, for him it was more than a “job”, it was a lifestyle. Tired of trying to contact her, she decided she would leave London, go somewhere in Latin America as she had already thought, then she would warn her partner, after all, his “position” in London was safe, there was no reason to panic about her. part, quite unlike hers. She gathered her things and had already called a taxi, just took the essentials, the rest burned in the bathtub and what she couldn't put in trash bags, the next morning there would be no more signs of her.

  - It's over...

  Gisele told herself, staring at the mirror, pinning her hair in an elegant bun, accompanied by well-made makeup, the figure in front of her looked perfect, but inside she was devastated. Taking a deep breath, she left the bathroom, grabbing the small suitcase, leaving quickly, avoiding looking back, briefly checking her watch, as her driving away from London, from the Baron, was coming. She stopped at the door, touching the doorknob, remembering happy moments, genuinely, like never before and beside James, but it was time to say goodbye there is something that was just an illusion, without further excuses, opened the door and he left taking the cold air of that afternoon on his face following his path, however, when crossing the exit gate he saw a person who least wanted to see the world get out of the black car across the street.

  - Gisele! - Lowe exclaimed smilingly reached on the sidewalk of the quiet neighborhood.

  - How nice to see you ... - She didn't keep disgust in her voice, watching the man's bruised face. - Did you knock on a door?

  - Just details dear, I missed you ...

  - Still in love with the visa?

  - Oh, absolutely. - The man smiled. - But this time I already know who you are!

  - You know? - Gisele scorned, thinking where her taxi was.

  - I know, and it's time for you to know who I am.

  He opened his coat and then showed a gun, with a silencer, Gisele swallowed, raising her eyes to the level of his and keeping her face neutral from any emotion.

  - You will not shoot me!

  - Not? Lowe smiled. - I'll count to three, if you don't come, I'll make a bullet go through you, but of course, I won't kill you, I want my rights first!

  Bile went up to her mouth, Gisele stared at that man's face, seeing her conviction, of course she thought she had won.

  - Rights?

  - A...

  Gisele took a deep breath, sometimes it was necessary to take a step back to get two ahead in a row, and there, clearly she was in a disadvantage position, it was better to collaborate to have the best time to escape, dead she would not be, at least not yet and if he was getting it right, the “rights” that Lowe cited was more exactly having sex with her.

  - Okay, you won.

  She started walking, crossing the street, he smiled very satisfied, holding her arm in a painful way and leaning the gun against her back, making sure that if she made any move she would have no chance of escaping a shot.

  - You seem very calm ... - He whispered, rubbing his lips on her neck, Gisele held the urge.

  - What good would it do me to scream?

  - Smart girl, get in the car.

  Gisele looked at the vehicle, inside it she was afraid, but part of her also knew she could get out of there, she just needed to stay steady, taking a deep breath she opened the door, taking the small suitcase with her, then got into the car meeting two men at the front seat, weapons were visible, wanted to intimidate, Lowe came in behind.

  - Two men, just that to capture me? - She looked at him. - I feel disappointed.

  - Let's go. - He said or driver before turning to Gisele. - No more is needed, after all, you no longer have the Baron's protection!

  The mention of James made her go on the defensive, but forced herself to get under control, that was to enter her and Lowe, he already seemed to have taken the Baron out of the game with his trick to implode the weak relationships she had with him .

  - You know, it was really smart to get rid of him before he came to me ... Did he do that to your face? - Asked with a little smile.

  - Laugh as long as you can, honey, because things are not going to be very good for you ...

  - What are you going to do with me?

  - Pleasant things, for me and let's say they are
not very pleasant for you, after all it was a very bad girl ...

  She turned her face, staring at the window, thinking that she would have to find a way out of there soon, or things would get really complicated.

  £££

  Pottes was in the red room, reading a book, wondering if he would check on James again or not, however, his line of thought was interrupted by his ringing cell phone, which he checked, seeing the name of an employee he assigned to a very specific task.

  - Say it! - He spoke when he answered.

  - I think we have a problem, the package came out and accompanied, but I think it was coercion.

  - Photos...

  - Just sent.

  - Okay, follow the package, don't lose sight and wait for the next orders.

  - Yes sir.

  He hung up and then opened the message box, seeing what he least wanted, ran a hand over his face with a sigh.

  - That doesn't look good ...

  - What doesn't look good?

  James asked as he entered the room and saw his butler looking uneasy as if he had been caught doing something very wrong.

  "I don't know if you want to know ..." Pottes said, standing up.

  - Open your spout!

  - I believe that Miss. Gisele has just been kidnapped.

  Involuntarily James' fists closed, he took a deep breath, walking to the end of the room where there was a table with drinks, fighting the urge to punch something.

  - You were right, I didn't want to know, and neither should you ... - He said, pouring himself a glass of whiskey. "Did you tell me to watch over you because Pottes?"

  - It is always good to know the steps of people, friends or enemies, I believe you remembered this maxim of the Blackcastle.

  James kept his back to Pottes filling the glass and only realizing it when it overflowed, as well as his patience, he turned the table in the same minute, then walked over to his butler, snatching the cell phone out of his hand.

  - Is that that son of a bitch Lowe Carter? - Asked confirming his suspicions in the photo.

  - The picture shows no weapon, but she doesn't seem happy to go with him, and the way he holds it ...

  - I see this tramp with his hands on her and I'm going to kill him! - His voice was pure anger. - Send your contact to send their location to me now.

  - Sir...

  Before Pottes could finish the sentence, the Baron was already running out of the room, no matter what happened between him and Gisele, he was not going to allow Lowe to hurt her in any way. He took out his cell phone by dialing Jack's number, needed him, someone had to clean up the mess he would make by blowing Lowe's brains out.

  - I need you, put the cars on the street with armed men. - James said to the cell phone as soon as it was answered.

  - Did you find out who attacked us?

  - No, I'm going to attack someone who took something from me!

  £££

  Not long ago, they were leaving town, probably to a place where Lowe could keep Gisele captive and well away from civilization or any way to ask for help, in short, she was fucked.

  - Are you going to tell me where we're going? - She asked.

  - Excited?

  - Lowe, let's negotiate, you know I'm not alone in this move, if I disappear my partner will miss me ...

  - And you think I care? - The man's laughter was full of scorn.

  - I should ... - With a movement she was silent, his hand hit her face.

  - Now I'm your owner, so stop playing your little game to try to deceive me.

  Gisele raised her face, feeling the sting of the slap, breathing hard, she hugged herself already seeking protection.

  - So now I became your prisoner?

  - Yes, all mine and I think it's good that you collaborate ...

  - Sir, there are three cars, I think they're following us!

  The driver spoke, in the same second Gisele and Lowe looked back, two SUVs were apparently speeding, in that half second of distraction, Gisele did not have time to think about who he was, his brain worked only in order to save himself using that moment for that, without hesitating she hit her head on Lowe's face, taking the gun out of her coat and shooting the driver, right in the head, the security guard next door took half a second to react and it was necessary to take a shot in the face, what came next was already expected, Gisele reached for the seat belt and held on as she could.

  Thanks to Pottes' tracking guy, James can easily find Gisele, two more men in his car, and four more in the other and consequently two in the last, all armed to the teeth, Jack drove as if he were running from a demon, but Baron cared nothing but the lying creature that turned his world upside down. His eyes were fixed on the vehicle ahead, his heart was beating fast, adrenaline rushed through his veins, the chase had just begun, they were getting closer and closer, his hand gripped the pistol he wanted to use more precisely on Lowe's head , was when suddenly there was a flash inside the car in front, then another, and what followed was a sudden rollover.

  - Holy shit, it was shots! - Jack said putting his foot on the brake.

  James didn't say a word at all, maybe he wasn't even breathing, he knew what those two flashes were, but his eyes were fixed on the car overturning, once, twice, three times until he stopped upside down in a rut. Before he could think much, he was jumping out of the SUV that had barely stopped, going down to the overturned vehicle, heard Jack's screams telling him to wait, but what man would wait? The second love of his life was in the bloody wreckage, for long seconds he only knew what agony was, there was nothing else in the world, he could not and he did not want to accept that he would be helpless again in the face of someone else's death.

  God, if you're there, don't do this to me ... Not again!

  Gisele moaned, feeling her body completely sore, but apparently there was nothing really broken, she dropped the seat belt which she held on, pinning her feet against the driver's chair, her hand bleeding from the effort, looked to the side and saw Lowe unconscious, in the rollover he had hit the roof, she looked for the weapon, if he was not dead she would have the pleasure of giving him the fair closure, but before she could see someone approaching, through the opposite door.

  She prepared to fight, the car door was forced and opened, suddenly James's face appeared, those blue eyes fixed on her, however, he looked different, there was a poignant relentlessness that was confirmed the minute he saw the Baron take a pistol in the back and hit one, two, three, four and five, Lowe times, once in the head and the rest in the chest, without saying anything he went around the car, looking at the two security guards in front, Gisele looked at the man dead in front of him, but what left her incredulous was the way James Watts, the Baron of Blackcastle executed him. The door on his side was opened, he took it as if he weighed nothing, Gisele reset, still in shock at what he saw.

  - You took care of the others, very well, but you could have killed yourself in the rollover!

  His voice was peaceful and controlled as he walked away from the car carrying her in his arms, Gisele looked at his face trying to understand when that cold and unforgiving man took the place of the impeccable Baron of Blackcastle. Suddenly she saw men all dressed in black like James, carrying guns, heading in the direction of the rollover.

  - They can blow up the car, I'll be driving Jack, and let me know when it's done. - James said to a guy who approached. - No loose ends!

  The Baron said then he started walking away from the "accident" again, Gisele was still very upset, but he could understand that the way James spoke suggested that this was not the first time he did it, nor that Lowe was his first " death ”, he did everything in cold blood and without hesitation, acted as a hunter, who found the prey - she - and eliminated the enemies before they could attack in order to catch it. He put her in the back seat of the SUV, then got in, braking the vehicle.

  - Take off your clothes!

  He said clearly unyielding, Gisele hugged herself, swallowing hard giving a negative nod.

/>   "No ..." Her voice was a whisper and she saw him take a deep breath.

  - You killed two men with perfect shots in the head and now you are in shock because I shot that son of a bitch in front of you? - He looked disgusted. - Do you have any idea what he would do to you? Do you think I would let him live after he tried to do those disgusting things that I know I would do?

  - I don't care about him, I was going to kill him, I was looking for the gun ... - Her voice was weak and incredulous, which scared her. - You...

  - Me what?

  - You killed him.

  - Yes, I realized that, now undress.

  Her collapse happened that second, it was on top of James hitting his chest, who in the same second tried to hold her.

  - I will not have sex with you like that, you crazy, you killed a man ...

  - Stop it, stop it. - He snarled holding her, hugging her, laying her on the car seat and pinning her with his weight. - Look at me!

  Gisele turned her face, closing her eyes, trying to take a deep breath, stifling tears, but they were escaping.

  - Look at me!

  He insisted, and she swallowed hard, very hard to look at him, her blue eyes were filled with that fury, but this time there was something more like concern.

  - James, you ...

  - Before you say it again, yes, I killed you and I would do it again, you were at risk, and unfortunately for me, I am a complete idiot who couldn't bear to see you hurt, now I'm going to take your clothes off, I need to look for injuries, no I want to have sex. Now stay calm, breathe slowly ...

  James controlled himself not to kiss every bit of that woman, for a few seconds before seeing her she thought she was going to die, but soon found her like a cornered animal ready to defend herself, almost laughed at herself, always imagined she was one Angel, delicate and precious, however, she shot two men in the head and flipped a car, almost killing the third individual and herself. The prospect of her dead haunted him, in that instant he knew, he could continue to live even in pieces, however, he couldn't do that if he lived in a world where that damned scammer was no longer.

  He tried to concentrate and took off her clothes, without much help, because Gisele still seemed absorbed in face of what he had done, but the Baron did not regret it, he would kill him and whoever else who came ahead threatening her, it was inevitable, Gisele it could be anything, but it was who he clearly loved and that unchanging truth was causing him a lot of trouble. James ran his hands over her body, finding ugly bruises on her shoulders, both of them, she should have used the hair to stay in place, saw the swelling on her ankle, injured from the trip, her hands were cut, but otherwise, she looked wonderful considering the circumstances.