Chapter 23%
Alex quickly turned on the boat’s engine and began to move towards the large ship from the shadows.
Silently, our small boat tied up on the flank of Mr. Mateo’s ship. The engine sputtered, then came the sound of the guards‘ footsteps above. Alex waved his hand. He and I entered the ship on the shadow side, then blended with the small group already in place among crates and masts on the ship.X
As soon as my feet touched the deck, my gaze landed directly on the man who made my chest tighten.
He was standing with his back against the mast, face battered, dried blood smeared across his temple, and his hands tied behind him. “Miss Alex breathed at my elbow.
“1 and the others will take them down. Your job is to free Mr. Vincent.”
I nodded quickly
As Alex gave the signal, Vincent’s men suddenly appeared from all sides of the ship. Gunfire rang out, guards screamed. Amidst the chaos, I ran straight towards Vincent.
“Leona!” he cried out, his eyes lighting up when he saw me.!
I quickly untied him.
As soon as he was free, Vincent enveloped me in his arms immediately. Warm and snug.
“Are you okay? I’m sorry I made you wait, I should have assisted you first rather than allowing my emotions to get the best of me.” His tears fell on my shoulder!
Inodded quickly. “It’s alright, Alex saved me just in time.“8
this time “X
He looked at me, then bent his head to kiss my forehead. “I won’t lose you And suddenly, as if his weak body turned into steel, Vincent loomed over me.} Abruptly, an assailant grabbed my arm from the side and pulled me forcibly. I screamed. Before I could even fight back,!
Vincent struck the man with force, sending him stumbling to the ground. He positioned himself between me and the aggressor, covering me hastily with his body
The other enemies started approaching us. Vincent used his strength to push some of them away. I rushed out with the pistol that Alex had given me. But at the moment I was just about to shoot, Vincent suddenly surrounded me with his arms from behind, so tightly. His hand holding mine with the gun was also in his grip. He clasped them together, holding the barrel out His breathing on my ear.) “Tll hold your aim steady, pull the trigger!”
The enemies fell one by one.
When the firing came to an end, the bodies of the enemies lay helpless on the deck of the ship.
I was standing, panting, still holding the pistol. Smiling triumphantly, with Vincent beside me, his eyes drinking in the scene. “Jessica!” I shouted, pointing to the back of the ship.
With a startled face, she tried to run quickly to the edge of the deck. She was trying to escape, to leap into the sea.!!
Vincent saw her instantly. In an instant, he snatched the gun from my hand.
When Jessica jumped, the bullet hit her back, three shots.
Her body twitched in mid air before plunging into the sea with blood trailing behind. She never surfaced again
Vincent looked out to the sea for a few seconds!!
He turned back, his sharp eyes scanning the ship.
“Get Mateo. Immediately. He is not on board, he must be trying to escape!” he bellowed.
His men spread out quickly, covering every inch of the ship.
Vincent himself made his way down the tight steps to the lower deck of the ship. His feet were firm, fury still burning in his chest.X And there, in the comer of the engine room, he saw him.
Mr. Mateo, desperate, was unstowing the moorings of a small boat to escape.8
Without saying anything, Vincent attacked him. A single hard punch was landed on Mr. Mateo’s jaw, making the man stagger. Vincent kicked his knen until he collapsed.
Soon, Vincent bound Mr. Mateo’s hands and feet, similar to how he had bound me earlier. Then, he tore some duct tape and jammed it onto his mouth.
Vicent pulled Mr. Mateo’s body to the side of the ship, yanked him onto the little boat, and pushed him there carelessly.
He stared at him mercilessly.
“You hurt my Leona. Now, it’s your turn to experience it yourself.”
Vincent grabbed his collar and plunged Mateo’s face into the sea from the edge of the boat. Held him there. Pulled him back. Mr. Mateo was gasping for air, his body convulsing. He couldn’t make a sound.
And finally, when Mr. Mateo’s body went limp, Vincent pushed him into the sea. Gradually, that body sank, getting lost into the depths of the ocean.!
4:01 PM ď ď
the ocean.
Vincent stood on the boat, gazing out at the now calm face of the sea.
Finally, every step we took together served to re–establish that trust again.
Vincent took me somewhere to surprise me.
“Why are we here?” I asked confused, looking at the prison building.
Vincent only smiled weakly. “You’ll see.”
The news reports the past days had puzzled me, about Nolan, Valerie, and my adoptive father who were now held hostages. Later, it was revealed that it was Vincent behind all this. I had thought he was visiting them, but not him.
A big man sat behind the glass wall. His eyes were sharp, his body tattooed, and his broken smile told you there was something more to this prisoner than usual.
Vincent approached him, extending a photograph.
“I can guarantee your family’s well being. Your wife and child will be in a comfortable, secure location. But you know your business, don’t you?“!
The man nodded, his broken smile widening.
“Those three names will pay for your vengeance. I will.” he muttered curtly.
jlooked at Vincent, still not knowing what he was talking about.
Then Vincent said to me, “I will not allow them to live in peace, Leona. They sold you to Mateo. They’ll pay for everything in prison, and suffer the agony with a merciless executioner’s hand there.”
I was speechless, stunned at Vincent’s move, but also relieved.8
We climbed into the car and were driving home. But my mind could not help thinking of one thing, which persisted in my mind.
“May I ask something?” I just blurted out, looking at Vincent, who was about to start the car.ll
“Sure,” He turned off the engine for a split second.il
“Alex said that whenever you love someone, you say it to their face. But all this while, I’ve never once heard you say it to me.”
I pouted, crossing my arms and looking out the window.
Vincent wrenched his face. “Oh, God! You shouldn’t have learned about my emotions from someone else. Let me be the one to inform you.”
I simply shrugged again, not looking at him.
“Oh, come on… he grumbled in exasperation, lightly patting me on the shoulder. I continued to ignore him.8
But when I finally turned, I was transfixed.
A red velvet box unfolded in his hand. A sparkling diamond ring inside.
Vincent’s gaze was serious as he looked at me, his gentle voice racing my heart harder.B
“Leona, I love you. I guess it’s a little too late for me to say it. But… will you marry me?”
I pretended to be carefree, attempting to hide a grin on the verge of breaking out. “No.” Without hesitation.X
Vincent’s eyes flashed at once with a startled face. The ring box inclined slightly in his hand. Until I added softly. “I won’t say no to you anymore, honey.”
There was a brief silence. Then Vincent erupted in laughter, exhaling a relieved breath.8
“Oh God, you were playing with me!” he whispered laughing, then suddenly tickled my waist.8
“That tickles, stop! I laughed and dodged.
His face was close all at once, his breath on my face warm. He gently drew my hand near and lovingly slid the ring on to my finger.
I smiled, looking deeply into his eyes.
And when his lips touched mine, his warmth filled my heart. There, happiness truly became ours at last!
The End.
