Chapter 5 The Rescue

Ava was done washing up. She sat down and waited for Derek to come with her breakfast. But was surprised when John came in. "Why isn't Derek here with it?" looking at John. " It looks like you enjoy Derek's company more than mine." John teased her.

" Well, I was just surprised to see you that all," Ava replied to him

"They went for some morning exercise. I just stayed back to tell you what was going on," John told her. " I heard Derek over the phone when he was talking with some lady called Victoria and how they plotted to have you kidnapped so that she can have the Duke all to herself." She gives Derek some kidnapping work and murder contracts. " There was this time we assassinated the Duchess some years back. She had come to give the contract to Derek telling him she needs the job done as soon as possible," explained John.

Ava screamed and John quickly covered her mouth. "you want to kill us both?" he said looking at her. " If you don't have the stomach for this then it's better I stop talking." He wanted to get up and Ava begged him. " I'm sorry, I just didn't know Victoria is this scary," Ava said.

John continued his story and told Ava how they killed the duchess and many more prominent people Victoria wanted out of her way.

Ava listened to everything John was saying with rapt attention. She knew John was risking telling her everything. " And why are you here with them?" Ava asked John. " I have been a member since my school days. Derek helped me become what I am today. I owe him a lot." Ava looked at him and wondered how she didn't know he belonged to a secret gang when they dated. She was glad she wasn't put in harm's way.

"You know what you are doing out here is dangerous and you might be killed for it," Ava told him. John looked at her and smiled "Of course but we have been running this job for 20 years now and we have not been caught for once. So, it ain't happening now." he told Ava. Ava looked at him and saw an engraved mark on his arm. "what happened to you there?" pointed at the mark on his arm. " It's a long story. A story for another day." John replied to her. "Eat, they will be back soon and I don't want Derek yelling at me."

Ava looked at him and said " And why would he yell at you? At least you have the food in my front. It is left to me to eat or not." she replied to him.

John nodded and asked her to eat. After eating John passed the plates and went out leaving Ava alone in the room once more.

The duke called Sinclair's family and told them they would have their daughter home by the end of the day. Lady Penelope was very happy. Her face shone with so much excitement at the thought of having Ava in her arms again. She rushed into her room to arrange her things and have the servant make her favorite meal.

Mr James on the other hand thought of what he might do to show affection toward her when she returns because he knew his daughter was not moved by material things

" Make sure you have the food ready before my daughter returns today." Lady Penelope yelled at the top of her voice. She also told the servant to make sure they have things in order before her arrival. Ava's father immediately went over to the duke's palace to see Mr. Morgan. He was revived with warmth when he entered the palace. He greeted the king and they immediately went into discussion. " Please, I need to see the faces of the men who have my daughter kidnapped," James said looking at the Duke.

"They won't go unpunished." the Duke replied to him

" I am grateful for making my daughter's well-being your concern. I am forever indebted to you."

The duke coughed and blood came flowing from his nose. He didn't tell anyone he was sick. Ava's father looked at him and was troubled." Are you alright, your highness?" he asked.

The duke nodded and said he needed to rest. Ava's father greeted her and left his presence. The duke called Mason and told him to start the operation for Ava's rescue. The duke has told Ethan that day of her rescue and told him not to tell anyone.

Ethan was in his room with mixed feelings. He was sure Ava would eventually find out about his sex with Victoria because he knew Victoria was vicious and would do anything to tear them apart. He thought of what to do but nothing was coming to his mind. "Well I just have to tell her myself." he thought aloud. He was lost in thought when Oliver came inside and asked him what was wrong. " You should be happy that your girl is coming back home. So why the long face?" he said

Ethan couldn't bring himself to tell his brother what happened so he pretended to be happy and smiled. " Of course, I am pleased to know she will be back.." he paused. " What's going on?" Oliver asked again but their father's voice changed the topic. "Boys come down to the great hall. We will be watching the rescue live. Mason has us connected to a live feed so we can see what is going on at their end." The king told the princes

They went down and had a sit while looking at the main screen down the great hall. Mason and his men swing into action. It was an in-expected visit for Derek's gang. They were having some fun when suddenly they heard a sound. Derek sent one of his boys to go have a look. " All clear boss," Richard replied as he walked back into the main building.

Mason signaled to one of his men telling him to survey the premises with his squad. "the rest of you on me." he moved toward the garden trying not to make any sound. It was going to be a clean operation. Derek felt uneasy. So, he went out to smoke. As he was about to step out he saw one of Mason's men and took him down.

"Who the hell is this he thought to himself." he quickly went back in and called his gang member telling them to suit up and get into formation. " We are surrounded so we need to be careful. Just stick to the plan and we might live to see another day." He told them

"Tower 1 cover me," he said and moved swiftly toward the main entrance. The sniper man took down Derek's men guarding the entrance making it easy for Mason's men to go into the building.

Mason tossed a smoke grenade into the building and rounds of bullets were released at the sight of the smoke. John heard some gunshots and was frightened. "What the hell is happening? Stay put. I need to check what's going on." he said to Ava. Ava was scared and didn't know what to do. Immediately John left the room. She closed the door and locked herself in.

Mason's men cleared all the men in the garden and killed all the men in the ammunition room. " We have you surrounded. We didn't need to kill any more of you." Mason said out loud

Derek smiled and shot one of Mason's men down, shooting a few rounds toward Mason who quickly dodge the bullets.

The King and princes were watching what was happening. " Go get the girl." the king ordered the mason

Mason looked at one of his men beside him "Cover me." he said and moved toward the entrance leading to Ava's room. There were lots of rooms in the building so Mason had to be quick about it.

The police caught on to what was happening and sent reinforcement. John was on his way down when he met Mason. he was shot twice in the head. His blood splashed on the white paint of the building. Mason called Ava's name sweetly to know which room she was in. But no response.

"where the hell are they keeping her?" Mason thought to himself

He broke down the door with his feet and there she was crouching behind the bed in the room. "you are safe now." Mason assured her. The King smiled and was happy. Oliver looked at his brother who was showing mixed feelings and shook hands with him. "Finally, it's over," Oliver said.

Derek managed to escape while all his men were shot dead. The police came in and told all of Mason's men to drop their weapons but Mason came out with Ava. " we were acting on the duke's order he told the person in charge and he immediately connect him to the king. "Let them be. They were following my orders. Please safely escort miss ava home and report to me at once." Mason saluted the duke one camera and asked one of his men to escort Ava down to the car that would take her home.

Victoria didn't know what was going on until she saw Derek's call on her burner phone." what is going on, are you alright?" she asked Derek. Derek who had been hit by a bullet during the crossfire groaned and told her he needs help. " I am being shot and in danger of being caught. You need to help me out of this mess," he replied to Victoria. She became scared when she heard what happened "If I come to get you and we are caught then I am doomed. My career, image, and work everything down the drain." she said. " you should have thought about that before coming to me. If I don't see you in the next five minutes, am walking toward the nearest police station to turn myself in." Derek said

Victoria got out of her house to get Derek. Meanwhile, Ava was escorted to her house. The Sinclair family was outside waiting for her arrival. Immediately after she was dropped, Lady Penelope burst into tears as both mother and child ran toward each other. " I miss you, mama," Ava said

" I miss you pumpkin." replied her mother. Ava's father thanked Mason's men and called the duke to thank him too. Mason reported to the Duke who was glad the operation was successful.

" you lost how many men?" asked the Duke. "five men your Highness," Mason replied him

The Duke looked at him and patted him on the shoulder. "Well done." He sent some money into his account to share with his comrades. Mason salute him and left the palace.

Derek was immediately declared wanted and a bounty was placed on his head. Victoria got to him on time. She bundled him into her car and headed for her old family house which has been abandoned for decades.

" Here is a hood. Use that to cover your face. we can't risk getting you arrested." Victoria said

She drove manic cursing as she drove "Get out of my way you idiot." she cursed at a man who she nearly rammed with her car. She didn't know there was a patrol up ahead. She drives right into them. She immediately slowed down to be checked. Her heart raced against her chest as she approached them.