PART 14

Isabel jolted out of bed when the doorbell rang. Alex! She thought joyfully. But it was replaced by dread when she heard Richard go to answer the door. Oh no! Richard's at home! She hurriedly opened her door, forgetting the fact that Richard had kept her locked in.

She stepped out into the hallway and was faced by a very surprised Richard. "How did you get out? I locked you in!" Richard asked.

Damn it! I should have been more careful! What do I tell him? What do I tell him? She wondered. "Ummm…the door…you see…" She stammered. The doorbell rang again, this time more insistently.

Richard narrowed his eyes at her before turning to get the door. "I'll deal with you in a minute. Let me get rid of who ever is at the door." He told her as he looked through the peephole.

After a brief pause, of what seemed like hours to Isabel, Richard whirled around, his face seething with anger. "What are they doing here?" He demanded.

"What are who doing here?" Isabel asked innocently.

Richard grabbed her arm tightly. "You know who! Your brother and that fellow. What was his name again? Right Alex and Michael!"

"Oh they're here?" She feigned. "I don't know what they are doing here." His grip tightened on her arm as he pulled her fiercely towards the kitchen at the back. She winced as his nails bit into her flesh.

"How did you call them? I disconnected the phone in your room and you were locked in. How did you get out?" He demanded, his voice rising.

"I don't know what you are talking about!" Isabel protested weakly. But Richard held firm. This time he ignored the doorbell and knocks on the door.

"What are you trying to do Isabel?" His eyes glinted dangerously. "Maybe you need some help deciding what you want."

Richard reached out to slap her. She yelped as his hand backhanded her, throwing her off her feet.

"Isabel!" Alex's muffled voice came through the door.

"Alex! Michael! Help!" Isabel yelled just before Richard clamped her mouth shut. But by then, they had heard enough. Within seconds, Michael had unlocked the door and was barging into the Moore's kitchen.

"How did you get in?" Richard asked bewildered. "What is wrong with this apartment's locks?"

"We've come to take Isabel!" Michael told him calmly, ignoring Richard's furious rant.

That caught his attention. "I'd like to see you try!" He sneered.

Alex stepped forward, his eyes blazing with anger. He locked eyes with Richard and growled. "I'd like to see you stop us!"

Isabel had now made her way towards the kitchen door and her departure was unnoticed by Richard who was too busy glaring at Alex.

"You know she's my wife! I can tell her to do whatever I want!" Richard told Alex.

"Just because you are married doesn't mean you have total control over her life. She can do what she wants." Michael told him angrily. He hated the way this jerk treated his sister.

"Not while she lives in this house, she won't!" Richard threw back.

"Guess we'll have to change the living arrangement then!" Michael said.

It was then Richard noticed Max creep up and grab Isabel. "Hey! Stop!" Richard bellowed.

But Max and Isabel were already making a run for it down to Max's car. They had parked it outside so that they could leave in a hurry. By the time Richard managed to make it past Alex and Michael, it was too late. Max and Isabel were gone.

He turned on Alex and Michael. "Where did you take her? Where is she?" he screamed.

"Someplace where you'll not find her, until we're ready." Richard's face contorted in anger as he charged at Alex but Alex easily side stepped him, having been in worse fights than with a businessman. I didn't fight the aliens for nothing! He thought.

Michael was already moving to knock Richard out but Alex stopped him. Michael gave him a puzzled look. Alex calmly said. "You don't want to sink to his level."

Richard actually looked a bit relived that Michael would not hit him, because Michael was stronger. But his relief was wiped out when Alex turned to give him a cold stare. Then just as swiftly Alex punched Richard in the jaw and kneed him in the stomach. Richard went down with a groan. "Doesn't mean I wouldn't!" He told Michael just as calmly.

Michael gave him a thoroughly amused look. Alex turned back to Richard, as calm as if he had not just wiped out a guy bigger than him. "Now you listen up! You will not see Isabel until we find it fit! I will not let you hurt her! You understand me? I will not let the girl I love be hurt once more by some pathetic excuse of a man!"

Then without waiting for an answer Alex left the apartment and after giving Richard a steely glance, Michael followed, still somewhat amused by Alex's behaviour. It just proved to him how much Alex still loved his sister.

****

TBC…