Chapter 16: Forever Bond
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Neal was debating whether he should call off the mission when suddenly he heard a piercing shrill.
"Nea-!" It disappeared abruptly in a mum.
Neal and Jack looked at each another, both breathing hard.
"We get in!" said Jack.
Everyone jumped out from the bush and stormed into Eliza's bedroom. To Neal's horror it was empty.
"Search other rooms!" Neal yelled. "Jack, follow me."
They ran to Tyler's bedroom on the other side of the mansion. Neal pushed the door handle down but it didn't move. The door was locked from the inside.
"Eliza!" Many servants who heard the screams were aroused too by now and coming to see. Helplessly they watched Neal frantically banging at the door. "Eliza!"
Jack pulled Neal's arm. "Stay back," he said. He fired at the door lock and it crumpled and fell down like dry leaves.
Neal burst inside, gun in his hand. His guess was right. Mason was pointing a gun at his sister. Automatically Neal lifted his and pointed it at Mason.
"I went to nurse Tyler and fell asleep," said Eliza to Neal. "Sorry. I changed bedrooms."
"You devil!" barked Neal angrily to Mason. He's grateful that his voice was steady betraying none of the fear that's gripping his heart. "Why?"
"Don't waste your breath." Eliza yawned. "Money, of course!" Casually, she folded her arms over her chest.
Neal was scared to death seeing how Eliza acted even at the point so close to death. Then he noticed another person stood in the shadow. It's Dayna.
"You!" Neal growled.
Dayna gave a devilish smirk. "Poor helpless Neal feeling like a deer caught in the headlight."
"It's ashamed you can do something this low," Neal spat.
Dayan shrugged chillily. "As you always said, I have limitless capabilities."
"Release my sister," Neal growled. He dropped his voice an octave lower to look ever menacing, threatened, "This place is heavily surrounded. No way you and your floozy can escape. It's over, Mason!"
Mason laughed. "Bluffing are you?" His lips twitched into a psychotic lunatic smile. "Over to whom? I have her!" He shook Eliza.
"Bah! I have scraped your name from my will. You will get nothing by shooting me!" sneered Eliza.
"Is it?" Mason laughed unpleasantly. "Let's see!" He turned to Dayna and shouted, "Get that baby!" His face turned cold and inhuman.
"W-What do you want?" Eliza stammered. Her voice trembled. For the first time Neal saw his sister panicking.
"To see if someone remains difficult when that tiny bundle is slammed to the floor," Mason said darkly.
Dayna went to get Tyler. The infant who didn't recognize her started to cry.
"God damn it, he's your son too, bastard!" yelled Eliza.
Neal quietly inched to a nearby shelf, glancing around, looking for something to throw to Mason.
"Do not think it, Nealy. You can't be quicker than a bullet," mocked Mason. He pressed the gun into the back of Eliza's skull. Pulled the trigger. "On the count to three. Drop your gun. Clear my way to leave safely or I'll shoot!"
Neal waved. Jack and other officers quickly retreated. Mason pushed Eliza and stepped towards the door
"Dayna, bring that yelling infant here," said Mason.
Little Tyler cried, the loudest he could. He kicked and struggled mightily but at no avail. He's easily taken away against his will.
"NO!" Eliza howled in the most gut-wrenching scream that tore Neal's heart apart. "Oh please... Don't harm my baby, please."
"Then follow my terms," Mason muttered coldly. "Drop the gun! One."
"Neal, don't drop your gun," Eliza commanded. "Take care Tyler." The last sentence was said too solemnly. She sounded resigned making Neal's heart beat sickeningly. He knew what she's up to.
"Eliza don't rush into anything," said Neal soothingly, giving his best to calm her. "I will come up with something." He moved a step closer. "Trust me."
"Stay back!" Mason barked again. His tone was loaded with increased threat and venom. "Drop the gun! Two."
"Love Tyler like your own son," said Eliza to Neal. "Will you?"
"Of course, I will! But please-," Neal begged. It's so painful to see his sister in despair.
"Last chance!" Mason bellowed. "Thre-"
"Stop!" said Neal, dropping his gun. "What's your term?"
"Don't!" Eliza screamed. "This beast shouldn't get a penny from dad!" She twisted.
"Eliza!" screamed Neal. He heard a gunshot. Fear gripped him as he looked down expecting to see Eliza lay dead on the floor. But the bullet swayed and hit the window glass.
Apparently, in the last second, Dayna put Tyler on a table and lunged to attack Mason's arm. His arm jerked, the bullet missed. Eliza quickly joined in and kicked the gun from Mason's hand. Dayna then jumped at Mason bringing him down with her onto the floor. Neal picked up his gun and called Jack. Jack and the officers entered. Mason was taken into custody and it's all over.
A medic was called in. Luckily the officers had cleared the area so no one got shot by the astray bullet.
In relieved, Neal moved forward to pull Eliza up and hug her. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Check Dayna," said Eliza, patted her brother's back. She rushed to pick up her baby. The infant still laid safely at the same spot but crying on top of his lung. Sobbing, Eliza hugged Dayna, thanked her, and left to call her army of nannies to comfort and check her baby.
Neal came to approach Dayna who just finished being examined by a doctor.
"How are you?" Neal took her arm, looking at her bruise. "Does it hurt?" he asked so gently it hurt her heart.
"No, it's fine."
"That's very brave of you," said Neal. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he clasped her hands tightly in his. "Thank you."
"I will never hurt you or anyone you love, Neal," said Dayna. "I sensed something wrong with Mason. He's been trying to get my attention so I pretended to be on his side."
"Thanks for choosing to be on my side."
"I will die for you," said Dayna, tears welling in her eyes.
"You should not leave your job."
Dayna released her hands and gently reached out to touch Neal's face. "Thanks. But I can't work with you." She pulled him close and kissed him passionately.
"See?" Her eyes said the rest. "Good bye, Neal."
She turned around and walked out the door. Neal followed her to her car where he rushed forward to open her door and helped her get into her car.
"Dayna, I am truly grateful for what you did for Eliza and Tyler," Neal said. "They mean the world to me."
With tears streaming down her face, Dayna turned and smiled. "You're welcome."
She pulled her door closed and drove away without turning back again.
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Sighing, Neal turned around and went back into the mansion. He told Eliza everything about Mason. That their father was sick because Mason poisoned him, too.
"Why didn't you say it yesterday?" asked Eliza.
"I was afraid that I was barking the wrong tree."
"I will divorce Mason! I had been hesitating because I was afraid to lose Tyler."
"You should have told me. I would have given you the best lawyers to win a sole custody for Tyler."
Eliza put her head on her brother's shoulder, nodded. "Poor dad," mourned Eliza. "I'm so stupid."
"You're not stupid. Mason is just too wicked."
They reflected in silence of the danger that just passed. Things could have ended differently… in tragedy. It's like a wake-up call! Eliza glanced at her brother. She at least had Tyler but her brother never knew the joy of having his own baby.
"You should make your own family too," Eliza said suddenly after a long stretch of silence. She abruptly pulled away.
Neal sipped his drink and shrugged. "Eventually."
"Dayna seems nice. Why not her?" she pushed.
"She is magnificent." Neal stretched and passed Eliza a glass of water. "I'll think later. I have no time now," he said, reluctant to discuss about Candy or Alden. Eliza was always allergic to Candy and she would think he's hogwash for getting infatuated to a pen pal!
Eliza looked thoughtful for a while. "Come!" She got up abruptly and pulled her brother's hand. She took him to Tyler's bedroom. "I want you to carry Tyler."
"I shouldn't. I don't want to drop him," Neal laughed, half joking half serious. He never carried such a little baby before or any baby period.
But Eliza insisted. She said she wanted him to know how wonderful it felt to carry a baby so he's convinced to settle down quickly.
"Here…" Eliza gently picked up the bundle of blanket and put it in her bother's hands. Inside was the baby boy, fast asleep. Neal stared at his nephew's peaceful sleeping face and smelled his sweet baby smell. The pink body was so tiny, it's fascinating. He could see why Eliza changed so much since she became a mother.
"Isn't he cute?" Eliza asked.
Neal nodded. "Very."
"He's my world." Eliza gently put the baby back in his crib. It stirred and she gently patted him and he went back to sleep.
"He's full and exhausted. We're lucky," whispered Eliza. She tiptoed to the door and quietly closed the door behind them. Neal watched her gleefully. They giggled silently.
"I was stupid. But I won't cry over spilled milk!" said Eliza determinedly.
"You shouldn't especially for a colossal jerk like Mason. I can think of a dozen qualified men who want you right now."
Eliza laughed. Neal grinned in a way he used to let her know that he's always there for her. Friends or lovers came and went but they would always have each other.
"Whoever you marry, I will support you!" Eliza studied Neal's face. "Anyone..." She narrowed her eyes. "Even Candy."
Those words caught Neal completely by surprise. He thought he had acted well in pretending he's over her. Apparently Eliza's sharp eyes couldn't be fooled. But what about Alden?, he thought spontaneously, feeling her letter in his pocket.
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To be continued-
Thanks for reading.
Hogwash: nonsense (slang)
Floozy: prostitute (slang)
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Next chapter: Candy and Neal.
*RED ALERT ! Spoiler ALERT*
This is a Candy-Neal fict. If you don't like this pair, it'll be a torture to read the rest of the story.
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Thanks for the comments. They make my brain move. Thank you!
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Sabrina: That's the mini mystery. Hopefully it's exciting, a bit? :D Thank you so much for reading.
Elsa: what do you think of Dayna? Hik hik :( Neal is awesome. I like him too :D
Kikita7R: One word: Genetic :) Sarah pampered her and Neal so much. Everything is in the DNA. There's a probability that Eliza is like that to her own kids. Anyway, I hope you like how the mystery ends.
MoRiTa: Thanks for still following. Candy will appear next :D I can't WAIT!
Guest: Thanks for the support. Neal will meet Candy in the next chapter. Hopefully you will read it.
Xochiquetzal: I hope this chapter clarifies things. It's awful isn't it? Lucky that baby Tyler is fine.