Chapter 10: Kidnapped
The mansion buzzed with activity as Gavin patrolled the grounds, his senses sharp and alert. He had been on high alert for days, ever since Don Isaac had received intelligence about potential threats from Don Renaldo's cartel. Tensions were high, and the air crackled with the unease of imminent danger.
Vivian had just returned from a shopping trip, her usual playful demeanor slightly subdued by the growing tension. Gavin watched her as she stepped out of the car, a faint smile on her lips as she waved at him.
“Hey, Gavin!” she called out.
“How’s my favorite bodyguard today?”
“Busy keeping an eye on you,” Gavin replied with a grin.
“Anything interesting on your trip?”
Vivian rolled her eyes.
“Just the usual. Shopping, gossip, and more shopping. You should come with me next time. It’s fun!”
“I’ll take a rain check on that,” Gavin said, shaking his head.
“I’m more useful here, making sure you stay safe.”
Vivian pouted playfully.
“You’re no fun, Gavin. But I appreciate it.”
As she walked toward the mansion, Gavin’s gaze followed her, a mix of affection and concern in his eyes. He turned to Marco, who was overseeing the security team.
“Make sure the perimeter is secure,” Gavin instructed.
“I don’t want any surprises.”
Marco nodded.
“You got it. We’re doubling the guards tonight. No one gets in without us knowing.”
Gavin gave a curt nod and continued his rounds. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, a sense of foreboding that gnawed at him.
---
Night fell, casting the mansion in shadows. Gavin’s unease grew as he patrolled the grounds, his hand never straying far from his weapon. He checked in with the guards, ensuring everyone was alert and at their posts.
Inside the mansion, Vivian was getting ready for bed. She hummed softly to herself, oblivious to the danger lurking in the darkness. As she brushed her hair, she glanced out the window, her eyes catching a movement in the garden below.
Frowning, she leaned closer, trying to make out the figures moving stealthily through the shadows. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized they weren’t the usual guards. Panic surged through her as she reached for her phone to call Gavin.
Before she could dial his number, the door to her room burst open, and masked men stormed in. Vivian screamed, dropping her phone as they grabbed her, their grips like iron.
“Let go of me!” she shouted, struggling against them.
“Gavin! Help!”
The men didn’t speak. They bound her hands and gagged her, dragging her toward the window. Vivian’s heart pounded with fear as she realized what was happening. She was being kidnapped.
---
Outside, Gavin heard the commotion and sprinted toward the mansion. His heart raced as he drew his weapon, bursting into the house and taking the stairs two at a time. He reached Vivian’s room just as the masked men were lowering her out the window.
“Stop!” Gavin shouted, firing a warning shot into the air.
“Let her go!”
The kidnappers ignored him, shoving Vivian into a waiting van. Gavin cursed under his breath, racing to the window and leaping out after them. He hit the ground running, but the van’s engine roared to life, and it sped away, tires screeching.
“Damn it!” Gavin yelled, firing a few shots at the van’s tires, but it was too late. The vehicle disappeared into the night, leaving a trail of dust in its wake.
Marco and the other guards caught up to him, their faces pale with shock.
“What happened?” Marco demanded.
“They’ve taken Vivian,” Gavin said, his voice tight with anger and fear.
“We need to alert Don Isaac.”
Marco nodded, his expression grim.
“I’ll gather the men. We’ll track them down.”
Gavin turned back toward the mansion, his mind racing with plans and possibilities. He had to find Vivian, no matter the cost.
---
Don Isaac was in his study when Gavin burst in, his face a mask of fury and desperation.
“Don Isaac,” Gavin said urgently.
“Vivian’s been kidnapped.”
Don Isaac’s face went white, and he stood up so quickly his chair toppled over.
“What? How? Where were the guards?”
Gavin clenched his fists.
“They got through somehow. I’m organizing a search party. We’ll find her.”
Don Isaac’s eyes blazed with anger.
“If anything happens to my daughter, there will be hell to pay. Do whatever it takes to bring her back, Gavin. I’m counting on you.”
“I won’t let you down,” Gavin vowed.
“We’ll get her back.”
---
The next few hours were a blur of activity. Gavin coordinated with the guards, combing the city for any trace of Vivian and her captors. He contacted his DEA handler, Ramirez, for additional support, knowing they needed all the help they could get.
Ramirez arrived at the mansion, his expression serious.
“We’ll do everything we can to find her,” he assured Gavin.
“Our teams are already on the lookout.”
“Thank you,” Gavin said, his voice tight with emotion.
“She means a lot to me.”
“I know,” Ramirez replied.
“We’ll get her back. Stay strong.”
---
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit warehouse on the outskirts of the city, Vivian was struggling against her bonds. Her captors had left her alone, giving her a chance to assess her situation. The gag in her mouth made it difficult to breathe, and her wrists were raw from the ropes.
Fear and anger churned inside her as she thought about Gavin and her father. She knew they would come for her, but she had to hold on until then. She couldn’t afford to show weakness.
The door to the warehouse creaked open, and a tall, imposing figure stepped inside. Vivian’s heart sank as she recognized Don Renaldo, his cold eyes fixed on her.
“Well, well,” he said, his voice dripping with malice.
“Look who we have here. Don Isaac’s precious daughter.”
Vivian glared at him, defiance burning in her eyes.
Don Renaldo chuckled.
“You’re a brave one, I’ll give you that. But bravery won’t save you. Your father will pay dearly for what he’s done.”
He leaned closer, his breath hot against her face.
“And you, my dear, will be the pawn in our little game.”
Vivian’s heart pounded with fear, but she refused to let it show. She had to stay strong, for herself and for Gavin.
---
Back at the mansion, Gavin’s phone buzzed with a message. He glanced at it, his eyes widening as he saw the coordinates and a brief, chilling message:
“We have her. Come alone.”
Gavin showed the message to Don Isaac, who nodded grimly.
“It’s a trap,” Don Isaac said.
“But we have no choice. You need to go.”
Gavin nodded.
“I’ll get her back. I promise.”
---
Gavin drove through the night, his mind focused on the task at hand. He arrived at the coordinates, a rundown warehouse on the outskirts of the city. He parked the car and approached cautiously, his weapon drawn.
Inside, he found Vivian tied to a chair, her eyes widening with relief as she saw him.
“Gavin!” she cried through her gag.
“Hold on, Vivian,” Gavin said, moving to untie her. “I’m here.”
As he worked on the knots, he heard the click of a gun being cocked. He froze, turning to see Don Renaldo standing in the shadows, a cold smile on his face.
“Welcome, Gavin,” Don Renaldo said.
“I’ve been expecting you.”
Gavin’s heart raced as he turned to face the cartel leader.
“Let her go, Renaldo. This is between you and me.”
Don Renaldo laughed.
“Oh, it’s far more than that. Your presence here confirms my suspicions. You’re more than just a bodyguard, aren’t you?”
Gavin’s mind raced. How had Renaldo figured it out? He had to think fast.
“I’m here to protect her,” he said, his voice steady.
“Nothing more.”
Renaldo shook his head.
“Lies, Gavin. Lies. But it doesn’t matter. You’ve walked right into my trap.”
Before Gavin could react, armed men surrounded him, their guns trained on him. He knew he was outnumbered, but he couldn’t let them take Vivian.
“I’m not leaving without her,” Gavin said, his voice hard.
Renaldo smiled coldly.
“Then you’ll die together.”
---
Gavin’s mind raced as he assessed the situation. He needed to create a distraction, something that would give him the upper hand. He glanced around, his eyes landing on a stack of crates nearby.
In a swift motion, he kicked one of the crates, sending it crashing to the ground. The noise startled Renaldo’s men, giving Gavin the split second he needed. He lunged at the nearest gunman, disarming him and using him as a shield.
“Drop your weapons!” Gavin shouted, pressing the gun to the man’s head.
The other gunmen hesitated, their eyes darting to Renaldo for direction.
“Do it!” Renaldo barked.
“Shoot him!”
But Gavin was faster. He fired a shot, hitting one of the gunmen in the leg. Chaos erupted as the remaining men scrambled for cover.
Gavin took advantage of the confusion, moving swiftly to untie Vivian.
“Run!” he ordered.
“Get to the car!”