14. Allison
A week had passedsince Ghost departed to guard those kids in California, though it felt longer than that. An ominous feeling gnawed at me; it seemed like something bad was about to happen. Despite my efforts to dismiss it, the sensation persisted as I entered the kitchen, drawn by Amy"s laughter and the cheerful banter of Rebel and Spartan.
I intended to prepare lunch for everyone, but my attention was captured by Rebel playfully chasing Amy around, her laughter echoing through the room. As Rebel paused, Amy's resemblance to Spartan was unmistakable. He put her down, and she ran to Spartan laughing. If Spartan could see her face, he would know she was his.
"Damn, Spartan, she looks so much like you!" Rebel exclaimed. Before stopping himself, I knew he realized when he said it out loud, he didn't mean to. We all decided to let Spartan figure it out for himself.
Spartan, visibly stunned, lifted Amy, turning her to face him. In her bright blue eyes and dimpled smile, he recognized his own features. He embraced her tightly, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Benni appeared in the arched doorway bewildered. "What happened?"
Spartan gently set Amy down before silently exiting the house. He didn"t slam the door but left quietly, his gaze avoiding Benni"s as she stood there, perplexed.
"He finally figured it out. When he said nothing, I knew he hadn't opened any of the emails I sent him. I've been sending him emails about Amy since I was pregnant. It's not my fault he never opened mail from me."
"He would have seen dozens of pictures of her. I'm sure he thought it was me begging him to be with me. Come with Mommy, sweetie. We are going to visit Charlie, Savanna, and the baby. We will see all of you later."
"Hold up, Benni, I'm going with you," Rebel said before getting a water bottle. I watched as they headed over to see the baby. That must have been why I felt uneasy; Spartan had realized that Amy was his daughter. Well, I guess I'll have lunch alone; I was sitting at the table when I heard something down the hall. Assuming it was Spartan returning through the back door, I paid it little mind.
While preparing a sandwich, I sensed someone watching me. Turning around, I found a man observing me, appearing somewhat lost for words. "Can I help you?" I inquired cautiously, inching toward the door, unsure if I could reach it before him. As he brandished a gun, my heart skipped a beat.
"Why are you here?" I demanded, my voice trembling with fear.
"I thought Spartan was here, and I came to kill him," he stated casually, as if it were an everyday occurrence to enter someone's house with a gun. I made a dash for the door, but he grabbed me from behind. I fought him, and the struggle knocked chairs over; I tried grabbing anything I could get hold of. I held onto the table, pulling it across the room, screaming as loud as I could.
"Stop fighting me. If you don't, I will kill Amy when they return," he growled menacingly, tightening his grip. If you scream again, I'll have to knock you out. I don't want to, but I will. We'll just stay here until Spartan arrives, and then I'll kill him and leave."
"Why do you want to kill Spartan?" I questioned, my mind racing with fear and confusion.
"Because Benni will never move on if he's around, I've tried other methods to get rid of him, but nothing has worked. So I have to kill him myself."
"Why do you want someone who wants someone else?" I countered, struggling to get away from him.
"Did I ask you to throw questions at me? You're making me nervous. I'm sorry," he muttered before striking me on the head. Dazed but not incapacitated, I grasped at anything within reach as he forcibly dragged me from the house and into the back of an SUV. I felt like I was going to vomit. I couldn't move my head.
"Why did you hit me? I would have gone with you just to keep you from shooting someone," I protested tearfully.
"How was I supposed to know that? Now I'm going to prison for kidnapping and killing Spartan," the guy complained.
I don't know how long we drove, as I drifted in and out of consciousness. When the vehicle finally stopped, and I raised up, looking around. We were way back in the mountains, I knew that much, and the house was huge. "Is this your house?"
"Yes, I live here alone. I wanted Benni and Amy to join me, but Spartan was loomed in the background. I met Benni in Spain and fell in love with her. She doesn't know I bought this home. I never anticipated returning to the United States, but she cherished her mountains, so here I am."
"Does Benni know how you feel?" I inquired, attempting to get some insight into his motivations.
"I hinted to her about my affection for her. However, she seemed uninterested in a life with anyone besides Amy"s father, so I endeavored to rid her of Liam Bellmont. My efforts persist. I regret involving you in this, but I cannot release you, as you possess knowledge of my identity. Now, let's go inside," he declared, seizing my arm and leading me toward the house.
"Listen, I don't know your name. I have responsibilities to others. I provide medical care for many seniors in my community."
"What? Are you the doctor who survived being shot four times by the Russian mafia? I feel remorseful now, but I cannot allow you to leave here alive. I won't harm you today or tomorrow, but I must confine you to a room I've prepared in my house.
"Don't touch me, I'll walk in front of you, but you can't touch me. I have to tell you that I suffer from claustrophobia; I cannot be confined to a room without windows," I explained, feeling my chest constricting with anxiety.
"You have skylights, so there is nothing to worry about. You can even open them if you want. There's a bathroom and a bed. Unless you want to die sooner than I said."
"I won't dignify that with a response," I declared, my mind racing for a means of escape from this deranged captor.