My Ex Husband

Episode Eight

Lucca's POV.

She wasn't picking up. Her phone kept ringing but she wasn't picking up. I called again but this time the line was dead. She had texted me when she landed yesterday but I hadn't heard from her since.

Something was terribly wrong.

She had given me her boss's number just in case anything happened. She had given me Victoria's also but I knew she hadn't told her about me yet.

"Paul? Uum.... hi. I'm Lucca Giovanni. Gabrielle told me to call you if I didn't hear from her." I paused. "Yes. I think Gabrielle might be in trouble."

I gave him my reasons and he asked for her travel details. We agreed to meet at the airport as soon as he briefs Victoria on the matter and he informed local authorities in California.

He hangs up and I stood up to leave my office. I told my assistant to cancel all appointments for a few days before leaving for my apartment.

I dialed another number on my phone and it rang twice.

"Dad, I need help. Gabrielle is in trouble." It was all I needed to say.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Gabby's POV.

Carter caressed my now tear stained face and I cringed away from his touch. He has made me watch as my father read each clause and his goons tortured him. Blood was everywhere. I tried to focus on everything except my father's mutilated body.

Carter had explained that I was special and that unlike the other women whom he sent photos and videos, I had to witness it myself as my father cried out in agony and pain. As he begged for my forgiveness.

"Look at him!" Carter yelled. "The man who abandoned you. Who blamed you for a mistakes you didn't make. Who left you when you needed him most? Who blamed you for your mother's death? Look at him and tell me you forgive him. Tell me and I'll let you go."

"Ga....Gabby please. P...please forgive me my Angel." My father repeated the words he'd said over and over for the past hour. The blood loss was overwhelming him.

"I forgive you daddy. I do. I forgive you. I love you." I said as I hang my head fresh tears rolling down my cheeks.

I felt the restrains come loose as Carter motioned to his goons.

He handed me my phone, a sad smile on his face. "Maybe, just maybe you can still save him." He said before he turned around and left.

I rushed to my father's side. He'd been laid out on the floor and I sat next to him, ignoring the gore and blood that surround him. I held his head in my lap as he continued asking for forgiveness. Over and over again.

I held back my tears as much as possible as I whispered to him. Telling me everything was alright. That he would be just fine.

At some point he'd gone silent as his final breathe escaped him. He turned cold but I couldn't bring myself to let go.

I sat there, surrounded by blood. Softly rocking myself as I cried, his now cold and mutilated hand in mine.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lucca's POV.

We were too late.

I froze as the police secured the perimeter my eyes fixated on Gabrielle. She was seated next to her father's body, crying silently.

"Sir?" Paul called snapping me back to reality. I turned to him as he continued, "her father is dead and she's not responding."

I nodded to him and headed over to her side.

"Gabby! Gabby are you hurt? Are you okay?" She didn't reply. She was in a sort of trance.

I got hold of her arm and squeezed. "Gg!”

Her eyes snapped to me and I almost broke apart when I looked into her eyes.

I pulled her up with me, her eyes still on me. I pulled her into me and she broke. She sobbed softly in my arms, shaking violently. I whispered in her ear trying to calm her down as I stroked her hair.

I picked her up bridal style and began walking out of the basement.

I found Paul just as I was leaving the house. "She's coming with me. You'll take care of everything? "

"Sure sir. Everything will be taken care of." He replied. I said my thanks and left to where my father was waiting. He opened the door for me and I slipped in with Gabby still in my arms.

He slipped into the driver's seat and turned to us. "How's she holding up?"

"Not so good." I knew he could hear the vulnerability in my voice but didn't say anything.

He sighed deeply before he started the car and drove off.

She'd finally snapped out of her trance just as we were getting home.

"Lucca?"

"I'm here baby. You're okay. You're safe." I whispered looking straight into her eyes.

"Dad! They...... they tortured him. They made me...... they made me watch as they tortured him." She said amid tears.

"Shh....... don't think about that. You're okay now. You're safe." I whispered as I held her, gently stroking her hair.

I had not noticed the car had stopped till I saw dad looking at us, a concerned look on his face.

He stepped out of the car and opened the door for me. I slipped out and was met by Alda at the door.

"Alda, please call Dr. Lance, tell him to come immediately then bring up some food up for Gabby." She nodded then quickly hurried away.

I could tell she was worried about Gabby but she knew I'd take care of her.

I hurried up the stairs to my room and headed for the bathroom.

"Baby? Are you okay to stand?" I asked and she simply nodded.

I set her down on her bare feet and began to undress her. She was hesitant at first but soon relaxed when she figured I had no ill intention.

I had already started running the bath and I helped her in. She lay on her back in the water and let her eyes fall shut. I washed her slowly making sure she had not bruises or cuts.

I noticed the water soothed her and had let her stay longer. I had left her and taken a quick shower before heading back to her side.

I helped her out, dried her and combed her hair. She lay in bed, her eyes open but not uttering a word. The silence was killing me.

The doctor came and checked her. She had no injuries but was in a state of shock. He advised us to get her a therapist as soon as possible.

I held her in my arms till she fell asleep then I had gone down for a drink.

"Son," my father called and I headed over to where he sat. "You know what this means right?"

"Yes I do father."

"We need to leave as soon as possible. And I advise you to bring Gabby. This man won't stop till we've paid the price too."