HE SAVED ME AND MADE ME HIS

The attack

Mr Wick

I was in my study going through some documents when my phone rang for the first time. I ignored it. A few seconds later, it rang again. I still didn’t pick up. I had been on business calls for a while, and whoever it was would have to wait. But when the phone rang for the third time, I became a little irritated and finally picked it up.

“Dad!”

It was Elise. Her voice was shaking, and I could hear her sobbing.

“Dad! Send help! Some men are here at the Western City Mall. They’re shooting everywhere!”

I immediately stood up from my chair.

“Are you okay, baby?” I asked, already worried.

“I—I don’t know. Everyone is running. Dad, I’m scared.”

“Where are you?”

“Inside the mall.”

“Stay where you are. Don’t move. I’m sending people there now.”

I grabbed my other phone and called Festus, my head guard.

“Festus, get to the Western City Mall immediately. My daughter Elise is there with Jane. Some men are shooting inside the mall.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Take as many men as you can. Get the guns, every weapon you need. Nothing must happen to my daughter. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, sir. We are on our way.”

I ended the call and quickly went to my safe. I opened it, took out my shotgun and loaded it before grabbing my jacket.

I couldn’t understand what was happening.

No one had tried to cross me in this city recently, at least not that I knew of. So who were these people? And what made them bold enough to attack a mall in broad daylight?

I hurried toward the door, but before I could leave, I saw Caleb walking toward me.

“Where are you headed to, Wick?” he asked. “What happened?”

“I don’t have time to explain. Elise and your woman are under attack. My men are already heading there. I’m going to see the bastard who put my daughter in this situation.”

“What?”

His face changed immediately.

“Why am I just hearing about this now?”

“I just found out myself.”

“I’ll come with you.”

I looked at him for a second. Caleb had never joined me anywhere, not even for family dinners. He always kept his distance from everyone in this house.

But this time, he didn’t hesitate.

We both headed outside and got into the car.

The drive to the mall felt longer than usual. I kept calling Festus, but he was already busy dealing with the situation.

When we finally got there, gunshots could still be heard.

My men were already outside, exchanging fire with the attackers.

I stepped out of the car and immediately recognized some of the men.

Viktor.

My eyes narrowed.

So this was his doing.

But why?

Viktor wasn’t the type to make a reckless move like this. Attacking a mall in the middle of the day would bring too much attention.

I didn’t have time to think about it.

“Move!” I ordered.

Caleb and I rushed inside the mall.

People were running everywhere. Some were crying, some were hiding behind shops, while others were desperately trying to find their families.

“Elise!” I shouted.

“Jane!”

I kept calling their names as we moved further inside.

Then I heard her voice.

“Here, Daddy!”

I turned and saw Elise.

I rushed toward her and pulled her into my arms.

“Are you hurt?”

She shook her head, crying against me.

“No, Daddy.”

“Where is Jane?”

Elise pulled away from me and pointed behind her.

I turned and froze.

Jane was lying on the floor.

There was blood around her.

“Jane!”

I moved closer, but before I could reach her, Caleb was already there.

He dropped to his knees and picked her up.

“What happened?” I asked.

Elise wiped her tears and looked at me.

“She saved me, Daddy.”

“What?”

“She pushed me out of the way when they started shooting. The bullet hit her instead.”

I looked at Jane’s shoulder. Blood was still coming from the wound.

For a moment, I didn’t know what to say.

This girl had taken a bullet meant for my daughter.

Caleb held her tightly against his chest, his face tense as he looked down at her.

I had never seen him look like that before.

He looked worried and terrified of losing her.

Jane clearly meant a lot to him.

But there was something else bothering me.

Why was Viktor here?

Why would he send his men to attack a mall where Elise and Jane were shopping?

Viktor never did things without a reason.

Could this have something to do with Caleb?

I glanced at my son.

He looked completely focused on Jane, as if nothing else around him mattered.

I pushed the thought away.

Now wasn’t the time to start asking questions.

Jane had saved my daughter’s life, and she needed help.

“We need to leave,” I said.

We quickly made our way out of the mall while my men continued dealing with Viktor’s men.

Once we got outside, we got into the cars and headed straight to the family hospital.

Jane was still unconscious in Caleb’s arms.

Blood had soaked part of her dress, and every second we spent on the road made me more anxious.

“Drive faster,” I ordered the driver.

“Yes, sir.”

I looked at Elise, who was sitting beside me. She was still shaken by everything that had happened.

I pulled her closer.

“You’re safe now.”

She nodded quietly.

But my mind was still on Jane.

She had saved my daughter without thinking about herself.

And now she was fighting for her life because of it.

When we arrived at the family hospital,

Caleb carried Jane inside while the doctors and nurses rushed to attend to her.

I stood there watching them disappear through the doors.