Arielle Immortal Struggle (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 7) (9 page)

“Dylan, you have no idea how grateful I am.”

“Sebastian, I know how eager you are to bring Arielle home. I can’t keep you from going to the airport, but please be careful, and let my men do their job. They know how to tail cars inconspicuously and they will follow them to where they are holding Arielle. I promise you that Arielle will be home today.”

Sebastian couldn’t contain his cheerfulness. “Thank you, Dylan. I’ll be careful. I will stay out of your men’s way.” His beautiful face lit up with exhilaration. When he was off the phone, he took a deep breath and laughed joyfully.

Everyone around him, but for Paul and Gabrielle seemed jubilant. They had all heard the conversation between Dylan and Sebastian using their immortal ability.

“What is going on?” Gabrielle asked, glancing around, completely lost. “Why are you all so happy? Did they find Arielle?”

“No, Gabby,” said Eva, “but Arielle is going to be home shortly.”

“What?” She stared at Eva, with eyes wide open.

Eva rehashed the details of the phone call.

Sebastian turned his attention to Troy, Ian, and Christian. He was determined to bring all the horrid events to an end. “I would appreciate if you go with me to the airport. Everyone else, please go home, and we will keep you informed.”

“But, Sebastian, I want to help,” Loren whined.

Sebastian’s lips quirked up at his sister’s eagerness. “No, Loren, you need to go home with Paul. If I need you or Eva or Isabella, I will contact you. Keep your mobiles close.”

Gabrielle glanced at Sebastian mulishly. “I want to help,” she said vehemently.

“Gabrielle, please go home, baby,” Troy said, taking Gabrielle in his arms and kissing her softly.

She made a face and held back the urge to roll her eyes, but didn’t argue. “Can I have the keys please?” she asked.

“Oh, bloody hell!” Troy cried out and made a ghastly face. “We left the car at Dylan’s office.”

“Take my car,” Sebastian said. He pulled the keys that Ian gave him out of his jean pocket and handed them to her. “We can’t use my car anyway. It is too small.”

“We can use mine,” Ian jumped in.

“Isabella, can you please take Eva home?” Ian asked, and bending down, he pressed a soft kiss on Eva’s forehead.

Finally, Sebastian turned fractionally and gazed at Professor Allworth. “Professor, thank you for waiting here and for your concern. I’ll ring you when Arielle is home safe,” Sebastian said and, reaching out, he shook his hand appreciatively.

“I’ll be anxious to hear from you,” he said softly. “I’m very fond of Arielle. She is quite a remarkable girl.”

“Thank you, Professor,” Sebastian beamed at him. “I couldn’t agree more.”

Once everyone dispersed, the guys piled into Ian’s BMW and headed for Sebastian’s home.

“What are we going to do about Dylan’s men?” Ian asked.

“I wouldn’t worry about them. We’ll outsmart them as we did last year. When we arrive at the place they are holding Arielle, we’ll enter using our immortal speed, and we’ll become invisible to the human eye. We’ll be in and out of there in no time at all.” A strong bothersome feeling in the pit of his stomach made him swallow hard, and he scowled.

“What is it?” Ian asked, watching the expressions that lapped across Sebastian’s face in rapid pace.

“I pray that she wasn’t harmed,” he said severely. Everyone seemed to be at a loss for words.

“I’ll tear their bodies apart piece by piece. I will make their death slow and painful.” The cold in his voice sipped right through their veins and settled into the marrow of their bone. They didn’t trust the goons to keep their hands off of Arielle. The good thing was this would be over in a very short time. Arriving at Sebastian’s home, they all headed for the fridge in need of salve to boost their energy to the ultimate level. They put in place and discussed a short plan and, soon thereafter, they were in their car and on the way to the airport. Sebastian’s sole thought was to bring Arielle home safely and into his arms where she belonged.

Chapter 6

 EARLY THE MORNING
of the abduction, Vitorio and Mauritsio arrived at the campus parking lot and sat in the car, patiently waiting and planning. Suddenly Vitorio’s mobile rang.

“Yeah,” he answered blankly.

“Vitorio, it’s Jorrit.”

“Yes, sir,” he said making a ghastly face.

“I called Vasily in Belarus, and he’s sending two of his men. They’ll be arriving in Brighton on an afternoon flight. Do you have a piece of paper? You’ll have to pick them up.”

“Yes, hold on for just a second.”

He pulled a pen out of his shirt pocket and used the newspaper as a pad. “I’m ready; go ahead.”

Jorrit gave him the flight number, the time of arrival, and a clear description of the two goons.

“I have it,” Vitorio said vacuously.

“Vitorio, I gave them a description of you and Mauritsio. I’m sure you will recognize each other. Don’t forget to pick them up,” Jorrit’s voice boomed over the phone.

“We won’t,” Vitorio replied and rolled his eyes in clear exasperation.

“He must think that I’m stupid,” he growled after Jorrit ended the call. “I hate him,” he emphasized again. Mauritsio remain silent. They sat quietly and waited, just as they did each and every morning.

A few minutes later, they saw Sebastian and Arielle pulling into a parking space. Sebastian stepped out of the car and, walking around, he opened Arielle’s door and helped her out.

“He’s quite the gentleman,” Mauritsio snorted.

“I’d like to show him gentleman,” Vitorio added and made a nasty gesture.

Sebastian picked up her book bag in one hand and, clasping Arielle’s hand with the other, he pulled her toward the main building. They heard a digital beep as Sebastian pressed the fob key in his key chain. It was not long before they noticed the rest of their friends arrive, one couple after the other.

“I do wish our lives could be as trouble-free as their lives are,” Mauritsio murmured. “Sometimes I’m sick of this life and the baggage that comes with it.”

“I know,” Vitorio muttered. “I have the same thoughts, quite often, but I know that it’s too late to change this. There is actually no way out of this,” he furthered bitterly. “It is this or the morgue.” Silence stretched between them as they both shuddered at the thought. Vitorio leaned back on the headrest and closed his eyes. Now they had to wait just as they did every day. He was dozing off when Mauritsio’s shocked voice snapped him out of his stupor.

“What is it?” he stammered, blinking rapidly.

“Look! Sebastian and one of his friends are leaving without the girls.”

“What?” Vitorio was utterly startled. “What do you suppose this means?”

“I’ve no idea, but whatever it means, I like it,” Mauritsio said, shaking his head in pure delight. They watched them both as they climbed into Troy’s car and sped out of the parking lot with a sense of urgency.

“That’s just unbelievable,” Vitorio whispered astoundingly, weighing the possibilities out loud of what they just saw. “If they don’t come back, the girl will be alone.” There was hope in the tone of his voice.

“What do you think about that?” he asked Mauritsio, thumping him on his arm and laughing startlingly loud.

Mauritsio snorted, “This might make it very easy,” he said, glancing at Vitorio. They both stared at Sebastian’s blue Porsche still sitting in the parking lot, and they felt jubilation spreading across their bodies. It was exactly what they had hoped for. According to the surveillance, the Friday schedule showed Arielle leaving campus at two o’clock. Now all they had to do was wait. There was a clear possibility that Arielle might be with one of her friends, but they would have to wait and see.

“I wish we could complete this today and be done,” Mauritsio said, eyes darkened, expression overwhelmed by boredom. “I’d like to go home.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean,” Vitorio muttered and, reaching in the back seat, he grabbed the newspaper. He decided to thumb through it and catch up on the daily news while waiting for Arielle to show up. Mauritsio’s mobile beeped. Gazing at the screen, he saw a text message from his best friend Ronaldo. Sliding the arrow at the bottom to unlock it, he read the text.
Where are you, man?

He chuckled and texted back swiftly.
I’m in Brighton on an assignment. What’s up?

His friend’s next text elevated his curiosity.
Last night I thought I was going to die, and this morning for the love of God, man! —I wish I had
—
.

He frowned at the text message, wondering what in the world was going on.
It can’t be that bad!
he texted. His best friend Ronaldo was known by all their friends to be quite mischievous. He was now intrigued, waiting to hear the latest newsflash.

Ronaldo’s reply made him gasp audibly. First, he chuckled. Then he burst out into a hardy laugh, and by the end of the message, he was bent over holding his stomach.

Vitorio glanced up from the paper and stared at him in utter wonder. “What the hell is so funny?”

Mauritsio tried to explain, but he couldn’t stop laughing.

“Let me see that,” Vitorio said and snatched the mobile from Mauritsio’s hand. The text from Ronaldo read:

I am sure happy that you were not here this morning, and I emphasize the word happy
I took a laxative yesterday afternoon and forgot all about it. Last night, Franco and Bruno called to go drinking, and I was completely plastered. I don’t know how I came home. Thank God I woke up this morning alone, because I was horrified at the sight. I am relieved that nobody saw my bed or me this morning. Unfortunately I did, and I immediately threw up. I’m sure you understand what happened. What a shitty mess!

Vitorio burst out into an uncontrollable laughter. When he turned over at Mauritsio, he laughed even harder. Mauritsio appeared like he was at another level of consciousness, and suddenly, he went into another manic fit of laughter. By the time they stopped laughing, they were breathing hard.

“Well, that warrants a good reply,” Vitorio said and laughed once again.

“You’re right,” Mauritsio said and coughed, clearing his throat. Hi took his mobile back from Vitorio, and holding back laughter, he texted Ronaldo. Vitorio leaned slightly closer to read Mauritsio’s reply.

Hey, man, that had to be a monumental revelation! I’m overjoyed to have missed your epic event. I’m sure it was a stinky situation and a foul morning
!