Gabriel didn't get much sleep on the flight back.
He sat by the window, arms crossed and eyes fixed on the clouds outside. His mind was racing. He'd done everything right. Got the cocaine, delivered it and took the money. Risked everything. All for Bella.
Now, it was time to bring her home.
The jet landed just after dawn. The city was still quiet in the morning light. As soon as the plane touched down, Gabriel stood up, with the briefcase in his hand. No calls. No messages. Just silence about what was coming next.
A black car was waiting for him at the private terminal. The driver opened the door without a word, and Gabriel went in. The car moved and his fingers were held around the briefcase. One million in cash and another Five million in wired offshore. Enough to buy back his daughter… or so he hoped.
They pulled up to an old warehouse downtown, the same one where Vincent did his shady deals. It felt too quiet. Gabriel stepped out of the car, his boots crunching on the gravel, and he adjusted his coat, scanning the area.
Vincent was already there with his crew, looking like he owned the place. Leather jacket, shades, and that annoying smile he always wore when he thought he had the upper hand.
Gabriel didn't say a word. He just stepped forward and locked eyes with Vincent.
Vincent lit up a cigar slowly and blew out the smoke.
"Well, look who made it back," he said. "You don't look half bad for a dead man walking."
Gabriel replied in a low, icy voice, "Where is my daughter?"
Vincent smiled. "She's fine. Don't worry. My money first."
Gabriel wasn't afraid. He lifted the briefcase and handed it to one of Vincent's guys. Then he pulled out his phone and made the transfer of five million to Vicent's account provided by one of his men. The offshore transfer had gone through. All set.
"There's your money," Gabriel said. "lets end this beef. Now give me my daughter."
Vincent chuckled and waved the briefcase towards his men like it was nothing. Then he stepped in closer.
"Funny thing about that, Gabe…"
Gabriel became anxious. "What?"
"She's gone."
Gabriel blinked. "What do you mean she's gone?"
Vincent behaved, as if it didn't matter. "She escaped. Slipped out of my house with the help of my own kids, believe it or not. I told them to keep an eye on her, not help her run away."
Gabriel got very angry, "You're lying."
"Nope," Vincent said casually. "I wish I was. My men are already out looking for her. We'll find her."
Gabriel stepped closer, fury in his eyes. "You said she'd be safe. You promised she'd be here."
"And she would've been, if she stayed put." Vincent shrugged. "But what can I say? Girl's got guts. Just like her old man."
Gabriel didn't think. He threw out a punch, catching Vincent on the jaw.
For a moment, everything froze.
Then chaos broke loose.
Vincent's guys rushed at him. He landed one solid punch before they grabbed him, slamming him down. Vincent wiped blood off his lip and looked at him with disgust.
"I gave you a chance, Gabriel. A way out. A clean deal," he said, his voice hard now. "But you had to come in swinging."
Gabriel spat blood. "You lied to me. Used me."
Vincent's smile faded. "And you were dumb enough to trust me."
He pulled out a gun.
"No!" Gabriel struggled to break free, but there were too many hands holding him down.
The gun went off.
The bullet hit his side.
Gabriel gasped and fell back, blood soaking his shirt. He felt a sharp pain. He couldn't move or breath right.
Vincent bend one knee and moved forward next to him. "That's for hitting me," he whispered.
Then he stood and nodded at his men. "Take him to the waterfall."
Gabriel felt dizzy. They dragged him along, and he felt the wind whipped past him. The voices around him sounded distant as he heard the sound of rushing water.
By the time they got to the cliff, the pain had dulled. He was very weak and still bleeding. The crashing water below roared in his ears.
"Any last words?" Vincent asked, standing at the edge.
Gabriel tried to say something but only a groan escaped.
Vincent nodded. "Didn't think so."
Two of his men lifted Gabriel easily. And just like that, they tossed him over.
The wind howled past him as he effortlessly went through the midst of the waters and landed at the button of the river.
Then
Darkness.
Everything went blank.