Mason

The house was eerily quiet when we went in, the only sound coming from the television. No one was in the living room though. Or the kitchen. Or either of the bedrooms.

The other team came up empty with their search as well, leaving one more door unopened. Fred signaled his men to get their weapons ready and opened the door to the basement. It was dark, but we heard a dark laugh that made my blood run cold. Fred shone his light down the stairs as we walked in and the police spread into a semi circle, blocking Patrick in.

My eyes set on a figure lying on the cold stone floor. Daphne. She was hurt and I wanted to run to her and scoop her up in my arms, but I couldn't. Not if I wanted to get her back safe.

Patrick lunged for Daphne and Fred's guys raised their guns ready to shoot.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Patrick's cold voice warned as he pulled out a knife from his pocket and held it to Daphne's throat. He was holding her up by her hair and a whimper escaped her sweet lips. It took all the self control not to run to her.

"Put the knife down Patrick," Fred warned, inching closer.

"Get back or I'll slit her throat!" Patrick shouted. He put slight pressure on the knife for emphasis and a drop of blood rolled down Daphne's neck.

Fred backed up immediately.

"Lower your guns," Patrick ordered and Fred signaled his men to do so. Anything they did to upset Patrick would put Daphne's life at risk.

"Patrick, please put the knife down," I tried and both his and Daphne's eyes shot to mine, a single tear slipping out of hers.

"And why the hell would I do that?" he sneered and I pulled five bundles of case out of the inside pockets of my jacket. I had brought it just and case and was glad I did.

"I have half a million dollars here. Slide the knife to me and it's yours."

Patrick considered for a second. "How do I know you won't arrest me on the spot and keep your money?"

I took two of the five bundles and tossed them a few feet to the left of Patrick and Daphne. He glanced to them, thinking, before lowering the knife and sliding it to me.

The next part happened so fast. Patrick dropped Daphne and lunged for the money, but before he could get there, he was on the ground, a bullet hole in his leg. No one had seen one of Fred's guys come through the storm cellar entrance.

Patrick shouted obscenities and protested while he was cuffed, but my only thoughts were of Daphne. I ran to where she had collapsed and pulled her into my arms.

"Mason?" she asked

"Yeah, it's me. I'm here."

She reached a shaky hand up and touched my cheek, releasing a sigh before passing out.

"Fred," I called out and he turned to me. "Where's the nearest fucking hospital?"

Within minutes, Daphne was being loaded into an ambulance. I held her hand the whole way to the hospital and only left when the doctor said I couldn't come back.

I paced back in forth in the lobby for what felt like days. Oh Daphne, what the hell did he do to you?

"Mason!" I turned around just in time for Kat to fling herself into my arms.

"Is she ok?"

"I don't know," I sighed and Kat pulled me into a tight hug. Soon after it was my mom and then my dad and then Danny. They'd all come for me, for her.

"It'll be ok son," my dad said, patting me on the back. "She's a strong one."

Danny handed me a cup of coffee and I continued my pacing. It felt like it'd been days, but really it'd been just over three hours. She'd better be ok. If she wasn't ok, I don't know what I'd do. This was all my fault. I promised to keep her safe and now look where she is.

I was getting close to losing it when the doctor finally came out.

"Mr. Zolar?" she called my name and I rushed up immediately.

"Please tell me she's ok."

"She's ok," the doctor said with a smile and I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding in. "She had some internal bleeding that we had to go in surgically for, but she's recovering nicely. The rest of her injuries are minor other than two broken ribs."

"Can I see her?"

"Of course."

The doctor led me back to Daphne's room and I almost cried when I heard the heart monitor beeping steadily. She was ok. She was going to be ok.

I sat next to the bed and gripped Daphne's hand in mine. I brought my head down and kissed it.

"I'm so sorry Daph. I love you so much. Please get better soon."