Birdy - Wings

"Señora Torres?"

Ice, cold chill run up her spine and she visibly shuddered. Her body wanted to react, to turn to see who was calling her. But, she screamed at herself not to turn, not to react because it wasn't her. She was Aurora Rossi now.

The line kept moving forward and so did she. Keep moving, keep moving she repeated in her head. Her grip on her mother's hand was tight, it was the only way she steadied herself. Rory took another shaky step forward and the sounds of heavy footsteps were upon her.

A gloved hand took hold of her forearm, spinning her around. Rory gasped, staring into a pair of familiar brown eyes.

Sebastian.

He was dressed in airport security attire - white shirt, black slacks and a high vis jacket. He looked undeniably handsome and appeared to blend perfectly in with the rest of them.

Rory yanked her arm free, not giving Sebastian and his entourage a chance to react. She ushered her mother forward. They were nearly there, it was just within reach. Rory took another step forward and two big, bulky men blocked her path.

"What's going on?" Her mother blinked a few times, glancing around as the men surrounded them.

"It's alright. It's just a mistake." Rory reassured her, holding her hands firmly. "They just got the wrong person." She stressed, staring at Sebastian.

He returned her look with a deep scowl. Gideon sent him to retrieve her, unscathed, while the others were having fun hunting Emir. He was missing one hell of a time in Germany.

And, finding her wasn't easier. Several hours of security footage, all the way from the estate to the airport. He watched it all to point his eyes were aching. But, thanks to their advanced technology, he was able to do a face search on the footage to track them. He found the flight they took, locating its time and journey, and hurried to Madrid.

Due to Gideon's comfortable relationship with the Spanish syndicate, they agreed to let him freely roam on their territory. Like always, they'll ask for a favour when the time comes.

"Come on, Rory." Sebastian frowned. "Gideon will be arriving soon." He motioned at the securities who began moving them away from the gate.

People watched with mixed expression, some were curious and some were concern. Yet no one made a move to ensure her safety.

"You got the wrong person!" She cried, struggling against the securities' hold. "Take a look at our passports, we aren't the people you're looking for!"

They drifted further and further away from the departing plane. Her freedom slipping through her fingers like flowing water. She could feel it, could see it and yet unable to hold on.

Rory did her best to put up a fight. She dug her heels into the marble, twisted and turned she attempted pull herself from from their grasp. Nothing worked due to the size difference between them. Plus, she was outnumbered and had her mother to protect.

Alvaro stood among the people watching the commotion. His cap pulled lower so his face was hidden. On his way to buy some food, he spotted them. Sebastian strutting the path with his brutal demeanour. Instantly, he stepped away, hiding in the bathroom stall not to get caught. He was a dead man if was.

They dragged Rory and her mother away despite Rory's protesting. Luci's planned had failed, for Rory anyways. Alvaro couldn't afford to get caught so turned his back and hastily boarded his flight to Italy. Sitting next to two empty seats, rubbing guilt in his face.

~*~

Imprisoned like they were criminals. Maybe they were, travelling on fake passports and all.

Sebastian stood on the other side of the cell, behind thick iron bars that caged her in. He watched Rory wrap her plaid button up around her mother who was observing the situation with her wide eyes. She kissed her mother's temple and embraced her.

It was evident that this woman was Rory's entire world and he won't doubt that she'd do anything for her mother. No wonder Gideon won't kill her. He was using her as a lure, baiting Rory to do as he wanted.

"Rory." Sebastian spoke, "Besides, Alvaro who helped you?"

She shrugged, keeping her attention solely on the woman in front of her. Besides, she wasn't lying. She didn't know who helped Alvaro with the passports and the tickets. He hadn't told her anything and only promised that he would once they got to Italy.

She was never making it to Italy now, her flight must've left already.

"How did your mother get out?" He continued, nodding at the woman who had turned her eyes to him.

Green just like Rory's.

She shrugged again.

"A man came to pick me up." Her mother murmured. "I didn't recognise him but he told me he was taking me to see you. I was really excited."

A bitter smile graced Rory's face as she pushed back the tears forming in her eyes. She was excited to go to Italy with her mother where they could live their dream together. A small house, somewhere rural and maybe own a few pets.

And, just like the first time Gideon crushed her dreams. He wasn't going to let her go, ever. In the back of her mind, Rory knew it - that she'd never escape him. He'd searched everyone corner of the world for her even burn it down just to find her. Yet, she still ran away and subjected herself to his wrath.

He wasn't going to forgive her as easily this time because she almost got away. Or, she thought she did.

Frustration boiled her blood. She was so annoyed and angry at herself that she wanted to scream. Perhaps, even kick or break something. Instead, she clung onto her mother, afraid she'd slip through her grasp also.

Gideon was on his way and will most definitely tear them apart.

Teary eyed, she turned to Sebastian, "Please," she pleaded. "Just let me go."

"You and I both know I can't and will not do that. I won't betray Gideon." He huffed. He leaned against her cell, "Rory just tell me what you know about the situation. It's best for you if you tell me or else Gideon will torture it out of you later."

She stiffened at the word torture and held onto her mother tighter. She buried her face into her mother's hair, breathing in her scent to the forget about the world outside their embrace. It was the only way she could feel secured because the moment Gideon stepped in, hell was going to break loose.

Rory didn't want to think about it, about what he was going to do to her. She thought killing her family and locking her up with their death bodies was inhumane enough. Could he go beyond that?

He could and it chilled her to the bone.

Hours later, there was no sign of her and her mother was becoming restless. Her eyes were darting around the cell, eyeing the wall that was confining them. Rory was afraid that the lack of space was going to trigger an episode.

"Mom." She murmured, cupping her mother's face and turning it to face her. Rory smiled, blinking away the tears gathering in her eyes. "It's okay. We will get out of here soon."

Her mother nodded and Rory helped her lay down on the small mattress in the corner of the room. She sat on the floor, holding her mother's hand. Just as she closed her eyes, in her peripheral vision, she saw Gideon walking in.

He dwarfed the place with his big and muscular structure. He brought a icy air with him but melt it away with his fiery expression. He was so angry that I blind person could see it.

Though, the moment his dark eyes settled on her face, it was all gone. The cold chill and the flaming heat, gone, replaced by blank expression and a calm demeanour.

She was suddenly petrified. The atmosphere was all too still as if it was waiting for him to explode. A deny reaction or one that will never come. He just stood there outside her cell, hands shoved in his pocket.

Rory swallowed, averting her eyes and focused on her mother who was drifting asleep. Why wasn't he angry?

Sebastian appeared beside Gideon, two nurses in blue scrubs - one pushing a wheel chair - followed. He stepped forward, unlocking the cell with the keys and swing it open. The sound woke her mother who sat up and watched with silent scrutiny.

"They're carers, they'll take care of her." Sebastian informed. The nurse entered the cell, checking her mother over with his gloved hand.

Confirming that she was alright, he lifted her up like she weighed nothing. She was placed on the wheel chair and they rolled her out. Rory quickly grabbed their bags and followed.

She didn't dare look at Gideon and passed him with as much distance as possible. He didn't grab her but he did trail behind her, watching with a void in his eyes. If he wasn't angry - fine - and if he wanted to give her the silent treatment, fine. She wasn't losing anything nor was she being beaten. It was basically a win-win situation for her.

The nurses took her mother to a van, parked in a private carpark. Besides the van, only a few SUVs were in here - one or two were probably Gideon's.

"Where are you taking her?" She asked, while they lifted her mother into the back.

The nurse glanced over her shoulder, eyes fixated on Gideon. They weren't allowed to talk without his permission, he had made it very clear. Rory followed her gaze and gulped when she saw him standing a few feet away, sliver gun in his hands. Her pulsed quicken, fearing the worst.

His face was blank, clear of any indication he was furious which made him even more intimidating. This mask was his was unsettling her, she didn't like it one bit. Why hadn't he hit her? Threaten her?

Fuck, she was scared.

She averted her eyes, focusing on her mother only, not caring he had a gun in hand. He could shoot her for all she cared as long as her mother lived. But deep down, Rory knew Gideon won't shoot her so she had no reason to be afraid.

Before Rory could climb into the van with her mother, Gideon's arms snaked around her waist, pulling her to him.

"No, I'm going with her!" She yelled, frantically, peeling his hands off her. "Let me go, Gideon!"

She whirled to face him, green eyes stormy and chest heaving in rage. She wasn't afraid, she couldn't afford to be afriad. Not when she could have everything she wanted right now.

"Let me go." She demanded, tilting her head higher as if she could intimidate him this way.

Gideon Torres wasn't a man easily intimidated. He dealt with extremist, terrorists, world leaders and dozen mafia across the world.

"We aren't meant to be." She stated, relieving in the confidence enveloping her. She could do this. "Can we just let it all go and pretend we never met and never got married." Her face softened despite her protest. She pleaded, "Please Gideon let's just divorce and move on."

For a moment Rory saw something heart breaking flash in his eyes but when he blinked, it was replaced by a void. Nothingness as if he had switched off his emotions. He raised his gun causing her to inhale sharply and stepped back. It only encouraged him to walk closer. He pressed the cold metal against her forehead and a small, frighten sound resonated from the back of her throat.

Rory shook off her fear.

"I know you won't shoot me." She said, lifting her eyes. Daring him too.

"How do you know?" Gideon bitterly uttered those words to her. His first words after 3 days.

"Because," She began, averting her gaze elsewhere. Staring into his eyes was slowly chipping away at her bravery. "Because you love me."

"Do you think I'll still love you even after what you've done?" He fired back, stepping closer until there was nothing between.

Her palm balled into a fist, she yelled "If you don't love me anymore then just let me go with my mother!"

"I'm never letting you go!" He roared, startling everyone who were watching them - his men and Sebastian. He tapped the head of the gun against her temple, his free hand crushing her throat. "Get it through your thick fucking skull." He spat. He turned his eyes to the ambulance, "Go." He said to them and the sound of the engine comes to life.

"No!" Rory screamed, digging her nails into Gideon's hand. He only gripped her tighter, keeping her face to him.

Rory tried punching him, kneeing him and kicking him where she could. He didn't move one bit nor did he show any signs that her attack hurt. A cry of frustration erupted from within and having lost her mother once again.

The moment the ambulance was out of sight, he dropped his hands from her throat and she turned her focus on the exit of the car park. She took several steps forward, almost breaking into a run but he held her forearm - stopping her.

"I'm going with her!" She screamed at him, feebly hitting his arms. "Let me go!"

Helplessness, was that the only thing she was capable of? Everything was passing through her fingers, slipping away all at once and she couldn't do anything.

Shoving the gun in its holster at his hip, he pulled Rory along the tarmac. She was lighter than a feather, weighing next to nothing so she was easy to tug along. Seeing that she wasn't winning their little game of tug-of-war, she dropped her butt to the ground thinking her weight would be enough to pull him too.

Rory sat on the tarmac, her lips trembling violently and she was doing everything not to cry.

Cursing underneath his breathe, Gideon grabbed his waist and lifted her up. He expected her to walk but instead she stay rooted on her spot, fighting her tears.

"Come on, we're going home." He said, sternly. Once again speaking her as if she was child.

"I'm not going anywhere with you."

"Rory." Gideon gritted out. She was seriously testing his patience. He considered what Kaiser had said to him in Germany - about how he stopped his woman from running away - however, when Rory looked up and met his gaze, something stopped him.

His heart ached at the thought of hurting her like that.

"I'm not going to love you ever, Gideon." She spoken, softly but with so much fierceness. "No one can love a monster like you."

😊