Chapter 49

The Threat

Iris's heart sank to the boots.

She tried to smug out of window to ask for help but her mouth was tied with a cloth, making her dumb.

She managed to see out of the glass window screen behind, Ben was following and he was running behind the car and was soon overtaken by a gypsy and went out of sight.

Iris still fixed her eyes expecting a miracle and popping up of Ben and it wasn't in vain, Ben emerged on top of that gypsy climbing few more vehicles and reaching close to the van but the van now took a steep turn, moving out of the city highway taking a lone way towards their destination, Ben was lost in the stream of heavy traffic behind.

Tears flowing mercilessly from Iris's eyes.

What was more painful Edwin's word or the unknown destiny lying ahead?

It was then Iris realised THREAT.

She had a threat and those guys had finally made a move.

Mr. Clark was right... it wasn't any freaky overreaction.

Oh no! Ben. I should have accompanied him wherever I went.

Now my stupidity would cost him his job! Shit ! shit! Shit! Iris cursed crying mutedly trying to choke the sob as the cloth around the mouth was too tight.

Her hair was yanked to lift her face as the two storey building appeared in front of her.

Draped with mosaic tile, the farm house kind of place was well designed with a green exterior.

They pulled harshly taking her inside to see a fully furnished interior but the place seemed to be unused as it was spic and span with no trace of life.

Iris was dragged along the stairs on the left of the huge hall room by a dark guy in his mid thirty who surely was getting irritated her continuous protests. He cursed something under his mouth throwing Iris towards a guy who was dressed very formally in a blue designer tux.

When the guy holding Iris threw her towards the other person in a tux, he held her secured in his arms.

"Easy" he commanded him "She is my stuff."

He pulled the cloth around Iris's mouth making her look at his face.

Releasing the breath that she was holding for long and taking relief in his facial features Iris uttered "Aaron" and jumped in his arms for a big hug.

He hugged back immediately filling her with his exotic after shave scent.

My fears now eliminated and feeling of safety engulfed inside me.

"Your old tantrum to give me a surprise' Iris sighed nodding her head still in his comfortable hug.

"Great job guys!" he appreciated his fellowmen making her look up.

Iris's head was facing the window where she could feel two hands popping up. Soon they gripped the window frame and a head emerged on the site.

Ben....

"My badass bodyguard had managed to find me...." Iris chuckled and smiled gratefully even though he was uncomfortably hanging on the window.

Ben's face showed sign of relief looking at Iris safe and when he saw her cuddled in the arms of this man in blue who wasn't visible to him, he suddenly frowned...

"Job well done Aaron" a voice called emitting the presence of someone with equal authority that of Aaron.

But the recognition of the identity of that person made Iris's heart sink 'Jamie Brater'.

'Calm down! Calm down! You have Aaron and Ben with you' Iris muttered and 'again he didn't stand a chance last time when we met.'

"Mr. Brater..." Iris called out shocked and a bit furious too.

"Oh! We have visitors too." Mr. Brater smirked looking at the window and gesticulated the two men who brought her here who immediately went and dragged Ben out of the window.

Iris ran towards Ben and hugged him checking for wounds or bruises if any.

But he was fine.

Iris swelled with pride for her friend.

"It's okay. He is my friend." Iris pulled Ben along to introduce him to Aaron.

But one thing that was constantly hitting her head was the presence of Mr. Brater.

"Aaron if Mr. Brater is invited by you then I'd like to make a point very clear. I don't want to work on his project." Iris said looking at Mr. Brater who in turn gave a mischievous smirk to Aaron.

Iris was confused at their exchanges.

Ben pushed Iris behind him with his entire caveman protective mode and stood on alert with his gun up ready to attack.

Soon it was snatched away by one of the hired men who brought Iris here.

"Aaron easy." Iris said warmly "he is my official bodyguard."

These words of hers let a roar of laughter in the room.

The three men laughed hysterically looking at Iris with hoarse expressions.

When Iris looked at the source of the laughter she was shell shocked to see the third guy in the group was 'Brent.....'

Her body drained of its strength and she looked at Ben who was now held tightly by the two men who brought her there; his hands and feet were tied.

"Run Iris" he shouted before his mouth was also tied with a stray fabric.

Iris was trying to seep into her brains the happenings around when three men stood together toasting with their glasses of beers looking at Iris with expressions which were fierce and evil.

Aaron.. how could Aaron do all this?

He was my friend all this while... I trusted him.. And didn't he say that he loved me, not once but ample number of times.

"She is so panic struck. I think she needs an explanation. After all she was my baby whore." Brent spoke making Iris grit her teeth.

Iris walked to Aaron and hit a tight slap on his face only to be answered by two slaps back on face right and left.

They were so fierce, so harsh that her ears started ringing.

Her eyes now gave away my strong demeanor and starting spilling tears which were flowing mercilessly now.

Brent pulled a gun from his backpocket and pointed at Iris.

Iris stood still waiting for the evitable but Jamie stopped him.

"A beauty dying of curiosity. What a waste!!!" Jamie commented "Doesn't she deserve to know our plans at least..."

"Yeah I would love to see the deceived look on her face. My friend this- my friend that-" Brent said in an animated voice "she'd boast in all her interviews. Let's show her or enlighten what her friend Good friend Aaron has done to her." Brent said sipping his beer greedily ignoring the spill of same on his face.

Aaron pulled iris from hair making her wince "I was never your friend. I had always been working for them. Since the day being a small actor to a lead character, it all being planned, my only aim was bring you to Mr. Brater. I was all successful the other day when you kissed me" he said licking his lips "but that f##king personal phone call and my mission delayed. Not any more" he smirked.

"Jamie Brater... what do you have to do with me?" Iris asked confused.

"Aaaah!" Jamie came to Iris kissing her with his lips wet with the beer making her squirm with disgust "I like that lines of confusion on your face" he said trailing his fingers at the lines of frown on her forehead and then clicked his tongue saying "The girls.. you remember the contract with Brent when you were supposed to be shifted from via sea"

Iris gave a blank expression too shattered with the events around.

"Human trafficking.. where there was another heroic character. What was the name of that stupid girl who lost her life..." he sighed irritated and furious remembering the incident.

Brent remembered the name as he mentioned it distastefully "Ahhh! F##king Lizzie"

"Do you have any idea how much loss I had to bear because of your stupidity?" Jamie slapped Iris hard again holding her other hand so that she couldn't fall.

"It was my assignment and you ruined it and you'll pay for it." Jamie tightened the grip on her arm.

"Brent go ahead and shoot..."

Brent removed the safety of his revolver and was about to shoot, Aaron watching bemused from where he stood.

Iris looked at him straight into his eyes wondering if he was the same Aaron who was her friend; one whom she trusted so much but he turned out to be a different soul altogether.

"Wait... wait..." Jamie stopped Brent snatching his gun as he rolled it around his finger and looking at Iris from top to bottom, his eyes rummaging to parts of her body that would make any girl uncomfortable.

"Brent" Jamie called "You would say she was a favorite of the customers in her business?"

Brent nodded in affirmation "Yeah I would get some real good commissions as her pimp."

"I think we shouldn't waste her skills and put them to use before she dies." Jamie said, his hand caressing Iris's arms and the other hand swigging the remaining drink from his glass.

"No..." Iris cried "no..." she moved away from his proximity.

Jamie reached her in no time touchingher and making her loath me with his dirty intentions.

His hands moving around her face with his fingers brushing her lips and slowly he reached her throat looking hungrily below.

"No.. Aaron" Iris shouted at him "Ben" please...No" she called for help

Scared for her fate, scared of repeat of the past, Iris looked at Ben for help but he sat coiled on the floor, both his hands tied behind him and his head lowered either in shame or in helplessness.

Her next savior, Iris did not know why she still expected help form him and gave one pleading/begging glance to him but he preferred his glass of drink and continued his bottoms up mode of drinking.

Assured that there wasn't any help coming, though she didn't fight against the gun shot but she refused to give her sanity once again, not this way.

Determined to fight, Iris balled her fist and punched Jamie hard on his face followed by a leg kick just at the right place but there were miseries yet in store for her as she missed the target.

Fumigated with her attempt Jamie landed few blows at Iris and then pinned her to the floor and started his deed.

All her efforts to fight went in disdain as he worked on the zip of her dress reaching half way through.

His fingers were burning her skin wherever they touched making her try harder to escape but in vain.

"Help.. Help.. " Iris shouted though she knew it was of no use.

The biggest relation of life, her friends had deceived her.

They had given up on her.

When the zip was completely undone and Jamie was about to extricate the fabric from her skin, Iris heard a hissing sound.

Jamie's expression changing from pernicious to anguish and he groaned with pain, his hands stood above her and the droplets of blood fell from them staining her lemon dress.

He pulled the knife that was stuck on his palms and he pulled it out making faces, consequences of the excruciating pain.

Next moment what appeared towering over me helped her release the breath she was holding as he was there, he kept his words and he saved her once again...

Ben stood ready to save me...

So he was not coiled on the floor in helplessness, he was working with his knife to be free of the robes tied to him.

Words would never be able to express the pride and gratitude that Iris felt for him at the moment

Five goons who were located at different corner of the building now surrounded Ben ready to attack.

He too like a brave Machoist fought hand to hand with them.

They being outnumbered also outsmarted him and he bled falling to the floor but still was kicking, punching and fighting them begging Iris to run but Brent did not let her go.

Brent now lunged forward on the table where Jamie left the gun unattended to pick his gun and attack her, Jamie being hurt approved of the same.

Sirens of the vehicles of the police created havoc and now this was it.

Iris was the target and the gunshot released was reaching her in no time.

Before Iris could react or protect herself, Ben jumped towards her blocking the pathway between her and the bullet taking it right on his stomach.

"NO......NOOOOOOO....Noooooooooooooooo Iris shrieked but it was too late.

Aaron now took another shot at Iris but was tumbled on the floor as the cops had taken him with their shot.

Brent tried to run away and hide but by cops shot him too.

Jamie was successfully arrested by the cops.

Iris's shrieks and cries to help Ben were ignored as Edwin who was also escorting the cops fussed over her safety..

"EEEddddwwiiiiin Ben .. Ben... Help him. He is shot" Iris was in turmoil as she saw blood pouring endlessly from his body where the bullet was shot.

"Ben you gonna be alright" Iris said as she caressed his face trying to ease his pain.

But the bullet had done more damage than it should have.

Ben opened his mouth trying to speak but nothing came from his mouth.

Iris could feel her name that he was trying to utter, his lips moving but he was so badly wounded that the words got lost within.

"You will be fine." Iris said in between sobs "then we will talk"

"You will be fine" Iris cried when the medics took him away putting him in the white van and increasing the distance between Iris and him.

"Ben .. he was shot because of me.. Ben ... I am such a shit. No.." Iris kept on mumbling curses at herself and Edwin managed to hug and comfort her as he hushed her quite enveloping her in his arms.

Iris pretended to forget how much Edwin's words hurt her or ignored what happened hours ago for his presence was very important to her.

She was feeling was an unbearable pain that another life was in danger in order to protect her.

"Sssshh.." Edwin said "he will be fine. He's a strong guy. He'll live."

I looked at him and he hugged me back, his glassy eyes saying that he himself did not believe in the truth of his words.

With the amount of blood he lost fighting hand to hand with those men and the bullet

Shit! Shit! Shit! How will I survive knowing that he lost his life because of me???...

No God please! Please! Please! Iris begged..

"Come let's go home." Edwin said taking me to his car.

"No. I need to go to Ben.. I need to see that he is fine." Iris repulsed

Edwin forcibly seated her in the car.

"we'll go home, freshen up and then go to hospital to see Ben" Edwin said as he buckled her on the passenger I jumped out of the running car dropping on the road......

She ran back to the building.

They were carrying Ben into the ambulance.

"I will come with him" Iris shouted.

"No ma'am you cant" one of the cops blocked her "You still need security. Mr Clarks will be here soon"
"NO NO" Iris shrieked "I don't need any freaking security, I need to be with Ben."

"Iris" Edwin held her "I got her" he told the cops

"iris Iris" Edwin held the hysterical Iris "Listen to me."

"you are listening?" he asked

Iris nodded looking at the moving ambulance

"WE'll go home or they'll take you to safe house." He cupped her face making sure she was listening "I have pulled a lot of tsrings so that they send you with me."

"Ben?" Iris was still crying "will he be fine?"

"We'll go home. You are listening" he shook iis who was trembling and repeating "Ben Ben Oh god Ben"

"We'll go home. You'll freshen up and then I'll take to you to hospital where you can see him."

"I can see him?" iris asked "he'll be alright?"

Edwin moved her hair out of her face "lets go home first"
Edwin dragged Iris to the car and then home.

"You take a shower and change" he handed her a pair of clothes Stella had offered.

Iris stood still not moving

"Then I'll take you to hospital to see Ben" Edwin tried to encourage her.

And it did the trick

After a long shower Iris came out and was about to ask Edwin to take her to the hospital.

"Can we go now?' she asked.

"Tea and snacks first" Stella stood with a tray in her hand.

"I don't think I can eat" Iris managed to be civil.

"Iris please" Edwin said "eat something.."

his phone rang and Iris was all ears at the conversation.

Though Edwin talked in hushed whispers Iris knew it was from the hospital.

Her heart beating wildly

Edwin looked at Iris

Iris looked back..

"what is it Edwin?....