Chapter 41
Chapter 41
L ying on the bed, James wasn’t sure if he was hearing things or if it was in his mind, but he could swear he heard male voices coming through the passageway. His mind was cloudy, and he could no longer move his leg, but there was no way in hell they were going to take him again. Elliott had not returned, and he wasn’t sure how long he had been gone. He was going to have to find a way to warn Elliott not to come back to the cell. He looked around to find something he could make into a weapon. The tray the little girl had brought was still there, as were the plastic bottles. He reached for the bottles and placed them on the bed beside him. Using the spoon from the pudding, he jabbed into the bottle. Using the little strength he had left, he tore the bottle apart establishing jagged edges as Tank had taught him. He laid back taking a deep breath. He was going to need all his strength to put some power into his throw. He may go down, but it wasn’t going to be easy.
He heard the sounds again. It was more than one person coming through the passageway. He did all he could to stand. The one leg was going to have to support him. He leaned against the cell bars, then wiped the sweat that was now pouring into his eyes.
“Focus.” He said to himself. Remember with enough power anything can penetrate the flesh.
He saw the wall, where the entrance was opened. He threw the first half of the bottle.
“Ouch, damnit,” he heard the voice.
He smirked. “Yeah.” He exhaled then prepared the other half of the bottle.
“I don’t know which one of you hit me, but your ass is mine when I get in there.”
James frowned. “Joshua?”
The wall flew wide open again.
“James? Did you hit me with...” Joshua looked at the item, “a damn bottle?”
James began laughing then slid to the floor. “What took you so long?”
Joshua crawled through the opening, then moved out of the way.
His father was pushing through.
“Dad,” James exhaled.
“Son, I’m here,” he ran over to James Jr.
“Where’s Elliott?” Brian asked as he stood over James.
“Upstairs,” was all James Jr. could say before everything went dark.
“Follow me,” Joshua ordered.
“Is he…?” Brian started to ask.
“I got this,” Douglas said. “You go get Elliott.”
Brian rushed out of the cell and caught up with Joshua at the stairs. “Do you know where you are going?”
“My daughter lives here.” Joshua stated. “I know every inch of this castle.”
“Daughter? Shelly?” Brian frowned as they walked into the kitchen area and heard voices.
“Elliott?” Brian called out as they walked into the throne room to find Elliott standing in front of Akande, with Teddi holding his hands and guards surrounding them with guns.
The guards did not have a chance to react. Joshua and Brian both were taking them down two at a time. When Elliott realized it was his father and Joshua, he jumped in to help.
Akande grabbed Teddi in her arms. “Joshua, stop this right now.”
“Daddy,” Teddi called out. “You got my message.”
More guards ran into the room. “Cease!” Akande yelled out. “Stand down.”
The guards did as they were ordered to do. Akande turned to Joshua. “What is the meaning of this, Joshua?”
Joshua then reached out for his daughter. “Yes, I got your message,” he kissed her.
“You’re her…” Elliott started then stopped at Joshua’s look.
“Theodora called you…why?”
“My friends needed help, Mother. So, I called Daddy, and he came.” Teddi explained then looked up at Elliott. “I told you he would.”
“Yes, you did.” Elliott nodded. “We have to get to James, he’s hurt.”
“His father is down there with him,” Brian advised. “Are you hurt?” He looked over Elliott as if he was a little boy.
“I’m good Dad.”
“Do you want to explain why I walked into this room and your guards had guns on my daughter?”
Akande glanced around the room. The guards were all in hearing distance. “Clear the room.” She ordered.
The guards with the exception of her two most trusted, left the room. “Joshua, why would you say such a thing in front of the guards?”
“Why would your guards have guns pointed at my daughter?”
“They were not pointed at her. They would never harm Theodora. They were pointed at the stranger.”
“Jaguar,” Teddi nodded.
“She was standing next to him.”
“Cause he is my friend, Daddy,” Teddi told him.
“Look, I understand this is a domestic situation, but we really need to get James some help.” Elliott interrupted.
“Who is James?” Akande questioned. “You have two friends downstairs?” She asked her daughter.
“You didn’t know they were in your home?” Joshua growled.
“Oh, god,” Brian exhaled. “Let’s go downstairs, it’s safer.”
Akande ignored Joshua for the moment. “Get Tara. There is a man in need of medical attention.” Then she turned to Joshua. “We will discuss this at a later time. Right now, a man is in need.”
“This is not over, Akande.” Joshua warned.