Attempted Kidnapping

Chapter 13: Attempted Kidnapping 

"Father?" She repeated, looking around to see who was saying that. 

Diane decided crouch behind the corner of the restaurant, her heart throbbed painfully in her chest.

She peeked around the edge, focusing on her father. 

Before she could gather the courage to approach him, a young boy darted across the room. 

"Papa!" the boy called in a bright and full of joy voice. 

Diane froze, her breath became more slower.

Her father's face softened, a smile crossed his lips as he caught the boy in his arms. 

"There you are, Arthur," he said warmly, setting the boy on his lap.

Behind them, a woman walked into view. 

Rachel. 

Diane's heart clenched as she recognised her stepmother's elegant frame and cold expression. 

Rachel's hand rested lightly on the back of Arthur's chair, looking around the room like a predator guarding her cub.

Diane stepped back. 

She couldn't let them see her—not yet. 

Not with Rachel here. 

She wasn't ready for whatever confrontation awaited. 

Instead, she pressed herself against the wall, waiting for them to leave.

Her hands trembled as she tried to summon the courage to step forward. 

Her father was right there, and yet every muscle in her body screamed at her to run. 

She needed to wait, to choose the right moment. If Rachel left, she could approach him alone.

She inhaled deeply, closing her eyes to steady herself. 

Just as she was about to move, a hand clamped over her mouth.

Panic rushed through her as someone grabbed her from behind and dragged her backward. 

She kicked and struggled, her muffled cries swallowed seemed to be swallowed by the strong grip around her face.

"Stop fighting," a voice hissed in her ear. 

'Adrian…'

Her insides knotted, a tightness spread immediately through her gut.

She thrashed harder, her elbows jabbed backward, her feet kicked out wildly, but Adrian's hold was stronger. 

He dragged her through the side exit of the restaurant and out into the alley, his grip was like a new iron.

When they reached his car, he shoved her toward the passenger door. "Get in," he ordered.

Diane refused, twisting and pulling against his hold. 

"Let me go!" she screamed.

Adrian growled, tightening his fist.

 "You don't get to make demands. You've caused enough trouble."

 Diane bit down on his hand as hard as she could. 

"You bitch!" Adrian let out a sharp cry, pulling his hand back.

"Let me go!"

"You little—" he snarled, grabbing a fistful of her hair before she could escape.

Diane screamed, clawing at his hand as he yanked her head back. "Let go of me!"

Adrian didn't respond. 

He dragged her farther from the car, his face was covered in wrinkles from the anger. 

He shoved her against the wall, his hand pinned her shoulder.

"You think you can just run around playing games? You're nothing, Diane. Nothing!"

Diane fought back with everything she had, kicking at his legs, her nails scratching at his arms. 

Adrian cursed under his breath, his frustration was mounting.

"You think you're so strong?" he spat, shoving her again. "You're pathetic!"

A kick from Diane landed on his shin, causing him to stumble. 

But before she could make a run for it, he recovered, his palm collided with her cheek in a sharp slap that sent her reeling.

Inside the restaurant, Riot noticed the empty corner where Diane had been hiding. 

He scanned the room, his instincts immediately told him something was wrong.

He rushed around, searching for her with his widened eyes. 

"Fuck! Diane, where are you?"

He approached the table where Diane's father sat. 

The older man looked up, his brow furrowed at the sight of Riot.

"What are you looking for?" Diane's father asked, feeling a bit more guarded.

Riot's voice was urgent. "Your daughter. Diane."

The man froze, his fork halfway to his mouth. 

"Diane?" he repeated, whispering. 

Rachel forced the grip on her fork after hearing that name, and forced a smile through gritted teeth. 

He rose to his feet, as if in disbelief. "Diane's alive?"

Riot didn't have time to explain. 

"I'll handle it," he said quickly, turning on his heel and heading for the exit.

Diane's father called after him, "Wait—" but his words were drowned out by the commotion in the restaurant.

"What was he saying?" Rachel pretended. 

"Diane," he murmured, trembling slightly. "She's alive."

Rachel's face hardened instantly. 

She reached for his arm, gripping it tightly.

"We need to go, it seems there's a fight outside."

"It could be my daughter."

 "Don't get distracted. Think about Arthur. Think about his safety."

"But—"

"No buts," Rachel snapped at him in a cold voice. "Arthur needs you. Diane is dead. You know that."

Eventually, he allowed Rachel to pull him away, though his eyes looked at the exit as if willing Diane to appear.

Outside, Riot scanned the area, his chest tightening with every passing second. 

His instincts screamed that Diane was in danger.

He turned toward the car park, quickening his steps. 

The sound of a struggle reached his ears, and he broke into a run.

When he rounded the corner, he saw them. 

Adrian was striking Diane, his hand raised again as she tried to shield herself.

Riot's vision went red.

"Get off her!" he roared, charging forward.

Adrian turned just in time to see Riot's fist flying toward his face. 

The punch landed with a crack, sending Adrian sprawling backward. 

Riot didn't stop. 

He grabbed Adrian by the collar, his rage boiled over as he landed another punch, then another.

"You don't touch her!" Riot shouted. 

Adrian tried to fight back, but Riot's energy was unmatched. 

He pinned Adrian against the car, his fists seemed relentless.

Diane stumbled to her feet, clutching her side as she watched Riot defend her. 

Relief went over her, but her body ached with the pain of Adrian's blows.

Inside the restaurant, security alerted Diane's father to the commotion outside.

"There's a fight in the car park," one of the guards said. "We should move you to safety."

Diane's father hesitated, his instincts pulled him toward the exit. "I want to see what's happening."

Rachel stepped in front of him, her eyes turned icy. 

"No. You're staying here. Think of Arthur. Do you want him caught up in this?"

Her words were enough to keep him in place, though his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

Back outside, Riot landed one final punch before shoving Adrian to the ground.

 "Stay down," he growled in a deadly voice. 

Adrian coughed, blood dripped from his nose, but he didn't move.

Riot turned to Diane, softening as he approached her. "Are you okay?"

Diane nodded weakly, tears streamed down her face. "I… I'm fine."

"You're not fine," Riot said gently, his hand brushed her arm. "Come on. Let's get you out of here."

"My father-"

"There will be more times, Diane. You need medical help."

He looked behind him at Adrian, who seemed to be listening to Riot's command.

"If I ever see you near her again, you won't walk away next time."