CHAPTER 34

Easily avoiding the shots effortlessly, he kneeled and opened the passenger side door and using it to shield his body. He lifted his steady arm and closed his eye as he aimed and fired shot after shot. He had outstanding marksmanship and would never waste any shot. The dark night sky only made it easier for Dean, he wouldn't miss a target whereas these men were sloppy with their aim.

One, two, three the men dropped quickly to the tarmac, their bodies lay limp and blood pooled onto the ground. Dean couldn't ease up just yet, if he was alone he would rush out but he had April with him and he didnt want any mistakes when it came to her safety.

The men hadn't expected Dean to return fire so rapidly. They had him pinned, alone and hoped he was unarmed, they expected he would be a simple mark.

But Dean had taken down half of the men now and the other half had taken cover in their Alligator SUV and the ditch beside them. For Dean, this wasn't the first time someone had tried to end his life and it wouldn't be the last. If you had power, influence or money you became a target for others greed. The men hid in the long grass now covered in mud waiting for a chance to fight back.

April got out of the car and hurried around to the bonnet, there was now smoke coming from the car, it was hard to see in the dark. She knew she needed to get the car going again so they could flee. She hoisted the bonnet of the car and the intense heat of the car bonnet slightly burnt her hands.

"This... aghh". Her hands throbbed, but she ignored it and rushed to open the bonnet.

She shook her hands that stung slightly and looked at the engine. Fanning the smoke away she noticed it looked like they had flooded the engine leading to a clogged fuel filter. They would need a replacement filter and they hadn't got the time or the resources for her to fix it.

April knew that Michael was on his way they just needed to buy some time.

She heard a noise and turned her head to the side only to see one of the men that had been hiding in the tall grass verge that they had skidded into emerge and rush up from behind the car.

She glanced at Dean, he now stood tall keeping the other men at bay by shooting at them. His tall stature would make many tremble in fear. She did not know why these men had attacked them but she was sure any that survived the shootout, their end would be lengthy and agonizing.

Bang... Bang... Bang...

Dean didn't see the man as he rushed towards him from the tall grass with his gun drawn and pointed straight at him.

April had no time to think, she saw red, she hurried to Dean and pulled him back with as much force as she could gather. Her adrenaline allowed her the strength to pull Dean back instantly and she stood in front of him.

Bang...

April felt the intense heat and burn as she was hit. Her legs wobbled but her inner strength kept her standing. She continued to stand tall, arms spread protecting his body with her own, she felt the need to protect Dean.

Dean looked up and couldn't believe his angel had pulled him down so easily and he had ended up on the ground astounded as he looked up in disbelief as she stood in front of him, protecting him with her arms spread open.

Hearing the bang Dean finally had discerned why she had rushed up and protected him so fiercely. A man had managed to seek up on him. He watched in horror as April took the bullet intended for him and as she wobbled on her feet.

Bang...

Dean was livid he stood straight and tall, with furious intent and shot the man who had dared to sneak upon him. It was a head shot and the man fell to the ground as blood trickled from his head.

Bang... Bang... Bang...

April's head was foggy but she saw a car and hoped that it was Micheal. There was also another two cars behind coming towards them. She sighed with relief and felt a weight lifted off her chest. She started to feel woozy and spots appeared in front of her eyes.

Dean pulled her towards his chest and cradled her in his strong warm arms. She felt a chill and the cold spread on her body. Their car was still under fire and Dean pulled April back inside. He held her in his arms she was so fearless and so brave to protect him, he was proud of her. He heard a trembling voice and glanced down.

"Are you hurt?" April reached up and held his face, stroking it softly. He had dried blood on his temple from earlier.

"Hmm." He smiled down at her warmly.

With that being his only response she looked up at Dean, he had blood on his left arm that hugged her, she frowned. She couldn't see any major signs of trauma so she took a deep breath and then relaxed. As long as he was safe she thought.

Dean looked at his beautiful April her skin was paler than usual and her lips now even redder against her ivory skin. As she started to shiver he held her closer, hoping to warm her body.

April smiled up at Dean before closing her eyes to the darkness. She tried to stay awake, tried to give him some words of reassurance but she hadn't the strength or energy.

Dean panicked, his eyes widened when he saw her eyes close slowly, her body then gradually went limp in his arms. His jaw tightened and he held her as despair and anger filled his body.

_____

It seemed to be an eternity before one of the red lights dimmed. Micheal, Casey and Oliver stood just outside the door waiting quietly. Suddenly the door opened and Dean's body was wheeled out by a team of nurses heading towards a private room.

"Doc?" Oliver approached the Doctor that followed behind Dean's bed.

"Mr Davis will make a full recovery, don't worry. He will be awake up in a few hours. He hasn't lost a lot of blood and he has no internal injuries. Your friend is a lucky man. Now excuse me I'll go see the young girl that came in with him." The Doctor excused himself and walked towards the door next to Dean"s.

All three men heaved a sigh of relief that Dean was okay now they just to wait on news from April.

Hours later in a large private room, Dean lay unconscious on the hospital bed. Oliver stood beside his bed quietly waiting for his boss to wake up. Casey entered the room and stood beside Oliver, he was just next door with Micheal his lover and April.

Beep... Beep... Beep...

The harsh beeping noise woke Dean, the bright light streamed into his eyes from the above fluorescent light and blinded his sight. He could smell the disinfectant and feel the cold firm sheets below him. He grunted as he sat up, his body was stiff, he looked at the two men who looked back at him with pity. A realisation hit him and he looked around the room.... where was his angel?

"Where is she?" Fear and anxiety filled his heart again. He remembered not wanting to part with her after he had anxiously held her during the long car journey to the hospital then carrying her limp body into the hospital.

Dean's low voice was lethal and his glare was intense. Dean had a bandage wrapped around the wound on his head and one on around his arm, he now wore a crisp white shirt.

His best friend Casey was fearful and so he pushed Oliver's body forward. Oliver coughed and stood in front of his venomous boss. He was quiet for a moment before he gathered the courage to face his boss.

They all had felt guilty for not being there, regretful for leaving them and angry at the whole situation.

"April is in the room next to yours. She is not long out of surgery. Boss, you were very lucky this time, you have to put your safety first.." Oliver had always wanted Dean to put his safety first and have some protection but Dean had always refused.

"I don't give a sh*t about myself." Dean spat out at his friend and Secretary.

At that moment the Doctor walked into the private room, he had treated many powerful people over the years and so he wasn't afraid of Dean's behaviour but today it made him take a step back. Clearing his throat he interrupted Dean and Oliver's conversation, he wanted to give his report and leave quickly.

"Mr Davis you seem to have an angel that wanted to save you this evening. I hope you cherish her. You are free to leave whenever you feel you are ready." Dean was cleared by the Doctor's.

She was his angel sent to protect him. Anger then surged his body. How badly was she hurt? He began to get up but Oliver put his arm on his to stop him. He sat back down and leaned back against the pillows.

"Report." Dean wanted to go to April but he knew his friend would only stop him if he had a valid reason.

Oliver stepped forward again and the Doctor left the private room quickly. This information was classified and he didn't need to hear the details nor did he want to.

"Boss we have thoroughly investigated the matter and it was your uncle's men. We collected the bodies of six of his men and managed to apprehend one alive, he is in a warehouse now awaiting your orders. One did escape through, so your uncle will know his plan went awry. Your uncle was very thorough this time and had followed you this evening." Oliver finished speaking and stepped back to await Deans orders.

Dean nodded his head, this was going to get very bloody and messy. His uncle's greed killed him in his last life and he couldn't let that happen again, especially since he had April.

His uncle was older and not in great health and he had hidden away making allies to take over the Davis empire but Deans grandfather knew he was lazy and although he wanted the money and influence he had no business acumen to lead a company.

"He has bought off a few of our investors and directors, he will try it again... If he asks one of you two to betray me.." Dean asked knowing the answer already.

"Boss that would never happen." Oliver voiced out quickly.

"I would never betray you, Dean." Casey saw through his friend and answered calmly.

Both men were extremely loyal to him and now April. They would never betray his trust they would rather hurt themselves than their boss and friend. That was why Dean needed them now, he smiled, "Do it."

"Do what?" Casey asked he was confused but Oliver had already understood his boss's thoughts.

"If my uncle approaches you do whatever he says. He will probably try to lure me to him rather than come out into the light himself. This is the only way to end this game." Dean said as he moved again and groaned as he tried to get out of bed.

"What if he uses April... it's the best way to get back at you. It could be a good way to bait him out." Oliver suggested before his rational brain could think and he regretted voicing out what would be a good strategy but too risky a sacrifice.

"NO," Dean shouted furious with the mere thought, he stood up and walked out of the private room to find his April.