Human Nature (Book 4): Human Nature IV by Borthwick, Finlay (book recommendations website .TXT) 📗

and help Rubin, Valorie held him back, for she had realised a certain something that he had not; Nikola was conveniently missing from the vicinity.

The other man had now descended from the roof and was approaching his comrade at the same time that she had hit Rubin with her revolver.

“Alright, Donna, take it easy.” The man gestured for her to lower the handgun.

“Why should I, Nolan? They killed Benji!” Donna clenched her teeth as she reminded Nolan of this fact with great anger. “If we take this one out, the score’s even!”

“Oh, but we don’t want to be even, do we?” Nolan murmured to her. “Euan’s got a plan, remember?” He tried to calm her.

As Rubin continued to cradle his head, he noticed something else coming out of the alleyway from which Donna recently had. Whatever it was, it had just made him smile lightly.

“Euan this, Euan that—It’s all about what Euan wants, isn’t it?” Donna refuted. “How about what Kyle would’ve done?” It was clear that The Neo-Bandits had idolised their deceased leader.

Nolan grinned brutally, “Kyle would be proud of Euan’s plan; Benji’s death was only the beginning. They took one of ours, and now, we have a reason to take all of them.” He tried to subtly remind her of what Euan’s plan actually was, whilst also trying to avoid being overheard by Rubin.

‘CLICK!’

“That’s a nice little plan you’re talking about there.” Nikola taunted Nolan and Donna as she approached them with her Glock 17. “Mind sharing it with the rest of us?”

As Donna turned her revolver on Nikola, she felt the tip of a knife pressed against the side of her neck.

“Don’t even think about it.” Valorie advised her in a threatening whisper.

“Nor you, old man.” Kieran approached Nolan from behind, aiming his own pistol at the back of his new nemesis’ head.

Nolan sighed, “You win this round…” Conceding, he dropped his rifle on the ground.

Rubin stretched over and grabbed the rifle by its’ barrel, pulling it along the ground and into his own reach.

But Donna still had her revolver up.

“Just do as they say, Donna. We’re still in control here, alright?” Nolan counselled her rationally.

Complying, but also while rolling her eyes, Donna dropped her revolver and raised her hands above her head, still feeling the sharp tip of Valorie’s knife against her neck.

“Now then,” Kieran breathed a sigh of relief, “Let’s not waste any more time—Take us to Euan…” Purely from eavesdropping on Nolan and Donna’s conversation, Kieran had quickly deduced that Euan was the leader of this rival group.

Following Alek’s surgery, Emile was desperately pacing around outside of the operating theatre.

Then, the door opened, as Erica slowly stepped out from it.

“Don’t beat around the bush, Erica. Please, just tell me, is he gonna be okay?” Emile asked with a racing heart; if it were pumping any faster, it would likely explode.

Looking up from the ground, Erica revealed the warm smile on her face. “Yes,” she nodded, pleased to be the bearer of good news for once, “As long as he takes his antibiotics, Alek’s gonna be just fine.”

Emile exhaled a huge sigh of relief, “Thank you, Erica. Thank you so much.”

“Well,” Erica snickered, “I couldn’t have done it without the help of my little apprentice there.” She nodded towards Cora, who was noting down Alek’s vital signs, through the window in the door.

“Thank her for me as well, won’t you?” Emile requested.

“Of course.” Erica was glad to do this for him as she went back into the room.

Everything was quiet in the hallway for several seconds, until, “I bet a part of you wanted him to die.” Adela appeared from around the corner and goaded Emile.

Emile was disgusted by her comment, “He’s my fiancé! How dare you say such a thing!”

Adela laughed right back at him, “Your fiancé whom you cheated on, you mean?”

Emile’s face quickly dipped into a mixture of anger and guilt.

“Let me tell you something,” Adela warned him as she made her approach, “When Alek finds out the truth, which he will one day, which one of us do you think he’s gonna kill first?”

Emile fobbed her off, “Whatever, Adela. I know Alek. He wouldn’t kill either of us, so you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

Adela smirked, “It’s not myself that I’m worried about…”

Realising what she meant by this, Emile was once again disgusted by Adela, “You’re just being ridiculous now! Seriously? Alek wouldn’t harm me. You’re an idiot if you think anything to the contrary.” He shook his head dismissively.

Adela pouted at him, “Or maybe the real idiot is the one who thinks he can lie to the man he’s about to marry for the rest of his life…”

Emile clenched his fists in guilt, “I’m going to tell him, okay? Just—Just not soon.”

She laughed and threw her head back, enjoying having mental control over her baby’s father, “So when, Emile? When will you tell him?”

Emile snapped at her, “When it doesn’t matter!” He yelled at her, his voice echoing out down the hallway as he did so.

Both Adela and Emile looked through the door window with concern, but fortunately, neither Erica nor Cora had just heard this outburst.

“It will always matter, Emile.” Adela gravely informed him, as she turned around and walked away.

The further away from him Adela went, the more Emile’s expression changed from anger to fear and dismay.

Chapter 14: What’s What

The new arrivals – Rajan and his group – had been escorted into the hotel restaurant by Annabelle, Mac, and Dawn in order to be questioned on what exactly they knew about The Bandits in front of Elliot and Gwen as well.

“Garry said that they’re ruthless,” Rajan revealed whilst he had many eager eyes on him, “They believe that the streets out there are