Chapter 35: In Which They Are Stranded

"Isla get down!" Alexander shouted revving the engine of the car up while pushing Isla's head down with one hand so that she was completely covered.

There were five black SUVs behind them and they were constantly shooting at their car which even though the car was bulletproof, was already compromised a lot and it was only a matter of time that those machine guns got a good aim at their tires.

"Who are they?!" Isla asked scared out of her wits as she hid as best as she could under the glove compartment.

"Probably the Campbell men, they likely followed us" Alexander answered.

A bullet knocked off the side mirror of Alexander's side and within moments there were two heavy bikes that he had failed to notice before on either side of the car.

"Don't move from your place no matter what" Alexander said as he swerved the car to the side, knocking down the biker on their right side who was aiming at them.

He was fiercely outnumbered and the chances of escaping looked bleak.

It was no surprise that the biker who was still steady on Isla's side got a good shot at the front tires of their car making Alexander almost lose control but he gained it back though only temporarily, just enough to safely stop the car.

The car took a spin due to the friction and swerved Causing Isla to scream out. It was as if she could see death until the breaks finally did their work and the car halted horizontally.

Alexander didn't waste the mere seconds they had to get out of the car before the Campbell men caught up to them.

He hastily threw open the car door to his side and got out before quickly pulling Isla out by her arms roughly from his side as well considering her side wasn't an option as all the bullets were landing there.

He took out his revolver from the holster and shoved Isla completely behind him to the point that she almost wasn't visible.

"what are we gonna do, they are approaching pretty fast Alex" She let out fisting the back of his coat.

"I know baby, that's why we're gonna make a run into those woods on my count" Alexander said.his eyes darting to the distance between the approaching cars and the woods.

"Alright. On three. One, two, three!" he pulled her to his side and ran like hell and so did Isla.

Gunshots went by either side of them but they didn't stop, instead picked up the pace.

There was a loud ground shaking blast heard which only momentarily made the two look back over their shoulders to see their car exploded into five and ash. The bullets must have gotten to the petrol tank, it was good they got out and away from the car when they did.

They were followed by the Campbell men deep into the woods unit Alexander made Isla climb a tree and hide in its lushness while he took his place hiding behind a big bush with his gun pointed ahead because if he hid in the tree as well, it would give away Isla's location as well considering his size.

They were pretty deep into the woods by now and the footsteps of the men seemed pretty distant as they were well hidden.

Alexander occasionally only looked up to where Isla was hidden while both of them were quiet as a mouse.

They waited it out for quite a long time tie there were no footsteps heard even in the distance and it was past noon.

"Do you think they are gone?" Isla finally broke the silence, still only whispering from the tree.

"I think so... stay here, I am gonna go have a look around just to make sure" he said.

"No no no please don't go ! what if they are still out there and you get caught" she fussed trying to get down in order to stop him but that would be hard without assistance.

"Hey hey hey don't try getting down right now especially not on your own and I am just gonna go check, I'll keep very quiet and I'll stick to the bushes. Someone has to go check, we can't stay here forever" Alexander reassured.

"Alright" she said unsurely but she knew he was right. They had to get out of here at some point.

She watched Alexander move away along the bushes till he was no longer visible but she still kept her eyes to where he had disappeared off to.


After a while which felt like an eternity to Isla, Alexander returned, his coat swing over his shoulder, and sweat was visible through his white shirt even though it was very cold.

She let loose a sigh of relief at the sight of him as he approached her.

"They left, at least for now" he announced and she nodded thankfully.

"Help me down please" she said trying to reach the nearest branch.

"Wait, let me get up there and yet you down" he said and she patiently waited as he made his way up.

He helped her to the lower branch before wrapping one arm around her waist, lifting her and jumping down with ease.

"I need to get me some of that army training too" she mumbled making him chuckle as he placed a kiss to the top of her head.

"Do you have your phone on you?" he asked and she shook her head.

"I left it in the car" she said.

"Damn it, so did I" he caused letting out a frustrated sigh.

Isla didn't know what to do or say as she looked around. A breeze pared over making her shiver considering she was still in her black dress which was obviously not suitable for being in the woods.

Alexander draped his coat over her and she put her arms through the sleeves, holding it close.

"Better?" he asked and she nodded with a sweet smile.

Even though, they were in a distressed situation She felt calm, only because She knew he was with her.

"Come on let's see if we can find some place better to camp out before sundown and possibly find a way to contact your dad" Alexander said and the started walking further into the woods considering it wouldn't be a smart choice to walk road side losing for a lift on the mostly empty road where barely any cars would pass, that too, at the risk of being discovered by the Campbell men.

They walked and walked and walked. Isla's feet were very sore as hell in those heels but she didn't Let out a peep about it because she knew that if she complained, Alexander would insist on carrying her. She didn't want to further burden him considering the terrain was rough enough.

Isla climbed up on a steady rock and stopped for a moment to take a breather, She rolled her shoulders back and that's when her eyes landed on a small cottage peeking from behind the trees at a distance.

"oh oh Alex!" she excitedly turned around, her foot slipping off the rock but she quickly steadied herself by taking a hold of Alexander's shoulder who instantly wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Careful Isla, your clumsiness knows no bounds doll" he said his brows furrowed in concern, the last thing he wanted was for her to hurt herself again so he decided to hold her hand tight and not let go of it.

"Sorry sorry, but look there is a little cottage house thingy over there, let's go" she said pointing in the direction of that cottage.

"That's great, maybe they have a phone or something there too" Alexander started walking in the direction of the cottage holding onto Isla's hand firmly.

Soon enough they were at the doorsteps of the cottage house and Alexander looked through the windows while Isla knocked.

"I don't think there is anyone inside" Isla said after a few moments when nobody came to get the door and Alexander agreed.

"I don't see anyone either, Let's try opening the door" with that said, Isla turned the mob but it didn't budge.

"I think it's locked "she told him.

"Alright, let's look for a key, if we can't find one, I'll break it down" Alexander said and they started looking.

They didn't have to look too long considering Alexander found it hanging with the wind chimes, almost camouflaged.

They stepped inside and Isla didn't waste a second before slumping down on the couch and letting out a sigh of relief before taking off her heels while Alexander got to work on looking for a phone.

To their luck there was a landline in the cottage and even though the line wasn't very clear it would have to do.

Alexander went to ask Isla for her father's cell number since he didn't remember it by least, he could only hope Isla did.

"Hey Umm... do you remember your father's number ?" he asked entering the living room where Isla sat rubbing her feet to soothe them.

"yea it's... " before she could complete Alexander interrupted him.

"Isla why didn't you say anything, look at the state of your feet" he said, worry etching his features as he looked at her skinned
and blistered feet.

"Don't worry, the redness will go down and the soreness is already going away with some rest" Isla reassured but Alexander still rubbed her feet which honestly felt great.

"You should have said something love" he said, shaking his head in disapproval.

"About that number" She gave him the contact and Alexander went as far as to kiss her foot lightly before getting up and going to the phone.

Alexander had to try again and again and wait a long time before the phone work and Richard Gambino finally received it.

"It's Alexander here sir... " before he could say more Richard interrupted.

"Is Isla safe?" he asked.

"Yes she is safe but we were ambushed on the way back and we're stranded in the woods "Alexander tried to explain in as few words as possible since the line was shitty.

"Give me your location, I'll be sending a helicopter, it will arrive late at night it will take you to Sambara, it's my private Island, you'll have lodgings there temporarily. The Campbells are on a revenge spree for breaking into their estate so the Gambino estate is under attack. I need time to handle the situation at least Isla isn't here, she is my heir for everything I own, your priority is to keep her safe till I get this situation in control and I'll get you guys back when it is" Richard explained the situation.

Alexander gave him a rough location of where they were, his army training helped with the longitude and latitude.




"So all of a sudden we're going for a vacation at a private Island, this is one crazy day" Isla said, exasperated when Alexander told her the whole situation.

"Yea, and thankfully this one will be without that sleazy bastard Jameson" Alexander said, he felt happy.

"Okay, now I am excited... and hungry " Isla said as her stomach grumbled. The hike had made her really took a toll on her stomach.

"Right, let see what we can find in the cabinets cause I don't think you'll be able to stomach a roasted rabbit" he joked and chuckled as Isla made a face at even the thought of it.

They both went through cabinet and drawers which were mostly empty or filled with scrap but in the end, they came up with a can of ravioli and beans along with a single plate and a spoon.

"Ravioli and bean it is they, but there is no gas on the stove, how are we going to cook them?"Isla pointed out.

"Don't worry I have a lighter, we can light up wood" he said.

"why do you have a lighter? do you smoke?"She asked.

"well... sometimes" he admitted scratching the back of his neck as she frowned.

"Okay... do you think you can quit soon?" she asked unsurely.

"I certainly can sweetheart, I only occasionally smoke" he gave her a smile which she returned.

"Thank you" she said, giving him a hug around his torso which he returned wholeheartedly bringing her thick against him.



It was pitch dark outside by and even inside the cottage the bulbs had given out and if it wasn't for the kerosine lamp they had found, they would be sitting in pitch dark instead of partially dark like now.

Isla had huddled close to him, curling up on his lap due to the old and the wolves howling, she held onto him tight and Alexander kept her close too as he felt her shivering but didn't say anything.

"You good?" he asked and she only gave a slight nod, he didn't pester her further but soon enough the sound of a chopper could be heard pretty clear.

"I think our ride's here " Isla said her first few words in a while.

"I think so too, let's go" Alexander said getting up off the couch with her and setting her down on her feet wrapping his coat tightly around her.

He picked up the kerosine lamp before guiding her out. He had his revolver on the other hand so Isla held onto his shirt instead as they walked towards the awaiting cropper that could be seen at a distance.

Once they were close enough, one of the Gambino men met up with them halfway and guided them to the noisy chopper that had Isla's hair going haywire.

Alexander held her up by the waist, getting her up into the copper before getting in himself as well. He put on the car muffs on her and himself as well before they took off.

Isla had decided that choppers sucked.