Matteo’s brows furrowed, and a brief look of dismay entered his eyes.
"What do you an?" Alia asked in horror. "He fell into the water― if Caleb was found, then Aiden must still be sowhere around there! We didn’t see him surface."
"Miss Kentwood..." The coast guard looked apologetically at her.
Alia’s blood ran cold. "What are you not telling ?" she demanded weakly.
"The winds are strong tonight. There’s a chance the currents might have swept him away," the coast guard replied.
Alia imdiately felt faint.
"But rest assured, we will have n posted around to search all ’round the clock. If there are any developnts, we will inform you."
"Please do," Matteo said from behind her, though in Alia’s ears, his voice sounded fuzzy.
There was a strange ringing in the air that quickly dulled out his words. Alia stared at her feet, her vision swaying along with the gentle rocking of the boat. She could faintly make out the purr of the engine in the background, but it did nothing to pull her out of her thoughts.
"―lia? Alia?"
Her gaze snapped up and looked at Matteo before looking around, realizing that the coast guard and the second speedboat was already gone.
"Are you alright?" Matteo asked, worried. He gently combed a section of her hair back behind her ear. It was only then that she realized how disheveled her hair really was.
"No," she said honestly.
Matteo shrugged off his jacket before placing it over Alia’s shoulders. It slled just like him and right off the bat, she was enveloped by his warmth.
"Let’s head back," he said. "We need to get you sowhere safe―"
"What about Aiden?" Alia suddenly asked, grabbing his sleeve right as Matteo made his way to the console. "We can’t just leave him!"
"There’s nothing we can do other than wait," Matteo gravely said.
Alia’s gaze traveled down to his clenched fists. Instantly, she bit her bottom lip and kept her mouth shut. She was worried for Aiden’s safety, that was true. But she had forgotten — or wrongly assud — that she was the only one.
This was Matteo’s brother. Even if they hadn’t had the best relationship earlier on, Alia witnessed how the dynamics between them had changed in recent weeks. Matteo would surely be worried sick as well about Aiden’s disappearance, just as much as Alia, if not more.
She silently nodded, not saying another word. Matteo led her to the seats and sat her down firmly before taking control of the speedboat. He expertly navigated them back to shore where Michael Kentwood was anxiously waiting.
The older man paced back and forth, practically wearing the old wood thin with his footsteps. Police officers and dical personnel stood at the back on guard― so were keeping an eye out for Michael while others tended to the arrested rcenaries. Caleb Walton was already nowhere to be seen.
"Dad!"
Alia lit up when she spotted her father safe and sound. Likewise, Michael Kentwood’s eyes regained their light when he caught sight of Alia, waving frantically. The mont Matteo docked, she all but dashed off the boat, jumping into her father’s arms.
"Millie!" Michael Kentwood sobbed out in relief, tears rushing from his eyes. Alia could sll the salty seawater lingering on his clothes. The fabric was still wet, even with the towel that was over his shoulders. But none of that mattered now that his daughter was back with him. "You had worried sick!"
"I could say the sa!" Alia cried. "Do you need to go to the hospital? Dad, I think you should go to the hospital, that man hit you so hard―"
Michael Kentwood let out a shuddery sigh. "It’s nothing I can’t handle. Knowing that you’re safe and well is enough for . I just need a good night’s sleep―" Then his chest heaved, and he began to cough.
Curse this old body of his; the stress of the kidnapping, paired with his sudden cold bath and the blustery sea breeze was simply too much for him to handle. His lungs were threatening to cave in.
"Dad! We’re going to the hospital right now!" Alia declared with no room for argunt, panic coloring her tone as she quickly rubbed her father’s back. The paradics had given him a shock blanket and treated his superficial wounds, but her father was still in wet clothes.
"Both of you should go for a check-up," Matteo said simply.
Thankfully, the police officers had the foresight to call for an ambulance the mont they found out that Michael Kentwood had been thrown off the pier, so that he could get prompt dical treatnt, but it was still better for him to get checked over by an entire team of doctors.
He imdiately ushered both father and daughter to the nearest hospital. While he wanted nothing more than to follow them, Alia held out a hand to stop him.
"It’s okay Matteo, we can take it from here. I’d rather you stay here and help in search for Aiden," Alia said worriedly. "I’m afraid the police might not do a thorough job if you aren’t there."
Matteo could only agree. "Call when you arrive at the hospital. Call when you’re done with the checkup as well."
Alia nodded, and the ambulance sped off, the bright sirens lighting the dark path.
***
"I’d advise you to stay a few days for observation," Doctor Michelle said as she stared down at Alia Kentwood. "While there seems to be no lasting damage to the fetus, you have undergone a huge ordeal and that might manifest in spotting. There are officers outside who wish to speak to you, but if you’re not feeling up to it, I’ll get them to leave."
"No, it’s fine," Alia said. She doubted she could sleep with the night’s events rattling in her mind. It would be better to inform the officers, while the mories were clear. "What about my father?"
Her father had been sent to another doctor for examination. Doctor Michelle typed a few words into her computer and inford Alia.
"He also requires hospitalization for possible pneumonia," she said. "I’ll have the hospital arrange your wards to be near each other."
"Thank you," Alia said, relieved. "I’ll go and speak to the officers now."
True enough, there were two police officers waiting in uniform for her outside. When they saw that she ca out, they sprang to attention and imdiately showed her their badges.
"Miss Kentwood, we’re from the Sol City Police Departnt. May we speak to you about Caleb Walton?"
"Sure," Alia said, but before they could even begin, there was the sound of thundering footsteps.
"Hold it right there!"
Alia turned her head, only to see Will Walton charge towards her like a rampaging bull.
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