Klaus
We arrive at the hideout, my men had seen Zuriel earlier. I grab Aurora's hand, leading her inside.
"Will I find my son here?" She croaks.
"Let's just hope we find him here," I break through the front door.
Something tells me he isn't here, but I have to keep looking. I can't bear the thought of crushing Aurora's spirit.
My phone rings at that moment, and I waste no time in answering the call. It's from Razor, one of the goons I hired to help me find Raphael.
"Hello? Any news?"
"We have retrieved the boy. The coward had left him to die in a valley."
I chuckle softly, gripping my phone, "Thank you man. Text me the location, and we'll be there soon. Beside, where has Zuriel gone to?"
"He has already slipped away. We couldn't find him because we were after the kid, but we'll keep looking, don't worry about it."
"I promise to double your pay. You've done a wonderful job."
"Thank you, boss."
I hang up, a grin creeping onto my face.
"Who was that? The police?" She grabs my arms, her eyes searching for an answer.
"Don't beat yourself up anymore. We've found him," I pat her head.
She shrieks, covering her mouth with her hands.
"Where is he?"
I just take a hold of her wrist, leading her outside, "Somewhere."
"What do you—"
"I already have information on where he is. I got a call–"
"From the police?" She wraps a hand around my arm.
The police is just for the surface, tch.
"Uhh.. well, a.. friend of mine was also helping, and fortunately, he found him first," I lie, rubbing my neck.
Aurora stares back at me suspiciously, squinting her eyes as if trying to break through my soul for answers.
"Okay, we better hurry then," She spins around, heading for the door.
'You have to be more careful Klaus, we can't have you slipping around her,' I scold myself.
I hurry to meet Aurora outside. Getting into the car, I curse under my breath.
Zuriel is already causing so much trouble. Had he not been my brother, I would have taken care of him a long time ago.
"Is something wrong?" She glances at me.
I shake my head, igniting the engine, "We have to get your son. There's nothing wrong."
"Thank you, Klaus, thank you so much," she reaches out to hold my free hand, "I promise to pay you back someday."
"I would appreciate it if you loved me instead," I mumble.
"Excuse me?"
I pat her head, "Okay, enough talking. I have to concentrate, alright?"
She nods, and rests back in her seat.
***
We arrive at the scene where Raphael is supposed to be. I spot my men standing at a corner, trying to pacify the crying child.
"Found him," a small smile creeps onto my face.
"Raphael!" Aurora bolts out of the car, running towards them.
I watch as Razor sets him down on the ground, and he runs to hug his mother. Aurora falls to her knees, embracing the boy so tight I fear for a split second she might break his ribs.
She wraps her arms around him, sobbing.
My hand tightens on the steering wheel. I can't bear to see her that way. I just want her to be happy always, and I don't mind eliminating a few obstacles to see her that way.
Razor walks up to my car, leaning against it, "Ha, told you it wouldn't take so long for us to find where he was."
I lean back in my seat, "Find Zuriel, and bring him to me. He shouldn't have gone very far," I dip my hand into my pocket, and bring out a debit card.
"Take that. When I've settled down, I'll reach out to you."
He nods, "Yes boss."
"Now, leave from here before the police get here. I don't want any drama," I rub my forehead.
He moves away, signaling the rest of them to leave with him.
"Fuck," I sigh deeply.
I whip my head to the side to see Aurora still entangled with Raphael.
I finally get out of the car, heading towards them.
"I'm glad you're safe, Raphael," I clear my throat.
He looks up at me with a puffy face, and teary eyes.
"Come here, boy," I stoop to my knees.
Aurora lets him go, and he comes closer, still sniffling.
"Now listen to me carefully," I place my hands on his shoulders, "Not everyone has your best interest at heart, and not every man who comes up to you claiming he's your father, really is."
"I am your father now, understand?"
He nods.
"And one last thing. You don't call your mother a liar, alright? She has your best interest at heart, so don't you dare be rude to her ever again," I give him a stern look.
He nods again, wiping his face.
"Now apologize to her."
He slowly spins around, facing his mother, "I'm sorry, Mommy. I won't be a bad kid ever again," he swallows loudly.
Aurora scoops him into her arms, "That's okay honey, I'm glad you're safe now. Although I'm still going to have to punish you for what you did today."
I get to my feet, "We should leave then. I'll inform the police that we've found him, and try to avoid an interrogation too," I hiss, walking back to the car.
"Why are we avoiding an interrogation?" She runs up behind me.
"Raphael can't go through all that. As you can see, he's still traumatized," I place him at the back of the car, strapping his seatbelt.
"But the police–" she tries to protest.
I cup her face, "We've found Raphael, right? There's nothing else the police can do. My friends already did that for them," I flash her a forced a smile.
She exhales deeply, releasing herself from my grip, "Alright then, but I want to find Zuriel and teach that bastard a lesson."
My insides tickle themselves at her words. A genuine smile finds its way to my lips.
"Of course. I'll make sure of that."