Chapter 455 - The end of Cox family (4)

Gunshot that tore the silence was so loud that everyone felt tremor and most of them thought that they were the ones who got shot.

All eyes were on Timothy, his face contorted beyond recognition. Arm that was holding a gun was extended toward Jeff, but more than half of his hand was missing!

Some people looked at Jeff whose gaze was fixed to the roof of the villa. Jeff's whole face was lit up while watching the most beautiful woman in the world. JoAnna was there, holding her TAC-50; a rifle of such a high firepower that it can stop an armored vehicle, and it's usually not used against people, because it's an overkill.

Timothy's screams filled the space. It was horrid to listen to.

BANG!

Another gunshot shook everyone up. Part of Timothy's left leg was missing, just below the knee. He fell to the ground, in slow motion. When he hit the ground, everything was silent again. Timothy fainted.

JoAnna kept the rifle down and leaped over the fence. Jeff held his breath as he watched JoAnna swiftly descend down the façade of the villa like a cat, or maybe a spider, or a monkey… her movements were precise and nimble as she was supporting herself on the downspout and windowsills, only touching them lightly to slow down her otherwise free fall.

JoAnna was never good at martial arts, it never stuck to her. But Stella's persistent training made her extremely agile. Coming down from the roof of a two-story building like that, was a child's play for her.

In few seconds, JoAnna moved from the roof of the villa to one step away from Jeff. She stopped and observed him. "Are you OK?" Her voice came out as a whisper.

It seemed that the whole world was silent. It was so quiet that everyone heard her question.

Jeff responded with a small nod. He was shocked by everything that happened in last minute. He was held at a gunpoint, his beautiful fiancée shoot off a hand and a leg while protecting him, and then he watched her display ninja-like skills to come down the building.

Jeff's shock was cut off when JoAnna leaped in his embrace.

Only when she felt his warmth and heard his heartbeat did JoAnna exhale in relief.

They held each other tightly and tears started pouring down her face.

Few minutes earlier, when she reached the roof and looked down, she saw Jeff standing in front of Timothy who was raging. When Timothy held a gun to Jeff's head, JoAnna thought that she will lose him. Her heart shattered into a million pieces at a thought that Jeff will be gone from her life, and she did the only thing she could. Her body moved on its own and grabbed a rifle which was in the case close by. Her only thought was to hurry up. She can't be late. She needs to act first. She needs to protect the most important person in her life. Faster, faster… FASTER!

First gunshot gave her a relief. The gun was gone from that man's hand. He can't hurt Jeff anymore.

But that bastard is still standing. And she took another shoot. To make sure that despicable man does not stand again. That horrible man who dared to think that he can take Jeff away from her.

She didn't care about any consequences. As long as Jeff is safe, she can take whatever is coming.

Now that she is in his arms, all the fear, anxiety and stress she felt in last few minutes exploded into a river of tears. She sobbed like never before. "I thought I'm going to lose you…", JoAnna said between her sobs.

Jeff tightened his hug. 'So did I…' But he didn't say that aloud. It would only make things worse, and he might cry as well.

He was never so scared in his life. Jeff knew that Timothy will shoot. He felt helpless not knowing how to avoid it. If it was half a year ago, he probably would not care. He never cared about these things such as life or death, it is a circle of life. There is no point resisting when your time comes.

But this time was different. He had so much to lose. He thought how he will not see JoAnna's smile anymore, how he will not feel her touch again. He thought how he will miss their wedding, and the honeymoon, and the rest of their lives. And his heart ached.

Jeff felt like he died few minutes ago… like that first gunshot was for him to take. And now he is living a second life. Life that JoAnna gifted him… because she saved his life. Again.

She saved him in Seattle, in that hospital when she came to check on his IV. She saved him that evening when he found her on the fountain. And that morning when she thanked him for being a gentleman after she ate his breakfast. And that morning when she let him drive her to her apartment. And when she said that she will give him her tomorrow. And when she returned his kiss on top of the Space Needle. And when she told him that she loves him. And when she said that she will move in with him. And when she said that she will marry him… and so many more times.

His heart was dead before he met her. Her every action made him feel more alive. Her every smile made him enjoy life and look forward to tomorrow.

And today, again, she made him appreciate life.

Jeff lowered his head and took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of JoAnna's shampoo. He was happy that he can do that.

Everyone watched in silence as Jeff lifted JoAnna and carried her inside.

Only when the door closed behind Jeff and JoAnna, bodyguards started moving. At first their eyes darted around, then their heads, and then the rest followed. Soon they were talking about God-like abilities of their Young Mistress. No one addressed her as 'Miss Hill' anymore, they all used 'Young Mistress'.

Some were brave enough to express their hope that she can be their Master and teach them some moves.

Oscar listened to these bodyguards and rage swelled inside him. "What Master?! What teachings?!! You should be happy if you still have your jobs tomorrow!" He huffed few times before continuing. "All of you should be ashamed of yourselves! You let the intruder in! With a gun!!! If it's not for my daughter-in-law's actions, he would kill my son! You are all useless!" Oscar paused for few seconds while glaring at bodyguards. "You better prepare yourselves for what is coming, because in half an hour I will start reviewing your performance." He huffed few times and called chief of bodyguards to give him instructions about the cleanup of the mess. When that was done, he went inside.

"What happened? Why is Anna crying?" Elanor rushed to Oscar as soon as he got inside. She saw Jeff carry in JoAnna, but she didn't want to go and ask for details. She could see that they are not in the mood to talk.

Oscar shook his head. "Let's go and review security footage together. I suspect that my eyes played tricks on me. I'm not sure I believe myself what I saw." He ushered Elanor to the security room.