Tangled Love

CHAPTER 124

Tobias' POV -

The front door opens and I hear a groan followed by a loud thump. I frown and grab the knife I keep under my bed before heading for the stairs. I walk across the landing, carefully making sure I don't expose myself to whoever it is downstairs.

The sight that greets me is a living nightmare.

What looked so little like Jake lay by the door, his clothes ripped in several places. Blood pours from his mouth and his face is black and bruised, one eye completely swollen and shut closed. He leans against the wall, using one arm to prop himself up before groaning loudly, hissing in pain.

I shoot down the stairs, taking them two at a time and jump down the last few.

"Jake!" I yell, kneeling down beside him. I gently lift his face and examine his cuts. He groans from the movement and I clench my jaw tightly, reaching for his hands. They're completely fine, no bruises or cuts. That meant Jake never fought back.

He always fought back unless it was Amil.

My body stiffens as I realise he'd been beaten up for what happened earlier tonight. I punch the floor next to me letting some anger out, my eyes widening in fear for Jake.

"Do you need to go to the hospital?" I ask uneasily, knowing if he did, he wouldn't be able to explain this to them. He gingerly shakes his head before closing his one good eye, resting back into the wall. Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

"Emily," he mutters, blood dripping from his mouth and down his chin. He's a bloody mess. . . Literally.

"She's okay, don't speak."

"Ivory! Get down here!" I yell, knowing I need her help. I don't want her to see this but I can't do it alone. She appears at the top of the stairs within seconds, rubbing sleep from her eyes. Once she see's me with a bloody Jake, she screams, slapping her hand over her mouth.

"Ivory darling, this isn't the time. He needs our help." I tell her firmly, motioning for her to come downstairs and help me. She quickly trots down the stairs and kneels in front of Jake, tears forming in her eyes. She's seen Jake messed up before but not this badly.

He's barely alive right now.

She lets out a loud sob, placing a hand on Jake's cheek and I bite the inside of my cheek forcing myself to stay calm.

"Ivory, grab his other arm. On the count of three."

I pick up his left arm, throwing it over my shoulders and Ivory does the same on his other side. My other hand settles on his lower back —

"One, two, three" I say before heaving him up off the floor. He groans loudly, his knees buckling underneath his weight. I grit my teeth tighter as I struggle to carry most of his weight. He's a heavy bastard.

"You okay Ivory?" I ask and I hear her mumbling in agreement, her voice thick with emotion.

"Up the stairs," I instruct and we both shuffle him forwards slowly towards the staircase, leaving a trail of blood behind us.

The second I lie him down on the bed, he closes his eyes and his body becomes heavy with sleep. I check over his pulse and reach for my phone from my pocket. I'm unable to help him this time, he needs professional help.

I scroll through my contacts landing on an old one before ringing. He immediately answers and I fill him in briefly on Jake's condition before ending the call and waiting impatiently for him to arrive, my leg shaking up and down.

Within twenty minutes, there's a soft knock on the front door, getting my attention. I run down the stairs and swung it open, motioning for him to come in.

"It's good to see you Doctor," I say grimly, leading him up the stairs and to Jake's room.

"Likewise Tobias, where is he?"

I push open the door and point at Jake, the lump in my throat lodged firmly in place. It's painful to see the state he's in, I love him like a brother and he doesn't deserve this. I watch the doctor shake his head in shock before he rushes to Jake's side, checking his pulse. He pulls open the rucksack he bought with him and begins pulling out the medical equipment he needs.

I watch silently as he cleans, stitches and bandages him for the next two hours, occasionally taking a break for a cup of strongly brewed tea.