CHAPTER 137
SEBASTIAN’S POV
I couldn’t believe I was heading back to the castle without making any progress. When I told Brianna of this plan, she doubted the effectiveness of it. But I assured her it would work. I assured her taking the matter to the association was the only way to get Hermes off her life for good, that is if I didn’t kill him myself. But now I have nothing. I was so pissed. What do I tell her?
The only way I could get that letter back is if Hermes wrote another one which wasn’t possible. I didn’t even tell the executive committee members I tore it. They’ll find that puzzling.
The only way to go about this now is to request they summon Hermes and make him admit to sending that letter and writing all that nonsense. Though that seemed like a good idea. The only option left. But Hermes will probably lie. That’ll make me look stupid in front of the executive committee members and give them every reason to believe I was plotting against him. So that won’t work.
Goodness…what do I do now? Time is running out and Brianna is counting on me. I must come up with something real quick. I can’t let her down. I’ll never let her down.
We arrived at the castle but hadn’t entered the compound when Khan, my driver and right-hand man, suddenly hit the brakes, bringing the car to an abrupt stop. As I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, I lurched forward and slammed back against the seat from the impact.
“What the hell is your problem, Khan?” I snapped at him in alarm and anger. “Have you suddenly lost it too?…. Why stop like that when we haven’t even made it into the castle?”
“I’m sorry, boss,” he apologized, not turning to meet my gaze or look into the rearview mirror as his attention was focused forward. He looked like he’d seen an alien ship. “But something is not right…”
I followed his gaze forward and noticed the gate was already open with no security guards in sight. Normally, they were supposed to be there, stationed at their posts and checking for people and vehicles coming in unless I stated otherwise, which I never did. The atmosphere was also unusually quiet as though no one had been here for long.
My brows furrowed deeply as I opened the door and stepped out of the car. Khan did the same.
“What happened here?” I asked myself in a low voice as we cautiously entered the compound. The next thing we saw left our jaws dropping to the floor, my blood running cold as goosebumps spread all over my skin.
The entire environment was drenched in blood, lifeless bodies of the security dogs, my security guards, and the rest of my guards scattered all over.
I had never seen this much blood and carnage before. My heart slammed uncontrollably in my chest and my head reeled with the thought of what could have happened. Everything and everyone was okay when I left in the morning. I had only been away for not more than six hours because the headquarters was far away. In another kingdom. How could all these have happened within that short time?
“These are all bullet wounds,” Khan said, rising after examining one of the security guards’ bodies. “We were targeted by someone who knew you’d be away. I think we’re being watched.”
I swallowed a lump that formed at the back of my throat. Before I could make meaning of what he said “Brianna!” suddenly slipped out of my mouth as I raced into the castle.
Khan chased after me, calling and trying to stop me. “Boss, please wait! You can’t go in yet. We don’t know how dangerous the situation is…”
But I didn’t give him a listening ear. My head was spinning and I was desperate to get to my love.
The sight inside the castle was even more devastating. The walls, floor and furniture were all painted in crimson blood, dead bodies of my maids and some of my guards lying helplessly around in the pool of their blood.
Horror filled me as I wept silently in anguish. What the hell is happening? Not thinking straight, I ran upstairs, desperate to see Brianna. Desperate to know she and my unborn children were okay.
Khan continued chasing after me, stopping me to no avail. I was like a man possessed. A beast baulked off its prey.
The door to our bedroom was ajar. As I got in, my eyes darted around for Brianna but couldn’t find her. The whole place was a mess with furniture overturned and our belongings scattered everywhere.
“Fuck!” I seethed as I ran into the bathroom but she wasn’t there. I checked the balcony, the small storage room, under the bed, and the wardrobe just in case she might be hiding for safety there but she was nowhere to be found.
My world came crumbling as panic like never before welled up in my chest. I raked my hair to a mess with my fingers, pulling hard on it, the pain searing in my scalp, but I was oblivious to it. I felt so clueless. So helpless. I’d never felt so helpless in my life before. Whoever carried out the attack must have taken her. I hope she was okay. That she hadn’t been hurt or I swear I’ll burn the fucking world down, find whoever was behind this and make them pay with every drop of blood in their system.
“Boss you have to see this,” Khan said in alarm as he appeared by the doorway. His expression was grave. At once I knew whatever he wanted to show me wasn’t good at all.
Quickly, I followed him out. He led me to the head maid’s room. The faint smell of gunpowder and blood hit my nose as I entered and saw the head maid lying helplessly on the floor.