Chapter 15

Adrian....

“We've got a problem, Rain.”

I pause when I hear Bert's voice behind me. Breathing hard, I push up to sit back on my heels and glance over my shoulder at him.

“What is it?”

He's standing outside the threshold of my room and he's wearing nothing but a tank top and sweats which hang loosely on his body. His forehead is glistening with sweat and he looks unusually pale. Dark circles have coloured the skin around his baby blue eyes, that have lost their softness and are barely open.

In simple words, he looks like hell.

I shoot up to my feet and turn around to face my little brother directly. What has he been doing and why's he looking so tired and exhausted?

“What's wrong with you, brother? You look beaten up.” I ask him, my voice calm but wavering with concern. I shouldn't have left him alone for a whole week, without checking up with him.

“Nothing's wrong with me. I'm fine, just a little sleep-deprived.” He waves away my concern with nonchalance.

I clench my jaw. He should be more worried about his health, this is the worst I have seen him in years.

“You don't look fine to me, Bert. And don't you dare lie to me. Why are you sleep-deprived? You're having trouble sleeping?” My eyebrows pull down as I move to stand in front of him, running my eyes down his thin body before meeting his eyes. “You've lost some weight. You weren't this skinny when I had seen you last time, a week ago.”

He just rolls his eyes at me then lets out an irritated sigh. “There's no time for stressing over my weight, Rain. We have got an even bigger issue than that. I can't tell you. You have to see for yourself. Come with me.” He says urgently then turns on his heels and disappears before I can protest.

Shit!

I try to shake off the uneasy feelings raging up inside my chest which are caused by Bert's unusual behaviour and his sickly appearance. I grab my shirt before striding out of my room to follow him down to the Den.

I don't know exactly which problem he was talking about, but guessing by the urgency in his voice, I think he has done something I had told him not to do.

“Show me.” I demand as soon as I'm inside the Den and move to stand behind Bert near the screen of the main computer. “And be quick. You're not off the hook yet. I want to know what you've been upto lately.”

Bert exhales deeply, his thin body tensing up as he turns to face me with a plea in his eyes. “Rain, I want you to listen to me first, okay? I know you're going to be super mad at me when I'll be done. So please don't try to strangle me before I've reached the end.”

Oh, Bert… What have you done this time?

I give him a stiff nod, in a gesture to start.

The last time I had left him to his own devices for this long, he had hacked into the Government servers. I hope this time it's not that scandalous.

“Go on.”

He searches my face with his narrowed eyes for a minute then muttering something like "Stone faced" under his breath, he turns back to the screen.

I lean in closer when he taps a few keys on the keyboard and the computer screen turns on.

After a brief pause, he starts talking.

“That night, after returning from Balthazar's territory, you had told me about the International Auction. I hope you remember that. You had also slipped out a few details like who's the host and where in London the event is going to take place.”

He pauses, then scrutinizes my expression before moving on when he doesn't find anything.

“I did some research on the event but I couldn't find anything. The heired event managers don't keep any database unprotected and they use a really very hightech server to cover their system with an unbreakable shield. Huh, it took me 5 days to break into their security system and get my hands on the controls. Can you believe that, 5 fucking days!? That says something. Usually, it never takes me this long.”

I study my brother with an impassive expression, the realization settling down inside my head slowly. My mind fights to understand the profundity of my brother's actions but it is too much for my heart to take.

Maybe that's why I can't quite believe it…. I don't want to believe it, though I do understand it.

“Rain…. I did it just to test my capabilities, alright? I had no other intentions, I swear. I was just curious.” He sucks in a deep breath. “I'm sorry. I really am. I shouldn't have done that without your permission but it's done now. And you have to see this.”

He turns to me again, this time with an anxious look on his innocent face. But I can't look at him, so instead I focus on the display. He starts sweating even more when I move closer to the computer screen which is showing a live security footage of some grand place with huge iron wrought gates and red carpets and French double doors. Soldiers and guards are pacing in front of the gates and the double doors, all heavily armed and there's a fancy booth setup beside the designer staircase.

In the screen of the other computer beside the main one, there's another security footage rolling and guessing by the view of some confined space, I think it's showing what's going on inside the fancy booth.

I straighten up from the desk suddenly, not able to take it anymore.

“Fuck.” I rack my hands through my hair.

Okay… so this is why he was so worried about my reaction.

And in fact, I'm glad he understands the volume of the step he has taken without my permission.

“You have hacked into the survivallence security system of The Grandiose Palace, haven't you?” My voice is calm and composed, the exact opposite of what I'm feeling from inside.

I have to clench my hands tightly to stop myself from reaching for him.

Bert nods his head once, then bites his lips and gazes up at me with the most innocent look I've ever seen on his face.

My fists clench tighter on my sides.

“Give me a single fucking reason I shouldn't ground you for the rest of your life. Now.” I'm battling with my own self to keep from losing my control and giving into the urge to scream at my little brother who has outdone himself and put us all in a zone of great danger.

His expressions change dramatically upon hearing my threat and from anxious, he turns stubborn.

“I don't give a fuck. You can ground me if you want. Just take a look at this and pay a little attention.” He turns around in his seat to face the computer screen. “You had said that you're allowed to take weapons inside but it seems like the rules have been changed. See, the security guards are taking all the weapons away from the guests and they all are going through a head to toe body scan inside that booth.”

This new information distracts me from my anger for a moment and I lean back down to peer at the screen.

Bert is right. They are stripping off everyone from their weapons. They are even taking away the small daggers people have hidden under their coats.

My temper is dampened by the news and my mind takes over.

Shit! This change is not good. It'll throw my plan out of balance and I won't be able go through with this without getting caught and killed.

I need to change the plan.

“We're changing the plan. How much time do we have before the arrival time?” I quickly check the other cctv cameras footage, only to find more numbers of guards stationed around the Palace. They are fucking covering the whole damned property.

“It's going to be 4 o'clock so I guess we don't have more than 4 hours left. What do you have in my mind?”

“This sudden change in security arrangements have thrown our plan in jeopardy. We can't go with it. Everyone will die. And looking at this scene, firstly we have to call for backup. We're probably going to need more men than I had thought.” I turn to face Bert and find him fidgeting in his chair. “You okay?”

“Are you mad at me?” He asks me in a meek voice.

I almost crack a smile but the flashing screen reminds me that I have got a bigger problem to deal with right now.

“For once, I'm not mad. I'm glad you took that risk, Bert. But I need to focus now and I need your help.”

“Just say it. I'll do anything for you.”

“Very well. Then I suppose I have to tell you about the plan, huh.”

Bert nods his head excitedly. “Yes, tell me everything. I've been dying to know about your plan since last week, when you had started working on it.”

“Alright. Connect your server with your laptop and set the screen to roll in all the footage together. I will have to show everyone the new positions of the guards and work out how we will get around them if the war we have been anticipating really broke out.”

Bert does as he's been told and follows me to the underground with his laptop. I would have never taken him down there if I never had to but desperate times ask for only those things you're not willing to give. I thought, at least I would be able to keep him out of this part of my world but I was wrong to think that I could hide the truth from him.

As we descend the stairs to the basement, I stash away my personal thoughts and put my mind to sort the sections of my plan which need to be changed or dismissed all together.

Entering through the stone doors of the main sitting area, I lead Bert deeper into the cave-like structure I had created for my army to hide in when we visit London. They are allowed to get in and out of the back doors as they please which open behind the property.

I grab Bert's arm when we reach the dark tunnel that connects the other part of the basement where my army lounges most of the time. I'm sure they must be preparing for tonight.

And as expected, I find all of them scattered around the vast space, doing their assigned jobs when I enter the other side of the basement with Bert right behind me.

I had chosen to buy this property for Bert for a reason. When I had started looking for the right place where I could find a safe house for Bert, I had stumbled upon this property by accident. But when I checked the entire area around the big three floored house, I was surprised to find that it was encased with tall sturdy brick walls which were lined with barbed wires. The whole place needed only a little renovation and a touch of nature to make it the ideal place I had been looking for and when I got to know the house from inside, my determination to buy this place solidified. I had immediately bought the property after that and the owner was only too eager to get rid of it. The basement was just as wide and spacious as the house, made for hide out. But I had put a partition in between the space to divide it into two sections, one for housing purposes and the other for keeping the weapons and personal training center for my army.

When we are out of the tunnel, I pause near the entrance door and turn to see what Bert thinks of this place. His mouth is hanging open and his eyes have popped wide in their sockets.

I shake my head just as I see the laptop slip out of Bert's grasp. Moving on impulse, I grab the laptop before it can hit the hard floor and fall apart.

“Oh. My. Fucking. God. THIS IS TOTALLY CRAZY, MAN!” Bert exclaims as soon as he's recovered from his shock, totally oblivious of what has just happened.

And his shrill voice captures the attention of my army. I watch in deep amusement as their eyes pop wide when they find me standing at the threshold of the other section of the basement.

Bert totally ignores me and everyone as he propels himself inside, moving as though he's in a daze. He roams around the space, taking in the weapons and torture instruments lining up one side of the cave. I decide to let him explore the place for a while, so that I can explain to everyone about the new plan. I move to the right side of the basement, which is stoked with exercising equipment for my army to keep themselves fit.

When the guys notice me walking towards them, they all abandon their jobs and move in front of me to stand in 8 straight columns, taking their position with one hand fisted behind their backs and the other fisted at their sides, body tense and ready to fight.

Just like I have taught and trained them to do.

They all bow their heads to show me their respect and I accept it with a gracious nod.

“Wow…. That was some cool thing you all did right there.”

All the heads turn to stare at Bert, who has managed to get his head out of his awed delusion and come to stand beside me. But when he finds all the 74 pairs of curious eyes fixed on him, he jumps behind me with a squeak.

“Did I do something wrong? Why are they staring at me like they want to kill me?” He asks me, whispering his question in my ear.

I bite my lip to stop myself from laughing.

“Bert, you can't blame them for being a little curious. They are seeing you for the first time.” I try to reassure him with a pat on the back of his hand that is clutching my shoulder. “Now, go and set up the laptop and connect it with the flat screen so that everyone can see the live footage.”

“Nobody would call those deadly stares, curious but I'm taking you up on your words. It will take me awhile to set up the screen again. In the meantime, you can explain to them what's going on. I'm sure they must be dying to know.”

With that remark, Bert leaves to complete his task and I tune my focus on my soldiers.

“Détendez-vous, soldats.” (“Relax, soldiers.”) I wait for a beat, looking around for a particular face before taking a deep breath when I don't see him in the crowd. I don't have time to waste anymore, I'll just have to explain the changes to him separately. “There have been some changes in plan. The coordinates you all have been given, have been changed.”

“Maître!” A voice calls out.

My head turns to the side and I find Lucas, the Commander in Chief of my force, standing just outside the back door.

“Lucas, where have you been?”

“I was out to run some errands. Pardon me, I had no idea you would be coming for a meeting before the departure.” His heavily accented voice makes his apology sound like an order.

“It's alright, Lucas. Come and join us. I need to show you all something.”

I lead them all to the main sitting area where Bert has set up the flat screen for display. Everyone takes in the scene in contemplating silence while I start working out the grooves in my plan.

After a moment they all join me and we start working on the new plan.

In less than 3 hours, our new plan is set and ready to go. I leave the basement with Bert after issuing the last minute instructions and telling them to meet me outside the property in an hour with all the necessities.

“Bert, I need you to monitor all their moves, okay? But I won't put it all down on your shoulders. I'm leaving behind 10 soldiers who are capable of handling the computer work so that everyone can keep an eye on all the cameras.”

“Okay, that's all good.” He reaches out and grabs my wrist when we get to the bottom of the stairs that lead up to the upper floors. “You remember your promise, right?”

I go still in his grasp then swallow hard before turning to face my little concerned brother. This is the part I have been dreading the most. “I do remember my promise and I'll try my best to keep it.”

“Okay. I'll be waiting for you.”

When Bert looks up to meet my eyes, his baby blue eyes glisten with unshed tears as I watch the conflict of emotions on his face. My chest tightens painfully and I pull my brother to me and wrap my arms tightly around him.

I feel one of his tears drop down on my shirt, which scalds my skin like a scorching droplet of water.

“I'll come back for you, Bert. I give you my words.” I touch my lips to his forehead before pulling away and staring into his shining eyes.

At that very moment, I decide that no matter what, I have to make it out alive…. Along with everyone.