Chapter 94 Ninety Four
OWEN WINTERS
Over two hundred loyal allies filled the Winters mansion, wine flowing freely as murmurs echoed under the chandelier light. From the upper gallery, I scanned the room for Dylan Xavier — but he was nowhere to be found, which was understandable because he was known for making silly entrances and so was I, but in this situation, all that didn't matter.
I had left Amy at him promising to come back earlier than usual and she didn't complain.
“Sir, they're all settled down,” someone said from behind me and I nodded.
Dylan still wasn't here, except if he withdrew his offer to help which was very much impossible.
I walked down to meet them and the hall went quiet. Just then, the large door opened and Dylan Xavier strutted in, his hands in his pocket and a cigar at the corner of his lips. It felt good to know I wasn't the only one suffering from a mental breakdown.
I moved towards the audience, but stopped a few metres away from them.
“Nice of you to join, Mr Xavier,” I said, making him scoff. He sat down crossing his legs and puffing out smoke.
Typical Xavier.
I cleared my throat observing everyone from where I stood.
“I am grateful that you all came to our aid when we called, and for being loyal to the Winter and Xavier house, and you would be rewarded-” I started, my eyes fixed on Dylan who didn't look pleased to be here or maybe I couldn't read his expression.
“Let's get to the reason for your invites. We all know about how my father was brutally murdered by Ari Xavier, and she openly declared war on us, and that comes to the reason why you were called.” My eyes sharpened at a particular man who sat not too far from Dylan.
He looked vaguely familiar but it wasn't clicking. I focused on him watching his every move and expression — he looked suspicious. Dylan seemed to understand me because he glanced over at the man and for a moment our thoughts were in sync.
“The war with the former house of the Xavier… if you're ready to fight this war with me, then you can stay, but if not you can peacefully walk away and don't come back,” I said, coming towards them.
The room was filled with murmuring as people contemplated on whether to leave or stay. The risks of staying somewhat outweighed the risk of leaving and I wouldn't blame them if they left.
Suddenly, Dylan stood up and spoke.
“There is no time to choose sides, let's say you want to stay, I promise my loyalty to your house, but if you walk out of this door… you might end up like him!”
I signalled Dylan and he leapt up, swinging his arm onto the man which sent him flying and landing with a loud thud. Dylan moved like lightning, slamming his fist into the man’s jaw. Blood flew from the old man’s mouth splattering over his clothes as Dylan pressed his elbow to his throat.
I increased my strides and picked him up before Dylan did more harm on him.
“Did you think I wouldn't know you were a spy for Ari Xavier?” I questioned, my eyes darkening with rage.
“What are you talking about? I'm loyal to the house!”
He was playing pretend and that got on my nerves even more.
“Which house?” I waited for an answer but he gave none.
Throwing him on the floor, I signalled my men to take him away.
“That saying, you'll get locked up until after the war and we'll decide if to let you leave or not, if we even decide,” I said, straightening my suit.
Someone from the crowd asked, “So we have no choice?”
I smiled evilly and that answered his question.
We discussed strategy and plan in taking down the former Xavier's until it was already dark.
I watched as our allies dispersed one after the other saying their goodbyes for the night. If we worked together and followed our strategy without any glitch then we would end up victorious.
“Don suits you well,” someone said, bringing me back from my thoughts. I looked up to see Kayla.
My lips curled into a grin, and I bit my lips.
“You look stunning tonight as well. I thought you left us for that woman,” I said and she shrugged.
“We all know the obvious winner. Ari is reckless and I follow only one winner.”
“And who is that?”
“Xavier. Dylan Xavier,” she answered and walked away.
I sighed, turning to get some work done before heading home. Dylan stood at the table staring down at the plan where all our strategies and next course of actions were written down.
“You don't want to leave?” I asked and he shrugged.
“How do you see the plan?” I inquired again, and this time he answered.
“It's good, but that's not my problem now.”
I walked to him, and stared at the plan too before asking what he was worried about.
“Amy,” he said.
“What's wrong with Amy?”
“I'm worried Ari would want to hurt her, she's at home alone now, pregnant and vulnerable, we should call it a night… go home,” he replied.
Taking one more look at the plan he left. He was right about Amy being vulnerable, and I suddenly felt my skin crawl. I had a bad feeling something wasn't right, so I entered my car and sped home.
The house was quiet and dark when I got there which probably meant Amy was asleep and even angry at me for not coming home early.
I opened the door, but the silence that swept the house felt different — not like Amy… it felt dead.
I shook the thought of a horrible thing happening to my pumpkin out of my head as I wounded my way into the house.
“Pumpkin,” I called softly using my eyes to search for her.
“Amy,” I called even louder, checking the sitting room to see if she dozed off there, but there wasn't a sign of any living thing there.
Maybe she was in bed.
I walked blindly to the stairs leading to the room, and mistakenly hit something.
My eyes widened at the realization that I didn't just hit a thing, but a body — a feminine body.
I jumped back in shock and switched on my phone light. The light hit the body's face and my whole world crumpled.
No.
No!
I stared in horror at the body that lay on the floor bleeding.
My Amelia was bleeding. I forced all the strength in me, and screamed her name.
“Amelia!”