Chapter 260 260

Chapter 260 260
MAD

Cars began leaving from the driveway, yet I was still waving my hand, even though Tara’s ride had left a minute ago, followed by the SUV, escorting her to the hotel, when I should be there and she in the palace.
I knew she was safe, but I still couldn’t shake off the tightness in my stomach like something was going to happen.
“You should go home now,” Mom said.
“Dad, I have something to tell you—”
“No, son. I know what you’re gonna say, and I know. We know. I’m not blaming you for wanting to keep Tara and our family safe.” So, he knew, and he didn’t tell me or pressure me to get justice. 
“Thank you, Dad. For everything. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I hugged Dad and kissed Mom on the cheek.
“You’re getting married, son. Why are you so tense? They’re doing everything they can. ” I didn’t think I could tell them that Sawyer might have managed to get in the country undetected.
I hid the anxiety with my smile, shaking my head. “I’m not tense. I’m just nervous. I want everything to be perfect tomorrow for Tara. Her family and her people have high expectations for the wedding of the century. You know the pressure.”
Mom rubbed my arm. “It’s gonna be okay, honey.”
“I know, Mom.” Sighing, I nodded as she entered the car.
“We should go. Isaac is excited and slept early. Good night, son,” Dad said, following Mom. The car door shut after him, and they left.
“Good night. Bye.” I watched the car leave the driveway. There were still cars aligned, mostly for palaces.
“Are you ready?” Nites came.
“Yeah. Where’s Damian?” I looked behind me, and he was just coming out with Valentine.
“Why are you still here?” I wanted to snort at why Valentine was suddenly concerned.
“We’re leaving,” I told him, and looked at Damian. “I’ve got to go. Will you give me an update from your people if you find something?”
“No. You rest,” he said like a father ordering his child. “You’re getting married tomorrow. Stop obsessing over the security protocol. Let your people and mine handle this.”
“Fine. Thanks.” I nodded at him and walked to the car waiting for me. Before I could enter, I heard heavy footsteps, echoing on the hard concrete, and my name was called repeatedly by someone catching a breath.
“Mr. Shanewood!” The scream and urgency stopped me.
I turned around and saw Sylvian Goldfrey, who was supposed to be Tara’s driver for tonight. The first thing I noticed was how barely he could stand. His face was pale, blood dripping from his mouth. There were bullet holes on the chest of his crisp white shirt, and his side was bleeding.
“Goldfrey!” Damian was the first to catch him before he fell. “What happened?”
If he were here, then who was with Tara?
My world instantly tilted on its axis.
With my heart pounding so hard and my chest heaving, I stood frozen in my tracks for I didn’t know how long until Nites shook me and said urgently, “Sir, get in the car.”
“No.” I pushed him aside to get to Goldfrey and Damian. “Who’s with Tara?”
“Call an ambulance!” Damian yelled, pressing the wound on Goldfrey’s abdomen, but I was afraid he might not make it. There was too much blood flowing from Damian’s hands.
The staff came to help, and I still felt like floating, my head buzzing with terrifying thoughts.
“Nites?”
“Get in the car, sir. I’m talking to Lynx right now. They’re following the princess’s car.”
Pushing the fear and thought aside, I breathed deeply. “I’m sure Sawyer has her.” I gathered all my strength, even if my knees were wobbling. I strode toward the car to the driver’s seat.
I fisted my hands to stop from trembling, and then I gripped the steering wheel. My heart pounded so hard in my ribs that I could barely function.
“Sir, let me drive.” Nites knocked on the window, which pissed me off. When I didn’t answer, he rounded and got into the passenger’s seat.”
“Sir—”
“Shut the fuck up. I can drive, but I can’t shoot.” I glared at him before I pulled out my phone and dialed Tara’s number. It rang but was left unanswered. “Fuck! God damn it.” My frustration made my entire body shake. 
“Sir—”
“Just shut up for a fucking moment! Let me think.” I dialed it again, but ended up with the same result, confirming my fear. 
“You’re alerting the assailant by constantly calling her number,” he rushed his words out that stopped me. He was right, and I was acting out of fear and rage without thinking rationally.
“Fuck.” Before I could end it, the call was rejected from Tara’s end. “You should have told me that.”
“You don’t even allow me to talk.” Those words twisted my stomach with guilt.
“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” I hit the steering wheel, but it didn’t dissipate the worry in my chest. I cranked the engine, and it purred. Before I could drive off, someone just entered the backseat.
“Let’s go,” he said urgently, checking the gun if loaded.
I drove off out of the palace parking lot like a lunatic towards the street. I didn’t even have to ask Valentine where he got the gun from, and I forgot the fact that he was in the Air Force or Navy.
“How did the asshole get in the palace?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t have the time to ask. Goldfrey might die as well,” Valentine said through gritted teeth. “I thought he hadn’t entered the country. And you? How didn’t you see this? He’s paying your company millions of dollars for security, yet he managed to snatch my sister? How could a single person do such a thing? You’re as impotent as the rest of the people he and Damian hired!”
“Stop pointing the finger! Your immigration and customs are also incompetent. How did he sneak into the country without alerting the authorities? Tell me, Valentine. Didn’t it occur to you that someone might be helping him from the top? Who hates Tara the most? Who doesn’t want her to succeed? Have you thought about that?” I stole a glance at him through the rearview mirror.
“Before you accuse me, I’m coming out clean. I didn’t do it.” He spat out, clearing himself. I expected nothing less from him.
“I didn’t say you did it, Valentine. You’re under surveillance by the palace. You couldn’t have done it or helped him.” I shifted gears and increased the speed. “You might as well call for help, block all the exits, and inform the aviation and coast guards.”
He dialed someone on his phone. “Inform everyone. You know what to do.” That was all he said before he hung up. His nose flared. “Any updates?”
“He knows they’re being followed by the SUV. He just changed route,” Nites replied.
“That one is on me.” I breathed sharply, unlocked my phone, and gave it to Nites. “Check her tracker and the smart ring.”
Valentine scoffed. I ignored him. 
Nites, tapped the apps on my phone. “It’s moving, and we’re closed. They’re—
“About to reach the Kaslt-ton Bridge,” Valentine said.
“What’s in there, sir?” Nites turned to ask him.
“It’s just a bridge with deep, dirty water, but they’re probably heading to the marina. He will take my sister and escape by boat.”
“Son of a bitch.” I spat out. My heart was racing, making me fidget.
“Her heart rate is spiking.”
I swallowed hard. “Of course, she’s freaking out. It feels like deja vu to her all over again.”
“She’s brave.” I knew Valentine was just trying to calm me down, but he himself couldn’t even hide his fear. It was all over his face and his knuckles, which had been white the moment he got in the car.