Chapter 266 266

Chapter 266 266
MAD

“I wasn’t fucking thinking.” I glared back. “Happy?”
“There’s a lot of testosterone in here. It’s suffocating.”
“Shut up.” Valentine groaned beside me. He was as tall as mine, sandwiched between Katie and me.
As the car drove smoothly to the main street, the excitement sizzled through my veins. I grabbed my phone and was about to call Tara when Valentine snatched it from me. 
“What the fuck?”
“Her phone is underwater. While you were trying to be John McClane, her X-ray and CT-scan results came out clean. Her blood report is fine, but we’re waiting for the result of other tests. She’s escorted to the hotel, so to speak.”
“I forgot to thank you.” My voice was low. No matter what he did in the past, I felt like I owed him gratitude for saving his sister.
“Save it. I did what I did because she’s my sister. We’re sending you to the palace. You shower and sleep.”
I stole a glance at him. “I wanna talk to Tara.”
“No more talking. You’re not allowed to see her. It’s bad luck.”
I snorted. “I wasn’t aware you guys believe in superstitions, and I believe we just beat the bad luck.”
“Do you know what time it is?”
I checked my watch. “Fuck.” It was four in the morning.
“Exactly.”
The drive to the palace seemed to take forever. My world almost shattered before my eyes. The agony I felt earlier was unbearable and unrelenting as I waited for her to be saved underwater, while I just stood there and watched. It was a true heartbreak and a failure on my side. 
I failed to protect her again. With my money and resources, I failed her, and this one was on me. That was why I couldn’t just stand there and watch her trying to get back on her feet, because we’re getting married tomorrow. 
It had to be done one way or another. His games needed to end. He had to go.
My vision blurred with tears. This time, I felt the triumph in my chest. The pain, the suffering, the agony, the constant fear, the dread, the anger, and the anxiety were behind us. Tomorrow, we will start our new life together as husband and wife. 
Valentine and the rest of the guys weren’t kidding. They never left until I got inside the room. 
“You can leave now.”
“No calls,” he warned me. “Let her sleep.”
I nodded at Valentine as I took my phone back. “Thank you.”
He left first. Once his back is gone, I told Nites, “Thank you for being there on time.”
“I was just doing my job, sir, and you pressed your panic button, but don’t make it a habit of sneaking out on me again, or I will resign.”
I smiled. “Take care of Katie. Make sure she gets checked up. Good night, Nites.”
“No worries. I’ll bring ice for your forehead. Good night, sir.”
I watched Nites walk away, but Damian looked like he didn’t have a plan to leave just yet.
“Don’t worry, I gave Siciliano a word that I would look after her,” Damian said. 
I stared at him for a few seconds before I found my words. “You spoke with Terzo?”
“Yes, and his handler.”
“Handler?”
“It’s a long story. This is classified, but yeah, he worked for the Agency when he got arrested. Right now, he’s a consultant.”
“So, that’s the reason why Katie accepted the job.”
“Yes, but there’s another reason.”
I nodded. “Terzo was there with me when I turned him over to Alonso. What did you find out that you couldn’t tell me over the phone?”
“Sawyer was recruited by the same Agency.”
“Son of a bitch. Is that why he was hard to catch and knew how to fight? I was shocked that he didn’t even flinch when I hit him with the slab, yet he let me punch him in Italy. He didn’t want to break his cover.” 
He nodded. “He lost millions of dollars from poker. He has no property or business left. He was drowning in debt. He seduced a rich middle-aged gambler with his charm. They went to Macau. An agent caught him cheating during a poker game. He was recruited for his certain skill.”
“Then how did he end up killing people?”
“He went rogue months ago. I found the link between him and Sarah’s parents.”
“Excuse me?” I stared at him in shock.
Valentine and Revier’s meeting with Sawyer wasn’t just about the kidnapping. It was his cover story, a part of the assignment. The Agency found out the Charbonneau’s cyber security company, based in the US, was developing a device that could hack anything remotely, even with a firewall or with any advanced security system.”
“Jesus Christ. Don’t tell me that’s what they used it at Linden’s house.”
“No. The prototype was still DUT, under test mode. If there were no issues, the company would get a contract deal with the military intelligence.”
“Serevian military intelligence?”
“Yes. Sawyer’s assignment was to steal the prototype and bring it to the Agency. Instead, he went rogue when he found it more useful that could make him a lot of money.”
“How?”
“He used it to hack every wealthy and powerful man he came across. That was how he got so many compromising photos, videos, texts, and files. What’s more, a better motivator than extortion?”
“So, he already has money, why didn’t he stop coming after me?”
“You and Tara are the loose ends and unfinished business.”
“Motherfucker.” Goosebumps erupted all over my skin. “What about those cameras in my penthouse?”
“Apparently, he couldn’t find anything he could use against you.” Damian looked amused.
“What?” I arched my eyebrows. “Wait. You found the device?”
“Yes, except those files.”
“Then how—”
He grinned at me. “You don’t have compromising photos, videos, a crypto wallet, or even bank apps on your phone.”
“Of course. I remember the cameras in the penthouse. Now, I believe he put them there. So, why would I take naked photos of myself or install something in my phone if it can be stolen?”
“Good.”
“I have one more question. How did he get in the country undetected?”
“He blackmailed Sarah’s father to do his bidding.”
I studied him as I tried to confirm my suspicion. “What are you not telling me?”
“He used your credentials?”
“Excuse me?” My voice rose. My anger simmered. 
“The yacht was rented in your name. Katie didn’t tell you?”
“No, but she mentioned an alias.”
“If the Princess will not appear at your wedding, the investigation will show—”
“He planned to frame me for killing the princess.” I stared at him in utter shock, horrified by the new information. “Jesus Christ. I wish I didn’t have to learn about this. This is too much to digest.”
“Yes. I wish I didn’t have to tell you.” His voice was low, contradicting the hard expression of his face.
“Thanks for telling me, Damian. You’re truly a good and reliable person. No wonder Tara loves you like her second father.” I offered my hand.
“You should put ice on your forehead. Good night, Mad.” He gripped my hand for a handshake before he walked away to the door and paused there. “And don’t ever play hero again.”