Chapter 8 - THE GHOST IN THE GARDEN
Adrian's gun was in his hand before anyone could react.
Thomas did not move.
Daniel stared at him.
“You're dead.”
Thomas smiled.
“So is Daniel.”
Elena stepped backward.
Adrian's voice was cold.
“Who are you?”
The old gardener looked at him.
“Your uncle.”
“My uncle died before I was born.”
“That is what your father believed.”
Adrian took one step closer.
“Name.”
“Jonathan Blackwood.”
Adrian had heard the name.
His father's older brother.
The family had always said Jonathan died in a boating accident.
But there had never been a body.
Adrian had never questioned it.
Until now.
Jonathan sighed.
“Your father and I were enemies long before you were born.”
“Why?”
“Because your father wanted the empire.”
“And you?”
“I wanted to destroy it.”
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
“Then why are you here?”
“Because your father made a deal with people he couldn't control.”
“Richard?”
“Richard was only a servant.”
“Then who controls him?”
Jonathan looked at Elena.
“The people who have been moving money through your family for decades.”
Daniel stepped forward.
“The organization.”
Jonathan nodded.
Adrian had heard whispers of it.
A hidden network.
Politicians.
Bankers.
Lawyers.
Businessmen.
People who never appeared in newspapers but controlled entire cities.
The organization had no official name.
Only a symbol.
A black crown.
Jonathan continued.
“Your father tried to leave.”
“And they killed him.”
“Yes.”
“Why did my mother know?”
“Because she was part of the deal.”
Adrian's expression became unreadable.
“Was she working for them?”
Jonathan hesitated.
“She was trying to escape.”
“Why should I believe you?”
“You shouldn't.”
Adrian almost laughed.
Everyone in his life had begun saying the same thing.
You shouldn't believe me.
Then a gunshot shattered the window.
Jonathan fell.
Elena screamed.
Adrian grabbed her and pulled her to the floor.
Marcus rushed inside.
“Sniper!”
The room erupted into chaos.
Jonathan lay on the floor, blood spreading across his shoulder.
Daniel crawled toward him.
“Stay with me.”
Jonathan coughed.
“Not the shoulder.”
“What?”
Jonathan pointed toward the window.
“The bullet was meant for him.”
Adrian looked at Elena.
A second bullet struck the wall beside his head.
The sniper had him in sight.
“Move!” Marcus shouted.
Adrian pulled Elena through the library.
They ran into the basement.
Behind them, guards returned fire.
When the shooting stopped, Jonathan was alive.
But the sniper was gone.
Adrian stood in the basement.
Elena was shaking.
He turned toward her.
“Are you hurt?”
She shook her head.
“No.”
Adrian looked at her.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Elena whispered:
“Why do you keep saving me?”
Adrian's eyes softened.
“I don't know.”
She stared at him.
He continued:
“I should be asking you why I can't stop.”
Elena looked away.
Adrian stepped closer.
“Your father is alive.”
“Yes.”
“Your life has been destroyed because of my family.”
“Yes.”
“Then why are you still here?”
Elena looked back at him.
“Because every time I try to leave, someone dies.”
Adrian's face tightened.
“Then no one else dies.”
“How can you promise that?”
He moved closer.
“Because from now on, you stay beside me.”
Elena stared.
“That's not protection.”
“No.”
“What is it?”
May you like
Adrian looked at her.
“War.”
