Rebellion of a Kingdom by G.N. Wright
Chapter 18
MARCUS
The adrenaline is pulsing through me like a drug. My breaths are coming in quick but steady pants as we move quickly through the tunnels underneath the Donovan estate. It’s dark down here and extremely dusty, but that isn’t what’s causing my short breaths. No, that’s the anxiety flooding through my veins. I’m filled with apprehension about what we are about to do. Over how we might get caught, how many people might get in our way, and what state we might find Cassie in. All of it causes the blood in my body to feel as cold as ice as it pumps through my body at a rapid pace.
We’ve split into two small teams of four, but also picked a partner to stay with and cover. Jace is with Max, Logan is with Elijah and Mason is with Oliver. Liam is back in the van running the tech alongside Ash who is at a safe house doing the same. He wasn’t happy about being left behind, but the last thing we need is any of his father’s men catching sight of him.
I’m with Lincoln, and we are tasked with going straight to where we believe Cass to be, while the rest of the guys keep our route clear. I’m scared, I think we all are, but I’m not afraid to die. No, I’m scared of what we might find when we get to Cassie. I know exactly what Elliot Donovan and his sick twisted son are capable of, and I just hope that sickness doesn’t extend to hurting their own flesh and blood. It’s the main reason I didn’t want Asher here with us, he would have been an asset for sure, but he also would have been a liability. I dread to think what his father or brother would do to him for betraying the family legacy. He didn’t give a fuck about that of course, but he knew deep down he was needed more on the outside of this.
It’s just me, Linc, Max and Jace in this tunnel, Logan, Elijah, Mason, and Oliver are entering through one further round the side of the estate. We want to cover as much ground as possible and as quickly as possible. Ash’s contact, one of the maids who has worked for them since he moved here, told him Cassie is being cared for by another one of the maids and is being kept in an east wing bedroom. Which is right above where we are entering the house, so it should be simple to get to her. I just hope the information is correct and we aren’t walking into the biggest trap of our lives.
We slow our pace as an old rusty gate comes into view. From the information Asher gave us, I know the entrance into the house is just round the corner. Max signals for us to stop, while he moves forward and checks the gate. Once he’s happy there is nobody here, he makes quick work of picking the lock and opening it so we can all get through.
“We’re approaching the door,” Max says quietly.
Ash’s voice follows in all our ears, “Okay you are all clear to enter, swapping to fake feeds in 3 2 1.” We hear the tapping of keys as Lincoln steps forward to stand by Max with the camera device in one hand and his gun in the other. Donovan's security was unable to be hacked, but Liam gave him some tech that will allow us to freeze the cameras as we come into range with them. Asher has entered Greg’s passwords into the system, so it won’t raise an alarm. At least, we hope not.
Max unlocks the cellar door with ease, and pushes inside, gun raised. We follow behind him quietly, all with our own weapons drawn. Max looks at ease, he must have done this kind of thing a thousand times, Lincoln strangely looks as comfortable as Max and I find myself, again wondering how he became how he is. Jace looks on edge and I don’t miss the shake of his hand slightly as he palms his own gun. He’s sober, for the first time all week. I suggested he sit this out, but he told me that wasn’t an option. That he was sick of not fighting back, so here he is. I’m calm, or at least calm enough that my hand holds the gun steady. Inside I am burning through fear, panic, relief, longing. All of them clashing together as my heart bangs against my chest.
We move through the cellar until we come to a set of stairs that I know leads up into the main house. Once at the top, Linc silently opens the door and pushes the device against it waiting for the light to turn from red to green, signaling that the cameras are paused. We don’t wait more than a few seconds before we see the green light, and we move inside the door. It leads us into the downstairs corridor of the east wing. From studying the floor plans, all we have to do is move to the end of this hallway, enter the foyer, go up the stairs and get to the third room on the right. Simple right?
Or at least it would be if this house didn’t belong to the biggest fucking criminal in town. Even with the blocker device, I still find myself tracking every camera I can see and sticking close to the walls as we move through the house.
When we come to another door, it’s Liam’s voice, we hear this time, “Two heat signatures just beyond that door.” He confirms, and Max signals for us to stand back.
He opens the door, slipping inside and he is barely out of sight before I hear two muffled shots and a thud. He comes back through the door dragging two guards by their collars. Two very dead guards. Now we have spilled the first bit of blood, time really is of the essence, it won’t be long until someone stumbles across them, or us. We have to keep moving.
When we reach the bottom of the stairs, I am holding my breath so hard that if the adrenaline wasn’t so potent within me, I would pass out. Max swings around checking everywhere constantly, as he speaks.
“Bottom of the stairs. Going up.” He states and swings around as a door on the other side of the stairs swings open. An arm sticks through it with a thumbs up, and he relaxes slightly as Elijah’s head follows it. With all eight of us now here, the four of them surround the foyer in the shadows, as we begin to ascend the stairs. Moving as one until we reach the top. As agreed, Lincoln and I will be the ones to grab Cassie. She has spent more time with us recently than Max and we want her to be as comfortable as possible. Especially considering we have no idea what state she is going to be in. Is she going to look like the same little girl I have come to know and love? Will they have hurt her or worse? Is she tied up? Have they fed her? The disgusting images barrel into my mind before I can stop them, and I shake my head like I can physically toss them out of there. Whatever state she is in doesn’t matter. All that matters is getting her home. I need to rescue the princess so the queen can be whole again.
Lincoln signals for me to move and I go ahead as he steps up behind with his hand on my shoulder. Both of us have our guns raised.
It doesn’t take us more than thirty seconds to reach the room we believe Cassie to be in and I waste no time in entering. I palm the handle and take a deep breath, before silently pushing it down and opening it as slowly as I can. The room is dark with the only light coming from a small lamp on the bedside table. I immediately spot Cassie sitting on one side of a huge bed and my heart rate quickens. Flicking my eyes to her left, I see a woman sitting beside her, reading a book, but as soon as I speak into my mic she looks up.
“We got her.” I say, and I hear Asher's sigh of relief loud and clear.
Taking me in, the woman’s features are shrouded in fear, but she doesn’t scream, run, or even try to reach for something to use as a weapon. She just freezes, the panic forcing her body to shut down, as she stares at my gun. I lower it slightly and when she still doesn’t move, I take a slow step forward.
“I’m not going to hurt you; I just want the girl.” For how nervous I am, my voice comes out calm. Cassie is so close, her sleeping form snuggled down under the blanket. We could actually pull this off, all we have to do is grab her and get back out of here undetected.
The woman still doesn’t say anything, so I continue, “We are taking the girl home, with or without your cooperation.” I can see her shaking from across the room, but she nods ever so slightly. She looks young and is probably being forced to do all sorts under the employment of Elliot Donovan.
Lincoln enters behind me, but I don’t risk looking at him as I move closer to the bed, until I reach the side Cassie is sleeping on. I breathe a slight sigh of relief that she appears to be unharmed and as Lincoln stalks across the room to deal with the maid, I gently pull the blanket from her causing her to stir.
Her sleepy eyes open and lock with mine and her surprise is instant, “River?” She wonders aloud in a tired tone.
“Yeah baby, it’s me.” I say with a soft smile. I barely have time to register her moving before she dives at me and flings her little arms around my neck. I don’t think I have ever felt such instant happiness. The comfort of finding her here, and from what I can tell, unharmed. It’s the best I could have ever hoped for.
“I missed you so much,” she whispers, and my throat burns with the pain of emotions as I place my gun back into its holster and cuddle her back.
“I missed you too.” I reply, rubbing my hand up and down her back, watching as Lincoln ties the maid up with ease and drags her into the closet shutting the door. Once she’s secured, I pull back from Cassie, “are you okay?”
She nods enthusiastically, “Is my Mommy here?” She asks and the hope in her voice cuts me. Four words and I can tell how much she has missed her mom, probably just as much as Elle has missed her.
I sigh slightly, knowing I am going to disappoint her, “No princess, just me and the guys, but we are taking you home to mommy, okay?”
She takes in my words, then notices Lincoln as he moves into her view, “Superman!” she yells excitedly, and I am grateful for the distraction.
Lincoln drops to his knees by the bed, so he is eyeline with her, “Hey princess, miss me?” he asks with ease and she nods again with a huge smile on her face. The sight causes my heart to ache for a whole new reason. I wonder if she will grow up realizing how many people love her and would die for her in an instant. So much more than what Lincoln ever grew up with. Seeing him offer her such instant comfort makes me grateful to have him here with us.
“Good because I missed you too, but I’m gonna need you to be quiet, okay?” His tone is the softest I have ever heard from him, and I can tell he is trying his hardest to stay calm and in control for her.
“Like the quiet game?” She asks him and he nods.
“Exactly like the quiet game, remember what mommy told you about me protecting you?” She keeps nodding, “Well, this house is a very bad place for little princesses so we came to take you home, but to do that we need to get back to our car as quietly as possible, can you do that for me?”
“Yes.” She says and then immediately throws her hands over her mouth nodding dramatically and I can’t help the little laugh that slips out of me.
“That’s perfect,” Linc praises her, “now let’s go home.”
He looks at me and nods, before he stands and tosses the bag, we brought with us at me. I pull out the extra Kevlar vest along with one of her pink blankets from home.
“Okay, I am going to carry you little one, but I need to wrap this around you alright?” She nods once more, and I waste no time wrapping her up until the Kevlar covers as much of her body as I can manage with the blanket securing it in place. I move my arms to support her back and then stand lifting her as I go. Just the feel of her tiny weight in my arms makes my heart ache. So small, so innocent, so fragile, I will not stop until we get her out of here safely.
Lincoln moves towards the door and I follow close behind him, slipping the gun back out from my belt with one hand, while keeping Cassie secured tightly against me with my other arm. Her little breaths tickle my neck, and I am glad to feel that they are as steady and as normal as they could be, considering the bizarre situation we are in.
“Secured and leaving.” Lincoln speaks into his mic as Jace speaks into our ears.
“We got company.”
Lincoln curls his arm around the handle, just as shots are fired and we all tense as Cassie lets out a little squeak. I can tell she is scared and trying her hardest not to make a sound.
I lean my head back so I can look down at her, and her little sparkling blue eyes lock with mine, “You are safe with me okay princess? Pinky promise.” Lincoln grabs my gun so I can bring my finger to hers and curl them together. “Just hold on tight and don’t worry about any loud noises or shouting alright?”
“Everyone here is loud.” She replies, and I grind my teeth and I see a muscle lock in Lincoln's jaw. Neither of us want to think about what she may have seen or heard while being here.
“Ready brother?” he asks, and we lock eyes, knowing no matter what happens we will do anything to ensure we get Cassie out of here.
“Ready.”
He opens the door just as a guard is about to enter and before we are even seen Lincoln puts a bullet right into his skull. Cassie clings to me as tight as possible and I tighten my hold on her. As if keeping her as close as possible will make everything okay.
We don’t stop for even a second, stepping over the dead guard and moving out into the hall. Gunshots continue to go off from downstairs and we look at one another.
“Plan B?” he questions, and I nod my head.
“Plan B.” I agree, and we both turn left instead of going back the way we came.
“Talk to me.” Ash barks into our ear.
“Taking the secondary route, down the back stairs and through the kitchen.” Linc responds to him as we move quickly down the hall.
“Alright you have four heat signatures currently on that path.” His voice is tense, but it doesn’t scare me because I hear something else. He has just become the prince. The master of his darkness. On edge, but completely in control and prepared to do whatever is necessary for his daughter.
“Heard.” Is all Linc replies as we continue on our path.
We make it down the hallway and stairs without incident, as the gunshots either die down or are now too far away to be heard. As we make it to the bottom, we hear footsteps coming towards us and ready ourselves. I crush my body into the wall as much as I can giving Cassie as much cover as possible. Lincoln then covers us both, as he stands and waits.
The first guard doesn’t even make it round the corner before Lincoln kills him. Without hesitation, without fear and without regret. My silent and brooding brother is deadlier than even I thought. His shot lands with precision and he is already moving to shoot the second guard, before the first one even hits the floor. Lincoln's second shot misses the kill slightly, only hitting the guard's shoulder as he moves to raise his own gun, but the next one hits him in the center of his chest.
Again, we don’t hesitate and quickly move on our way to bring ourselves closer to our escape. I keep a tight hold on Cassie, praying this is the last time she ever has to face something like this. She is being quiet, and I want to praise her for handling this so well, she is tough and resilient, just like her mother.
"Two down." Lincoln states simply, and I take another deep breath, so close yet still so far.
I follow him as we continue on, but a sound behind us has me whipping around and I shoot at the same time the guard does. His bullet flies past me, but I hear Lincoln grunt slightly as I kill the guard with a bullet to his chest, before he can shoot again. I don't wait for his body to fall before I turn around to check on Lincoln.
"You okay?" I question when I see him standing there rubbing his arm.
"Just a graze," he grunts, and I sigh in relief.
"Okay let's keep moving." I say quietly, checking on Cassie once more, but she has her eyes scrunched tightly closed.
Lincoln passes an alcove ahead of me and before I can warn him someone is kicking his gun from his arm and aiming their own. Linc is quick to disarm them, and he goes into hand-to-hand combat with him. They move quickly and I'm not able to get a clear shot. Not until Lincoln throws back his elbow and then ducks, giving me a clear aim. I fire at the guard, but not before he’s able to plunge a knife into Linc’s back causing him to cry out in pain.
"Fuckkk!" he ruffs out as the guard drops next to him.
"What the fuck is going on?" Asher barks into our ears at the same time Max speaks.
"Who's hurt?"
"Lincoln just took a knife to the back," I say, moving towards him as he begins to stand, "You okay man?" I ask and he nods.
"Fine" he grits through his teeth, but I can tell it hurts and the panic begins to swirl through my body even more. This isn’t good.
“You know you’re not allowed to die on me, right?” I ask only slightly teasing and he huffs a humorless laugh.
“Is that an order, boss?”
“You bet your fucking ass it is.” I toss back and then cringe slightly remembering Cassie in my arms, but there are worse things to worry about other than cussing right now.
We knew the risks in coming here, all of us more than willing to take them, but as I stare at the knife, I feel sick. His black clothing stops me from seeing the blood I know will be soaking there, but I know it’s there. My brother’s blood might as well be my blood. I can’t lose him. I won’t lose him.
I push my fear aside as I step towards him to check it out. "Want me to pull it out?"
"Don't even think about it," Logan's voice startles us both as it comes from behind us instead of in our ear as him and Elijah round the corner.
I see he has a bloodied lip and Elijah seems to be limping slightly, but apart from that they both appear unharmed.
"Uncle Lo?" Cassie asks tentatively and Logan immediately zones in on the bundle in my arms.
He moves towards me until he is close enough to peek inside the blanket, "Hey little one, you alright in there?" He asks with a big smile on his face.
"You got boo boo?" She asks and he reaches up and wipes his lip.
"Just a little one, but don't you worry about me, us Roytons are tough, aren't we?"
"Tough as nails," she replies, and he smiles widely.
"That's right, now let's go home, everyone has missed you." He tucks the blanket securely around her and nods at me.
Elijah speaks, "Let's get out of here."
Logan moves to Lincoln checking the knife sticking out of his back, you okay?" He asks as he steps in front of him bringing them face to face and Lincoln nods.
"I'm fine." He says in exasperation, not enjoying any attention as usual.
Logan smirks, "you certainly are."
"Just get the fuck out of there," Asher snaps into our ears and Logan smiles even wider.
"Yes sir," he replies before tossing Lincoln a wink, "don't worry baby, I'll take care of you when we get home" He purrs at him and I don't miss the slight tip of Lincoln's mouth at Logan's words.
"Let's just get out of here alive," he grits back through his teeth and I can see he is panting through the pain from his wound.
Elijah takes the lead as I follow right after him, leaving Lincoln and Logan at the rear. We hear grunts and shots every so often through our earpieces. Numerous threats being dealt with by the rest of the guys, but thankfully we make it back to the tunnel the others entered through, without coming across anyone else.
As soon as we enter the tunnel, we all break into a run, we have probably been inside the house for no longer than ten minutes, but it feels like a lifetime. I don't think of anything other than putting one foot in front of the other as I cling on to Cassie with everything I have. Almost there. When we get to the entrance of the tunnel Elijah halts us all.
"Leaving the nest with package in hand and three allies." He says into his mic and waits for a response.
Max responds almost instantly, "moving through the west tunnel with all remaining allies."
We all collectively breathe a sigh of relief as we exit the tunnel and move into the trees at a quick pace, not stopping until the van is in sight. Liam flings open the door as we approach, and we all climb inside awaiting the others. It isn't long before they clear the trees on the other side. Oliver jumps back into the driver's seat as Mason slides in next to him and Max, and Jace dives in the back with us
The van doors close behind them and Oliver tears out of there like a bat out of hell. I look at each of the guys ensuring everyone is okay and apart from the knife in Lincoln's back it seems that there isn't more than a black eye or busted lip between us
I shake my head in disbelief at the feel of Cassie in my arms and all of us back here and alive. I lean down into Cassie and take comfort in the fruity smell of her hair.
We did it.