Landon's POV
{Kelsey's Residence. 10:02 A.M}
I stared at the message I'd just sent to Kelsey, a grin tugging at the corner of my lips as I saw her response. I had sent her something simple, just checking in.
It was nothing too personal, just a quick message to let her know I was thinking about her, and then I made it seem like I was talking about Lila. But when I saw her reply, warm, reassuring, and with that little bit of humour I loved, I couldn't help but smile.
I didn't know when it had happened, but every second I spent thinking about her felt like I was falling in love. The sensation was strange and unfamiliar, and yet... it was something I wanted to embrace.
I didn't know when it started, but the more I thought about her, the deeper I fell. It was strange. I wasn't used to caring about anyone. But with her, I didn't want to fight it.
I dropped my phone and looked at the papers on her desk. The ones I saw the last time I came into this room. 'MISSION' was written on the top. I knew I shouldn't touch them, but I was curious.
I wasn't proud of it, but I had gone through them. It wasn't like I didn't trust her. I didn't see her as a criminal. I knew her past wasn't spotless, but I didn't think she was the kind of person who would betray me. Of course, I know better than anyone how far some people would go to protect their families and their loyalties.
Still, when I read through the documents, the unease in my stomach only grew.
The Blackridge family... they were planning something big.
From what I could piece together, it looked like they were working with Country C. And that meant a war was coming, against Country B.
My country.
Kelsey's name was in the file. I didn't want to believe she was part of this, but I needed answers. I couldn't just sit back.
I immediately burst out of the house and entered the car I was supposed to use to pick Lila up later from school. Just then, a familiar voice snapped me back to reality.
"Sylus."
My voice was flat, devoid of emotion when I looked out the window and saw Sylus standing in front of the car. The bastard was blocking the path, as usual, with that smug look on his face.
"Where do you think you're going?" Sylus smirked, hands resting on the hood of the car as if he had any control over the situation. "You aren't just going to steal this car and run off, are you?"
I couldn't help but smirk back.
"I'm not stealing it," I replied as if he could hear me inside the car, starting the engine. "But you're right about one thing, I'm running off."
Before Sylus could even react, I floored the gas pedal. The car shot forward with a roar, speeding down the driveway at full throttle. Sylus scrambled to get out of the way, narrowly avoiding being run over as the car zoomed past him. I didn't care. I knew Sylus would probably report this to Kelsey, but honestly, it didn't matter. There were bigger problems at play.
The Blackridge family. This looming war. It was all bigger than anything going on with me personally. And right now, I needed to focus on that.
My mind raced as I drove, the engine's roar matching the pace of my thoughts.
My heart beat faster as I turned the wheel sharply, taking the turn onto the main road. I wasn't sure what the Blackridge family had planned with the other country and also, with Kelsey, but I was sure of one thing: I wouldn't let it happen.
Minutes later, I arrived at my Family House. My grandmother was already outside, watching my approach with that familiar, expectant look on her face. She was a kind woman, someone who had always shown me affection, even when no one else did.
I could see the sadness in her eyes as she saw me getting out of the car.
"You're not staying for lunch?" she asked, her voice tinged with disappointment.
I forced a smile, stepping toward her. "Not today, Granny. I'm just here to handle some things, then I have to go."
The look on her face softened, but she didn't argue. She was used to me being distant, used to me leaving for long periods. She just nodded, her eyes filled with unspoken words.
"You be careful, alright?" she added, reaching up to touch my cheek in that motherly way she always did.
I leaned down, kissing her on the forehead. "Always am," I lied.
She smiled softly, but there was a sadness in her eyes that made my heart ache. She was the only one who had ever truly loved me, and I hated seeing that look on her face. But I couldn't stay. There were things I needed to take care of, things that required my attention.
"Take care of yourself, my baby," she said, before turning to head back inside.
I watched her go, then turned and headed for the door, my mind already focused on the task at hand. I wasn't Landon anymore. I wasn't the boy who had been raised in this house. I was Killian Vane Blackthorne, the ruthless marshal who had to do what needed to be done, regardless of the cost.
I walked into the room, my steps measured and purposeful. I could feel my transformation taking place as I donned my uniform.
When I emerged from my room, dressed in my full marshal's uniform, the transformation was complete. I felt like someone else entirely. Someone who could do what needed to be done without hesitation.
The coldness settled into my bones, the mask slipping into place. Killian Vane Blackthorne was who I was now.
My father was already in the hallway when I stepped out of my room.
"Where have you been?" My father asked, his voice filled with the kind of condescending curiosity that I had learned to ignore over the years.
I paused, looking at my father with cold eyes. I didn't have to answer him.
"Does it matter?" I finally said, voice low and detached.
My father didn't take kindly to the disrespect.
"Of course, it matters. You can't just disappear whenever you feel like it. You've been absent from the company also..."
I didn't wait for him to finish. I pulled the gun from my waist, my movements swift and practised. The bullet came out of the chamber with a flash and grazed past my father's ear before he even had a chance to blink.
The old man immediately fell silent, his eyes wide in shock.
"If you ever ask me where I've been again, I won't miss your forehead next," I said, my tone icy. "Now, Move!"
My father froze for a moment, no words coming out before he slowly nodded and stepped aside, his face pale.
I didn't wait for him to speak again. I turned on my heel, walking out the door and into the waiting car. The engine roared to life again as I sped off into the street.
I grabbed my phone, calling my lieutenant.
"Salute, Marshal!"
"Call for an emergency meeting. Immediately!"
"Y... Yes, Marshal!" He responded immediately.