“Not all of Santina stands behind you, Your Majesty,” he said with a hint of self-righteousness.
“I do,” came a familiar voice as Asher saw Alistair emerge from the intersecting hallway.
Alistair fired shots into the men as he strode forward.
Asher screamed as he saw the men turn, raising their weapons at his brother.
He could see what was happening, but he was powerless to stop it.
Gunfire erupted and Asher’s world stopped as Alistair’s body jerked before he fell.
The men in front of Asher fell as James fired and Asher lunged for his brother.
“Alistair!” he said, grabbing his brother’s hand and lifting his head. His gaze dropped to the blood-soaked T-shirt covering his abdomen. “Hang on! Don’t you dare give up on me!”
Alistair managed a weak smile. “Maybe Santina will be proud of me now,” he said, his breathing shallow.
Asher’s eyes pricked hot tears. “Santina is proud of you. I am proud of you!” he told his brother quickly.
Alistair’s eyes lit up before they rolled back in his head.
“Alistair!” Asher screamed as a team of men swarmed around them.
James kneeled on the ground beside Alistair. “Sit back, I need room,” he said quickly as he lifted Alistair’s T-shirt, pressing his hand on the wound. “Pass me a kit!” he commanded and one of his men dropped to the ground beside him, opening a black bag.
“Clotting patch,” James commanded, holding out his hand. A white fabric strip was passed to him and as he lifted his hand to apply it, blood bubbled out, pooling on the floor. James ripped the backing off the patch and stuck it onto Alistair’s skin, holding his hand over it.
“Samuel, I need to get him to a hospital,” James said quickly, his eyes never leaving Alistair’s wound.
“Paramedics are moving in now. Backup teams are scoping the palace. So far it’s clean.”
Alistair mumbled something and Asher leaned in.
“What did you say?” Asher asked. “What did you say?” he repeated, his words desperate, but Alistair only gave him a wide smile as his body began to shake.
“Alistair! Stay with me!” Asher screamed.
Asher
Asher watched helplessly as a team of men lifted Alistair and carried him away. He’d been told they would meet the paramedics and rush him to the hospital.
“We need to keep moving,” James told him.
Asher’s eyes dropped to the pool of blood on the floor. “How did he know we were trapped?”
James shook his head. “He didn’t. He left the panic room a few minutes ago saying he wasn’t going to sit and do nothing, and for once, Alistair was in the right place at the right time.”
“Let’s go,” James said, stepping over the pool of blood.
They ran down the hallway, flanked by a team of men. James entered a code on the door and guided Asher inside the moment it opened.
His eyes landed on Abi and his composure cracked. Her cheek was grazed, there was blood in her hair, and by the way she was holding her arm, he knew she’d been injured. But she stood and rushed toward him.
He held out his arms, wrapping her up, holding her close.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said, her words muffled against his chest.
Asher kissed the crown of her head and drew a long deep breath for the first time since the masked man had stormed his office.
He opened his eyes and his gaze settled on his mother, who was watching them with a smile. Asher’s heart broke, realizing he knew he would have to tell her about Alistair.
“Give me a second,” he said under his breath as Abi pulled back.
She dropped her arms and he brushed a thumb over her cheek before he strode toward his mother. “Are you hurt?” he asked, kneeling in front of her.
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “Are you?”
“No,” Asher said. “Alistair saved my life today, and he was shot. They’ve rushed him to the hospital, but he’s going to be fine.”
His mother’s face turned white and the sparkle in her eyes faded.
“He’s going to be fine,” Asher repeated, as much to convince his mother as himself.
“He’s in the ambulance now,” Reed broke in. “He’s stable.”
Asher nodded gratefully, letting out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding in. “Thank you.”
“We’re doing a final sweep of the palace and then we’re going to move you all out. We’ve spoken to the Bennetts and we’re going to use their home as a base until we can secure another. It has a great surveillance and security system,” Reed added.
“Okay,” Asher said blankly as James Thomas walked in. Asher noted his bloodstained hands, and his mind returned to his brother.
Keep fighting, Alistair.
“You have a problem,” James said.
Asher’s eyebrows lifted. “What now?”
“I have confirmation that Adani soldiers are on every border surrounding Santina,” he said.
Asher leaned forward like James had kicked him in the stomach.
“How many soldiers?” he asked with a strained voice.
“Samuel estimates about two hundred thousand men,” James replied.
Asher fought to breathe. “I need a secure phone line.”
“Talk to me, Asher,” James said calmly. “Tell me what’s going through your head.”
“Santina doesn’t have a big enough army. I can’t fight Adani, not on my own. So I’m going to request . . . no, beg,” Asher clarified. He was not above begging at this point. He began to pace. “Beg the others to fight with us, with Santina. I’ll show the neighboring kingdoms the poisoning evidence and what Adani is capable of, including the development of biological warfare weapons. If they want to protect their kingdoms, I’m their best shot.”
Asher looked at James, his eyes going hard. “I didn’t want to go to war, not like this, but I won’t back down if my hand is forced.”
James spent the next thirty minutes coordinating with William’s private security team and William authorized Samuel to take full control of the security system. When he’d given permission for Samuel to run checks on all his staff, Samuel had faltered. It turned out Thomas Security had taken that liberty upon themselves after Abi’s kidnapping and all of William’s staff passed their assessment.
As they drove through the main gates, Asher realized he’d never even seen a photograph of the Bennett family home. It wasn’t a royal palace, but it came in a close second. It must’ve been the largest residential home in Santina, which wasn’t surprising given the family’s wealth, but the fact that they’d managed to keep photographs of it off the internet was impressive.
“Did you grow up in this house?” he asked, turning to Abi.
“I did,” she said casually.
The car came to a stop and they were ushered inside. William stood, ready to greet them. He extended his hand to Asher. “You’ve had a rough day.”
“It’s not over yet,” Asher said grimly.
William turned his attention to his daughter and his face fell. “I’m starting to think you’re a cat with nine lives.”
Abi gave a small smile. “I’m fine, I promise.”
“Thank you for having us—all of us,” Asher clarified, aware that there were at least thirty people standing behind him.
Asher’s eyes swept over the home as they walked through the hallways, but he didn’t really see it. His mind was lost in the details of what had to happen next.
William led them to his personal office. “I’ll leave you to it.”
“Thank you,” Asher said, staring at the desk that reminded him of his own. He wondered what the palace’s damage bill would be, and then decided he didn’t want to know. He had enough to focus on right now.
James passed him his cell phone, which had been swept and tested again to make sure it hadn’t been tapped. “Make the call,” he said with a nod.
His pulse was strong and steady as he waited for the call to be answered.
“King Asher. This is a surprise,” King Khalil said cautiously.
“Because you thought I’d be dead by now?” Asher asked flatly. “You know why I’m calling, and I’m giving you one chance to stand down your soldiers. If they cross into Santina, there will be a war—and I will destroy you,” he said, his voice a growl.
“You are full of threats, King Asher,” King Khalil hissed. “But you forget one thing: you have a small army. We are Adani!”
“And Adani just attempted regicide,” Asher said firmly. “Make no mistake, my threats are not empty. If one Adani soldier steps over into Santina, we will fight back. You think Santina is weak, you think I am weak, but let me tell you this: you will be like a deer caught in headlights if you make the mistake of stepping foot in my kingdom. Your fear will asphyxiate you, and I will not give you mercy.”
“If you fight me, I will slaughter every innocent Santinian in my path, the entire way to your palace. Good luck, King Asher,” he said smugly before ending the call.
Asher looked at the phone, grinding his teeth. “Get the helicopter ready.”
James nodded and drew his phone, stepping outside to make the calls.
Asher looked to Abi. He needed to hear what had happened in the tunnels, but he didn’t have time right now and he felt guilty about that.
He sighed as he sat beside her on the couch. “Abi, I need to leave and sort this out. We’re going to war.”
She bit her lip, nodding hesitantly. He understood. She was a humanitarian, she saved lives, and now he was going to start a war where many innocent lives would be lost.
“Asher, the helicopter is ready,” James’s voice broke in.
“Give me a minute,” he said, not taking his eyes off Abi.
“Sure,” James said, and Asher heard the door close.
Abi looked back to him. “I know this isn’t what you wanted, Asher. But I know this is what you have to do. If Adani storms Santina, it will fall. We have to fight back,” she said, shaking her head as her mind and heart clearly fought against each other.
Asher nodded, returning his attention to Abi. “I need to go and meet with our allies. It’s time to end Adani.”
“Go,” Abi said without hesitation. “Go and teach them Santina is stronger than they’ll ever be.”
He kissed her forehead, letting his lips linger for a second, and then stepped back.
James was waiting outside for him. “Alistair is in emergency surgery. He’s stable and they think he’ll make a full recovery.”
Asher drew a calming breath, trying to clear his mind. He was worried about Alistair, and he was worried about leaving Abi and his mother—if the palace could be attacked, the Bennetts’ house could be too.
Asher knew that if that happened, and he was at the house, there would be little he could do to protect her. But he’d still want to be there. As tragic as his father’s death had been, there was one factor Asher had found comforting—he’d died next to his wife. He hadn’t died alone.
He shook his head, needing to get a grip on his mind. Abi was with her family and there was no way William Bennett would go down without a fight. Not to mention, James was extremely impressed with the security system for their house.
He followed James into the elevator and pushed down his anxiety that was rising faster than the elevator. When they stepped out onto the rooftop, William’s private helicopter was waiting for them with its propellers slicing through the air.
They ran toward it and climbed inside. Asher was barely buckled in when the helicopter tilted as it began to hover.
Asher gripped the arm rests—he hated helicopters, he always had, but they provided an efficient means of transport and they could land where he needed them to.
“Flight time, approximately one hour,” the pilot said.
Asher pulled out his phone, needing a distraction from the slight turbulence as the helicopter reached full height. He stole one quick look out the window at his kingdom below.
The sun was climbing in the sky but Santina was just waking up. Some homes had lights on, visible through the hazy dawn light. But others were still asleep. Asher wondered if they were sleeping soundly—and wondered when he’d sleep like that again.
He returned his attention to his phone and the emails that were flooding his inbox. He’d spoken individually to every ruler of Santina’s allying kingdoms. He’d advised them Adani had attempted regicide, had infiltrated their kingdoms, and had men stationed on the border they shared with Santina. That had been enough to agree to an emergency confidential meeting, an assembly of kingdoms—excluding Adani.
Asher typed furiously, needing every minute to prepare for this meeting. Realistically, he needed a week. But he was only going to get . . . fifty-eight minutes he realized, looking at the time on his phone.
Asher knew he wouldn’t stick to a prepared speech—he never had—but he needed a list of everything he wanted to discuss, because he couldn’t leave anything out. This kind of meeting had never occurred before, and Asher had to make sure he utilized every opportunity that would come from it, because what he would ask them to do at the conclusion of the meeting was unprecedented.
Asher was still typing on his phone when the helicopter landed on the pad at Umaid Palace, owned by King Luang—the King of Valencia.
Asher looked out to see Luang waiting for them, accompanied by three rows of security.
Asher might’ve been intimidated by the amount of security except for one fact: King Martin and King Luang had always had a good relationship, and that relationship was the primary reason Asher had asked King Luang to host this emergency assembly.
With James Thomas beside him, Asher walked toward the king and extended his hand.
The king’s handshake was firm and his smile warm. His dark brown eyes were welcoming—as if greeting an old friend. Asher might’ve been intimidated by his security, but Luang himself was a different story. He reminded Asher of his own grandfather—he even had a similar, stocky build—but Asher wasn’t fooled by his appearance. King Luang was well respected for both his intelligence and his strategic moves. His kingdom had flourished under his rule, and they had gone from impoverished to wealthy in a matter of decades.
“Everyone is assembled in the cabinet room,” King Luang said. “They are anxiously awaiting your arrival, Your Majesty.”
“Best not keep them waiting, then,” Asher said, noting the glimmer in King Luang’s eyes.
“I wish your father could see you right now,” he said with a sad smile.
“I hope he can,” Asher said.
They turned and walked toward the door leading into the palace.
“Asher, I’m hesitant to give you advice on this without knowing the full extent of why you’ve requested this meeting. But you have to know there are some kingdoms that will not go against Adani. They rely on Adani, much like Santina once did,” King Luang said quietly.
“I know, and that’s why I only invited our allies. If everyone here today agrees, we will defeat Adani,” Asher said stridently.
King Luang’s fluffy eyebrows lifted high on his forehead. He rubbed his palms together. “This I can’t wait to see.”
Asher’s heart began to beat a little faster and his hands were sweaty. This would be the biggest negotiation of his life, and he had one chance to make it happen.
King Luang entered first and the group hushed, standing for his arrival.
But their eyes were on Asher.
Asher
Asher looked over two the men and one woman assembled. The Adani ruler was noticeably absent.
Asher looked to King Luang, who motioned for them to sit before nodding to Asher.
His hand went to his tie, which felt like it was choking him, but he refrained from touching it, choosing to smooth out his jacket instead. He cou
ld not appear weak. Not now, not ever—not in front of these leaders.
Asher cleared his throat. “Thank you for making the effort to meet here today, especially given the late notice and lack of information provided to you.”
Heads nodded and Asher continued.
“The Kingdom of Santina has been in an invisible war with Adani for the past few years, which came to light after the murder of my father. Adani is bold, and they fear nothing—including the law. They will destroy whomever they want, and they will take whatever they want, at any cost,” Asher said gravely. “I’m here today because a few hours ago, Adani attacked my palace, shot my brother, attempted to kill me, my fiancée, and my mother, and has lined every border of Santina with Adani soldiers. Their plan to kill us failed, so now King Khalil has given me a demand: back down to his army and let them take Santina, or they will slaughter every innocent Santinian in their path. That was his biggest mistake.”
All eyes were on Asher.
“I know this is hard to believe, so I am going to play you a recording of the phone conversation,” Asher said. He looked at James and nodded.
The recording began to play and Asher took a deep breath. He could hear the anger in his own voice.
When it finished, he said, “I will give you a copy if you’d like, so you can see the recording has not been edited.”
He looked over the gathering, a small but powerful group. “Adani has secrets buried so deep they are sleeping on top of them,” Asher continued. “They shouldn’t be able to close their eyes at night, but they can—and they do—because they fear no one. They have become too powerful,” he said, and then took a calming breath. “I know that many of you in this room rely on Adani for aid. I understand that, as Santina was in that same position not too long ago. But I ask you to watch this video with an open mind, because this doesn’t just affect Adani—it affects all of our kingdoms and the entire world.”
Asher nodded again, indicating for the video to be played.
This time King Khalil’s face flashed up on the wall.
“What do you mean our system was hacked?” the king asked.
VALIANT REIGN (The Royals Book 3) Page 18
