Chapter 29
Anton smiled as the news was played on the TV. His plans were coming along nicely. The only drawback was his team hadn't been able to place the explosives before Applewood had been secured. They'd just have to get the queen another way and soon. Anton glared at the team that was supposed to blow up Applewood. "You have failed in your mission. I don't tolerate failure. You will have to prove you deserve to stay. You will likely die trying to prove yourself. Now prove yourselves."
Anton stepped out of the way. He leaned against a wall watching as the failing team fought against each other. He and his other men enjoyed watching the men beat each other up. Anton continued to watch enjoying the blood and pain of the men fighting. One by one they started to fall until only one remained on his feet. Anton motioned for the man to follow him as he left the building. He left his team to make sure everyone else was dead. Once the building was clear they'd blow it up burying the evidence. He hoped since it was an abandoned building and listed as an unsafe structure. Hopefully, when the police showed up to investigate they'd believe the building collapsed. It would give them the time needed to grab the queen and return to the stronghold.
Anton scowled as they made their way to Valtoria. Riley was making it difficult for him. All the new security measures at all the homes had kept him from getting to her. He was thrilled when he had heard that Riley would be reading to the children in the Valtoria Library. Anton grinned Riley was going alone Liam was staying home for meetings. Anton imagined with the birth getting closer that Liam was trying to get a lot of work done. This would give him time to spend with the child when it arrived. Anton wondered how panicked the King would be once he realized his queen was gone. He hoped King Liam would be devastated and be willing to do anything he asked.
They made their way to Valtoria finding an abandoned house to hold up in. He grinned when he entered the building noticing his team was already there. It pleased him to see them, He pushed the remaining member of the team that failed forward. Anton said, "Tell them your name." The man said, "I'm Jason." Anton nodded saying, "Jason here has to prove himself worthy with this mission to capture the queen. He will take on the simple job of replacing the queen's driver. She will be headed to the library later today. If all goes well we will have the queen in the stronghold tonight." His men all cheered excitedly to finally have the queen in the stronghold and under their control.
Anton paced until the time came to spring into action. He grew excited as he climbed into one of the waiting vehicles. His vehicle was a van that carried a team of men. They would be waiting in a remote location to join the queen in her limo. She'd be transferred to another vehicle once they left Valtoria in case the limo had a tracking device. He was taking no chances of being found before he had what he wanted from the king. Once the king surrendered he'd return with the queen and take his place at her side as the king. He'd have to decide what he wanted to do with Olivia he was married to her.
Jason had made it to the duchy. He had snuck onto the property and found out who would be driving the queen. Once he had found the man he waited until they were alone. He grabbed the man from behind knocking him out. He stripped the man so he'd have the right clothes and tied him up. He lowered the driver's cap so no one would get a good look at his face. It was relatively easy as security hadn't been upgraded at the duchy yet. They were working on it though so he only had this one shot to get it right. He watched the king escort the queen to the car. They engaged in a kiss before he opened the door for her. Jason rolled his eyes as they kissed yet again. He startled slightly when the other door opened and closed. He noticed a member of security now seated in the back. Jason looked back at the queen and had to fight a groan at how long the couple was kissing. The queen finally got into the limo and the king closed the door waving at her as they left.
Jason drove casually to the library. The queen and her guard were quiet on the drive to the library. He found it odd that not a word was spoken he asked, "Would you like some music, your majesty." Riley replied, "No thank you. It's a short trip and I'm enjoying the view out the window." Jason went back to driving although the silence bothered him. Jason was happy when they finally arrived at the Library. He pulled up to the library doors and waited for them to get out. Riley seemed disappointed and soon said, "You are supposed to open the door as part of your job. Only when Liam is here does he prefer to do so. Please remember that. Mara would you please open the door."
Mara opened the door and scanned the area before allowing the queen to exit the limo. Riley left as soon as she got the all-clear and headed to the library doors. He waited until she had gotten past the doors before leaving to where he was supposed to wait. Once he was in position he contacted Anton saying, "I'm in place waiting for the team taking the queen." Anton replied, "Good stay put until the team is in the limo with the queen."