Chapter 78: A Rat Problem ARES Death is a mercy. This bastard on the floor got mercy. A hitman in the King’s grounds. The audacity. I dipped my hand into my pocket and pulled out my phone to call Nico. He picked. "Come to the second floor, the third hallway on your left. You’ve got five minutes. Tell the others in position to be on guard." "On it, boss." I ended the call. I had my men on standby. I had no intention of attending this ball alone, even though it goes against my father’s orders. This was a problem. This night decided to add unwanted drama. I released a sharp sigh, looking behind, but Catherine was gone. Fuck. I stepped out of the room, eyes scanning both sides of the hallway, but she was nowhere to be seen. I dialed a number knowing he was the only one who could get to her fast. I don’t want her roaming these grounds alone. "Get to my wife, now. Make sure she doesn’t leave." "Understood." The call ended. I had a feeling this bastard behind me wasn’t the only pest. How did he get in? This ball, which my father held every year, was highly secured. The men are armed to the teeth, and not even a mouse can get in without getting shot at. I fixed my belt, my cock still hard as wood and coated in Catherine’s cum. The sooner I’m done with this, the sooner I can get back to her. "Boss," Nico said, approaching me in quick steps as he took off his mask. "Examine that." Nico looked inside the room and whistled. "He must have pissed you off. You blew his brains out. Messy." He crouched, eyeing the body closely. "What am I looking at here, boss?" "A hitman." He veered his gaze to the gun on the ground, taking out his handkerchief to grab it. "Yeah, a foolish one." He twirled to observe. "With an expensive firearm, too. A gold-plated 1911. These are my favorites." "He came through the door like he knew I was here," I stated. "While holding a flashy gun instead of a silencer." "As if he knew the office was soundproof," I added, my jaw clenching. As if he knew I would be in here... distracted. Catherine wasn’t the target; I was, because the moment he burst through the door, he aimed the gun right at me. But she was in danger too, because things like these will end up without a witness. I didn’t wanna imagine what could have happened if I hadn’t taken protective measures. Father doesn’t allow firearms for his guests for a peaceful evening. "Will you look at that?" Nico’s words pulled me out of it. "Doesn’t this tattoo look familiar?" he asked, pointing to his wrist. It does. I knew who ordered the hit. "Get rid of the body, quietly." I stepped out of the room. I took the gun off the garter and shoved it in the side of my hip, folding the garter and putting it in my pocket as I made my way back to the ballroom. I used a different route, staring down the event from the second floor with all the flashy aesthetics, a live orchestra playing, and a flow of small and big chatters. My eyes travelled to where my father sat, two men behind him. I tracked as Isaac walked and whispered something to his ear. Judging by the look of rage twisting on his face, it must have been known that security had been breached. He didn’t react, and I don’t expect him to because the best choice to do this would be quietly, in case there was another. My priority was ensuring Catherine was in a safe location. I moved my gaze, and it settled on her. Even from here, she was the most beautiful, her dress catching the light with every movement. She was trying to leave when Reed stopped her. I called Reed, and he picked. "Take her to the west wing. Get two others and guard the door. No one goes in or out. Take Ms. Dalton along, too." "Understood." I followed another movement as two men came to Athena to escort her away, but she brushed them off. Fixing my bow tie, I walked downstairs to Athena, and when she saw me coming, I noticed a sad look on her face. "Are you alright?" "None of your business," she mumbled. "Talk to me." "Cat got angry at me." I didn’t even need to ask what she did this time, and I know she had no intention of telling me. "Go with them, Athena." "Why? These are daddy’s men. Are they gonna kick me out?" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢 "No. This is a safety measure." I nudge my chin at them. "Fine." She folded her arms and followed them. I already had one of my men watching her from a distance just in case. With hands buried in my pockets, I walked to Father. "You should end the ball here... we need to sweep the place," I said, standing beside him. "The ball continues. No one’s dead yet." Typical. "You have a rat." "A rat?" "There’s no way anyone would have gotten so close to pulling the trigger if there wasn’t." He snapped his gaze to me, getting the message that I was attacked. He sighed heavily, now affected. Good. He grabbed a silver spoon from the table and tapped it against the crystal flute to grab the guests’ attention. "Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for gracing us tonight. The ball of the season is once again a success." They clapped. "Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, we’ll be concluding the evening a bit earlier than planned." Soft murmurs filled the room "A toast!" He grabbed his flute. They raised their glasses. "To familiar faces, lasting friendships, and a memorable night." After everything was wrapped up, my father pushed to his feet using his cane to support his movement, and I walked beside him as we exited the ballroom. "What’s the origin of this rat?" he questioned sharply with a pissed look.