Landon's POV
{Onyx Reign Military Force. 1 PM}
{Marshal's Office…}
After Kelsey and Lila left the house, I headed to the company for an urgent matter. I slipped into my office through the secret passage. My lieutenant, who was stationed at the main door, saw me walk in wearing casual clothes.
He looked like he'd seen a ghost.
"Marshal?" he asked, as if unsure it was really me. Of course, I wasn't wearing my uniform because I didn't feel like it. Also, there was no way I could wear the military uniform and walk out of the estate.
Sylus would report everything to Kelsey once she gets back.
That fucking blabbermouth!
I pulled off my cap and tossed it on the desk, then dropped into my leather chair.
"What? Need me to dye my hair before you recognize me?" I asked, deadpan.
"Forgive me, Marshal!" He lowered his head. "I didn't know—"
"Would anyone else be walking in through the damn secret entrance?" I tilted my head, annoyed.
"I apologize, Marshal," he repeated, like a goddamn broken machine.
I sighed, raking a hand through my hair. Then I stretched out my hand. He got the message and passed me the envelope.
I ripped it open and pulled out the documents.
Intel on Kelsey.
—Kelsey Prescott, age 25. Attended a top college in the city. Dropped out after disappearing.
—On the day she vanished, she caught her fiancé, Cassian Greyson, cheating with her best friend. The friend gave her a fake hotel room number to "surprise" her fiancé. She ended up in the wrong room. Slept with a stranger.
I paused, eyes locked on the hotel name. They hadn't bothered to dig deeper, assuming it wasn't important.
Idiots.
Every single detail about Kelsey is important. I want to know everything about her. Not because I'm stalking.
She's my wife and my daughter's mother.
I glanced up at my lieutenant, still standing there like a drenched kitten.
"Find more info. I want the exact hotel room, the date, the time."
He nodded quickly.
I flipped through the rest. Nothing useful from the five years she was gone. Dead trail. There was no information about her when she disappeared. It was as if she became a ghost and reappeared after five years.
They picked up from the moment she reappeared recently.
I already knew that part. I slammed the folder shut.
"Look into the Blackridge family," I said, tapping the desk.
"The Blackridge family?" he asked.
"Yes, that one. I want everything—what they're doing, what they're hiding, and how Kelsey's involved with them."
"Yes, Marshal!" He saluted.
I stood and headed for the secret door.
"Marshal?" he called out.
I turned halfway, raising a brow.
"Last time... During the conference call, your daughter's voice was heard and she called you... Daddy. When did you get married?"
"Oh that..." I tapped my jaw, feigning thought. "A few days ago," I said, and walked off before I could witness his brain short-circuit.
Let him be shocked. I've avoided women all my life, and now I'm suddenly married?
Even my family would be shocked if they find out about that. And I hope they do not... Not yet.
I pressed the button behind the bookshelf. It slid shut with a soft hiss.
I checked my watch. Almost 2 PM.
Guess I'll go pick up Lila. Kelsey's probably buried in work.
I flagged a cab and headed to the academy. It's been years since I last showed up here. I never attended those Founder's Day events either. It seemed like a total waste of time.
The cab pulled up. I paid and got out. The parking lot was full of shiny cars. Maids, nannies, and butlers waited to collect their precious brats.
I looked down at my t-shirt and pants. Too casual?
Will Lila even want to go home with me dressed like this? Should I go home and change into something else?
"No! I'll wait for my mommy!"
A familiar voice snapped my attention toward the parking area.
Lila.
A man had her wrist, trying to drag her into a car.
A damn kidnapper?
Why the hell is no one doing anything? Oh... he's in uniform. Wait...
That uniform—he's the General?
Is this asshole trying to kidnap my daughter?
I stormed toward them and grabbed his wrist. He flinched, instantly letting go of Lila.
He turned to look at me, startled.
Lila ran to my side and hugged me tight.
Damn, I felt like a hero.
I opened my mouth, ready to speak, but Lila tugged harder on my pants. I looked down. She shook her head.
She didn't want me to speak. She didn't want me to blow my cover... just to protect me.
Cute.
"Who the hell are you? What right do you have to touch me?" the bastard snapped, shoving me.
Oh, this motherfucker.
Shouldn't he be working on the damn assignment I gave him? Did he pass it off to someone again, like last time?
I smirked. Another reason to punish him for slacking off. But not now.
Right now, I'm just Landon—not the Marshal.
"My daddy can't talk to you," Lila said, frowning.
"Oh? Your daddy?" He gave me a mocking once-over. "Damn, your mommy has trash taste. She settled for this?"
I really want to bash his skull in.
"Listen, kid. Your mommy should be with someone like me. I'm a General. People love me."
Lila glanced at me. She knew damn well I outranked this clown, but she didn't say a word.
"It doesn't matter. I like my daddy! And my mommy likes him too!" she shouted.
He laughed, loud enough to draw eyes.
Shit. I should hit him.
"Your mommy likes him? Then where is she? Let her come prove it—"
I stepped forward, ready to knock his smug face into the pavement...
But then a hand yanked my collar and slammed me down into...
Lips?
A kiss?
From—
Kelsey?
Wait. Wait.
Shit.
If she keeps doing that, I might just lose control...