Chapter 93
BRIANNA’S POV
Even after I took a shower and tried to stay calm, I couldn’t shake off the restlessness. The incident in the cell room with Sebastian kept replaying in my mind. We almost had sex, and just thinking about it made my thoughts run wild. I really wanted him, but the situation pushed me in the opposite direction.
That kiss was a mistake. I shouldn’t have kissed him to begin with. At least not now. Catherine just died last night and doing this with Sebastian makes it seem like I’m an opportunist who’s been waiting around for this to happen.
“Say all you want. List all the excuses in the whole wide world. But I’m not blind. I know what I saw yesterday. You appear all meek and innocent like a kitten. But I can see right through you. Beyond all that meekness. All that innocence is a lying snake. A sly fox. Not only are you here to snatch my husband from me. But you’re also here to steal my position as Luna from me!!”
“I can see you were sent from the pit of hell to destroy my marriage and steal my position!!”
“Did you think I’d sit back and watch you take my man and position? You must be foolish to think that. It’ll never happen as long as I’m alive!!”
Catherine’s words echoed loudly in my mind, making it difficult for me to breathe properly. I got up from the bed to get rid of the tense feelings. Covering my ears with my hands, I cried out “No!” and shook my head, trying to block out the sounds.
What I did with Sebastian earlier made it seem like Catherine’s words were true. It was making me feel bad and guilty. Maybe she was right. What will the maids think of me when they see Sebastian and me together? They might think I’m pretending and somehow played a role in her death.
“No…no…no…no… This can’t be. What’s wrong with me?” I kept mumbling. That’s not who I am.
I placed my hand on my chest, trying to ease the tension and guilt building up inside me. Gradually, it subsided and I felt better. Looking out the window, I saw many police cars with their siren lights flashing and TV and media vans near the castle. Police and news reporters were swarming around like busy bees.
I sighed heavily with a sour expression on my face. Is all this commotion because of Catherine’s death?
There was a firm knock on the door, and I hurried to open it, expecting to see Sebastian. I planned to let him know we couldn’t pick up from where we left off in the cell room, at least not for now, until things settled down. I hoped he’d understand and respect my choice without thinking otherwise.
On opening the door, I was surprised to see a strange-looking man with a pair of sharp gunslinger eyes and a military haircut to match staring back at me.
His outfit, a long coat over a dress shirt with well-ironed slacks and a long ID badge around his neck, indicated he was a detective or high-ranking police officer.
The head maid stood next to him, giving me strange looks that hinted she couldn’t prevent him from coming. It seemed like she wanted me to be cooperative to avoid any issues.
“Are you Miss Brianna Campbell?” he asked firmly, his gaze steady on mine, like those detectives you see in movies.
I quickly looked at the head maid. She shrugged and motioned for me to go ahead and answer him with nods and eye signals.
“Yes,” I answered, trying too hard to hide the fear and nervousness building up inside me. “I’m the one.”
“I’m Detective Michael Conrad,” he said, offering his hand, and I hesitantly shook it. I thought his palms would be tough from fighting crime, but they were surprisingly soft, like a pillow. “I’m part of the top detectives assigned to Luna Catherine’s case. We know you witnessed the crime,”
“Yes…” I nodded reluctantly, almost fidgeting nervously. I wondered where this was going. I hoped he wasn’t here to hold me responsible for Catherine’s death.
“As a result, the chief detective has requested your presence for questioning. Do you mind coming with us?” he asked, his sharp gunslinger eyes dimming suspiciously as if thinking I might try to escape or something.
“I don’t mind at all,” I wore a composed look, forcing a smile.
He signalled for me to lead the way, and I closed my door behind me. An icy fear wrapped around me on the inside, making me feel cold. I worried that if this detective sensed my nervousness, he might think I had something to do with Catherine’s death and consider me a main suspect. I couldn’t let that happen, so I tried to look calm and less awkward.
Sebastian never told me that I’d be called for questioning. I didn’t even know what to say. What if nervousness and fear grips so tight and I end up spilling what wasn’t required of me?
Oh goodness…
Just then the head maid held my hand and reassured me, saying.
“Don’t worry. They’re just asking questions to figure things out. Everyone in the castle got asked. Just tell the truth. Be done with it and you’ll be okay.”
I nodded to what she said and she jerked her head comfortingly at me as her warm hand left mine. It made me feel a little better, but I wished she didn’t have to say it to the detective’s hearing.
I was led to a guest room where a lady with a short pixie haircut, looking a bit boyish, was sitting, staring at her phone. From the way she sat, one could tell she was a very tall lady. Her serious and somewhat proud demeanour was enough to tell me she was the chief detective her colleague was talking about.
Looking around, I noticed Sebastian standing in the side of the room, looking troubled with his arms crossed. He must be overwhelmed with the cops and reporters and everything. When our eyes met, he nodded and smiled reassuringly in a way that said I shouldn’t be scared. That he was here with me.
“Miss Brianna?” The detective drew my attention.
I looked at her and nodded. “Yes, that’s me.”
“Take a seat,” she motioned towards the cosy chair in front of her.
I sat down the way Aunt Gigi taught me: face forward, shoulders straight, legs together, and hands on my thighs. I didn’t need to be scared; Sebastian was with me. No need to worry. None of us were responsible for Catherine’s death. She brought it upon herself.
“Miss Brianna Campbell,” she said again, grabbing a pen and a small notepad. “I understand that you’re Alpha Sebastian’s slave, bought at an auction. From the information I gathered, you tried to escape the castle once and as a result, he had you locked up in the cell. Correct me if I’m wrong.”
Her words hit me hard, like a wrecking ball, shattering my composure. I didn’t see it coming – her starting like that, saying that.
“I… I wouldn’t quite say it like that…” I stumbled, blinking a lot, still trying to recover from the impact of her words.
“How would you say it then?” she replied quickly, grabbing my words from me. “Please understand Miss Brianna that this is a very serious case. Your total compliance and honesty are greatly needed, otherwise, we might be forced to believe that you’re hiding something and as such will be labelled a main suspect. Hope you understand?”
I nodded slowly, taking in a sharp breath as I tried to steady my pulse. I pray I survive this.