54

Aiden's POV

The ominous ticking continued, filling my ears and sending shivers across my skin. The box sat there, like a macabre warning of death.

How had it gotten there?

I turned back to Joe with those questions in my eyes. As though reading my mind, he answered. "One of your gardeners heard the ticking sound coming from one of the hedges. He spotted the bomb in no time, and called me first to alert you."

"How the fuck had this entered my house?" I roared. "Someone must have planted it here. Bombs don't walk into mansions, do they?"

Joe sighed in concern. "I have no idea, Mr Blackwood."

I stared at Joe, as the ticking continued in the background. The sound matched the tempo of my heartbeat, and I felt adrenaline pumping through my body.

"Joe...." I started. "How many seconds more before it detonates?"

I watched as Joe swallowed hard. "Thirty seconds, boss...."

My heart lurched in sudden, absolute fright. I glanced up, at the window of Lily's room which overlooked the swimming pool.