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Chapter_86
Axel’s mischievous smile widened as he gave Silas a playful shove. “Oh, come on, Silas. You’re such a softie these days! Just admit it—you’d love to see the look on Jasper’s face when we show up.”
Silas scoffed, but his eyes flickered with amusement. “Not gonna happen. You know I don’t take orders from you. Besides, I’m not the one who’s been hanging out in secret spy headquarters, preparing assassination gadgets,” he teased, his voice filled with mock disbelief.
Jonah, still quietly observing, couldn’t help but smile at the banter between his younger brothers. Despite the tension and the responsibility that came with their line of work, moments like this reminded him of the simpler times—before everything had gotten so complicated.
“I think I’ll pass on the ‘beating up Jasper’ idea,” Jonah said, his voice laced with humor. “But I agree with you, Axel—if anyone’s going to have the final word with him, it’s Lyse. She’s stronger than we give her credit for, and if anyone can handle that situation, it’s her.”
Axel nodded thoughtfully, the playful glint in his eyes fading slightly as he acknowledged Jonah’s words. “Yeah… you’re right. It’s Lyse’s choice what happens to him. But I’ll be damned if I let him get away with hurting her, even from a distance.”
Silas sighed dramatically, crossing his arms. “You two are so obsessed with Lyse’s business. She’s a grown woman, you know. She doesn’t need either of you to swoop in every time something happens.”
Jonah raised an eyebrow. “And you, Silas, are a hypocrite. You’ve been hovering over her for years.”
Silas shot Jonah a glare but didn’t argue. He knew he was protective of Alyssa, perhaps too much so, but it was hard not to be. She had always been the heart of their family, the one who held them all together—even when their own lives seemed to pull them in different directions.
“Well, what I can’t figure out is why Axel’s even bothering with all these ‘gifts,’” Silas continued, shaking his head. “Why give her weapons like those? She’s already been through enough.”
Axel’s eyes darkened as he leaned closer to Silas. “I’m not giving her those to hurt anyone. I’m giving them to protect herself. The world we live in is dangerous, Silas, and Lyse needs to be able to defend herself when we’re not around.” He paused, his expression softening just a little. “You don’t get it, do you? It’s not about revenge—it’s about giving her a choice. A way to take control.”
Jonah placed a hand on Axel’s shoulder, offering him a rare moment of understanding. “I get it. We all do. We just want what’s best for her.”
Axel gave a small nod, then turned back to his brothers with a sly grin. “Well, that’s enough sentimental stuff for me. Time to get back to business.” He reached for his phone, already planning his next move. “I’ll have to make sure Lyse’s safe while I’m gone. But you two better keep an eye on her while I’m off saving the world or whatever.”
Silas rolled his eyes. “Saving the world? Is that what you call your spy missions now?”
Axel shrugged, unfazed. “Hey, someone’s got to do it. And if I can’t have a little fun with it, what’s the point?”
Jonah and Silas shared a knowing look, both of them resigned to the fact that Axel would always be the unpredictable one. Still, deep down, they all knew that no matter how far Axel roamed or how often he disappeared, he’d always return when Alyssa needed him most.
And as for Jasper? Well, that was a problem for another day. Axel wasn’t finished with him yet.