Lahat ng Kabanata ng LUCAN VALE: THE GHOST ASSASSIN: Kabanata 181 - Kabanata 190

As he moved through his house. The place was huge. Sprawling. All polished marble floors and designer furniture and modern art on the walls. An infinity pool outside that seemed to blend into the horizon. It was the kind of luxury most people only saw in magazines, but to Jason it was just regular. The eclipse syndicate, Kairos had given him all this. Had given him everything. The training, the skills, the purpose. The luxury, and a life that meant something.Jason made his way to the kitchen. The space was all clean lines and expensive appliances. Just so he could take his mind off things, he went through the motions of making coffee. Grinding the beans, measuring the water, watching the dark liquid drip into the cup. But when it was done, he just stared at it. Didn't drink it. Couldn't because he had no appetite. His phone buzzed on the granite countertop.It was Jagua calling him. He was in no mood to talk with them and have them yet, so he ignored the call and let it ring for

Jason nodded, thankful at their willingness to help, “Walk me through it," Jason said, his voice carefully controlled. "Step by step. What exactly did you say to him, and what exactly did he say back?" Klaus moved to the leather couch, sitting on the edge like he was ready to bolt at any second. Jagua remained standing, too wired to sit. "We went to his office," Klaus began. "Both of us. We figured there was safety in numbers, and we wanted him to take us seriously. We told him we had concerns about Remus's death. That the official story didn't add up." "We were careful," Jagua interjected. "We didn't accuse him of anything. Not at first. We just said we thought there were inconsistencies that needed to be investigated." Klaus nodded. "And for maybe five seconds, he was calm. Almost too calm. Then he asked us where we'd gotten this information. Who we'd been talking to." "We told him we'd done our own investigation," Jagua continued. "That Remus was like a brother to us, we had a

Jason nodded.He looked at Klaus and Jagua, his brothers, now fugitives in his home. "Alright," he said, his voice regaining some of its familiar command. "You two can stay here for now if you want. The villa is secure, I doubt Kairos would come look for you here."Jagua nodded, his usual grin gone. "We've got your back, brother. Whatever you decide."Jason left them there and walked out into the bright morning air of the garage. Sunlight streamed through the high windows, catching on the polished chrome and paint of his collection. He didn't have a destination in mind. He just needed to move and clear his head. He slid into the driver's seat of the Phantom, the engine purring to life with a low growl that felt like the only steady thing in his world.The sky had been clear when he pulled out of the driveway, but typical for this time of year, clouds had rolled in within minutes.He drove for what felt like hours, watching the weather change through the windshield. The morning sun t

A faint blush touched Vanessa's cheeks. Hearing her sister ask Jason these questions, she couldn't help getting second hand embarrassment. "Celia, stop interrogating him," she said, though her voice lacked its usual icy authority. It was the tone of a flustered older sister, not a CEO.”"I'm not interrogating!" Celia protested cheerfully. "I'm just gathering important family information. Vanessa, he's your fiancé. You're supposed to know these things. Did you know he had a spaceship on wheels?"Jason let out a low chuckle, the sound relaxed. "I am just a man with good taste," he deflected smoothly. He picked up his secure phone, the one he used for business, and dialed a number from memory."Yeah," he said into the phone, his voice shifting to one of quiet command. "I need a flatbed for a black Benz on the highway, about three miles past the Elm Street exit. License plate is V SMITH 1." He paused, listening to the person on the other end of the line, "The rear passenger-side tire is

Charlie didn't even need to think. He stared at the empty space where Vanessa and Jason had just been. "Set up the meeting," he said, his voice like ice. "I want him gone. Whatever it takes.”Vanessa and Jason walked through the hallway side by side. The fluorescent lighting was harsh up here, making everything feel sterile and corporate."How long do you think it will take?" she asked after a while, not quite looking at him. "For my car to be fixed?""Not long," he said. He was studying the art on the walls as they walked, abstracts that the company had probably overpaid for. "If you want, I can have them bring it here instead of your house. Save you the trip."She nodded, and there was a small silence where she seemed to be considering something: He was very kind. "Yeah. Okay. Yes, that would be…." She stopped, seeming to realize she was rambling. "That's good."Jason pulled out his phone and made a quick call as they walked. His voice was brief, efficient. When he hung up, he pocke