Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

"Works like a charm."

"Good to hear."

The two walked in silence for a bit, until Brielle suddenly stopped, turning to face Jaired.

"Did Max send you?"

"No."

No? Brielle furrowed her brows, wondering who else it could be.

Jaired chuckled. "Someone else, someone you know."

Brielle instinctively thought of King, realizing that Max's dual personalities were no secret within their circle.

Just as Brielle was about to move on, she heard a noise from the bushes nearby.

Thinking it might be a rabbit or some small critter, she started towards it, but Jaired grabbed her arm.

"Don't you have someone to find?"

Right, Brielle thought. Isaac was out there alone. Even with Noir by his side, what if those guys caught up to them?

She turned to rush off but then a voice came from the bushes.

"Run."

Brielle froze in her tracks.

"Darn."

Dustin let out a sigh, then with a smirk said, "Guess you didn't bring a gun today, huh?" Indeed, Brielle hadn't thought to bring a gun, not expecting today to unfold as it had. "Brielle, they're after you, so I'm only taking you. Go with me now, and the kid lives." Jaired's tone was casual, almost indifferent.

Even standing there, his posture was rigid, yet his eyes were smiling.

Brielle set down her apple, realizing escape wasn't an option.

In the bushes, the man Jaired had injured was now unconscious, no longer a threat.

Jaired, a top assassin in the organization, was not someone you could easily beat.

Then, other voices began to stir around them.

Jaired quickly grabbed a gun, pulling Brielle into his embrace, pressing the barrel against her forehead.

"I don't want to do this, but orders are orders."

The shadows hesitated; these were Max's men, but Jaired had intercepted them and fed them false intel. Having incapacitated one, he encountered Brielle first.

Now, holding her hostage, he ignored the others.

With Brielle involved, none of them dared to shoot and risk her safety.

Walking further, Brielle noticed the tang of blood in the air.

Clearly, Jaired was injured too.

It seemed the person sent to intercept her was formidable; although Jaired had won, he was wounded, and now, with several opponents, he needed Brielle as leverage to escape. FindNovel

Despite a gun to her head, Brielle remained calm.

"Jaired, what do you want?"

He had everything he needed in Beaconsfield. Why meddle in North American affairs?

Brielle couldn't fathom his motive, and without that knowledge, she couldn't exploit his weaknesses. Eventually, they reached a secluded car, and Brielle knew she had no choice but to follow Jaired. Once in the car, Jaired buckled her in.

The vehicle's bulletproof windows reassured him against sniper attacks.

As the scenery slid by, Brielle felt a chill.

What was Jaired planning?

"Cough, cough."

Jaired coughed, wiping away the blood from his mouth.

Max's forces had exceeded all expectations, marking the first time Jaired had been injured in years. Despite knowing the opposition was strong, Jaired hadn't anticipated this level of resistance.

The car journey ended in a remote

area

helicere Jaired led Brielle , ensuring no oneonto

t with her in tow. Conto

Only when they ascended did Brielle notice several others lurking, likely sent by Max or King.

Her heart warmed at the thought, but anxiety about what lay ahead lingered.

Back at the base.

Irene monitored the computer screen, a slight smile on her lips.

"Honey, Jaired's got the person you wanted, without a fight."

Kenzo, sipping his coffee, looked up at her words.

Irene, cleaning her throwing knife, lips pursed.

"I told

the lo spare her for you. I

thought you might want to do the

yourself. How about it?"

The coffee cup trembled in Kenzo's hand.

Lowering his lashes, Kenzo responded softly, "Okay."

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