Logan arrived at the Salvador cartel compound, the familiar scent of cigar smoke and oil lingering in the air. Armed guards patrolled the area, but they all recognized him by now, letting him pass without question.
Inside, George Holt sat at a grand mahogany desk, analyzing cartel financial records. When Logan walked in, his father looked up and smirked.
"Finally decided to visit your old man?" George teased.
Logan chuckled. "Something like that." He pulled up a chair and leaned back. "I actually came to tell you something important."
George raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Logan exhaled. "Elsa… she's my official girlfriend now."
For a second, George was silent. Then, he let out a deep, hearty chuckle. "About damn time."
Logan gave a small smirk. "You're not surprised?"
"Son, I may not be a psychic, but I've seen the way you look at her. I was just waiting for you to figure it out yourself."
Logan shook his head. "Fair."
George leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk. "I'm glad, Logan. Amidst all this madness, you deserve something good. Someone who makes life a little less… bloody."
Logan nodded but then grew serious. "But just so we're clear—I haven't forgotten about Mom, and I haven't forgotten about our revenge."
George's eyes darkened, the warmth vanishing. "Neither have I."
"But," Logan continued, "with the war coming, we're going to have to put our plans on hold. Salvador still trusts you. We can't make any reckless moves."
His father nodded slowly. "You're right. We wait. But when the time comes—"
"We finish it," Logan confirmed.
There was no more need for words. A silent promise hung between them.
---
Matthew pulled up to the military base in his sleek new van, earning a few glances from the soldiers stationed there. He smirked, feeling a small spark of pride—Logan really had outdone himself.
Inside the base, his father, Captain Reed Carter, was already waiting.
Captain Carter was a tall, stern man with years of battlefield experience etched into his features. His eyes immediately flicked to the van.
"So, Logan got you this, huh?"
Matthew sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Let me guess. You did a background check on him."
Captain Carter crossed his arms. "Of course, I did. Your new friends are an interesting bunch—especially Holt."
Matthew leaned against the van. "And?"
His father exhaled. "Dangerous past, but loyal. I can see why you follow him."
Matthew nodded. "Logan's the real deal, Dad. And the rest of the team—William, Jessica, Elsa—they're good people."
His father studied him for a moment, then gave a rare smile. "You chose well. You have a strong, reliable group. It reminds me of my own squad back in the day."
Matthew smirked. "Told you I'd make my own path."
Captain Carter nodded. "You did. And I'm proud of you, son."
Matthew was caught off guard. His father had never said that outright before.
After a moment of silence, he decided to bring up something else. "By the way… I want to bring a girl over for dinner."
Captain Carter raised an eyebrow. "A girl?"
"Yeah." Matthew tried to sound casual. "Her name's Jessica."
His father chuckled. "Ah, the shifter girl. I saw her records. She's… interesting."
Matthew rolled his eyes. "You're doing background checks on my love life now?"
"I do background checks on anything that affects you," Captain Carter said matter-of-factly. "But if she's someone you trust, then I trust her too."
Matthew smirked. "Good. Because she's kind of a big deal."
Captain Carter chuckled. "Then I look forward to meeting her."
---
Meanwhile,William walked through the high-tech corridors of the Bureau of Justice, the sleek metallic walls humming softly with energy from the various experiments and security measures in place. He had been here countless times before, but today was different. Today, he wasn't here as the director's son—he was here as his own man.
He stepped into his mother's private lab, where he found her standing over a holographic display, analyzing data from the recent alien attack.
"You're finally here," Director Eleanor Vance said without looking up. "I was beginning to think you were avoiding me."
William sighed. "I wouldn't do that, Mom."
She turned to him with a raised brow. "Then explain why you didn't join the Bureau of Justice."
William shoved his hands into his pockets. "Because I don't want to be seen as some rich kid who still needs his mom's protection."
His mother's expression softened. "William…"
"I know you wanted me here," he continued, "but I need to prove myself. Not as 'Eleanor Vance's son,' but as William. I joined the mercenaries because I want to stand on my own."
She studied him for a moment before nodding. "I understand."
William exhaled, relieved that she wasn't going to press further.
"Still," she added with a small smirk, "it's a damn shame we couldn't recruit any of you. Watching you, Logan, and Jessica in action during the alien attack—you guys are exactly what the Bureau needs. Especially Holt."
William chuckled. "Logan's a lone wolf, Mom. You were never gonna get him."
"And Jessica?"
"She doesn't trust the Bureau. Not after they tried to get her under surveillance for her shifting abilities."
His mother sighed. "I figured as much."
William shifted awkwardly. "By the way... I might move out soon."
Eleanor blinked. "Oh?"
"I got a place with my team. A base. It makes sense for us to stay together, especially with the work we're doing."
She nodded slowly, then reached into her lab coat and pulled out a small black card.
"Here." She handed it to him.
William took it and frowned. "What is this?"
"Your funds. There's three million in that account. Use it to get yourself some proper gear. And a ride."
William's eyes widened. "Mom—"
She pulled him closer, holding him tightly. "Since your father passed, you're the only thing that matters to me, William. I just want you to be safe and happy."
For a moment, William just stood there, then he slowly hugged her back.
"Thanks, Mom."
She pulled away and smirked. "Now, about something equally important—when the hell are you getting a girlfriend?"
William groaned. "Mom, seriously?"
"Logan has Elsa, and it's obvious Matthew and Jessica have a thing. But you? Nothing. I know you're not hopeless with women, so what's the deal?"
William sighed dramatically. "Maybe I just enjoy my peace."
Eleanor rolled her eyes. "Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that."
William gave her a dry look. "I'm leaving before you start planning my wedding."
She smirked. "Too late."
William shook his head but pocketed the black card, speechless but grateful.
---
Jessica sat across from her father, Victor Cortez, and her elder sister, Isabella, in the dimly lit private dining room of an exclusive restaurant owned by the organization their father worked for. The air carried the scent of rich, seasoned meats and aged wine, but Jessica barely paid attention to the luxurious setting—she knew her father always had ulterior motives when inviting her to dinner.
"So," Victor began, slicing into his steak, "tell me about this boy, Matthew."
Jessica, mid-sip of her drink, almost choked. "What?"
Her sister, Isabella, smirked. "Dad did some digging after seeing the footage from the wilderness program. Seems like this Matthew kid made quite an impression."
Jessica sighed, placing her glass down. "Matthew is... complicated. He's annoying, cocky, and always running his mouth."
"And yet," Isabella interjected, "you're going to have dinner with his father."
Jessica gave her a flat stare. "It's not like that."
Victor leaned forward, a knowing look in his eyes. "Jessica, I've been around long enough to recognize when my daughter actually cares about someone. You've never let a man get this close before."
Jessica hesitated, then exhaled. "Fine. I like him. But he's not some weak rich kid, Dad. He's smart, innovative, and way more capable than people give him credit for."
Isabella leaned back with a smirk. "With his performance at the wilderness program, he might actually be worthy of my little sister."
Jessica rolled her eyes. "Whatever."
Victor chuckled. "Well, if he's important to you, I want to meet him properly. Invite him over sometime soon."
Jessica's eyes widened. "Dad, it's way too early for that."
Her father shrugged. "If he's sticking around, I'll meet him eventually. Might as well get it over with. I want to know my future son-in-law."
Jessica nearly dropped her fork. "Future what?!"
Isabella laughed. "He's not wrong."
Jessica groaned. "I hate both of you."
Victor smirked. "You'll get over it."
---
Once the teasing subsided, Jessica shifted gears.
"Actually, Dad, I need to ask about something else. The Death Sport."
Victor's expression turned serious. "What about it?"
Jessica hesitated briefly. "I need a spot for someone."
Victor put down his utensils. "Who?"
"Matthew."
Her father raised a brow. "He doesn't seem like the underground fighting type."
Jessica explained, "He needs funds for materials for his projects. Logan offered to help him financially, but Matthew refused. So I told him about the Death Sport."
Victor studied her carefully. "Does he understand the risks?"
Jessica nodded. "I made sure of it. And I doubt he'll be alone. William and Logan might join too—those idiots wouldn't let him do it alone."
Victor exhaled. "You're dragging them into the underworld, Jess. Once you enter, it's hard to get out.
Jessica replied, "Logan has been a mercenary for quite awhile and made a name for himself in the underworld even though not much people know about him, Matthew is fine with it I guess,and William knows what he's getting into".
Victor sighed before nodding. "Fine. I'll pull some strings, but be careful. You know how brutal the Death Sport is."
Jessica grinned. "I knew I could count on you."
Victor shook his head. "You're lucky you're my daughter."
Isabella chuckled. "More like he's lucky he has a daughter as strong as her."
Jessica smirked, ready to dive deeper into the shadows of the underground.
---