Jason raised a brow—barely.
Brandon, clueless as ever, decided to save the moment, "Oh! What Liam meant to say was that—"
Before he could finish, Daphne spun in like a blur and drop-kicked him into the air.
Jason didn't even flinch.
"Enough," he said sharply, voice cutting through the chaos like ice. "We're not here to play. We move into town. Now."
His tone made it clear—this wasn't a debate. Daphne nodded and quietly helped Brandon up, apologizing awkwardly.
Brandon dusted himself off. "I'm good. Just lost a few years of my life, that's all," he said with a crooked grin.
They were still lagging when Liam stormed up to Jason. "You lied to me! You said your name was Jacob!"
Jason didn't slow down, didn't even glance his way. Hands in his pockets, voice dead calm, he muttered, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Hey! Don't walk away from me—!" Liam called, chasing after him.
But Jason was already done with the conversation.
When they finally reached the outskirts of town under the night's low hum, Jason's senses sharpened. His pace shifted. Something was off.
"They're sloppy," he thought. "Two of them... maybe more. One's definitely new to this. He's practically waving at me."
He didn't break stride. He turned slightly to glance at Brandon, hoping he'd picked it up too.
Brandon, meanwhile, was staring up, mesmerized by the glowing streetlights. "Dude… these lights look like fireflies having a party."
Jason blinked once.
"Or not," he thought coldly. His hand twitched slightly near his jacket.
"Guess I'll handle this myself."
Jason suddenly stopped, his boots halting on the pavement with a subtle crunch.
"You guys go ahead without me," he said, voice low, eyes fixed forward. "I'll catch up."
Brandon raised a brow. "Wait—what? You takin' a scenic detour now?"
Jason shot him a side glance, unimpressed. "I need a minute."
Liam squinted. "A minute for what?"
Jason exhaled, clearly losing patience. "…Bathroom."
Brandon and Liam blinked at the same time. "Huh?"
Jason's jaw twitched as he turned his back on them. "I said the bathroom, dammit."
Brandon burst out laughing, holding his stomach. "Bro! You made that sound like a classified mission."
Jason didn't answer. He was already walking off, shadows swallowing his steps.
Liam shook his head dramatically. "Next time just say you gotta go poo-poo or pee-pee. Works for me every time. No judgment here.
They turned and left, still chuckling.
Meanwhile, Jason melted into the dim-lit alley, his expression like steel.
Two men emerged from the crowd moments later, tracking him from the opposite side. One of them narrowed his eyes. "He broke away. Probably clocked us."
The other nodded. "You trail him. I'll stay on the group with the kid."
They split like silent shadows.
But Jason had already predicted it. He didn't stop. Didn't look back. Let them come.
He was done playing dumb.
As the figure trailed behind, shadowing Jason through the dimly lit street, Jason suddenly vanished into an alley.
"Huh? Where the hell did he—" the figure muttered, stepping cautiously into the narrow, dark path.
He scanned the shadows, tension creeping into his stance. "Tch… lost him."
A cold voice came from behind, sharp as steel. "No. You didn't."
Before the man could turn, Jason struck—swift, precise. A brutal sweep knocked his balance, and in seconds, Jason had him pinned, one knee on his chest, fingers twisting his leg back to snap.
"Wait! Stop—it's me!" the figure gasped, panicked.
Jason's eyes narrowed. Then, as he yanked the hood off the man's head, his expression shifted slightly. "You…"
Meanwhile, back on the street—unnoticed and calm—Brandon had looped behind the second tail. Just as the figure took one more step, Brandon's blade was suddenly pressed against his spine.
Still grinning, voice low and dangerous, Brandon leaned in. "Make a sound, twitch wrong, and I'll paint this street with your regret."
He tilted his head like it was a casual chat. "Now… who sent you?".
The hooded figure stumbled back, panicked. "Wait—wait! It's me!"
In one swift motion, he yanked off the hood.
Daphne froze.
Her breath caught as if she'd seen a ghost. "F-Flux…?"
He stood there, scratched up, smirking like nothing happened.
"But how—how are you even alive?" she whispered, slowly stepping forward in disbelief.
Brandon's face darkened, hand still hovering near his blade. "Save the reunion speech. Why the hell did you sneak up on us like that?"
Flux shrugged. "Ethan's orders. Said moving together would make us a walking target."
Right on cue, Jason appeared, boots crunching quietly as he stepped forward. "Guess who else showed up."
Ethan emerged beside him, pulling his hoodie down and flashing a grin. "Hey there, D-rank. Still getting left behind?"
Daphne didn't even try to hold back the tears this time. With a choked gasp, she lunged forward, wrapping both arms around them.
"I thought you were dead… I thought you both—"
Her voice cracked as she buried her face in Flux's chest.
Ethan placed a hand on her back, smiling gently. Flux, awkwardly red in the face, mumbled something under his breath.
Finally, she let go, wiping her eyes. "How did you escape?"
Ethan's smile faded. "Later. Right now, we need to move. Henchmen—two blocks down."
They vanished into the night.
Later, tucked into the shadows of a narrow alleyway, Ethan gathered the group.
"There's a small inn a few streets down. Not fancy—barely standing—but it's quiet. We'll lay low there for now."
Liam piped up, arms crossed. "So like a hideout?"
Ethan's eyes scanned the group—until they dropped to the small figure next to Jason. He crouched slightly. "You must be Liam."
Liam raised a brow. "Yup. And you're… Mr. Redhead?"
Ethan's smile twitched. "Redhead…?" His eye twitched, but he kept his cool."where'd get that impression that my name's red head?...".
"Just an observation, Mr. Bumpkin."
Ethan's smile shattered. "Okay, that does it—"
He lunged, but Jason stepped between them without flinching, giving Ethan a look that made the air drop ten degrees.
"No time for childish tantrums," Jason said bluntly.
Ethan shot Liam a side-eye that practically said "This isn't over." Then he turned to the group, clearing his throat, all business.
"We'll move in now. All five of us—"
"Six!" Liam cut in.
Ethan blinked, looked down at him, and smirked coldly. "…And a half."
Liam's jaw dropped. "What does that even—"
Jason silently pulled Liam back by the collar before he could escalate. "Not the time."
Brandon added, arms crossed and eyes scanning the street, "We can't all walk in together. Not with a kid. Or five suspicious faces. Screams 'we're hiding something.'"
As the others talked tactics, Daphne stood quiet, gaze distant. "This is just like back on the plane…" her thoughts spiraled. "They're actually planning. Working together. If it were those other guys… they'd probably say 'ditch the D-rank.' I know it sounds wrong, but…" She clenched her fists. "I'm relieved they're gone."
"Okay, how do we get in?" Ethan muttered, pacing slightly.
That's when Flux's mouth curved into a mischievous grin. "I've got a plan…" he said darkly. All eyes turned.
He pointed at Jason and Daphne. "You two go in as a couple. Liam's your kid. No one questions a family checking into a shady inn."
Jason's brow twitched.
Flux added, smug, "Besides… Liam kinda looks like Jason—if you squint hard enough. Perfect father-son vibe."
Ethan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Huh. It's crazy—but it might just work." He turned to Daphne, still zoned out. "What do you think?"
Daphne blinked, catching up. "Huh? I mean… I guess it's kinda… nice."
Then Ethan turned to Jason. "Jay. You in?"
Jason's expression didn't shift. Calm, "If it gets us in without heat, I don't care what role I play."
Flux raised his hands theatrically. "Well then, let's welcome our newest couple!"
Daphne snapped out of it, eyes wide. "Wait—WHAT?!"
Brandon laughed under his breath. "This is gonna be good."
They'd rehearsed it all—the disguises, the walk, the act. Time to go live.
Daphne glanced at Liam with a tilt of her head. "You ready, little guy?"
Liam's grin was electric. "Born ready. First mission—no screw‑ups this time."
In the corner, Flux passed out fake IDs with a showman's flourish. He reached Liam's side.
"Hey—don't I get one too?" Liam demanded.
Flux frowned. "You're too young for this, kid."
Jason stepped in, cool as midnight. He handed Liam his ID.
"Here. You can have mine… son."
Liam's eyes flashed. "Thanks… Dad. Always wanted a fake ID."
Flux burst out laughing—couldn't help it.
"Look at this! Liam and Jason playing house!"
Without breaking a beat, Liam and Jason locked on Flux with one stare.
"Shut it, mushroom‑head."
The laughter died out, replaced by a sigh.
"Like father, like son," Flux murmured, his smile gone.
—
The plan was locked; the family act ready. They slipped into their new roles—Jason and Daphne as the couple, Liam as their kid. They grabbed the spare clothes, stepped into the shadows.
When they reached the inn, it was worse than shabby—rundown bricks, flickering lights, gang faces everywhere. Liam swallowed hard.
Behind them, Ethan's voice dropped low.
"We're right behind you. Good luck."
Daphne squared her shoulders; Jason's expression remained stone‑cut. They walked in together, forcing confidence.
Heads turned. Murmurs rose: "Who invited the family?" "Newbies on our turf…"
A thug sidled up to Daphne, hand on her waist.
"Eben bel ti zwazo, vini épi mwen pou an ti moman non?"
Jason froze. One step. Two steps. Then his hand snapped out—the thug's arm twisted almost before he realized it.
"Touch her again, and I promise I'll break your arm." Jason's voice was low. Ice cold.
"Eskizé mwen, eskizé mwen!" the thug gasped and bolted.
Daphne exhaled, turning to Jason.
"Thanks."
He didn't look at her. Voice flat.
"Next time, just be careful, I won't intervene again!."
Liam, puffing up his tiny chest, pointed at the retreating thug and shouted,
"Yeah, you better run, jerk! Don't you ever touch my mama again!"
Jason gave a low chuckle, eyes softening just a bit. He held out his hand.
"Come on, tough guy."
Liam stared at it for a second—confused, frozen.
"No one's ever held my hand before..."
Jason raised a brow, then with a sigh, took the kid's hand himself.
"You really are something."
Liam just looked up at him, cheeks red, a shy smile blooming on his face.
"…Thanks, Dad."
They kept walking. Together.
They finally stepped into the inn. The air was thick—smoke, sweat, and tension. Locals filled every corner, eyes tracking them like predators scenting something off.
Behind the desk stood a stout woman, speaking rapidly into a crackling phone. "...wi wi wi, tann en mwen Kay..." She paused, spotting the trio.
Her eyes narrowed. "Bonjou. Ki sa ou vlé mwen ba ou?"
Daphne leaned toward Jason, whispering, "Wait… I think I know Spanish." She cleared her throat and gave her best try. "Mm... mari mwen sè on twalèt?"
Jason arched a brow, clearly unimpressed.
The woman laughed sharply. "Haha! Ou pa soti isit-la, non?" Her smile faded as she looked at Liam. "That your kid?"
Daphne let out a forced laugh. "Yes, of course! This is Logan."
The woman—Ma'am Nanali—stepped out from behind the counter, folding her arms. "So...you two are a couple?"
"Yes! That's right and—"
"Lies." The word sliced through the room like a blade. Her face went cold. "I know a fake couple when I see one. That's not your son. We may be outcasts, but we don't harbor kidnappers."
Daphne's heart skipped. She crouched down, hand on Liam's head. "What do you mean? I mean—look at him. You can tell he's his father's son. Same jaw, same eyes. Isn't it obvious?"
Nanali studied Jason. Then Liam. Slowly, her suspicion softened… just slightly.
"Hmph. I'll admit—they do resemble each other. But what kind of parents bring a child here?" Her tone sharpened again. "You both look like babies yourselves. So tell me… where did you two really meet?"
Jason's jaw clenched.
Daphne tried to chuckle, " ohh uh new York, we were just kids—"
But Jason cut her off, his voice cold. "None of your business."
The inn went silent.
Ethan tensed from the back of the inn "He's gonna blow it..."
Flux leaned against the wall, smirking. "So much for the S-Rank."
Brandon said nothing, eyes locked on the scene.
Ma'am Nanali's hand moved toward her phone. "You don't prove you're a real couple, I'm calling the police. And trust me, they don't play nice with strangers."
Daphne panicked. "Jason—what do we do?"
Jason's eyes flicked toward her—then without a word, he stepped forward, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her in close. His other hand lifted her leg as he leaned down and pressed a deep, commanding kiss to her lips.
Gasps echoed through the inn. A few bystanders even clapped some even cheered.
Nanali lowered her phone, eyes wide.
From across the room, Ethan's mouth dropped. "...was that in the plan?"
Flux blinked, stunned. "Nope."
Brandon finally cracked a smile. "But it's working."
Ma'am Nanali raised her hand, voice slicing through the noise like a blade. "Enough cheering—QUIET!"
Silence fell like a snapped cord.
She narrowed her eyes at Jason. "Fine. You've made your point."
Jason smirked, pulling Daphne closer by the waist, his voice low and cocky. "Point? Oh no, ma'am… I'm just getting warmed up." He glanced over his shoulder. "Right, boys?"
The whole room erupted again.
Ma'am Nanali huffed, clearly flustered. "Alright, alright! Take the damn keys—third floor, room seven. And stop stirring up a riot in my lobby!"
Jason caught the keys mid-air with one hand, smirk playing on his lips. He glanced around at the fired-up crowd, then back at Daphne with a devilish glint in his eyes.
"Oh, you want the racket to stop?" he said, voice dripping with swagger.
Before anyone could blink,he swept Daphne into his arms like she weighed nothing. She gasped, flustered again, clinging to him as the crowd lost it — whistling, hooting, hyping him up like a rockstar walking off stage. "Then I better carry the noise upstairs."
The crowd erupted. Whistles, claps, echoed through the inn.
Just then a massive thug grabbed Liam and hoisted him onto his shoulders like royalty. Liam threw his fist in the air, laughing. "Let's goooo! My dad's a legend!"
Jason turned, eyes narrowed, "You're coming too."
Liam pouted. "Aw man, I was just getting comfy!"
Daphne's face went red-hot, burying it in his chest as he walked off like a king. Jason just grinned wider, eyes locked forward like nothing phased him.
Liam followed, grinning from ear to ear, shouting behind them, "Yeah Jason! You were like BAM, and then take that BOOM! Epic!!"
Jason smirked "You having fun yet, squirt?"
"You kidding? This is the best day of my life! I'm in a fake family with a walking action movie!"
By the time they reached their room, Room seven, Daphne still hadn't said a word. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, heart slamming like war drums. Her face was scarlet. Her hands clenched around Jason's jacket tighter than she meant.
He noticed.
He set her down gently, gaze unreadable. "You good?"
She looked away quickly. "Y-Yeah... I'm fine. Just…"
But she couldn't finish. And Jason didn't press.
The tension in the room was thick—between adrenaline, silence, and something else neither of them wanted to name.
Room 7 creaked open, and Jason stepped in first, eyes scanning every inch like a soldier clearing a zone.
Daphne followed behind, heart still racing from the kiss. breathing out finally facing reality "What...was that down there?" face still blushing red.
Jason didn't turn to face her. He was already checking the locks. "I saved the mission."
"You kissed me!"
He looked over his shoulder, eyes cold and calm. "Would you rather be in handcuffs right now?"
She opened her mouth, then closed it. Liam hopped onto the dusty bed, swinging his feet. " yeah that was so cool! You guys kissed like in those old romance movies!"
Daphne shot him a look. "Not helping, Liam."
Jason sat on a chair near the window, arms crossed. "We just need to lay low for a few hours."
She crossed her arms too. "You could've at least warned me. That was..." She paused then continued."That was my first kiss, you jerk."
Jason blinked once. "Could've been your last too. Count your blessings."
Liam laughed out loud, "He's right! and —"
Before he could finish
Daphne threw a pillow at him. "Not. Helping."