The intruder wasn't an assassin. It was Deckard Shaw.
Cole had sensed someone the second the door creaked open. He stayed still, feigning sleep, muscles coiled, waiting for the intruder's move.
The moment the shadow stepped into range, Cole snapped up. A blade flashed from beneath his pillow—steel humming through the dark. The man moved fast, parrying with forearms hardened by years of combat.
The room filled with the sound of fists and knives colliding. The tempo built—hard, fast, controlled. Cole pivoted, catching his opponent's wrist, driving him toward the wall before both broke apart.
Then came a voice he knew. "Bloody hell, you're quicker than I remember."
Cole froze. "Deck?"
His older brother grinned, breathing hard. "Had to make sure all those rumours about the infamous Round Table mercenary weren't bullshit."
Cole exhaled, half amused, half annoyed. "You broke into my room in the middle of the night just to check my résumé?"
Deck chuckled, brushing dust off his sleeve. "A week ago, I got back from a job and heard the chatter—merc outfit called the Round Table taking out shadow ops, hijacking Rabbit's Foot tech, and making the IMF eat their own. Thought to myself… no way that's my kid brother. Then I dig deeper."
He pointed at Cole. "Turns out it bloody well is."
Cole smirked faintly. "You sound proud."
"I'm impressed," Deck admitted. "Didn't think you had it in you to take down an international agency and walk away breathing."
Cole tossed the blade onto the nightstand. "You underestimate me, Deck. Always have."
Deck's expression softened. "Fair. But seeing you hold your own… yeah, makes it easier knowing you can handle yourself."
Cole studied him quietly. Despite the years apart, despite the lives they'd led—assassin, soldier, mercenary—the bond between them still felt unbreakable. We've both been through hell, but blood doesn't forget. Not ours. Not the Shaws.
"Always & Forever."
"So," Cole asked, "this little home invasion of yours have another purpose, or was it just sibling affection with a side of attempted murder?"
Deck's grin faded. "There's more. You heard the name Cipher yet?"
Cole's jaw tightened. "Yeah. Hacker. Ghost in the system. Dangerous."
"She reached out to me," Deck said. "Tried to recruit me. I told her to shove it. But Owen… he said yes."
Cole's expression went cold. "Owen's working with Cipher?"
Deck nodded. "Word is, she's building something called Nightshade. High-tech payload that can shut down a city's defence grid in seconds. Military convoys carrying satellite components were hit last week in Moscow—Owen's crew was seen at the site."
Cole frowned. "That explains the DSS mobilization. I heard Hobbs was already on the ground."
"Yeah. He's after whoever took those parts." Deck's tone turned grim. "If he gets to Owen first, he won't pull punches."
Cole straightened, voice steady. "Then I'll get to him before Hobbs does. No one touches our family."
Deck looked away for a moment, his jaw tightening. Owen never did take orders well. Always had to prove he could outdo me… outdo everyone. I should've stopped him when I had the chance.
"That's why I came," Deck said. "If I move, MI6 gets dragged in. It'll turn into an international clusterfuck. But you… you can operate off the grid."
Cole nodded once. "I'll find him. Bring him home."
Deck looked at him a long moment. "Be careful. Cipher's not just another arms dealer—she's a spider with webs everywhere. And Hobbs—he's a tank. You can't stop him, you outthink him."
Cole smirked. "You forget who trained me."
Deck cracked a small grin. "Fair point. One more thing—heard from Hattie lately?"
Cole shook his head. "No. Last I knew, she was deep-cover with MI6. Probably keeping her distance for a reason."
"Yeah, she's good at that." Deck's tone softened. "Still—she's blood. Same as us."
Cole's gaze hardened slightly. "Always & Forever."
For a moment, silence settled between them—two brothers forged by chaos, bound by an oath older than their scars.
Deck lingered on his younger brother a moment longer. He's changed. Smarter. Sharper. Maybe colder. But beneath it—same fire. Same loyalty. Queenie would be proud.
Then Deck added, "Don't worry. I'll dig into Cipher's background, see what strings she's pulling."
Cole nodded. "And I'll find Owen. If she's using him, I'll flush her out."
Deck arched a brow. "Be careful yourself. That big-muscle bastard from DSS will probably come after you next. Luke Hobbs isn't easy to deal with."
Cole gave a faint smirk. Yeah… Hobbs. The human shield. Been through wars, bullets, and explosions and still keeps ticking. Cockroach in a tactical vest.
Then, in the back of Cole's mind, the familiar system tone echoed:
Ding
Mission generated
Objective: Secure the Nightshade chip. Reverse Owen Shaw's fate. Uncover Cipher's true identity.
Parameters: Three stages. Rewards issued per completion.
Commission source: Family bond.
The system prompt echoed through his thoughts, sharp and calm.
Cole frowned slightly. Family bond. Figures. Everything I am right now—my name, my past, my reach—comes from them. My bloodline.
"Something on your mind?" Deck asked.
Cole shook it off. "Nothing. Just thinking about next moves."
Deck stepped back toward the door. "Then you'd better get moving. Cipher's already ahead of the curve."
Cole nodded, grabbing his jacket. "Yeah. But she's never played against a Shaw."
Deck smirked. "Go remind her why that's a mistake."
Cole looked at him one last time, the faintest trace of a grin tugging at his lips.
"Always & Forever."
Deck returned the words with a quiet nod.