With a mixture of amusement and exasperation, John scooped up his mischievous daughter just as she was about to complete the first "prison break" of her life. The little girl wriggled and struggled in his arms, desperately trying to reunite with the giant Caucasian shepherd waiting outside to assist in her escape.
Castle, on the other hand, was far more indulgent. Instead of scolding her, he simply opened the glass door leading to the lawn, allowing the co-conspirator dog inside. Then, he took the energetic little girl from John's arms, placed her on the floor, and let her play with her furry accomplice.
Only then did he finally respond to Gianna, who was still brooding over the political situation.
"You know I'm not great at this whole political game, but one thing I do know is that we shouldn't get involved in this mess. There are already multiple countries entangled in this situation, and no matter how it unfolds, it's way beyond our reach."
Gianna, still feeling a bit unsatisfied, affectionately rubbed her cheek against her little daughter's face as she muttered, "I know. I just want to figure out why Japan is suddenly cozying up to Turkey. There's definitely something going on."
Castle lazily swirled a glass of red wine—pilfered from Gianna's wine cellar—and replied, "Even if they are up to something, I guarantee you that Moz won't let them get away with it. You've seen what he's done to Japan over the past six months, haven't you?"
At the mere mention of Moz, the entire table erupted in laughter.
Because everyone knew—Moz was a devious bastard.
As a friend, he was fiercely loyal and went above and beyond what anyone could ever expect.
As the current National Security Advisor to the President?
He was an absolute menace.
The man had an uncanny ability to mix personal and professional interests seamlessly. While publicly helping President Benjamin Arthur settle a political score, he also managed to implement policies that significantly benefited the U.S. economy.
In fact, President Arthur himself was so pleased with Moz's performance that he was reportedly considering making him Secretary of State if things went well in the upcoming midterm elections.
Castle had personally confirmed this in a private conversation with Arthur, and when he first heard it, he had been stunned.
But upon further reflection, it made perfect sense.
Moz—this brilliant, ruthless, and highly resourceful strategist—had started out as a street hustler in Detroit, conning mob bosses at the age of twelve. From there, he had built a reputation as a criminal genius, eventually helping Arthur secure the presidency and aiding Senator Rutledge's election in New York.
Now, as National Security Advisor, he was thriving.
A man with this level of political acumen? Of course, Arthur would want him as Secretary of State!
Castle had to admit—Moz was the definition of someone who made the most of every opportunity.
Back in Washington, Moz was sitting in his office, meticulously reviewing the intelligence package Castle had sent him.
And it had arrived just in time.
Despite the CIA intensifying its surveillance of Japan, they had completely missed this clandestine meeting between Japan and Turkey.
Ever since President Arthur had cleaned house at the CIA—purging members of the Loxley Group, which had once been its backbone—the agency's effectiveness had noticeably declined.
But Jarvis, Castle's AI, had not declined.
Moz was keenly aware of Jarvis's capabilities. As a former cybercriminal himself, he knew that Jarvis—despite Castle's deliberate restrictions—was still miles ahead of any intelligence-gathering system the government had.
To the CIA, this Japan-Turkey alliance had been invisible.
To Jarvis?
It was child's play.
And now, Moz had exclusive access to this critical intel.
He wasn't about to let this slide.
The fact that Japan had reached out to Turkey right after Turkey announced plans to leave NATO?
There was no way this was a coincidence.
Moz's instincts told him that Turkey's NATO exit wasn't just political posturing—it was real.
And if that was the case, he needed to formulate a response for President Arthur immediately.
Meanwhile, Castle was blissfully uninvolved in all of this.
After successfully wrapping up his training program for the three aerospace companies, he had spent the past week rapidly "learning" how to fly.
Of course, thanks to his system's rewards, he had already mastered piloting techniques. But to maintain appearances, he had to pretend to progress at a human pace.
Yet even while faking his progress, he had still finished first among his flight school group, earning his pilot's license in record time.
John Wick, who had been treated as a VIP student from the beginning, was the second to pass. Given his exceptional coordination and reflexes, it was hardly surprising.
And dead last?
Little Fatty Harry, of course.
Despite being a brilliant hacker who could handle complex flight simulations with ease, his real-world piloting skills were atrocious.
Even after all seven of Castle's bodyguards had passed their flight exams, Harry had just started actual flight training.
Meanwhile, Castle had already purchased two helicopters.
As a man with more money than patience, he had gone all-in, selecting two high-end choppers that were currently undergoing final modifications.
Normally, Castle would have been itching to personally tweak and upgrade them himself.
But time was no longer on his side.
It was now November.
And Beckett's due date was drawing dangerously close.
At long last, Castle had managed to convince his stubbornly independent wife to stop working.
With her belly so large that even driving was a challenge, she finally relented and agreed to start maternity leave.
Instead of allowing a Russian bodyguard to chauffeur her everywhere—something she vehemently opposed—Beckett chose to temporarily hand over her responsibilities to a trusted colleague from NYPD headquarters.
With Beckett finally staying home, Castle could breathe easier.
Martha, who had been living in Southampton with her boyfriend, and Alexis, who was studying at Columbia University, also started spending much more time at home, eagerly awaiting the baby's arrival.
In preparation for their child's birth, Castle even hosted a Baby Shower—a traditional American celebration held before a baby is born.
This intimate gathering was limited to close family and friends.
Even Winston, who never left The Continental, and KING, the underworld boss of the Bowery, sent gifts for Castle's unborn son.
The only one missing?
Moz—who was far too busy orchestrating diplomatic chaos in Washington.
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