Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1813

Clayton looked surprised. "What on earth is he doing out there?"

Tarquin's brow furrowed. "Taking care of some business, and settling a personal score while he's at it."

Months ago, when Zane Livingston had tried to have Tarquin killed, he had struck a deal with operatives in Mariana Land, offering a massive bounty for his life. The contract had been taken by a man who went by the name 'Thunder.'

Once Tarquin uncovered the truth, he fully intended to make Thunder pay.

They had their own people in Mariana Land, so taking out Thunder shouldn't have required Axel's direct involvement. But Axel had volunteered to go himself.

Axel had been waiting to go to Mariana Land for a long time. The nemesis he had harbored a deep-seated hatred for over the past two decades was hiding out there. Axel's cold, isolated personality was a direct result of this enemy.

He lived and breathed for revenge, obsessed with it every waking second.

If Tarquin hadn't actively held him back, Axel would have gone in guns blazing a long time ago. Tarquin only stopped him because he refused to let his brother walk into a suicide mission.

Axel's enemy had fled to the Golden Triangle years ago after being wanted for international drug trafficking. He had since planted roots in Mariana Land, carving out a massive, heavily guarded empire.

Taking him down was going to be nearly impossible. The risk of Axel getting killed in the process was astronomically high.

For years, Tarquin had been quietly pulling strings in the background, embedding his own operatives in the region and building up a formidable network. He had been meticulously paving the way for Axel's revenge.

So, when the situation with Thunder arose, Axel demanded to be the one to go.

This time, Tarquin didn't stop him. He couldn't have, even if he tried. It was a miracle Axel had managed to hold out this long.

Plus, with their embedded operatives now fully operational, Tarquin believed that, barring any disasters, Axel would finally be able to execute his revenge.

But he didn't want Clayton to worry, so he forced a nod. "Dad, you should go back to bed. I'm not tired yet. I'm going to wait up for word from him, and I'll turn in when I'm ready."

Clayton offered a supportive smile. "A few years back, when I was desperately searching for Irene all over the world, I made some connections. I never dealt directly with the cartels in the Golden Triangle, but I do have a few friends in international law enforcement who operate around there. Do you want me to ask around?"

Tarquin declined quickly. "No, Dad, thank you. Axel is using a forged identity. If we start asking strangers about him, it could easily tip off the enemy."

"I've already dispatched a team to track him down. Let's see what they find first. If I need your help, I'll definitely let you know."

Clayton nodded in understanding. "Alright. Just don't stay up too late. It'll wreck your health."

"I know, Dad."

After seeing Clayton out, Tarquin lit another cigarette, his brow heavy as he smoked in brooding silence.