Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1828

Suffocating under the weight of it all, Tarquin asked Lowell to keep an eye on Blossom and headed downstairs alone for a smoke.

He had barely stepped outside when his phone buzzed.

It was Clayton Hawkins. Elliot, Evan, and Elijah were with him, the whole family worried sick about Axel.

Tarquin spoke with them briefly, and right after hanging up, Keaton called.

Winona was worried about Blossom, and Keaton was anxious about Axel. The two were planning to fly out.

Tarquin lit a cigarette, taking a drag before replying.

"Winona is pregnant, Keaton. Don't put her through the stress of traveling. Even if you come, you won't be able to see him. He's in the ICU, and no visitors are allowed."

"Just stay in Jindale City and take care of Winona. Elysia is here looking out for Blossom."

Keaton's voice was tense. "What do the doctors say?"

"It's up to fate now," Tarquin replied heavily.

Silence hung over the line for a moment before Keaton asked again.

"Are you and Lowell okay?"

"Yeah, we're fine."

"I saw the clips floating around the dark web," Keaton said. "The Golden Triangle is in total chaos. The Bauer family took a massive hit, and they're definitely going to trace it back to you."

Neither the Bauers nor Warrick were the forgiving type.

After today's bloodbath, it wouldn't take them long to figure out Tarquin was the mastermind.

Knowing how they operated, they would undoubtedly come hunting for his head!

Axel and Warrick's personal vendetta was now out in the open, and consequently, Tarquin had officially declared war on the Bauer family!

The Bauer family was a global crime syndicate, infamous in the underworld!

They were ruthless, deeply entrenched, and crossing them usually meant a gruesome end.

Keaton couldn't hide his concern...

Tarquin frowned, flicking the ash from his cigarette.

"Half the world wants me dead; I don't give a damn about adding the Bauers to the list! If they want a war, they can bring it. I'll fight them to the bitter end!"

No matter what, he was never going to let Axel face them alone!

Axel's enemies were his enemies!

Keaton didn't press for details, just sighed again.

"I might not be much use in a firefight, but whatever you need, just say the word. I've got your back, brother."

The Hubers had been legitimate businessmen for generations, staying far away from bloodshed and violence.

Their connections were strictly in the corporate world, so when it came to cartel wars, Keaton's hands were somewhat tied.

Tarquin offered a low sound of appreciation.

"Nothing you can help with right now, but I'll let you know if that changes."

After they hung up, Soren's name flashed on the screen.

Perfect timing. Tarquin had been meaning to call him anyway. He needed to have a serious conversation with Soren about Axel.

Soren held a high-ranking position in the military, stationed near the borders for years, and had plenty of dealings with the scum in the Golden Triangle.

Those syndicates were terrified of him!

Tarquin picked up. "Soren."

Soren cut right to the chase. "Did you start a war with the Bauer family?"