Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1829

Tarquin was completely upfront. "Yeah."

Soren's brows pulled together. "Why?"

Tarquin laid it out simply.

"Because of Axel. He has a blood feud with Warrick and almost died over there trying to settle it. I went in to pull him out and figured I'd send them a message while I was at it."

Soren was familiar with Axel. "What kind of feud does he have with Warrick?"

Tarquin paused for a second before dropping the bombshell. "Axel is Julian Rhodes' son."

Soren froze. "Julian?! Captain Rhodes?!"

"Yes."

Soren was stunned.

"But Julian didn't have any children! How could Axel be his son?"

Tarquin explained.

"Because of how dangerous Julian's job was, Axel's mother kept his existence a secret to protect him."

"The moment he was born, he was sent away to a foster family. They told everyone the baby was premature and didn't survive."

"Given the situation back then, it was the only way Axel could have lived."

Soren was absolutely speechless.

He never would have imagined that Axel was Julian's boy!

Julian had an heir!

Good God, this was monumental news!

When the Rhodes family was massacred all those years ago, the entire police force had plunged into mourning.

Julian's father had been a legendary border officer. After he died in the line of duty, Julian took up the mantle and became a brilliant operative in his own right.

Julian had been courageous, strategic, and downright ruthless to criminals, racking up countless major commendations.

Back in those days, the cartels trembled at the mere mention of his name!

When he and his wife were brutally murdered, the sheer savagery of the act brought countless people to tears.

Tarquin's voice was grim.

"We knew he was a tough target, which is why we spent years setting this up. He only failed this time because he compromised his cover to save a group of kids."

"Otherwise, the assassination would have been a guaranteed success."

Soren exhaled heavily.

"With a firefight this massive, Warrick and the Bauers definitely know exactly who Axel is by now. Sneak attacks are off the table!"

"They're going to retaliate. And not just against him—they'll come for you too!"

"Given your influence and power back home, they won't act recklessly against you directly. They'll probably lay low and wait for the perfect opportunity."

"But Axel is completely exposed!"

"Those monsters saw his father and grandfather as the ultimate thorns in their sides. They won't stop until he's dead!"

Tarquin tightened his grip on the phone.

"I know. That's why, even if you hadn't called me today, I would have called you. I want to officially request federal protection for Axel."