The moment Dane opened the door, a neighbor called out, "Dane, what''s all themotion?"


    Dane''s brow was furrowed, his expression heavy. "Wyatt got into a fight and hurt someone. I''m taking them to the clinic."


    The townspeople started murmuring amongst themselves.


    “That madman ispletely off his rocker. Why does he always have to be fighting? He''s nothing but trouble for Dane!"


    "Can''t he just stay out of trouble for once? Always picking fights!"


    Hearing this, Wyatt grabbed a wooden stick and charged at them, raving like a lunatic.


    The locals scattered in fear, shouting "He''s crazy!" as they ran.


    They arrived at the small town clinic.


    A doctor examined Lowell and said the injury was serious enough to need an IV with antibiotics to prevent infection.


    Dane said, "Ma''am, could you please start his treatment? I need to take Wyatt back to the mountains, but I''ll be back soon. I''ll cover all his medical expenses."


    The doctor nodded with a sigh. "Go on, then."


    After Dane left, the doctor turned to Tarquin and Lowell. "You both look like men of means. I hope you won''t give Dane a hard time over this."


    "He''s a good kid. He only looks after Wyatt out of the kindness of his heart. Technically, what Wyatt does has nothing to do with him."


    Lowell nodded in agreement. "We understand. We don''t me Dane. I guess it was just my bad luck."


    The doctor continued, “Dane''s had a rough life. His parents passed away early, leaving him to raise his younger brother all by himself. He had to be both a brother and a father to him. And as if that wasn''t enough, he has to worry about a madman on top of it all... sigh..."


    "It''s only in thest couple of years, now that Dane''s grown up, that things have gotten a little better for them. Before that, life was incredibly hard...”


    The doctor, worried they might cause trouble for Dane, kept emphasizing how difficult his life had been.


    Lowell and Tarquin listened in silence, exchanging a knowing nce.


    At one point, while the doctor stepped out to tend to another patient, Lowell whispered to Tarquin, "Did you find it?"


    "It''s being retrieved," Tarquin replied.


    Lowell stiffened. "Why aren''t you with them?" he asked urgently.


    Tarquin''s brow tightened. “He''s watching my every move. Wherever I am, his eyes are on me. My presence would onlyplicate things. Dane and Wyatt are smart; they won''t mess this up."


    Besides, Evan and Jove were also there.


    The worst-case scenario was that they wouldn''t retrieve it, but it absolutely would not fall into the hands of their mysterious enemy.


    Surprised, Lowell lowered his voice even more. "What do you mean, he''s watching you? You''ve spotted his tail?"


    "Yes."


    Lowell instantly became alert, scanning the room. "Who? Where?"


    Tarquin didn''t answer, instead ncing at Lowell''s injured ankle.


    This was, for all intents and purposes, an injury sustained in the line of duty.


    Lowell''s skills were certainly no match for Tarquin or Axel, but he was more than capable of handling Wyatt. If he hadn''t wanted to be, he never would have been injured.


    His fall down the slope was a deliberate move to get close to Dane. Today''s


    additional injuries were a pretext to get Tarquin toe here.


    Now, everyone knew he had rushed over because Lowell was hurt. Not even their mysterious adversary would find a w in the story.


    After all, Lowell''s injuries were real. His ankle was swollen to the size of a grapefruit, his face was bruised, and a thin line of blood was visible on his neck.


    "Any wishes for the new year?" Tarquin asked, abruptly changing the subject.


    It took Lowell a moment to catch up. He then grinned and said, "Not really. I''m not short on time or money, I


    don''t have any particr hobbiemet


    and i''ve got no wife kids, or f or family... Hey! How about you give me one of your little ones? They''re the only thing I''m interested in right now."


    Tarquin shot him a withering look. "Not a chance. If you want one, make your own."


    Lowell scoffed. "You''re asking the impossible. I don''t even have a girlfriend. Who''s going to have a kid for me?"


    "If you don''t have a girlfriend, find one," Tarquin said.


    "Can''t find one."


    Tarquin nced at him. "Your bonus is doubled this year. And by the way, from now on, you''re in charge of Dane''s affairs."


    Lowell was confused. "What do you mean, ''in charge''?"


    Tarquin exined, "His father and my father were old friends. If it weren''t for my father and the 8th-generation virus, their lives would have been much happier.”


    Wyatt wouldn''t have to pretend to be insane; he could have been there to take care of Dane and Diaz.