The Cherished Wife

"Oh, and one more thing." The voice chuckled. "I've cooked up a new concoction of that virus from three years back. It's way more potent than the original."

"What did you do?" Jack's face twisted in anger. "Who did you test it on?"

"Your foes are my foes," came the flat reply. "It's in your stepson."

"You... He's just a kid!" Jack's voice was a growl. "Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

"Isn't this me telling you? You said you were going to handle that Peter brat, right? You were on board when I gave Peter's wife the virus three years ago," the voice was calm. "Besides, if it weren't for you, that kid would've gotten the virus a year ago. Thanks to you, the virus is now top-notch after a year of perfecting it."

"Hand over the antidote!" Jack demanded, his anger palpable. "I'll settle my scores with Peter and the Lennon family on my own terms. Tania and Brandon shouldn't be dragged into this."

voice on the other end of the line was losing patience. "Chill out. The virus won't kick in just yet. It's still incubating. I'm only telling you because you've been slacking off lately. I've waited years for this, and I'm not about to let it all fall apart now. Take care of the Lennon and Hoffman families,

his phone so hard that his knuckles turned white. "You're

from the same cloth, aren't

ended abruptly, and Jack stared at his phone as the screen faded to black, his expression growing darker by

in his life he did not account for. He was ready to walk away, but Peter had to drag them

Nexus Group, Steven had managed Naylor

and Peter, Jack knew the whole situation would get

away on vacation for several days. She had barely stepped through the door when Arya swooped in with a grin. "You've been off the

once-over and hummed thoughtfully. "Looks like you've put on a few pounds. Did you