Chapter 5 - Jace Learned Why Mason Walked Away From the Mafia, and the Answer Made Him Respect the Man He Had Tried to HumiliateJace called everyone he trusted.
Gym owners.
Fighters.
Security contractors.
Former military friends.
People who owed him favors.
Mason expected criminals.
Instead, he found ordinary people.
That surprised him.
“You built a network.”
Jace shrugged.
“I know people.”
Mason nodded.
“You're learning.”
“From you?”
“Unfortunately.”
They prepared.
Julian's network was bigger.
But Mason had one advantage.
They expected the Ghost.
They did not expect a father.
Sophie helped.
She tracked the trust.
She identified accounts.
She found patterns.
Mason watched her work.
“You got that from your mother.”
Sophie smiled.
“Or you.”
“Definitely your mother.”
Jace laughed.
“Smart move.”
“What?”
“Don't take credit.”
Sophie smiled.
The final attack came at night.
Julian's men moved toward the trust office.
Mason and Jace were waiting.
The fight was brutal.
Jace handled the first two.
Mason handled the rest.
But Mason did not kill anyone.
He disarmed.
Disabled.
Stopped.
Jace noticed.
“You really changed.”
Mason looked at him.
“I had to.”
“Why?”
“Sophie.”
Jace nodded.
“I get it.”
Then Harold appeared.
The old man walked into the room.
Mason froze.
“Hello, son.”
Jace looked at Mason.
“That's him?”
“Yes.”
Harold smiled.
“You always were emotional.”
Mason stepped forward.
“You killed Claire.”
“She died because she refused to cooperate.”
“She was my wife.”
“She was your weakness.”
Mason shook his head.
“No.”
He pointed toward Sophie.
“She was my reason.”
Harold laughed.
“Same thing.”
“No.”
Mason's voice became calm.
“You were wrong.”
Harold pulled a gun.
Jace moved.
Sophie screamed.
Mason tackled Harold.
The gun fired.
Mason was hit in the shoulder.
He fell.
Sophie ran to him.
“Dad!”
Jace disarmed Harold.
Police stormed in.
Harold was arrested.
Julian tried to escape.
He failed.
The trust was secured.
The evidence was turned over.
And the entire criminal network collapsed.
But Mason was bleeding.
Sophie held his hand.
“You're going to be okay.”
He smiled.
“You sound like your mother.”
She cried.
“I don't want another goodbye.”
“You won't get one.”
He survived surgery.
When he woke, Jace was sitting beside the bed.
“You look terrible.”
Mason laughed weakly.
“You're one to talk.”
Jace grinned.
“You saved me.”
“I didn't do much.”
“You did.”
Mason looked at him.
“Why are you here?”
Jace shrugged.
“Because we're friends.”
Mason stared.
He had not had a friend like that in years.
“Thank you.”
Jace nodded.
Then asked:
“Are you still a waiter?”
Mason smiled.
“Probably.”
“After all this?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because somebody has to serve coffee.”
Jace laughed.
“You're insane.”
“Maybe.”
Then Jace became serious.
“You know what I learned?”
“What?”
“You don't need to be feared to be strong.”
Mason nodded.
May you like
“You're getting smarter.”
“Don't tell anyone.”
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