Early the next morning, Cobra stood outside Ryan and Echo’s door. He wasn’t actually assigned to this job, but he wanted to make sure Echo was still alive, so he decided to come himself to wake them up.
Since they were set to head to the Pacific with Michael today, and Ryan was never one to forget important matters, he got up as soon as Cobra gave the door a couple of soft knocks.
Cobra respectfully reported their overnight progress to Ryan. The Brown family didn’t have much influence in the Pacific, so since the Street family would be attempting to stop them, they couldn’t afford to go in unprepared. Things had gone smoothly with the combined forces of the Dark and Brown families.
“You’re still alive?” Once Ryan left to discuss things with Hawk, Cobra slipped into the room, seeing Echo sitting groggily on the bed, nodding off. Raising an eyebrow, he yanked her off the bed and teased her, “We all thought you’d at least lose a layer of skin, but you’re still in one piece.”
That woke Echo up fast. Sitting on the floor, she kicked a leg out at Cobra. “So you’re disappointed I survived, huh?”
Cobra dodged her kick and circled her, looking her up and down with a smirk. “With Boss being so angry, we thought even if you didn’t die, you’d at least get roughed up. Guess you’re tougher than you look. Looks like we’ll be counting on you for protection from now on.”
Echo got up, dusted herself off, and raised an eyebrow. “Glad you know it. Keep your hands off me, or I’ll tell Boss you’ve been messing around.”
“Oh, I’m so scared,” Cobra said, rolling his eyes.
His tone was so calm that Echo couldn’t tell if he meant it or was just mocking her.
Echo gave a dismissive snort. “If you’ve got something to say, just spit it out.”
She knew Cobra wasn’t the type to wake her up just for idle chatter.
Cobra’s face turned serious. “This time, are you going with Boss to the Pacific, or heading to Italy with Mr. Adolph?”
Echo looked at him, confused. “What do you mean?”
Cobra crossed his arms, looking her over. “We’re heading out to search for some algae none of us have even heard of. Since planes are useless here, we’re taking a ship. Given your tendency to get seasick, all you’ll do is hold us back. Plus, we’re up against the Street family, so it’s not gonna be smooth sailing. Do you think you can handle it, or are you just gonna end up like last time?”
The mention of a ship made Echo hesitate; she hadn’t forgotten her seasickness. Last time, things got so chaotic she’d forgotten all about it, but now that he mentioned it, her head was already starting to ache. She realized she probably should’ve thought of this last night.
Seeing her hesitation, Cobra continued, “Our mission is not only to get the job done but also to protect Boss at all costs. You might not be able to manage that this time. That’s why Hawk, Mr. Adolph, and I discussed it. We think it’s better for you to go to Italy and stay with Mr. Adolph. It’ll be safer there, and we won’t have to worry about you slowing us down.”
Echo thought about it for a moment, then asked, “Will Boss allow it?”
Cobra’s words on the surface made her sound completely useless, but Echo could tell he was looking out for her. She hadn’t forgotten how dangerous things had been back at the pyramid, and that was before they’d officially broken things off with the Street family.
This time, on the open sea, it’d be a true test of strength. Maybe heading to Adolph would be safer-at least she’d be on solid ground. On land, she was like an unkillable cockroach; on the water, she’d be as helpless as a beached fish.
“If you’re willing, we can talk to Boss about it,” Cobra said seriously. “He’s not one to let emotions cloud his judgment; he knows the difference between safety and danger.”
Even if Ryan and Echo hadn’t fully defined what they were to each other, everyone around them could see it plain as day.
It was going to be a dangerous mission, and Echo, who could barely stand being on a ship, would only be a liability.
Ryan wouldn’t suggest she stay behind, and she wouldn’t ask to be left behind either.
So, they’d figured they’d take matters into their own hands-for Ryan’s sake, mostly. Ryan could survive if there was even a sliver of hope, but Echo might not. Sending her to Adolph would keep her safe and give Ryan peace of mind-without the fear that, if things went south, Ryan would lose control.
Echo frowned and glanced out the window.
The first rays of morning light had started spilling in, bathing the room in a soft, golden glow. It felt warm and comfortable, just like last night.
After a long silence, Echo finally looked up at Cobra with a small smile. “Thanks for the concern, but I still think I’m safest by Boss’s side. I’m not that useless, right? I helped out last time, didn’t I? Thanks, though-and if you could get me some seasickness meds, that’d be great, okay?” With that, she got up and headed toward the bathroom.
Watching her walk away, Cobra shook his head slightly.
Was she just asking for trouble? He’d hoped she’d take the easy way and go with Adolph, where she’d be protected and safe-even if they ran into the Street family. But here she was, ready to dive headfirst into danger. This was the opposite of her usual self-preserving nature.
To trust Boss so completely… maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
His eyes held a glimmer of admiration and a hint of a smile.
To stick by him through thick and thin, even knowing the risks-that was the kind of person Boss deserved.
As he stepped out of the room, Hawk walked up, and the two exchanged a glance that conveyed everything they needed to know.
Hawk nodded slightly. They might’ve wanted to send her somewhere safe, but seeing her stand by Boss made them respect her choice even more.
Maybe Echo didn’t fully understand what it meant to ride out the storm together, but her decision spoke volumes.
At the Brown family’s golf course, a couple of planes-civilian, but modified for their unique needs-were parked on the vast green. A sleek, dark Cadillac approached, pulling up near the planes where Michael was already waiting.
“Mr. Ryan, you are punctual as ever,” Michael said, smiling as he came forward.
Ryan’s reputation for punctuality was well known, not out of a need to flaunt his power, but because he didn’t believe in showing off. His presence carried all the authority he needed-no extra airs required.
Mr. Brown wasn’t around, likely busy dealing with the Street family.
Ryan gave a brief nod, casting a glance at a few unfamiliar faces nearby.
Michael quickly explained, “This is my survey team.”
Ryan gave a quiet nod and continued forward. If the Brown family wasn’t worried about leaks, neither was the Dark family.
When Michael saw Echo walking with Ryan, he bypassed Ryan and came over to her with a smile. “Ivy made you breakfast-your favorite,” he said, holding out a bag he’d been carrying.
Echo’s expression shifted when she heard it was from Ivy. She shot Michael a look, then glanced at Ryan ahead of them, clearly emitting some serious annoyance.
She raised an eyebrow and replied coolly, “I already ate.”
She could’ve eaten more, but sensing Ryan’s mood, she held herself back.
Michael chuckled and called out to Ryan, “Mr. Ryan, everyone says you are very strict with your subordinates-seems they’re right! This little thing doesn’t need your approval, right? I’m just here out of concern for my friend-I’m not trying to accuse you of mistreating your people or anything.”
Ryan stopped in his tracks, sending a cold look Michael’s way.
Unbothered, Michael smiled back. “We’re all going to be working together for a while-it’s important to keep things friendly. I’m all for building camaraderie. You wouldn’t object to that, right, Mr. Ryan?”
Ryan gave Michael another icy stare and said, “Suit yourself.” Then he turned, wrapped his arm around Echo’s waist, and headed toward the plane.
Echo quickly grabbed the breakfast bag from Michael with a mischievous smile, took out a piece of food, and handed it to Ryan, saying, “Ivy’s cooking is amazing; we really should accept the gesture.”
Ryan’s brow furrowed slightly, but he tightened his grip on her waist and kept moving forward.