CHAPTER 182: SNIPER AND KISS

–Logan–

I reclined my chair back and glanced at Jane as she reached into her bag for a gun. I wasn’t even worried—this woman could snap bones in her sleep.

"I think we have a guest," I grinned at her. "Sorry, Jane, but I don’t think this is the best time for your beauty nap."

A hailstorm of bullets followed us. The only part of the car not bulletproof? The windows. Great design choice, right? We totally didn’t expect this. I fired off signals to our people to come pick us up, because honestly? We could take care of these guys ourselves—but Jane looked exhausted, and I was feeling too lazy to deal with a clean-up.

"Drive," she ordered. So I drove—still reclined—using the front dashcam feed like a gamer with a steering wheel controller.

Jane turned sideways in her seat to get better aim. She picked up a pillow, held it above her head like a shield, and it was instantly shredded. She checked the bullet pattern, unfazed, and lay back down.

"What?" I asked.

"Snipers," she muttered. "Just drive."

I laughed. "Yeah, no kidding." We needed shelter, somewhere we could ditch the car. No tall buildings out here—just trees and mosquito-ridden scenery. Where the hell were they hiding? They couldn’t be in the lab.

If my hunch was right, we just needed to keep going. Rural area, long road, easy angles. A car honked behind us and I slowed down.

"Boss!" someone called out. Familiar voice.

I lifted my head to look—Jane yanked me down before my brain turned into pink mist.

"They’re probably in the mountains," she said.

The car in front hooked ours and started towing us.

"Do you think this is a good idea?" Jane asked.

"I don’t know," I chuckled as she shot me a deadly stare. "What? I think it’s a great idea that they’re doing the driving."

She hissed at me and started dialing someone.

"Who are you calling?" I asked, mostly to distract her... or annoy her. Combination package.

She exhaled sharply and rolled her eyes, choosing not to dignify me with an answer.

"’Bishop,’ I said into the throat mic, ’I’m on the private road below the lab. Sweep the mountain flank — the sniper’s holding at about three hundred metres, maybe less. Keep low and keep quiet.’"

"You have access to Bishop?" I blurted out. Honestly—who wouldn’t be shocked? I have Bishop clearance but I barely use it. Meanwhile, she gives commands like she owns the place. She’s Damon’s wife, sure—but Damon’s Empire is supposed to be sealed access.

"The Pawns have made their move. Three sniper signatures confirmed, triangulated positions. One sits directly on your forward vector—proceeding ahead is suicide," Bishop reported, calm and surgical.

I unbuckled my seatbelt as Jane crawled into the backseat. She opened the compartment that gave access to the trunk and wormed half her body through it.

"Are you stuck?" I asked with a big grin.

"Don’t you stare at my ass!" she hissed.

I laughed and moved in after her, gently pulling her back by the hips so I could help get the long sniper briefcase out.

"Are you actually going to shoot that guy?"

"I can try."

"If you miss, I’m cashing in a kiss," I smirked.

"I’d rather take a bullet to the head," she replied flatly.

"Oh! Harsh." I clutched my chest dramatically as I climbed up behind the front seat and helped her assemble the rifle.

"Three minutes. South quadrant," Bishop updated. Jane set the rifle on its stand and peered through the binocular screen.

"Still want that kiss?" I teased.

"Shut up, Logan Zachary Maxwell."

I chuckled and leaned back from the glass.

"Move to my left," she commanded.

I straddled in behind her, boxing her in at the waist.

"Don’t even think about it," she growled.

I laughed under my breath.

She started counting down quietly.

"Six, five, four, three, two, one..."

She fired—clean, confident. The car jerked to a stop. She found another target, chambered a round, fired again. Three seconds later:

"The sniper escaped," Bishop reported.

"Did I hit him?" Jane asked.

"Unscathed."

I burst out laughing.

"Fuck," she muttered, and signaled the driver to move again.

"Just let me know when you’re ready for that kiss."

"Don’t bother. I don’t need it." She packed up her rifle while I brushed glass to the floor.

"But a promise is—"

She turned to me with a slow smirk. "Logan... are you sure you want to do that?"

I shrugged. "Why not?"

She scoffed, smirked, and gave me that ’I already plotted your demise’ look.

Suddenly the whole bet didn’t feel as fun.

"...Actually, I think it’s unnecessary," I coughed, looking away.

She was still staring at me—calculating.

Absolutely terrifying.

When we reached the villa, Wally rushed out the moment he saw the car.

"Jane? Logan? Are you two hurt?" He checked us like an overprotective big brother, then nodded. "Good. I know exactly what’ll make you both feel better."

Jane followed him; I drifted along lazily behind. I ruffled Keiko’s hair and gave her a quick smile.

"Sukoshi yasunde ro, Keiko... ato de ore kara kakeru kara." ("Take a break, Keiko. I’ll call you later.")

She looked disappointed—but I couldn’t sleep with her... or anything else with her.

Not today.

After the meal, I took a long bath and let the warmth melt off the tension from today’s chaos. Steam clung to my skin as I stretched and thought about nothing for once — rare, I know. Once I felt halfway human again, I padded toward my bedroom, towel slung lazily over my shoulders, ready to finally crash.

Except Keiko was already there, sprawled across my bed like a cat waiting for attention. Playful eyes, mischievous grin — the works.

I sighed and approached her, reaching out to lift her chin with two fingers.

"Didn’t I tell you to rest, Keiko?"

"But I want you, Master." Her voice came out like honey laced with mischief. She tilted her face up, lips parting, practically begging for a kiss.

I was about to answer when I heard Jane’s light footsteps outside — followed by the faint creak of her door. Perfect timing. Of course.

Honestly, I wanted a game, not sex. My idea of relaxation tonight involved a little friendly sparring, not tangled sheets.

"Alright," I sighed dramatically. "You can sleep here. But I think I need to spar first."

I pulled on a pair of loose pants and a short robe-style top, something comfortable but easy to move in, then headed straight to Jane’s room.

"Jane, wanna spar?"

Her voice floated through the door, cool and clipped. "No."

"Why not?" I exaggerated a pout she couldn’t even see, just to amuse myself. If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s getting under her skin.

"Jane!" I called again, dragging out her name like a bored child.

That’s when that voice ruined the night.

"Jane!"

David Blackwell — loud, dramatic, and absolutely killing my mood. How the hell did he get here so fast?

Before I could even react, he sprinted past and shoved me aside, bursting through Jane’s door like some romcom lead who missed his cue. I stood back, arms crossed, watching him wrap her up in a hug. Jane, ever the unbothered one, merely patted his back as if he were a sulking toddler who needed a cookie.

I frowned at the sight. David looked like a puppy who’d just been kicked by life.

"Did you know," he groaned, "that Mom told me to find a girlfriend? She’s literally putting me up for auction!"

"Oh," Jane replied flatly, face blank as a whiteboard. Not even a flicker of sympathy. How this woman can "comfort" anyone is a miracle of nature.

I chuckled. "Oh, man. Jane can’t comfort you like that."

David glared at me. "At least she’s trying."

"Trying," I echoed, snorting. "Sure."

He turned toward me, so I opened my arms dramatically. He sighed and walked right into the hug. As he did, I leaned in close and whispered into his ear,

"I know a gorgeous lady with a D-cup waiting just for you."

He jerked back, eyes wide, and pushed me gently away.

"No, I can’t cheat on Jane." He nodded solemnly instead of shaking his head, which made it even funnier.

Jane arched an eyebrow. "It’s fine to be unfaithful, David."

Yeah, right. The woman who could weaponize jealousy now claims to be open-minded.

"Oh. Okay!" David grinned like a fool.

Jane exhaled slowly, then forced a polite tone. "Now, please, I have a favor. Use the room far away from mine. The walls are thin. I’d rather not wake up to the sound of your moaning again."

David’s grin widened while one of the staff opened the room across the hall. Jane’s expression soured as he disappeared inside.

"Fucker," she muttered under her breath.

Then came Keiko’s soft voice behind me, hesitant and melodic:

"Rogan-sama... ano... kyou, issho ni ite mo ii desu ka...?"

(Master Logan... um... may I stay with you today...?)

Her tone even made David glance over.

Jane pinched the bridge of her nose. "Please, don’t tell me you’re planning an orgy anytime soon," she deadpanned, halfway to pleading.

Without another word, she dragged her luggage and pillow toward another wing, muttering under her breath about "unholy men."

"Jane," I called, trying to suppress a laugh. "We’re kidding. Go back to your room!"

No response. So I grabbed her luggage, pushed it back inside her door, and shut it gently behind her.

Turning back, I grinned at David, who was crossing his arms.

"Damn, Logan," he said, shaking his head. "What’s your game? At least let the lady rest."

"Don’t worry," I replied, smirking. "She’ll be fine. I’m taking a break from any game tonight."

I walked over to Keiko and cupped her cheeks.

"Warui na, Keiko... kyou wa omae no sabisu wa iranai. Shinpai suru na... hoshikereba, Deibitto no moto ni tsukete yaru."

(I’m sorry, Keiko... I don’t need your service tonight. Don’t worry, if you’d like, I’ll assign you to David instead.)

She smiled softly.

David blinked, caught off guard, then offered her a hand. "Wanna go out shopping with me?"

Her eyes widened, excitement blooming instantly.

"He’s got plenty of cash," I teased, ruffling her hair. "Go on, have fun."

"Hai!" she chirped, her face glowing with energy.

I smiled faintly and headed toward my room. Keiko followed and hugged me from behind, her warmth pressed lightly against my back. I bent down, lifted her chin, and brushed my lips against hers — a light, teasing kiss.

"Enjoy, Keiko."

"Hai!" she replied, voice full of glee.

Once she was gone, I shut the window and leaned against the wall, right next to Jane’s room. I rapped gently on the door.

"Jane," I said softly, "I really want to take you out shopping — buy a few things for the twins. But they’re targeting your head."

A pause. Then her voice, calm and certain:

"You guessed it right."