Through his recent ordeal, Bob realized that Castle, who appeared to be just a writer on the surface, was far from a peaceful man at heart. He had a streak of romanticism, a penchant for justice and revenge. On the outside, Castle seemed laid-back, almost lazy, but in reality, he enjoyed stirring things up. His companions were an eccentric bunch too. Despite their impressive skills, they had somehow ended up alongside Castle. Were they modern-day vigilantes?
Bob wasn't entirely wrong. Castle didn't have grand ambitions like forming his own power group. He always carried a "living the lazy life" attitude, content to spend his days by Beckett's side. However, circumstances always seemed to pull him into situations where he had to act, making it hard for him to remain the passive person he wanted to be.
As the saying goes, "Birds of a feather flock together." Moz and Neal weren't exactly quiet people either. Neal, once a happy art thief and con artist, had spent his days dodging Peter Burke, who eventually caught him and sent him to prison. Even in prison, Neal hadn't planned to change his ways. It wasn't until Vincent Adler nearly cost him his beloved Kate through an elaborate plot that Neal got pulled into a series of events leading him to Castle. Realizing that his loner lifestyle wasn't sustainable, Neal had deepened his ties with Castle and Moz after they helped him secure a pardon from the Department of Justice.
Similarly, Chubby, a once aimless internet drifter, had found purpose after his experiences with Castle, especially after the Brazil incident. He chose to stick with his trouble-stirring Uncle Rick without a second thought.
So, the people gathered around Castle were all talk when they claimed to want a peaceful life, but deep down, they loved adventure and trouble. They had also noticed that as long as they stayed near Castle, even if they weren't actively seeking trouble, it would find them regardless. Plus, there was always the chance they'd strike it rich with Castle's antics. Chubby, in particular, understood this well, which is why he loved being by Castle's side.
Bob, now understanding this group better, was indeed tempted by Castle's invitation.
First, he realized that hiding away in the Montana wilderness didn't matter when people like Johnson would always find him. There were always more people like Johnson—ambitious liars cloaked in patriotism—who could track him down no matter where he went. Living alone in the mountains only postponed the inevitable.
Second, Bob had seen firsthand how extensive Castle's influence in New York was. His girlfriend was the youngest precinct captain in the NYPD, and Castle had no qualms about discussing matters of revenge in front of the police without any fear. This clearly indicated that Castle had reliable connections in law enforcement. Moving to New York might actually provide Bob with the chance for a fresh start.
Even if trouble did find him in the city, at least he'd have Castle and his crew to back him up.
Finally, the thrilling stories Castle had shared about their past escapades, along with the hints dropped by Chubby and Moz, had already stirred the restless adventurer in Bob. The idea of accepting Castle's invitation to come to New York seemed more and more appealing.
But for now, Bob's primary focus was on dealing with Charles Hahn, the old bastard who had framed him. Castle's advice made sense: he couldn't just recklessly take down a senator. With only one hundred senators in the country, the assassination of one would spark an uproar if Bob simply shot him in the head. It would be a national scandal.
Castle's plan, on the other hand, offered a smarter approach. Tomorrow night, Vice President Andrew would be exposed for his war crimes in Africa during the fundraiser, and the Donkeys would naturally assume that Charles Hahn, from the Elephant Party, had broken their truce. Even if Andrew realized Hahn wasn't responsible, in his fury, he might still target him as revenge.
That would be the perfect time for Bob to strike under the cover of the political chaos, especially with Castle's intelligence backing him.
What initially seemed like a difficult revenge plot now felt surprisingly manageable.
By the end of the bonfire party, after being plied with enough beer to cloud his judgment, Bob agreed to Castle's invitation. He promised to move to New York after dealing with Charles Hahn. In fact, under the collective urging of Castle's bodyguards, led by Big Ivan, Bob, who had never been drunk before due to his role as a sniper requiring constant alertness, actually got drunk for the first time. In his intoxicated state, he called the pet shop where his dog was being looked after and arranged for the dog to be sent to Castle's estate in Long Island.
When the next morning's sun rose, Castle woke up in his massive master bedroom with a pounding headache, having spent the night with Beckett. It was the weekend, and Beckett was still sleeping soundly. The night before had been one of the rare times they'd let loose, especially since Alexis had been sensible enough to retire to her room after only a bit of barbecue. With his daughter out of the way, everyone, including Chubby, had dropped their usual facades and indulged in the Russian soldiers' endless supply of vodka.
By the end, no one could stand up straight, not even Bob, who always remained sober due to his sniper instincts. Neal and Chubby had been the first to fall under the table, thanks to Big Ivan and his men's potent liquor.
Castle, feeling sluggish from the alcohol and the late-night activities with Beckett, struggled to get out of bed. Despite his hangover, he felt a strange sense of relief, his long-pent-up tension having finally been released. His head throbbed, but his mood was lighter. Thanks to his system-enhanced physique, all it took was a glass of water for him to start feeling normal again.
When he made his way downstairs to the large hall, he noticed something odd. His estate was missing something.
Compared to Gianna's estate, his lacked a butler and enough staff. It was something Castle had never felt he needed, but now, it seemed more important than ever.
However, finding a competent butler wasn't an easy task. He needed someone who was not only loyal but also capable of running the estate. Finding someone with the skill and class of Gianna's butler was no simple matter.
After pondering it for a while without a solution, Castle let the thought go for now, as his daughter was about to wake up. Being the doting father he was, Castle needed to make her breakfast.
Meanwhile, Vice President Andrew didn't have the luxury of sleeping in until nearly 10 a.m. on a weekend morning. After a series of behind-the-scenes deals the night before, he had finally reached a temporary truce with Senator Charles Hahn of Montana through intermediaries. Hahn had stepped back after the loss of Colonel Johnson, his enforcer, while Andrew, backed by his powerful allies, had received sufficient compensation and a promise from Hahn not to dig into his past. Of course, both sides knew this was only temporary.
But for now, Andrew was in a good mood. Despite the close call, he had come out relatively unscathed, and he had been compensated elsewhere. All that was left was to get through tonight's fundraiser, and he could leave this wretched city behind...
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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