Ultimately, the group agreed that this wasn't the right time to inform the U.S. government about the plot. The risk of leaking such sensitive intelligence to Roxette operatives embedded in politics or the military was too high. Beckett, while initially adamant about taking immediate action, eventually accepted Castle's rationale. She reluctantly agreed that this was an opportunity to uncover and neutralize more of Roxette's hidden operatives.
The trio decided on a tentative plan: Castle and Jarvis would monitor the situation, tracking every development. When Amir Barkawi and his collaborators reached the final stages of their plan, they would decide whether to inform the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service—or use the situation as leverage to extract benefits for themselves.
While Castle and Beckett left the study to join John and baby Onora on the lawn, Gianna stayed behind, her mind racing with thoughts of how her family could exploit this situation for their advantage.
On the lawn, little Onora was crawling happily in the grass, her laughter filling the air. Her doting father, the once-legendary assassin John Wick, had a weary but contented smile on his face. Though being a full-time dad had been far from John's original life plan, Onora's presence had transformed him. His days were now filled with baby bottles, diapers, and lullabies instead of guns and death.
As Beckett scooped up Onora and began cooing to her, John approached Castle, who was standing off to the side.
"Something big?" John asked, sensing the weight of the matter from Castle's expression.
Castle, knowing John's history and intelligence, didn't hesitate. He explained the entire situation: the alliance between Amir Barkawi, the Japanese intelligence agency, and Roxette; their plan to assault the White House; and Castle's own strategy to use this opportunity to expose Roxette's hidden operatives in the U.S. government and military.
When Castle finished, John shrugged. "Sounds messy, but I'm not the guy for strategy. You've got Gianna for that. Let me know if you need me to deal with anyone, though."
John smirked. "Actually, I wouldn't mind. Being a stay-at-home dad's been great and all, but I could use a few days off. Just let me know when and where."
John's lighthearted comment struck a chord with Castle. It was like a switch flipped in his brain, and suddenly he realized something he'd been overlooking all this time.
He wasn't alone.
Castle had been so caught up in his own independent schemes, relying on Jarvis and his other resources, that he'd forgotten the most important thing: his connections.
John's remark reminded Castle that he had powerful allies—like Sean, his "adoptive father," who had connections to the High Table and a vast network of assassins.
Why had he been trying to take on Roxette alone?
The realization hit Castle like a truck. He'd been underutilizing his greatest assets. Sure, Sean's network of assassins alone might not be enough to root out Roxette's deeply embedded operatives in politics and the military. But combined with Jarvis's unparalleled intelligence-gathering capabilities, they could expose and dismantle even the most hidden members of the organization.
"Damn," Castle muttered to himself, shaking his head at his own oversight.
If he'd thought of this earlier, he could have avoided the near-tragedy at Christmas when Alexis was kidnapped. Sure, the team of bodyguards he'd assigned to her at the time had been adequate, but with Sean's resources, Alexis's safety would have been ironclad.
It wasn't too late to fix things, though. This new plot involving Roxette and Barkawi was the perfect opportunity to leverage Sean's connections and hit Roxette where it hurt.
Castle's plan began to take shape. He would use Jarvis to track Roxette's operatives and identify those who were directly involved in the plot. The ones embedded in government and military positions would be turned over to President Benjamin with ironclad evidence, giving Benjamin an excuse to purge them under the banner of national security.
As for the operatives who posed a direct threat to Castle and his family? They wouldn't live to see another day.
Castle grinned. "Thanks, John. You've just solved half my problems."
John tilted his head. "Oh? What'd I do?"
Castle slapped John on the shoulder. "You reminded me that I'm not as alone in this as I thought. I've been fighting like I'm a one-man army, but I've got allies—powerful ones. So thanks for the wake-up call."
John chuckled. "Glad I could help. Now, seriously—find me something to do. I love my daughter, but if I don't get out of the house soon, I might start hallucinating baby bottles."
Castle laughed, genuinely relieved by John's humor. "Don't worry. I've got plenty for you to do. Give me a few days to sort through the details, and I'll have something for you to sink your teeth into."
With John's encouragement, Castle felt reinvigorated. He now saw the upcoming conflict with Roxette not as a daunting challenge, but as an opportunity to consolidate his power, strengthen his alliances, and eliminate his enemies.
For the first time in a while, Castle felt like he was in complete control.
As Beckett played with baby Onora, oblivious to the newfound determination brewing in Castle, Gianna finally emerged from the house, still deep in thought. Seeing the mischievous glint in Castle's eyes, she raised an eyebrow.
"What's that look for?" she asked.
Castle smirked. "Oh, nothing. Just thinking about how I'm going to turn this whole situation to my advantage. Trust me, Gianna—you're going to want a front-row seat for this one."
Gianna's lips curled into a sly smile. "Oh, I wouldn't miss it for the world, Rick."
As the group stood on the lawn, basking in the warm sunlight and the sound of Onora's laughter, the storm brewing on the horizon seemed distant. But Castle knew better.
He wasn't just going to weather the storm.
He was going to control it.
(End of Chapter)
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