Chapter Twenty-Three

Max

The Sky Dungeon, Club Decadent Skies…

"So, you grew some balls in the military, I see."

Max turned to stone at the guttural voice behind him. One he had believed to have walked away from not so long ago. It seemed fate had different plans for him. No matter the suffering and torment he had been exposed to at the hands of this man, in the eyes of the universe, he was still his father, and there was no running away from him.

"Jesus, what the fuck is that useless piece of shit doing here?" Jax's anger almost surpassed Max's. He shouldn't be surprised. As his best friend, he was the only one Max had trusted with his deepest, darkest secret—the reason why he had been such a closed-off, emotionless young man when they had met. Yes, Colonel Camden Brett had saved him from Matthew's hold, but it was through Jax's resolve to make him forget his past and to show him there was beauty in the world that Max finally became human. If not for him intervening in the route Max was heading by becoming a hermit in his personal life after leaving the military, he might have ended exactly like Matthew DuPont.

"One can see your father didn't have the power to shut your filthy mouth when you were a boy," Matthew snickered as he walked closer. He looked different than he had when Max had seen him in Maine. Dressed in a silver-gray suit, dark gray shirt, and tie, he was more confident, all showmanship and class.

"My father wasn't a coward," Jax sneered. "He taught us the value of right and wrong by being involved in our lives, by being the bigger man in all aspects, which didn't include pounding our brains in just because he could."

"Oh, for fuck's sake, we don't have time for more dick measuring," Iceman growled. "Cut that bitch down before DuPont turns into a devil and kills everyone."

"No, leave her. It'll be his just deserts if she dies," Matthew said tauntingly. Max didn't respond, but the warning in his eyes was glaringly clear.

Iceman didn't miss it, nor did he choose to ignore it like Matthew did. With a curse, he snapped at Stefan, "Catch the bitch," and released the rope. With a hoarse cry, Wick dropped from where she had been strung up. Stefan heeded the warning tenor in Iceman's voice and snatched her up before she tumbled to the floor.

"No, Mr. DuPont," Iceman warned as Max took an unconscious step closer. "I suggest you stay where you are. One more step, and I will put a bullet in her head," he warned and tapped the muzzle of his gold Glock against Wick's temple.

"Let's get this fucking circus over with," Matthew growled. "I told you this is a fucked-up idea. It doesn't matter that there are only two of them; they have territorial advantage."

"This isn't the military, Matthew," Iceman snickered. "It's fucking time you start thinking like a mobster. You've been a front boss for fifteen years, and you still want to bring the military ways into everything we do. Wake the hell up. We don't follow rules. Everywhere we're at is our territory… this goddamn tin included."

"You're the naive one, Iceman," Matthew shot back angrily. "You don't know this bastard. He's cunning. I saw that when he was a ten-year-old boy. We should've done what I suggested. Meet at the sewerage tanks. There, he wouldn't have dared to oppose us. Here, we're all fucking stuck in a tin can with nowhere to go until we land." He looked at his watch. "For that matter, why haven't we started descending yet?"

"You're a mafia front boss? Jesus, how the supposed mighty have fallen." Max's voice was filled with ridicule. His head barely moved as Matthew's fist cracked against his chin.

"Newsflash, asshole. I'm not a little ten-year-old boy anymore." With his eyes glimmering with glacial hatred, Max put his entire weight behind the right fist that he slammed into Matthew's cheek.

The older man catapulted back and crashed into the wall. Legs crumbling, his growl of fury was stemmed by the pain the vicious hit caused.

"The days of me taking your beatings are long over, you fucking bastard," Max grated through thin lips.

"I'm your father. You will not talk to me like that," Matthew struggled to get back on his feet. The snarl he intended sounded weak as a result.

"You don't know the meaning of the word. You never were a father. Not to me or to Chloe. Hit me again, you motherfucker, and I will not stop hammering your head until you're bleeding out." Ignoring him, Max turned to Iceman, aware that Bradley Gray was also struggling to his feet, cuddling his broken jaw between his hands.

"I hate to side with Matthew," Stefan interjected, "But he's right. We should be close to landing, but we're still flying at the same altitude."

"Theo, find out from Igor what the fuck is happening," Iceman ordered the guard hovering in the background.

"You okay, love?" Max took the opportunity to check on Wick. Her hands were still tied, and he could see her arms were straining.

"I'm fine. Just fuck them up good, babe. Whatever they're after, you don't give it to them, no matter what they intend to do to me. You hear me? You don't fucking put our country in danger because of me. Military code, remember. One versus millions."

"Enough. Nothing is going to happen to you. Our boy is going to make sure of that." His eyes urged her to make the connection. It didn't take long for her to understand the hidden message.

"I know he will," she said, smiling with relief shining in her eyes.

"Gmphf," Jax shook his head. "She trusts him more than us, did you notice that? A slap in the face, I tell you."

"Ah, I love you too, Jax," Wick snickered.

"Jesus Christ, stop this syrupy talk," Matthew thundered. "Get this fucking plane on the ground, Iceman, so we can kill these bastards."

"Such fatherly love," Max taunted him. He would give anything to pummel the bastard to death, but Matthew had learned his lesson. He didn't take the bait. Instead, he took a wide berth around Max and Jax to join Iceman.

"Sir," Theo shifted his weight as he stood in the doorway. "Igor says he can't get the plane to accept the new coordinates. It keeps giving an error code 6969."

Iceman glared at Max. "What's error code 6969." His frown deepened as Jax burst out laughing.

"I like your humor, Max," he said, chuckling. "Imagine that, error code 6969."

Max shrugged. "I thought it was appropriate and a number all of us would easily remember."

"I asked you a question," Iceman exploded. He was slowly reaching the end of his tether.

"Oh, my apologies," Max said colloquially. "It's a location error. The plane locks into the original coordinates, which can't be changed mid-flight."

"What the fuck does that mean?" Stefan teemed.

"It means we have to land the plane at the location this bastard decided upon before we can log in new coordinates," Matthew screeched angrily. "I fucking warned you this was a bad idea."

"Where are we headed?" Iceman's voice clipped through clenched teeth.

"Well, since your instructions didn't indicate a destination, I made a judgment call. We'll be landing in Key West." Max made a show of checking his watch. "Since we have another hour or so to go, why don't you tell us what you want? Apart from Jax not running for mayor, you have yet to tell me why I'm here."

"You, Mr. DuPont, have a network that crosses the globe. We want that network." Iceman watched him intently. His eyes narrowing was proof that he didn't appreciate Max not showing any reaction to his claim.

"I'm afraid that network is attached to my business. Neither of which are for sale."

Matthew laughed boisterously. "You don't get it, do you? We're not offering to buy it. We're going to take it. Just like we took Bradley Gray's bank from him."

"No," Bradley protested, but the realization in his eyes told a different story; he just hadn't realized it until this very moment. His shoulders sagged in defeat.

"Yes," Matthew cried triumphantly, basking in the moment of victory. "Why else do you think you're here? You're a loose end, just like they are." In his excitement, Matthew lost control.

Max's anger surged through him, a white-hot fury that consumed his entire being as he watched Wick's head rock sideways from the force of Matthew jamming his gun against her. Her cry of pain tore at his heart, fueling the rage that burned within him. His eyes blazed with a fierce intensity, a promise of retribution for anyone who dared to harm her.

"I warned you not to touch her. Now, you'll learn what fear means. Protect!" The words had barely left his lips when a ball of fur stormed past Theo, a blur of motion that hurtled through the air with unwavering determination. Nitro, who had been waiting quietly out of sight, crashed into Matthew with the force of a small car. His powerful jaws clamped down on the man's arm, ripping and tearing until the gun clattered to the floor.

The cabin erupted into chaos as the men scrambled to get away from the snarling beast, their eyes wide with fear as they stumbled over each other in their haste to escape. Nitro, his teeth bared, and his hackles raised, backed up until he stood protectively in front of Wick, placing his massive body as a living shield between her and the danger that threatened her.

"I would advise all of you to keep your hands visible." Max stood tall with his shoulders squared and his fists clenched, ready to take on anyone who dared to challenge him. The tension in the cabin was palpable, the air thick with the scent of fear and the promise of violence. Iceman's men, once so confident and self-assured, now cowered in the face of Max's fury and Nitro's ferocity. "One move to aim a gun at him or Wick, believe me, he'll be tearing your throat out before the bullet leaves that muzzle."

"This fucking K9 is supposed to be dead," Matthew cried. His breathing was laborious as he attempted to cover his bleeding arm, torn to shreds by Nitro's razor-sharp teeth.

Max's eyes narrowed dangerously. "What do you know about Nitro's accident?"

"It was no accident. I shot the damn dog. You didn't even know I was there or that the Genolere Mafia was responsible for the uprising in Afghanistan at the time. We wanted the country's attention focused on the war there while we used it as a diversion for fine-tuning our network and establishing control points. Gray's bank and your airline network are the final pieces that will secure our rule over the entire U.S."

"Why shoot an innocent dog?" Wick asked with sadness in her eyes. She still remembered how broken Nitro had been—physically and mentally. He had been heartbroken and didn't understand where his handler, his best friend, had gone.

"Because he loved him."

"Jesus, you're a demented piece of shit." Wick shook her head. Max noticed how her hand trembled as she laid it on Nitro's head. The dog's body stiffened, preparing for the order he could sense coming. Max didn't blink. If she gave the order, he wouldn't stop it.

"All of this for money and power?" Jax interjected, unaware of the undercurrent between Max and Wick.

"Two of the most sought-after commodities in the entire world," Iceman said quietly. His eyes remained on Nitro. "I suggest you tone it down, Matthew. You're aggravating the dog, and I assure you, The Viper isn't going to be happy if you fuck up this mission. He wants results. We're not going to get it your way."

"My way is the only way my son understands." Matthew grimaced as he clutched his arm against his side.

"And you keep forgetting I'm not a youngster anymore. You might have beat me to a pulp when I was young, but I don't scare that easily anymore. Do you know the saddest thing, Matthew? I never fought back because I respected the sanctity of you being my father. It went against the integrity my mother ingrained in me from when I was a baby. Even at six years old when she left, I never forgot her lessons. Pity she never taught me what abuse truly meant. Now, I know better. Even a parent has to earn respect from his children."

"Fuck you, Max. You're nothing but a—"

"We're descending," Stefan cut Matthew's relay short.

"Where in Key West are we landing?" Iceman asked. For the first time, he showed uncertainty. They might have the advantage in numbers and weapons, but Max read him well enough to know he realized that could very easily be lost once the plane touched the ground.

"A private landing strip on land I own." Putting him at ease was very easy and suited Max's purpose.

Iceman visually relaxed. "Tell Igor it's safe to land at the coordinates of the plane," he told Theo. He pointed his gun at Max but retreated a couple of steps as Nitro growled warningly.

"Call your dog off, DuPont, or that bitch is going to die. Not even the dog or the two of you could stop the bullets if we all fire at the same time."

"Untie her hands, and she can keep him contained, but he's not going anywhere. He's her protector and won't move until I give the instruction." Max shrugged. "That is never going to happen. If one person walks away from this mess alive, it'll be her."

"Untie the bitch," Iceman instructed Stefan.

"Nitro, guard." The K9 responded with a low growl but didn't move from his position in front of Wick. He kept murmuring soothing words to him as Stefan quickly cut the tiebacks from her wrists. A low cry of pain crawled from her lips as the blood rushed through her abused veins. Nitro's ears pitched, and his growl darkened, but he didn't attack.

Stefan couldn't get out of his reach fast enough.

"You might have forced our hand with that location trick, DuPont, but this is far from over. You will agree to our terms. You will either form a coalition with us or sign over CyberCo Airlines to one of our shell companies. Either way, no one is going anywhere until that agreement has been reached." Iceman's eyes glimmered as he looked at Jax. "Since the rumors already associate you with the Genolere Mafia, the same offer is on the table for JCP Enterprises."

"Extortion and blackmail come to mind. I definitely don't spell the word ‘offer' the same as you do." Jax leaned casually against the wall, as unperturbed by the mobster's threats as was Max.

"Something is wrong. They're too relaxed for my taste." Matthew glared suspiciously at the two younger men.

"I suggest you shut up, Matthew. It seems your voice is grating on the K9's nerves," Stefan said as he retreated another step as Nitro's growls deepened when Matthew moved.

Iceman studied Max and Jax. It seemed he, too, was somewhat unsettled by their attitudes.

"How are we supposed to react? You're forcing our hands with your threats against Wick." Max shrugged. "How about we move to the entertainment area? Have a couple of drinks. It sounds like it's going to be a long night since neither one of us is going to agree to your… offer."

Grumbling unintelligibly, Iceman gestured toward the door with the gun. "Move, but be warned. One wrong move and both your dog and woman are dead." He looked at Theo and the two guards who had arrived with Matthew. "Keep your weapons trained on them. Shoot to kill."

Arriving at the bar, Max pushed Wick into a chair and fastened the seatbelt. "I suggest everyone buckle up. It's going to be a rough landing." He smirked. "I hope Igor knows how to land such a big Airbus since it's a short runway."

Everyone scrambled to find a seat but only a few managed to find ones with seatbelts. "Takeoff and landing seats are on the second level." Max chuckled at Iceman as he glared at him. "You didn't ask. Either your men are going to be knocked off their feet, or they get upstairs quickly."

No one waited for the order but ran up the stairs to safety, leaving behind an injured Bradley Gray, a lame and bleeding Matthew DuPont, and two fuming men, Stefan and Iceman.

Jax smiled like a cat who had just received a bowl of fresh full-cream milk. "Now, the odds are even."

Iceman aimed his gun at Wick's head. "Nothing has changed. My bullet is still faster than any of you. Believe me, I won't hesitate to shoot her brains out." He ignored Nitro's warning growl.

Max didn't blink but kept his eyes glued on Iceman as Igor landed the plane.

"Oh, shit," Wick wailed at the loud tearing sound of metal echoed through the cabin. "He's fucking up the GoldenEye, Max!"

"Yeah, well, not many people can land this monster on this short runway," Jax said as he also winced with every shudder of the plane until it finally came to a halt.

Max knew the moment Iceman realized that Max had outmaneuvered them, that he had planned the outcome. It was clearly a bitter pill for the formidable mobster to swallow.

Watching Iceman's jaw clench as he surveyed the landscape through the small window filled Max with glee. However, he didn't believe the mobster was intimidated. Max knew better than most that no matter what came across his path, Iceman had always clawed his way to the top through sheer determination and ruthlessness. In Italy, he had been part of the Sicilian Mafia. The years in prison because of Max had given him time to find a way to destroy the man who had taken years off his freedom.

Max's gaze moved to Matthew, who sat beside Iceman, fidgeting nervously. His earlier bravado was replaced by a growing sense of unease. His eyes darted around the cabin, as if searching for an escape route, his fingers twitching toward the gun at his side. Max could practically taste the fear radiating off of him, and it disgusted him.

"Pull yourself together," Iceman hissed, his voice low and menacing, as he also noticed Matthew's unease. "We're not finished yet."

Matthew jumped up and screamed furiously as the main door slowly slid open. "What the fuck? Close the fucking door, Igor! Who told you to open it?"

"Wasn't me, Boss. It seems to open automatically." Igor stood in the door, looking defeated as he attempted to physically pull the opening closed. "I can't get it to close, not even manually."

Max smiled at the venomous glare Iceman shot his way. "What can I say? The plane was designed for the utmost comfort and ease of use, not only for our members but for our staff as well."

"Get those assholes down here to guard the door! Pronto!" Matthew screamed with a wild look in his eyes.

Max was surprised. He didn't think anything could unsettle the once brutal man. There was no doubt that the mobsters were realizing they had lost control over the situation.

"I suggest you assholes reach for the sky," a dark voice said from the open door as a group of heavily armed men stormed inside. The tall, imposing figure in a military uniform was flanked by his troops. The mobsters, caught off guard by the sudden intrusion, scrambled for their weapons, but it was too late. Colonel Brett's men moved with lightning speed, disarming the criminals and forcing them to their knees.

"Ah, right on time," Max said. "You already know each other," he ignored the furious curse from Matthew and gestured at the man beside him. "Iceman, meet Colonel Camden Brett, Delta Force." Max got up and took Wick's hand as she followed suit. "And yes, our business has been concluded… or not, depending on which side of the fence you're on." His voice darkened. "Now, get these useless pricks off my plane, please, Colonel."

"With pleasure, Max."

"NO! You will not win, you fucking bastard," Matthew screamed as he overpowered a soldier and grabbed his rifle, aiming it at Wick's head. "Die, slut!

"Kill!" Wick's order was given in a strangled voice. Nitro didn't hesitate. His growl as he hurled himself through the air at Matthew came at the same time as the boom of the rifle exploding.

Max tackled Wick to the floor, wincing as a burning pain shot from his shoulder to his brain. The sound of the furious K9 ripping Matthew's throat to shreds filled the hull of the plane. No one moved. Max waited until the gurgling screams ended and the furious K9 growls turned to grunts before he called Nitro to bear.

"Nitro, heel."

"I'm sorry, Max," Wick said tearfully. "But he deserved it."

"Yes, love. He did."

"Well, look at you," Jax snickered. "Throwing yourself in front of a bullet just to get the girl."

"What? Max?" Wick bore upright, furiously searching his body for blood.

"Relax, Wick. It's a scratch. I'll survive."

Rising, Max looked over his shoulder, relieved that Camden's men had already removed the mutilated body of Matthew DuPont from the plane.

"Let me go! You fucking have no idea who I am," Stefan ordered in an authoritative voice.

"Shut up, Jurgens," Colonel Brett looked at the younger man with growing disgust. "I know exactly who you are, and believe me, it'll be my greatest pleasure to ensure you don't see the outside of a jail cell for at least fifty years."

Iceman offered Max and Jax a debilitating look as they exited the plane. His eyes narrowed as his lips curled into a sneer. "This isn't over, DuPont. You may have won this round, but you know me. I'll be back."

"Give it your best shot, Iceman, but remember, third time lucky. Next time, I'll be the one with the gun, and you won't end up behind bars. I'll send you directly to hell."

Turning his back on the furious man, he led Wick toward a waiting SUV with Jax on their heels. "Come, you must be tired. I'm going to run you a bath and give you a special massage as soon as we get to my house."

"Hmm, that sounds— Oh, no," Wick wailed as she caught sight of the GoldenEye. "Your beautiful plane! It's destroyed." Tears filled Wick"s eyes as she stared at it with her hands covering her mouth.

"Ah, sweetheart." Max hugged her fiercely, somewhat surprised at her intense reaction to the damaged plane. "It's insured, love. We'll just build another one."

"But… but it won't be the same! This one, the GolfenEye1, is OUR plane. It's where we met... within the sound of silence. A new plane... it just won't be... it won't be the same."

"My beautiful little Phoenix. I love you so much." For the first time, Max was overwhelmed with emotions that caused tears to burn behind his eyelids. How did he get so lucky to meet this wonderful woman?

"Never fear, my love. We'll create a new memory, a better one on the new plane. Besides, we'll always have that memory locked inside our souls until our dying day. A smashed-up plane can't take that away from us."