The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover - Chapter 171

Chapter 171: It Makes me Human!
After a long pause, he finally spoke.

“Keep a close eye on Maxime. Report it to me from time to time. I don’t want to make any move until I know more. I don’t decide based on paranoia alone.”

“Yes, I will.”

“By the way, Collins has been digging into him as well, but I haven’t checked his latest report. I’ll ask Collins to send everything to you, too. See if there is anything in it that might be useful or concerning.”

Ethan nodded.

“I’ll wait for his message.” He hesitated for a moment, then said, “Axel, how about we start an embark business here in Elaris? If Martinez is planning something, we could—”

The rest of the sentence faded when Axel’s expression changed, his face hardening immediately. His piercing look was enough to silence Ethan.

“No,” Axel said sharply.

His voice was calm, but there was no room for argument.

“I have a family now, Ethan. You know we can’t risk that, right? This city is off limits. We built the Wright empire by staying out of sight here. That’s not changing. No question about it.”

Ethan sighed softly, but his eyes reflected understanding.

“I thought you’d say that. But if Martinez tries to move against the Knights, we’ll need to act fast. Stay ahead of them. You can’t keep both worlds separate forever.” Ethan still tries to convince him.

“Axel, sometimes we must accept that a collision between two forces at a single point is inevitable. Especially when the weaker force tends to be aggressive and violent. Like the Martinez…”

A faint, humorless smile curved Axel’s lips.

“Don’t worry. If Blake tries to play games with my family’s name, I won’t stay silent. I’ll bury his business even deeper before he even begins. I’ll bury him too, if necessary.”

A dangerous glint flashed in Axel’s eyes… cold and calculated, the kind of look that made men like Ethan remember exactly who he was. Axel Knight was the coldest and most fearless man he had ever known.

“I’ll wait for your order, Sir…” Ethan said quietly. “And I’ll always be ready to take action.”

Axel didn’t answer right away. He walked back to the seating area and sank onto the sofa, the weight of his thoughts settling over him.

He swirled the remaining whiskey in his glass, staring into the amber liquid.

After a moment, he asked, “How’s business on your side?”

Ethan leaned against the wall, crossing his arms.

“Stable. Business as usual. The shipping lines expanded smoothly, and the casinos in Nevalis and Velden have doubled their profits this quarter. We tightened our network; no leaks this time. Collins’ encryption system works perfectly.”

“Good.”

Axel nodded slightly, his tone distracted but approving.

“Make sure our men in Port Cape remain discreet. I don’t want the capital’s media to link the Wright Group to any of our shipments. If they could, many things would be in jeopardy.”

Ethan gave a short laugh.

“Relax, Boss. They won’t. I made sure all records are burned, and the few who know the real connections… Well, they don’t talk anymore. They know if they do, they will swim among the fishes. Forever.”

Axel’s lips curved slightly, though his eyes remained cold.

“Efficient as always.” He said, raising his empty whiskey glass.

The fire popped softly inside the stove. Outside, the wind howled faintly through the pines.

For a long time, neither man spoke. The air was thick with unspoken tension and the weight of choices that could not be undone.

Finally, Ethan pushed off the wall and said quietly, “You’re different now. More cautious. Fatherhood suits you, but it also makes you hesitate.”

Axel looked up, his eyes sharp. “It makes me human,” he replied.

Ethan held his gaze for a moment, then nodded. “Maybe that’s what scares me.”

Axel’s expression didn’t change.

“Don’t worry about me, Ethan. Just make sure the Wright Group stays behind the shadows, unseen and untouchable. And keep an eye on Maxime. If Martinez tries to drag him deeper, I want to know before it’s too late.”

Ethan’s eyes darkened, but he nodded once. “Understood.”

As he turned toward the door, Axel’s voice followed him quietly. “Ethan.”

Ethan stopped and glanced back.

“Don’t trust anyone who smiles too much in this city,” Axel said, his tone low. “Especially Blake Martinez.”

A faint smile ghosted across Ethan’s lips. “You forget who taught me that rule.”

He stepped out into the fading light, the forest whispering again as the door closed behind him.

Inside the cabin, Axel remained seated, staring into the dying fire.

The photos were gone, but their images burned in his mind.

Maxime and Martinez.

The spark of trouble had already been lit. And he knew… when the time came, he would decide whether to smother it quietly or let it ignite into war.

…

The silence of the cabin broke when Axel’s phone vibrated across the coffee table.

The sharp buzz cut through the heavy air, pulling him back from his thoughts.

He reached for it, and the moment he saw the caller ID, the corner of his lips lifted.

The tension that had been knotting his jaw finally loosened.

He stood, grabbed his keys, and stepped out of the cabin as he answered the call.

“Eve, I’m coming…” he said, his tone soft. Before she could even reply, he continued, “Ten minutes…no, wait, I’ll make it seven.”

A small, amused laugh echoed from the other end.

Evelyn’s voice followed, smooth and warm, melting away the last remnants of the cold mountain air.

“Take your time, Axel. I just wanted to ask if you’d like to have dinner with us.”

“Of course, Eve. I’m on my way,” he said without hesitation.

“Hmm… alright, drive safely.”

When the call ended, a faint smile remained on his face.

For a man who had just burned photographs that could start a war, he suddenly seemed like a happier man on earth.

He got into his truck, started the engine, and descended the mountain road with a speed that made the trees blur past him.

For now, he let himself forget about Maxime Knight and the dangerous mess his cousin was tangled in.

He would deal with that later.

Tonight, his world narrowed to one thing: his wife and his son.

When Axel finally reached the house, the evening lights were already on, casting a soft glow through the tall windows.

He parked smoothly in front, straightened his shirt, took a deep breath, and hurried to get out of the car.

The house door swung open before he could turn the handle.

Evelyn stood there, framed by the warm light from inside. Her hair fell loose over her shoulders; she looked beautiful as ever.

“Eve,” Axel greeted with a grin as he pulled her into his arms. “I’m not late, right?”

“No,” she said, smiling at how hurried he looked, with his usual composure replaced by a hint of panic. “You’re right on time.”

He sighs in relief.

She laughed softly, but then her smile faltered. Her nose twitched slightly, and her expression changed.

“Axel…?”

His body stiffened, just a fraction, before he saw the look in her eyes. She leaned back slightly, sniffing the air.

“Are you drinking?” she asked, her tone calm but pointed.