Neo's breathing hitched. His eyes darkened. He reached out, his hands finding the soft, heavy weight of her breasts, wet and slick with soap and water. His touch wasn't gentle; it was hungry, possessive.He moved his thumbs across her nipples, feeling them instantly bead and harden under the contact."Don't. Don't play this game, Lyra," he growled, pulling her close, pressing his hard body against her slick, wet core. The water was still running, warm and insistent."Am I playing, Neo? Or am I just trying to clean my husband?" she whispered, her voice innocent, but her eyes held a challenge, a promise of more intensity.He bent his head, kissing her fiercely, tasting the soap and water on her lips. "You know exactly what you're doing. You're trying to seduce me again, aren't you?""Maybe," she admitted, her hips grinding subtly against his. "Did it work?""It always works," Neo confessed, pulling her tighter. ‘God, I love this wo

Neo didn't hesitate.[Confirm]The feeds went dark. One by one. Until the screen was blank.No more surveillance. No more monitoring. No more watching the Carvers destroy themselves.It was done.Neo stood. Went back to bed.Lyra stirred. "You okay?""Yeah. Just—had to take care of something.""What?""I deleted the surveillance. All of it. I'm done watching the Carvers."Lyra opened her eyes. "Really?""Really. They've destroyed themselves. Douglas is drinking alone in a mansion he's about to lose. Cassandra's in a cheap apartment working—I don't know. Service jobs probably. Mark's institutionalized. Alina cut them off. They're done. And I don't need to watch anymore.""How do you feel?""Tired. But—lighter? I don't know. It's weird."Lyra pulled him close. "It's growth. You're letting go.""Maybe.""Not maybe. Yes. You're choosing to move

The next morning, Neo woke to Lyra sitting cross-legged on the bed. Laptop open. Wedding Pinterest board displayed."Morning," she said without looking up."Morning. What time is it?""Seven. I've been up since five.""Why?""Because we need to set a date. Like, actually set one. Not 'someday' or 'after the revenge' or whatever. A real date."Neo rubbed his eyes. "Okay. What are you thinking?""Three months. February 28th.""That's—that's soon.""It's not that soon. And honestly? If we wait longer, you'll find another excuse. Another target. Another reason to postpone."Neo sat up. "I won't—""You will. You're already planning how to destroy Damian and Alina. I can see it. So we're doing this now. Three months. Small ceremony. Just us and people who matter.""Who matters?""Adam. Maybe a few employees. My editor. That's it. No spectacle. No performance. Just—us. Getting married. Actually doing it."Neo looked at her. "You've been planning this.""For weeks. I was just waiting for you

Saturday, Neo and Lyra looked at venues.Small places. Intimate. Off the beaten path.They settled on a botanical garden in Upstate New York. Private. Beautiful. Quiet.Perfect."This is it," Lyra said. "This is where we get married.""You sure?""Positive. Look at it. It's perfect. Small. Private. No media. No spectacle. Just—us. And people we love. Getting married."Neo looked around. Trees. Flowers. Peaceful.'This is really happening. In three months. I'm getting married. Here. To Lyra. Starting a life beyond revenge and destruction and all the darkness.''Can I do it? Can I actually be that person? The one who builds instead of destroys?''I want to. God, I want to. But I don't know if I can. Don't know if I remember how to be someone other than the weapon.'"Neo?"He looked at her. "Yeah?""You're overthinking. I can see it. Stop. Just—be here. With me. Choosing

Wednesday morning. 8:47 AM.Neo stood in front of the mirror. Adjusting.Simple disguise this time. Not Louis Chen levels of transformation. Just—enough.Reading glasses. Different from his usual. Thicker frames. Slightly tinted.Hair styled differently. Slicked back instead of his usual casual look.Suit. Expensive but understated. Navy. Not his typical black.He looked—Different.Not completely unrecognizable. But different enough.Older somehow. More businesslike. Less like the ghost CEO and more like—An investor.'This is risky. Really risky. Showing up in person. Even in disguise. Even for an emergency board meeting.''But I don't have a choice. Damian forced this. And the only way to shut it down is to be there. Physically. Make them understand.'Lyra appeared behind him. "You look good.""I look nervous.""That too. But mostly good." She str