THE INSANE HUSBAND IS IRON WOLF COMMANDER

CHAPTER 8- "Brother Fool No More"

Charles Carter paced in his dimly lit study, his face contorted with rage as he gripped the edge of his mahogany desk.

The death of his son Alex had left him sleepless for days, his mind consumed by thoughts of revenge.

"Find him!" Charles slammed his fist on the desk, making his security chief flinch.

"I want Jack Sullivan's head on a platter. He made a grave mistake thinking he could kill my son and walk away."

"Sir, we've located him," the security chief reported, his voice steady despite his nervousness.

"He's been spotted near Luster Lake, seemingly alone."

A cruel smile spread across Charles's face.

"Perfect. Send our best men. And make sure they understand—anyone who helps him, anyone connected to him, especially those worthless Johnsons who harbored him, they all pay the price."

"Consider it done, Mr. Carter."

Meanwhile, at Luster Lake, Jack sat in perfect stillness, his eyes closed in deep meditation.

The pre-dawn air was crisp, and a light mist hung over the water's surface.

After everything that had happened—regaining his memories, dealing with the Carters and Johnsons—this moment of solitude was exactly what he needed.

His peace was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps and a cheerful voice that cut through the morning silence.

"Brother Fool! Is that really you sitting there all serious?"

Jack opened his eyes to see Emma Brooks, her face bright with its usual enthusiasm despite the early hour.

She wore a simple white dress and carried a small basket, her long hair swaying in the morning breeze.

"Emma," he acknowledged with a slight smile.

"You're up early."

"And you're acting different!" She sat down beside him, studying his face intently.

"You seem... changed. More like when I first met you here, you know, before you..." She trailed off, unsure how to describe his previous condition.

"Before I became foolish?" Jack finished for her, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

"You can say it, Emma. I remember everything now—including how you helped me that day when I nearly fell into the lake."

Emma's eyes widened.

"You remember? Really? So you're not..." She waved her hands around her head in a gesture that made Jack chuckle despite himself.

"No, I'm not foolish anymore. My memories have returned."

"Oh." Emma's face fell slightly.

"Does that mean I can't call you Brother Fool anymore? It was kind of our thing, you know?"

Jack turned to look at her, seeing the genuine care in her expression.

"You were the only one who treated me with kindness during that time, Emma. You can call me whatever you like."

"Well, then, Brother Fool it is!" She grinned, then suddenly became serious.

"But Jack... when you were, um, different, I meant what I said. If the Johnsons ever threw you out, my family would have taken you in. We still would, you know. You don't have to sit out here alone."

"I appreciate that, Emma, but—"

"Shh!" Emma suddenly interrupted, her body tensing.

"Do you hear that?"

The sound of multiple vehicles approaching broke the peaceful morning atmosphere.

Black SUVs appeared on the lakeside road, their tinted windows reflecting the rising sun.

"Jack Sullivan!" a booming voice called out as men in black tactical gear emerged from the vehicles.

"Charles Carter sends his regards!"

Emma jumped to her feet, positioning herself between Jack and the approaching men.

"Stop right there! Do you know who I am? I'm Emma Brooks of the Brooks family. You can't just—"

"Step aside, Miss Brooks," the leader, a massive man with a scarred face, interrupted.

"This doesn't concern you or your family. Our business is with Sullivan alone."

"But you can't just—"

"Emma," Jack's calm voice cut through her protests as he stood up.

"It's alright."

"No, it's not alright!" Emma argued, her hands on her hips.

"These thugs can't just show up and—"

The sound of helicopter rotors suddenly filled the air, drowning out Emma's words.

But these weren't Carter's reinforcements.

From the choppers, black-clad figures began rappelling down, their movements precise and coordinated.

"Commander!" Matilda's voice rang out as she approached Jack, leading a contingent of Iron Wolf Battalion's elite soldiers.

"The 5,000 men you requested are in position, sir. Archers are on the ridgeline, special forces have secured the perimeter, and we await your orders."

Big Tom's men shifted nervously, their confident expressions crumbling as they realized they were surrounded by thousands of professional soldiers.

"What... what is this?" Big Tom's voice cracked.

Jack finally looked up from his brochure.

"This? Just a small welcoming committee." He turned to Matilda.

"How many showed up?"

"Five thousand, sir. They came as soon as they heard you were back." Matilda's eyes gleamed with pride.

"Shall we deal with these insects?"

Emma grabbed Jack's arm.

"Jack, what's happening? Who are all these people?"

He patted her hand reassuringly.

"Close your eyes, Emma. This won't take long."

Matilda raised her hand, and in one fluid motion, thousands of bowstrings drew back in perfect unison.

The sound was like a great beast drawing breath.

"Wait!" Big Tom fell to his knees.

"Please, we were just following orders! Charles Carter—"

"Take him away," Jack interrupted, still maintaining his casual demeanor.

"Quietly. No need to upset Miss Brooks further." He glanced at the rest of Carter's men. "As for the others..."

Matilda's hand dropped.

The whisper of five thousand arrows releasing simultaneously was almost beautiful.

Carter's men didn't even have time to scream.

Emma kept her eyes squeezed shut, clinging to Jack's arm.

When she finally opened them, the showroom was spotless.

There was no sign of violence, no evidence of what had just occurred.

Only the thousands of soldiers standing at attention outside gave any indication that something had happened.

Emma stood frozen, her mouth open in shock as she looked between Jack and the soldiers.

"Brother F— I mean, Jack... who are you really?"

Jack placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Someone who remembers his friends, Emma. Matilda, Escort Miss Brooks safely. And handle our uninvited guests... discretely. We wouldn't want to disturb the morning peace any further."

"Of course, Commander," Matilda nodded, then turned to her forces.

"You heard the Commander! Move out!"