Flash Marriage: In His Eyes-Chapter 214: Board of Command

–Livana–

I kissed my little one on the forehead before leaving him with his grandmother and the nanny. Then I headed straight to Damon’s office, where he and Grandpa were still talking even at this late hour. I knocked once and pushed the door open. Grandpa was in the middle of scolding someone over the phone, and Damon was speaking quietly, but his eyes—sharp, murderous—said enough.

"Hey, guys," I said, stepping inside. "Drop the phones."

Both of them paused. My grandfather looked at me curiously, eyebrows creasing. I closed the door behind me. Up close, he looked older than I remembered—tired lines carved deep across his face.

They hung up, and Grandpa immediately approached, cupping my cheek.

"Can you see me?"

I nodded and touched his face in return.

"I’m going to work now. I know this mess has something to do with what Mom developed. I’ll handle it."

"Dear..." Grandpa Reagan shook his head, lips pressed tight. "Don’t tell me you’re leaving. And you can see me now—"

"Take care of Laura and the twins," I said softly. "And take care of Grandma too."

Then I turned to Damon. "You’re working yourself too hard. I’ll be back tomorrow. I promise. Don’t leave the house."

"Love," Damon said, his tone instantly alert. "Don’t you leave the house." His voice was low, deep—dangerous, like a threat wrapped in concern.

I ignored that and hugged Grandpa tightly.

"I’ll be back."

Then I went to my husband and kissed him. Whispered against his lips, "I’ll work overnight and return as soon as I’m done."

"It doesn’t sound like you’re coming back early," he murmured, distrust heavy in his tone.

I chuckled and brushed a kiss onto his forehead.

"I’ll come home the moment I finish this. For now, stop all operations until I say so."

"Fine." He didn’t look convinced—or pleased—but this was work. And both our empires were at risk. The Dela Vegas were already moving after the threats we sent. Now it was time to sever everything completely.

"I already fed our baby. Make sure you eat dinner," I added, glancing at Grandpa. "Right?"

"Right," he agreed, nodding.

"Chef Wally will handle your meals. Don’t stay up all night either, Grandpa. I’m watching all of you."

I kissed Damon one more time.

"Be good."

Then I left the room and went to my bedroom to prepare. I didn’t bring any devices—not when I refused to be traced. I removed my rings and jewelry, placing them carefully on their holders. After kissing my son and the twins, I headed down to the garage connected to the kitchen.

Sophia was already waiting. We slipped into the truck that had just dropped off the fruit delivery. We tucked ourselves into a corner, sitting quietly while she pouted.

"Why aren’t we bringing Kai with us?" she asked.

"You two are always together. It’s time you separate a little," I said, yawning. "Also, knowing you two have been fucking nonstop—I should ask. Are you pregnant?"

Sophia’s eyes widened even in the dim light.

"No! I just took a PT yesterday. I’m not pregnant. We’re careful."

"I mean, it’d be fine. But right now is not the right time." I reminded her. "Though it’s good you’re not. I need you—and I can’t risk you."

Sophia chuckled.

"Don’t worry. I’m not pregnant. We’ll plan our pregnancy."

Her laughter broke the tension, and I couldn’t help but laugh as well.

Silence settled afterward, the cold scent of mixed fruits filling the air. Dry, chilled—but far better than frozen goods. Then the overhead light flickered twice, a coded signal. Behind the pallets was a secret compartment built specifically for human transport. Enough space for me. Another for Sophia.

We climbed inside and held our breaths.

A few seconds later, we heard voices outside.

A checkpoint?

There had never been checkpoints in this area. They must’ve noticed this truck always took this route. That was... concerning.

Metal groaned. The truck door opened. Men climbed in—two, judging from the shift of weight. They took photos, asked the driver questions, pressed him about recent deliveries. He explained the schedule for the mansions in the subdivisions.

So they were trying to trace where the goods were dropped off.

I stayed perfectly still. I couldn’t see Sophia’s expression in this cramped, dark box, but I knew she was steady. She always was.

She’s my right hand, after all.

–Jane–

I paced back and forth, waiting for Livana and Sophia. The soft thud of my heels against the floor echoed in the room, the only rhythm steady enough to match my thoughts. From this point onward, we’d be confined in this house until everything was solved. And afterward... there would be sacrifices. Unavoidable ones. The kind that carve themselves into your conscience whether you like it or not.

Logan stood at the center table, a battlefield of chess pieces arranged before him. Across from him was Livana’s mother, Ines—graceful like her daughter, cheerful like Laura. That combination alone should’ve been disarming, but not today. Today, she was carved in steel.

They weren’t playing at all. They were commanding.

Each move was an order.

Each captured piece, a fallen operative.

Each strategy, a coordinated operation unfolding across the city.

"Ah, the white queen seems trapped," Logan muttered as I approached.

I froze. The board wasn’t a board—it was the full map of the city. The very one we were monitoring. The very one where the White Queen—Livana—was supposedly cornered with Sophia.

"They could go past the inspection," Ines said, picking up a pawn and knocking out the black rook. "Black Pawns are on the move."

Logan exhaled sharply. "Can’t we just massacre them?"

"You always rush toward killing and torture, Logan," Ines said without even looking up. "Cool down your head."

He made a move anyway. "Bishops are on standby." He glanced at me, and when I lifted my gaze, he winked.

That’s when I noticed the subtle hum.

All of them were wearing earpieces with mouthpieces—direct communication to agents, to the field, to the chaos unfolding.

"Stop being charming, Logan. It won’t solve the problem," I said coldly.

Ines chuckled. "Oh, damn. I’m so glad Livana has you two working together."

"King has switched places with the rook," she announced, sliding the pieces smoothly.

I sank down onto the sofa beside Deanne. She was hunched over her bulky laptop, typing with the intensity of someone defusing a bomb.

"Stop tracking your boyfriend," Lore said without looking up from her own device.

Deanne blinked. "Uh, how old are you, exactly?"

"Nineteen," Lore replied proudly. "Oh, by the way, nice to meet you."

Lore was a fun kid—chaotic, but with enough brilliance to earn her spot here. I sighed and closed my eyes.

Just a while ago, Deanne nearly collapsed when she saw Ines. She hugged her like a long-lost mother. And she wasn’t wrong—Ines was a mother figure to all of them. Seeing their reactions... it made something warm stir in my chest. I shut it down quickly. Warmth wasn’t helpful today.

We stayed another three hours before a car finally pulled in. I stood immediately, eyes glued to the live camera feed.

Commander White. Livana. Sophia.

All returning. All alive.

Moments later, the front door flung open.

Sophia gasped, spinning around with wide eyes. "Woah, woah! This place is super big. How come I didn’t know about this?"

"Because of me," Ines answered.

Sophia turned—and froze. Ines waved gently, almost shyly.

"Wow, you even make a perfect robot for your mom," Sophia joked before her smile slowly faded.

She squinted... stepped closer... and then—

"Auntie!?" she cried, covering her mouth as tears filled her eyes.

Logan rushed to her, hushing her gently, wiping her tears like she was a child.

"Auntie!" she wailed, hurling herself into Ines’ arms.

The same reaction Deanne had—but Sophia clung harder, like she was scared the moment was a dream that could shimmer away.

"Hush, dear. We need to work, okay?" Ines whispered. "So you won’t stress Kai too much."

But Sophia still cried, while Logan laughed so hard he nearly choked.

"Alright," Livana said, her voice shifting into command mode. Commander White placed a stool by the chessboard, and she sat—calm, sharp, a queen retaking her throne.

She moved the pieces. "All operations of the Blackwell have been immobilized. I think we need to extend it."

Commander White nodded. "The losses will be massive. But since Caine is already on the field, we need to secure the other assets quickly."

I watched them all—brilliant minds, dangerous hearts—working as one.

And in that moment, I realized something terrifying and powerful:

We were no longer reacting.

We were shaping the battlefield.

And I... I was right in the center of it.

"Jane," Livana called.

The sound of her voice snapped me out of the mental maze I’d wandered into. I straightened immediately.

"Yes?"

"I’m preparing for the battle," she said calmly, like she was talking about arranging flowers instead of orchestrating a war. "I want you to stay with my son and the twins. I’ll be sending you early as well."

I fell silent. Not out of hesitation, but out of calculation.

This role—her command—wasn’t just trust. It was strategy.

Protecting the heirs wasn’t a task you did; it was one you devoted your life to.

So I nodded internally before the words even formed. I would obey.

"Then I’ll escort her~~" Logan offered, trying too hard to sound heroic.

"There’s no need," Livana chuckled.

Logan blinked—caught off guard, offended, and confused all at once.

"Oh... so I wasn’t her bodyguard."

He turned to me dramatically. I lifted one brow.

"You are not," I said. "You’re just some nuisance playboy."

Sophia and Deanne burst into laughter, even while Sophia clung to Ines like a child returning to safety. Livana only reached out and tapped Logan on the shoulder—gentle, amused, dismissive.

"Move the pawn to F3," she instructed.

Logan looked down, eyes narrowing. Then—

"Woah! Checkmate!" he exclaimed, laughing loudly.

I studied Livana. She met my gaze for one steady, knowing heartbeat. That was all it took.

"I’ll be going," I told her.

She nodded once—calm, confident, absolute.

I turned without looking back.

Looking back is for people uncertain of what they’re leaving behind.

And I... I already knew what waited ahead.

A mission.

A responsibility.

And three tiny lives depending on me.