Page 475 of Black Reign

“I know my grandson.”

I hear him despite the phone not being on speaker.

Pierre climbs down from the chair.

“Grand-père?”

Xavier sighs and hands him the device.

Pierre takes it.

“Bonjour, Grand-père.”

Then he wanders toward the window while Senior begins interrogating him about convergence conditions.

Five.

He is five.

I look at Xavier.

“I think we should be worried.”

He slides one arm around my waist.

“I told you. Probably.”

I lean into him.

Our son is standing beside the window explaining mathematics to one of the most intimidating men in the world while absentmindedly picking lint from his shirt.

“How did this happen?”

Xavier kisses my temple.

“You married me.”

“You married me.”

“You infiltrated my wedding.”

“Drew invited me.”

“He still claims matchmaker credit.”

“He wants equity in NULL because of it.”

“He isn't getting any.”

I smile.

NULL is now almost six years old.

Six years of Ghost and Vesper working side by side instead of against one another.

What started with two computers and an argument in Monaco has become something neither of us anticipated.

Cyber defense.