Page 84 of Rafi

“Mr. Vicci,” I say, my voice firm but deferential. His gaze shifts to me, piercing and calculating. There is no flicker of warmth, no polite acknowledgment. Only a silent assessment, as though he is measuring my worth before granting me the privilege of his time.

Kanyan steps forward, his phone held aloft, screen facing Jack on a connected call with Jacklyn.

“Jack,” Jacklyn’s voice floats through the phone, soft in a way that I haven’t heard before, and for the first time, I see a crack in her otherwise unshakable façade. “You look... well.”

His lips twitch, a ghost of a smile or perhaps a grimace. His hand moves, gesturing towards the phone. The effort seems monumental, but he refuses help, his fingers curling with deliberate precision around the device as he takes it in his hands. It’s clear his smiles are reserved only for his sister.

“He’s been improving,” the nurse offers quietly, glancing at Jack as if seeking his approval to speak. “His strength’s returning, little by little.”

Jacklyn’s eyes never leave her brother as he stares down into the screen. “That’s good. Really good, Jack.” Her words are steady, but the tension in her voice betrays her unease.

I step closer, drawn by the sheer force of the man before me. Despite the wheelchair, despite the battalion of help surrounding him, there is an undeniable power in Jack Vicci. He isn’t merely surviving; he is orchestrating his recovery like a war campaign.

And then, as if sensing my thoughts, he turns to me again. His eyes bore into mine, and for a moment, I see the man he had been before—a man who ruled with an iron fist but a just hand, whose word was law not out of fear, but out of respect. The air between us seems to crackle, and I know this is a man who has lost none of his ability to command, even if his voice falters.

“I can’t wait for you to be home,” Jacklyn says, breaking the silence. “Where you belong.”

Jack’s hand rises slightly, a deliberate motion that silences her. His lips move, slow and deliberate, forming words that are barely audible but unmistakable. “Home.”

It isn’t just the words—it is the weight behind them, the finality. Jacklyn’s jaw tightens as she tries to hold back tears. She’s told us that he hasn’t said a legible word since he was shot months ago, so this is monumental. This is a man determined to right his ship. A man who once ruled a kingdom, whose sheer presence cannot be stripped away by injury or circumstance. Jack Vicci may bound to a chair, but he is far from powerless.

The humof low conversation drifts through the house, mingling with the rustle of packing materials and the steady cadence of Kanyan’s voice as he speaks with someone on the phone. “We’ll be making a quick stop in Russia,” he says, his tone brisk, but not unkind. “After that, we’ll be back to collect Jack and his team and head home.”

I stand by the window, absently watching the shadows stretch across the cracked pavement outside. The air inside feels tense, heavy with the anticipation of departure. Jack Vicci’s life in Ukraine is being packed away piece by piece, reduced to acollection of boxes that will soon disappear into a plane’s cargo hold.

I move through the hallway, checking each room out of habit. Most are already empty, stripped of personal touches and belongings. When I reach Jack’s door, I slow, something pulling me to a stop. His door is cracked open, just enough to catch a glimpse inside.

I look into the room and freeze.

Jack is standing.

Not sitting in his wheelchair, where he’s been sitting every day since he was shot, but on his feet, a sleek black walking stick clutched in one hand. His other hand rests lightly on the back of a chair for balance. His shoulders are hunched slightly, tension evident in the line of his spine as he shifts his weight. Each step is painstakingly deliberate, his legs trembling with the effort.

I step closer, careful not to make a sound. Jack doesn’t notice me at first, too focused on the act of moving. His jaw is tight, beads of sweat dotting his brow as he forces one foot in front of the other. The determination etched into his face is undeniable.

When he finally looks up and sees me, he freezes mid-step, his eyes locking onto mine. For a moment, neither of us move, the air between us thick with unspoken tension.

“Jack…” I breathe his name, my voice barely above a whisper. Surprise and admiration war within me, leaving me unsure what to say.

He shakes his head once, sharply, his gaze steady. The message he’s sending me is clear:Don’t say anything.

I nod, understanding more in that single glance than words could ever convey. He doesn’t want anyone to know—not yet. For whatever reason.

Jack’s lips quirk in a faint, almost wry smile, as if he can read my thoughts. He taps the walking stick lightly against the floor,a quiet reminder of the progress he’s made and the lengths he’ll go to keep it hidden until the right time.

I lean against the doorframe, crossing my arms as I watch him. “You’ve been holding out on us,” I say softly, keeping my tone light, free of judgment.

Jack tilts his head, his eyes narrowing in mock reproach. He lifts a finger to his lips in a silentshh, then points toward the door, signaling me to leave.

“Fine, fine,” I murmur, holding up my hands in mock surrender. “Your secret’s safe with me. But for what it’s worth… your sister’s going to be so proud of you.”

His expression softens at the mention of Jacklyn, the faintest flicker of gratitude passing through his eyes before he turns his attention back to the task at hand. He shifts his weight again, lifting his leg for another step, the effort visible but the determination unwavering.

I linger for a moment longer, watching him. There is a quiet strength in Jack that I hadn’t fully appreciated until now. He doesn’t need words to communicate it, doesn’t need to draw attention to his progress. He is fighting his battle in silence, and when the time comes, he’ll let the results speak for themselves.

As I turn and walk away, I can’t help but feel a renewed sense of respect for the man in the wheelchair. Jack Vicci might have been knocked down, but he is far from out. And when he finally reveals the truth to the world, it will be a moment worth waiting for.

48

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