The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 106

Keaton understood Paolo's nature better than anyone.

Paolo never left a single loose end. The only reason Keaton was still alive was because Paolo needed him-and those close to him-as bait.

So Keaton quietly stayed in Vancouver with Kelly, training her in every martial art he knew, even bringing her into Kingswell

to anyone. Just come here when you

"Remember," he told her firmly, "never breathe a word about the prince-or about

me-

can."

She stared at him with concern.

"Father, are you going to be all right?"

Keaton gave a casual shrug.

"I'm just an old cripple living out his days. I'll be fine as long as I don't draw attention to myself."

A shadow flickered across Kelly's face.

"Father... where did you send Alex?"

Keaton's gaze shifted to the door, aware that Paolo was almost certainly listening from the shadows.

"This isn't the right time to talk about it. If fate wills it, you'll see him again."

In truth, Keaton knew Paolo was level 110-strong enough that the prince would

have no hope of surviving unless his own level rose beyond Paolo's.

Despite Keaton's fondest wish for Alex never to go looking for his past, he knew in his bones that if Alex did, Paolo would come.

And when that day arrived, Keaton would have no choice but to fight one last time.

During the last fight, Keaton had drawn upon the final embers of his life force.

He'd salvaged enough strength to wound Paolo with one desperate strike.

He had been prepared to give his last breath in a battle fueled by his burning life energy.

And now he was totally crippled-yet not dead.

a start, heart pounding from his

the thick canopy of trees rustling in the

beside the faint embers of a dying

wide awake,

a hoarse whisper.

Her voice was

fish on a stick, and

the moonlight, chewing in thoughtful

call echoed among the trees, each

tension neither of them

Alex broke the

we sat like this,

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pter 106

toward the

admitted. "It's all

memory tugged at Alex's heart: the promise he and Kelly had once made as children. He cleared his

to wound, and he could hear the

"But I promised you-"

gaze dropped to the glowing embers of the fire. "Promises are only as strong as the person who gives them.

Alex understood that much.

were just kids, Alex. We didn't know how complicated life could get. Don't... don't

in her eyes, saw the tears she was

twisted painfully. He knew his priority was uncovering his past; it had become all-consuming. He

than to break it for

mouth set in

Sorry you ever made that promise to someone like me? A nobody

voice cracked on

agony roiling in his chest. "What?

turned to face him, sorrow burning behind

that now. Me? I'm nothing. Of

as though the weight of her emotions might shatter her from

to protest, to tell her it was never

part of him screamed that the timing

comfort he offered now would just be a fragile bandage

"I understand,"

Alex felt

them, to hold her and tell her how much he wished things

grief acted like

of life is lost in waiting,"

into the night sky. The only sound that lingered

how could he promise a future to her when