**
"I'm sure of it!" Link nodded. "You're merely paying the price for your mistake. Think back—what did you discover while you were in the army?"
Frank froze for a moment, his mind racing through various memories. "I didn't know the specifics, just had some suspicions."
"Exactly, just suspicions. But that was enough for those people not to let you go," Link continued. "Billy Russo, William Rawlins!"
"They smuggled drugs back using the bodies of soldiers. The profit from this kind of operation, I'm sure you can imagine, couldn't tolerate even the smallest threat."
"You knew there was something wrong, but you covered it up. That was your mistake."
Frank finally let the gun slip from his hand, the weapon clattering to the ground. He dropped to his knees, hands clutching his head. Link could guess how he was feeling right now.
He didn't offer any words of comfort, letting the hardened man kneel there in silent sorrow.
It was, indeed, Frank's mistake. He had sensed something wrong but hadn't pursued it, choosing instead to prioritize brotherhood.
He had underestimated the greed that resided in human nature.
He thought leaving would end it all, but the profits were too enormous. It was a nearly risk-free operation, and those responsible couldn't just walk away from such a lucrative business.
Frank's existence became a liability, one they had to eliminate. But he didn't die—despite being shot in the head, he survived.
His tenacity kept him alive, but he had been chasing the wrong target ever since. Originally, he sought to bring down the gang members who killed his family through legal means, but that had led nowhere.
Only then had he resorted to his methods, but his aim had been misaligned from the start, making his vengeance harder than ever.
Link lit a cigarette, taking slow drags as he quietly watched. It was a long time before Frank regained his composure.
Standing up slowly, Frank said, "I won't continue anymore. Thank you for telling me the truth."
He turned to gather his weapons. Link considered for a moment whether he should offer Frank some assistance. After all, this man was a remarkably skilled individual.
Though Link didn't plan to recruit him into SHIELD, Frank would make an excellent subordinate.
Especially in terms of protecting Jessica, and when necessary, he could serve as a strong right-hand man. Having someone with such combat prowess working for him wasn't a bad idea.
Link said, "I can help you, but I hope you'll work for me in return."
"Work for you?" Frank paused, turning back to look at Link. "Doing what? Killing people for you?"
"Maybe." Link responded. "My cover identity was once a professional gambler, but that was in the past. Now, I've made quite a bit of money, invested it, and I'm now one of the major shareholders of Stark Industries, holding 10% of the shares."
"I've also established a charitable foundation and acquired a law firm that offers legal assistance to underprivileged groups."
Frank was taken aback, never having imagined that the man standing before him was also a billionaire.
"Then why are you still with that agency?" Frank asked, baffled.
"Once you know the truth of the world, you naturally want to keep learning more. Life becomes more interesting that way," Link replied. "My girlfriend Jessica runs the charity foundation. Even though providing legal aid is a noble cause, it's also dangerous."
"Especially when you're defending the underprivileged. The people you're up against aren't exactly small-time criminals."
"I need you to be her bodyguard, to protect her. And when necessary, you'll also investigate some cases."
"I think this aligns with your skills, doesn't it?"
Frank nodded. "Alright. But how do you plan to help me?"
"We'll start by capturing Billy Russo. He and your former comrades were all involved. Most of the ones who didn't participate are already dead," Link explained. "As for William Rawlins, even though he's CIA, taking him down won't be difficult."
"Fine, but I want to deal with them personally," Frank's hatred burned even more intensely.
"Deal. Now, pack up. Let's go." Link invited him.
Frank gathered his weapons, and together they loaded them into Frank's vehicle. Link led the way, driving them to his house.
With one parking space left in the four-car garage, it was the perfect spot for Frank's vehicle. They then headed upstairs.
Link pulled out his laptop and logged into a database, quickly locating Billy Russo.
Capturing him would be straightforward, but they still planned it out carefully. To ensure they caught everyone, they would first secretly take down Billy Russo.
Frank didn't have the patience to wait, so Link accompanied him. Each drove their vehicle, with Link handing Frank a walkie-talkie for communication. They also exchanged phone numbers.
Using alternating surveillance techniques, they tailed Billy Russo easily and eventually tracked him down.
Russo had become the CEO of a company, even making donations to military support centers. Link had gathered detailed intel on him.
Finding him wasn't difficult!
By taking turns following Russo, they kept an eye on him without raising suspicion. They didn't need evidence.
Link wasn't with the NYPD anymore, nor did they need to bother with legal proceedings. So, they directly followed Russo to his house.
Link activated his X-ray vision and found no security or surveillance system.
Which made sense. First, it was the U.S., where home burglaries weren't that common since most households didn't keep much cash on hand.
Second, Billy Russo was an ex-Marine who now ran a company called Anvil, a private military and security firm.
Lastly, given the nature of his shady activities, installing surveillance in his home could bring him trouble.
"Let's move. You knock on the front door. I'll go around back," Link instructed Frank via the walkie-talkie before getting out of the car and heading for the rear entrance. He also scanned the surroundings to ensure there were no other people nearby.
Billy Russo's house was quite nice, located in a wealthy neighborhood where the neighbors were far apart.
This isolation made their operation easier. Since there were no cameras pointed in his direction, Link easily hopped over the back fence.
Meanwhile, Frank had already rung the doorbell. When Billy Russo came to the door and saw Frank, he froze in shock.
"Frank?" Billy's voice was full of disbelief.
"Billy," Frank stared at him. "I need your help with something."
"Come in, quick!" Billy Russo immediately stepped aside to let him in.
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(End of Chapter)