DANTE
I'd been restless since I saw her hugging that guy on her porch. And not just hugging - clinging to him like he belonged there. The way he carried his bags inside... it looked like he'd moved in.
Was he her boyfriend? I didn't know. But I didn't like it.
I snapped a photo and sent it to Luca with one instruction: Find out who he is. An hour later, still no reply. My patience was wearing thin.
At least tomorrow's mission was something to focus on - or so I told myself. We'd secured the help of a legendary hacker known only as Vee. Nobody knew their face. Nobody knew their real name. They only took three jobs every 3 months, and getting accepted was like winning the underworld lottery.
Two million dollars for their work was nothing compared to what they'd given us: an exact address, CCTV feeds, the list of VIP buyers, even the relocation details of our target. Pure gold.
But even with that in my hands, my mind kept circling back to her the blondie who was living in my head.
And seeing her with that man... my blood boiled.
As if summoned by my rage, the guy stepped out of her house carrying her over his shoulder. My vision tinted red. All I wanted was to rip her from his arms and make him regret touching what was MINE.
I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to breathe. I couldn't kill him yet - not when it would make her a prime suspect. No. I'd watch him, wait for the right time. And then put him 6 feet below.
For now, I followed them.
They ended up at Midnight Brew, her favorite café. Once she sat down, I sent her a message dripping with fury and attached the pictures I'd taken.
Her head snapped up, scanning the café. Then he came back with food. She leaned in to speak to him, and of course, he had to pull her into a hug.
I wanted to put a bullet between his eyes right there.
Before I could act, my phone chimed. Luca. I was needed.
I didn't want to leave, but responsibilities came first - responsibilities I'd been neglecting ever since Raven Voss entered my life. Luca had made sure to remind me of that more than once.
I slipped back into the shadows, mounted my bike, and rode off. But not without one last look.
Soon.
---
By the time I got home, the men greeted me with respect, but Luca gave me that knowing look. I shook my head and headed to my office. He followed, dropping onto the sofa.
"Dante, the ruthless don, in love," he mocked. "Stalking the poor girl now?"
I wondered for the hundredth time why we were friends. Ignoring him, I poured myself a scotch and sat behind my mahogany desk.
His tone shifted. "You know if this keeps up, she'll be your weakness. You're putting her on every enemy's radar. And you've been slacking off since you saw her. Think about it."
I sighed. "I know. But I'm not in love with her. It's just-" I groaned. "I don't know. Maybe I just need to get laid. How about we hit the club tomorrow after the mission?"
He eyed me skeptically. "If you say so."
"What's so urgent you dragged me back?" I asked.
His face hardened. "First - the guy you wanted me to find. He's a dead end. All I got was a name: Alex. No trace of him working in this country. Sent his picture around - nothing. I think someone's protecting his info."
I nodded slowly. "I think I know who."
"Really," Luca said. "I think Raven did it knowing she have a stalker,she might want to protect his him.
Luca nodded"you have a point,I must admit she is a very brilliant lady and even in vortex she is proving herself to be in one our best worker,even though she just recently started working for us.
He continued
And the second important thing I called you for- CCTV shows the target moving tonight. They're already packed."
"Gather everyone," I ordered. "I've assigned twenty men, including me. You'll be in control from here."
I swapped my suit for black-on-black tactical gear. My gun, knives, and knuckle braces were in place.
Descending the stairs, I let the confidence of a leader fill the room. The men straightened.
"You ready?" I asked.
They nodded.
"Let's move."
We filed out to our black bikes - a perfect line of shadows. For fun, Luca strolled into the middle, counted down, and when he hit one, fired a shot into the air.
We moved as ONE.