CHAPTER 39
CHRISTIAN'S POV
We stood at the harbor, watching as the largest shipment our business had ever handled prepared to leave the port.
Massive steel containers were being hoisted slowly onto the cargo vessel, their metal bodies clanging heavily against the deck as cranes swung them through the freezing night air. The ocean stretched endlessly before us, dark and restless, its waves slamming against the dock with a dull, rhythmic force.
Usually, shipments like this required seven or more deliveries to move the same amount of merchandise.
But tonight… everything was moving at once.
A single shipment.
A massive risk.
"You ever wonder what these people do with all these guns, bombs, and ammunition?" Reginald asked casually.
He sank his hands deep into the warm pockets of his white jacket, his breath forming faint clouds in the bitter cold air.
"I don't," I replied flatly.
"It's not my business what they do with them. When I don't get my balance… that's when it becomes my business."
The biting sea wind whipped across the harbor, sharp and brutal against the skin. Even through the thick coat I wore, the cold crept its way in like needles pressing against my bones.
Still, it was bearable.
What I did find amusing, however, was the sight of nearly everyone on the dock shivering uncontrollably.
Men tried to act tough, but their teeth were chattering loudly enough to betray them.
Mine included.
I chuckled quietly under my breath.
"There's our guy," I said, pointing toward a man approaching from the far end of the dock.
The captain.
The man responsible for making sure our merchandise crossed the ocean without delays, inspections, or unnecessary problems.
He walked up confidently and shook both our hands firmly.
"This is the biggest load I've carried, boss," he said, gesturing toward the towering containers stacked behind him.
Reginald smiled faintly.
"I'm glad you noticed."
He stepped slightly closer to the captain, lowering his voice just enough to make the moment heavy.
"The biggest shipment also means the risks are three times what you're used to."
The captain's confident expression tightened slightly.
Reginald continued calmly.
"If anything goes wrong with this delivery… the consequences will be severe."
The man nodded quickly. Too quickly.
His eyes flickered toward the ship as if already imagining the dangers waiting for him out at sea.
"I understand, boss."
Without another word, he hurried toward the ship and climbed aboard.
The engines roared to life moments later.
It had been one full week.
And I still hadn't heard anything from Luna.
After standing me up… the audacity.
I swallowed the last of my whiskey, the burning liquid sliding down my throat as I leaned back on the couch.
The television played quietly in the background.
A music video came on.
"Have Mercy" or something like that.
The woman singing had long locks cascading over her shoulders.
Just like Brenda.
A small smile formed on my face without my permission.
But it disappeared just as quickly when the memory of my last encounter with Brenda resurfaced.
The way she looked at me that night.
The way her voice cracked.
Was she alright?
Before I could stop myself, I grabbed my phone and dialed her number.
The call didn't even ring.
It just failed instantly.
I frowned.
Then the realization hit me.
She blocked me.
That was the only explanation.
I exhaled slowly and dialed another number.
Greg picked up after the second ring.
"Are you at work?" I asked, already pacing around the room.
"Yes. What's up?"
"Is your boss present? I mean… is Brenda there?"
There was a pause on the other end.
"Yes… she is."
He was definitely wondering why I was asking these questions.
"How does she look?" I asked quickly.
"Is she fine? Weight-wise? Are there bags under her eyes? Does she look fatigued?"
The questions came out so fast it sounded like someone spitting boiling water.
"First of all," Greg said, clearly confused, "what's with the interrogation?"
"And to answer your questions… no."
"On the contrary, she looks better than I've ever seen her."
I froze.
"She's glowing," he continued.
"And she added a few curves too."
I ended the call immediately.
At least she was fine.
If she was doing that well without me…
Then good for her.
MASSIMO'S POV
Finally.
I finished working through the pile of tasks Christian had assigned earlier that day.
When I looked up from my desk, the office was completely empty.
Just like I expected.
The digital clock on the wall read 11:07 PM.
I stretched slightly before shutting down my computer and locking the office.
The building had gone completely silent by the time I stepped outside.
Cold night air hit my face as I walked toward my car.
Then I suddenly stopped.
"Shit."
I had forgotten something inside.
Muttering under my breath, I turned around and hurried back into the building.
The moment I stepped inside again, I heard it.
Papers rustling.
Inside my office.
My instincts snapped into place instantly.
I pulled out my gun and slowed my movements, making sure whoever was inside didn't realize another person had entered the building.
The office door was slightly open.
Just a crack.
I had barely been outside for five minutes.
Five minutes.
And someone was already inside.
As far as I knew, no one had entered the building after closing.
Which meant only one thing.
Whoever was in there never left.
The lights were off, leaving the room half-shadowed.
But one thing stood out clearly.
Long legs.
Perfectly shaped.
On display.
I wasn't stupid enough to fall for distraction.
In one swift movement, I stormed inside, grabbed the woman by her hair, and yanked her backward against my chest.
My gun pressed firmly against her throat.
"Move," I hissed into her ear, "and this bullet will pierce your trachea."
"Fuck! You're hurting me!"
I froze.
"Eva?"
Confusion replaced my anger instantly.
What the hell was she doing here?
I released her.
Before I could say anything else—
SLAP.
Her palm connected sharply with my face.
"Are you fucking crazy?!" she exploded.
"You could've peeled my scalp off my skull, you sicko!"
I deserved that.
Maybe.
But still.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" I asked coldly, forcing my usual steel expression back onto my face.
She shot me an irritated glare.
"You have got to be kidding me."
"Well just so you know, I'm Eva Cattanio… and I happen to work here."
She shoved her glasses higher up her nose in annoyance.
Eva was stunning.
Every shade of beauty imaginable.
Her eyes alone could trap a man if he wasn't careful.
And for a brief second…
I got lost in them.
Focus, Massimo.
"I'm not your friend," I said firmly.
"I'm your boss. And I asked you a question."
"Why the hell are you here at this time of night? I thought you left earlier."
"Yes, I did," she replied smoothly.
"But I came back to look for something I forgot."
"I didn't hear you come in," I said, crossing my arms.
"That's because this is an office," she answered calmly.
"It's busy during working hours. I came back just as people were leaving… and I fell asleep on the couch in the IT department."
My eyes narrowed.
"Oh yeah?"
I took a step toward her.
She instinctively stepped backward.
Then another.
Until her back hit the wall.
"What exactly were you looking for?" I asked quietly.
Her breathing grew slightly uneven.
And that's when I realized something interesting.
I had the same effect on her that she had on me.
She exhaled slowly and lifted her hand.
"This."
She produced a small purse.
I was almost certain that purse wasn't there a second ago.
I leaned down slowly until my face was inches from hers.
For a split second…
I almost kissed her.
But I stopped myself.
"Get out."
Her eyes widened in surprise.
She clearly hadn't expected that.
She opened her mouth to argue.
But the moment my expression hardened again…
She understood.
Without another word, she hurried out of the office.
I stood there for several seconds after she left.
My mind replayed the moment.
Was it really the purse she came back for?
Or something else?
Only time would tell.