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CHAPTER 13: CIRCLING SHARKS
Last Updated:
2024-12-17 04:40:53
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Sienna barely had time to process the tension in the camp as Enzo ordered Marco to step up security. It was strange to suddenly be so central to his plans; even stranger to see the way the men around him started looking at her—some with wariness, others with suspicion.“Sienna,” Enzo’s voice broke into her thoughts. “You can’t wander around unprotected. From now on, you stay with me.”She narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms. “Am I a prisoner now?”“No,” he replied, not missing a beat. “But we’re not playing a game, either. Diego’s men have been circling, and if he knows what you know—”“Then I’m a liability,” she interrupted, her voice flat.Enzo tilted his head, meeting her gaze. “I’d call you a risk. But you could also be a weapon, in the right hands.”“Yours, you mean?”He didn’t answer, just gave her a look that held all the unspoken rules she was beginning to recognize. “You want to be a part of this, don’t you?”She met his eyes with a bold stare. “I just don’t want to be the p
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Sienna kept her eyes on the man in front of her, forcing herself to remain calm as he stepped closer, his leering smile giving her a sick feeling. She knew Enzo and his men were nearby, but she was on her own until they made their move. Her heart raced, but she squared her shoulders, letting her intelligence and instinct guide her.“You don’t look scared.” The man’s grin twisted. “Most people wouldn’t wander out here alone.”“Maybe I’m not most people.” She replied, managing a smirk.“Oh, Diego’s gonna like you.” His voice was thick with amusement, but his eyes remained calculating.“And here I thought I was here for a quiet walk,” she replied, deflecting with a steady gaze. She knew if she didn’t play this just right, he’d sense the setup.He let out a short, dark laugh. “You’re a lot smarter than you look, aren’t you?”She took a half-step back, giving a perfect impression of a girl who knew she was in over her head but was too proud to run. “And you’re a lot dumber than you look i
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The gunshot rang out, shattering the night. Sienna’s breath caught as she instinctively threw herself sideways, feeling a flash of heat as the bullet grazed her arm.“Sienna!” Enzo’s voice was a sharp command, and before she could even regain her balance, he was at her side, his arm wrapping around her shoulders, pulling her behind him.Marco was faster, though. Before the gunman could fire again, Marco lunged forward, his own gun raised. “Wrong move, friend,” he snarled, squeezing the trigger without hesitation.The gunman crumpled to the ground, a surprised expression frozen on his face.Enzo’s eyes blazed as he scanned the docks for any sign of more intruders. “That was too close,” he muttered, his grip still firm on Sienna’s arm.Sienna winced, glancing down at the thin line of blood trickling down her sleeve. “I’m fine,” she said, though her voice was shaking.Enzo’s gaze hardened as he looked at her arm. “That was reckless.”“I—” She swallowed, trying to steady her voice. “He ca
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Enzo sat across from Sienna in the dimly lit study, his gaze focused yet distant, as though he were trying to read her mind. The silence stretched between them, thick and heavy, until Sienna could take it no longer.“Why are you looking at me like that?” She asked, folding her arms.He leaned back, crossing his legs, but his eyes never left her. “Just wondering… how much of you I can really trust.”Her eyebrows shot up. “After everything? I thought I’d proven myself by now.”“It’s not that simple.” His voice was calm, almost maddeningly so. “I trust you, but I also know people can wear masks, even if they don’t mean to.”“Is that what you think I’m doing? Wearing a mask?” Her voice was low, almost challenging.Enzo shrugged. “You come from a world of lies and manipulation. Your father, your stepmother… it’s the air you’ve breathed since birth. It’d be hard for anyone to leave that behind entirely.”Sienna’s jaw clenched. “I never chose that world, Enzo. I’ve spent my entire life tryin
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The night was dark and silent, broken only by the hum of the car’s engine as Enzo and Sienna drove back from the docks. Sienna sat quietly beside him, her face turned toward the window, though she could feel the weight of his gaze on her now and then. Finally, she couldn’t take the silence anymore. “You’ve been quiet.” Enzo’s hands tightened on the wheel. “Not much to say.” She raised an eyebrow, giving him a sidelong glance. “I don’t believe that for a second.” He looked over at her, his eyes flashing in the dim light. “You’re more perceptive than you should be.” “And you’re better at hiding things than most people,” she shot back. “What are you holding back?” He didn’t answer immediately, his gaze flicking back to the road. “Some things are better left unsaid, Sienna.” Sienna let out a frustrated sigh. “You know, if you’d just let me in, you wouldn’t have to keep all these walls up.” He smirked, though his expression was tinged with something softer, something almost
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The night air was thick, heavy with anticipation. The warehouse loomed ahead, Diego’s base of operations cloaked in shadows, its silence unsettling. Sienna’s pulse raced, her hand instinctively brushing the small pistol Enzo had pressed into her palm earlier, his instructions echoing in her head.“Only use it if you have to,” he’d murmured, his gaze intense. “And stay close.”She looked up at Enzo now, his face set, unreadable, his focus entirely on the mission. This was his world—the tension, the danger, the calculated risk. And here she was, right beside him, feeling the pull of both fear and exhilaration.Enzo’s voice broke the silence. “Marco, take Luca and flank the east entrance. Mateo, cover the west. Sienna stays with me.” He cast her a quick glance, the hint of a warning in his eyes. “No heroics.”She gave a quick nod, forcing her breath steady. “Got it.”Marco and the others slipped into the darkness, disappearing with practiced stealth. Sienna and Enzo pressed forward, the
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The low crackle of the fireplace filled the room, its amber glow casting shadows across the walls. Sienna sat curled up in an oversized chair, a book open in her lap, though her eyes were fixed on the window. Outside, the city lights shimmered, but her thoughts were elsewhere—on the man who had just walked in.“I thought you’d gone to bed.” Enzo’s deep voice broke the silence as he stepped into the room, a glass of whiskey in hand.Sienna’s gaze shifted to him, her heart skipping a beat. “I couldn’t sleep.”“Trouble on your mind?” He leaned against the mantel, his dark eyes studying her with the same intensity that always made her feel exposed.“The adrenaline rush” she replied, setting the book aside. “You know… from today's event.”“You’ve handled it better than most would,” he said, his voice softer than usual.She arched an eyebrow. “Is that supposed to be a compliment?”“It’s a fact,” he replied, smirking slightly.“Coming from you, I’ll take it as one.” She rose from the chair
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The low hum of the espresso machine filled the quiet café as Enzo stirred his coffee absently, his gaze sharp and unrelenting as it rested on Federico. Across from him, Federico sat back in his chair, legs stretched out, a lazy smirk playing on his lips. But Enzo knew him too well—Federico was testing the waters, feeling out the boundaries of this new arrangement between them."So," Federico drawled, picking up his cup. "Are you going to keep watching me like I’m about to pull a knife on you, or can we have a normal conversation?"Enzo leaned forward, his voice steady, but the underlying steel was unmistakable. "I need you to hear me on this, Federico. If I ever suspect you're doing anything illegal—anything—I will cut you off without hesitation. No warnings, no second chances."Federico exhaled, shaking his head. "Christ, Enzo. You really think so little of me? I came to you because I want to do things the right way.""Do you?" Enzo challenged. "Or did you come because you figured wo
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The vibration of Enzo’s phone against the wooden kitchen counter broke the comfortable silence of the evening. He glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening when he saw Luca’s name flashing. Sienna, curled up on the couch with a book, noticed his hesitation.“You going to answer?” she asked, watching him carefully.Enzo exhaled, rubbing his face before swiping the call. “Luca.”“Enzo.” Luca’s voice was edged with tension. “I need your advice.”Enzo closed his eyes briefly. He’d known this call would come eventually. “Luca, I told you—”“I know what you told me,” Luca cut him off, his frustration bleeding through. “But this isn’t something I can just figure out on my own. There’s a situation brewing between the Rojas and the Castillos. It’s bad.”Enzo pinched the bridge of his nose. “That’s not my problem.”“The hell it isn’t,” Luca snapped. “Nico’s trying to keep things steady, but if this war blows up, it’ll reach him too. He doesn’t need a damn war, Enzo. And neither do I.”Sienna sa
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Enzo sat at the sleek conference table, his hands folded together, his expression impassive as he listened to the man across from him hesitate."Mr. Falcone," the man—Mark Sinclair, owner of a high-end supply chain company—began, shifting in his seat. "Your reputation precedes you. And while I admire your desire to move into legitimate business, my board has concerns."Enzo’s jaw tightened, but his voice remained smooth. "Concerns."Sinclair cleared his throat. "Your name carries a... history. People talk. Investors listen. I’ve had calls warning me about potential risks." He exhaled. "I’m in the business of stability, Mr. Falcone. I can’t afford unnecessary complications."Enzo remained silent for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly against the table. Sienna, sitting beside him, placed a hand over his, a subtle reminder to keep his cool."I understand," Enzo finally said, his voice even. "I won’t pretend my past doesn’t exist. But I didn’t build an empire by being reckless. I know
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The city lights flickered against the glass of the restaurant window, casting a faint glow over Enzo’s contemplative expression. The warmth of the quiet dinner he was sharing with Sienna was overshadowed by the unease curling at the edges of his mind.Across the street, seated on a bench as if he had all the time in the world, was someone Enzo never expected to see again—Vittorio Moretti.His posture was relaxed, but his eyes were sharp, fixed directly on Enzo.Sienna, sensing the shift in Enzo’s mood, set down her wine glass. “What is it?”Enzo’s jaw tightened. “Nothing. Just thought I saw someone I used to know.”Sienna’s eyes flickered with concern as she followed his gaze. “From before?”He exhaled slowly, nodding. “Moretti. Worked for the Marchesis. Ruthless bastard. The last time I saw him, he was standing over a man he had just gutted like a fish.”Sienna’s stomach twisted. “You think he’s here for you?”Enzo didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he lifted his glass to take a sip
Beneath the Shadows CHAPTER 73: PROMISES AND DRAWBACKS
Enzo sat across from Charles Whitmore, the local businessman who had seemed so eager to finalize their deal just days ago. But now, the man’s posture was stiff, his gaze wary. Enzo recognized that look—it was the same one he’d seen countless times before, in both allies and enemies.“I appreciate you coming in, Mr. Falcone,” Whitmore started, his voice too formal, too detached. “But after some further consideration, I’ve decided to withdraw from our agreement.”Enzo exhaled slowly, his fingers tapping against the polished wood of Whitmore’s desk. “Consideration,” he echoed. “Or did someone dig into my past?”Whitmore’s lips pressed into a thin line. He didn’t deny it. “I won’t lie to you. Your name carries… a certain reputation. My investors don’t feel comfortable moving forward.”Enzo leaned back in his chair, a humorless smirk tugging at his lips. “And what exactly do they think I’m going to do? Shake them down? Launder money through your company?” He scoffed. “I left that life behi
