Chapter-22 Operation

Nico

Domani was right on time.

I stared at the twenty-four-page document and cracked my neck. Time to get to work.

Name: Maximus Emanuele Vanucci

Age: 29

Blood group: B+

Sunsign: Scorpio

Height: 6’2

Father Name: Renzo Salvatore Vanucci

I read word for word of each page twice, and two hours and two cups of black coffee later, I was done. And disappointed.

Maximus Vanucci was the CEO and owner of Bellavanti, the global fashion brand. He has fucking featured in numerous prestigious magazines over the years, ranked #1 in Forbes 30 under 30 list and was also named the ‘Most Eligible Bachelor In UK’ for four consecutive years straight. And that was just the icing on his qualifications, experience, awards and those goddamn good looks.

But beneath all the pretty stuff, the dude had a sad life. He lost his parents when he was merely six, the reason of death not mentioned, and grew up moving from one foster home to another until he bagged a scholarship to Imperial College London, and that changed it all. He struggled hard to build his business empire and now has a staggering net worth of $22.4 billion, approximately.

I snorted as my eyes scanned over the details. Still nowhere even close to my wealth, but gotta give the credit where it’s due. As a self-made billionaire, it was impressive.

And much to my disappointment, that was all that was there about the guy. No scandals, no shady stuff, no illegal businesses, no affairs…fuck, not even a parking ticket. There was nothing that could be used against him, and that was exactly what bugged me.

Nobody could be this clean.

Domani needed to check again. There must be something.

I glanced at the clock—one in the morning. I’d wasted hours stalking a guy I didn’t even know. But Gianna had “business” with him, and it was my job to step in. She was too trusting, too innocent. As her husband, it was my responsibility to keep her safe.

Yeah, that was all it was.

I dragged myself to the bedroom, unsurprised to find it empty. Of course, Gianna wouldn’t sleep beside me after everything. Curiosity got the better of me, and I went looking for her.

I found her asleep in a guestroom down the hall, the door ajar. I should have left, but instead, I sat beside her, watching the gentle rise and fall of her breasts, a little of which was visible thanks to the plunging neckline of her silk nightgown.

The duvet had somehow shifted to her legs, giving a glimpse of her beautiful body wrapped in the silk, the transparent strings of the gown meshing with her skin. Her golden hair was splayed over the pillow and down her slender shoulders. She was so beautiful and delicate, I couldn’t believe I was so rough with her. And that was what made me so angry with myself. She deserved to be made slow, gentle love to…for the most part.

But…I didn’t have it in me. I was hard, cold and rough, and sex was just sex to me. Nothing more. Nothing less. Even if last night kind of knocked my breath away. It disoriented me the entire day.

I inhaled deeply, letting her scent fill me, and brushed my thumb softly over her cheek. She’d been this beautiful even as a kid. Even senior guys at school used to fawn over her. I remembered the bastard who tried to touch her and the savage satisfaction I felt beating him half to death.

“Hmm,” Gianna sighed deeply, curling against my hand. I should leave, but I couldn't make myself to. Even when she half opened her eyes, filled with sleep and gazed back at me. And then smiled.

“You need to…stop haunting my dreams…” she mumbled. “It’s no…not fair.” I couldn’t help but smile. So she dreams about me. I liked the sound of that.

“Sleep beautiful,” I said softly.

“Come to bed…” she whispered with a sigh. “Please.”

“I don’t think you would want that,” I said silently. Leaning down, I pressed a kiss on her cheek, and before I could stop myself, I brushed my lips against hers.

“Goodnight, Gianna,” I sighed.

“I…love y…ou,” she murmured. I inhaled deeply and moved away from her.

Every time she says that, it hurts. Because I just cannot understand why and how someone like her could ever love me. Shaking my head, I covered her up properly with the duvet and then walked out, taking one last look at her.

“Lit the fire…Nico…”

If only Gianna knew of the horrible things I have done, she wouldn’t ever look at me again.

Xavier and Leonardo were right on time as I waited with my men in the designated place. The shipment arrives in about half an hour, so we needed to be on our toes and extremely cautious. We were at yet another secluded dock, and Caelian was already twitching and grumbling because of the salty, humid air and all the funny smells.

“Alright, let’s get this started,” Leonardo smirked, looking pleased. All of us were dressed in black—it helps to blend with the darkness.

“We brought more men,” Xavier prompted, pointing at the little army of men behind him.

“Good,” I nodded. “Here are the Bluetooth pieces to stay connected. We spread out because this is a huge space, and we don’t know what to expect. Caelian…” My right hand nodded, handing the Bluetooth pieces to everyone.

“What are we aiming for?” Xavier asked, sticking the Bluetooth in his ear.

“Kill the bastards, but we need at least one alive to interrogate. That is absolutely necessary,” I ordered. “And make sure no damage comes to the shipment.”

“You heard that?” Leonardo demanded from his men. “That’s your order.”

“Sì, capo,” they all said in unison.

For the next few minutes, we all prepped up in silence, checking our Bluetooth pieces, whether our guns were properly loaded or if we had enough bullets. I could feel my heart pumping, adrenaline slowly starting to pulse through my veins. I hated to admit it, but I did enjoy the thrill in this.

“Let’s form groups,” Leonardo said. “Nico and I can go together. Xavier and Caelian, you go together, Domani and Francesco…” We all teamed up in three groups, each group armed with a dozen guards.

“Let’s spread out,” Xavier muttered.

Leonardo and I crouched behind a stack of rusted shipping containers, the humid, salty air clinging to us. The docks were silent, shadows stretching under dim floodlights, broken only by the distant lap of water and the scuff of boots.

At exactly half past twelve, a low rumble shattered the stillness. A truck approached, headlights slicing through the dark. It stopped. No one moved. My grip tightened around my gun.

Leo glanced at me, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Didn’t you move the shipment?"

“Yeah,” I said, keeping my eyes on the truck.

“Then what’s this?"

“It’s empty.” Leo absorbed that, then gave a short nod. We waited in silence again, and each second stretched painfully long.

“No movement on our end,” Xavier’s voice came through the Bluetooth.

“Same here,” Domani added.

“We wait then,” I muttered. Leo looked restless beside me, his jaw tight, dark eyes, similar to Gianna’s, filled with determination.

“Leonardo,”

“Yeah?” I wasn’t sure if I should be doing this, but I needed some answers, and I knew Gianna wasn’t going to give much away. This could be a great way to kill time, too.

“Do you know Maximus Vannucci?” I blurted out. And even in the darkness, I caught Leonardo’s frown. He turned his head slightly toward me.

“Of course. I’m working on setting up a business deal with him. Why?” I clenched my jaw, debating whether to push forward.

Oh fuck it.

“Do you know why Gianna would be meeting with him?” I demanded, trying not to sound like a possessive idiot again. Leonardo’s frown deepened, and it was clear he had no idea.

“No. I have no idea,” he shook his head. “Why would she meet with him?”

“She said she has some ‘business’ with him,” I scowled at the idea.

“What business?”

“If I knew, I wouldn’t have asked you, would I?” I rolled my eyes.

“Why are you asking me?” he grimaced. “Go ask your wife,”

“She won’t tell me,”

“Why?”

“None of your business,” Leo snorted in response to that.

“If you want, I can ask her, but I am not popular for being discreet—let me warn you on that,”

“Yeah, I am aware. Thanks, I will find out myself.”

By hook or by crook.

“Let’s focus on the task at hand, then,” Leo said. “Your marital issues can wait because…look.”

A gunshot rang out.

The truck’s front tire exploded, the rubber shredding with a violent hiss. The vehicle skidded, veering sideways before slamming into the concrete wall with a metallic thud. A second of silence followed, then the doors burst open as the guards and drivers scrambled out to inspect the damage.

Another shot. This time, the driver jerked back, a red mist exploding from his skull before his body crumpled to the ground. Leo tensed and moved to step out, but I grabbed his arm, shooting him a warning glare.

“Your men are at risk,” he hissed.

“Collateral damage,” I answered flatly. “They knew what they got into.”

Leo gave me a look which I ignored, but thankfully, he stayed put. We watched as shadows flickered against the dim floodlights. Men dressed in black, their faces concealed behind masks, scaled down from the top of the adjacent shipping containers.

So that’s where they used to hide…motherfuckers. They moved with stealth, their boots hitting the ground without a single sound. More gunshots followed, striking the remaining guards before they had a chance to react.

“Muovetevi! Veloci! Portate via tutto prima che qualcuno arrivi!”

(Move! Fast! Get everything out before someone arrives!”) One of the masked figures barked orders in rapid Italian, his voice sharp with authority.

He stood apart from the rest, watching over the scene like he was in control. That was the man we needed alive. Nudging Leo, I inclined my head toward him. Leo gave a subtle nod in understanding. The other men pried open the truck’s doors, pulling out the shipment crates one by one. My grip tightened on my gun as they worked fast, strapping something to the crates. My eyes widened as realization hit me.

Explosives.

Over the Bluetooth, Xavier’s voice cut in. “Nico, we’ve got movement on the other side. They’re covering all exits.”

“Hold position,” I ordered. We continued watching as one of the masked men pressed a detonator. A sharp beep echoed through the air, and then—

Boom.

The crates burst open in a cloud of splintered wood and smoke. But instead of the expected cargo, there was nothing. Just empty crates, their insides hollow. The cargo has already been safely delivered a long time ago.

“What the hell is this?! Where’s the shipment?!” The leader staggered back, cursing.

His head snapped up as he shouted something to his men, his body language tense, on high alert. He knew something was wrong. He knew they had been played.

Leo and I exchanged a glance.

Now was the time.

Guns loaded, safeties off—we stepped out of the shadows.