Chapter 42.

Chapter 42.
Leo's POV.

I pulled up my sleeve slightly to view the time on my wristwatch. The hands moved steadily, a reminder of the time I had left. 

“Don,” Zane broke through the quiet hum of the jet, his voice steady but urgent. “We’ll be landing in Russia shortly,” he informed me, his eyes steady, anticipation brimming beneath his composed exterior.

I was currently en route to Moscow for an urgent business matter. The weight of my responsibilities bore down heavily on me, accentuated by the fact I had left the hotel before Lexi could even wake. I had written her a note, asking her to call me as soon as she awoke, but knowing her, I doubted she'll ever call me.

“What’s our priority upon arrival, Don?” Zane asked, his voice punctuating the thick silence of the cabin. It was a habitual query of his on every trip, and I appreciated his diligence.

“The shipment, warehouse, bar, and the Russian Mafia King.” I listed out each item methodically. “The shipment is first,” I emphasized, knowing that every second counted.

“I’m afraid the shipment will be delayed, Don. I received word just a few minutes ago; it’s yet to arrive and will be later than we expected,” he said, his brow furrowing in concern.

“Then the warehouse is first,” I replied decisively, feeling a knot twist in my stomach. 

As Zane nodded, my phone buzzed with a text from Luca: “When will you arrive?” He was already in Russia, waiting for me, likely already considering the implications of our impending meeting.

“Shortly. Meet me at the warehouse; the shipment is yet to arrive,” I texted back, forcing my mind to remain focused on business.

“You’re dismissed,” I said to Zane, and with a slight bow of his head, he left to prepare for the landing.

The moment I found solitude, my phone rang. The name flashing on the screen made my heart skip a beat—Lexi.

“Hey, baby,” I answered; a wave of warmth rushed over me, pushing aside the looming sense of urgency.

“I saw your note. Where are you?” she asked.

“On a jet,” I replied, trying to keep the atmosphere light despite the gravity of the situation.

“What?” she responded, disbelief evident in her voice. "Where are you heading to?" She asked.

"Russia," I answered, trying to keep my tone casual.

"What for?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"For business," I replied.

"So that means you won't be returning for a while," she said.

"Why? You miss me already?" I teased, a playful smile tugging at my lips.

"Miss you?" she scoffed. "I was hoping you'd never return."

"Ouch," I feigned hurt, clutching my chest dramatically. "That’s quite mean, baby. My heart is shattered!" I said and I could imagine her rolling her eyes. 

"So have you had breakfast?" I asked.

"Breakfast? What breakfast?" she replied, surprise evident in her voice.

I clenched my fists, taking a deep breath to push down the rising tide of frustration. That darn hotel service! I had specifically asked them to send breakfast up for Lexi.

"I was hoping you’d had breakfast," I replied, my voice softening.

"Oh..." she said, realization dawning. 

"And you? Have you eaten anything? Did you take your meds?" She pressed, her concern for me surfacing.

"Ummm..." I trailed off. I've neither had breakfast nor my meds.

"Hey!" She called out. "I really don’t want to be responsible for someone’s untimely demise. So please... please try to stay alive because you're not permitted to die now. I have to put you behind bars first." Her serious tone ushered me into laughter. She never ceases to amaze me.

"Alright, alright," I replied, relenting. 

"So if you're going to be in Russia, what about the plan for tonight? How will you hunt those guys down?" she expressed, concern edging into her voice.

"You just watch and see how everything unfolds," I reassured her, sensing her worry. She heaved a sigh.

"Stay safe until I return and..." I paused, contemplating if I should speak further or not. "...I love you." I confessed. I never planned to say it this way but... I don't know why I always blurt out my feelings to her, unplanned.

Without saying anything to me, she just hung up. A reaction I expected from her. 

A heavy silence wrapped around me after the call ended. I glanced out the window at the clouds passing beneath us, my thoughts still on her. I was earnestly hoping for the day she'd finally see me the way I see her, the day she'd stop seeing me as a criminal and see the man behind that title, and maybe perhaps love him...love me.

My phone buzzed again, bringing me back to reality. Luca's name flashed across the screen. I swiped to answer, bracing myself for an urgency I could sense over the line.

"Leo, we need to talk. The Russian Mafia King isn't just any player in this game; he's got ties with someone we can't ignore," he warned, his voice edged with anxiety.

I frowned, my mind racing. "What do you mean? Who?"

"I can’t disclose that information until we meet, but I suggest we change our approach as soon as we land," Luca emphasized.

"Understood," I replied, my focus sharpening. "I'll be at the warehouse in ten. Fill me in then."

As I put my phone away, I stewed at the thought of what Luca had just told me. My mind went in spirals, trying to decipher which bastard the Russian Mafia King has ties with. 

Just then, Zane returned, his brow furrowed. "Don, there’s been a change in plans. The shipment won’t just be late; it’s been compromised."

A surge of adrenaline rushed through my veins. I felt a low growl building in my chest, an instinctual reaction to the betrayal simmering in the air. "Compromised how?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"Word just came in; someone tipped off the Russians about it, and they’re preparing to intercept our goods just as they reach the dock. We’re out of pocket if we don’t act fast."

I let out a smirk, a very deadly one. I already feel sorry for whoever was messing with me because their lives are gonna change when I get a grasp on them.

As the jet pierced through the cloudy skies and began its descent into Moscow, my mind churned with the implications of Zane's words. I could almost feel the tension thickening in the air, coiling around me like a serpent, ready to strike. 

"Zane," I said, my voice low and cold, "if someone tipped off the Russians, we can’t just assume it’s a coincidence. Double-check our sources. We need a complete rundown on who knew about the shipment."

Zane nodded, quickly tapping into his phone as he moved to execute my orders.

As we landed and made our way down the steps of the jet, the chill of the Russian air bit at my skin, grounding me in the severity of the moment. 

The drive to the warehouse was filled with silence, each of us lost in our thoughts. As we pulled up to the abandoned building surrounded by shadows and cold, steel edges, a sense of foreboding settled over me. The place was a fortress; we had used it for safe operations before. Now, however, it felt like a ticking time bomb.

Stepping out of the vehicle, the distant sounds of the city hummed behind me, but my focus was solely on what lay ahead. Zane and I moved towards the loading dock, where Luca was already waiting, arms crossed, his face tight with determination.

"Glad you could make it," Luca greeted, though his tone was anything but jovial. "We need to act fast, but what the hell happened to you? Why do you have a bandage on your left eyebrow?" He asked.

"I was playing hero," I replied.

"Playing hero?" He laughed. "To who? When? Why?" He asked.

"To Lexi, last night and you should already know why by now." I replied.

"Lexi? What happened?" He questioned.

"I think someone's trying to harm her to get me," I answered.

"God, this is serious," he exhaled. "So many things happening within a short period," he shook his head.

"So, back to business," his tone became serious again. "I just received intel that the Russians are already mobilizing. They know about the shipment's delay, and they’re using this time to prepare an ambush."

My fists clenched. "We need to counteract their moves. We have to hit them first before they hit us."

Luca nodded, pulling out a map with marked positions. "Here’s their expected route. If we set up a diversion at the east end, it’ll allow us a clear access point to intercept before they reach the docks."

I studied the map, feeling the tension curl deeper in my gut. This wasn't just about the shipment anymore; it was a direct challenge to my authority, and I couldn't let that slide.

"Zane, gather a few men and start prepping the diversion. I want it to be explosive enough to divert their attention but not too loud. We can't draw unwanted eyes." 

"Understood," Zane bowed and left to carry out my orders. 

I think I've been playing nice a lot lately, it's time to return to being the Devil I am.