Page 17 of The Diávolos: Part Two
I cross my arms over my chest and lean back. “Let’s get this fucking show on the road.”
We watch the workers scramble on the pier to get the boat docked. As it approaches, I notice an individual dressed in black, wearing a hoodie, standing between the crates. I get a sudden boost of adrenaline and jerk my head toward Xander.
“Give me your earpiece now!”
He hands it to me, and I put it in my ear.
“Dion, call Elias and tell him to gather the soldiers. I want everyone to be ready to attack at my command.” Elias is the manager at Academia, the club I own, but since I temporarily moved to Antium, he’s taken a more active role on the field, helping Dion oversee our foot soldiers.
“Xan, text Marco and ask him to get the drone closer to the ship.”
Within a few seconds, the drone moves on top of the boat. If this person is vigilant, they’ll notice it flying above, so we have to act fast. I can’t get a good view of his face, it’s too rainy and dark, and I don’t see any other workers. Fuck. I instruct Xan to get it away quickly before it’s spotted.
I speak through the earpiece. “Leon. Can you hear me?”
His voice is staticky, but it comes through. “Yes, Godfather.”
“There’s someone on the ship. I need the crates off ASAP and everyone ready to strike if shit goes south. I can’t see anyone other than the one intruder, but be prepared and advise the others.”
“You got it, boss.”
I inch my chair closer to the screens, my eyes ping-ponging between the many feeds. Dion stays on the phone with Elias while we wait.
The man in black maneuvers between the containers as the crew empties the cargo.What’s his deal?I can’t figure out his next move. He’s alone, not attacking the workers, and trying to stay hidden. But that won’t be possible for long.
As though he reads my mind, he emerges from behind one of the crates.
“Now,” Dion barks on the phone.
On command, Elias and a dozen foot soldiers appear, holding an arsenal of weapons pointed right at the trespasser. The mole workers pull out their guns, too, and aim at him. No one makes a move and my patience dissipates. I’m about to throw my fucking chair through the window. I’m fucking pissed that I’m not there to face the fucker who’s been stealing from me. I snatch the phone out of Dion’s hand.
“Elias, have someone get closer,” I order.
Two soldiers approach the ship, and the hooded man walks off with his hands in the air. He’s looking down, so I still can’t see his face.
As he steps onto the concrete dock, he nears the men surrounding him, not worried one bit about the chance of being shot, and stops in the middle of the circle they created around him. It’s silent, there and in my office, and we wait.
The man then lowers his arms to his hood and pulls it down. His soaked clothes cling to him as rain falls and he finally lifts hisface to the sky, his eyes closed as the pellets drop onto his skin. My eyes widen. The drone hovers over him, the buzzing noise of the propellers the only other sound in the air. He opens his eyes and stares right at me through the camera.
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.
“Why the fuck were you on my ship?” I hiss, my fist connecting with a jaw.
Gianis’s head recoils as he takes the brunt of the impact. He spits out a wad of blood and glares at me.
I hit him in the gut this time, eliciting a loud groan from him.
“Why. The. Fuck. Were. You. On. My. Ship?” I ask again.
Still, no response. I could keep beating this motherfucker until next year and he’d probably never open his mouth. Stubborn prick.
As I stride away, frustration gnawing at the edges of my patience, I can’t shake off the annoyance that grips me like a vise. The noises of the warehouse bustle around us, indifferent to the tension that hangs in the air.
I steal a glance at Gianis over my shoulder. He’s sitting on a chair, arms tied behind his back, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
I hadn’t been expecting a straightforward conversation, an easy exchange of information. But I didn’t think he’d play coy and guard his answer like a secret. The more I press him, the quieter he becomes.
We were never supposed to be a team or allies in this endeavor, but his refusal to share anything grates on my nerves. Especially after finding him sneaking onto my ship.
