~ALEX~
The room was tense. My father was watching us with that cold, calculated stare. I'd seen that look before. It never led to anything good.
"Lexi," he said slowly, leaning forward. "I have a job for you."
She met his gaze, unflinching. I had to hand it to her—she wasn't easily intimidated. But she had no idea what she was getting into.
"What kind of job?" she asked.
My father smirked, his eyes gleaming with a twisted amusement. "There's a… delivery that needs to be made downtown. Simple enough."
"Downtown?" I cut in, narrowing my eyes. "At this hour?"
He shot me a warning glance. "Unless you're volunteering to take her place, Alex?"
I clenched my jaw, knowing better than to argue in front of him. "Fine. What's the package?"
He motioned to the desk, where a small black duffle bag sat ominously. "Deliver it to the address on the card inside. And make sure it's done quietly."
"Quietly?" Lexi raised an eyebrow. "What does that mean?"
My father chuckled darkly. "It means… no complications. No mistakes."
Lexi exchanged a glance with me, hesitation flashing across her face. I could see it—the uncertainty, the unease. But she picked up the bag, her expression hardening.
"Where am I going?" she asked.
"Alex will drive you," my father said firmly. "And remember Lexi....this is a test. Don't disappoint me."
—
We drove in silence through the empty streets, the black duffle bag sitting between us like a ticking time bomb. Lexi stared straight ahead, her jaw set.
"What's in the bag?" she finally asked, breaking the silence.
"You don't want to know," I replied, gripping the wheel tightly.
"Try me."
I sighed. "It's better if you don't ask questions, Lexi. This isn't… normal cargo."
She gave me a sharp look. "I'm not some pawn, Alex. If I'm risking my neck, I deserve to know what I'm carrying."
I glanced at her, hesitating. "Fine. Rumor has it, Rossi's been importing arms—my father wants to return the favor."
Her eyes widened. "So this is… a bomb?"
"Not quite. But close enough." I looked at her, my expression serious. "You still in?"
She swallowed, but there was no fear in her eyes, only determination. "Let's get it done."
—
The address led us to an old warehouse by the docks. The place was dead silent, shadows stretching out like hands trying to pull us in. I parked, cutting the engine.
"Stay close," I told her, reaching under my jacket to check my gun. "We go in, drop the bag, and get out. No delays."
She nodded, gripping the bag tightly as we climbed out of the car. We moved quietly, slipping into the shadows, inching toward the side door.
"Alex," she whispered, "I don't like this."
"Welcome to my world." I pushed the door open, and we slipped inside.
The warehouse was dark, the only light coming from a few flickering bulbs high above. The air smelled like oil and rust, and every creak of the floor seemed to echo.
"Over there," I whispered, pointing to a metal staircase. "Let's place it and go."
We hurried up the stairs, reaching a small office room at the top. I nodded at her, and she set the bag down in the corner.
"Done?" she asked, looking up at me.
"Done," I confirmed, but just as we turned to leave, a voice echoed from below.
"Well, well… if it isn't the Esposito prince himself," someone drawled.
I stiffened, instinctively moving in front of Lexi. "Rossi's men."
"You think?" she whispered, glancing at the doorway, panic flashing in her eyes.
The man's footsteps grew louder as he climbed the stairs. I recognized him instantly—Marco, one of Rossi's top thugs.
"Alex Esposito," he sneered as he reached the top. "Didn't think we'd catch you here. And with a little friend, too."
"Marco," I replied, keeping my voice steady. "Just stopping by."
He laughed, pulling out a gun. "Funny. That's exactly what my boss wanted you to do."
I reached for my own gun, but he shook his head. "Ah, ah. I wouldn't. You're outnumbered."
Out of the shadows, more men stepped forward, guns pointed at us. Lexi took a sharp breath, and I felt her hand grip my arm.
"What now?" she whispered, trembling slightly.
"Hold on tight," I muttered back. "When I say go, you run. Got it?"
Her eyes widened, but she nodded.
Marco cocked his gun, smirking. "Any last words?"
I gave Lexi a quick look, then back to Marco. "Yeah. Go."
I shoved Lexi toward the stairs and fired a shot, hitting the closest man. Gunfire erupted, bullets ricocheting off the metal railing as we sprinted down the stairs.
"Run!" I shouted, shoving her toward the exit as shots exploded around us.
She ducked, covering her head as we bolted out of the warehouse and back into the night. More men chased us, their shouts echoing behind.
"Alex, they're catching up!" she yelled, panic flaring in her eyes.
"Keep running!" I barked, grabbing her hand and dragging her around a corner.
The car was just ahead, but before we could reach it, two more men appeared, blocking our path. I stopped short, raising my gun, but they fired first. Lexi dropped to the ground as I fired back, hitting one of them.
"Get up!" I yelled, pulling her to her feet. She stumbled, gripping my arm as we bolted down another alley.
"Alex… I'm not… sure I can keep up," she gasped.
"Yes, you can," I growled, pulling her forward. "We're almost there."
Just as we rounded the next corner, headlights flashed in front of us. A sleek black car screeched to a stop, blocking our path.
"Get in," a familiar voice ordered from inside. I froze, recognizing the man behind the wheel.
"Father?" I breathed, shocked.
My father's eyes were ice cold. "Get. In. Now."
I shoved Lexi toward the car, but as soon as she climbed in, I felt a searing pain rip through my side, a gunshot. I stumbled, gasping.
"Alex!" Lexi screamed, reaching out, but my father grabbed her arm, pulling her back.
"Get in!" he barked at her.
My vision blurred and I could barely stand. More gunfire echoed, and the last thing I saw was the car zooming off as I collapsed to the ground, giving in to the darkness.