The tension in the warehouse still lingered like a dense fog, even as the dust settled and the echo of gunfire faded into silence. Kael stood amidst the aftermath, his gun lowered but his mind racing. Viktor Malinov's retreat had been unexpected, leaving behind unanswered questions and a sinking feeling that this was far from over.
Kael's sharp eyes scanned the crates, each one marked with royal insignias, a glaring contradiction to the world Lorenzo inhabited. Why would a mafia heir be protecting something tied to royalty? And why was Malinov so determined to seize it?
Lorenzo approached, his footsteps heavy with purpose, his expression unreadable. The man exuded an air of control, but Kael could see the flicker of something deeper—concern, perhaps?
"Whatever you're looking for, Kael, stay out of it," Lorenzo warned, his voice a low growl.
Kael smirked, though the amusement didn't reach his eyes. "You know me better than that, De Luca. I don't back away from curiosity... or danger."
Lorenzo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This isn't your fight."
Kael's jaw tightened. "It became my fight the moment Viktor Malinov showed up."
Before Lorenzo could respond, the sound of tires screeching to a halt outside shattered the tense silence. Both men turned, their hands instinctively reaching for their weapons.
Seraphina stepped out of the car, her dark cloak billowing behind her. Her eyes darted between the two men, her expression a mixture of confusion and determination. "What's going on here?"
Kael froze, his usual confidence faltering for a moment. He hadn't expected to see her here, not in the midst of this chaos.
Lorenzo's voice was firm as he approached her. "You shouldn't be here, Princess."
Seraphina squared her shoulders, meeting his gaze head-on. "If this involves my family, I have every right to be here."
Kael watched the exchange, his mind racing. Princess Seraphina and Lorenzo De Luca—two worlds that should never collide, yet here they were, drawn together by forces beyond their control.
The night wasn't over. Whatever secrets lay hidden in those crates, they were about to unravel, and Kael knew he was standing on the edge of a storm that would change everything.
TBC...