Page 20 of Untamed Protector

“This was someone who was in a rush. No punctuation marks. More offensive words. They used their handwriting on the envelope as if they didn’t care if anyone saw it. They probably feel safe enough to send these letters. And they all come from the same printer, you see? The same three dots are in the bottom right corner, different from the first letter. I think someone else was pulling the strings this time, or maybe my coworkers chickened out and roped in a friend or family member to do their dirty work. But I’m pretty sure it’s someone else. I don’t understand why there are three letters. Why would anyone bother to send these from different locations? And why waste time intimidating someone like me? It makes no sense.”

“Well, apparently, you’re special. We may find other leads besides your frustrated colleagues if Peter gives us more details. By the way, Peter, please don’t fire anyone or make a fuss about this for now. I’ll investigate all employees in the group, check their connections, and see if there’s anything more going on.”

Peter cringes, visibly irritated by my request. If I weren’t here, he would’ve stormed out to find the culprits. But he’s partly at fault for what happened with Lexi, and he has to admit it before we go any further. I need more intel.

“Peter, I’m sorry, but I need to ask. Who did you ask for help to get the information? What did you mean earlier by acquiring favors?”

“Gabe, I’d rather we talked about that separately. I don’t see the point of worrying Lexi unnecessarily.”

“I think Lexi has the right to know the danger she’s in. If she understands what’s going on, she can help us.”

Lexi might think these are just simple messages on some sheets of paper, but to me, the way they delivered the threats says something different.

“Lexi, these might seem like harmless pranks,” I say, my voice low. “But look closer.” I meet her gaze, a flicker of concern sparking in her eyes. “The sender’s using an old-fashioned method—printed letters. No fancy texts or emails. Why is that? Modern tech leaves a trail, but paper? With gloves, generic supplies, and a public mailbox, it’s almost untraceable.” My voice drops to a tense whisper. “This feels calculated. You’re being targeted by someone who knows you better than you think.”

My last explanation leaves Lexi silent as she begins to understand the real implications of this.

“So, Peter, it’s time you disclose everything you know could help me put a few scenarios on the table,” I continue, turning to him.

“Fine,” Peter agrees, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face.

“Look, I need to keep my ears to the ground everywhere, or else I wouldn’t last. This Black Sea port thrums with secrets. It’s the grain gateway to Africa; tons get shipped here daily. I’m a minor cog in this rusty machine, a machine churning with secrets no one dares speak.”

“Peter, let me ask plainly. The Dark Sun Cartel… is this their doing? Or are there other players in this game?”

“Well, my actions did impact them. Some of their enemies were happy to help me.”

“Which ones are you friends with?”

“I’m not friends with anyone. It’s just business, paying for protection without breaking the law.”

“Meaning?”

“You know the Petrov brothers?”

“Tell me you’re not working with the older one.”

“No. I have a deal with the middle brother. I secure grain at premium prices, offer rock-bottom shipping rates, and rake in profits on massive volumes. In return, they keep their illicit cargo off my ships, and everyone else gets the message: messing with me is bad for business.”

“And yet that’s what happened. They did mess with your operations. So, you said you handed over everything you found to the police who raided the port, right?”

“It wasn’t the Popov brothers, they assured me. They don’t know who stole from me, either. We supplied a lot of information, most of which the police didn’t use. They had to investigate because I made it official, and I’m too well known, so they couldn’t shut me up. I suspect a leak within the department tipped off the criminals. Whoever’s behind this is still walking free.”

“Did the police find out about Lexi’s involvement?”

“The police have snitches working for the organized groups. That’s why I didn’t go to them with the letters. I would’ve had to explain Lexi’s involvement, which would’ve exposed her.”

“Did the people you asked favors from know about Lexi? Did they know she was the one who pieced everything together?”

“Let me think. They never saw her, that I know for sure. But it’s possible there were some hints in the documents pointing at her. What do you think, Lexi?”

Lexi visibly flinches when Peter turns to her. She’s been leaning back in her chair, hands tucked away.

I can tell she’s nervous. Peter’s words chipped away at her self-assured shell. The woman who wielded logic like a dagger is gone. Now, she sits rigid, a fortress of silence replacing her usual stream of sarcasm. She could be in danger if Peter revealed her identity to the Dark Sun Cartel or any other smuggling groups.

I need to win her over if we’re to work together. And so far, I’m not doing great. She’s holding back a lot, but I’ll find out everything about her in the next forty-eight hours. For right now, I need her to trust me and open up. It’s time for a different approach—a more personal one.

Peter paces the room, clearly distressed. He still looks like he’s not telling the whole story. “Gabe, I need you to take care of this. Protect her from whoever’s behind these threats,” he insists, his voice strained. “This isn’t just random intimidation. There’s more to it.”

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