Page 28 of Masked Mafia's Runaway Bride

He didn’t press further, though his eyes lingered on me as I stood. I walked to the bathroom, each step heavy with the weight of what almost happened.

Once inside, I locked the door and leaned against the sink, exhaling sharply. My reflection stared back at me, and I barely recognized the flushed cheeks and wide eyes.

Pull it together, Mirella. This isn’t the time to lose focus.

I grabbed my phone and dialed Enzo.

“The plan’s changed,” I said the moment he picked up. “The shipment’s early. We need to move fast.”

His voice was calm, as always. “What’s your position?”

“I’ll let you know once I’ve got eyes on it. Be ready.”

“Always am.”

“Great,” he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “What’s the plan? With this change, do we need to improvise on anything?”

“I’ll figure it out. Just wait for my order,” I said, my mind racing.

“And Sergio?” he asked pointedly.

I closed my eyes, gripping the edge of the sink. “He’s not the enemy, Enzo.”

“He’s not your ally either,” Enzo reminded me. “Don’t forget that.”

“I won’t,” I promised, though the words felt hollow.

Because deep down, I wasn’t sure I believed them.

I hung up, splashing cold water on my face before stepping out. Sergio was waiting by the elevator, his expression unreadable.

“Ready?” he asked, his tone clipped.

I nodded, my voice steady. “Always.”

I lied. I was far from ready because, after the last few minutes, I wasn’t sure if bullets started to fly, if I would freeze, or if I would be able to act.

CHAPTER TWELVE

SERGIO

It was about to go down.Just a few minutes and I would be able to breathe.

I stood in front of the buyers in the abandoned warehouse, a place I had chosen because of its distance from the town and multiple exits. It was a tactic I had learned in this business. The number of exits in a location sometimes determines if you would come out alive. I kept my voice calm and steady. They didn’t look like the trusting type, and frankly, I wasn’t in the mood to coddle them.

This was business, and right now, no one could be trusted. Not even your shadow. I peeked a glimpse at Mirella. She seemed unfazed. She sure knew how to handle herself in a tense situation. She didn’t even let off that“It is my first time”attitude. Most newbies in the game do.

“The shipment’s here,” I said assertively, gesturing toward the crates stacked against the wall. “Premium quality, exactly what you’re paying for.”

The lead buyer, a wiry man with a scar running down his cheek, took a step forward. His gaze flicked to the crates, then back to me. “We don’t pay for talk. Let’s see it.”

Ryan was standing off to my side, his hand twitching near his holster. Mirella was behind me, quiet but present, and I could feel her eyes on me. I’d been stealing glances at her all day, and every time, it threw me off just a little.

“Open it,” I ordered one of my men, keeping my voice even. The top of the nearest crate was pried off, revealing what we were selling.

The buyer stepped forward, inspecting the contents. He didn’t speak for a moment, but his expression gave nothing away. “Not bad,” he finally said.

I didn’t let myself relax. “Not bad doesn’t pay bills. Do we have a deal or not?”

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