The Storm Begins

Luca's POV

I left Seraphina in the bedroom and went to my study, checking the files Clark had sent. I knew what Seraphina was looking for, but I doubted she would be able to handle it. I planned to let her play around a little. 

I kept glancing through the financial records and checking the numbers, and then a sharp crack of shattering glass caught my attention. 

The door to my study flew open and a bodyguard rushed in, panting with blood dripping from his hands. 

"Boss," he gasped, struggling to find his breath. "The docks…they've been hit."

I immediately stood, and some other bodyguards ran in. They had been chasing him. 

"What do you mean, hit?" I asked coldly. 

"T…the shipment," he stammered. "It's fine. The men guarding it…most are dead. A few survived, but they're badly hurt."

My anger rose and I needed answers. "Who did it?"

"I…I don't know, sir," the injured bodyguard stammered. "They were fast and didn't leave a trace."

"Get the car ready, Martin," I ordered and turned to the wounded bodyguard. He gulped, looking at me. "Have his wound treated."

I walked out, the bodyguards following behind. Whoever dared to strike my shipment wasn't looking to steal. They knew the rule. They were sending a message to me. 

My head guard, Martin, stepped into my path as I reached the front hall. 

"Where's Seraphina?" I asked. 

"She's in her room. I had the other bodyguards stationed outside her door, and down her windows," Martin replied. 

"Make sure it stays that way," I said, walking past him. 

********

I arrived at the docks. There was blood slicked on the ground. 

How could they know? Did they have someone watch us? No, it's not possible. The only people who knew were my men…my men.

"Damn it," I grunted. 

Martin squatted down, looking at the dead men. "Boss, this attack wasn't random. They knew exactly where to hit. Almost like they had someone from the inside tell them what to do."

"I know. We have a mole," I replied. "Where are the survivors?"

Martin rose, scanning the area. "They are in bad shape, two of them, but they can talk."

"Make sure they give you a full report. And double the security on every remaining shipment. If we have a mole, then they'll strike again," I ordered. 

"Yes, boss," Martin replied, heading off to carry out my orders. 

I moved closer to the loading area, and my eyes noticed something. It was a small black card pinned to a crate with a knife. I pulled it free and turned it over. 

It had a word written with bold red ink. I read calmly yet angrily. "Checkmate."

"I'm going to find you, whoever you are, and you'll be sorry," I murmured, squeezing the paper. 

"Boss," Martin called from behind me. I turned, facing him, and he slid his phone into his pocket.

"What is it?" I asked. 

Martin hesitated, letting out a breath. "It's the madam boss."

"What's wrong with Seraphina?" I asked, feeling worried. 

"She's gone, boss," Martin answered. 

"Gone? How can she be gone?" I asked.

"She escaped," Martin explained, with panic in his voice. "The guards didn't see her leave. They went in when they noticed her room was too quiet and the window was cut open."

"You men, they were careless!" I yelled. I placed my hand on my forehead, trying to calm down. "How long was it?" 

"Maybe an hour or half," he said. "They have searched the estate, but she's not there."

I clenched my fists, trying to maintain my temper. "Keep searching. I want every inch of this city covered. Find her!"

"Yes, boss," Marcus answered and hurried away. 

I exhaled, thinking of where Seraphina could have gone. Why did she have to always annoy me? Did she stop to think that she had made enemies with other gangs the second she married me?

******

My men and I drove back to the estate. The moment I got inside, I headed straight for our bedroom. I pushed the door open and took notice of the mess she left behind. She couldn't have been able to leave unnoticed without help. 

I looked at the window, it was cut open. The bar was cut neatly, and she couldn't do that. 

"Martin!" I called. 

"Yes, boss," he answered. 

"Check the CCTV footage. I think the same mole helped her," I commanded. 

Martin went off and returned in less than a minute, browsing the laptop. "Boss, there's no footage. It's been deleted."

"Damn it!" I cursed and tightened my fist. 

The moment I stepped inside, I headed straight for her room. The door swung open, and I saw the chaos she had left behind. The window was wide open, the bars cut clean through.

I calmly walked to the window, more angry by the second and stared down. There was broken glass and a piece of fabric, which was likely torn from her dress. She must have used the sheets to climb down. 

"Let's go," I said, leaving the room. 

I kept searching and realized Seraphina was smart enough not to hide in hotels or open spaces. 

"Where would I go if I was her?" I muttered repeatedly to myself and noticed the dark abandoned train station as I drove. 

I stopped my car, and my men did the same. The station looked calm and had very little security. 

Just then, Martin called. "Boss, I got some words from the policemen. A woman arrived at the southwest entrance close to the old train station. She fits the description of the Madam."

"I'll check it out," I answered and stepped out of the car. My men followed behind. 

At that moment, I noticed someone running away and I chased after the figure. It was fast, but I kept moving. I got closer and noticed the light dress. 

"Seraphina, stop!" I yelled, chasing after her, but she kept running. 

She kept running, climbing the iron fence and jumping over. I followed, chasing her until she got to the main road. 

"Stop!" I yelled and a bright light from the road almost blinded me. 

I halted, covering my eyes with my arm for a second, only to see a truck coming at her. She froze and I rushed towards her with force. 

I pushed her to the grass, away from the road, and we rolled over. The truck drove away, and she painted underneath me. 

"Are you crazy?" I yelled. "You could have been killed."

"At least it's better than living with my father's murder!" Seraphina yelled. 

"What?" I asked, confused and speechless.