CHAPTER FIVE: Dangerous attraction
1220 Words
Silence stretched inside the De Luca penthouse suite. Broken by the tapping of Luca's ring against his whiskey glass. He wasn't drinking, just thinking.
"El Cazador", he muttered.
"Still sounds like a myth to me," Daniel said from the other side of the desk, with his fingers dancing over his tablet. "He like a ghost in these records, invisible in digital system, no traceable photos or info. But I know one thing. He's real".
Luca turned. "I've read the reports and observed a pattern. Everyone someone gets close to Poncho, that name pops up".
"Hit jobs, missing dealers, stolen stuff from ports. Wherever El Cazador goes, silence follows," Daniel added, scrolling through a file. " And whosoever this bastard is, he's loyal to Poncho, almost like a right-hand man. Traces could even prove it's him"
"How come is he then spotted to have a base in Jersey?" Luca asked.
"Could be a fake spot. He's smart. He could be using that as a way to divert attention cause he knows he's no longer safe".
Luca sipped his drink. "That's strange. Poncho's too old to be the man pulling triggers and disappearing before sunrise. Were dealing with someone new-school. And I'm convinced the person has a link to Poncho.
"You want me to backdoor surveillance again?" Daniel asked. "Cross-reference the trade records on the docks?"
"No", Luca said sharply. "Leave the docks for now. Shift focus for now. I want to know about Poncho's inner circle, who's been closest to him these past ten years. Any name that repeats, I want it flagged. Getting a poncho directly won't be easy, let's make use of people these times".
Daniel nodded and tapped the instructions into his tablet.
"Are you still attending the conference tonight?" Daniel asked after a short silence.
Luca stood, grabbing his blazer and adjusting the cuffs. "Why not? Even warlords need to shake hands with investors".
**********
The conference hall buzzed with light music mixed with ambition and quiet power. Men and women in sleek suits and Sharp outfits navigated the room, exchanging nods, pleasantries, and unknown challenges. Luca walked in with confidence, each step portraying power. By his side was Daniel whose tablet on his hands glowed softly as he reviewed encrypted communications and logistical updates from the docks in Santa Vincent.
The tension was mild.
"Activity is increasing. There are several unmarked containers, and new shipments arriving. Nothing explicitly mentioning El Cazador, no clear clue" Daniel said as they strolled through the large hall filled with busy personalities.
Luca nodded slowly, "Keep your lips tight but eyes close on everything Daniel. We must be careful here"
"You got it". Daniel peeled off to take a call.
Luca kept moving and sighed, adjusting his cuffs. His mood was heavier than usual. There was an open bar outside the conference hall and that was a nice place for him to cool himself down.
He diverted his destination and headed for the bar, where the murmurs softened into a low hum. It was there that Luca's attention snapped sharply. A lady moved flawlessly, her heels clicking softly on the polished floor as her curls bounced above her shoulders. She was impossible to ignore. She brushed past him, and almost made an accidental touch on his arm.
"Excuse me," she said smoothly, without hesitation, her tone carrying a hint of challenge rather than apology.
Luca's gaze met hers. He had seen her before but didn't know her. He studied her carefully. There was something about her that u sorted him, like a puzzle missing a piece.
"I've seen you before," he said carefully with a neutral voice, bugged with curiosity.
She smiled faintly. "Perhaps we've crossed paths before. Or maybe you just have one of those faces".
His eyes glimmered, but there was steel beneath it. Luca, used to being the one who commanded conversations, suddenly felt intrigued by this lady.
Daniel, sensing the shift after he received his call, quietly excused himself, leaving them alone.
"Luca", he said extending his hand.
She stared at him, then scanned his hanging hand for a while, hesitating.
"Ellara," she finally replied, taking his hand.
Luca remembered the name the bartender called her.
Their hands lingered for s moment longer than polite, an unspoken challenge passing between them. Neither of them was accustomed to being disarmed this easily.
She pulled back first. "Well Luca, if you're not into small talk, what are you into?"
"That depends," he said, slightly narrowing his eyes. "What are you here for?"
"Justice", she answered, without pause. "And a drink".
That threw him a little. Most people stammered she it started to be hard. But She just answered. Like it was normal.
She turned to the bar. "Walk with me?"
Luca hesitated for a moment.
There was something about her that didn't feel optional.
He followed her.
She ordered a drink, and so did he.
"You said justice," he said as they sat at a table. "Is that a hobby, or a profession?"
"Both," she replied. "I'm a lawyer. I div up corruption and hold people accountable ".
His jaw ticked for a while. He wondered if she knew who he was. But nothing in her expression suggested it.
"She's just too confident," he thought to himself.
"You believe everyone's redeemable?" He asked casually.
"Not at all," she said, taking a sip. "Some people are too far gone. But the system is worse when no one even tries to do something".
"And yet, you're here, surrounded by the very people you'd like to expose or maybe.... redeem".
She gave him an intense gaze. "You learn more when you key the wolves think you're one of them".
Luca let lit a quiet breath. She had a sharp mind and that had a great effect on her tongue.
"You don't like wolves?" He asked.
"I respect wolves", she said, leaving towards him this time. "But I don't let them bite".
That triggered him more than It should've.
The silence between them was thick.
She was watching him too carefully now.
He recovered quickly. "You read people for a living?"
"I read behavior", she said. "And yours says you don't say too much and you're used to being obeyed".
"I'm used to being right".
She smiled faintly. "That must be lonely".
That hit deeper than she thought.
But he didn't flinch.
"Seems like you deal with tough cases ugh?" He asked
She scoffed. "I deal with my dad".
That sounded strange but be didn't press further about it.
"You're free later?"
She tilted her head sideways. "Depends".
"On what?"
"On if you're as interesting without the suit".
He chuckled. "I could ask the same about you and the mouth".
She raised her glass. "Let's test that theory then"
He paused. Then extended his hand. "I know a jazz lounge here in Manhattan, decent, quiet, and private".
Ellara started at his hand for a second, then took it.
"You're asking me for a date?" She said
He smirked. "What more could I ask for right now, Ellara?".
She scanned his face, rolling her eyes up and down slowly. "I see you know how to play games very well. I'd love to know more about you, and who you are Luca".
"Well, I've given you a chance miss beautiful".
They left the bar together.
- Writer
