CHAPTER 3
950 Words
## The Enemy’s Touch
The docks smelled like salt, gasoline, and blood.
Kai stepped out of the black SUV with two armed men behind him as thunder rolled across the harbor. Cargo containers towered overhead like dark giants while rain hammered the pavement beneath his polished shoes.
Someone was already dead.
Kai could tell immediately.
One body lay near the water with a gunshot wound through the chest. Another man groaned nearby, bleeding heavily from his shoulder while Moretti guards held him down.
Kai’s expression remained unreadable.
“Talk,” he ordered.
The injured man trembled violently. “W-We were ambushed—Romano men attacked the shipment—”
“Who led them?”
“I-I don’t know—”
Kai crouched slowly in front of him.
“Wrong answer.”
The man panicked instantly. “Please—please—I swear—”
A gun clicked nearby.
One of Kai’s guards handed him a pistol without hesitation.
Kai stared at the terrified man for a long moment.
This was normal.
This was his life.
Fear. Violence. Loyalty bought with blood.
Yet tonight, something felt different.
Because only minutes ago, Luca’s hand had been wrapped around his wrist.
Be careful.
The memory lingered like heat beneath his skin.
Annoying.
Dangerous.
Human.
Kai pressed the gun lightly beneath the wounded man’s chin.
“Last chance.”
Before the man could answer—
Headlights flashed across the dockyard.
Every weapon immediately lifted.
A black motorcycle sped through the rain before stopping sharply near the shipping containers.
Kai recognized the rider instantly.
Of course he did.
Luca removed his helmet slowly, dark curls damp from the storm.
Several Moretti guards aimed directly at him.
“Boss,” one warned, “say the word.”
Kai should have.
Instead, he lowered his gun first.
“What are you doing here?” Kai asked coldly.
Luca glanced briefly at the wounded men scattered across the docks.
Then his gaze returned to Kai.
“Saving your life.”
Kai nearly laughed.
“You have terrible timing.”
“No,” Luca said quietly. “You have terrible enemies.”
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Kai stood slowly.
“What does that mean?”
Luca stepped closer, lowering his voice.
“There’s a hit planned tonight.”
Every guard around them stiffened.
“One of your own men sold information,” Luca continued. “The shipment attack was a distraction.”
Kai’s eyes darkened dangerously.
Betrayal again.
Always betrayal.
“Why tell me?” Kai asked.
Luca held his gaze steadily despite the guns still pointed at him.
“Because I don’t want you dead.”
Silence.
Heavy. Dangerous silence.
Kai studied him carefully, searching for lies.
But Luca looked painfully sincere.
And somehow that was worse.
One of Kai’s men stepped forward angrily. “Boss, he’s a Romano. This could be a trap.”
“It’s not,” Luca replied immediately.
“You expect us to trust you?”
“No.” Luca’s eyes flickered briefly toward Kai. “Just him.”
Kai hated how his heartbeat reacted to that.
Thunder cracked overhead.
Rain poured harder now, soaking through their clothes as tension wrapped around the docks like barbed wire.
Finally, Kai spoke.
“Everyone leave.”
The guards looked shocked.
“Boss—”
“That wasn’t a suggestion.”
Reluctantly, the men backed away, though weapons remained ready.
Soon only Kai and Luca stood beneath the storm.
Alone.
Again.
“You’re reckless,” Kai muttered.
Luca smirked faintly. “You’ve mentioned that.”
“You walked into enemy territory twice in one week.”
“And somehow I’m still alive.”
Kai stepped closer slowly.
“Maybe I’m reconsidering that.”
Luca didn’t move away.
Not even a little.
Rain dripped from his lashes as he looked directly into Kai’s eyes.
“Then do it.”
Kai froze.
Luca’s voice softened.
“If you really want to kill me, Kai… do it.”
The challenge hit harder than expected.
Because Kai realized something horrifying in that moment.
He couldn’t.
No matter how dangerous Luca was.
No matter who his family was.
Kai couldn’t pull the trigger.
And Luca knew it.
A bitter laugh escaped Kai under his breath.
“You’re a problem.”
“You like problems.”
“I absolutely do not.”
“Another lie.”
Kai should’ve been angry.
Instead, exhaustion washed over him.
He suddenly looked tired—truly tired—for the first time since Luca met him.
Luca’s expression softened immediately.
Without thinking, he reached up slowly and brushed rainwater mixed with blood from Kai’s cheek.
Such a gentle touch.
Kai went completely still.
Nobody touched him gently.
Ever.
Not in this world.
Not in his life.
For one dangerous second, Kai leaned slightly into Luca’s hand before realizing what he was doing.
He pulled back immediately.
But too late.
Luca noticed.
And the look in his eyes nearly destroyed Kai completely.
Not fear.
Not pity.
Something warmer.
Something terrifyingly close to affection.
“You should go,” Kai said quietly.
Luca hesitated.
Then nodded once.
Before leaving, he stepped closer one final time.
Close enough that Kai could feel his breath again.
“If the world turns against you,” Luca whispered, “call me anyway.”
Then he walked back toward his motorcycle and disappeared into the rain.
Kai stood motionless long after the sound faded.
One of his guards approached cautiously moments later.
“Boss?”
Kai didn’t answer immediately.
His chest felt strangely tight.
As if something irreversible had already begun.
Finally, he looked toward the dark city skyline and spoke softly enough that only the rain could hear him.
“…That’s the problem.”
- Writer
