Bertha stood up when Cross approached.
She looked at his face, trying to figure out what had happened.
“Well?” she asked quietly.
“How bad is it?” Cross pulled out a chair and sat down.
“We are benched,” he said.
“They put us on desk duty, and Internal Affairs is taking a look at our files.” Bertha groaned, rubbing her temples.
“I knew it.
I am actually going to kill you, Cross.” “Don’t worry.
I told them you knew nothing about it.
You are clear.” She stared at him for a moment before shaking her head.
“You are an idiot, you know that?
You are a stubborn and reckless idiot.” Cross smiled.
“Yeah, I’ve been told a few times.” Bertha shook her head again and walked back to her desk.
As soon as she was gone, Cross pulled out his phone.
He opened his gallery and stopped at a photo of Livy.
He had taken it without her knowing.
She was wearing a beautiful yellow blouse with a pair of jeans.
Her blonde hair was pulled back, leaving her face clear.
She was smiling at something outside the frame, completely unaware that he had been watching her.
He stared at the picture for a few seconds, a small smile appearing on his face.
He quickly locked his phone when he heard someone approaching.
“Mel,” he said excitedly.
“What’s up?” Melissa smiled at him.
“Are you free for lunch?” Cross raised an eyebrow.
“Errm, lunch?” “Yes.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I thought we could grab something to eat together.” Cross glanced at his phone.
“I can’t today.” “Oh.” Her smile faded slightly.
“Are you busy?” “Something like that.” He slipped his phone into his pocket.
“Rain check?” “Of course.” She turned to Bertha.
“How about you, Wells?” Bertha nodded.
“Sure.
Meet you outside in five.” Melissa turned and walked away.
Cross watched her leave for a moment before turning back to his desk.
Bertha slowly turned around in her chair.
“You know she likes you, right?” Cross looked at her.
“Who?” “Melissa.” “No.
I haven’t noticed.” “Yeah, right.” Cross frowned.
“What?” Bertha turned back to her desk.
“Never mind.” Cross looked genuinely confused, although he said nothing.
Meanwhile, across the city, Antonio sat in his car driving towards the airport with Alex on the passenger seat.
The Maybach was silent.
He remembered he hadn’t checked on Livy all day.
“Eve.
Did anything unusual happen today?” A soft chime sounded, and the AI’s voice came through the car’s speakers.
“Good evening, Don Antonio.
The home system is secure.
However, I flagged a priority security incident at 9:42 a.m.” “Report.” “At 9:42am, an individual gained entry to the penthouse.
Facial recognition identified Princess Chloe Evangeline Deureux.
It appeared she had valid access credentials.” Antonio’s jaw tightened.
“What happened?” “Verbal altercation recorded.
At 9:47am, physical contact occurred.
Chloe bathed Mrs.
D’Angelo in a glass of orange juice.
Subject departed at 9:54am.
Would you like me to play the audio log?” “No,” Antonio said quietly.
“Eve, disable Chloe Deuraux’s biometric access across all properties.” “Done.
Biometric access revoked.” Antonio ended the call.
For several seconds, neither man spoke.
“Did Marco call you?” Alex hesitated.
“He did.
But we had more pressing priorities, than a domestic argument.” “You think someone entering my penthouse is not a priority?” “Not that.
I just think a small domestic squabble isn’t…” Before he could even finish, Antonio suddenly turned the wheel.
The Maybach cut across two lanes, forcing a delivery truck to slam on its brakes, with a long angry blast of its horn.
The tires screeched as Antonio made an illegal U-turn, heading back toward the city.
Alex grabbed the overhead handle, his shoulder slamming into the door.
“Antonio.
What the hell are you doing?” No response.
“What about Montreal?” he asked.
“Vincent is waiting on the tarmac.” “It can wait.” “This meeting is important.” Antonio’s eyes remained cold.
“I said it can wait.” Alex fell silent, his jaw clenching.
He still couldn’t wrap his head around it.
Why would Antonio drop an important sit-down over a minor catfight between a silly little girl and a jealous fiancée?
But he knew better than to question him again.
He drove straight to Chloe’s boutique, where he knew she will be at this time.
The moment the Maybach stopped outside, he got out and walked through the glass doors without slowing down.
Alex followed closely behind.
The high-end boutique was empty of customers, but three junior assistants and a store manager were present.
Chloe was standing near the display counter, talking to one of her assistants.
The moment she spotted Antonio, her face lit up.
“Antonio?” She smiled, clearly pleased to see him.
He didn’t return the smile.
Instead, he reached inside his jacket, pulled out his gun, pointed it straight up at the ceiling, and pulled the trigger.
BANG!
The loud noise echoed through the quiet space.
Small pieces of white dust fell down from the ceiling.
”Everyone out,” Antonio said in a quiet, deadly voice.
The workers dropped everything and ran out the back door in a panic.
Chloe stood frozen, the color draining from her face.
Her smile was completely gone.
Chloe stood frozen, the color draining from her face.
Her smile was completely gone.
“Antonio, what are you doing?” He stood there for a second saying nothing, the gun still pointed at the floor.
”How did you get in?” he asked, his voice low.
”What?” she asked.
”You know how I fucking hate repeating myself.” “I…
I used the system override code your father gave me months ago,” she said.
“I didn’t think you’d mind since we’re getting married anyway.” Antonio’s eyes narrowed.
“We’re not married yet.” His voice was calm, but there was nothing gentle about it.
“If you ever enter my apartment again, you will regret it.” Chloe’s eyes widened.
“Is it because of that bitch?” Antonio didn’t answer.
He simply turned and walked out.
Alex gave her an apologetic nod and followed him out.
Chloe did not move for three long seconds, then she spun around and swept her arm across the counter.
Perfume bottles and gold boxes crashed onto the wooden floor, breaking into a million pieces.
The insult burned her.