Chapter Seven

Krista gripped the steering wheel as she drove up to O’Malley’s Sports Bar, a local watering hole known for its neutrality in the city’s underworld. It was a place where members of various crime families could meet without the threat of immediate violence, but that didn’t mean it was safe.

Her pulse quickened as she parked her car and took a few moments to contain her anxiety and fear. She knew Mark and Tony, Devlin’s men, were following her discreetly at a distance. She wasn’t alone.

Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her bag of documents and stepped out of the car. The air was cool, the night still. As she approached the bar, the first indication that something was wrong hit her—there was no one by the entrance. She would have expected some of Enzo’s people to be there, standing guard.

This could be a trap. Krista had been doing this for most of her life, and she knew when to trust her instincts. Her gut screamed at her to turn around and get back in the car, but the thought of missing this opportunity gnawed at her. They might not get another chance. Steeling herself, she pushed open the door, noting the glowing OPEN sign.

Silence greeted her. The bar was eerily empty, save for a middle-aged, balding bartender who glanced up at her entrance before returning to polishing a glass.

The room was dimly lit, the smell of stale beer lingering in the air. Krista’s footsteps echoed as she walked in, her eyes scanning for any sign of Enzo or his men.

The place felt abandoned, the usual lively atmosphere replaced by an unsettling stillness. Was she early? Or maybe Phantom had told Enzo about her involvement with Devlin after all?

Krista’s mind raced. She moved cautiously toward the bar, her senses on high alert. The bartender watched her with a disinterested expression, but she could feel his eyes on her every move.

She reached the counter and set her bag down, trying to appear calm and collected despite the storm of emotions inside her.

“Evening,” she said, forcing a smile.

The bartender nodded. “Evening. What can I get you?”

“Just waiting for someone,” she replied, her voice steady. “Enzo Rosso.”

The bartender’s eyes flickered with recognition, but he said nothing. Instead, he continued cleaning his glass, his movements slow and deliberate.

Krista’s nerves were on edge, every fiber of her being screaming that something was off.

Minutes felt like hours as she waited, the tension in the air palpable. Krista’s mind whirled with possibilities, each more dire than the last. If Phantom had tipped Enzo off, she could be walking into an ambush. Devlin’s men were outside, but she was on her own in here.

Finally, the door at the back of the bar creaked open. Krista’s heart leapt into her throat as Enzo Rosso stepped out, flanked by two of his men. He was a tall, imposing figure with a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce through her.

“Krista,” Enzo greeted, his voice smooth but laced with an underlying threat. “Right on time.”

She forced a smile, her fingers brushing the edge of her bag. “Enzo. I brought the documents,” she said.

Enzo’s eyes flickered with interest as he approached, but there was something else there too—suspicion. Krista knew she had to tread carefully. One wrong move, and this could all go south.

“Let’s see them,” Enzo said, extending his hand.

Krista opened her bag and pulled out the documents, her hands steady despite the fear gnawing at her. She handed them over, watching as Enzo flipped through the pages, his expression unreadable.

For a moment, everything seemed to hang in the balance. Krista held her breath, waiting for Enzo’s reaction, hoping Devlin’s alterations would go unnoticed.

This was the moment. She had successfully lured Enzo here. In a few minutes, Mark and Tony would barge in. Take care of Enzo and the two men with him. All she needed to do was buy just a little more time.

Enzo’s eyes narrowed as he looked up from the papers, his gaze locking onto hers. “Interesting,” he said slowly. “Very interesting.”

Krista’s heart pounded in her chest. She had to stay calm, had to play her part. There was no room for mistakes now.

“What do you mean?” she asked, her voice steady.

Enzo’s smile was cold. “A source told me you’re in Devlin Arrow’s pocket. That you betrayed me.”

Krista’s heart raced at those words. A source? Phantom? Before she could react, one of Enzo’s men pulled out a gun and pointed it at her.

“I presume these are useless,” Enzo said, ripping the documents and letting the torn pieces flutter to the floor. He rose to his feet, eyes dark with menace. “You made a mistake, making me your enemy.”

Krista’s mind raced, searching for a way out. She couldn’t let panic overtake her. As Enzo turned to leave, Krista made her move. She lunged toward the door, but the gunman stepped in her path, blocking her escape. Desperation fueled her next actions.

Krista ducked as the gunman swung at her, managing to dodge the blow and grab a nearby barstool. She swung it at him, hitting him in the side and causing him to stumble.

Suddenly, the front door burst open, and Mark and Tony stormed in, guns drawn.

“Drop your weapons!” Mark shouted.

Chaos erupted. Gunfire filled the air as bullets flew from both sides. Krista dove behind the bar, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear Mark and Tony returning fire, the sounds of struggle and shouts filling the space.

She crawled toward the kitchen, seeking cover. As she reached the swinging door, she glanced back and saw Mark take down one of Enzo’s men. Tony was holding his own, but the odds were still against them.

Krista pushed through the kitchen door and stumbled inside. The bartender, the middle-aged man who had been cleaning glasses, was now cowering in the corner, his face pale with fear.

“Stay down!” Krista shouted at him, grabbing a large kitchen knife from the counter.

She could hear the fight continuing outside, the sharp cracks of gunfire echoing through the bar.

The bartender’s eyes were wide with terror as he nodded, clutching his rag to his chest like a lifeline. Krista moved cautiously, peering out through the small kitchen window that overlooked the bar area.

Mark and Tony had taken care of Enzo ’ s last man. Enzo was nowhere to be seen. He must have slipped away in the chaos.

Her job here was done. Krista exited the kitchen, her heart pounding in her chest. As she stepped into the alleyway, she froze. Enzo hadn’t fled as she had initially thought. He stood there, a cruel smile on his face, pointing a gun directly at her.

“Going somewhere?” he said with a sneer. His finger was on the trigger.

Krista’s grip tightened on the kitchen knife, her mind racing for a plan. She couldn’t let him shoot her, couldn’t let this be the end. With a deep breath, she moved, circling slowly to her right, trying to buy herself time.

Enzo’s eyes tracked her every move. “Drop the knife, Krista. You’re out of your league,” he said.

“Like hell I am,” she spat back, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her veins. She needed to find a way out, a moment of distraction.

Suddenly, she lunged forward, slashing at Enzo’s arm. He staggered back, cursing as the blade grazed his skin. But he didn’t drop the gun. Instead, he aimed more carefully, his eyes narrowing with fury.

“You’re dead,” he growled.

Krista’s heart raced. She had nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. The narrow alley walls closed in around her, and she felt cornered, trapped like a rat. Enzo’s finger tightened on the trigger.

Just then, a shadow moved at the alley’s entrance. Devlin, in a fluid motion, appeared behind Enzo. Before Enzo could react, Devlin’s hand came down hard on his wrist, twisting it until the gun clattered to the ground.

Enzo cried out, trying to wrench free, but Devlin was relentless. He delivered a swift punch to Enzo’s gut, making him double over in pain. With another decisive move, Devlin kicked the gun far out of reach and pressed Enzo against the wall.

“You’re done,” Devlin hissed, his voice ice-cold.

Krista watched, her breath catching in her throat. The tension was palpable, the air thick with danger. Enzo struggled, but Devlin’s grip was unyielding.

Finally, with a last desperate effort, Enzo tried to break free, only to be slammed back against the wall, his head hitting the brick with a sickening thud. Enzo slumped, unconscious, and Devlin let him fall to the ground. He turned to Krista, his eyes blazing with intensity.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice softening slightly.

Krista nodded, the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. She couldn’t believe what had just happened, how close she had come to the end. She took a shaky breath, locking her gaze with Devlin’s.

“You saved my life,” she whispered, the reality sinking in.

Devlin stepped closer, his hand gently brushing her cheek. “I told you, Krista. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

She looked up at him, her fear slowly ebbing away, replaced by a strange sense of safety and trust. Despite the chaos, despite the danger, she felt secure in his presence.

Devlin didn ’ t need to come. He could ’ ve left everything to Mark and Tony, but she suspected he was here because he was worried about her.

Devlin pulled her into a fierce embrace, holding her close. She felt his warmth, his strength, and for a moment, she let herself relax. The world around them faded away, and all that mattered was this moment.

“Come with me,” Devlin murmured into her hair, his voice soothing.

Krista nodded, knowing she couldn’t go back to her apartment tonight. She didn’t think she would feel safe there anymore, especially knowing Phantom was watching the place.

“Okay,” she agreed, her voice barely above a whisper.

As they walked back to his car, she couldn’t help but ask, “What ’ s going to happen to Enzo? ”

She assumed Mark or Tony would take care of him. Devlin’s expression darkened, and she almost regretted asking.

“I still have plans for Enzo,” he said simply, his tone leaving no room for further questions.

Krista shivered, understanding what he meant. She did wonder why he didn’t kill Enzo right away. Devlin Arrow didn’t have a single merciful bone in his body. He probably wanted to question Enzo before getting rid of him.

In the safety of Devlin’s car, Krista leaned back, letting out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. Devlin glanced over at her, his hand finding hers and squeezing gently.

“You’ve done your part. You’re safe now,” he assured her, and for some reason, Krista believed him.