13. Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Ryder

W hen faced with danger, most people try to build up their defenses. It becomes more of a coping mechanism than anything else. Over the years, I had learned that when people started messing with the crime, their walls were not hard to see.

I take this mentality with me as I begin my first day at the ports. Dressed in black security detail clothes, I make sure to appear as a civilian worker and not someone on the hunt for a rat. However, I will be setting my traps very soon, I just need to uncover everyone's vices.

"Are you ready?" Matt asks, as we walk through the large shipping yard.

Our task was simple: we were to patrol the area and make sure no one who wasn't permitted to be in the gated area, stayed away. Our orders from Salvatore Security Forces were to pay careful attention to the workers to help unload the ships and who checked the products as they were loaded onto each vessel.

"I'm always ready," I say, taking my flashlight and shining it near a shadowed area.

This place was poorly lit and could lead to some serious trouble if they didn't take care of that. Anyone could hide among the large crates that were stacked in rows. I made a mental note to talk to my new ‘boss' about that soon. My only reprieve is the slight breeze floating in off the ocean.

We continue patrolling and I see a large barge making its way into the port. A couple of guys who I met during orientation begin heading over to the dock. I can hear them laughing and chatting, but I am unable to make out what they are saying.

"We've got a shipment coming in," I say to Matt.

He nods as he shifts his belt. Unlike the rest of the guys around here, we also are armed and have body cameras on us. We both activate our camera just in case something goes down, we will get it all recorded.

The group of men begins unloading several crates that they place on a trailer that will move the products to another shipping container. Nothing seems out of the ordinary as they work together. Matt and I keep moving, not wanting to get caught watching them. The last thing we need is for someone to suspect we aren't just new security details.

Suddenly, one of the men, an older guy with a thick beard and bald head, lifts open the top of one of the crates. I see him inspecting the contents while the rest of the guys unload. He looks inside, shakes his head, and then tosses the crate with the rest.

I can't be sure, but his actions seemed a little strange. Why would he be shaking his head no, like he didn't find what he was looking for?

I whisper my thoughts to Matt, who also watched the moment. We decide to share that with the team tomorrow. For now, we continue patrolling, and thankfully, for the rest of the night, we don't see anything else suspicious.

Early the next morning, I am woken by another horrific nightmare. It's always the same.

Realizing I will never be able to go back to sleep, I check my email on my phone. A smile spreads across my face as I see Meghan's name in my inbox.

Ryder,

I know that you sent me your phone number in our last exchange, but I have enjoyed sending these emails. Maybe this will be the last one. Anyway, I think dinner by the beach sounds like a fun outing for FRIENDS. I will see you Saturday evening at 7.

All my best,

-Meghan

I quickly type out a reply and chuckle to myself. Meghan might think that she can be around me and not find herself falling for my charms, but I think we both know that it will only be a matter of time before I make her mine.