Fallen Actress' Comeback: Torn Between the Director and the Mafia Lord-Chapter 31: Trade

Chapter 31

~Xena’s POV~

Crystal giggled. "He likes her, Mum. I bet Uncle Xade is shy."

"I am not shy," I said flatly.

They both burst out laughing like I had told a joke. I glared mildly, then exhaled while shaking my head. "Unbelievable. Both of you."

My sister crossed her hands, looking smug. "So, what’s her name?"

"No."

"Oh, come on."

"No," I asserted, half bellowing.

Unfazed, she tapped her chin. "Fine. I’ll just Google it. The internet already loves you two, apparently."

I stiffened. "Don’t."

Diamond smirked. "So you do care."

I ignored that and her, and the heat creeping up my neck.

"Goodnight," I muttered, turning toward the stairs.

"You can run, brother," she called behind me, "but you can’t hide from feelings!"

My niece added at full volume. "HE HAS FEELINGS!"

My sister added, "Run all you like, you emotionally suppressed cucumber!"

I ignored both of them and went straight to my room. Once the door shut, I leaned against it for a second, trying to breathe out the chaos they had stirred.

But silence didn’t help. If anything, it made my thoughts louder.

I could still feel Xena’s waist under my hand like I had only just left her.

The warmth of her skin through the dress, the way her breath hitched when I zipped her up. And that accidental kiss that was enough to burn straight through my restraint.

It wasn’t like previous encounters in my past love life. This felt different, yet familiar.

My mind replayed the memory of when her lips brushed against mine, the way her fingers curled into my jacket when I caught her, her warm breath on my cheeks, and the way I kissed her afterward, because I refused to let myself lose it around her.

I felt something I hadn’t felt in a very long time.

There was this consuming need to hold her and do more, not the hollow kind I used to drown stress with in the past.

I...

I chuckled softly. It wasn’t like I had let another girl near me ever since that incident four years ago.

One could say I had turned celebate.

I heaved a deep sigh and rubbed my palm over my face.

When she told me it wasn’t special, something in me had reacted before I could stop it. I didn’t want her thinking she was just another woman in a rotation I kept for convenience.

I didn’t even allow the staff at the boutique to touch my sister without permission. The fact that Xena thought she was one of many irritated me more than I expected.

I sat at the edge of my bed, elbows on my knees, and stared at the floor. Every time I got close to her, the pull got stronger, like I was losing more of the control I built my life around.

She made it too easy to forget the rules I set for myself. She made me want too much and quickly at that.

And the worst part was that I didn’t want to stop wanting her.

That thought alone was enough to tie a knot in my chest.

I leaned back slowly, exhaling. I needed to be careful. I needed boundaries. I can’t afford a scandal because o fme.

I needed this movie to work and I wasn’t the male lead she needed to have an image with.

Just the thought alone was enough to unnerve me.

My fist unclenched as an exasperated sigh tore through my lips.

I turned to the side, my eyes catching my reflection in the mirror.

"I need to figure out why the hell one accidental kiss felt like it had cracked something open in me I wasn’t sure I could close again."

****************

~Xavier’s POV~

Days passed since I saw Xena. As tempting as it was to call her or see her, I didn’t.

It wasn’t because I didn’t miss her. No, scratch that, I missed her more than I wanted to admit.

But staying away felt easier than dealing with the storm she stirred in me. At least, that was what I kept telling myself.

Tonight, though, I didn’t have the luxury of thinking about her. I had a deal to sabotage.

Crimson’s gang and D’Anthonio’s sons were meeting for a weapons exchange, and if that deal went through, who knows what ruckus would happen or what kind of illegal weapon they’d be selling.

The last thing I wanted was for half of the city to be gone by tomorrow morning, thanks to their shenanigans.

Since we’ve been tipped off about their location, I arrived twenty minutes early at the shopping mall’s abandoned warehouse, a building behind the main mall.

I slipped inside through a broken side door.

The place smelled of dust and rusted metal, and the only light came from few flickering security bulbs hanging crookedly from a pipe.

I tiptoed, sticking to the shadows until I found a tall stack of wooden crates. I hurried over there, using it as the perfect cover.

Soon, the roar of engines filled the space as two groups arrived from opposite entrances. Crimson’s men were rough-looking, armed and loud as usual.

D’Anthonio’s son appeared moments later, suited, arrogant, and surrounded by at least ten guards. The tension between the two factions settled heavily in the air.

I crouched behind the crates and watched.

Since he was wearing glasses, I wasn’t sure if it was Kyran or someone else. The tip informed us that their sons would be handling the trade. But judging by the height and stature of the person, i was beginning to doubt the intel.

"The goods are here. Where’s the payment?" D’Anthonio’s son demanded.

Crimson Gang’s leader nodded to one of his men, who stepped forward carrying three briefcases. It was heavy enough that the metal hinges groaned when he lifted it.

D’Anthonio’s son mirrored the gesture. Immediately, four of his men stepped forward, carrying three crate-like boxes.

Both groups came closer, and then D’Anthonio’s men dropped the boxes and opened them.

From the angle I stood, I couldn’t quite tell what was in either crate, but I could guess that money was in the others.

"The guns and drugs as requested," the deep voice of D’Anthonio’s son rang out.

Crimson’s leader took off his shades, gave a nod and stepped closer to the crates. It was Steel, the first son and second-born of the Crimson gang.

He peered inside the crates before taking out something.

It was a pack of white substance.

"Cocaine," I mentally noted as my brows drew close. To avoid drawing too much attention and to easily leave if things get messy, I refused to take my men with me.

I watched as Steel took out a pocket dagger, tore a part of the pack, dipped a finger and sniffed it.

Two seconds passed before he lifted his head and inhaled deeply. Then he exhaled sharply and nodded.

"Good stuff."

"I told you, we only offer premium quality." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Yes, Zevran. You live up to your reputation, and for that, I am glad I did business with you."

Steel stretched his hand for a handshake, and Zevran took it.

"I told you, stick with us, and your family can rule over Phoenix City."

"Sure. Here’s your payment."

Steel reached for the boxes of money and handed one over to Zevran, while Zevran’s men moved to collect the other two.

This was the moment.

I tightened my grip on the gun and exhaled slowly. When the two men touched the briefcase at the same time, I aimed for the handle and fired one clean shot.

The bullet hit the metal squarely.

The briefcases flew from their hands, clattering across the floor. Instantly, chaos erupted. Both sides ducked, men shouted, and within seconds, gunfire exploded around the warehouse.

Similarly, the men opened fire at each other and at my men. Confusion reigned, considering the shooting had come from both angles, and none of the men could trust themselves.

Sparks flew from the metal beams overhead as bullets ricocheted wildly.

I switched positions quickly, keeping low while returning fire just enough to keep their attention split. But the longer the exchange lasted, the clearer it became—I was outnumbered. Severely.

Crimson’s men were pushing forward. D’Anthonio’s guards fanned out aggressively, firing in precise bursts. The entire warehouse trembled with the intensity of the fight. I ducked behind a column as bullets peppered the concrete, dust raining over my head.

I needed an exit. Now.

Just then, I spotted D’Anthonio’s son sprinting toward the far door with the briefcase of money in his hand, yelling at his guards to cover him. His men followed, shielding him as he ran toward a black SUV parked outside.

Perfect. He was trying to escape.

That meant the deal was ruined, and my work here was almost done.

"Get that thief. He took the briefcases and the drugs!" Steel yelled, and three of his men immediately got into their bikes and drove after him.

But I also knew that letting him leave without a chase would only invite worse trouble later.

Just then, I turned to my side to see Ares taking the lead and shooting at them.

I heard another shot at the opposite angle. To my surprise, Vincent and Ren had their guns pointed out, shooting at the men.

I gave a nod at res, and he immediately signalled the two to shoot while he covered me.

I moved fast, weaving around crates and avoiding stray bullets. Crimson’s gang had their attention fixed on retreating members of D’Anthonio’s group, so slipping past them wasn’t too hard.

By the time I neared the exit, the SUV engine roared to life.

I pushed myself harder.

D’Anthonio’s son jumped into the backseat as his guards slammed the doors shut. The car jerked forward, racing toward the warehouse gates.

I paused, taking a clean shot at the back left tyre of the car.

But before I reached the opening, the vehicle peeled off the gravel. With one hand braced on the wall, I squinted, already calculating my next move.

"Boss, Crimson’s leader is escaping."

"Retreat. We’ve sown our discord."

"Yes, boss."

I glanced at the roof, groaning at not killing one of them, when suddenly I heard a muffled gunshot at a crate close to me.

"There he is, get him."