Luke stepped forward, ready to board the cruise, but a hand suddenly blocked his path.
He stopped instantly.
Leonardo stood in front of him, arm slightly extended, his expression calm—but firm.
Luke glanced at the hand, then up at him, one brow lifting. "Problem?"
Leonardo didn't move right away. His eyes held Luke's, steady and unreadable.
"Rules first," he said.
Luke leaned back slightly, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Only now?"
No response.
Leonardo lowered his hand slowly, his voice controlled and precise.
"Rule one. No electronics. No recording devices. No exceptions."
Luke's gaze sharpened slightly. "No phones?"
"No anything."
A brief pause followed.
"Rule two. What happens on this boat stays on this boat. After this cruise, we don't talk about it. Not to anyone. Not anywhere."
The air seemed to tighten between them.
"Rule three," Leonardo added, his tone quieter now, "be careful with everyone around you. And always keep your guard up."
Silence lingered.
Luke studied him for a moment longer than usual, something calculating flickering behind his eyes.
Then—he smiled.
"Sounds like a fun trip."
Only then did Leonardo step aside.
"Now you can come in."
The moment Luke stepped onto the cruise, the first thing he noticed wasn't the people.
It was the ship itself.
Massive.
Multiple levels stretched upward, connected by sleek staircases and glass elevators. The floors gleamed under soft golden lighting, and the railings reflected the sun like liquid metal. Everything was polished to perfection, almost unnaturally clean.
The ocean surrounded them completely—dark blue, endless, isolating. No land in sight.
Luke walked forward slowly, taking it all in.
There were lounging areas lined with white cushioned chairs, private cabanas draped in sheer fabric, and a large central pool that shimmered under the light. A high-end bar sat just beside it, stocked with expensive bottles that caught the glow of the evening.
Above, a more restricted level overlooked everything—quieter, guarded.
And that's when Luke noticed it.
The people who didn't belong.
Not guests.
Not staff.
Men who stood just a little too still. Eyes that moved too carefully. Conversations that lowered as he passed.
Security.
Hidden—but everywhere.
Luke smiled faintly.
So that's how it was.
Their suite was located on a quieter level of the ship.
When Luke stepped inside, he paused.
The space was enormous—more like a private penthouse than a cabin. Floor-to-ceiling windows curved along one wall, revealing nothing but open ocean. The glass tinted the sunlight into a warm gold that filled the room.
The bed was large, dressed in dark silk sheets. A seating area sat near the window, along with a built-in bar stocked with expensive liquor.
Everything about it screamed control disguised as luxury.
Luke walked in slowly, his eyes scanning.
Main door.
Hidden second exit.
Camera angles—if there were any.
Windows sealed tight.
Secure.
Locked in.
"Wow," he muttered under his breath. "You really don't do anything halfway."
Leonardo didn't respond.
Luke didn't expect him to.
Later, Luke found his own room.
It was slightly smaller—but no less expensive.
The lighting was softer here, warmer. The bed sat centered against the wall, dark sheets neatly arranged. A long mirror stretched across one side, reflecting the room perfectly. A glass door led into a spotless bathroom that gleamed under dim lighting.
Luke stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
Silence.
Real silence.
For the first time since arriving, he was alone.
His expression dropped instantly.
The easy smirk disappeared.
His eyes sharpened.
He moved quickly—checking corners, running his fingers along the walls, glancing at the ceiling vents, inspecting the mirror.
Nothing obvious.
But that didn't mean anything.
"No tech… no contact," he muttered quietly. "Yeah, that's not suspicious at all."
He let out a slow breath, staring at his reflection.
Then, just as quickly—
The smirk returned.
Because if someone was watching—
That's all they'd see.
By night, the cruise transformed.
Lights shimmered across the deck, reflecting off the water like scattered stars. Music filled the air, blending with laughter and conversation. The pool became the center of it all—alive, vibrant, distracting.
But underneath it—
Something darker moved.
Luke leaned against the edge of the pool, shirtless, water glistening across his skin as a group of girls gathered around him.
"You're not from here, are you?" one of them asked with a smile.
Luke smirked. "What gave it away?"
They laughed.
It was easy. Effortless.
But even as he played along, part of his attention drifted—
Across the deck.
Leonardo stood with his father, their conversation low and serious.
Luke listened.
"…the warehouse is already loaded," James said.
Luke's focus sharpened instantly.
"The containers are layered. Industrial equipment on top, sealed crates underneath, and the actual product buried in the center. No one gets to it without knowing exactly where to cut."
Leonardo nodded slightly. "And the movement?"
"Split routes," James replied. "Nothing travels together. Smaller shipments leave separately—different vehicles, different times. If one gets caught, the rest stay untouched."
Luke stayed perfectly still, listening.
"The security?"
"Upgraded," James said. "Motion sensors inside the warehouse. Heat tracking after dark. And the outer perimeter…"
A pause.
"…isn't just guards."
Luke's jaw tightened just slightly.
"There are automated defenses set in the blind zones. Anyone crosses without clearance—"
He didn't finish.
He didn't need to.
Leonardo didn't react.
But Luke understood.
Deadly.
"And the workers?" James asked.
"They don't know anything," Leonardo replied. "They load, they leave. No one sees the full operation."
"Good."
A brief silence followed.
"And the location?"
James shook his head slightly.
"Only a few know. And it stays that way."
Luke exhaled slowly.
Even here—
They were careful.
Still hiding it.
Still controlling everything.
After a while, Luke pulled himself out of the pool, water dripping down as he walked toward the bar.
"Something strong," he said.
The bartender nodded.
Luke leaned forward slightly, resting his arm on the counter.
For a second—everything felt almost normal.
Then—
He felt it.
Someone beside him.
He turned.
And saw her.
She wasn't just beautiful.
She was precise.
Every movement controlled. Every glance intentional.
Luke smiled.
"Didn't see you there."
"That's the point," she replied calmly.
He chuckled. "Mysterious. I like that."
She took a slow sip of her drink, watching him over the rim of the glass.
"And you always talk this much?"
"Only when it's worth it."
A small pause.
"And am I?" she asked.
Luke smirked. "Definitely."
Something flickered in her expression—amusement, maybe.