six hours

21: It's Time

I flicked through the papers scattered across my desk, trying to focus, but the noise in my head wouldn't stop. The moment was here. I knew it, Cris knew it, and now there was no turning back. The plan was in motion. My life, the life of the Romano brothers, was about to change in ways none of us could have anticipated.

The door swung open with a force that shook me from my thoughts, and in came Cris, his usual confident grin plastered across his face.

"Brother," he started, voice serious, "I think it's time."

I didn't need to ask what he meant. I had been waiting for this moment for six years, but now that it was here, the weight of it settled deep in my chest. I rubbed my temple, fighting the rising tension in my body.

"Oooh!! No. Brother, you are doing it now, it has been six years and this time you are going," Cris urged, his voice firm.

I nodded, the reality of the situation hitting me harder than I expected. "Yes, I will," I said, my voice calm but the storm brewing beneath the surface.

"No will, now. Today," Cris said with finality, pressing the button on his desk that would call Roberto Cavalli in.

"Me amigos!!" Roberto's voice boomed from the door, his arms wide open in exaggerated greeting. His presence was always larger than life—he worked for me and Cris, but the man was a force of his own. He did what he wanted, when he wanted, and his loyalty wasn't something I took for granted.

"Prepare the jet and the boys. We are leaving for France now," I said, my voice steady, but my insides were a mess. This was it. This was the move that would set everything in motion.

"Ahh! So we are finally doing this," Roberto said with a grin that made him look like he'd been waiting for this day just as long as I had. "Tell me, boss, how many men do you want to take for your security?"

"Is forty enough for you?" I asked, handing him some files.

He grinned wider and looked at Cris, who was sipping vodka from a crystal glass, and said, "And you, my other boss, why aren't you going on your honeymoon? You got married to madame Ash a month ago."

Cris's face softened at the mention of Ash, a smile tugging at his lips. "She is still the same," he muttered with a smirk, before standing and walking out. "Anyways, finally we're doing this."

I stayed behind for a moment, the reality sinking in. The man I was six years ago was dead. He was gone, and in his place stood a new version of myself—a man who had learned the art of control, of power, of getting what he wanted at all costs.

A dangerous man.

I stood up and adjusted my black suit, gathering the strength to leave everything I knew behind. I switched off my laptop and called my assistant to cancel my meetings. The jet was ready, my bags packed, and my mind focused on what needed to be done.

The jet ride was smooth, but I couldn't shake the excitement, the anticipation. This was the beginning of the end. I had prepared for this day for years, trained for it, planned it, and now, finally, it was time to move forward.

"Ash is in for a surprise when she sees what we're bringing," Cris said, unbuckling his seatbelt and leaning back in his chair.

"I know you're excited, but I want to do this my way," I said, keeping my tone cool.

He shrugged and took a sip of his drink. "Whatever, man. It's your call. But just don't make me regret this trip."

Just then, my assistant Page entered the cabin, holding a tablet. "Sir, I hope I'm not disturbing you."

I looked up from my newspaper. "What is it?"

"I'm here for your schedule, sir." Page handed me the tablet, and I skimmed over it quickly.

"You've got a meeting tomorrow at ten with Mr. Crusoe. Lunch with Madam Katerina at two. Then, you've got an opera ticket that you'll be attending with Mr. Cris. You also have an auction after that," she said, her tone professional as always.

"Well, I won't be attending the auction. I'll be talking to my wife at that time," Cris said casually, without missing a beat.

"Bondage of marriage," I teased, grinning at him. "Anyways, Page, you can leave. I'll attend all my meetings as planned."

She nodded and left, and Cris leaned back, the familiar sound of the plane's engines humming beneath us.

Landing in France felt like breathing fresh air after being suffocated for too long. I was free here. Not free from consequences, but free to make my next move. Free to finally put all my years of preparation into action.

Cris, however, seemed a bit too lost in his own thoughts, probably thinking about Ash. Marriage had definitely changed him. I could feel it.

But I couldn't focus on him. Not now. This was my time. This was my moment. I was ready.

I walked through the penthouse, looking out over the city of Paris. I could hear the faint hum of activity below, but I felt strangely isolated. It was funny how, after everything, I still couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.

But I couldn't waste time thinking about it. The next phase of my life had begun, and there was no turning back now. I was a different man.

               *

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Pple pls don't be mad at me but this is my shortest chapter.

What do you think Cris and Eddy are going to do?.

Ok pple take care of urselfs 💕💋👻

Btw next chapter is written in Nora POV.