Shadows Of Deceipt

Chapter 11

Tom stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie for what felt like the hundredth time. He was never the type to get nervous, but tonight was different. Anna had invited him over for dinner to meet her parents. It wasn't just any dinner—it was a calculated move on both sides. The tension between him and Anna's father, Police Commissioner Richard Greenfield, hung in the air like an invisible threat. Tom knew exactly who Richard was, and Richard undoubtedly knew him. They had faced each other from opposite sides of the law for years—Tom running a shadowy empire and Richard trying to take it down. Tonight, though, they had to play a different game: pretend to be strangers.

"Remember, keep it cool," Rico’s voice buzzed in Tom's earpiece as he stood by his sleek car. "You don't need to reveal anything, just keep him guessing."

Tom sighed. He could handle any raid, any shootout, any business negotiation, but this—meeting his enemy across a dinner table while pretending to be a charming boyfriend—was an entirely different challenge. He was walking into the lion's den.

Tom arrived at the Greenfield home right on time. Anna greeted him at the door with a bright smile and a kiss on the cheek. She looked stunning in a simple but elegant dress, her eyes lighting up when she saw him.

"Ready for dinner?" she asked, a hint of excitement in her voice. Tom nodded, his usual calm demeanor masking the storm of thoughts in his mind.

"Of course. Can’t wait to meet your parents."

Inside, Anna introduced Tom to her mother, Catherine, who was all warmth and grace, welcoming him with a sincere smile.

“It’s lovely to finally meet the man who has swept my daughter off her feet,” Catherine said, offering her hand.

“And it’s an honor to meet you,” Tom responded, his charm on full display.

Then, Richard appeared from the hallway, his face unreadable. The handshake between him and Tom was firm, but the tension was unmistakable.

“Tom Delano, right?” Richard said, his voice calm but layered with an unspoken challenge.

“Yes, sir,” Tom replied, his voice equally steady. “It’s good to finally meet you.” The words hung in the air, full of subtext.

Anna beamed, oblivious to the undercurrents of the moment. “Come on, let’s sit down. Dinner’s almost ready.”

The four of them sat at the long, polished dining table, a feast spread out before them. Catherine and Anna served the food, chatting happily about the evening while Richard and Tom sat across from each other, measuring every word.

“So, Tom,” Richard said, spearing a piece of steak, “what kind of business do you run?”

Tom met his gaze coolly, a small smile playing on his lips. “I deal in high-end imports and exports, primarily rare items. It’s a niche market.”

Richard nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Interesting. You must have some pretty secure logistics to handle all that valuable merchandise.”

Tom took a sip of wine before replying. “We do. It’s all about precision, really. Knowing who to trust and when to take risks. You know how it is in any line of work.”

Richard smirked slightly, leaning back in his chair. “Oh, I’m quite familiar. Risk management is key. Especially when dealing with dangerous territories.”

Catherine and Anna exchanged a glance, smiling, thinking the conversation was about harmless business practices. But Tom and Richard knew the game they were playing—a thinly veiled sparring match, testing each other’s nerves.