Page 154 of Maddening Fixation

Not even for a second did fear touch Romeo’s face.

If anything, the old man’s threat seemed beneath his notice.

The only crack in his composure was a fleeting flicker of bewilderment.

It vanished almost as quickly as it appeared.

His gaze shifted to Keegan.

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

“You counted every crate before the shipment left.” It wasn’t a question. “You reported that every order had been fulfilled.”

Keegan didn’t so much as flinch.

“Yes, Boss.”

His expression remained composed, though I caught the subtle tightening of his jaw.

“The shipment left our warehouse complete. I personally supervised the count.”

A brief pause. “Which means someone intercepted it after it left us.”

His voice hardened. “I’ve already begun the investigation.”

Romeo regarded him in silence.

The disappointment in his eyes was far more unsettling than anger.

“You’ve had a head start.” His voice remained level. “And yet you still don’t have a name.”

Keegan lowered his head a fraction.

“No, Boss. I will.”

Romeo’s jaw flexed once.

“I want every man who touched those shipments—from the moment they left our warehouse until they reached this one—standing in front of me before sunrise.”

His words weren’t loud. They didn’t need to be.

“Already in motion, Boss,” Keegan replied immediately.

Only then did Romeo turn his attention back to the older Chicago boss.

“Mr. Zachary.”

His tone was calm, almost courteous.

“It wasn’t my intention for our partnership to begin this way.”

His eyes turned glacial. “Someone stole from both of us.”

“And whoever it is...”

“They’ve just signed their own death warrant.”

A suffocating silence settled over the warehouse.