Blind Date Turned Proposal (Josie and Dexter)

With a look tinged with concern, Josie cast a glance over her shoulder, the question hanging in the air, "You're coming with me?"

Dexter drove in silence, steering the car toward the dock's vicinity with a focused determination. Reaching for his phone, he swiftly keyed in a number and showed it to Josie, explaining, "This number puts you in touch with Rivodia's second-in-command, Lucas Yowell. He's reliable and can offer assistance when you find yourself in a tight spot."

Josie, mirroring his actions, fetched her own phone. Moses and the team quickly converged on their location, all dressed inconspicuously in everyday attire, blending seamlessly with the surroundings. Josie's expression betrayed her concern as she asked, "And what about you?"

"I'll be right here, waiting," Dexter replied, his face betraying no emotion. "Mr. Vipera is one of Mr. Dalton's trusted old guards. He wouldn't be involved in daylight operations unless necessary. It's plausible that the intel we got might be a decoy. If Arnold's as crafty as we suspect, then the real action's going to unfold right here."

The river lay ahead, dotted with several large ships moored at a distance.

Josie grasped the gravity of the situation just as she was about to exit the vehicle. Dexter suddenly halted her departure.

Effortlessly, he popped open the car trunk and rummaged through, eventually handing her two objects. "For protection."

She scrutinized the items, a flash of recognition in her eyes-a stark, ominous barrel stared back at her, a haunting echo of past encounters.

securely behind her waist, cautioning, "We're dealing with cornered

of time on Dexter's features were unmistakable the lines that now framed his eyes

slightly, her mind wandering back, "In the past, you

into your own, strong and independent. A bird destined to

itself. Josie forced a small smile, acknowledging the

gesture, adding softly, "I merely

issues?" Dexter avoided a direct answer, merely brushing off her concern, "You're reading too much into things, Josie."

she bit back any further

the docks thrummed with life. Josie found refuge in a secluded corner, observing Dexter's car standing

marked the beginning of their operation. Josie found herself

with exhaustion, "This job's a killer, right before the holidays too.

line of work, being alive is a luxury.

vocal of the two scanned the area with a telescope, his body

loaded onto the ship doesn't look like standard cargo," he

isn't here,"