I hook the microphone onto my shirt. “Can you hear me?” I ask.
The large screen flickers in front of me, and three men come into view. They’re sitting in a boardroom with a screen behind them.
“Ciao, Jessica.”
“Hi.” I smile.
“My name is Alexander, and this is Smithson and Ray. As you know, we are in the Carabinieri.”
“Hello.” I smile as nerves bubble in my stomach. The Carabinieri is the Special Forces of Italy. This call up is a big deal.
“We’ve gone over your resume with the Australian Federal Police with great interest, and we feel that you are perfect for this mission.”
“I’m excited about the opportunity. How can I help?”
He brings up an image onto the screen behind him. It’s an Italian man. He’s very handsome-in his thirties.
“This is Enrico Ferrara.”
I stare at the man on the screen as I listen intently.
“He’s the head of organized crime in Italy. The Don. His family has been untouchable for centuries, even though they are involved in gambling, prostitution, murder, money laundering, and narcotics.”
“Okay,” I reply.
“Enrico is different to the past Dons. He’s smarter, more business-minded, and…” He pauses. “He’s an ex-policeman. He has inside knowledge that nobody has ever had. If his reign over Italy continues, we are in dire straits of losing all control. He controls most of the police force and judging system as it is now. This mission is top secret.”
“Ouch,” I wince. “I’m confused, though. How can I help from Australia?”
“Up until now, we’ve had no way of getting close to him.” They bring up an image of a beautiful blonde woman. She’s around my age, and she’s getting out of a car with what looks like a bodyguard beside her. “Meet Olivia Reynolds. Enrico’s new love interest.”
I stare at the woman on my screen.
“We interviewed her on Friday, under the guise of a missing person she knew.”
“And?”
“She lied for Enrico. She pretended she didn’t know him.”
“Which means she’s on the inside.”
“Exactly. We want you to become her new best friend. You will move to Italy. Go to her gym, pretend that you, like her, have moved to Italy to be with your boyfriend. You will mix with her socially.”
I smile.
“You’re the same age as her, come from the same country, and you will have a lot in common. You need to gain her complete trust.”
I smile broadly.
“We need full access to Enrico Ferrara to be able to bring him down. Can you help us, Jessica?”
Excitement rushes through me. “Assignment accepted.”
**
Olivia
Three hours earlier.
Rico stares at his reflection in the mirror. He straightens his tie and dust his hands over his pants.
“We’ll talk more tonight, okay?” I kiss him softly. I can feel the anger oozing out of him like a volcano that’s about to explode. “Try and be calm.” I straighten his collar. “Just don’t say anything more until you cool down.”
He stares at me flatly, and his jaw ticks. “I have to go.” He kisses me, and I cling to him, trying my hardest to give him some of my strength.
“I love you.” I smile up at him.
He exhales heavily. “That’s the only light in my life at the moment.” He kisses me again. “Stay with your guards today. I’ll be rotating them with new ones to replace Lorenzo and Maso.”
“Why?”
“I’m done with their deception. I’m letting them both go.”
“Rici,” I whisper. “Just wait for a week and see how you feel about it then. Besides, I’m comfortable with Lorenzo. I don’t want another man with me.”
Rico picks up his briefcase. “You will do as you’re told. Goodbye, Olivia.”
I smirk at his bossiness. “Bye.”
I go to the window and look out through the sheer drapes. I watch him leave the house in a rush. Lorenzo approaches him and they appear to exchange heated words. There are four men standing around, all hanging back, as if too scared to say anything. Enrico goes into the garages, and then drives out in his Ferrari. Lorenzo taps on the car window and says something before Rico speeds off at a million miles an hour.
I exhale heavily.
I continue watching the men down on the front lawn. There’s Lorenzo, Maso, and two new ones today. I watch them for a moment when I realize one of them is the guy who asked for my number at the ball.
Imagine if Enrico knew that he asked me out. I wince as I imagine the tantrum he would have. The guard is handsome, with brown hair that has a honey hue to it. What was his name again?
I haven’t seen him before-only that night that we met at the ball.
I grab my briefcase and my big bag of sample swatches. I make my way downstairs and out the front door. Lorenzo glances over and sees me struggling with the large bags, and he runs to help.
“Olivia, let me take this for you.”
“Thank you, that would be great.” He takes my bags and puts them in the trunk.
“Olivia, this is Sergio,” Lorenzo introduces us.
Sergio smiles mischievously and steps forward with his hand held out. “Nice to meet you, Olivia.”
He’s pretending we never met before, which makes sense, I suppose. It’s a lot less awkward.
I smile as we shake hands. “Likewise. Nice to meet you, Sergio.”
Lorenzo fusses around, putting my things into the car, while the other men get the second car ready. Yet, Sergio’s eyes stay glued to mine. He tucks his hands into his suit pockets, and then raises his eyebrow at me. It’s playful and a little seductive with a twist of we both know a secret. His eyes hold mine for an extended time. In fact, he’s giving me the look… what the hell?
I snap my eyes away in a fluster. Jesus, he’s ballsy.
Enrico would literally kill him if he saw him look at me like that.
I climb into the back of the car, and I watch on as the other men get into the car behind us.
Sergio walks up to the front porch of the house.
Lorenzo gets in and slams the door shut. “Are you ready?” He pulls slowly out of the driveway. My eyes stay glued to the naughty man on the porch. “Is Sergio not coming with us?” I ask.
“No, he will work from here today. Someone has to guard the house at all times. He will work out of the boat house.”
“I see.”
Sergio waves, and then heads inside the house. My house.
Uneasiness fills me.