by Rachel Renee
I spot the caffé as we make our final approach to the neighborhood we called home and I can’t help the smile that comes across my face.
“There will be plenty of time for coffee.” Charlie laughs. “Before we get home, I need to apprise you of Sophia’s situation. I don’t want you to be as shocked as I was.”
My mind spins at what he could possibly tell me about Sophia that would shock me.
“She never worked another case after we left. She never moved. She never married.”
Nothing that he is saying is completely shocking. I’m a little stunned that she never worked a mission again, but other than that, it’s kind of a sad tale that he’s spinning. “Sophia has a couple of roommates. Kind of young, cause quite a bit of racket, if you ask me.”
I look to Charlie as we pull up in front of the apartment. My brows are raised and so are my shoulders. Why should I care that she has roommates? “You’ll see,” is the answer I get.
The moment I open the passenger door, I glance at the front door of our building opening. Her hair is much darker than it was when I knew her, but I would know that laugh anywhere. As Sophia turns her head, she spots me, her eyes growing wider as she takes in my presence.
Her laughter is halted as something from inside bumps her further out of the entrance. “Nic. Is that…is that you?”
“In the flesh.” I grin up at her as I approach. She’s standing completely still, her eyes unblinking and her mouth set agape.
The moment I reach out to hug her, the ruckus from inside moves outward. Two dark-headed boys come bounding out of the door, knocking Sophia completely into me. Their laughter continues as they pull a puppy and multiple bags out with them.
I feel Sophia’s heart beat a mile a minute against my chest. This must have been what Charlie meant when he said that Sophia had roommates. She has kids. Two boys who look to be about ten. About ten? Maybe they are a bit younger.
The boy that is slightly taller realizes that his mom is no longer paying attention to them. He pauses when he sees me. Stares at my arms around his mother, looks up at my eyes, to his mother, and back to me.
“Mom?”
I look down at Sophia, who at that moment was brought back within herself. Her lips turn up slightly as she pushes back out of my grasp.
“This is an old friend”—her hand motions my way—“Nic. These are my boys.”
I don’t even hear what she says their names are because the moment I look into the shorter one’s eyes, I’m entranced. I know those eyes. I look to Charlie, who is staring at me completely unmoved. Looking back at the boys, I realize their hands are raised in front of them. I do the same with mine, grasping each small hand in turn, but I still haven’t said the words that are floating around in my brain.
28
2008
I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my time back in Rome. As much fun as I had experiencing the Florence college scene, this is more my speed. Santi still wants to party, but I have an excuse not to do it every night.
The ruse between Sophia and me has gotten quite awkward, especially when Santi invites us both to his place or to his father’s for dinner. Sophia is keeping up appearances with me, trying to distance herself from Paolo. The closer the two of us get, the more eager Rubio is to have Sophia. As far as I know, she told him she had to stop seeing him while I was home. He did not agree, wanting to know why the two of them could not be together. His wife was not in the picture and I was just a boyfriend she could easily split apart from.
She reasoned that he was married and she would not be with him fully until he would get a divorce, which he was refusing for the time being. He stated that his wife would come back eventually and through the sanctity of marriage would forgive his transgressions. Sophia couldn’t understand his thinking, which made her want to stay away from him all the more. She struggled with her decision, though, and she didn’t hide it very well from me.
Sadly, this is all so real for Sophia. I can tell how hard it is for her to be apart from Paolo. In some ways, it sickens me. I can’t understand how she could even want to be with a man like him. Then, when I see the sadness in her eyes when we’d walk away from the Rubio estate, I know that her feelings for him are genuine and it’s hard to argue with those.
I work with Charlie and Moretti on pieces behind the scenes, those pieces that I learn from Paolo when he brings me into his office and talks to me in private. When guns are going to be unloaded, when payments are being made, what weapons Paolo’s acquiring; all items he shares with me.
Despite my faux relationship with Sophia, he still wants me to help him get his guns to his buyers. Plus, he doesn’t know that I know about him and Sophia. I think it’s yet another challenge in his sick and twisted mind. If he can somehow get me to work for him and in turn also get the woman he assumes that both of our hearts desire, he has a way to control me. Something to hold over my head if he were to need it. I’m not going to give him a reason to, though. I’m a good little soldier for Paolo Rubio. I’m also a good little soldier for the CIA.
By the time we’re most of the way through the summer months, I’ve planted microphones throughout his home, in Santi’s apartment, and even Rubio’s multitude of cars. We’ve got eyes and ears all over his business now. People listen to his conversations all the way across the ocean. The frustrating part is whenever he speaks about how he’s getting the money transferred or where the guns are coming from, he talks in code and whoever is on the other line is the only one who knows how to break it.
I wanted to be so much further as we approached another school term, but we just aren’t. With the few weeks left before the return to Florence looming, I’ve had to spend time working out new material for my courses. Thankfully, I can repeat some of the work, as there will be a new class of freshmen attending. I’ve also picked up an advanced course, or part two of the class I already teach. This is what I need the new material for.
“Can’t you shut your computer and come out with me?”
Santi is looming over our table at the caffé. He’s been pestering me all day, but I’m on a roll. “I could finish today and then we’ll have the next couple weeks free to do as we please.”
“This is the biggest party of the season. Padre has invited a huge crowd and said I have to make sure you attend. Sophia too.” Santi huffs. “I don’t know what his fascination with her is.”
I do, but I don’t say it. Nobody wants Santi to know what’s going on between his father and Sophia. Oddly enough, I’m not really sure who he’d be more disappointed in. He’s grown quite accustomed to seeing Sophia and me together. That’s why what we’re going to do tonight is going to be so crucial. If we pull it off, Sophia and I believe it will drive Paolo mad. He’ll have to make a big move if he wants to gain any ground.
“Listen. If you let me be, I promise Sophia and I will meet you at the estate this evening. I wouldn’t miss it.”
His hand juts out from behind his back. I reach out and shake his firmly, confirming my promise that I will indeed see him later. Little does he know, I had no intention of missing this evening. It’s just fun to watch him squirm a little as I get tired of being his lackey, going with him to all his events in the name of collecting intel for my case. In reality, Santi has not provided me with any intel since the bank event and the likelihood of him doing so in the future is pretty slim.
Once Santi leaves and I’m sure he is out of sight, I pack up my belongings and hurry off to Sophia’s to make sure everything is in order. I spot Moretti’s Fiat parked in front of the door, but I’m not surprised. He and Charlie have plans this evening and they are claiming to be staying in. I know better. I’ve gotten quite good at listening in to their private conversations. Charlie gives me tidbits of information every now and again, but Moretti believes I’ve grown too close to Sophia so he refuses to keep me privy to his part of the mission.
Honestly, I’m fine with it. Sophia and I have our plans and they seem to be working. Albeit,
slower than we wanted. Fingers crossed that tonight will change that. Going in through the front door, I head straight for Sophia’s place. She must have sensed my presence because the door opens up just as my hand reaches out to knock.
Sophia jumps back. “Nic. You startled me.”
“I just thought you could sense the fact that I’d arrived.”
She laughs. “No. I was just getting ready to head up to your apartment. Moretti called and said he had something he wanted to run by me.”
“What do you think it is?”
“Don’t look at me like that. I have no idea. They both seemed on board with our plan.”
“Could still be that. Bothers me that they were going to run it by you without me there.”
“I don’t think they know which one of us to trust. They’ve definitely been trying to play us against each other.”
“You think. Want me to come or wait down here?”
“You choose.”
“I’m coming then. You head up first and I’ll stay back a few minutes—come up once the conversation has begun.”
“Great plan.”
I move out of the way so she can pass and I can enter. I don’t want to take a chance of being spotted too soon if I were to wait in the hall. I look down at my watch, tracking the seconds as they pass. Once four minutes have gone by, I leave the apartment, shutting the door behind me.
Racing up the stairs, I throw open the door more loudly than I wanted, but the looks on their faces are priceless. Who knew Moretti’s mouth opened so wide? “Hey, guys, what’s going on?”
“Just waiting on you to get home.” The bold-faced lie is written all over his face.
“Oh yeah, for what? We have a lead on something?” I look to Sophia but she turns her head the second our glares meet. Charlie does the same thing when I turn in his direction. “Who’s going to tell me what’s going on?”
“We think your cover has been blown.” Moretti’s gruff voice shocks me.
“Mine? What do you mean? How has my cover been blown?”
Since Moretti seems to be the only one talking, I look to him. “I intercepted an email this morning. Said one of Rubio’s runners was found to be working for the CIA.”
“Did it say my name? Or are you just assuming it’s me?”
“It’s a valid assumption. Who else could they be referring to?”
“You, for instance.” I’m in Moretti’s face, saying words I didn’t want him to know. “I know you’re working for the man as well. Are there others like us?”
“What? What makes you think I work for Paolo Rubio? I’m doing no such thing.” He says it so matter-of-factly that I almost believe him. If I didn’t know the truth, that is.
“Say whatever you want, but everyone in this room knows your secret, Moretti. It’s possible Paolo knows now, too.”
“There’s no way. The email was about you. You know it, and I know it.” Moretti’s fingers are swinging in between the two of us. We’re both looking to our compatriots for validation but at this moment, it seems Sophia and Charlie’s tongues are tied.
“What do you two think?” I ask our silent partners.
Sophia is the first to look in my direction. “I really don’t know.” She swallows the lump in her throat as her gaze turns to Charlie. “Do you think it could be Nic?”
“It definitely could be.”
“How are we going to find out who it is?” I begin pacing, unsure of myself and the plans I made with Sophia. If it’s me and I show up this evening, everything could go south. But, if I don’t show up, I may seem more suspicious.
“I wouldn’t chance your plans this evening. It’s not worth it.” Moretti is standing in front of me so that I can’t move any further.
“If they aren’t certain, then I could make myself look more suspicious by staying home. I told Santi I’d be there. I’m going to be there.”
“Niccolo, I don’t know if that is such a good idea.” Charlie is moving in on my left side. Sophia is turned away from the lot of us, moving in the direction of the front door.
“Sophia, where are you going? What do you think I should do? We should do?” She’s a huge part of the plan tonight. If I am putting myself in jeopardy, I’m also placing her in the line of fire.
“I don’t know, Nic. Let me think for a moment.” I thought she was leaving but she was just removing herself from the room, taking some time to contemplate the news.
I really don’t think it’s my position that was compromised. I’m almost certain it is Moretti. I cannot think of one scenario where my role has come in question. Unless…Sophia. Would she give me away? No, no…I don’t believe that. To give me away would almost certainly give her position away as well. Plus, she is the one person I trust, what would she gain by fulfilling such an act?
“Sophia, if you are willing, I want to go through with our plan this evening.” This will tell me if we are truly on the same team.
She’s facing the other way when she pauses. Her body immediately turns around as she marches confidently in my direction. My eyes widen at the stern look on her face, unsure of what she is about to say or do. “Nic. I need this to be over. Let’s put the plan in place. We can prepare for the worst, if you are in fact the one who is suspected.”
“Thank you.” Comes out with my exhale. As Sophia reaches my side, Charlie moves out of the way. She stands up on her toes and kisses my cheeks before stepping back and grabbing ahold of my hand.
“I don’t believe it is Nic the email is talking about. I’m willing to bet my life on that fact. We will act this evening, one way or the other. Moretti, you should probably stay away from the festivities. I’d not be willing to take my chances if I were you.”
With that admission, the team becomes clearly divided. Charlie is stuck in the middle, but Moretti is unquestionably on the outs with Sophia and me.
29
A gentle breeze blows through the loose curls of Sophia’s hair the moment she steps foot out of the car. She reaches up to move the pieces that invaded her face as I take her free arm and wrap it around my own.
“Nic, have you been working out?” I see the corner of her lip raise and her small hand grasps tightly to me.
“Haha, you don’t really have to hit on me.”
“It’s an honest question. You are popping out of this suit jacket.”
My left brow raises as I look down at the bicep she is holding on to. “Yes. I’ve been hitting the gym with Santi.”
“I approve.” The full smile is displayed now as I give the beautiful woman at my side one of my own.
“Thank you.”
“Are you ready for this?”
“As I’ll ever be. We just have to get Santi to suggest it so I don’t look like a complete fool taking over his family’s party.”
“He will. He wants this for you.”
I’m not sure why it is so, but it’s true. Santi likes the idea of Sophia and me. With as much as he proclaims to not be a one-woman man, he sure supports the idea of marriage and monogamous relationships among others. I can’t help but think it’s just one more way I’m going to tear him apart. One more thing he’s going to hate me for.
In the back of my mind, I’ve been toying with the idea of ways to get out of this situation with my identity intact. If I could complete this mission and leave here as Niccolo and not as Liam the CIA agent, Santi would never have to know that I played him for an idiot. He would never have to realize I’d lied to him so many times, used him to my advantage. After all, he’s just a pawn in this game. Only playing because his father dragged him into it.
“What are you thinking about?”
I look down at the sincere eyes staring back up at me. “Just running the scenario through my head. Trying to make sure whatever holes may be in our plan can be filled if need be.”
“It will run smoothly. Paolo will be putty in my hands.”
And that right there is what I’m afraid of. Say this plan goes off without a hitch. P
aolo, distraught by the fact that his mistress is going to get married, decides to lash out at me. At Sophia. I know Sophia has real feelings for him. Will she be able to handle what Paolo may do, what he may say?
The reason the men and I were called on for this mission was because Sophia was in over her head. I’m sincerely afraid we may be in that same scenario once more. She’s in so deep that there’s only one way out. My job is to make sure that even if that is the case, she will be safe, she will be secure in her position, and no one will be none the wiser that she’s involved in the fall of Paolo Rubio. Well, at least not in the legal sense. I can’t be one to protect matters of the heart, if that truly is what we are dealing with here.
Santi spots the two of us the moment we step onto the stone stairs leading up to the door. “Nic, you made it.” He grabs my hand shaking it while simultaneously pulling me in to kiss the sides of my face.
“If I said we’d be here, you should know me well enough to know I meant it.”
Once Santi releases my hand, he moves for Sophia who graciously offers herself up to him, kissing his cheeks as he does the same to her. “Sophia, you look ravishing tonight.”
I see the slight pinkness highlight her cheeks. “Grazie, Santi.”
“Come in, come in.” He ushers the two of us the rest of the way up the stairs, through the expansive opening of the door and into the ornate entryway of the Rubio estate. “Padre will be delighted to see the two of you. You’ve become somewhat of a favorite around here.”
The upturned lips are fake, but Sophia and I play them off as if there is real joy in what he is saying. “We are thankful for the invite.” Sophia’s blush is evident once again.
Santi grabs the first waiter with a tray, dislodging three glasses and shoving two in our direction. “Let us toast. A night full of fun.” He winks as he clanks his glass onto mine and then Sophia’s.
