by Rachel Renee
“Have you talked to her?”
“We’ve done some talking. We have a lot more to work out.”
It’s scary how easily this all rolls off my tongue. It helps that some of it is truthful, and not everything I said was a lie. When Santi glances back down at his coffee, I say, “I can’t change the sins of the past, but I can pave a new way for the future.”
I see one side of his mouth turn up before he glares back in my direction. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
And I expect he will. The conversation is over for now, my heart is finally slowing, and I can appreciate the cup of coffee I have sitting in front of me. Santi and I both sit back in our chairs, cups in hand as we sip the warm liquid in silence. The familiarity between the two of us is not lost on me. If I can find a way to get through this mission without completely destroying the man across the table from me, it will be a miracle. Sometimes, miracles do happen.
36
Santi invited me and Charlie to come out to the estate with Sophia and the boys today. We’ve discussed in detail what the place used to look like and where Charlie might be able to locate needed intel for our mission. The plan is for me to stay busy with Sophia and the boys, hopefully dragging Santi in on the fun. Charlie will feign sickness and ask to lie down. I hate to play on the cancer thing, but Santi is sympathetic to it and we need that intel, so, whatever works is what has to be done.
Sophia and the boys drive separately. Charlie and I follow closely behind in our rented Renault Kadjar. I remember the drive to the estate like it was yesterday and even if we weren’t trailing Sophia, I’d have gotten there just fine. Not a thing has changed in all these years. The grounds are still sprawling with green grass and flowers and the house looks enormous even within the backdrop of the acres the manor is situated on.
When we step out onto the driveway, the gravel crunches under our feet. I walk around and help the feeble Charlie, while Sophia gathers her brood and goes straight for the entrance. They know this place, comfortable with how it works and they don’t even bother to knock before Liam turns the metal doorknob and goes screaming into the foyer that we’ve arrived.
Santi comes from the dining area, rushing in our direction. He pulls the boys in for a double hug, kissing each on the forehead before releasing them into the house to forage. Sophia is next and I watch as the two linger for a few extra moments before Santi lets her out of the embrace, kissing each side of her mouth. Santi reaches his hand out to Charlie next, shaking it gently. “Good to see you again.”
“You too,” Charlie answers.
I reach out and grab Santi into a hug of my own. He whispers in my ear, “He’s not looking so hot today.”
My head shakes no. “It’s one of the bad ones.” Santi exhales audibly as he lets me go.
“Come on out. The pool is warm and the drinks are plentiful.” Santi motions toward the garden exit.
Our gang travels out to where the boys have already made themselves at home. I look at the walls, still adorned with the same artwork that was there when his father was alive. I pictured Santi being his own man, making this place his own, but so far, all I see is much of the same items from the past.
Charlie stumbles and Santi, who is standing close, reaches out and grabs ahold of his elbow. “You okay?”
“You know, I’m really not feeling so hot.”
“What can I get for you?”
I see the side-eye glance from Charlie, alerting me that he’s ready to play. “I think I just need to lie down for a bit. Is that possible?”
“Sure.” Santi turns to me now, his face wide with question. “I’ll take you in and get you set up in a room.” He tells Charlie but he’s looking straight at me.
“I can do it.” I’m reaching for Charlie, just trying to be helpful.
“No, no. I will set your padre up and you and Sophia head on out to the pool.” His lips turn up partially, but he doesn’t fully smile.
“Thanks.” My face falls. I pat Charlie on the shoulder and turn away from the two men who are now walking to the interior of the house.
I hear Santi ask if Charlie thinks he can walk up the stairs, and then I hear Charlie apologize for the inconvenience. I see the two of them go toward a seating area and assume Charlie will be set up on a couch instead. Much easier to snoop on the first floor if you are stationed there. I smile but when I turn, Sophia is grimacing.
“What is that all about? Is he truly sick?”
My head turns to the side.
“I will not let you do to Santi what happened to his father. You better make this happen without physically hurting the man you are after.”
I move in close, rubbing the back of her arm with the back of my hand. “That’s the plan. Now, no more talk of work.”
The sun is shining bright as we step out onto the stone walkway. “Dammit, I can’t believe I forgot my sunglasses.”
“I’m sure Santi has some you can borrow. He has extra of everything. They always want to make sure their guests are well accommodated. Another thing he and his father had in common.”
I try to grin at the woman beside me but my face is all scrunched up which makes that task harder to do. The boys are squealing from the pool deck. “Can we get in now? Hurry up!”
Sophia’s pace quickens and she’s mumbling something to the boys about sunscreen and waiting. I forgot how beautiful it sounded to hear her speak Italian. The language sounds so harsh on some tongues, but hers, even when she’s upset, it’s calming and lovely.
I haven’t quite made it all the way to the cabana and lounge chairs, so Sophia comes marching back and the boys race in my direction.
“Sunscreen,” Liam yells.
My eyes are squinting but the figures are getting closer. I almost forgot I was carrying the large bag that Sophia packed for the day’s adventure. It drops off my shoulder and the boys begin digging around in search of the item they seek.
“Got it.” Paul raises the item into the air.
Sophia beams at her boys, and I don’t even think she realizes how amused she is with them. She turns and trudges back to the cabana to slather her boys in the sun protection. I don’t know why I am completely enthralled, just standing and watching the show in front of me. First, I think about my little brother. I haven’t thought of or seen him in quite some time. After my father moved away and started a new life, the little brother was one of the things that I’ve had to miss out on. My career path has kept me away from my family. All the time with Sophia and the boys, the talks of Paolo and Santi, even having Charlie here again has my faux father, has me missing them. After this mission, I want to go on a trip to visit my real father and my brother, Greyson. Maybe Eliza will go with me. That thought brings about happiness.
My feet start moving once more but upon approaching her, I’m halted again. The way the sun is hitting Sophia darkens her silhouette and for just a moment I glance at Eliza. She’s putting sunscreen on our boys’ back, he’s telling a joke, and the two are giggling.
“What are you still doing out there?”
My eyes blink at the sound. “Just watching.” I start moving.
“Stop being a creep and get over here. There are pairs of sunglasses inside this table. And I need help with my sunscreen.”
I feel the pull of longing in my heart. The boys’ father, their real father, someone that Sophia loved, can’t be here for this. Even though I wasn’t there on that fateful night, I was a part of bringing him down. Then again, so was Sophia. At least at first. My heart is in my throat and I try swallowing it down as I place the beach bag upon the concrete ground, right next to where Sophia is standing. Once Sophia finishes lathering up the boys, she turns to face me with the tube of sunscreen in her hand.
“Per favore?”
“Certainly.” I grab the tube from her, squeezing a bit on my hand while she removes her coverup. I feel like I’m betraying Eliza in some way so I turn away as the white fabric covers her face and is dropped to the chair.
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“Ready.”
When I turn around, Sophia’s back is to me, which makes me feel more relaxed. I make quick work of layering the lotion on her exposed back and shoulders. After I finish, I hand the tube back to her and she begins applying the liquid to the rest of her body. At this point, Santi has turned up, sitting on the edge of the seat where I was standing.
He wags his brows at me. “Just like old times.”
“No,” is the only word I say to him.
“No, what?” Sophia asks turning our way.
“No, I don’t want to put sunscreen on,” I answer. Thankfully I’m in a much different place in my life and I can stand up to Santi’s innuendos and not care so much what he thinks.
“Oh, I thought you were saying no, this is not like old times.”
I feel the heat come over my face. “That too.” I grimace.
“What’s like old times?” Liam overheard us and is interested in what we were talking about.
I wonder how much Sophia has told them about their father. Do they suspect it’s me, too, or has she never let on?
“Nic and your mother were an item once. Long ago”—Santi winks—“before you came along.”
His lips contort. “An item? Was he your boyfriend?” Paul is staring at his mother wide-eyed.
Sophia inhales deeply and I wait for her to answer, gaping at her just as her boys are. Santi is the one to answer. “Yeah. Boyfriend and girlfriend. They were going to get married before Niccolo had to go away to take care of his father.”
The boys don’t look at me, but continue gazing at their mother. “When was that?” Liam asks.
I really hope this child is not putting two and two together. The thought of breaking their hearts is almost more than I can bear. “It was a while ago, like Santi said. Before you were born.”
Both boys grimace, finally turning their gazes from their mother to me. “How come you left our mom? Didn’t you love her?” Liam asks.
I tell the boys a little story. I reminisce about the time with their mother, the things I can tell them, anyway. Then I tell them about Charlie and how he got really sick and we had to leave. I give them a few more details about why I stayed away for so long and why I am back now. They seem satisfied with my answer.
“I’m sorry about your dad,” Paul tells me, patting my forearm. Such a grown-up thing to do.
“Thanks, buddy.” I smile, looking down into his dark eyes.
“We don’t have a dad.”
“And I’m sorry about that.” I look at both of them in turn. “You’ve got an amazing mother, though. Seems to me like you boys are doing just fine.”
They both smile crookedly and then Liam turns to Santi. “We’ve got Uncle Santi. He’s kind of like a dad.”
I swear, Santi could not be prouder at that moment. Once the boys turn from him, his glare catches me and by the way his jaw is clenched, I don’t think he is very happy with my response.
“Not now,” I mouth.
The subject is dropped as Sophia tells the boys they can enter the pool. Squeals of delight replace the somber conversation and even Santi seems to be cheering up. He laughs out loud as the boys jump into the pool, splashing water out all over the concrete. I get into the pool and join them. It’s warm in the sun and I want to take a dip before relaxing poolside with the drink Santi promised me with our invite.
I swim with the boys. We have races and play Marco Polo. They splash me and I dunk them. We have diving board jumping contests and all the while, Santi and Sophia sit upon lounge chairs and converse. I glance their way every now and then, but they look deep in conversation and never seem to peer my way.
The boys decide I’m to be the judge for their dives so I situate myself on the side of the pool, one eye on them, the other on the adults. I see how much Santi cares for Sophia. Their relationship has grown over the years, too. He caresses her cheek, or brushes her shoulder with his fingertips. The conversation looks less intense at the moment. The two of them have smiles adorning their faces and the smallest sound of laughter floats over to where I’m seated.
Why has she not told him about the boys’ true identities? Things could have been so much easier. Things would be so much easier. He would understand why she doesn’t want them to have the Rubio name. She could make him understand. I think I have to convince her to tell him.
The boys are yelling my name because apparently, I was no longer watching them dive into the water. “Sorry, boys, lost in thought.”
“You were staring at our mom,” Paul blurts.
There’s nothing to say to that accusation so I shrug my shoulders. “I’m watching now,” I tell them. “Let’s see what you got.”
I clap, I judge, and above all else, I enjoy the afternoon playing with the boys. I check every now and then that Santi is still outside because I have no idea what Charlie is doing in the house and I would rather he not be caught. My fingers are prunes by the time I tell the boys I need a break from judging and the pool.
When I approach my friends in their lounge chairs, Santi’s glowing. “Looks like you are enjoying time with your boys.”
I hear the quick intake of breath from Sophia. Santi doesn’t seem to notice because he doesn’t flinch and hasn’t removed his gaze from mine. He’s waiting for a response but the one I want to give him would not work at the moment. I leer down at him and without a verbal response, sit down in my seat. Must play my part, I tell myself over and over again. Before this is over, Santi will know these boys are not mine. I will not leave here with that looming over my head. Whether Sophia wants to spill the beans or not, by the time Santi gets caught for his crimes, he will know that those boys are his flesh and blood.
37
Charlie’s ruse actually went on into the evening. Each time someone went to check in on him, he was resting peacefully on the couch. I didn’t know whether to be concerned that he was acting so well, or ecstatic that he may be finding plenty of intel for us to work with. Not once during our visit did Santi mention his work to me. He skated around any line of questioning pertaining to careers. He didn’t seem depressed or angry either.
He did, however, disappear a couple of times for long stints to take important phone calls. I did my best to track him, but I always lost his location. In which case, fingers crossed, Charlie was able to listen in on conversations from inside the house.
Santi’s servants provided us with dinner, poolside, and Charlie was able to come out and eat. But after dinner, he told me he needed to get back to the apartment because he was feeling terrible. Santi offered to get him a car so that I could stay, but I declined, saying Charlie needed me. I had hoped Sophia would leave along with us but the boys were not ready to leave just then.
A looming feeling of dread washed over me as Charlie and I pulled away from the estate. Is Sophia going to give us up? Would she do that to protect Santi? I really don’t know. She didn’t protect the man she was in love with, but maybe this could be her way for redemption?
“I couldn’t stand to be there a moment longer.”
“Why? What’s up? What did you find out?”
Charlie laughs, deep belly laughs. “I can’t wait to show you.”
“Just give me something, don’t make me wait until we get home.”
“I’ve got names, pictures of receipts from the actual transactions… hell, I’ve even got pictures of pictures that were probably taken by some of Santi’s men during actual trades.”
“Seriously?”
“Dead serious. There are guns, grenades, and possibly a couple of other items of mass destruction. I need to look through everything more thoroughly.”
“I didn’t know how much you were getting in there, but apparently this day was very profitable for us.”
“That it was, son, that it was. And, as a bonus, I planted a bug in his computer. Any keystroke, Internet search, email transmission, will come directly to this.” Charlie raises his cell phone into the air. “Oh, how I love technology.”
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“I’m impressed.”
“As you should be.”
“Cocky much?”
“This is the side of me you missed out on the first time.” The side of his lip turns up. “I couldn’t let him out too much because of Moretti. This is our case now. You and me, kid. We’re going to get our man in record time.”
“I hope so. This is my most challenging mission to date. It’s hard to take down someone you care about.”
“You’ll feel differently once the evidence is right in front of you.”
That better be the case. I need what I see to be irrefutable. Santi can’t go down on a hunch and some photos. He will be ripped from his family—Sophia and those boys. Just like his father was.
The rest of the drive into Rome is mainly silent. Every once in a while, Charlie would huff or sigh, and the occasional chuckle could not go unnoticed. He searched through his phone, through all the intel he has stored in there now. It bothered me that he kept it to himself. I take a glance that way at a slowdown but he’d slightly turn his device toward the window. This is not how this mission is going to go. He will hand that phone over to me when we get back to the apartment. He sent for me because he needed help. Unlike the last time when I was fresh into the CIA, I have a lot of experience under my belt. I’ve worked with lots of men and women and know how this is supposed to go down. The way Charlie and Moretti treated me the first time, hiding particular evidence from me, will not happen again. We are a team and we stick together, share our intel, and solve the case as one unit.
Once the car is in park, Charlie shoves the passenger door open then slams it shut behind him after he exits. I don’t know why he’s in such a hurry, but something has his panties in a bunch. “Gonna plug this up to my computer. I’ll let you know after everything has transferred.”
