Page 30 of Enduring Caine
“But here you are.” He turned back to me, checking his watch again. “So the FBI is working with the TPC? You’re here to, what? Get me out? Take a report of what I’ve found? Or are you staying?”
“I’m not with the FBI.” It was the truth, even though it felt like a lie.
“But that’s all you talked about. It was your dream since you were a kid.” How dare he remember that?
“I’m an insurance adjuster and Antonio Ferraro is my boyfriend.” I lifted my left hand, showing him the ring. “This isn’t an undercover role. I’m in love with a good man who’s crazy about me.”
He checked his watch again. “Two minutes.”
“What’s your job here?”
“Bodyguard.” He smirked, which quickly faded when I didn’t react the way he must have been hoping. “The real one? Gather intel on Giovanni’s network to find the man behind it all. Maybe catch a deal that’s big enough we can use it for leverage to have him help us.”
I needed to talk to Elliot. I was in such a perfect position to help. “And… have you found a deal like that?”
“Something’s been in the works for a while and I’m hoping it’ll arrive soon.”
“What is it?”
“Come here.” He returned to the alcove and I joined him. He pulled me in close to the statue, pointing to the device he’d used to turn off the camera. “It’ll be less suspicious if I’m standing on the other side of the pool when the camera comes on.”
Following his unspoken request, I stepped on the ledge and pulled myself up so I could reach it. “How did you get this here?”
“The security camera primarily monitors the entrance, so there are a lot of blind spots. My handler managed to smuggle it in for me so we could conduct short meetings in here.”
I nodded, reaching for the device.
“My phone’s monitored, so maybe you could get a message to him…” He paused as he crossed to the other side of the pool. “No, I can’t put you in danger. I have other ways of contacting them.”
My finger hovered over the switch. Our history was part of my past, just like Antonio said. I couldn’t let the anger still sitting at the back of my brain ruin this opportunity. Elliot reminded me on the plane that my mother said I threw my whole heart into things, but my brain always held me back. What was I doing now? My heart wanted to continue being angry, but my head was the one telling me to push through and help the TPC do good work. My life was all upside down. “I don’t know how long we’re here, but if there’s anything I can do, just say it.”
He stopped in front of another alcove, with a statue which had once been a man, with only the legs remaining. His finger rose and he craned his neck around with a broad smile. “Thanks, Sam. Now hit the switch and let’s pretend we’re finishing the tour. Remember how quiet you were, or it’ll give you away.”
I flicked the switch and looked up, no discernible change in the white bullet camera to tell me it was or wasn’t working. It didn’t move back or forth, just stared straight toward the entrance.
Vincenzo picked up as though he were in the middle of an explanation. “—of the legs and the tunic, they believe this was originally Ulysses.”
He continued talking, while I meandered around the walkway edging the cave, sweeping my hands along the rough walls. Dips and curves in the wall created smaller offshoots, one looking large enough for a person to walk deeper into the heart of the hill.
I’d promised Antonio I wouldn’t snoop. No investigations. Was that because he was protecting his family or me? Was offering to help putting us both in danger?
Chapter 14
Antonio
TheSUVslowedasit progressed up the pebbled driveway, toward the arched entryway into the auto court at the front of the villa. A path meandered past the swimming pool and between a row of hedges which would border a sea of roses in various shades of pinks and reds once the temperatures warmed again.
Samantha and Vincenzo walked up the path at the same time, yet not quite together. She was a few paces ahead of him, his gaze locked on her form.
The day was not as cool as it had been yesterday, so she’d forgone her winter jacket, and sported her favorite white Foster Mutual sweater. Far from the sexiest thing she’d ever worn, but still, the woman took my breath away.
Her long hair was back in the braid, as she normally wore it, instead of letting the strands play in the sunshine, like I preferred. Perhaps she was concerned about me being jealous of her past with Vincenzo. I’d been clear she had no need to worry, but she apparently thought she knew me better than that.
“Who’s that?” Leonardo leaned forward in his seat next to me, looking out my window at them. “Is that your girlfriend with the charming young Vincenzo?”
Leo likely arranged for Vincenzo to be her guide, either knowing their history, or guessing from her reaction to him at dinner that his presence might irritate me. Samantha had been right that morning, that Leo was not used to women like her—at least, he hadn’t been when we’d worked together. My aunt and no doubt her older daughter would have spoken their mind to him clearly, but it was his job to listen and obey their words. He wouldn’t have baited them like he did Samantha.
I bit back a chuckle at the pace she kept, her tremendous stride an indication of her foul mood. Memories of taking her to Pompeii and the museums in Napoli came over me. The excited look on her face, the joy which radiated off of her. That should have been her reaction to seeing the ruins. We’d have to take another trip to the shore together before we left, so she could appreciate it.