Page 55 of Enduring Caine
I twisted from my waist, touching my back like I’d hurt it, as well.
“Alright. Talk to you later,” Elliot said in a louder voice. He brought the phone in front of him and scrolled through apps. I glanced at the final app as I straightened out of my stretch.
I flinched, which I quickly covered up with a moan of pain. It wasThe Magdalen.
Elliot swiped the image away and slid his phone into his pocket. “It’s called—”
“Already seen it.” So much for good faith purchases. At least I didn’t need Cesca’s phone to confirm any details on it. If the FBI had a tip about its arrival, it was most likely the real thing. And Vincenzo wouldn’t have to risk a dead drop, either. “But I don’t have a phone or camera.”
“I heard. I have something for you.” He leaned back, stretching one arm behind me. “Magnetic back. Double-tap it to take photos.”
“Why me?” I pulled up my arm, running a hand over it as though checking for cuts.
“Inter-organizational disagreement.” He looked at my arm and shook his head, maintaining his Good Samaritan ruse. “Plus…”
“More fodder for our portfolio?”
“Precisely. Will you be in Naples by the weekend for me to pick it up?”
“Should be.”
“Just be careful. I heard he’s getting out of the business, so we’re looking for leverage to turn him. Don’t push yourself farther than I’d be comfortable with you doing. I’d rather you flush that thing down a toilet than get into—”
“Samantha!” hollered Leo. “We’re leaving.”
I waved to Leo and nodded, giving him my most convincing grimace. As I stood, I turned to the low wall I’d been sitting on and placed my hands on it, stretching out my back, sliding Elliot’s small black disc into my palm. Three-quarter inch diameter by quarter-inch thick. “I figured out your source inside.”
Elliot’s façade didn’t crack. “Not surprised.”
“We went to school together.”
Elliot blinked twice. Rapidly. The only hint he hadn’t known that part.
“Yeah, in Ameli—”
“Calm down,” Antonio said from behind me, closer than where he’d been with the other men. “She saved Cristian’s life.”
A rough hand landed on my upper arm and Leonardo spun me to face him. “I said, we’re leaving. Don’t turn your back on me.”
I pulled free—biting back every instinct to ram my palm into his nose.
Antonio growled, “Don’t touch her.”
Elliot stood, feigning a cower. In a British accent he didn’t normally have, he said, “Sorry, sir. She was complaining she hurt her—”
“I don’t care what she hurt,” Leo snapped in English.
Elliot nodded, hunching his shoulders down so he appeared shorter than Leo. “Put some ice on it, alternating with heat.”
“This place is full of fucking doctors.” Leo huffed and stormed back toward Cristian, who was standing now, cradling one arm.
“Thank you for looking after my girlfriend, signore.” Antonio bowed his head to Elliot. “We need to go.”
I gave Elliot a small wave over my shoulder as we left, then turned to Antonio. “No bakery?”
“Mi dispiace, but Leo’s shaken. He was afraid it was an attempt on Cristian’s life.”
“By a kid?”