Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Gia
I knock back a shot of vodka for liquid courage as I stand in front of the full-length mirror and inspect my reflection. I look as out of place as I feel in this new Brooklyn apartment. Joshua drove me here last night and someone—probably Mom—boxed up my things, and they were waiting in the large open-plan living space when we arrived.
The apartment isn’t huge. Just an open-plan living space with a modest living room, modern kitchen, compact laundry room, and a small dining area. The other side houses a main bathroom and a large en suite bedroom with a walk-in closet. It’s brand-new and clearly catering to young professionals. The design is minimalist with a mix of cool gray and white walls and plain furniture. There’s the odd splash of color, but it’s quite austere. It’s not something I’d choose for myself, but it fits the profile.
Instead of spending the day making my goodbyes to my family and my best friend, I’ve been holed up here, memorizing every minuscule detail of my fake background.
Elements of my own history are embedded in my fake ID. Joshua said it’s easier to base the lies on some truth so I’m not caught off guard. Emma Brown is the oldest of four siblings; her parents have been happily married for twenty-four years; her father is a financial adviser in the city, and her mom is a stay-at-home mom. She, I , graduated early from NYU with a computer science degree, and I now work as a freelance project manager for a small portfolio of niche clients, mainly start-ups.
My personal cell rings, and I smile when I see my friend’s gorgeous face on the screen. I swipe to answer Elisa’s call. “Hey, babe. Did you get my text?”
“I did. Sorry I’m so late calling. I’ve been locked away in the library all day.”
“It’s cool. I’m sorry for bailing tonight.”
“How come? What’s up? And what happened at the meeting yesterday? I tried calling you last night.”
“I know. I didn’t have time to call you back. I was too busy moving into my new apartment.” I walk toward the window in my bare feet and lounge on the window seat as I stare at the dark New York skyline.
“What’s going on?”
“I wish I could tell you, but I can’t. It’s highly confidential and not safe for anyone to know. I couldn’t even tell Mom. I’m not going to be around for a while.”
“How long is a while?”
I shrug even though she can’t see me. “It could be weeks or months. I don’t know.”
“You’re going undercover, aren’t you?”
“Yes, but you didn’t hear that from me.” I figure I’m safe telling her that much. I’m sure the rents are all aware, and someone was bound to mention it at some point.
“Is it dangerous?” Worry threads through her tone.
“Yes, but I’ll be fine. I’ve got skills, and they’ve given me a ton of high-tech tools to help with the mission. I’ll be okay.”
“I’m really going to miss you. I’d just gotten used to having you back.”
“I’ll miss you too, but you’ve got your college friends, and maybe you should give that guy a chance. The one who keeps asking you out on a date. He can distract you if you’re missing me too much.”
Elisa and I are super close, and we usually talk every day on the phone and hang out at least a few times a week. It’s been harder in recent months ’cause I was in Nepal undergoing training, but when we were both at NYU studying, we spent tons of time together.
“Seb is nice, but he’s not my type.”
I snort out a laugh. “You don’t have a type, Lise. There’s only one man you’ve ever crushed on, ever noticed, and I hate to break it to you, babe, but Caleb Accardi is an arrogant sexist pig. If I was determined to help you get over him before, it’s nothing on how determined I am now.”
“Why? Did something happen at the meeting?”
“He was rude and disrespectful to me. Ben even had to pull him aside to talk to him. Honestly, babe, I don’t know what you see in him. I know he’s hot. Both twins are, but Caleb is a pig, and you deserve better.”
“He’s always nice to me.”
I’m not surprised she’s defending him because she always does. Her statement isn’t untrue either. Caleb is considerate with Elisa in a way he’s not with most other women—his mom, my mom, and aunts excluded. I’m guessing it’s because he knows Elisa much better than me. They even spent time living together in Ben and Sierra’s house as kids, and he’s got to be aware of how she feels about him.
She was always following him around, drawing him pictures, baking goodies for him, and offering to help with anything he needed growing up. Elisa literally worships the ground he walks on, and I honestly don’t get it. While I know he cares for her, he has never given any indication he sees her as more than a casual friend. “I know, and it’s his only redeeming factor. But trust me when I say he makes an exception for you because he was disgusting.”
“I will talk to him when I see him next. Tell him he’s got to be nice to you too.”
I love Elisa to bits, but man, she’s so sheltered. And so blind when it comes to that man.
“I’ve got to go, babe. I’m sorry for ditching you tonight. You should go out and party. No point in wasting what’s left of your college experience. And if I was you, I’d be climbing Seb like a spider monkey and taking a bounce on his dick.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“And you’re wasting all that college dick holding out for a guy who is not worthy of you.” I want to say more, but Elisa gets testy when it comes to Caleb. He’s the only thing we have ever argued about.
“I want Caleb to be my first, and I’m prepared to wait for him.”
“Let’s not fight,” I say, counting to ten in my head. “Have fun and don’t call me. I’ll call you whenever I can.”
“Be safe. Love you, Gigi.”
“Love you too, Lise.”
“You look good,” Joshua says an hour later when I arrive at the warehouse where we’re meeting Liam’s brother Diarmuid. Joshua hired a guy to act as my taxi driver for the night, and he’s waiting outside to take me to the club where Liam is celebrating his promotion. I’m guessing the driver is trustworthy, or he wouldn’t be here.
Joshua’s gaze crawls over my fitted black and gold knee-length dress and matching stilettos. He doesn’t linger on my chest, but I’m sure he wants to. Or maybe he got a good enough look yesterday when he ogled me like it was the first time he’d ever seen a pair of tits.
I hate having big tits. I hate the attention it garners from the opposite sex. I developed early and had to endure lewd propositions and disgusting comments from guys at school while fielding jealous looks from most of the girls. Constant back strain is another reason I’m considering having a breast reduction. I normally dress carefully to avoid drawing attention to my large cleavage, but there’s no hiding the girls with this neckline. It highlights enough to clarify I’m well-endowed without showing the goods. Liam likes his women young, busty, and confident, apparently, but he prefers them to look elegant, not trashy.
“Come around the back,” Joshua says, glancing around before we walk off.
The ground is uneven, and I stumble a little in my heels. Joshua’s arm darts out, and he slides it along my lower back, helping to keep me steady. In my heels, I’m only a few inches shorter than him, yet his presence looms over mine as he commands the air around us. Heat seeps through the sleeve of his suit jacket and my dress, warming me all over as my heart thumps faster and the vein in my neck pulses. Spicy citrusy notes of his cologne tickle my nostrils, and I hate I’m so aware of him.
“What is Diarmuid like?” I ask, needing to engage in conversation to distract me.
“He’s a good man. You’ll like him.”
Joshua ushers me into the warehouse where a couple of armed Accardi soldati are waiting. “Diarmuid is en route. I wanted to talk to you first to ensure you’re ready.”
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. I’m wearing my contacts. I’ve memorized my background, got my new cell with built-in dagger, and I’m wearing the watch.” I didn’t bother bringing the camera pen with me tonight as I won’t need that yet. I hold up my wrist, showcasing the specialist watch he had delivered to me today.
“Good.” Joshua taps the small button on the left of the watch face. “If it’s an emergency, press that one to alert Diarmuid.” His finger moves to the second button on the other side. “And this one to alert me.” He removes something shiny from his pocket. “May I put these on?” he asks, peering deep into my eyes as he holds two pretty circular diamond earrings in his palm. He gains brownie points for asking. I think his remorse yesterday was genuine, and warmth blossoms in my chest at the thought he’s trying for me.
I nod to signal my consent.
“They match the bracelet you’re wearing, but these aren’t just for show,” he says, gently clasping my left ear. “Once worn, if you press in on them, they will activate the audio recording.” He makes quick work removing my stud and replacing it with the diamond. His touch is precise and careful, and I’m feeling it all the way to the tips of my toes. He presses in on the earring twice. “Press on it a second time to switch the audio off, but I suggest you always wear them when you’re with him. It’s safer that way. Lie and say they were your dead grandmother’s and you never remove them.”
He turns his attention to my other ear, and his fingers brush against the side of my neck as he replaces that earring. Delicious tremors skate over my skin, and lust coils low in my belly. Heat swamps my cheeks, and I’m feeling out of my depth as he stares at me. “Did Aldo and Pisano have access to the same tech?” I ask, needing to keep him talking before I do something stupid like jump him.
“They did. We ensure all our informants have as much support as we can give them. The issue your friends faced was inability to get close enough to McDermott. The rank and file don’t know anything, or if they do, they didn’t share that intel with our men.”
Joshua’s fingers dance against the top of my chest as he picks up the sapphire necklace I’m wearing. I barely contain a moan as fire scorches my skin from his touch. “Is this what I think it is?”
I nod. “Your mom had one made for my mom years ago. It was with my things at the new apartment.”
He carefully pries it open, exposing the two hidden vials within. “This is a replica of the necklace that saved Serena Salerno’s life.”
“I’m aware. It’s why Natalia had one made for my mom.”
“What’s in it?” He squints as he examines the clear liquid in both vials.
“A sleep aid in one and poison in the other.” My lips twitch. “Fiero said I could get creative, and I intend to.”
“Be careful.” His hands rest lightly on my shoulders as he peers deep into my eyes. It’s like being sucker punched in the crotch because I feel the intensity of his look and his touch in my most intimate place. “I mean it. Liam is manipulative. Don’t underestimate him, and make sure you cover your tracks. If you sense something is amiss or you’re in danger, use the watch. Or say the codeword. We have a dedicated four-person team listening to the audio and scanning your location on the chip-tracking system twenty-four-seven. If you need help, they’ll know, and we’ll move in fast. Do not take unnecessary risks.”
“Careful, Accardi. You’re starting to sound like you care,” I tease to deflect the rising tension and my growing anxiety. The closer I get to doing this, the more real it becomes. I’m excited to be doing something useful and so important. This is what I’ve trained for. This is why I wanted this job so badly. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared shitless.
“Of course, I care. You’re one of us, Gia, and if anything happens to you, your father will riddle the board with bullets. We’ve already lost two good men; we don’t want to lose anyone else.”
“I can handle myself. They put us through the wringer in Nepal. It’s why so many dropped out or failed to make the cut. I’m a survivor, and no Irish prick is taking me down.”
“Good to know,” an unfamiliar man says from behind me. The lilting accent gives his identity away, and my eyes pop wide as I realize who I’ve just insulted.