Chapter 13
Mia
When Sebastian told me we’d be bringing Enzo along to Rome, I thought he’d lost his mind. But after we returned from church, he told me Oliver and Enzo were definitely in touch and that Enzo could lead us straight to him. He mentioned the phone conversation Enzo had with who he believed was Oliver. If he’s right, then we should be able to get to the bottom of this crazy mess soon.
And I can get home.
For a split second the thought of going home makes me sad. I like spending all this time with Sebastian. It’s as if we’re a team. Me and him against the world.
I almost don’t want it to end.
Will things be the same when we go back home?
My thoughts should be focused on picking up clues from Enzo, but, that’s not what I’m thinking about at all.
No, I’m sitting here in the train station, waiting to leave for Rome, wearing a dress that makes me feel sexy. And I’m staring at Sebastian who is sexy in his suit with his arms crossed over his broad chest. He speaks with Tony and he just appears powerful. No smile. Direct.
He catches my eye every now and then.
It takes my breath away each time our eyes meet.
I can’t pretend to be his daughter much longer, because all I want to do is jump his bones.
I do my best to pay attention to different things.
Ooh, look at that couple walking their cute little baby in a stroller. They’re holding hands, and I wonder for a second if Sebastian and I could ever—
Refocus.
Ooh, look at the guy standing on the platform. He checks his watch, obviously waiting on the train that’s about five minutes late so far. It reminds me of how punctual Sebastian is. I once remember my father saying to me he never had to set any alarms because Sebastian always kept him on his schedule.
This isn’t working, so I try to focus my attention on anything that isn’t Sebastian.
“You look like you’re studying for a test,” Enzo says, when he notices me flipping through a magazine.
I slam the magazine shut. “I just want to make sure I’m well versed about,” I flip the magazine over to catch the title, “Nuts and Volts.”
Enzo laughs at this. “Big car mechanic, huh?”
I smile, my cheeks warming. “Ok, maybe I’m not the best traveler so I was trying to calm my nerves.”
He jabs a thumb over his shoulder toward the track. “Are you afraid of trains?”
“Yes.” But not really. The whole reason I was flipping through that magazine was to get my mind off the way Sebastian looks right now.
In his suit.
With the arched brow.
And the wicked smile.
My cheeks warm once again and I need to get my act together.
“If you want, you can sit next to me and I’ll keep you safe.”
I really want to tell him I’d rather sit by my fake father, but I don’t. “I’d love that.”
You never know if we may need the inside scoop with Enzo. And as the old saying goes, ‘Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer.’
The train arrives and we board. Sebastian sits across from me next to Tony, and Enzo plops down beside me. Sebastian rolls his neck slightly to the side, his eyes narrowing on Enzo.
“I’m glad I was able to tag along with you to Rome,” Enzo says.
“Happy to have you,” Sebastian says back with zero enthusiasm in his voice.
I nod. “Yes, very excited.”
Enzo leans closer. “Are you?”
I stare into his beady eyes. “Yes, of course.”
I can see now Enzo is questioning my loyalty. He’s questioning if I’m playing a part, or if I really am interested in him, and I need to make sure I don’t blow this.
I smile, lowering my voice, “Yes.”
We fill the rest of the ride with Tony telling us about his house in Rome. How we’re all welcome to stay with him and his family, and how Sebastian can join him tomorrow to see him in action.
“Don,” Enzo says to Sebastian, “I was wondering if I could show Gia the city tomorrow while you and Tony look over the distribution.”
Sebastian understands the game, and smiles. “If Gia would like that. I don’t have any issues with it.”
I smile, letting Enzo know I’d love to spend the day with him. It makes me question if he’ll be trying to contact Oliver tomorrow while we’re out.
I can play detective, making sure I don’t let this man out of my sight.
He will lead us right to Oliver.
As if on cue, Enzo pulls his phone out of his pocket and taps the keys.
I try my best to see what he’s typing, but Sebastian’s eyes meet mine, and he shakes his head slightly, telling me not to bother. So I don’t, because I’d hate for our cover to be blown so early.
The train rolls into Rome later in the afternoon, and Tony gets us to his house, a property built in the 19th century that has been in his family for generations.
“We renovated it a couple years ago.” He smiles. “Updated most of the plumbing and appliances,” he says proudly.
As he should be. The house is eclectic, the perfect mix of old world and modern comfort. On the first floor, there is an apartment he uses as his office. The family lives on the second and third, and there is a rooftop terrace, perfect for entertaining.
“We’ll have dinner in an hour,” Tony says, giving his wife Greta a kiss on the cheek.
Greta gives us room assignments. Thankfully, Enzo will be on the first floor, and she directs me and Sebastian toward a hallway on the second floor.
When we are out of sight of everyone, Sebastian stops at the door to his room.
“Mia,” he whispers, before I enter my room.
“Yes?”
“You know I hate the idea of you and Enzo being alone tomorrow.”
I lean against the wall. “I’ll be fine.”
Sebastian smiles. “I know you will. I trust you.” He steps closer. “But, I still don't like it.”
He stares at me like a man who wants a woman. He stares at me like he never has before, and my heart beat ramps up.
I hold my breath, wishing he’d kiss me, but knowing there’s no way he can. Not here. Not right now.
If anyone found out, we’d probably be crucified. I step away from Sebastian, breaking this moment with him. Even though there’s no part of me that wants to.
The next morning, Sebastian and Tony are out of the house right after breakfast. I’m not looking forward to spending the day with Enzo, but I know it’s for the greater good.
I get all decked out in a crème-colored dress with red flowers blooming on it. I grab a comfortable brown sandal to wear, knowing we’ll most likely be doing a lot of walking.
Enzo waits for me at the bottom of the stairs, in dark pants and a white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and pushed to his elbows.
I can see how other women could be interested in a guy like Enzo. He’s smart and, I guess you could say he’s good-looking, but the light he shines is a candlestick compared to the sunlight that is Sebastian.
“Ready? I have some impressive sights to show you.”
“Can’t wait.”
“Your father won’t mind me having you out at all hours of the day, now will he?”
“Don’t you worry about my father.” I give him my best seductive smile.
We head out the doors, saying our goodbyes to Tony’s wife.
“Gia, do you trust me?” Enzo says, once we’re away from the house.
“I guess so.” I do a little shrug.
“Ever seen the Colosseum?”
My lips lift into a smile. “No.”
Enzo swells with pride and we walk another block to where we catch a bus to take us there. “Men used to fight in the Colosseum,” he explains as if I don’t know, “and they called them gladiators.”
It’s nice to know he thinks I’m brainless, but I play along. “Sounds very romantic.”
Enzo laughs at this. “It’s not at all. But don’t worry, I have some romance lined up for us later.”
My stomach drops, feeling uneasy, and I wish I could spend the day with Sebastian instead of Enzo. I think about Sebastian, the way he gazed at me this morning before he left. How badly I wanted to rush into his arms and have him kiss me once again. His kisses are incredible. And soul-searing. And hot. I can’t think about anything else as Enzo and I sit on the bus and head toward the Colosseum.
We arrive and when we exit the bus, I stare straight up, gazing at the construction of this masterpiece. Enzo and I take the tour, learning all about Rome and the history of the Colosseum.
“This is still the largest amphitheater still standing in the world today,” the tour guide says with a smile.
Enzo’s phone pings with a message and he’s very secretive when he steps away to read it. He hides in a corridor as if he has all the time in the world to read his message.
He appears agitated as he taps away at his phone. He rubs at the back of his neck with one hand as he stuffs his phone into his pocket with his other.
He plants a big smile as he makes his way back over to me.
“Everything ok?”
“I just have to meet an old family friend tonight.” He grits the words out through his teeth.
It’s obvious he’s not happy about the change of plans. His eyes appear tired, cloaked in shadows as he tries to pretend all is well.
“Ah, ok.”
He wrings his hands together as he tries to smile. It’s almost like the muscles in his face no longer work. “Gia, understand how much I want to be with you tonight, but this is business, and I can’t push it off.”
“No, it’s completely fine. I understand. You do what you need to do.”
I’m actually happy about this news. Time to find Oliver.
Cha ching. All this pretending will finally pay off once Enzo leads us directly into the lion’s den.
He nods, and we finish the rest of the tour. We cut our day short because of Enzo’s meeting, and I can’t wait to let Sebastian know that Enzo is most likely meeting up with Oliver tonight.
Once we’re back at the house, as soon as I spot Sebastian, I excuse myself from Enzo to speak with my ‘father’.
“Don,” I say, leading him away from Tony. “Tonight’s the night.”
“You sure?”
I nod. “Definitely.” I replay the whole day for Sebastian, ending with the text message Enzo received, and Sebastian smiles.
“Ok, perfect. I’ll follow him.”
“Well, I want to come with you.”
He shakes his gorgeous head. “Absolutely not. I want you to stay here tonight. Stay with Tony. If anything happens, I’ll text you.”
“What if something happens to you?”
Sebastian gives me that wicked grin. “I’ll be fine.”
I grip his arm. “How can you be so sure?”
Sebastian stares at where my hand holds onto him. He glances up, his eyes meeting mine and I suck in a breath. “Mia, I promise you, I’ll be fine.”
I watch him walk away, wanting more than anything to go with him.