Chapter 21
When In Rome
The world still believes we’re in Boston.
We’ve been in Rome for just over a week, the last couple days Leo going back to work slightly.
When he’s catching up with business, hiding where we are, I sight-see or stay in the room.
Thank goodness there’s a television and movies.
Outside of the Crew, only Leanne knows I’m here and has questions about Rome every time I call her.
Trix and Nan are trickier, trying to play into the hours that would match in Boston, so I keep communication short in pretense of being busy.
The only part I hate about being in Rome—more lies.
At least I’ve been able to phone Xavier, who’s recovering slowly.
Days have almost melded together. I shove away worried thoughts, knowing we’ll have to reveal we’re in Rome and face his family at some point.
The inkling that I might’ve saw Gabriel keeps returning, but I keep telling myself it’s just anxiety.
Just worry of being found. How many times did I think I saw Steve?
Although other news that came yesterday hasn’t helped shake off the concern.
Enigma found a lead on Roger.
He had entered his house with, presumably, new fingerprints left behind.
The cameras that were up had gone awry, going dark for a few minutes and then back on.
Roger knew about the scrambling program I used when I left New York, but he shouldn’t have had access to something like it.
Not to mention, no clue why he’d go back to his the house after it’d been deserted.
Enigma and Isaac tried to retrace steps that we knew Roger had taken after my interrogation. This led to Enigma using Eleanor to hack into the prison Steve was at, finding footage of the guards who let him loose on “parole.” Isaac confirmed them as mobsters who’d been snuck in.
Good news, this led to who Roger likely made the deal with to get Steve out, finding who those men belonged to. Bad news? It was Enzo Rossi.
Isaac traced a phone call to Rossi’s mansion outside the city, five days before Steve got out.
Rossi apparently had a judge and warden in his pocket that Leo didn’t know about.
Rossi helped Roger, but for what? He risked resources with a cop.
Did Rossi know who I was? I tried to recall his face during the meeting, but don’t remember if I thought he recognized me.
We thought Finstrum might be involved or DeLuca.
Nope, it was all Rossi. Who’s dead, because of Leo and me.
Except…where the fuck was Roger?
Jameson still believes he left town completely, maybe came back to retrieve some belongings.
Owen and Isaac think he’s hiding undercover, trying to do what I did.
Rudy thinks he’s dead, those prints were left long before, but a malfunction in the camera footage got us to peer closer.
The Crew’s thoughts are scattered, but there are pieces we keep forgetting.
Such as the message left at Nan’s Bookstore and Roger’s bank account being accessed.
Roger had to be working with someone. Maybe a buddy from the force?
My thoughts are just as scattered while I walk through Rome with Rudy. It’s late afternoon. Leo’s taking care of a few meetings, and I needed to get out of the suite.
“I still think it’s a red herring,” Rudy suggests while we stroll past another church. “The letter, bank account, fingerprints…make us think he’s alive. Wild goose chase.”
“We focus on him, sure, but Rossi our main connection is dead. Unless its someone who was loyal to Rossi. But all those guys are dead,” I counter exasperated. “Otherwise, who else would it be?”
“Then it’s just him, trying to fuck with you to get to the boss,” he grumbles as we come around a corner to a small fountain within a tiny piazza. “For a guy who seemed hellbent on nabbing crime bosses, odd he went to one.”
“Probably didn’t know,” I say, walking over to the fountain and sitting on the edge. Rudy frowns, propping a leg up next to me. He’s wearing slacks and ashort-sleeve black shirt, which shows off his tattoos down his arms.
“Didn’t know?”
“Rossi was never confirmed as a boss, just an influential man in the city who may have criminal ties. Like many politicians. He was one of the few I didn’t turn in years ago, that’s why.”
Rudy hums.
I look down at my hands. “Still…pretty desperate move to get to me.”
“Thought it was to get to Spartan, use you and Steve against him.”
My finger rubs over my wedding band. I’m quiet as I stare at it.
“Barchen?”
“I don’t believe Roger is after Leo anymore,” I whisper, looking up at my tall bodyguard. “This hiding, leaving notes, red herrings…it’s all for me.”
Rudy comes over, sitting beside me as he stretches his long legs out.
“Nothing I regret,” I say quietly. “But damn these consequences of my choices have been hard. The aftermath. I think deep down, when I refused to leave that interrogation room, it was to protect Leo, but mostly revenge against Roger. I knew it’d piss him off, but not this much.”
“He won’t hurt you anymore,” Rudy says, putting his hand on my shoulder.
I give him a tentative smile. “I hate not knowing where he is. What he’s planning or who he’s working with. If he’s still that desperate, he won’t pull the trigger, but I know he’ll make someone else do it. And then take the glory.”
“We’ll find the slippery bastard.” His hand drops to his thigh, clearing his throat. “Maybe Sombra’s right, grabbed his money and he left. Said yourself he’s a coward.”
“Yeah. Perhaps.”
We sit there quietly, the noise of the fountain behind us. A few people walk through the small piazza, disappearing around buildings.
I sigh, leaning my head back to look up at the cloudy sky. “I think I’d like to do something to distract myself from thinking about it. Can’t do much on the other side of the world. And no leads of where he is.”
“Let’s do something for you, barchen.”
“Suggestions?”
“What have you not done yet?”
“Hmm.” I tap my chin, being a bit over the top in my thinking as Rudy gives me a small smile. I look around the piazza, hoping for inspiration when I see a store sign. An idea forms as I tilt my head.
“Let’s go shopping,” I say. His brows lift in surprise as I stand and laugh. “Not that shocking.”
He gets up, crossing his arms over his chest. “Ja, ein bisschen.”
I mimic his stance. “I’ve shopped for a fancy dress.”
“Against your will.”
“Was not.”
“Pretty Boy said you almost panicked.”
I scowl, and grumble under my breath, “Arshloch.”
Rudy barks out a laugh as we start walking out of the piazza. We continue strolling, until I find a fancy boutique. He falters behind me, and I smirk when he raises a brow.
“Damenunterw?sche?”
I grin wickedly. “You said something for me.”
He sighs, “Ja…ja.”
My inconceivable of a giant follows me, partially reluctantly, into the shop.
I walk into the hotel with Rudy behind me, carrying my bags. I tried to refuse, but gigantic ex-wrestler biker won over short mafia wife. He let me carry one. Thankfully, the important one.
Aurelio, head manager of the hotel, meets my gaze and nods. I give one back, heading straight to the elevator and get on with Rudy.
“You’re gonna surprise him,” he comments.
I grin mischievously. “He’s told me for months to go buy new clothes. Look. I did.”
Just hoping guilt doesn’t come creeping up my spine for spending the money.
They were smaller boutiques, so I do feel better in that department.
Not to mention, I’ve learned platinum cards are certainly known across the world, because two of the saleswomen almost looked like they wanted to faint when they saw mine.
The elevator doors open, and we make our way to the suite.
I open the door, Rudy following me in as I hear Leo’s voice drift from the balcony.
Owen sits typing at the kitchenette, looking up and does a double take when he sees what Rudy puts on the foyer table.
Animal comes in from the balcony and freezes next as he stares at the bags.
Okay, the world isn’t ending.
I roll my eyes, grabbing the bags and start heading to the bedroom.
Leo walks in on the phone, talking, “He attempted to stiff my managers, I don’t…”
He stops and stares at me as I pause just before going into the bedroom. Leo’s gaze moves down to the bags, confusion warping his features as he looks back up. I give him a playful wink and saunter away. Promptly, I close the double doors and lean against them with a quiet giggle.
Worth it.
Leanne would be so proud.
I move the bags, most into the closet, but keep out the one bag I carried.
The items are laid out, which consist of different kinds of lingerie that stare back at me.
My gaze lingers on the bodysuits. One is a black lace with a classic deep v-neck.
Another a strappy violet piece which crisscrosses over the front and back, reminiscent of shibari.
Lastly, there’s a deep green one that’s mostly thin mesh with vines and flowers embroidered to cover the nipples and further down.
Switching my gaze between them, I debate which one to put on. Could I even put the purple one on my own? I needed help with it the first time. Hmm, maybe—
“Autumn?”
I yelp, spinning in place as I put my hands behind my back as if that’ll hide what’s laid out on the bedspread. I bite my bottom lip and then smile at Leo who flicks his eyes to the bed. Slowly, he steps towards me, but moves to bend down and pick up the green lingerie piece.
Have I worn lingerie with him? Yes, but only what he’s gotten and for play sessions. Fanciest underwear I’ve ever bought were tighty-whities with a blue band.
“You bought lingerie,” he states.
“Uh-huh.”
“Expensive lingerie.”
“Yeah.”
“Because you thought I’d want it or because you want it?”