Total pages in book: 163
Estimated words: 163540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 818(@200wpm)___ 654(@250wpm)___ 545(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 163540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 818(@200wpm)___ 654(@250wpm)___ 545(@300wpm)
I need you to take him under your wing and remind him of how much he was wanted and loved.
My love for his mother has not waned in death, he was my gift to her. Love personified.
Care for him, love him, and teach him what I have had the time to teach you.
Look after my beloved Angelina, and your beautiful mother.
I miss them both dearly.
I love you, my son. More than anything, I love you.
Be brave, be strong, and try to understand my life and why I haven’t always been honest with you. My only goal was to protect your sense of self.
I pray that I have.
All my love,
Papa.
x
Jessica
I hook the microphone onto my shirt. “Can you hear me?” I ask.
The large screen flickers in front of me, and three men come into view. They’re sitting in a boardroom with a screen behind them.
“Ciao, Jessica.”
“Hi.” I smile.
“My name is Alexander, and this is Smithson and Ray. As you know, we are in the Carabinieri.”
“Hello.” I smile as nerves bubble in my stomach. The Carabinieri is the Special Forces of Italy. This call up is a big deal.
“We’ve gone over your resume with the Australian Federal Police with great interest, and we feel that you are perfect for this mission.”
“I’m excited about the opportunity. How can I help?”
He brings up an image onto the screen behind him. It’s an Italian man. He’s very handsome—in his thirties.
“This is Enrico Ferrara.”
I stare at the man on the screen as I listen intently.
“He’s the head of organized crime in Italy. The Don. His family has been untouchable for centuries, even though they are involved in gambling, prostitution, murder, money laundering, and narcotics.”
“Okay,” I reply.
“Enrico is different to the past Dons. He’s smarter, more business-minded, and…” He pauses. “He’s an ex-policeman. He has inside knowledge that nobody has ever had. If his reign over Italy continues, we are in dire straits of losing all control. He controls most of the police force and judging system as it is now. This mission is top secret.”
“Ouch,” I wince. “I’m confused, though. How can I help from Australia?”
“Up until now, we’ve had no way of getting close to him.” They bring up an image of a beautiful blonde woman. She’s around my age, and she’s getting out of a car with what looks like a bodyguard beside her. “Meet Olivia Reynolds. Enrico’s new love interest.”
I stare at the woman on my screen.
“We interviewed her on Friday, under the guise of a missing person she knew.”
“And?”
“She lied for Enrico. She pretended she didn’t know him.”
“Which means she’s on the inside.”
“Exactly. We want you to become her new best friend. You will move to Italy. Go to her gym, pretend that you, like her, have moved to Italy to be with your boyfriend. You will mix with her socially.”
I smile.
“You’re the same age as her, come from the same country, and you will have a lot in common. You need to gain her complete trust.”
I smile broadly.
“We need full access to Enrico Ferrara to be able to bring him down. Can you help us, Jessica?”
Excitement rushes through me. “Assignment accepted.”
22
Olivia
Three hours earlier.
Rico stares at his reflection in the mirror. He straightens his tie and dust his hands over his pants.
“We’ll talk more tonight, okay?” I kiss him softly. I can feel the anger oozing out of him like a volcano that’s about to explode. “Try and be calm.” I straighten his collar. “Just don’t say anything more until you cool down.”
He stares at me flatly, and his jaw ticks. “I have to go.” He kisses me, and I cling to him, trying my hardest to give him some of my strength.
“I love you.” I smile up at him.
He exhales heavily. “That’s the only light in my life at the moment.” He kisses me again. “Stay with your guards today. I’ll be rotating them with new ones to replace Lorenzo and Maso.”
“Why?”
“I’m done with their deception. I’m letting them both go.”
“Rici,” I whisper. “Just wait for a week and see how you feel about it then. Besides, I’m comfortable with Lorenzo. I don’t want another man with me.”
Rico picks up his briefcase. “You will do as you’re told. Goodbye, Olivia.”
I smirk at his bossiness. “Bye.”
I go to the window and look out through the sheer drapes. I watch him leave the house in a rush. Lorenzo approaches him and they appear to exchange heated words. There are four men standing around, all hanging back, as if too scared to say anything. Enrico goes into the garages, and then drives out in his Ferrari. Lorenzo taps on the car window and says something before Rico speeds off at a million miles an hour.
I exhale heavily.
I continue watching the men down on the front lawn. There’s Lorenzo, Maso, and two new ones today. I watch them for a moment when I realize one of them is the guy who asked for my number at the ball.