"Matteo, head for Via Appia Antica. Time to pay Alessandro a visit."
"What's the play?"
"We take Alessandro somewhere private and explain why hiring Torretti was the worst decision of his life. Then he calls off the transaction and tells us where she is."
"Four guards, cameras, possible panic room. This isn't going to be quiet."
"Then we make it fast." I check my weapons, ensuring everything is ready. "Alessandro thinks this is about business. He's about to learn it's personal."
As we drive through Rome's ancient streets toward Alessandro's villa, I think about Camilla. What she's enduring right now. What Torretti's "preparation" might involve. The fear she must be feeling.
The rage building in my chest is focused and deadly.
"There," Matteo points ahead. "The villa."
Even in darkness, it's impressive. Ancient walls surrounding manicured grounds, elegant architecture that speaks of old money and older privilege.
"Security assessment?" I ask, studying the perimeter.
"Four guards visible. Two at the main gate, one mobile patrol, one at the service entrance. Cameras covering main approaches. This is going to be messy." Matteo parks where we can observe without being seen. "How do you want to handle entry?"
"We can't avoid the cameras entirely, but we can move faster than their response time." I study the layout. "There, the east wall. Cameras have a blind spot where the landscaping creates shadow. We go over, neutralize the patrol guard first, then work our way in."
"Equipment?"
"Full tactical. Suppressed weapons, flash-bangs if we need them, zip ties." I gather my gear. "We're in and out with the target in twenty minutes maximum."
"And the guards?"
"Neutralize, don't kill unless necessary. I don't need more bodies to explain." I check the suppressor on my pistol. "But if they force the issue, we do what we have to do."
Matteo nods grimly. "This is going to get ugly."
"Alessandro thought he could solve his problems with violence. Time to show him what real violence looks like."
We approach the villa through shadows, moving along the perimeter until we reach the blind spot Sergio identified. The wall is high but scalable. We're over in under a minute, dropping into manicured gardens on the other side.
The patrol guard appears exactly on schedule. Matteo takes him down with a sleeper hold, quick and efficient. We drag him into the bushes, zip-tie his hands and feet.
"One down," Matteo whispers.
The service entrance guard is harder. He sees us coming, reaches for his radio. I'm on him before he can speak, my hand clamping over his mouth, Matteo's taser dropping him unconscious. Another zip-tie, another body hidden in the shadows.
"Two down. Main gate guards will check in soon."
"Then we move fast."
The lock on the service entrance is electronic, but Matteo's bypass device overrides it in thirty seconds. We're inside, moving through darkened corridors with weapons ready.
A guard appears at the end of the hallway, flashlight sweeping toward us. Matteo's suppressed shot takes him in the shoulder, spinning him around. I'm on him before he hits the ground, rendering him unconscious with a sharp blow to the temple.
"Three down. One more."
"Master bedroom, second floor."
We move up the stairs, every sense alert for the final guard. He's standing outside Alessandro's bedroom door, professional and vigilant.
Too bad for him.
