Rav nodded to her. “I want comms on for that meeting.”
I collected the wheeled case containing the incursion suits, and when Drew went to hand me a small case with the cameras inside it, Rav took it. He said, “I’ll walk you out.”
At the front entrance, away from the others, Rav stopped me. “Fenix may not be setting up yet, but they could be doing the same thing we are—mapping and planning. It might be dangerous.”
I ran my fingers over my hair, smoothing it over my left ear, as though it weren’t already in the right place. “I’ll see if Bobcat can join us.”
His eyes met mine, and something shifted in them. Something familiar, like yesterday when we’d collided during our initial tour of the villa. This time, he didn’t pull away. “It’s not about how many men you have there. It’s about?—”
“Percival and Bobcat are more than capable of overwatch.” I put out my hand for the camera case. “I’ve been doing this work for a long time, Rav.”
“No, Brooke, that’s not it.” His big brown eyes were so dark and intense, I felt his gaze in my toes. “Ineedto be there.”
I had to look away from him, or more of those memories were going to start flying through my brain again. But I couldn’t. I remembered him in his plate carrier. With his beard. With his hand on my knee, telling me to breathe. Telling me to always stay close to him.
He’d risked his life for me. And he was willing to do it again.
“Rav?” Scarlett’s voice startled both of us. “I want you in bodyguard mode. Suit, sunglasses, obvious earpiece.”
He nodded several times. “Of course. I’ll get changed.”
I dropped my hand that was waiting for the camera case. “I’ll text you when Percival and I leave the university.”
“Merci.” Rav touched my arm and dipped his head, as though about to say something else. Instead, he smiled and left with Scarlett.
I should have said no and asked Percival to have one of our team members join us. But the awful truth was that I craved more time with Rav.
Chapter 14
Rav
I tuckedour small SUV into a parking space half a block away from Eventi Coppola. To our right, buildings covered in stucco of various shades crowded against each other, rising six to ten stories. On the bottom floors were salons, boutiques, and access to the upper floors.
To our left, across the bustling street, a black metal fence separated us from the treed park surrounding the Naples Aquarium. Beyond that, another road and the harbor.
After killing the engine, I adjusted the rearview mirror to catch Malcolm’s eye in the back seat.
I flicked a tiny button on my earpiece—not the hidden one Scarlett and Malcolm were wearing, but the one that made it clear I was their bodyguard. “Comms check.”
“Clear,” Malcolm replied, straightening his silk tie.
“I’m clear,” Scarlett confirmed, her attention on a compact mirror as she applied a final touch of lipstick. “HQ?”
“Coming in loud and clear,” came the response from Brie, who was coordinating the team at home. “I’m ready to upload files, specs, or whatever you can find.”
My contact, Sierra Esposito, was a concierge at a luxury hotel in town, and she’d secured a meeting for Scarlett and Malcolm. In their undercover roles as a wealthy couple, they were coordinating an anniversary celebration for Malcolm’s parents next year. They’d expressed an interest in possibly booking the amphitheater. I’d play the silent bodyguard who melted into the background until needed.
Our goal: obtain access to the backstage area during the concert.
I exited first, opening Malcolm’s door by the sidewalk, then standing back while he helped Scarlett out. I fell into step slightly behind them, maintaining the perfect balance of visibility and discretion.
Inside, the narrow office stretched far into the building. From Brie’s satellite recon, it exited into a small courtyard ringed by the buildings on the block. Three staff members worked phones at simple desks, while others moved between workstations with digital tablets and sample books.
Malcolm approached the receptionist. “Good morning. Lucius and Eloise Stone to see Gabriella Rossi. We have an appointment.”
The receptionist—young, immaculately dressed, with a Bluetooth earpiece—smiled professionally. “Of course, Signor Stone. Signora Rossi is expecting you. Please, follow me.”
As we moved through the office, I remained a few steps behind, sweeping my gaze over the entire office. The best part of the bodyguard routine was that no one was surprised when I clocked the security cameras and doors, and I inspected each person we passed.
