Unlike my previous operations with Pendragon, where we’d focused on securing the formula and stopping anyone from finding it, this mission required direct action against the people transporting and setting up the weapon.
“This is going to be a big day,” Scarlett said, looking around at the assembled team. “Dangerous, but also straightforward. We know the target, we know the threat, and we have the right people in place. If we stick to the plan, everything will be fine.”
It had to be.
Because I had years of missed life to catch up on.
Chapter 34
Rav
“Borse? Bags?”The security guard at the Pompeii entrance held out his hand, gesturing to the table in front of him. Behind us, tourists lined up with the patience of people accustomed to checkpoints.
Mario stepped forward, pulling out his park identification. He spoke rapidly in Italian with the guard. Italian and French were close enough that I picked up the gist: Brooke and I were scientists from an American university, here to study the underground water systems.
The guard’s expression shifted to polite attention. “Ah, sì. The drainage survey.” He gestured toward our backpacks. “Please, on the table.”
My pulse kicked up as I set my pack down. Inside: my breathing apparatus, Will’s surveillance drones, communication gear, and enough tactical equipment to raise serious questions. But Mario had briefed us on this.
As the guard unzipped my pack, Mario continued in Italian, no doubt to provide a more elaborate explanation: The packs contained tools for testing pH and something about minerals.
The guard lifted out one of Will’s drones, examining it with mild curiosity.
“For the smaller tunnels,” I said in simple English, lifting my shoulders to emphasize my size, so he’d understand I couldn’t fit into some areas.
He was similarly broad and chuckled, “Sì, sì, I understand.”
Brooke opened her pack without being asked, revealing similar equipment. “We’re particularly interested in how volcanic ash affected the hydraulic systems.”
“Bene.” The guard nodded at us, then Mario, apparently satisfied. He waved us forward, more interested in moving the tourist line than in conducting detailed equipment inspections.
Mario led us away from the main entrance, his park radio crackling occasionally with chatter. “The Small Theater is in this direction. We’ll have privacy there.”
The park was packed. I’d expected early November would be a slow time, but apparently, the wonders of Pompeii were a year-round spectacle. With the surge of tourists in the city during the Notte Bianca festival, I shouldn’t have been surprised. If Fenix had people watching the park, they’d blend into the crowd as well as we did.
“You did well with the guard,” Mario said as we walked.
“I’m sure you had more to do with it than us,” Brooke said.
“Sì, probabile.” He barely lifted one shoulder and smirked at her, as he often did.
As much as I didn’t like him flirting with my woman—yes,my woman—I was equally curious what it would be like to be so carefree? He’d obviously been part of the effort to bring us together, but?—
Câlisse, Rav, get your head in the game!
There was no time for me to be so distracted by Brooke. I couldn’t let anyone get hurt again because I was so obsessed with her.
“How much farther?” I all but growled at him.
Mario’s radio squawked again—something about a blocked drainage pipe near the forum. He responded, then clipped the device back onto his belt. “Perfetto! They need me to oversee some maintenance work. I now have a real reason to be checking underground access points all afternoon.”
We reached a busy area near the two theaters, where weathered columns framed the entrance to what had once been a grand public space—and was now a public restroom. The two-level portico provided shade for clusters of tourists studying their maps and snacking, while orange safety barriers cordoned off sections where they weren’t allowed.
“Through there.” Mario gestured toward an archway blocked by an iron-grate door. He unlocked it long enough for us to pass through, then ushered us on. “There’s another maintenance building just back here, with access to the same drainage network.”
Inside the building, another wooden ladder descended into the darkness.
I peered down into the tunnels. The musty air smelled of stagnant water. “You can lead us to the House of the Arches?”
