“Be safe. Love you, Gigi.”
“Love you too, Lise.”
“You look good,” Joshua says an hour later when I arrive at the warehouse where we’re meeting Liam’s brother Diarmuid. Joshua hired a guy to act as my taxi driver for the night, and he’s waiting outside to take me to the club where Liam is celebrating his promotion. I’m guessing the driver is trustworthy, or he wouldn’t be here.
Joshua’s gaze crawls over my fitted black and gold knee-length dress and matching stilettos. He doesn’t linger on my chest, but I’m sure he wants to. Or maybe he got a good enough look yesterday when he ogled me like it was the first time he’d ever seen a pair of tits.
I hate having big tits. I hate the attention it garners from the opposite sex. I developed early and had to endure lewd propositions and disgusting comments from guys at school while fielding jealous looks from most of the girls. Constant back strain is another reason I’m considering having a breast reduction. I normally dress carefully to avoid drawing attention to my large cleavage, but there’s no hiding the girls with this neckline. It highlights enough to clarify I’m well-endowed without showing the goods. Liam likes his women young, busty, and confident, apparently, but he prefers them to look elegant, not trashy.
“Come around the back,” Joshua says, glancing around before we walk off.
The ground is uneven, and I stumble a little in my heels. Joshua’s arm darts out, and he slides it along my lower back, helping to keep me steady. In my heels, I’m only a few inches shorter than him, yet his presence looms over mine as he commands the air around us. Heat seeps through the sleeve of his suit jacket and my dress, warming me all over as my heart thumps faster and the vein in my neck pulses. Spicy citrusy notes of his cologne tickle my nostrils, and I hate I’m so aware of him.
“What is Diarmuid like?” I ask, needing to engage in conversation to distract me.
“He’s a good man. You’ll like him.”
Joshua ushers me into the warehouse where a couple of armed Accardisoldatiare waiting. “Diarmuid is en route. I wanted to talk to you first to ensure you’re ready.”
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. I’m wearing my contacts. I’ve memorized my background, got my new cell with built-in dagger, and I’m wearing the watch.” I didn’t bother bringing the camera pen with me tonight as I won’t need that yet. I hold up my wrist, showcasing the specialist watch he had delivered to me today.
“Good.” Joshua taps the small button on the left of the watch face. “If it’s an emergency, press that one to alert Diarmuid.” His finger moves to the second button on the other side. “And this one to alert me.” He removes something shiny from his pocket. “May I put these on?” he asks, peering deep into my eyes as he holds two pretty circular diamond earrings in his palm. He gains brownie points for asking. I think his remorse yesterday was genuine, and warmth blossoms in my chest at the thought he’s trying for me.
I nod to signal my consent.
“They match the bracelet you’re wearing, but these aren’t just for show,” he says, gently clasping my left ear. “Once worn, if you press in on them, they will activate the audio recording.” He makes quick work removing my stud and replacing it with the diamond. His touch is precise and careful, and I’m feeling it all the way to the tips of my toes. He presses in on the earring twice. “Press on it a second time to switch the audio off, but I suggest you always wear them when you’re with him. It’s safer that way. Lie and say they were your dead grandmother’s and you never remove them.”
He turns his attention to my other ear, and his fingers brush against the side of my neck as he replaces that earring. Delicious tremors skate over my skin, and lust coils low in my belly. Heat swamps my cheeks, and I’m feeling out of my depth as he stares at me. “Did Aldo and Pisano have access to the same tech?” I ask, needing to keep him talking before I do something stupid like jump him.
“They did. We ensure all our informants have as much support as we can give them. The issue your friends faced was inability to get close enough to McDermott. The rank and file don’t know anything, or if they do, they didn’t share that intel with our men.”
Joshua’s fingers dance against the top of my chest as he picks up the sapphire necklace I’m wearing. I barely contain a moan as fire scorches my skin from his touch. “Is this what I think it is?”
I nod. “Your mom had one made for my mom years ago. It was with my things at the new apartment.”
He carefully pries it open, exposing the two hidden vials within. “This is a replica of the necklace that saved Serena Salerno’s life.”
“I’m aware. It’s why Natalia had one made for my mom.”
“What’s in it?” He squints as he examines the clear liquid in both vials.
“A sleep aid in one and poison in the other.” My lips twitch. “Fiero said I could get creative, and I intend to.”
“Be careful.” His hands rest lightly on my shoulders as he peers deep into my eyes. It’s like being sucker punched in the crotch because I feel the intensity of his look and his touch in my most intimate place. “I mean it. Liam is manipulative. Don’t underestimate him, and make sure you cover your tracks. If you sense something is amiss or you’re in danger, use the watch. Or say the codeword. We have a dedicated four-person team listening to the audio and scanning your location on the chip-tracking system twenty-four-seven. If you need help, they’ll know, and we’ll move in fast. Do not take unnecessary risks.”
“Careful, Accardi. You’re starting to sound like you care,” I tease to deflect the rising tension and my growing anxiety. The closer I get to doing this, the more real it becomes. I’m excited to be doing something useful and so important. This is what I’vetrained for. This is why I wanted this job so badly. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared shitless.
“Of course, I care. You’re one of us, Gia, and if anything happens to you, your father will riddle the board with bullets. We’ve already lost two good men; we don’t want to lose anyone else.”
“I can handle myself. They put us through the wringer in Nepal. It’s why so many dropped out or failed to make the cut. I’m a survivor, and no Irish prick is taking me down.”
“Good to know,” an unfamiliar man says from behind me. The lilting accent gives his identity away, and my eyes pop wide as I realize who I’ve just insulted.
Chapter Nine
Gia
Iturn around and face Diarmuid O’Hara as he approaches. “Although I was not referring to you, my comment was unprofessional, and I apologize, Mr. O’Hara.” This isn’t the kind of first impression I wanted to make. Diarmuid will be my only ally on the inside, and I want him to like me so he fights to ensure I make it out alive.
