“Yes. Both are dead,” Massimo says, his tone grave.
Fear spikes in her eyes, quickly replaced with sadness. “I trained with them. They were friends as well as colleagues and highly skilled made men.”
“They were, but the stakes were high.Arehigh,” Massimo corrects.
“You’ll be entering enemy territory alone,” I explain. “Surrounded by hot-blooded highly trained men. They’ll be expecting us to send more spies.”
“But they won’t be expecting us to send in a woman,” Caleb adds, leaning his elbows on the table. “It was Joshua’s idea, and it’s genius. They won’t see you coming.”
“How exactly will I be infiltrating their ranks? It’s not like I can sign up as a foot soldier. They’d instantly smell a rat.”
“Your task is to seduce Diarmuid’s brother Liam. To get close to him so he trusts you and you can uncover evidence of his treachery,” Fiero confirms, running a finger along his collar.The guy hates wearing suits, feeling more at home in his bike leathers.
I didn’t think it was possible, but she turns even paler. “How do you know it’s Liam who is behind this?”
“We don’t.” Cristian links his fingers together on top of the table. “But whoever is doing this is sophisticated, controlled, and intelligent. They also have the right contacts and resources to pull this off. We spoke extensively with O’Hara this morning, and he is adamant his brother is the only one capable of running this kind of operation.”
“As you’re aware, the Irish HQ is in Boston, but they’ve held a smaller operation in The Big Apple since we partnered with them a few years ago,” Ben says. “Liam has been pushing his brother to take control of the New York business for some time. Diarmuid has always resisted because he doesn’t trust him, but today he’ll be confirming Liam as head of their business here.”
“You want to give him enough rope to hang himself,” she says.
“There is more chance of discovering what he’s up to if he’s right under our nose. We also believe there is someone on the inside helping him. There is no other way to explain how he stole a whole cargo out from under us and bypassed our security systems,” Massimo says.
Before Gia came in, we discussed whether to mention the possibility of a potential rat. We need to contain that intel for several reasons. But everyone immediately agreed she needed to be fully informed so she’s not going in blind.
“You will need to be extremely careful,” Cristian adds. “Aldo and Pisano may’ve been identified by our rat. They could do the same to you.”
“Which is why you’ll need to go undercover in disguise.” Massimo slides an envelope across the desk. “That contains ID in a fake name, a fake résumé, and family history. Memorizeit. If Liam checks, what he finds online will corroborate that backstory.”
“You’ll need to dye your hair, wear contacts, and dress a certain way,” Ben says.
“What exactly am I expected to do?” She shifts uneasily in her chair.
“Whatever is necessary to get him to trust you.” I drill her with a look.
“You want me tofuck himto get intel?” Her nostrils flare.
“Don’t act so horrified,” Caleb says. “You’re not a virgin, and from what I’ve heard, you have no issue spreading your legs to achieve a goal.”
Her mouth pulls into a thin line as she glowers at Caleb. If Gia was armed, she’d probably shoot or stab him for those words. I’m not sure I’d blame her. It’s lucky for my twin all visitors must leave their weapons at the armory downstairs.
“Unless what I’ve been told about Nepal isn’t true?” Caleb asks, leaning back in his chair and smirking.
I work hard to keep a neutral expression on my face as my brother spews that horseshit. I have no clue what he’s talking about, and from the furious looks the others cast his way, it’s clear they are in the dark too.
“I don’t know what you think you know, but you’re wrong. I’m not awhore, Don Accardi.” She hisses the word. “I’m an educated, trained informant, and I wrongly thought I was being treated as an equal when I was hired to this program.” She turns her rage in Massimo’s direction. “Is this why you allowed women to apply? To be whores masquerading as spies? Has everything I’ve worked so hard for this past year all been for show? Was this your plan all along?”
“No. Absolutely not,” Massimo says, and it’s hard to doubt his sincerity when it’s written all over his face. Massimo trainsa vicious gaze on Caleb. “Apologize to Ms. Bianchi. You are way out of line.”
“I’m not apologizing for speaking the truth, and it seems we were wrong about Gia. If she’s not prepared to do what is necessary, she doesn’t belong in the program.”
“I belong as much as every man I trained with. My objection is using my sexuality instead of my intelligence and skill.”
“I hear you’re pretty skilled in the sack, so that’s a moot point.”
“Out.” Fiero’s chair slams to the floor as he abruptly stands. He jabs his finger at Caleb. “Get the fuck out now.”
“I’m not leaving. I have every right to raise these concerns.”
