Mario!
One of my guards. No…
My heart beats loudly in my chest, and all reason leaves me. I take out a bunch of notes and leave them on the table, dashing out of the restaurant and running in the opposite direction.
I hear shuffling, and I know they are following.
How did they know it was me?
I don't have time to wonder as I skirt by the port and run toward the ships. But then I reach a dead end.
No!
I'm hyperventilating as I frantically look right and left. The only option is to hide somewhere. I quickly weigh my options. It's either the ships or… the water. The latter is moot since I can't swim, so a ship will have to do. I choose the most luxurious one, thinking they wouldn't dare look there.
I try my best to climb onto the ship, going for an open trapdoor and hiding inside. There's noise coming from outside, and I know it's them. I try to regulate my breathing. The only option is to return home and vehemently deny it was me.
I still can't believe they recognized me…
Rationalizing everything, I decide to stay in longer to ensure they aren't nearby. To make the time pass faster, I crack openmy backpack and take out the novel. Might as well spend the time wisely.
I don't know when I fall asleep, but a while later I'm jostled awake by a sudden movement. I blink twice, trying to shake off the sleep.
Moving… the ship is moving.
No!
3
ENZO
Takinga deep drag from my cigarette, I inhale the smoke, raising an eyebrow at the man across from me.
"I doubt it," I say, releasing a cloud of smoke. "The last transaction got me two million. It was half a frieze from the Elgin Marbles that never made it to the public." The buyer was a Greek tycoon who wanted to own a piece of his homeland—for private use, of course. So he'd paid a pretty penny for it.
"This one is even better, or so I hear." Manolo smirks at me, leaning back in his seat. He opens his mouth to say something more, his golden tooth glinting in the casino's light. "Six million." He tips his chin at me, probably waiting to see a reaction.
Six million? Yeah, I doubt it. There are very few pieces of art out there that are worth this much, and somehow I doubt Manolo has managed to acquire one.
"I'm intrigued." The corner of my mouth curls up in a challenge. I'm feeling restless tonight, and if Manolo is looking to lead me on, then he might be in for a surprise.
"I'll check with my mates in the back and I'll signal you." Satisfaction is written all over his face as he stands up to leave.
Once I'm alone at the table, my face automatically resets to my default expression—annoyance. My upper lip is twitching, whether for a fight or more whiskey, I don't know.
I tip the glass up, emptying the contents and enjoying the burn. I take out another cigarette and light it, staring into empty space.
"Alone, handsome?" a voice calls out to me from my right, and my annoyance immediately spikes. A touch follows, and she won't like what she unleashes if she doesn't take her fucking dirty-ass fingers off me.
I turn my head ever so slightly, taking in her skimpy clothes—supposed to attract attention—her fake hair and fake tits, and all I feel is disgust.
Her fingers continue to move across my forearms in what she probably thinks is a sexy move.
It's not.
"Take your fucking hand off me before I break it." I look her dead in the eye as I say this. She just laughs, a screeching sound that might break my whiskey glass. She comes closer, pushing her tits into me even more, and I stifle the urge to throw her off me.
"You're funny." She fake-giggles. Using only my thumb and my index finger, I remove her hand from my person.
