“What makes you think you’re the right man for the job? A little old for her, don’t you think?” Dom’s smirk is back, as if he knows I have a slight fondness for the lass. “I’m closer to her in age and we both know I’m the better-looking one.”
A laugh bursts from my lips. “Ah, baby brother, you mighthave the dimples, but I have the experience.” I pat his shoulder and give him a wink.
Dom rolls his eyes. “If by experience you mean a collection of broken hearts?—”
“It’s called strategy.” I look past him, tracking the girl as she weaves her way through the tourists, a tattered book clutched to her chest as if it holds all her secrets.
She settles on her usual bench under the canopy of trees, backlit by the golden sun and framed like something out of a painting. Her bag rests on the bench at her side as she opens the book on her lap, chewing the corner of her thumbnail as her eyes flick across the page. She does that when she’s thinking. I’ve watched her long enough to know.
“She looks like a schoolgirl,” Dom mutters. “Are you sure she’s eighteen?”
“Birthday was last month. I checked.”
“This is fucked.”
I ignore him. I’m only befriending the lass. It’s not like I’m going to fuck a baby into her. “Did you set it up?”
He sighs and pulls a pair of sunglasses from his pocket, sliding them on. “Yeah. The guy’s loitering near the gelato cart. I paid him extra not to be too rough.”
I nod. “Good. If he lays a finger on her, I’ll slit his throat.”
“All right, Zorro, don’t forget your mask.” He chuckles as he pats my shoulder. “You sure you wanna go through with this?”
My eyes stay locked on her, ignoring my brother’s jokes. “She’s a Conti. We need a way in.”
“And if you catch feelings?”
I flick a glance at him. “Since when have I ever caught feelings?”
He snorts. “True.” Dom hands me back the newspaper. “You didn’t think to dress more casual?”
I glance down at my cream chinos and white shirt.
“I wanted to look smart for her. I need to make a good impression.”
Dom snorts. “What is this, a job interview? You look like her private tutor.”
“Better than looking like a yob. She’s used to men in suits. This’ll feel familiar—less like some random tourist in cargo shorts trying to chat her up.”
Dom shrugs as he glances down at his camouflage pattern combats and a white t-shirt that looks like it needs a good wash. “Point taken. Let’s get this show on the road.” He walks away, lighting a cigarette as he heads towards the guy he hired to steal her purse.
I roll the cuffs of my shirt up to the elbow, trying to look more casual as I step out from behind the tree, and make my way down the gravel path as if out taking a stroll. The warm breeze carries her floral perfume and for a second, I feel it settle in my lungs like smoke. Dangerous. Addictive.
Any second now.
I scan for the guy, see him move. He heads straight for her, all fake swagger and a canvas satchel slung across his shoulder. I clock his hand as he reaches towards her bag. He’s too fast. She startles, clutching the book to her chest as he snatches her belongings and bolts.
She calls out, “Ehi! Quella è la mia borsa!” She stands, frozen, like she’s not sure what to do.
I move fast, but not too fast, jogging past a group of tourists and giving chase like a man with a moral compass. I don’t have one, but she doesn’t need to know that. Not yet.
He cuts left. I follow. He tosses the bag into the bushes like we planned and keeps running. I stop, scoop it up, and make my way back to the bench like I’m the hero.
She’s still standing, wide-eyed and clutching her book, chest rising and falling as if she’s run the length of the Roman Forum.
Her wide eyes meet mine for the first time. Not just fromacross a park. Not through binoculars. Not as part of the job. This time, it’s real. And it hits me like a bullet. She searches my face as I approach, bag in hand. Bright blue innocent eyes stare into mine, uncertain but trusting, and my heart stutters quietly, but irrevocably.
From this moment on, all I want to do is take care of this girl. Steal her away from her corrupt family and shield her from the horrors of this world.
