2
Chapter Two
Damien
One thirty-two in the afternoon. I’ve been at the Fiorelli’s home for an hour now. I wait in the courtyard as instructed. While I’m here I scope the place out. I make note of every single camera. I’ll need to ensure I have access to them.
Eivor Fiorelli isn’t a client I’ve worked for before. I only arrived back in Italy a couple weeks ago. I was in Germany on another job for several months. A job that hadn’t ended well. A job I’d sooner wish to forget.
I walk the grounds of the cobblestone courtyard and count each pace. I calculate how long it would take me to get from one end to other at the pace I’m currently moving. I look around me and find any blind spots. It’s easy enough to see the windows at the back of the house if I stand near the pavilion. If I stand under the pavilion, almost everything is blocked out by the large white roof.
I’ll need to stand near the stairs instead if I want to keep an eye on everything at once.
One forty-six in the afternoon is when Eivor Fiorelli walks through the back door and down the path into the courtyard. He’s alone.
“Rosalie and Alessio will be here shortly,” he tells me. “You must be Damian Rossi. I need to brief you a bit more before they arrive. I trust you read the documents I sent you?”
I straighten my shoulders. He steps in front of me. “Yes, Sir,” I tell him.
“Good. Now, my niece and her fiancé will be married in just a couple weeks. They’ll be getting married at a courthouse first, the actual wedding is just for show. There will be many important people here, as well as at their engagement gala I’ve arranged,” Eivor explains. “Your job is to keep an eye on both of them. They will believe that you have been assigned to watch over Rosalie when she is away from her home, and it is… But, I need you to keep close attention on Alessio. Any information you find out about him comes back to me and no one else.”
I nod in response. “Of course. I work for you. Anything you ask of me, I will do,” I tell him, perhaps even reassuring the man. After all, he’s paying me a lot of money to do this job. More than I’ve made in my last three jobs combined.
“Good. Alessio is the closest to Carmine, and Carmine has stolen my nephew, Soren, away from me. As you know. I am losing control of my family. I’d like to gain some of it back. This marriage is part of that. But any information I can use against them in the future is what I’m really looking for.”
“They must be dangerous people,” I reply. “I will bring you any information I can find.”
“I’m more dangerous,” Eivor insists, his eyes getting hot. “More than they even know, and you’re part of why, Damian. You do this for me, and I’ll make sure you never have to workfor another family again. You fuck this up, and I’ll make sure youneverwork again. Are we clear?”
I eye him from head to toe. I could take him out in a second flat, that I’m sure of. I have no interest in doing this though. My only interest right now is doing what he pays me to do. I have no attachment to any of these people. The money is all that matters. Protecting my clients is all that matters. Finding the information he desires…
“We’re clear, Mr. Fiorelli,” I agree with a nod.
A moment later he looks behind me away from the pavilion.
“You’re here! Finally.” Eivor steps around me.
I look over.
It’s 1:55 pm, and who I imagine are Alessio and Rosalie are walking over to us. They’re bundled up in their winter coats and scarfs. One red headed, one dark haired. Snow gathers on their heads and their expressions look uncertain.
“This is Damian Rossi,” Eivor introduces me as I stand behind him. My suit covered by no jacket, no hat, no scarf. The cold doesn’t bother me. “He will be keeping an eye on you, dear niece, when you’re away from home. Your safety is my top priority.”
“I thought I didn’t need a bodyguard,” Rosalie says, her brow furrowing.
“That was before your engagement. Before your brother’s little scuffle with the Carvels. They’re still quite upset, don’t you remember? This isn’t just for you, it’s for Alessio too.” Eivor waves his hand at the man. “To keep both of you safe.”
I watch Alessio, dark and glossy eyed, narrow those eyes. He’s clearly suspicious of Eivor. I don’t blame him. The man puts on a good act, but it’s easy to tell that’s what it is.
“If you think it’s for the best,” Rosalie agrees with a soft nod. She seems submissive and quiet in his presence.
Alessio doesn’t speak.
Eivor leaves. I’m left alone with Rosalie and Alessio.
As I walk them to the pavilion, I notice immediately that Alessio is taller than me. By at least half a foot. I gauge whether or not he seems stronger than he looks. He’s slender, but under his coat he might be more muscular than I can tell.
I take in every face he makes, every move. I watch Rosalie too, but she seems far more relaxed than Alessio. She leans against the side of the swing in the middle of the pavilion and takes a deep breath.
