Page 23 of Contempt

32.

Born: Sienna, Italy.

Known drug trafficker.

Renzo took in the rest of the details about the man before quickly closing the folder, and giving Dare his attention again. The man still hadn’t come further into his office, instead opting to stand in the doorway.

“So the job is what, kill him?”

Because the file didn’t say.

Dare shook his head. “M wants you to keep an eye on the man, apparently. He doesn’t come over to this side very often—most of his business stays on his side of the world, I suppose. Except, he’s here for a span of time. Could be a couple of weeks, could be a lot more. For whatever reason, your boss has reason to believe that while he’s here, he could cause trouble. So yes, keep an eye on him. Report back to me once a week, and I will relay whatever information you give to M. He will decide what to do from there.”

Renzo blinked.

Like a fucking idiot.

“You want me to babysit some fucking Italian because he came to America?”

All the skills Renzo had … the shit he could do, and they wanted him to babysit somebody?

“That’s a joke, right?” Renzo asked.

Dare glanced at the folder. “That’s a folder from M, Ren. Do you think that’s a joke?”

Jesus Christ.

“Fine, where is this … Savino now?”

“Apparently, California,” Dare replied, “but it’s possible he’s doing work across the states, too. You might have to follow him.”

Renzo heard a lot in Dare’s statement, but only one thing registered to him.

California.

Lucia.

He knew better—he needed to stay away until the five-year term was up. The rebel in him was fucking dancing, though.

“Yeah, all right,” Renzo said. “Cali first, then.”

“Follow him wherever he goes.”

Renzo nodded. “No worries.”

Mostly.

FOUR

The second a plane’s wheels hit the runway was always the most nerve-wracking moment for Lucia during a flight. Just the way the plane jerked and jumped was enough to make her clutch at the armrests of the seats, and suck in a quick breath.

Maybe throw up a prayer to God.

Anything helped.

Thankfully, those few seconds never lasted long, and the plane had taxied into the gate at LaGuardia. Lucia didn’t bother to rush like all the other passengers did once they were allowed to deplane. She was already a mixture of emotions that she didn’t know how to deal with, so she figured prolonging the need to face it head-on would be in her best interests.

Or that was the lie she was going to tell herself.