CHAPTER FIVE (ELI'S POV)

I stayed in the car until my heart calmed down and my body didn't feel like a burning inferno.

Fuck them. I won't let them get me caught and tangled in their web of lies and manipulation.

By the time I stepped out of the car, I saw Luca talking to his men that were stationed around the building we had come to. It looked like an old, repurposed factory— such types of buildings were commonly known to be neutral ground for Mafia businesses. No camera, no recording devices. Nothing but blood and business.

I could already tell that this was no small meeting.

Luca motioned for me to follow them inside with a tilt of his head. Inside, I saw a lot of high ranking Mafia members of the Rossi Mafia that I had been investigating for months. They were all seated around a long, black table under the dim lights.

I watched as their eyes flickered over to me, scanning me, sizing me up.

I ignored them, playing my role as the perfect bodyguard.

“Sir.” A man whom I had never seen before, spoke up.

“Yes, Lorenzo?” Luca responded.

Lorenzo. The name rang a bell, he was practically Luca's third in command. The FBI had been unable to get a picture of him that's why I didn't recognize him. The notorious Lorenzo Costa was right in front of me, in the flesh.

“The shipment from Marseille was intercepted.” Lorenzo began. “We suspect that the Ricci family has something to do with it.”

Luca tapped his fingers against the table as he listened to the man. “Any evidence?”

Lorenzo shook his head. “Unfortunately, no. There were no bodies nor witnesses.”

“Then that's not a fact.” Luca said coldly. “It's a mere speculation.”

Lorenzo exhaled. "They’ve been making moves on our turf, Luca. You can’t ignore this."

Luca. I noted that he could address the man by his name which meant that their bond ran deep. It confirmed my suspicion of him being the third in command. A key person to take down.

Matteo leaned forward, his usual dangerous, feline smirk on his face. "I say we send them a message."

Luca hummed as he considered Matteo’s suggestion.

His eyes flickered over to me and I was quick to avert mine. I didn't need to raise any suspicion, I needed to carefully note down every detail.

This was the kind of information the FBI needed and I was finally in a position to get it.

The meeting went on for another hour, negotiations and threats were exchanged. By the time they were done, I had learnt and memorized the three most sued locations for bringing in illegal shipments.

My legs were starting to cramp at this point, just as I was about to internally celebrate the fact that the meeting was over, one of Luca's men dragged a bloodied man into the building.

A rival or traitor.

I could tell that he had been badly beaten. His face was swollen, his lip split. His suit was torn, and his wrists were bound behind him.

Luca got up from his seat and leisurely strolled to the man, adjusting the cuffs of his black dress shirt as he walked. He was the epitome of calm and controlled.

Then he did something unexpected.

He removed a gun from his waistband, turned and held it out for me to take.

Another test.

"Prove your loyalty," Luca said, simply.

I stared at the gun.

Then at the man.

He was shaking. Terrified.

Slowly stepping forward, I took the gun from his hand, my fingers curling around it as I tested its weight in my palm. I was familiar with weapons but I had never expected them to trust me with a gun when I took this job.

I could execute Luca right here, right now.

The man whimpered, making me look at him. "Please, I—I can give you information—"

Matteo sighed. "Pathetic." 

He turned to me with his brown eyes filled with amusement and a wicked smirk on his face. "Let’s see if the little soldier can follow orders."

I gritted my teeth at his tease, the fun suddenly felt heavier in my hand as the situation I had been put in, choked me.

I was cornered. Trapped.

It's either I kill this man or my cover is blown. I felt Luca's eyes burn into me making me look at him. His face was expressionless as usual.

He was waiting.

I had to decide fast.

I was running out of time.