Chapter 48 Undercover operation
Lucas Pov
The minute the guards shut the door I face the ladies with a polite smile , “Ladies, come with me,” I mutter as we head to the elevator, their heels making clicking sounds on the tiled floor.
We step into the elevator, and I press the reception.
Margerita sighs. “Dios míos, what a morning. Luca, look after him, please.” I turn to her, wishing Alex will see this part of her, the embattled matriarch struggling for power by trying to control her son’s life.
“I will, Signorina. You have my word.” I shift my gaze to Isabella, once again taken aback by her pale skin, doe-like eyes, and soft facial features. Today she is decked in a pink dress that flattered every curve on her body. I gulp as my cock stirred. This is always my predicament when she is near me, but she doesn’t even know I exist. She only makes googly eyes at Alex, who does not even know she exists. Lucky bastard. Shaking my head, I face the front, going through the things I need to do once more.
\-Check my fake ID.
\-Attend the meeting.
\-Text Alex and debrief.
\-Visit Mr Padre at home.
\-Call Alex and debrief.
Soon enough we reach the lobby, and I walk the women to their limo, assigning extra guards to follow them.
Margerieta holds on to my hand through the open window.
“Remember your promise, Luca.”
I smile. “Yes, Signorina, I will protect him with my life,” I vow, waving to them as they disappeared from view. I mean my view. Alex isn’t my friend but my brother. I will lay down my life for him.
As I head into the waiting car, the guard passed me my forged documentation, and I go through it carefully. It’s exquisite work. No one will ever believe its falsified. I nod my head, putting it into my jacket as we head out.
I remember Alex’s words from just before I left. “Luca, keep calm. Get in quickly, extract the info, and get out even quicker.”
I face Anto. “Let’s avoid all major roads. We can’t be late.”
He nods, keeping his eyes focused on the street, already in stealth mode. Less talk, more action.
We drive towards the outskirts of town, heading for the abandoned warehouse on District 22 that was chosen for today’s meeting. By the time we arrive, the parking space is filled with cars, and the sun is already climbing high, indicating it’s going to be a very hot day. As we step out of the SUV, the air seems to vibrate with static energy. A group of guards are guarding the entrance. They place IDs into their scanner and check it before stamping it and repeating the process for the papers. I calmly walk forward, silencing my nerves as I remember Alex’s warning.
“They will scan and check your pockets at the entrance,” he muttered. “Make sure you remain very calm. If there is a sudden spike in your body metrics, it will alert the system, and they will assume you are an impersonator.”
He pauses. “Don’t worry. Your identity is iron-clad.”
Keep calm. Got it, Alex.
I mutter as it’s my turn next. They scan my entire body with handheld readers, then check my ID and documents in the system. They look at me.
“You are a new face in the system,” the guard queried.
“I am not from around these parts. Filling in for my cousin.”
He stares me down squarely, and I calmly stare back. Then he nods and waves me in.
We enter inside a large, dimly lit hall. Four long tables are arranged with at least twenty chairs each. A few tables are already filled with recognizable mafia kingpins discussing arms deals, shipment fees, and nosy police. Just the usual regular conversations that are held at mafia conventions.
“I heard La Rosa was moved days ago.”
I snap my head so fast I am hoping I don’t get a whiplash.
I don’t make a sound, just watch them as two men with slick hair lean over a map, tracing patterns. I notice that a symbol in red is drawn in a region. Do they also know it’s not here? Interesting…
I watch them converse eagerly as one says, “I heard the keeper may know where it is.”
I gulp as my pulse rate spikes. Marco wasn’t lying. I tune out everyone and everything, keeping my eyes on the map, memorizing the coordinates.
Everything inside me is telling me to walk out now with this intel indicating where these group of mercenaries are focusing on, but this is just a small part of the bigger picture. I have to hear what Sirrano has to say. My heart is racing as I glance around the room quickly, making sure no one is watching me. If I am caught acting suspicious, I would be shot before I even get a chance to call Anto for help.
Soon enough Thomas arrives, climbing the podium.
“Thank you all for being here. Some of you have already heard what this is about, but I just wanted to make it official.”
“La Rosa, our family enchanted jewel, was stolen from our household last month. We don’t know much about the thieves, but we know this.”
“Alessia Molana was the keeper of the key, so you might want to start with her. She is under Alex Ferrini’s protection.”
I gasp, my heart sinking like a stone. Thomas, you fool, you just made Alex a target too, as all around me men start whispering loud.
How do we find them?
Alex Ferrini will not be an easy foe!
It’s worth it though.
Quiet-
Fuck, Alex, this is going to be a race to the last.
“Whoever can find La Rosa and return it to us in one piece will claim the bounty price of-”
“One billion dollars cash!”
“Any questions?”
The whole warehouse erupts in a frenzy as almost every hand is up. I check my time.
\-12:30. It’s time to go.
I slip out noiselessly as Thomas Serrano starts taking questions from the vultures, in which he just set into a bloody frenzy.