Chapter 66 Into the Lions Den
ARYA’S POV
My heart was hammering so hard I was convinced everyone could hear it.
The security guard was still staring at her computer screen, and more people were starting to look our way, their conversations quieting as they sensed drama.
I adjusted my mask, trying to look confident rather than terrified.
Luca stepped forward smoothly. "Perhaps there's been a mistake with the database entry? Signorina Colombo's father is very particular about security measures. It's possible-"
"What's going on?" A new voice cut through the tension, it had the kind of easy confidence that came from knowing you owned the room.
I turned to see a man approaching, probably in his late twenties, devastatingly handsome in a tailored tuxedo and a gold mask rested on top of his head yet it made his dark eyes even more striking.
The security guards immediately straightened, their demeanor shifting to respectful.
"Signor Conti," the female guard said, her tone apologetic. "We're just verifying some identification. There seems to be a discrepancy with her ID."
"I'm sure it's nothing," he said smoothly, his eyes landing on me with obvious interest. "What seems to be the problem?"
This was the host's son. Giovanni had briefed me about the Conti family and now their heir was standing in front of me while my fake ID was failing.
I was in so much trouble.
"Buonasera," I said, using one of the Italian phrases Giovanni had drilled into me. "È un piacere conoscerla." Good evening. It's a pleasure to meet you.
His face lit up with a brilliant smile. "Il piacere è tutto mio, bella." The pleasure is all mine, beautiful.
"Since when do you speak Italian?" Giovanni's voice came through the earpiece, sharp with surprise.
I ignored him, focusing on Signor Conti.
"What's the issue with the signorina's identification?" he asked the guards.
The female guard cleared her throat. "Her ID shows as expired, sir. As of yesterday."
I felt Luca tense beside me, but I forced myself to laugh. "Oh no, really? Yesterday?" I looked at Luca. "I told you we should have checked before we left Sicily."
"My apologies, Signorina Colombo," Luca said smoothly, playing along perfectly. "With all the travel arrangements, I must have overlooked the renewal date."
"These things happen," Signor Conti said graciously, waving off the guards' concerns. "I'm sure the Colombo family's reputation speaks for itself. Please, allow them entry."
"But sir, protocol demands-"
"I'm making an exception," he said, his tone brooking no argument. "The signorina is my personal guest now."
The guards exchanged glances, then nodded reluctantly, stepping aside.
"Grazie mille," I said to Signor Conti, adding what I hoped was the right amount of grateful warmth.
"Prego." He offered his arm. "Please, allow me to escort you inside. I have a feeling you're even more beautiful under that mask."
I took his arm, shooting Luca a quick glance. He gave me an almost imperceptible nod.
"Walk away from him," Giovanni's voice said urgently in my ear. "Now."
But Enzo's voice cut in: "Actually, this is good. He's the host's son. She has access now that we wouldn't get otherwise."
As we walked into the ballroom, it looked straight out of a fairy tale with crystal chandeliers and marble floors, several people approached, curious about the new arrival.
"Who's your lovely companion, Alessandro?" an older man asked.
"Signorina Sofia Colombo," Alessandro—said smoothly. "From the Sicilian branch of the family. She's scouting potential partnerships for her father."
"Colombo?" A woman in an elaborate peacock mask looked me over. "I didn't realize Antonio had a daughter."
"He's very protective," I said, channeling the cover story. "Prefers to keep family matters private."
Alessandro squeezed my arm gently. "As any wise father would. Sofia was just telling me about her work in… what was it, cara?"
"Import-export," I said vaguely. "Family business, you understand."
More people gathered, asking questions, making introductions. Alessandro handled each one with effortless charm, deflecting anything too probing and making me sound far more important than I was.
"Someone's jealous," Enzo said in my ear, amusement clear in his voice.
"I'm not jealous," Giovanni snapped back. "I'm concerned about getting done with what we came for.”
Enzo snorted in response. "Sure, boss. That's definitely what this is."
I suppressed a smile as more guests crowded around, all wanting to meet the mysterious new arrival.
Alessandro was eating up the attention, his hand lingering on my lower back in a way that was just slightly too familiar.
When another lady wrapped her hand around his arm and he had to let go of me, I used the distraction to slip away.
The crowd shifted, people moving to greet new arrivals, and I took the opportunity to extract myself from Alessandro's orbit. Luca had already disappeared into the crowd on his own mission.
I was alone now. Actually alone at a party full of dangerous criminals.
"Blend in," Enzo advised through the earpiece. "Move naturally and observe."
I grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and began moving through the ballroom, trying to look like I belonged. Nigeria.
The masks made it difficult to identify anyone, it was exactly the point, I supposed, but I scanned faces anyway, looking for anything suspicious.
Nothing stood out. Just wealthy people drinking expensive champagne and making deals that probably involved illegal activities.
I finished my champagne and grabbed another glass. Then another.
"That's enough," Giovanni's voice said sharply. "You need to stay alert."
"I'm alert," I muttered under my breath. "I'm just nervous."
"Being drunk won't help with that."
He had a point, but the champagne was giving me courage I desperately needed.
I was about to find somewhere to sit and observe more carefully when I spotted Alessandro heading in my direction, clearly intending to reclaim his "personal guest."
I turned to avoid him and that's when I saw it.
Five men, all wearing dark masks, moving with purpose toward a side corridor.
Nothing was suspicious about that, except for the way they moved in a cordinated manner. And the way the crowd seemed to part for them without anyone consciously acknowledging their presence.
"There's something happening," I said quietly. "Five men, dark masks, heading toward the west corridor."
"Where's Luca?" Giovanni asked immediately.
I scanned the crowd. "I don't see him."
"Then wait for him. Don't follow those men alone."
But the men were disappearing into the corridor, and something about them screamed they were important.
This could be it! The new family, or people connected to them.
"I'm just going to see where they're going," I said, already moving.
"Arya, wait for Luca," Giovanni ordered.
"I'm just looking. I won't engage."
"Arya!”
I slipped into the corridor after the men, keeping enough distance that they wouldn't notice me.
The hallway was dimmer than the ballroom, lined with closed doors and expensive artwork. The men turned a corner ahead, and I followed, my heart racing.
"This is a bad idea," Enzo said in my ear and internally, I agreed.
WHY is Arya allergic to staying put 😭