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I can barely breathe as he reads the words carefully calligraphed across the paper: "Bosco Tili Vini, domani, ore 20. Un uomo con risposte ti aspetta."
Bosco Tili Vini, tomorrow, 8 pm. A man with answers awaits.
"Someone wants us to meet them at this vineyard tomorrow," he says, unable to contain the uncertainty in his voice. "The ghost claims this man to have answers we seek."
"Could it be a trap?" Dario wonders aloud, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"Anything's possible," I admit, feeling a chill run down my spine. "But whether it's a trap or not, the ghost hasn't failed us so far and there are answers we seek. If we don't go, we may never have such an opportunity again. We can't afford to ignore it."
"Agreed." Dario stands up, determination hardening his features. "We'll go together, watch each other's backs. If it is a trap, they won't know what hit them. We fight well together, you and I, my queen."
My queen. I melt.
Chapter 20
The Edge of Desire
Dario
The next day, the sun dips low in the sky as Jasmine and I arrive at the vineyard estate instructed to by the ghost. There's a charming warm glow over the rustic buildings and lush green fields.
A sense of tranquility washes over me as we step out of the car, the gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the vines.
"Look at this place," I say to Jasmine, my voice full of awe. "It's like stepping into another world."
Jasmine takes my hand, a sad smile on her face. "I know, Dario. It's beautiful. If only we were here under different circumstances..."
Her voice trails off as she looks about herself, and then her gaze stops at me. When she notices the frown on my face, she gives me a tiny little shrug, as if to say there's nothing we can do about the cards that have been dealt to us.
I sigh and squeeze her hand. "When this is all over," I show her a promise of a future I'm still conjuring in my head, "we'll be back. And that time, we won't need to look over our shoulders."
She nods and I see her hand reach for her coat pocket. I think she's afraid to be carrying a gun around, but just this morning, I taught her how to shoot one and insisted she carry one.
"Where should we wait for the informant?" Jasmine asks.
"I don't know," I sigh, helplessly. "The Ghost didn't mention."
"The ghost has always managed to find us," Jasmine says. "Perhaps it would be better we walk around until he comes across us or we, him."
"Do you think the informant is the ghost?" I mutter.
"I don't think so," Jasmine shakes her head. "He wants us to trust him and to keep that trust alive, he would, I assume, have been honest with us if he wanted to meet."
As we walk further into the estate, excitement builds inside me, despite the dire reality of our purpose in being here.
My eyes drink in the beauty of the surroundings – the rolling hills covered in meticulously maintained grapevines, the ancient stone walls adorned with crawling ivy, and the charming farmhouse that serves as the heart of the vineyard.
"Can you smell that?" I ask, breathing in deeply. The scent of ripe grapes fills the air, sweet and intoxicating. "I never realized how much I missed this."
"Neither did I," Jasmine admits, her eyes sparkling with appreciation.
We walk hand in hand, exploring the estate, and I can't help but feel a surge of hope. For a moment, our dangerous lives seem far away, replaced by the serenity of the vineyard.
And although I know it's only temporary, I can't help but wish for something more permanent – a life free from the Mafia and its endless web of violence and deceit.
But right now, for just a brief moment, all I want to do is focus on the warmth of Jasmine's hand in mine and the soothing embrace of the vineyard around us.
We continue our walk through the vineyard, searching for a secluded spot where we can wait for the informant. The setting sun casts warm golden rays on the grapevines, and their leaves rustle gently in the breeze. I squeeze Jasmine's hand, feeling grateful for her presence.
