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But her name lingers in the air, echoing in my mind like a promise—a promise of something more, something worth chasing. And I know without a doubt that our paths will cross again.
Chapter 3
Aftermath and Inquiry
Jasmine
My heart is still pounding as I slip into the shadows of Rome's backstreets, my mind racing just as fast as it did during the race. The image of Dario Marchetti, the very man I'm supposed to bring down, saving me from that accident plays over and over in my head.
It's unsettling how there were undeniable sparks between us when our eyes locked when our bodies fused into one as he held me close. I didn't want him to let go.
I touch my waist with the tip of my finger just where he held me, and still feel the heaviness of his arm around me, praying to have him do that again. How can I be attracted to a man who is on The Agency’s list for being a dangerous and ruthless criminal?
Forcing my mind off Dario, I start to count the tiles on the path before me. I need to get to the safe house and contact Elena. The ancient cobblestone streets provide both a visual and auditory challenge as I try to move silently.
The moonlight casts eerie shadows, bouncing off the walls of the narrow alleyways, making every step feel like a dance with danger.
The further I go, the more vigilant I become. Living in Rome has taught me the importance of blending in, of becoming one with the shadows. I've learned to navigate these centuries-old streets as if they were an extension of myself.
But tonight, something feels different—scarier even. Maybe it's the residue adrenaline from the accident, or maybe it's because I'm finally getting close to my mark.
As I move cautiously through the dimly lit backstreets, I can’t help but think about my precarious position. The accident tonight was a huge setback in our plan to get close to Dario Marchetti.
The fact that he was the one who pulled me from the wreckage was bad luck. It has placed a spotlight on me. I can no longer blend in and observe from the sidelines.
How am I supposed to balance my duty and my growing attraction to this mysterious mafia don? My heart aches with the conflict, and I must shut this down now.
The Agency might consider my cover compromised and pull me off the case. This was my first real chance to prove that I excel at undercover work. I’ve worked so hard, built up my career from nothing, and now I might lose it all.
Replaying the night's events in my mind, I can't shake off the image of Dario's unexpected interference in the race. The way his car skillfully maneuvered around mine and how his eyes seemed to pierce right through me. It was as if he wanted me to notice him.
And the scary thing is—I wanted him to notice me too.
Finally, I reach the nondescript door of the safe house, tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. I glance around to ensure that I’m not being followed before quickly slipping inside.
"Jasmine!" Elena greets me at the door, evidently concerned. "What happened out there? When I suddenly lost contact with you we were all left worried."
I sigh, running a hand through my disheveled hair. "Dario Marchetti happened," I reply, my voice shaking slightly. "He got rammed by another driver, then I ran my car off the road trying to evade them. Then he pulled me from the wreckage, and then…he wanted me to go home with him."
Elena's eyes widen in surprise. "Home, what do you mean? Wait…why?"
I hesitate, unsure of how much to reveal of the emotions coursing through me. "The way he looked at me, it was like…like he saw me, Elena. Not just the cover, but the real me. He was interested in knowing me, and it scared me, so I said no."
"Jasmine, this is dangerous," Elena warns, her expression serious. "But we could turn this to our advantage. Put your personal feelings about him being a criminal aside, and focus on the objective. You know what's at stake here."
"I know," I respond, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders once more. "Look, I think he’s set his sights on me, so we need to be extra careful."
Elena nods. "Alright, we'll increase our surveillance and make sure we're always one step ahead of him. Remember, Jasmine, play nice."
"Of course," I reply, steeling myself for what's to come. In my heart, however, I can't help but feel torn—drawn to the enigmatic mafia don, yet bound by duty to bring him down.
"I can't stress this enough. You need to be extremely cautious around Dario," Elena expresses her concern, her brow furrowing as she studies me intensely. "His interest in you is… unexpected, and we must be prepared to pull you out if you develop feelings."
I nod, knowing full well that my handler is right, yet I still feel angry at the prospect of being pulled out of a case I worked so hard towards. "I understand, Elena. But it's not like I asked for his attention. It just…appeared out of nowhere."
"Which is exactly why we need to make this work in our favor," she insists. She pulls out her phone and shows me a photo of a man with a scar down his left cheek. "This is Marco, Dario's right-hand man. He's ruthless and fiercely loyal to the Marchetti family. Avoid contact with him at all cost."
I study the picture, committing Marco's face to memory. The scar is a nasty reminder of the milieu I’m working in undercover—and of how far people will go to protect the empires they’ve built.
