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However, I was guessing that Rachel had definitely trained for high-speed evasive driving during her years in MI6.
No matter how fast I went on the straightaways, I lost precious time on the curves – and there were a lot of curves as the road wound back and forth through the hills.
After 20 minutes of pursuit, I was sure I’d lost her.
The best thing now would be to try to anticipate her next move.
I slowed down and called Niccolo. He answered on the first ring.
“Did you get him?”
“No, they got too big of a head start,” I said, being careful to say ‘they’ and not ‘she.’ I wasn’t looking forward to the conversation where I had to reveal my suspicions about the shooter. “But I was thinking, maybe we could get the cops on your payroll to look out for a speeding car heading for Florence – ”
“Forget about it and get back here,” Niccolo said. “We’ve got other problems.”
“What other problems?” I asked fearfully, expecting to hear about another attempt on Dario’s life.
“Somebody fucked up our jet in Venice, and now Massimo’s stranded.”
Niccolo filled me in on the drive back.
Massimo had the Widow’s granddaughter with him, but there was no way to get her back to the Widow without fighting more Wagner mercenaries.
He also couldn’t bring her back here. The family jet hadn’t been completely destroyed, but a rocket-propelled grenade had taken it out of commission while it was sitting in a hangar.
Niccolo didn’t want to rent another plane from an outside party because we had no idea how far our enemies’ influence reached.
As soon as Niccolo booked the plane, the owner could tip off Fausto – and Massimo might show up to fly home and be greeted by a dozen assassins.
Massimo and the girl couldn’t risk flying commercial, either. Fausto might be willing to blow up the plane and kill 200 civilians just to kill his intended targets.
“How far away is Venice?” I asked. “I could drive up there with a team and extract them – ”
“No, Massimo’s going to take the granddaughter and go on the run.”
“But – ”
“It’ll be MORE dangerous trying to bring him back than just letting them hide out for a few days.”
He was probably right.
“What about the shooter? Did you find out anything?
“I’m pulling up to the front gates,” I said. “I can tell you in person in five minutes.”
“Alright, sounds good.”
Niccolo hung up as I pulled onto the property.
This was not a conversation I was looking forward to.
139
In my absence, Dario, Alessandra, Adriano, Bianca, and Niccolo had moved to a panic room deep within the house.
Being young and impetuous, Valentino had demanded to help the foot soldiers guard the compound. Niccolo figured Val was the least likely target amongst the brothers and would be a bigger pain in the ass if they made him stay in the panic room, so he’d agreed.
Roberto was in his office doing something financial. Niccolo wanted him in the panic room, but Roberto had refused. At least he was being guarded by two of our most trusted men.
