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"Madre di dio,"—Great Mother of God—Romola breathes, stepping ahead of me to take in the full view of the compound. "What is this place?"
I speak into the stillness, my firm voice conveying my reverence. "Hidden within this estate lies the diamond I want, one, unlike the world, has ever seen," I confess, feeling the weight of the secret pass between us. "Tomorrow, we enter his home."
For a moment, she seems lost for words, her chest heaving with emotion. "The diamond?" she finally breathes, her gaze fixed on me. "It’s here?"
"Si," I tell her solemnly. “Fate’s play a cruel trick, or perhaps one of benevolence. I can’t see which is which right now, but all I know is that Fiero Cremaschi is in possession of my rightful inheritance.”
“But if you can’t be seen here,” Agostino asks, “however will we enter?”
I turn and give him a smile, the smallest of ones. “A masquerade.”
“A masquerade?” father and daughter ask in unison.
"Yes," I confirm, a wry smile playing on my lips. "A masquerade. Tomorrow night, Fiero Cremaschi is hosting a grand celebration at his estate. It's the perfect opportunity for us to blend in with the crowd, unnoticed, and make our move."
Romola's eyes sparkle with intrigue as she processes my words, her mind already racing with possibilities. Agostino, on the other hand, looks skeptical.
“Well then,” Romola breaks into a grin. “I just might need to go shopping for some colorful feathers.”
A thrill runs through me at the sight of Romola's excitement, her daring spirit shining through. It confirms what I always suspected - she is a match for the dangerous game we are about to play. Beside her, Agostino seems unsure, but his love for his daughter overrides any fear he may harbor.
Just then, my walkie-talkie emits static. I lift it to my lips and whisper. “Eagle in. Eagle in.”
I hear no response but some static again. Panic begins to gnaw at me, worrying me to my core. My men are trying to pass me a message, but the signal seems weak.
“We better get back,” I murmur to them both. We turn on our heels, but I stop as I watch some movement from the corner of my eye. A group of Fiero's men lurk in the shadows.
We almost remain hidden until the static comes back through on my walkie-talkie.
“Over there,” someone shouts. I can tell they’re coming for us.
Fuck.
Their narrowed eyes flicker with suspicion and unease as they step out of the shadows. It is clear they do not trust our presence.
"Who goes there?" one commands, stepping forward, his hand hovering near the holster at his hip.
"Easy now," I reply calmly, trying to defuse the situation. "We're friends."
"Friends?" he sneers. "I don't think so." And with that, all hell breaks loose.
Gunshots echo through the night, bullets whizzing past us as chaos erupts around us. Romola screams, instinctively pressing herself to the ground, while Agostino takes cover behind a nearby column.
In the midst of this frenzy, my mind races, calculating my next move. Realizing that if any harm comes to Romola or Agostino, I could lose my only chance at ever retrieving the Heart of Italy sends my pulse to the next level. I cannot let it slip through my fingers.
"Stay down!" I shout over the cacophony, shielding Romola with my body as I fire back at Fiero's men. I can hear shots firing at our attackers.
“Boss,” three of my men emerge from the bushes, guns blazing, providing us with cover.
"Romola, stay behind me!" I command while bringing her to her feet.
We make it to the same column where Agostino is hiding.
I pull out my phone and call my chauffeur with instructions.
"Rafaele, how are we going to get out of this?" Romola asks, fear evident in her trembling voice as she clings to her father’s arm.
This is the first time she’s shown fear, and something tells me it isn’t for herself as much as it is for her father.
