SERAFINA'S POV
I barely made it inside my apartment before my legs gave out. My father's men had been following me.
My phone buzzed. It was a text from Matteo.
Father's estate. Tomorrow morning, 8 AM. Don't be late.
My phone buzzed again. It was a text from Lorenzo this time:
Are you alright? You ran like someone was chasing you. If something's wrong, I can help.
I couldn't ignore him that would raise suspicions.
I'm fine. Just family emergency. Nothing serious. Thank you for tonight. Talk tomorrow?
He replied back:
Of course. Sleep well.
I closed my eyes with my phone clutched in my hand. Someone knocked on my door. I looked through the peephole. It was Matteo.
Of course. He wouldn't wait until morning.
I opened the door, and he walked in without invitation.
"What the hell happened tonight?"
"I went to a gala with Lorenzo. As planned. I gathered intelligence…"
"You kissed him in public on a terrace where photographers could see. Those photos are going to be everywhere by morning. Do you have any idea what you've just done?"
"I got close to him. Isn't that what I'm supposed to do?"
"Why did you remove your wire today. Are you planning something else?"
The accusation hung in the air.
"I call it doing my job!" My voice rose. "You want me to seduce him? I'm seducing him. You want me to get close? I'm getting close. You want intelligence? He's commissioning me for a portrait that will give me weeks of access to his private life. I'm giving you everything you asked for!"
"Sera, I've worked with you for eight years. I know you. And I'm telling you, you're in too deep."
I wanted to argue,wanted to insist I was still in control. But my lips still tingled from Lorenzo's kiss.
"Were my dad's men following me?" I asked, changing the subject.
"Yes. He wanted to see how you'd react to being followed, wanted to test your loyalty." Matteo sat on my couch. "You failed, by the way. The fact that you panicked and ran tells him you care more about what Lorenzo thinks than completing the mission."
"That's not.."
"Isn't it?" He looked at me. "You saw the SUV and your first instinct was to run. To get away before he asked questions you couldn't answer. If you were thinking like an operative, you would have ignored it."
"What did dad say?"
"I haven't spoken to him yet but you will tomorrow morning at 8. He is going to ask you for results, evidence he can use against the Vitales. Can you deliver?"
"Yes, I can deliver. Tell dad I'll be there tomorrow, and I'll have results within two weeks."
"I hope you can stay true to your words." He said as he stood up and left the apartment.
Next morning, a car was waiting for me downstairs. I sat in the car, and thought about what I'm going to say to my father.
The photos were everywhere. I'd seen them online before falling asleep: Lorenzo and me on the terrace, his hands in my hair, my body pressed against his with predictable headlines:
Vitale Heir's Mystery Woman
New Romance for Lorenzo 'The Viper'
But thankfully, my face wasn't visible.
The car stooped at the gates of the Rossi estate. My father's men escorted me inside. He was waiting in his office.
"Serafina." He didn't look up from the tablet in his hands. "Sit."
I sat on the chair opposite to him. He looked up, and smiled.
"These photos, " He said, turning the tablet to show me. "They're everywhere. You've done well."
I blinked.
"What?"
"This is exactly what we needed. You're not just some woman he's sleeping with in private. You're his acknowledged companion." Dad leaned back in his chair. "The Vitale family will be paying attention now, wondering who you are, running their own background checks."
"Which will hold up, the cover is solid."
"It better be. Because now the stakes are higher."
He showed me another image of me and Lorenzo dancing. His hand was on my waist, and I was laughing at something he'd said.
"You look happy here."
"I'm playing the part."
"Are you? Because Matteo reported that you removed your wire yesterday."
"I'm building intimacy that requires moments of privacy. If I'm constantly performing for surveillance, Lorenzo will notice."
"Lorenzo Vitale notices everything." He walked towards the window. "Which is why I'm pleased with your progress but also why I need results soon."
"Define soon."
"Two weeks. I want actionable intelligence, financial records, evidence of criminal activity we can leverage, names of his associates, his weaknesses, his plans." He turned to face me. "You've gotten close enough to kiss him publicly. Get close enough to access his private files."
"And if I can't deliver in two weeks?"
"Then Bianca faces the consequences of her actions."
"I'll get you what you need."
"Good. That's what I expect from you." Dad came back to his desk. "You can leave now."
I nodded and turned to leave when Bianca entered inside.
"Sera, I saw the photos. You and the Vitale heir. Very cozy."
"Bianca." I tried to move near her but she blocked me.
"Must be hard, right? Fu*king the enemy for daddy's approval. How does it feel, being a wh*re for the family?"
"Stop it! That wh*re is the only reason you're not in prison right now."
"I didn't ask you to save me."
"No. You just ki*led someone in a public place, left evidence everywhere, and expected dad to clean up your mess as always."
"It wasn't murder. He deserved…"
"I don't care what he deserved. You were reckless, and now I'm the one paying the price."
"I could do it, you know." Bianca said suddenly.
"Do what?"
"Seduce Lorenzo Vitale. Take over the mission." She stepped closer. "I'm better at this than you. Better at making men want me. You're too careful. Men like Lorenzo want passion, fire, something dangerous."
"You think you can handle Lorenzo Vitale?" I laughed. "He'd see through you in five seconds."
"Like he sees through you?" She tilted her head. "Or does he actually believe you're a struggling artist who just happened to walk into his gallery? Please. If he hasn't figured out what you are yet, he's not as smart as everyone says."
She was right.
"Stay away from Lorenzo. This is my mission." I warned her and left without another word.
I was in my apartment thinking about my next step when I heard a knock on the door. There was a delivery. A courier boy was holding a large black box tied with silk ribbon.
"Sera Moretti?" He asked.
"Yes."
"Delivery for you. Sign here, please."
But I hadn't ordered anything.
I signed, and took the box inside. There was only a small card tucked under the ribbon.
For our next meeting. I look forward to seeing you wear this, and then watching you take it off.
-L
Oh God.
I opened the box slowly. Inside, was the most exquisite lingerie I'd ever seen. It was beautiful and sensual. The kind of thing a man gave to a woman he wanted very, very badly.
There was another note tucked at the bottom of the box.
I found your little gift in my jacket. It was a very professional placement. But if you want to listen to my conversations, piccola spia, all you have to do is ask. I have nothing to hide from you. Do you have anything to hide from me?
Dinner tomorrow. My place. 8 PM. Wear what I sent or don't. Either way, I think it's time we stopped playing games.
- Lorenzo
I stared at the note until the words blurred.
He'd known about the listening device, and instead of confronting me, he'd sent me lingerie. My phone buzzed. It was a text from Lorenzo:
Got the delivery? I wasn't sure about the size but I've been paying attention. I think it will fit perfectly. See you tomorrow, bella. I have a feeling we're going to have a very interesting conversation.
I sat on my couch, realising tomorrow everything would shatter, and I had no idea if I'd survive it.