Samantha didn't like the dress. She didn't know why she agreed to this mission, because if anything was going to get her off-track, it was this damn dress. It was far too silky to accomplish anything. The gloves, that were supposed to go to her elbows, kept sliding down whenever she moved. The dress was too long and her heels too high (for the dress, at least) that she couldn't notice when she would take a step and accidentally dig her heel into the dress. They wouldn't let her opt out of the heels and wear her boots instead.
"I hate you all," she whispered into her earpiece. "This is the worst event and this outfit doesn't help at all."
"You're doing great," the voice on the other end said, "But just remember why we're here."
"Yeah, yeah." The GDiF wasn't very specific with most briefings, she had found, but that would be the case for an American agent working for the Italian police. All they showed her was the guy she had to track down and secure. The only other pieces of information were the equipment she'd get (the earpiece and a hidden camera in a brooch) and the name of the other woman she'd be working with. Sophia Leporace.
A waiter walked by with a tray of champagne glasses, so she took one while again scanning the room. No sign of the target.
She turned around slowly, trying to move to the music (which was far too slow for her liking, even for classical music), and almost choked on her drink when she saw the woman standing on the stairs. It wasn't the target, thank goodness. Hopefully it wasn't an accomplice either. Because right there, descending the stairs, was one of the most beautiful women she'd ever seen. Maybe it was the way her hair was curled into some sort of bun on the back of her head, or the way her blue dress seemed to sparkle every which way she moved, but she was just... gorgeous.
Oh god, she was coming this way.
"You look lost, ma'am," she said with a smirk. Her words rang with an Italian accent. "Need help finding your way to the dance floor?"
"I... um... I'm a little busy right now. Waiting for someone."
"Funny. So am I." She wandered in a circle before winding up right next to Samantha. "Who're you waiting for? A different woman? A different man?"
"I'm not sure it matters. Why? What about you?"
"Touchy, are we? I'm just trying to make light conversation."
"I'm not in the mood for light conversation right now." If she wanted any chance of catching this guy, she'd need all her focus on him. Not on this... woman.
"What's your name?" she asked.
"You first."
"It's classified."
"Same."
"And..." she leaned close to her ear, "Judging by your earpiece, you're not alone."
"Who the hell are you?"
"Relax. I'm your Sophia." She whispered.
"Then it's nice to meet you. Looks like we're together in this." Samantha held out her hand. "Samantha Quick."