Present:
Having set up a meeting with Elliot at a café far from the house. Olivia ordered her drink and took a seat, making sure no one had followed her, she waited. Elliot showed up about ten minutes later, ordered his drink, and walked past her.
"Elliot?" Olivia gasped.
Elliot paused and grinned widely at her. "Olivia! God, how are you?"
They had agreed on this little show, to throw off anyone on Olivia's trail.
"I'm good and you?" Olivia pulled him into a hug, leaning close to his ear. "We are clear. Rafael's men are off doing who knows what."
Pulling back, Elliot nodded. "Sit."
Olivia complied, frowning at the men appearing behind Elliot a few feet away. "What's this?" She knew they were agents, they stuck out like a sore thumb in the little homey café. They could at least lose the damn shades. "Why are they here?"
Elliot sighed. "I am sorry Olivia, but Craigen received no orders from the top."
Olivia frowned, her eyes bouncing from her partner to the agents. "What new orders?" Elliot handed her a file. With a confused look, she skimmed through it. What the actual fuck! "You have got to be joking."
Elliot shook his head. "I wish I was, believe me. We tried talking to the directors, but they agree this to be the best course of action. They want results, not caring how those results are being detained."
Olivia scoffed tossing the file on the table. "I get their urgency, but this? I am not some whore they can use to their convenience. I am a Seargent. And really? The man is a gang leader, big deal. There are hundreds of them out there!"
Elliot grabbed her hand in his, trying hard to calm her down. "Liv I am just as upset as you are. Myself, captain, and the squad have tried everything we can to convince the higher-ups of another way."
"But?"
"But they know-think the best way to get what we need is through Rafael. Based on what we have gathered on the family, we have learned that his children are not as involved as we believed them to be. Not after what happened to Damon." Pulling her hand up to his lips, he gently gave her a kiss. "Just say the word and Craigen will pull you out. The director is giving you this chance to step out from the case. Stand with us, while they bring someone else in."
She glanced at the agents behind Elliot. She knew of them. They worked for GTF. They would just love for her to back down and take over. Prove they didn't need the hell. Taking in a deep breath, she stared back at Elliot with determination. She was going to pull through this. For three reasons. One she was not going to give the GTF the satisfaction of seeing her give up. Two she was not a quitter. Three if they were to bring someone else in after her departure, it would be too suspicious. Rafael was very careful with who came in and out of his home. She was not going to place anyone in danger because she couldn't handle the challenge. "What's the game plan?"
Elliot although proud of her commitment and determination to her job and team, was disappointed. This was not how this was supposed to go down. It was simply observed and reported. Now he had to pass along the new approach. The objective was still the same for them, but not for Olivia. She was given the order to get close to Rafael Barba, have the man trust her with his life. Make him fall for her. Bed him if necessary.
Elliot knew this could end in only both ways. The good way, in which they get what they want and take him down. The bad, he finds out what she is and kills her. Elliot assured himself they will do the impossible to ensure she was brought back to them safe and in one piece.
Having heard Olivia's response, both agents behind Elliot were quick to take a seat on opposite sides.
"I am Michael and this is my partner Marcos, we are going to explain how this works." Michael began. "First, from what we know Rafael Barba is a family man. Everything he does is for them and about them. Rumor has it if the fish scale deal goes down, he will have enough money to disappear. Under no circumstances can you let that happen."
Olivia resisted rolling her eyes. They knew that already.
"First, you do not take the first step. Let him make the first move towards you. If he asks you out or takes you to dinner, be nice and attentive. A man like Rafael is a man of one woman. If – when – you get his attention Barba's focus will be on you 90% of the time. This means your contact with us and your team will be limited if not scares. He will have men with you at all times, to keep you safe. Keep in mind his wife was killed as a warning to him." Marcos took over. "I want to be clear that if you do this and you achieve it, you will have a target on your back. You will be associated with Rafael Barba throughout the gangs. Getting to you would be considered a direct hit to him. You will have to put in all your training in this agent."
Olivia swallowed the lump in her throat. She knew that was a possibility, but hearing him say it just became a reality. Just living in the same house as he placed a target on her. Hacking up the nerves she gave a stiff nod, smiling at the squeeze Elliot gave her hand. "I understand."
"Good." Marcos snapped.
Michael leaned forward, a serious glare that can rival Craigen's, sketched on his face. "But the most important rule in all of this is. No feelings. Do not fall in love. Do not feel more than affection, not even that if possible. This is a job and nothing more. Feelings make things messy and chaotic."
Olivia had heard of many agents falling for their targets. She personally never had that problem, considering she chased serial killers and pedophiles. It couldn't be that hard? She didn't like the man, to begin with, in fact, the thought of sleeping with him sicken her. Or she wanted to think it did.
Having told her what they needed too, both agents excused themselves and left without another word.
"Why were they even here?" Olivia mumbled. "Just repeated what we already knew."
Elliot chuckled. "If we hadn't been brought in, they would have been the lead agents."
He watched her closely, Olivia had little tiny tells when she was nervous. One she'd bite her bottom lip. Two she'd push the same strand of hair, behind her ear over and over. And finally, her hands, she'd pick her nails without even realizing she was doing it.
"I truly am sorry Liv; this was not how I thought it would go." Elliot whispered, his free hand stopping her hands from moving. "I will continue and see if we can change this. There has got to be another way."
Olivia smiled softly, pulling her hands free from his grip and into her lap. "Don't worry Elliot, like he said it's only a job. I think I can handle this."
Not too convinced, he let it pass for now. No point in pressuring her even more than she already was. He watched her check her surrounding, before becoming tense.
Elliot was about to turn but was stopped by Olivia's hand on his arm. "What?"
"Rafael's daughter is here." She lowered her head, whispering.
Elliot sighed. "What now?"
Olivia grabbed his hand in a tight grip when she spotted the girl walking towards her. "Just let me do the talking." Elliot nodded.
"Liv!" Allison grinned, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. "What are you doing here?"
Olivia shrugged, taking her seat once more. "Came for a coffee and bumped into an old friend. Elliot this is Allison. Allison this is Elliot."
Allison turned her gaze to the handsome man. "Hello, Elliot." Shaking hands, she grinned. "You married?"
Olivia choked on her coffee, tossing the teenager a shocked look. "Allison!"
"What?" The girl giggled. "It's an innocent question."
Elliot chuckled, showing her his ring. "Yes, I am."
With a sad sigh, she shrugged. "That's too bad, the things I would have done to you." With a sly smirk, she turned her attention back to Olivia. "See you at home!"
Olivia gaped at the leaving girl. "I swear she is not like that. You and your damn smile."
Elliot gave her a shy smile. "I simply smiled."
"That's the thing." Olivia grinned. "Elliot, you have a charming smile."
Elliot rolled his eyes. "Do you?"
Taking a sip from her drink, she glanced up at him. "Do I what?"
"Find it attractive?" He blurted out. He knew it was dangerous ground to be trending on, but he wanted to know. I mean he knew the answer, they both did.
Olivia swallowed the lump in her throat as she glanced up at him. "You know I do, but.."
Elliot raised his hand to stop her. "Just needed to hear it." Giving her hand a small kiss, he stood. "I best get going, I will talk to you soon."
Olivia nodded stiffly. "Okay say hi to the squad for me."
Elliot pulled her up for a hug. "Of course." Placing his lips on her head, he inhaled deeply. "Please be safe."
"I promise, you guys as well."
"Promise." One last look and he was gone.
Olivia watched him leave. She had always been attracted to him, his broad manner and serious attitude, when he wanted to anyhow. He was a mystery to her, but not one she could solve. Elliot was off-limits. Taking a swift sip of her drink, she threw her cup away and walked out. She wasn't sure what she was going to do. Damon was pretty much-doing everything on his own and needed her less every day. So, if she wanted a way in, she better do as they said. How hard could it be?
Once she was at the house, she tossed her keys into the bowl sitting on a long side table. Jogging up the stairs and about to enter her room, she spotted Alma the housekeeper/nanny whispering suspiciously with Martin one of the guards. They kept glancing back at Rafael's bedroom door. Alma slapped Martin over the head at one point. Closing the door to her room, she made her way towards them quietly.
"What's going on?" Olivia whispered, smirking at the slight jump Martin gave. 'He lives and protects one of the most targeted gang lords and that scared him?'
Alma yelped, her hand jumping to her fast-beating heart. "Nina me assustaste!"
Olivia chuckled, giving her a loving side hug. "Perdon Alma, but why are you both over here whispering?"
Getting a motherly smile from her, Alma grabbed Olivia by the shoulders. Understandable, since the woman was 5'0. "Señor Barba came home bloody again."
Olivia frowned, a ting of worry appearing in her chest. "How is he? What happened?"
Martin shrugged. "He was out handling his business. I was ordered to go guard the back when he was ambushed. It was a trap, set by the Lords. By the time I got there, he was bloody and the lords were knocked out."
"Dead." Olivia huffed.
"No." Martin shook his head. "The boss doesn't kill unless it's necessary ma'am. They were just knocked out cold."
"I say the blood not his, but Martin here says it is." Alma whispered.
Alma was about 68-year-old and has been with the Barba family for some time now. Olivia had read her file. Alma was hired by Rafael's father, to care for his children after their mother had passed away. In the process, she created tight and loyal bonds with the family. Many agents had tried to get her to talk, but she refused every time.
Olivia strained her head to look at Rafael's closed bedroom door. "Is he in there?"
Alma raised an eyebrow. "Yes."
"I'll go see if he is okay." She needed to start getting on his good side and what better way than helping him when he is hurt. Knocking on his door, she waited for the muffled come-in. Pushing the door in, she stepped into his bedroom. For the first time since she had arrived.
The bedroom was like any other room. Large king-size bed in the middle. Large bookshelves take up the entire wall on the left. Two nightstands on each side of the bed. On the right wall hung the tv. A long tv stands underneath it. She spotted his watch, wallet, and keys tossed on the neatly made bed. His bloodied coat was tossed over a chair in the corner. Walking deeper into the room, she found the door leading to the large bathroom.
Olivia found him leaning over the sink. Alcohol, bandages, and gauges on the side. A white cloth stained with blood in his hand. He really was a bloody mess. "Martin told me what happened. I wanted to check and see if you were okay?"
Rafael glanced at her through the mirror. He wasn't sure what to think of her coming into his bedroom. "I am fine, just ran into a slight problem." He winced the second he touched his lip. "They got in a few good hits." More than a few. That was too much of a close call.
With an eye roll, Olivia pushed herself off the wall. Standing next to him, she took the towel from his hand. "Sit." She ordered, tossing the cloth into the dirty clothes hamper.
"What?"
Pushing him down to sit on the toilet seat, she grabbed a softer towel and damped it with alcohol. "This is going to sting." She watched him wince, yet he didn't make a sound. Cleaning his face of any blood, she noticed the cut running down the side of his neck to his chest. "I need to look at that."
Rafael shook his head. "It's fine. I'll clean it out."
Olivia pinned him down with a glare. "Will you please let me look at it? It is still bleeding." Giving her an annoying look, he allowed her to unbutton his shirt. Olivia tried to not look at his abdomen. His abdomen wasn't ripped per-say, but a more filled flat stomach. It did make this a whole lot easier. He was handsome she never denied it, but he also had a great body.
But she did notice the multiple scars all over his chest and abdomen. Just as her hand was to make contact, he latched onto her wrist. His grip was tight, but it wasn't hurting her. Looking up at him, she gave him a gentle smile. "I won't touch them."
Rafael hesitated before letting go of her wrist. "Forgive me."
Olivia shook her head, cleaning the wound out. Mindful to not touch any of the scars. She was somewhat happy it wasn't too deep. Covering it, she buttons up his shirt again. "I'll have to change it in a few hours okay?"
Rafael nodded. "Thank you."
With a stiff nod, she walked out, only to bump into Allison and Alma. "Hey."
Allison beamed at her. "Heyyyy Olivia! What were you doing in there?"
"Your father was hurt so I helped clean him up." Olivia shrugged, frowning at the looks she got. "What?"
"Nothing it's just papa never lets anyone see him hurt." Allison replied.
"And when he is?"
Allison shrugged. "He doesn't like it for us to see him hurt. Says it makes him feel weak. Usually, he tends to his wounds or calls the doctor, but never us or anyone living here."
Olivia glanced back at the door. "Men can be such idiots sometimes."
Alma hummed in agreement. "You should have seen him as a jovencito. The most stubborn boy. What he said went and no one was to change his mind. But he did many good as he did bad." Placing a hand in her arm, she smiled softly. "He is not the bad nor heartless man they have set him out to be."
Olivia watched the females leave. In the three weeks, she has been in the Barba home, she has heard many things. Rafael was a heartless man. One that cared for nothing. Just money and power. Loves to cause pain and loves drawing blood.
But she has also heard of a new side. Rafael was a good man in a bad business. To him, the family was the priority. Everything he did was for them. Respected and feared, but he was fair.
She had also heard many things about his children. Turns out Damon was not the all saint man Olivia had him to be. He was responsible for the death of a cop working for the Gang Task Force. One that's partner was once a member of the Barba family. An adoptive son to Rafael. Damon also had about a dozen murders under his name.
On the day of his shooting, It was discovered someone had tipped the BX9s of his whereabouts. Turned out the same cop had done it, payback for the partner's death. Rafael although wanting revenge for what they did to Damon, he refused to act upon the officer. He knew the consequences that would bring to him and his family. And from what she was told he would not act against a family member.
She was at a loss at the moment. She wasn't sure who was good and who was bad anymore. For all, she knew they were all good. She has witnessed the Barba family together, in parties, dinners, and outings. They seemed happy all the time. Rafael would be seen playing with his grandkids or little cousins. Jack would be with his fiancé and sister. Damon would be laughing giving the little kids a ride in his chair. Not once would she witness Rafael angry or serious on these occasions. All business put to the side for those few hours.
The same question kept rolling through Olivia's mind.
Was he a bad man?
