Hello again!
Today, Bella is in action, so from now on, when you encounter Italian speech, you'll find the translation in brackets immediately afterward.
Chapter 6
EPOV
"For our successful mission and a new beginning"…
This particular sentence has been echoing in my mind, keeping me awake for the better part of the night. What was I precisely pondering and attempting to convey? To give you a precise answer— I'm not entirely sure. The moment Bella descended to the lower floor and stood before me, my train of thought seemed to come to a halt. The impending events consistently dominate the forefront of my mind. However, despite this, I managed to divert my attention by joining her at the table.
The internal turmoil of the recent days, coupled with the shifting dynamics around me, undoubtedly played a role in my contemplation. Bella, in many ways, was an enigma—a puzzle that intrigued me to the point where I found myself revisiting thoughts and emotions that I had consciously set aside since parting ways with Tanya. The concept of a new beginning lingered in my thoughts, perhaps on a subconscious level, urging me to consider the prospect. Since my relocation to Seattle, these words have taken on a renewed significance.
Why not embrace and unfold this new chapter of my life entirely? This question resonated deeply within me, and perhaps it encapsulated the essence of what I was attempting to convey in my statement yesterday.
This was the conclusion I reached after hours of reflection and a night that seemed to drag on without much sleep. Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, its bright digits displaying 7:00 am, I realized that Bella and I had agreed to rise around 8:00 am. The idea was to gather the necessary strength for the day ahead and to navigate through the aftermath of the intense moments we shared yesterday.
Deciding that sleep wasn't in the cards for me, I opted to make the most of the early morning. The weather outside promised a delightful autumn day, with the sun casting its warm glow. Hastily, I threw on some clothes and stepped out, eager to explore the neighborhood surrounding the house generously provided by the FBI office.
Despite the early hour, the streets were already coming to life. Narrow lanes echoed with the hum of small cars and the revving of motorcycles, each on its own mission for the day. A couple of blocks away, my attention was drawn to a small line forming at the corner, leading to a quaint bakery.
As I joined the queue, it became apparent that the bakery was a popular choice for breakfast among the locals. When my turn finally arrived, I found myself faced with a tempting array of pastries. I selected several types of Cornetto and a variety of pastries, complemented by two robust Italian coffees that stood in stark contrast to my accustomed plain black coffee.
Returning to the house, I swung open the front door to find Bella descending the stairs. Despite her lingering sleepiness, there was a hopeful spark in her expression. Drawing from personal experience and the wisdom shared by Emmett, I knew well the caution every man should exercise around a woman who had just woken up — a delicate time when everything might seem a bit askew.
"Good morning! I bring breakfast and coffee." I greeted with a lighthearted tone, presenting the cups and pastries as if offering a token of goodwill.
Bella, momentarily perplexed, shifted her attention from my outstretched hands to the aromatic delights I held. Confusion melted into appreciation, and her face blossomed into a wide, grateful smile. It was a reminder of how easily this girl found joy in the simplest gestures.
"Oh, it smells amazing! Come on, let's go to the kitchen." she exclaimed, seizing my hand with enthusiasm and leading me towards the table. The robust aroma of the coffee, though slightly overpowering, worked its magic in awakening our senses. The array of pastries, with their enticing textures and flavors, instantly secured a special place in my heart — a breakfast worthy of fond memories.
Today marked the inauguration of our exploration of Palermo's vibrant streets, an opportunity to immerse ourselves in the local atmosphere. This, of course, necessitated a thoughtful selection of attire. I quickly scanned the clothing I had unpacked the day before, settling on a pair of well-fitted jeans and a crisp white shirt with sleeves ready to be casually rolled up. After a swift dressing session, I stole a moment to check my reflection in the mirror — the ensemble felt comfortable and the perpetual challenge of taming my unruly hair was not there because of the trimming Emmet did. A resigned sigh escaped me before I grabbed the essentials: the house key and wallet, ensuring my concealed pistol lay securely beneath the leather jacket I had chosen for the day.
Descending to the lower floor, I patiently awaited Bella. As a few additional minutes ticked by, curiosity got the better of me, prompting me to call out her name to check on her progress. However, just as my voice prepared to resonate through the space, there she was, descending the staircase with effortless grace. Her choice of a charming summer dress, paired with high-top sneakers and a stylish leather jacket, exuded a casual yet refined look. A small bag rested casually over her shoulder, and in her hand, she held a camera — a tool, I suspected, to document the moments we were about to experience together. Her hair fell in natural curls, and a subtle touch of makeup accentuated her already captivating features.
The comparison between Bella and Tanya, a recurring theme in my thoughts, continued to puzzle me. However, Bella's beauty was refreshingly natural and exceeded my prior notions of allure. Lost in contemplation, I realized that Bella was speaking to me, her words breaking through the haze of my distracted thoughts.
"...to go?" she asked, her gaze expectant, searching for confirmation.
"Huh?"
"Masen, I asked if you're ready to go now?" she repeated, her tone light yet filled with a subtle anticipation.
"Oh, yes, I'm ready. First stop, the phone store." I gestured for her to move ahead of me as I secured the door. Our undercover status meant leaving our phones at home, but communication was a necessity, prompting the need for Italian numbers.
Both of us settled into the Fiat 500 provided for us — a quintessential model for navigating the narrow streets of the city. Our destination: Palermo. Bella took charge of the navigation, her focus on locating the store that held the key to our new means of communication. The drive unfolded smoothly, and soon we found ourselves at the store. Following a swift transaction, we emerged with new numbers and phones in hand, ready to tackle the challenges ahead.
Our next destination was the main street, marking the first checkpoint on our agenda for the day. Despite the traffic differing from the familiar American streets, I was confident that maneuvering through Palermo wouldn't present significant challenges. As I parked the car near the city center, neither of us rushed to disembark.
"Partner, are you ready?" I asked, a wide smile gracing my features. Bella took a moment, inhaling deeply, before responding to my infectious smile.
"Of course, let's go!" she declared, swinging the door open with graceful ease and stepping out onto the bustling Italian streets.
I also stepped out of the car, reaching my hand out towards Bella. She silently approached, took my hand, and as always, that strange sensation in the palm of my hand emerged. Nevertheless, we needed to stay focused, so I shifted my gaze from our joined hands and directed it towards the main street. Walking slowly, both of us maintained the façade we arrived with in Italy. Despite the assigned task, I felt Bella's hand constantly, and the feeling was like... right. It fit perfectly in my larger palm, giving me both a sense of calm and agitation.
As we strolled down the street, we spotted one of Enzo's cafes in the distance — our first stop. Bella released my hand a bit before we reached the café. Even before I could turn to her, she wrapped her arm around my waist with one hand and nestled into me. This brought us to the tables located outside. We settled at the one closest to the interior of the café and ordered another round of coffee from the waiter, who held his gaze a bit too long on Bella's legs and the raised hem of her dress.
"So far, I don't see anything interesting, and Enzo doesn't either." she said, quickly scanning the crowd.
"Yeah, I don't see anything for now either. I'll go inside to check." I suggested quickly and stood up. At that moment, the waiter brought our coffees again, staring at Bella more than necessary, which irritated me. Entering the interior of the café provided the perfect opportunity to calm down from the sudden feeling that had overcome me. Inside, there were almost no customers except for the staff and two couples sitting at the back. To avoid looking suspicious, I went to the bathroom.
When I returned to the table, I noticed that a man, probably in his mid-50s with graying hair and a face filled with anxiety, had sat down next to us. His clothes were too loose, and his posture was hunched. When I shifted my gaze towards Bella, she was already looking at me with wide-open eyes, as if she knew that this man would have an impact on our mission – it was just something that told us both. I just nodded to let her know that I also had a similar premonition. So far, he hadn't done anything to tip us off, but both of us remained on high alert. Leaning on the table with my face directed towards him, I took a slow sip of my coffee, keeping my gaze on the man. Bella also relaxed, and we both waited, observing the man closely for any signs of relevance to our mission.
"My love, what do you say we go to Teatro Massimo this afternoon? I read online that it's worth visiting. I really enjoyed the cathedral this morning. And maybe we should catch one of those hop-on-hop-off buses to see more places?" she suggested, perfectly embodying her character. Nothing in her words betrayed the reality. However, her address to me made my heart beat faster, as if it was waiting to hear those words.
"Of course, we'll go. With you, I feel like I can conquer every corner of the world." I added, as if speaking the truth. Maybe... maybe I was telling some kind of truth? I was not so sure with myself.
Bella blinked slowly, probably sensing something more in my tone or was just for the show – I wouldn't even know. Then she stood up from the table, approached me, and opened her arms, a sign that she might hug me, and her actions seemed like a warning. Contrary to expectations, she threw herself into my lap, wrapped her arms around my neck tightly, and took a deep breath – something that seemed too forced for play. Nevertheless, I consciously decided to take advantage of the moment, so I responded to her embrace by holding her waist. She smelled so good, like a delicate summer flower, and at that moment, I felt other parts of me react to her actions. It had been a long time since I had felt such closeness from another person in these regions, so I subtly shifted back in my chair to avoid her understanding what was happening. Perhaps this was the moment when I had to redirect my thoughts in a different direction before the situation became uncomfortable.
The shrill ring of the phone shattered the stillness, causing a startled reaction from Bella. She tensed in my lap, her grip on me tightening as if seeking comfort from the sudden intrusion. The source of the ringing was the man seated across from me, and as he fumbled to extract his phone, a crumpled piece of paper fell onto the table. The worn appearance of the paper hinted at its history, perhaps serving as a crucial guide in moments like this.
The man's hand trembled as he retrieved both his phone and the paper. His gaze fixated on the glowing screen, and a wave of uncertainty crossed his face. Slowly, he navigated his finger across the touch screen, bringing the device to his ear with deliberation.
A hushed "Ciao" (Hello) escaped his lips, revealing a hesitancy that lingered in the air. A long silence followed on the line, presumably listening to what was being said from the other side. However, to allow Bella to stay in my lap longer, she shifted her hand lightly to my neck and began to run her fingers gently, and then her lips repeated the actions of her hand.
" Sì, sì, capisco. So dove devo essere, l'ho persino segnato." (Yes, yes, I understand. I know where I need to be, I've even marked it down) - the man said hurriedly, unfolding the paper he held. From my vantage point, I could see that it was more of a small map with something written on it. Although I didn't understand what was being said, I knew that Bella was listening despite her gentle touches that didn't stop.
Slowly, I tilted my head towards her, gently brushing my lips against her ear. "He's holding a map in her hand, something marked on it. Listen carefully." I whispered, sensing her nodding ever so slightly against my neck, ensuring no one would notice.
" Mi è stato detto che si trova nell'ultima posizione. Di colore nero e grigio." (I was told it's at the last location. Black and gray in color.)- the man said, rotating his map so that my proximity allowed me to glimpse the positioning of the sea in relation to the land. Close to the port of Palermo, which would eventually be our evening visit, there was a note.
" Non lo so. Conosco solo Michele. Lui mi fornisce i giorni. " (I don't know. I only know Michele. He gives me the days) he murmured with a soft, trembling voice. Observing him, I couldn't ignore his posture, devoid of any confidence. He was likely at the bottom of the chain—one of the many innocent victims, pressured by circumstances and entangled in affairs that would weigh on their conscience for a lifetime if their life continue.
" No, non sto facendo affermazioni del genere. Mi scuso per la fretta. Capisco chi sei, naturalmente lo so. Sarò disponibile ogni volta che lo dici." (No, I'm not claiming anything like that. I apologize for my haste. I understand who you are, of course I know. Whenever you say, I'll be available.)
My head had already tilted, giving Bella the opportunity to continue the kisses that showered my neck and jaw. As for the sensations provoked by her actions, even I couldn't find an answer. The sensitivity I experienced in that moment was hardly comparable to anything I had felt before.
The man quickly retrieved a pen with his free hand from his jacket and scribbled something that I couldn't quite catch. His head nodded as if in agreement with what he was hearing. At that moment, Bella also leaned back, lightly touching her lips to mine before slowly parting them, allowing me to join in the improvisation. It was here that a flood of thoughts, sensations, and emotions overwhelmed my mind – too much, simply too much. I decided to surrender to the opportunity and ignore the desires of my body, which wanted to pull Bella even closer.
Focus, Edward, observe – I motivated myself. You have a task at hand.
" Sì, ci sarò. Puoi dirmi solo di che colore è?" (Yes, I'll be there. Can you just tell me what color it is?)
" Va bene, grazie!" (Alright, thank you!) - the man sighed heavily as he ended the call. Both of his hands then cradled his face, and his posture slumped in the chair, as if contorted by pain, and he remained like that for a while.
Bella shifted slightly and then stood up, blinking rapidly as if signaling to me that she had understood what the man had said. She returned to her seat, a gentle blush appearing on her cheeks and her lips were slightly redder too, which I found captivating even more from our very first encounter.
"I don't know how to proceed from here with our travelling schedule. After all, we need to be cautious with the money. Maybe we should walk and avoid taking the bus. What do you think?" She resumed her role, holding her cup.
"From what I saw online, the streets might appear too similar. Perhaps we should ask someone who is a local." I suggested, giving Bella the chance to pick up on the hint. Come on, Bella. I slowly shifted my gaze between her and the man. Almost a second later, she understood what I meant. At that moment, the man stirred and stood up in his chair, his gaze still fixed on the small map he held in his hands.
"Oh, that's a fantastic idea! Maybe he could even join us to avoid getting lost?" Bella exclaimed.
"Then it wouldn't be appropriate to ask the café staff." I replied.
At that moment, a slow and cunning smile crept across Bella's face. She pulled out a camera that she had left under her bag and stood up. With deliberate steps, she approached the man and began to speak.
" Ciao, mi chiamo Bianca. Io e il mio ragazzo, Emanuele, stiamo visitando Palermo e questo è il nostro primo giorno." (Hello, my name is Bianca. My boyfriend, Emanuele, and I are visiting Palermo, and this is our first day.) - she said. The man looked at her with a hint of surprise and mumbled a welcoming greeting.
" Speravo potessi permettermi di farti una foto. Credo che noi turisti non dovremmo limitarci a catturare i punti di riferimento. Le persone sono molto più interessanti anche se siamo entrambi italiani, e vedo che l'età non si vede per niente." ( I was hoping you could allow me to take a picture of you. I believe we, the tourists, shouldn't only capture the landmarks. People are much more interesting even if we are both Italians too, and I can see that age doesn't show on you at all.)
Bella said, her posture subtly changing, as if she was trying to flirt? These actions seemed to have a slight effect because the man's face softened, and he appeared more at ease.
" Vai avanti, ragazza, non mi dispiace. A proposito, sono Luca." (Go ahead, girl, I don't mind. By the way, I'm Luca.) - he said, and Bella nodded then turned on the camera, making sure to turn off the flash. Good move. The smile on my face couldn't be wiped away at that moment because I figured out what she was trying to do. The man still held the map spread out on the table in front of him – that was Bella's target.
She quickly snapped a few pictures, clearly using the opportunity to change poses. Then, she lowered the camera from her face and boldly threw herself onto the chair in front of him.
" Luca, grazie. È stato molto gentile da parte tua. La nostra prossima tappa della giornata è la cattedrale, ma temiamo di non riuscire ad arrivarci da soli. Sarebbe conveniente per te unirti a noi? Naturalmente ti risarciremo per l'inconveniente." (Luca, thank you. That was very kind of you. Our next stop for the day is the cathedral, but we're afraid we won't be able to get there on our own. Would it be convenient for you to join us? Of course, we'll compensate you for the inconvenience.)
she said, clasping her hands together, as if anxious to present herself better. At that moment, he returned his gaze to the map, folded it, and tucked it back into his pocket. I pulled out my phone and began tapping on the icons indiscriminately, creating the impression that I might be texting someone.
" Bianca, mi dispiace, ma non potrò. Faccio il pescatore, e la pesca di oggi è stata molto debole. Inoltre, a casa mi aspetta una famiglia numerosa. Forse non è il momento giusto, ma io posso dirti la rotta più veloce" (Bianca, I'm sorry, but I won't be able to. I'm a fisherman, and today's catch was very weak. Besides, a large family awaits me at home. Perhaps the timing isn't right, but I can tell you the quickest route.) - he suggested and she nodded. I saw the conversation take an odd turn as he began gesturing and pointing to different buildings across the street.
" Grazie mille! Adesso mi sento più fiducioso e spero di non perdermi. È stato un piacere parlare con te." (Thank you very much! Now I feel more confident, and I hope not to get lost. It was a pleasure talking to you.)
Bella extended her hand against his for shaking hands in a manner to thank Luca again, then turned to me, raising an eyebrow. Dangerous woman. She sat back at the table, leaving her camera in front of her and tossing her hair.
"What's going on, love? I saw you managed to fulfill another part of your planned day." I said, also smiling.
"Yes, this gentleman, Luca, allowed me to take his picture and explained how to get to the cathedral." - she said to me sweetly.
"Then let me pay the bill, and we'll head there right away." I suggested, giving us a chance to leave the establishment. She simply nodded, so I went inside the café and settled the bill. I didn't want to give the waiter unnecessary opportunities to scrutinize Bella any further.
As I returned, Bella had donned her jacket and was waiting for me. She started walking ahead, giving me the opportunity to observe how her dress fluttered with each step, and her legs appeared slender and toned. Perhaps, in that moment, I was similar to the person I had so abruptly irritated a little while ago.
Bella turned towards me and once again took hold of my hand. With brisk steps, we hid behind the first building, where she activated her camera. Bringing one of the pictures closer, she showed it to me. Clearly visible was the writing from the man, namely "15, 22 ore" October 15th - I think it can be – this gave us an additional 4 days to find the place that the conversation likely referred to.
"Luca mentioned that someone named Michele gives him the days, but this time, he wasn't talking to him, probably someone higher up. Additionally, the last place mentioned was black and gray in color. Regarding the new information, he didn't mention a color. According to him, there's no connection with his profession as a fisherman, which didn't add up, especially today." Bella recounted the conversation, reinforcing our initial assessment – no, this man was not just a fisherman, he worked for someone at the docks around the harbor.
"This evening would be a suitable time to find that black-and-gray place he mentioned at the port. From there, we might establish a connection with the next one." I suggested.
"Yes, I find it suitable too, but until then, we need to fill our time. Perhaps we could go to one of the restaurants Enzo owns." she added.
„It's still too early. Let's make the most of our free time and go grocery shopping for the house, we still don't have much there." I suggested. After our hurried dinner at the restaurant yesterday, we lacked provisions for the coming days, which would pose a problem.
Exiting onto the main street once again with Bella, we embarked on a brief quest to find a supermarket. Along the way between all the tourist and the native here, she intermittently seized the opportunity to capture various things she found interesting with her camera, including some pictures of me too and every time she gave me only tiny smile. The market we entered was small but filled with fresh produce. Apparently or maybe, I don't know, my partner possessed superior culinary skills, swiftly and successfully filling the cart with various items, a cart that I quietly pushed behind her. I didn't mind observing Bella, it seemed to be mutual, and in the coming days, I would likely witness just how diverse her skill set was.
After leaving the bags in the car, Bella and I decided to return to the first restaurant where we could potentially find Enzo. The day still lay ahead of us, and Italians were just settling in for lunch along the main alley, joined by most of the tourists like ourselves. Although it wasn't characteristic for most sons of Italian bosses to be present in their own establishments, it didn't hurt to check. Besides, our options were limited. The first restaurant was nearby, situated in one of the livelier parts of town, but it yielded no results, and there was no point in sitting down. We proceeded to the others, but the search proved equally fruitless.
"I admit I didn't expect not to encounter him anywhere." Bella said, sounding more annoyed than disappointed.
"What were you expecting? That we'd solve the puzzle in less than a day? I doubt it."
"No, but perhaps a direction. We'll return to the previous ones for sure. Maybe it's time to implement the next idea we discussed in Seattle."
"You mean, work? Why not?" I replied, raising an eyebrow.
Bella didn't bother responding, she simply sighed audibly, then turned her back to me and walked to one of the fountains, sitting on its edge. Well, a direct approach might not be the right solution to the problem.
"I don't know, but I have a feeling things won't be as easy as we hoped. The organization's structure here appears intricate and too broad for Enzo to be the sole decision-maker." she explained, gazing ahead of her.
"I came to the same conclusion. I assume, however, that, like most Italian families involved in such shady businesses, both the father and the remaining brothers play a role here." I added. Despite having scant information about their names and addresses, it wasn't particularly beneficial for us. And when direct contact with them wasn't preferable, the only option was to gradually seek connections, being cautious not to attract too much attention. My hand habitually reached for my hair, but my fingers encountered only the short strands that Emmett had fashioned into a military-style cut.
"I don't think we'll find any changes here in the next few hours. I suggest we head back to the house for a bit and come back here in the evening, and then go to the harbor." I proposed.
"Okay, let's go. I'll upload the photos to the laptop to see if we can spot anything more on a larger screen." Bella replied.
"Alright, let's go." I said, standing up first and offering her my hand. Holding her hand didn't feel like an obligation at all, rather, it felt like a small reward behind the façade we were playing and would continue to play in the future.
Our walk back to the car passed once again along the main street, where we had the opportunity to glance at the establishments in our target from a distance, but there was no noticeable change. During the drive back to the Cullen house, Bella remained silent, gazing at the landscape passing around us. Surely, I could say that the weather here was much different from what she was accustomed to in Seattle during the fall, as well as in Chicago. Here, one could still enjoy sunny and warm rays during the day.
Upon our arrival, I placed the bags in the kitchen, distributing the contents among the shelves and the refrigerator. Meanwhile, Bella unhooked her laptop onto the table and connected it to her camera. The photos gradually loaded onto the screen, and she began to sift through them, searching for the ones we needed.
She had taken several, among which a few stood out with annotations on the small map. Most were located close to or along the shoreline, with only one point marked with a dot in a small forest to the south of Palermo. It was puzzling, but not unforeseen, even though the area around that point, according to satellite images, lacked a road or any noticeable building. I noted the coordinates of the point visible in the pictures on a small piece of paper and tucked it into my pocket. It was something I would probably check more thoroughly in the next few days in the system provided by the office. After all, it was possible that this could be a warehouse for the goods shipped from the harbor. Perhaps the organization between America and Italy was more extensive than everyone assumed, or America wasn't the only final destination from this port. Two of the other points were placed near the docks of the harbor—one in the new and one in the old part—no surprises there for both of us. On the dock in the old part was the additional inscription from Luca. The last fourth point was located to the east of the city, again in a place known more for its rocky coastline, which didn't allow boats to arrive or depart.
"I think tonight we should check these two places." Bella suggested, pointing specifically to the two most obvious points.
"I agree. They will be the only opportunity for a departure to the States."
"All right, partner, now that the plan is clear, maybe this gives us 3 hours to prepare for tonight. What do you say I prepare something for dinner?" she asked me, as if waiting for me to reject her idea. What man with a clear and sane consciousness would decline such an offer? Certainly not me.
"The stage is yours, of course. I promise not to disturb unnecessarily." I winked, even with one eye, to enhance the effect of the joke I was aiming for. She laughed even louder, causing my heart to skip a beat again—something that hadn't happened for the first time today, and, if I could predict, wouldn't be the last.
Slowly, I stood up and headed towards the table, which was set in the small garden at the back of the house. If I sat too close to her all the time, I couldn't think reasonably and rationally. A part of my mind was always preoccupied with her appearance, which was stressful considering how little time we actually knew each other. God, I couldn't even say much about her except to appreciate her qualities as an agent. Bella was closed off, and until now, despite our conversations in Seattle, on the plane, and here, she didn't reveal much about herself. However, her eyes were a window—a place from which I could see her carrying more burden than she showed. Our time here was underestimated on my part. When Emmett sent us to the airport, I had shared with him how motivated I actually was to prove myself in my work, but I didn't assess how much I wanted to prove myself to someone else—someone special. And what did I actually expect to happen? What did I want more precisely, and what could I offer? In practice, I was an orphan, abandoned by close ones, who could only rely on himself and constantly felt the need to prove himself because he never heard from those, he wanted to hear that he had actually succeeded. Even Tanya couldn't find such qualities in me, which probably indicated that I didn't possess them. No, I couldn't want or seek something more, as I couldn't give more.
"Edward" Bella whispered, leaning against the wall. "I saw that you were thinking about something. Dinner is ready, I think it's a little early, but better this way than to go and miss something."
"Hmm, how long have I been sitting here?" I couldn't understand how it was even possible for her to manage so quickly?
"Almost an hour" she said, turning back towards the house. An hour? How was that even possible? I shook my head and followed her back. The kitchen smelled fantastic, and I noticed that she had tried to convey the spirit of Italian cuisine even to this place. In front of us were wonderful spaghetti Bolognese, already served. She sat at one of the places, so I took the one opposite her. When I tasted them, I was already convinced that this would be one of my favorite dinners from now on.
"Bella, they're amazing. I think you might have confused your profession. In cooking, you're way better." I said without thinking. Then, as if a small light bulb lit up over my head, I realized, "Fuck, Bella, no, actually, I said it wrong. I..., I didn't mean that. I rather thought... thought that you definitely have talent in the kitchen. Certainly, I didn't want to comment on professional skills." I began to stutter, concerned that I had offended her with my statement. Instead of the expected strong reaction from her, she simply burst into laughter—loud and unending even with little shakes in her shoulders.
"Breathe, Masen. I understood what you meant. Don't worry. Come on, eat before it gets cold."
Honestly, I sighed with relief—literally, for a moment, I was worried.
After dinner, I thanked her for her efforts, and we both changed into more suitable clothes for our evening outing. Then we got into the car and set off again towards Palermo, but this time in a different direction—specifically, towards the harbors. After parking in a suitable place for the "car" we had here for the mission, we both headed towards the visible and pedestrian-accessible part of the docks. However, one thing caught my attention—the point on the map didn't exactly correspond to reality.
"Have you noticed that in this part all the buildings are in a dark green color? Definitely not the place we're looking for." said Bella, sharing my thoughts out loud.
"Yes, we probably need to look around the area where the fishermen gather and start from there. We might even encounter Luca." I suggested, and she just nodded, then took my hand, and we both continued forward.
A little further ahead, we noticed that the color of the docks was starting to change, and they looked older and more neglected. Despite the relatively early hour, there weren't many people around us. We only saw a few young men with their fathers or bosses, gathering nets around their boats or rearranging crates. Since there was nothing alarming, we continued forward, when suddenly a loud noise of metal clanging or banging came from the side. I tightened my grip on Bella's hand and pulled her aside carefully, making sure no one noticed our abrupt deviation from our previously calm walk.
"I think it's time to go behind the buildings." I spoke.
"Alright, but we won't be able to see anything that way" she replied.
"When we find what we're looking for, we'll figure out how to proceed." I answered, and the two of us walked along a narrow but already trodden path behind the docks. In the distance ahead of us, we both simultaneously noticed the same thing—black and gray—the place Luca mentioned in his conversation. Bella pointed to it, and I nodded to let her know I saw the same thing. We found a suitable spot behind the docks, a bit elevated, and she took out her camera, quickly snapping photos of the structures in front of us.
Apart from the noise we heard, there were no other signs that anyone other than us was nearby. I checked the time on my phone, almost 9 pm. We were likely to spend more time here, so I leaned against the tree behind us. When Bella decided she had taken enough photos, she packed up the camera, turned to me, and we both remained silent, not making any additional sounds in case someone was close. About 15 minutes later, we heard a loud noise again from the same building. This time, two men came out, looking too young to be of particular importance. Nevertheless, both were dressed in dark clothes that fit them perfectly. What caught my attention was the fact that one of them was holding a gun.
Great, first attempt—successful.
Bella and I also took out our weapons, holding them close to ourselves. Before Bella made a move, she took a few pictures of them as well. At this point, we didn't plan to take any actions to disrupt the meeting—no, that wouldn't end well. We didn't know the number of people inside or how well armed they were. So, at the moment, we were just surveying the situation around us. The two men stayed outside for a while, and then a car with tinted windows arrived in front of the building, probably the latest model, likely enhanced with additional features. The driver got out and opened the rear right door, then waited. A few minutes later, not just anyone but the expected target—Enzo—came out, along with three others sitting close to him. He got into the car with one of his bodyguards, and the driver headed in an unknown direction. When I turned slightly towards Bella, I saw that she had once again activated her camera, taking pictures of everyone entering the frame. The rest got into another car, again black and tinted, and followed the same path. I memorized the license plates of both cars as if they were frames from pictures. At the first opportunity, I would write them down in my phone to check.
"Edward, do you think there are still people inside the building?" Bella whispered very quietly, putting the lens back and letting the camera hang on the strap.
"I don't think so, but maybe it's not a good idea to enter right now to check." I replied. She just nodded and stayed in the same place as before. About 15 minutes later, we put away our weapons and relaxed on the ground. We had been in the same position for too long, and I felt my legs protesting from the tension. So, slowly, I leaned against the tree and sat on the ground. Bella repeated my actions, and we both settled more comfortably, not taking our eyes off the building in front of us.
"Probably safe to say, but I don't think there's anyone else in the building. If Enzo left, the others should have left by now." I shared.
"Let's try to go inside and see what awaits us there." Bella said and immediately stood up, preparing her weapon again without removing the safety. I followed suit and repeated her actions with the pistol. The two of us slowly circled towards the front of the building and looked around—no one was in sight, no cars either. At first glance, one thing stood out to me—all the other buildings had large padlocks on their doors, only this one didn't, and the door was still slightly ajar. For me, it meant only one thing—this place didn't store goods; rather, it was where tasks were carried out.
"I think one of us should stay outside and keep watch, and the other should go in and see what's inside. Just tell me which one you're taking." I suggested. The post didn't matter to me, I trusted Bella and her skills as an agent.
"I'll stay outside, you go in." she said, handing me the device I had left switched off for now, and I raised my weapon higher. With light and quiet movements, I opened the door slightly to try to listen for additional sounds. When I was convinced, there were none, I opened it wider and entered. The hall was spacious with high walls, an ordinary and quite old table with four chairs in the center, and at the back, old fish storage boxes and several worn-out nets were arranged. At first glance, only the table hinted at an activity other than fishing, so I turned on the camera and took a few pictures. As I approached the table, I noticed a small note that had slipped underneath – it read what we already knew: October 15, 10 PM. My conviction about the connection between Luka and the strange conversation grew even stronger – they were involved.
I put the note back in its place, then moved inside and started gradually opening the old boxes, but there was nothing unusual in them – either they were empty or contained only hooks. At that moment, I heard Bella's voice: "Edward, hide!" she whispered, but with a tone that warned me. I saw her approaching me, and both of us crouched behind a pile of stacked boxes in one corner, with Bella even pulling a net over our heads. We removed the safeties from our guns and waited. We only heard the footsteps of a single man who was talking on the phone:
" Sì, si è preso cura di lui. Sono appena tornato per prendere quello che avevamo dimenticato. Il capo ha insistito, dopotutto Enzo gliel'ha dato." (Yes, he's taken care of. I just came back to get what we forgot. The boss insisted on it, after all, Enzo gave it to him.)
The only thing I understood from these words was the name of the already known to us Enzo, but I believed that Bella would fill me in on the details later. In these moments, I blamed myself for not being able to learn the language in a few days and be more useful. The footsteps receded, and the door closed without us hearing anything more. Thankfully, we didn't hear the sound of a padlock, which meant we would be able to leave again. However, we didn't rush to stand up in case someone returned, and Bella took advantage of the moment to tell me the meaning of the words.
The situation sounded even more complicated, especially since even our FBI office did not hint at the boss who sits above Enzo and the others in the chain. We definitely dealt with a much more serious structure and organization than the one we were prepared for. Nevertheless, we shouldn't rush to conclusions, so I decided not to share this information with Liam during our first conversation.
Ten minutes later, I assessed that there was no direct danger from others, so I slowly stood up, with Bella following suit. There was no change in the surroundings, so both of us quickly but quietly headed towards the exit. I repeated my actions with the door, opening it slightly while holding the gun in a position suitable for instant shooting if a threat appeared. Fortunately, there was none, so we exited the hall and returned to the tree behind the building.
"They won't be back tonight. I think we can head back." Bella suggested.
"Not before we reach the end of the docks. We need to photograph the colors of all of them and check if there's another unlocked one." I proposed, and she nodded. I took out my phone and recorded the numbers of the cars they left with before diverting my attention elsewhere. Then, I approached Bella, and we returned closer to the sea, continuing to the end of the alley. Bella took a few more photos of the warehouses and their arrangement. Our black and gray warehouse was the only one without a padlock, but that didn't prevent it from being unlocked only when necessary. Of course, merchandise like Volturi's wouldn't be left without additional security measures, but it didn't hurt to do what we could to check when possible.
Bella and I returned to the car, and when we got in, it seemed like the fatigue of the day had hit us. Simultaneously, we leaned back in our seats and exchanged glances.
"I think it's time to head home." I said, and she responded with a small yawn, sweet but revealing how tired she truly was. I started the car, and we drove back to our house in silence. The day had indeed been long, and for me, it was the first day of our real mission after my significant move. My previous undercover missions were not on this scale, and there wasn't such a vast amount of information to assimilate, but that's what made the adrenaline of the job so appealing to me. Lost in my thoughts, when I turned my head towards Bella, I saw that she had relaxed in her seat, hands folded in her lap, head slightly tilted, and her eyes closed – she had fallen asleep.
I turned off the radio music that had been playing softly and continued towards the house. When I parked, I turned to her but didn't dare wake her up. I got out of the car, unlocked the front door, leaving it wide open, and then went back to retrieve Bella.
When I lifted her in my arms, I noticed how light she actually was and how perfectly she fit in my arms. She nestled slightly against my chest, and again, I felt her breath, which brought me comfort.
I wanted to hold her as long as possible, so I didn't rush to climb the stairs to her room. When I laid her in bed, I took off her shoes and tucked her in. She shifted slightly, hugged the pillow with one hand, curled into it, and I heard a very faint whisper: "Edward, hmm" and then complete silence again. Could she be dreaming? Or was it just my imagination, wanting to hear that? I backed away from the door and leaned against it, staying a bit longer to watch her. She looked so innocent in her sleep that all I wanted to do was go back to that bed and be with her. However, that would be too difficult to explain tomorrow morning, and I didn't think it would be very well-received.
With too much to contemplate, I closed the door to her room, went downstairs to make sure the door was locked and everything was in its place, then grabbed the camera to bring it with me and returned to the upper floor to my room.
Certainly, the day had been filled with too many events, so I entered to take a quick shower and came back to bed. Not long after, though, Bella's quiet whisper in her sleep again crept into my thoughts, and that was the only thing that managed to carry me into a deep and peaceful sleep.
I hope you enjoyed the new chapter. Next week, Bella will continue the story, and the actions will gradually accelerate. As you saw, Edward presented only their first full day in Italy. If you prefer to read all the translation here, please leave your opinion, I don't know if that's convenient.