Cara was waiting in Maria's and Elizabeth's apartment. Ever since she called Nick Fox, her heart was beating fast. She heard of Nick from Jessica. She agreed with Jessica that Nick was hot, but countered back that she had no trouble finding hot British men.

She had a few relationships, nothing serious, except for Franklin and Marco. Her last relationship before Franklin was okay, but didn't last very long. Franklin was sweet, but wasn't for her. But Marco was the one, her prince she was waiting for. Too bad he was a poisonous snake. Her eyes tearing, she forced herself to suppress her emotions.

Despite what her friends thought, she still loved Marco. He was everything Cara was looking for. Her relationship with Steven was wonderful, but they were just kids. She thought about what to say about Marco. That phone call wasn't the only clue about his double life, there was also his uncle.

She remembered meeting Uncle Giovanni. She was with Marco at his birthday party, celebrating with champagne, when a intimating man walked in the front door. Immediately, the party atmosphere changed. Everyone stopped laughing and immediately everyone, even Marco bow down their heads in respect. Even Cara, with Marco pinching her.

"Marco! Dear nephew give me a hug." The Man demanded. Marco did, even going as far as kissing his cheek. ''Is this the young women you are engaged to?"

"Yes sir."

"Well give me a hug, I welcome you to the family. Anyone that can put up with my nephew deserves a big hug."

Cara didn't want to do it. This person, whoever this was, was a stranger to her. But that's not all. He terrified Cara. They were in Marco's Italian villa, celebrating Marco's birthday, when Marco mentioned his uncle Giovanni might visit. Seeing this man, Cara knew he wasn't just a visiting relative but someone else. He looked like he stepped out of The Godfather. The clothes, the demeanor, the extensive plastic surgery. She was from California, it was almost like a rule. She reluctantly gave him a hug, with her stiffening when he squeezed her closer, a few seconds too long. She breathed a sigh of relief when he let her go.

"What a beautiful charming woman. Much too good for my useless nephew!" He joked. The room erupted in nervous laughter. Marco's smile tightened, Cara, feeling sorry for him, squeezed his hand. The party atmosphere relaxed, and everyone started partying again.

She and Marco had a good time. His uncle made her uneasy, but she mentally slapped herself for judging a total stranger. However, she found out later, her instincts were right. Marco unfortunately told Cara, that he had to cancel their vacation to Greece. His uncle needed him for business. Cara was disappointed. But knew how important his job was.

Cara shook her head. Drugs. She should have known. Despite everything, she felt sorry for Marco. His family was screwed up. But that relationship was over. Franklin probably believed he dodged a bullet. Cara teared up remembering her arrest. All she knew she was home reading a magazine and sipping tea when these men came in. They didn't break in like American cops, but she remembered how their housekeeper looked at Cara with sympathy. They read her rights and slapped the cold metal bracelets on her. Then she found out how serious her charges were. Life in prison for drug trafficking.

She sat in a foreign jail for a week. She had to admit, it was a nice prison. She remembered Jessica's description of her arrest. Cold, scary, grey bars. Her cell was bright and warm. European prisons were actually nice. But she never wanted to see it again. She called her dad, thankfully he and her mom both helped her. After her release, she took only her clothes. The authorities wouldn't let her take anything else. Her own bank account was frozen. She got it back thankfully, but the memories of Marco were behind her. So she thought.

Now with his dad on trail, she wondered what she was supposed to say. She knew little about Nelson Karl/Uncle Giovanni. Marco barely talked much about his life. That phone call in London. If only she said no. Hearing the text notification, Cara jumped. This was only the beginning. As soon as she gets back to Sweet Valley, Nelson Karl's trail begins.

Maria Santelli waits in her company issued vehicle. It was a black car with tinted windows, but it was fast and sturdy. She waited for Cara to come out. Her and Cara were good friends in high school. They drifted apart when Cara moved away and after Maria graduated. They did write to each other occasionally.

Who would have thought about her becoming a ATF agent. After what happened to her dad, she thought about the evil in this world. She forgo college and instead joined the police academy. The exams were tough. Good thing she had her grades and her athletic background. She remembered how proud her dad was. He was still mayor. As soon as she stood in that graduation class in her Sweet Valley Cadet uniform, she knew she made the right decision.

She worked for the Sweet Valley police for a few years until she felt like she needed to do more. She heard about that incident at SVU with that William White character. Plus that scandal at Sweet Valley Country Club. It was like her dad all over again. She decided to change careers. She was debating on where to go. FBI or ATF or even the Secret Service. She talked it over with her Dad, and he said pick the one her heart called the most.

In the end she picked the ATF. Nelson Karl was busted for drugs, but that isn't the only thing he's getting charged for. He was also a illegal arms dealer. That ship of drugs, a drop in a bucket. Once those drugs are out there, he would have moved on to more international business. He was in talks with gangs around the world. Terrorism attacks, underground arms sales, drug trafficking, human trafficking, the list goes on. Plus the murder of police officer Steve Rivera. It was bullshit that his cronie, Clay DiPalma was on parole. A cop killer like him should have got life. But a legal loophole let him out. Apparently new evidence came in. That those brass knuckles weren't the only thing that killed Steve. When his lawyer had his body exhumed, the coroner ordered toxicology tests. The brass knuckles beaten Rivera, but it didn't kill him. They found traces of fentanyl. According to his wife, her husband was staunchly against drugs. His little sister overdosed when she was thirteen, thanks to a abusive older boyfriend. Which is why he always spoke in schools about the dangers of drugs. Rivera was poisoned. Even if those brass knuckles didn't kill him, the fentanyl would have.

Maria remembered Fox swearing. He went into witness protection. That hit on Fox? It was lip service. The money was immediately withdrawn from DiPalma's bank account, and all of his "friends" disappeared. Especially now. With him being released, Nick was worried he may be after him for retaliation.

When she saw Cara, she pulled down the window.

Cara saw the black Dodge Charger, when she saw Maria, she gave a small wave. Seeing Maria's nod, she gets in.

"Hey Maria. Wow. ATF? Congrats. So, um no one is going to follow us right?" Cara said worriedly.

"Believe me no one would. This car is loaded with every camera and tracker there is. If I'm in trouble, all I have to do is press this button. Every law enforcement in the general area will come to my aid."

"Good. Let's go."

They drive off. Cara knew this was only the beginning, especially once she gets on that stand.