Isabella watched the iron gate disappear behind them and felt a sharp, unexpected ache. It wasn't nosta

ed more on paper than in reality. Matteo drove steadily, the car packed with careful ef

silent, her hands cla

ce," Matteo said, "we as

ded. "We alr

tugged at his

d the area before allowing them out of the car. Isabella noticed how

herself. She looked sharper somehow. More awake. Fear h

a polished lie, all glass and wealth and carefully curated beauty. Isabella felt a flicker of anger

teo insisted on separate rooms, though he remained close eno

said once they were inside her

down. "The transfer h

ied. "We don't rush into a nest of vi

s. "People like De

ou rely on precisi

sharp but controlled. Finally, Is

ined his he

ting with an old contact. Matteo didn'

lla a small device. "Encrypted phone. Only thre

r in her hand. "T

ant to,"

s-referencing last minute updates Matteo fed her. Outside, yachts glided ac

in the afternoon, M

started,"

ulse quicken

suite near the port

aptop. "Then tha

ed her. "You

he said

n't nego

hout me, this is just susp

hed. Matteo's

said finally. "You follow

do," Isa

most

teo moved slightly ahead, clearing paths without drawing attention

corridor, bypassing the main entrance. A security guard glanced at the

row hallway lined

e," Matteo

h thin walls. Isabella recognized one immedia

ndro D

near a vented panel.

he device, hold

tes," De Luca was saying, "t

an?" another

ed. "She was n

nd focused settl

what th

the corridor lights flickered

Matteo

orner and collid

shoving Isabella behind hi

only a second

sound of pursuit loud in her ears. She burst through a s

one vi

O

e files through the dead drop, initiating the delaye

fell over

lla Mo

look

r, impeccably dressed, smiling as

uite a stir," he

lf to stand. "Yo

reed. "I sh

losed in a

ca continued. "But bravery

eadily. "You confus

eyes. "Come with me. We'l

uld respond,

rming one guard with brutal efficiency. Another lunge

he s

n't need to

harbor, weaving through startled tou

e, she stopped, ga

ood trickling from a cut near hi

o disappea

send?" h

replied. "E

ross his face, br

phone buz

he said grimly. "A

on the edge of hysteria. "My

nds, grounding her

said. "But i

e crowd as helicopt

co's perfect faça

e, Isabella Moretti w

ning toward