"Dude, I really wish you would rethink this. I have a bad feeling you're not going to like what you see in Italy."
I wanted to agree with him.
"I'll see you in a few days. Thanks, Liam. Appreciate all you did for me."
Hitting End, I tossed my phone on the passenger seat. I had to hustle to get to the airport in time to catch my flight. Somehow I'd managed to get on a flight that left three hours before Gabi's. I'd beat her to Italy and get my plan laid out better.
All this trouble and what was I hoping to find out?
The truth.
The only problem was; I was beginning to think the last thing I wanted to know was the truth.
The ball cap was pulled low on my head as I watched people embark off of Gabi's plane. When I saw her, my breath caught. She was wearing a free flowing long white dress. Her hair was down and she looked beautiful.
She also looked nervous as hell as she frantically looked around her.
Tossing my bag over my shoulder, I started to follow her, being sure to keep a good distance back as we all walked to the baggage claim. I couldn't help but notice how since she left the gate area she had kept her head down and didn't really look at anyone.
My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out.
It was from Liam asking if I had made it and how it wasn't too late to turn this around.
I closed my eyes and cursed internally. I hated not knowing what was going on. My gut was telling me something was off . . . way off . . . and I wouldn't rest until I found out what it was.
Gabi pulled out her phone and a few seconds later, mine buzzed in my hand. I sent it to voicemail. She glanced around again and then smiled. She must be listening to my message. Dropping her head, she left me a message, hung up, then waited for her luggage.
Gabi headed out of the airport with one suitcase. I'd already had Liam's FBI buddy Jim Linde arrange to meet me at the airport. He was working over here on a case and was more than willing to help me out. We'd met earlier and he was waiting outside where all the Taxi's lined up to pick people up.
When I stepped outside, I headed quickly over to his car while keeping an eye on Gabi.
Slipping in, he asked, "Is that her?"
I nodded. "Yeah."
He frowned.
"What?"
Shaking his head, he replied, "She looks really familiar that's all."
I looked at him. "Really?"
He nodded. "Yeah. I can't place it though."
Gabi slipped into a taxi and we hung back far enough so we wouldn't add any suspicion.
"What's her name?" Jim asked.
Turning to him, I answered, "Gabi Mandola. Do you think you know her?"
He shook his head. "I'm not sure. Has she been to Italy before?"
"I believe she used to come a lot with her family before her parents died when she was in high school."
Jim simply nodded. "Where is she from?"
"New Jersey."
He looked at me and narrowed his eyes. "Huh. Interesting."
What in the fuck was that supposed to mean?
"You're staying at the same hotel as her?"
"Yeah."
"How will you know when she leaves?"
I felt like such an asshole. "I put a tracker in her purse."
He laughed. "Want a job with the FBI?"
I gave him a polite chuckle. "Believe me, had you asked me that six months ago I'd probably be all over it."
"You have military training, plus you're SWAT. Trust me, we'd be all over you."
This time I turned and really looked at him. "Seriously? Did Liam tell you I was in the Marines?"
"Before I agreed to do this for Liam, I ran a background check on you."
Now I laughed. "I can't say I don't blame you. How long have you been here, in Italy?"
"Four years. I was in our New York office prior to that"
"Wow. You ready to come home yet?"
Jim let out a chuckle. "Sometimes."
He pulled back and parked on the street. "There's your hotel."
We both watched as the bellman helped Gabi with her luggage.
I jumped when Jim started talking. Shit, my nerves were shot.
"Lynn, I've got a Gabi Mandola checking into the Grand Hotel Trieste. I need the room number and a room booked as close as possible to it."
Damn FBI. I was going to owe Liam and Jim big time.
"Right. Put it under the name Nic Drivas, but I want it a private booking."
A few minutes later he was hitting End. "She's on the seventh floor, 723."
I added the information to my phone.
"You're a few rooms down. Room 718."
"Jim, I don't know how to thank you for your help."