Carmine

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Eva’s exasperating; why can’t I figure her out?

“Pay attention because this is what’s going to happen...” I begin, but Roman motions for his guard to leave and spins around.

Holding open his arms, he tells me, “Carmine, I’m pleased to see a Syndicate member attend my party.”

“I didn’t just come for the party. Adriano and I wanted a meet for a reason, of course.”

“What can I do for you?”

I don’t look at the girl, but Roman has already said that I’m the Syndicate, so I say, “We had a problem with our last shipment.”

Roman’s brows rise as though he’s astounded, but it’s not an Academy Award winning performance. “I just returned from vacation, and no one informed me of any issues.”

Still, I play along. “Your man, who usually lets them through, kept it at the docks.”

Instantly, Roman digs into his pants for his phone and updates me while dialing and bringing it up to his ear, “This is a misunderstanding; I have new employees. I’ll rectify it right now...It’s Roman. Why is the Syndicate’s shipment still at the docks?”

When I glance at Eva, she seems to be staring at me, yet I disregard her. Ordinarily, being stared at doesn’t faze me, but coming from her, it’s aggravating.

Roman ends the conversation with his man, explaining, “I apologize; my employee can be at the docks to release the cargo whenever someone from your organization can meet him there.”

“Have your man call my soldier immediately to tell him that he can pick it up.”

“I will.” While he types a message on his phone, I take out mine from my pocket and scowl at the girl, mouthing, “Stop staring.”

“It’s annoying, huh?” she utters, taunting me, to which I simply lift a brow, forcing her to look away from my penetrating gaze.

Although I still need to interrogate this woman, I must contact Adriano first, so I hold up my mobile, informing Roman, “Now that that’s taken care of, I’m going to notify my boss.”

“Please relay my sincere apologies, Carmine,” he speaks in a suspicious, ass-kissing tone as I vacate his bedroom.

But before I contact Adriano, I intend to retrieve my pistol because I believe Roman has an ulterior motive – the one thing Adriano feared.

Strolling unassumingly around the corner, I pass a couple and, by chance, the reception area and foyer are empty. I sprint forward and duck behind the desk where labeled boxes are neatly arranged side-by-side on a shelf underneath it. Snatching my Smith & Wesson from the box with my name on it, I replace it with a gun from another box so that mine isn’t empty and put it back on the shelf. I peer around as I rise, pushing my weapon into the side waistband of my slacks. Hurriedly, I round the desk, eager to get out of there, but when I look toward the end of the hallway, stormy grey eyes are observing my every move. I freeze, and she saunters away with composure – there goes my upper hand. Dammit! Nevertheless, I need to talk to my boss, so I call Adriano.

“Carmine?” he answers after the first ring.

Without greeting him, I state, “You’ve sent me into the lion’s den alone. One of the girls from the sex club is Roman’s girlfriend.”

“Okay...Who?”

“Eva Conley. She was fired last week and now she’s here. She was just introduced to me as his girlfriend.”

“Oh, that girl; the one who was seen with you. Please don’t tell me you fucked her.”

“No,” I retort a little too fast.

“Before you continue, what’s going on with my shipment? Carmine?” he prompts while I’ve been preoccupied with thoughts of Eva.

“Roman claims it was his newest employee’s mistake, and his man is calling our soldier right away. I’ll have John confirm with the soldier and let you know as soon as we have it.”

“I’ll call John. Now, back to the girl. What’s your interest in her?”

“I have no interest in her, but she’s his current girlfriend, and something’s going on, because Roman fixed the situation with a simple call – I think he’s fucking with us.”

“Did you talk to her?”

“Briefly. She says she’s only been dating him since after she left Club 7, but this is too coincidental.”

“I agree, so I think it’s wise for you to stay the weekend. Snoop around his house and cross-examine the girl. I’m going to have a captain stake out the vicinity so that you have backup on standby in case of trouble.”

“Okay.”

“Keep me updated, Carmine.”

“I will,” I reply, ready to start investigating since I don’t believe for a second this was Roman’s employee’s doing.

Besides, Eva has to be involved in whatever scheme Roman is concocting, and she’ll be easy to crack. Therefore, I target Eva Conley to uncover Roman’s plan and get my damn watch back.

I decide to stash my gun in my room first, so I move down the corridor again, stopping at the door with the number three etched on it, which is the room neighboring Roman’s. Turning the knob, I step into a spacious grey tiled bedroom that’s furnished with only a dresser, a nightstand, and a bed, all painted white, and my bag is lying on the floor; it’s very cold yet clean. Heavy white curtains are drawn to reveal a glass sliding door that leads to the garden and pool.

All of a sudden, a faint creaking noise comes from the bathroom, so I pull out my revolver and slink forward. I reach for the knob while holding my gun cocked in my other hand and throw open the door, aiming at a wide-eyed woman I know. Striding inside, I back her against the wall with my front pressed to hers.

With one hand, I cup her chin to make her look up at me and push the barrel against her temple, saying, “Sneaking into my room wasn’t a smart decision.”