by Rimmy London
“I’m sorry about earlier, Emilio. I’ve just been a little frustrated today, but really I’m going to try and be nice.” I laughed, feeling like any frustration had finally left with the warm breeze. Emilio only nodded. Adriano rolled his eyes and waved me along as he pulled his brother in the opposite direction. Grateful for the unexpected escape I made my way to the pool, finding the entire poolside lined with kicking, plunging bodies. I scanned faces, seeing Gaio and Zoe immediately, but Givanni was more difficult, and I scanned the pool again before realizing he wasn’t there.
“Loriel!” someone shouted. Squinting at the well-built features of the man striding forward, it took a minute to figure out who was smiling back at me.
“Max!” I yelled, meeting him halfway and throwing my arms around his neck.
“Whoa,” he stammered, seeming a little unsure of what part of my bare skin to rest his hands on. I stepped back, laughing at the relief on his face.
“Sorry, Max, it’s just really good to see you.” Shaking his head, he glanced back at a group of strangers with shocked faces. Turning to me, he smiled wider.
“You definitely don’t need to apologize for that, Ms. Lane. I just might be the most envied guy at the pool.” I rolled my eyes.
“Have you seen Givanni?”I asked. Max shifted, looking guilty, and I let my arms drop to my sides. “What is it?”
“Well…” He rubbed his shoulder.
“It’s fine, Max, you don’t need to tell me I guess. But just let me know one thing.” I waited until his eyes had met mine. “Is he safe, wherever he is?” Max stepped forward, one hand reaching for my arm as familiar compassion filled his eyes. His kind expression brought back so many memories of the despair he had rescued me from that I tangled my arms around his neck again, pulling him closer and resting my head on his shoulder.
“That’s not an easy question,” he answered, his arms securing around me. “But let me just say there is nothing to indicate that he is not safe.” Max rubbed my back. “You know, Ms. Lane, people are definitely going to talk.” I nodded before stepping back and shoving my hands in my pockets.
“Let them talk then,” I said before blowing out a deep breath and looking up at him with a smile. “People need something to talk about, right?” His thin lips parted to show perfect teeth.
“Well, in that case,” he said, grinning openly. “Do you want to go swimming, Ms. Lane?” I pretended to think about it.
“I guess I could manage,” I answered, taking his hand as he jogged toward the deepest end of the pool. His small fan club seemed to have nothing better to do than to watch the show. I laughed, running ahead of him and gaining speed as I got closer to the edge.
“Wait!” he yelled. “Don’t you need to take those shorts off?”
“Not on your life!” I shouted, jumping into the cool water. Staying under the surface, I watched Max submerge into the pool, the water churning around us. Finally, I brought my head up, laughing with him.
“I admit,” he huffed, swimming closer. “That wasn’t my best dive.” I swam around him in a circle.
“Well, technically,” I tilted my head toward the diving board. “That wasn’t a dive.” His eyebrows rose.
“You’re right.” He grinned smugly and dipped under the water. I watched, enjoying the way the water moved around me. Max waited for a young boy to pinch his nose and jump in. He wasted no time and took one giant step to the end of the board and shot into the air, his body curving around his legs. After rotating in a circle, he straightened out and pierced the water with his fingertips. Cheers came from various onlookers. “So?” he yelled, swimming back to me. I raised my hands out of the water, clapping a few times.
“Not bad,” I huffed, churning the water with my legs. “I assume you’ve done that before?”
He laughed. “Only a million times. The polo team was all about contests.” He swam behind me, nodding at the diving board. “What about you?” he asked. I shrugged.
“Sure. Just don’t get your hopes up.” I sunk under the water, kicking toward the stairs and wondering which of the three not so impressive dives I would do. Taking the steps slowly I tightened the knots in my swimsuit, not wanting to repeat any of my most embarrassing moments. I waited for a group of giggling girls to hold hands and jump together. It was then that I saw a familiar silhouette, standing at the end of the pool like he’d never been gone. Givanni was hard to miss. Holding onto the hand bars I rocked back on my feet, debating.
“C’mon, Loriel! Jump!” Zoe yelled from the side of the pool. I laughed, a little nervous at all the heads that had turned in reaction. Taking three strides to the end I turned around, my heels balanced over the edge. Not used to such an easy spring with my jump, I was propelled gracefully into the air, feeling the familiar rotation as I brought my legs to my face and smiled. The accommodating diving board provided me with plenty of time to straighten out before slicing through the water. Hearing Zoe clearly even from under the water, I came up laughing, looking at her excited face as she cheered.
“Not bad, Ms. Lane,” Max yelled, looking impressed. “I see you’ve outdone me.”
“Oh, not at all,” I countered, a little breathless.
“Of course you did. You’re graceful, and that’s not something you can learn. You either are,” He waved his hand toward me. “Or you aren’t.” He brought his hand back to himself.
“Well, thanks,” I huffed. Givanni hit the water, his splash raining down on us. I spoke the minute his head surfaced. “What happened?” I asked, foregoing even a hello. He glanced at Max.
“She beat it out of me,” he said defensively. I nodded, laughing.
“Yup, I did.” Swimming a little closer, I lowered my voice. “But really, he didn’t tell me anything, Givanni, just that you weren’t here - which I already knew.” Givanni tilted his head, glancing again at Max.
“I really wasn’t trying to keep anything from you, Loriel, I just didn’t think you would even notice.” I nodded, remembering the savage mood that had plagued me all morning.
“I know. It was - a little crazy earlier, but things are going great now.”
“I can see that,” he said, glancing between us and sounding like he rather regretted being gone. “And yes, by the way, I’m fine.” Givanni nodded at the diving board. “You know, that really was pretty impressive. I could hardly tell if it was you until I got a little closer.” He grinned. “Maybe it was the attire…” I glared suddenly, daring him to say it. He laughed. “What I mean is… it compliments you well. I think everyone in the pool had a hard time concentrating when you came out of the water.” I rolled my eyes dramatically.
“Come on, you guys, I can’t possibly stand out the way Zoe or especially Enrica…” I stopped, treading water as I rotated in a circle. “Where is she anyway?” Looking back and forth between the two suddenly preoccupied faces, I wondered whom to question first, but Givanni beat me to it.
“What’s up with your friends, Max?” he asked, looking a little irritated as he gave the watching group another stare. Max turned before laughing and shaking his head.
“More like acquaintances really, but they’re just worried that I’m stealing your girlfriend.” Givanni’s bewildered face was priceless, and I laughed along with Max as he continued. “They’re probably waiting for us to start fighting any minute.”
“Uh-huh,” Givanni said slowly, looking expectantly at us as he waited for anything more. We stared back silently until he dropped his head, looking resigned. “Well,” He kicked his feet suddenly and lifted himself out of the water. “Let’s not disappoint.” With that he dove at Max, pushing him under the surface. I shielded my face from the walls of water, swimming to the side of the pool and pulling myself up. Sitting on the edge I squeezed my hair out and watched their wrestling match from a safer distance. I cringed at the way they pulled each other down and rolled underwater, glad I had left when I did or they might have considered me a happy party to their insane game. I doubted many people
would enjoy being forced underwater, as I could see clearly on the alarmed faces of a few people watching.
Max’s “friends” seemed to be enjoying themselves. They glanced from me to the splashing fight at the center of the pool. I wondered what they must think of me - that I was just sitting here to see who the winner would be. Leaning back, I tipped my head into the sun and let it warm my face and arms until the splashing stopped. Panting, Givanni made it to the side of the pool first and pulled himself up, sending a wave of water out with him that drenched my legs.
“So who won?” I asked. He leaned forward over his legs, his arms resting on his knees and abs crowding his middle.
“Oh, Max did,” he huffed, still a little out of breath. “I guess he’s your man now.”
“Guess he is,” I said casually before leaning back into the sun.
“Your friends sure are disappointed,” Givanni teased, his voice directed elsewhere. “Watching you lose to me.” I listened to the water splash as Max pulled himself out of the pool, drenching me from the other side.
“Yeah,” Max answered, sounding bored. “And they’re not the only ones.” Slowly making the connection I sat up, looking at Max who was grinning shamelessly. “It’s been a pleasure, Ms. Lane,” he said quietly, leaning closer and kissing my cheek. He seemed to change in a matter of seconds, the teasing gone from his features and a more familiar man taking its place. “It really was good to see you again, Loriel.” I nodded, taking his hand and squeezing it lightly.
“Thank you for staying with me, Maxium,” I replied. He smiled and gripped Givanni’s hand.
“See you tomorrow, Max,” Givanni said in a low voice. With that he sloshed away, continuing past his group of eagerly awaiting friends and heading straight for the ramp. I tried to keep my thoughts focused on the splashing and talking around us, working to find the calm that had filled me so easily before, but it was gone. Sighing, I watched the way Givanni sat curved over his legs. His face, although it held a pleasant smile, was dazed. I sat forward, leaning over my legs and copying his posture. Finally taking an impressive breath, he propped his hands on the pool’s edge.
“A question, Ms. Lane?” he asked. Although normally I would have laughed, I couldn’t find the right emotion, and in the silence, he turned his head.
“Were you with Enrica?” I asked, knowing the question was a crazy assumption, but somehow also knowing I was right.
“Loriel,” He began, glancing behind me and lowering his voice. “What do you think my relationship with Enrica is?”
I leaned back a little, not expecting this approach. “Well…”
“There isn’t one,” He shrugged his shoulders. “And I could easily answer your question and say ‘no, I wasn’t with her’, but it wouldn’t be completely honest.” He waited for me to look up from the pool. “Because while I wasn’t with her, that doesn’t mean I didn’t see her.” He pulled his feet from the pool and held his hand out. Grasping it, I enjoyed the way he pulled me up with one quick movement, my feet almost leaving the ground. “Let’s get something to eat,” he said, abandoning our conversation. We followed the smoky trail that led to a row of sizzling grills.
Chapter 16
We were finally on our way to Ragusa. Givanni drove in silence and knowing the objections he had with me joining them, I didn’t encourage conversation either. I wasn’t sure if I should be thanking his team or not, the way they gave me this “opportunity”. Givanni’s shock the moment I accepted had turned to intensity like the sun at noonday. My gaze wandered across the desolate scenery and thought back on my decision to help, not entirely sure it was the right one. Givanni’s phone vibrated in the center console, and he held it to his ear. ‘We’re here. You’re not doing this alone.’ He glanced at me, knowing full well I had heard Senic’s voice.
“Follow me. Stay alert,” he replied. Hardly two seconds had gone by before an old grey car sped out from a dusty side road. Givanni pulled a file from under his seat and set it on my lap. I recognized it immediately. The one that had mysteriously appeared in our car at the Valley of Temples. “Just look through that quickly. It’s everything Senic has collected on them.” Givanni huffed, his voice shaking a bit. “It’s all about CGI, where you will be investigating.”
“How much longer?” I asked.
“Few minutes,” he mumbled, glancing in his rearview mirror for the fortieth time. “And by the way, your gun’s not loaded.” He reached one hand into the green backpack and pulled out a small box of ammunition. I frowned.
“When did you do that?” I asked, a little offended.
“After our last practice… sorry I didn’t tell you.” It didn’t escape me that he apologized for the secrecy and not the act. Remembering the last time I had held my gun, I sighed. He was right. “But now it isn’t an option to carry a gun that’s not loaded.” He nodded down at the box again and I pulled my gun out. Fumbling with it for a while I finally got it right. The image of my dad showing me how to load it while his friend had stood by looking concerned was like a memory from another lifetime. I smiled, shaking my head.
“My dad would probably have a heart attack if he could see me right now,” I mumbled, lost in the gun store memory.
“Your dad would probably kill me if he could see you right now,” Givanni growled. He took a deep breath. “You’ll have to arrive at the building alone.” His eyes trailed to my toes and back. “You’re not really dressed for anything official, so you can be the innocent, lost tourist.”
I glanced down, feeling suddenly shabby after his rather crude appraisal. “Say that your uncle Eduardo was supposed to meet you and give you a historical tour of the oil towers that are scattered about the area. Whatever you do, don’t mention Shellbrook.” He looked over at me briefly, making sure I was listening. “If they start to talk, encourage them - let them talk. I’ll have a recorder on you, so don’t worry about trying to remember every little thing. Find out if they’re all from the area, how long they’ve worked with the company, how much they know about it. Anything you can think of. Got it?”
He glanced at me again, and I nodded quickly before he could miss it. We pulled to the curb alongside a chic restaurant. An elegantly dressed young man skipped to the driver’s side door but Givanni shook his head, waving him on. He walked a little reluctantly to the grey car behind us. I watched in the side mirror as Senic mimicked Givanni’s behavior.
“CGI Corporation is up ahead on your left, maybe a mile down.” He pulled something from his jacket and slid it into the pocket of my purse. “This is already on, just let it record, and don’t worry about touching it.” I nodded, feeling sick. “Something always turns up even if you don’t think they’re telling you anything relevant.” He paused long enough for me to fully feel the jitters moving from my knees to my toes. I clamped my teeth together before they could chatter. What was he waiting for?
He leaned across the seat, kissing my cheek and wrapping one arm around me. His voice was lowered enough that I doubted my recorder could pick it up. “Don’t go anywhere with anyone. No matter what, I’ll expect you back in one hour.” In my surprise, I hadn’t even hugged him back. His face was full of an expression I couldn’t name, and my eyes wouldn’t listen to reason. They stayed glued to his. Perplexed. Intrigued. Even after I’d crossed the front of the car to the driver’s seat, still he stared. And still, I drank it in. A car horn behind me broke the trance and I ducked into the car quickly.
“See you in an hour,” I whispered weakly. My heart raced with confusion. What did that look mean? In the next instant, I pushed it out of my head. It would have to wait. I made my way down the narrow street, eyes glued to the left side of the road as I waited for the CGI sign to show itself. It was easy to spot - shining gold letters bolted to red brick. The small parking lot held five spots, and they were all empty. As I walked past the perfectly shaped bushes and shrubs, I shivered at their forced uniformity. The lobby was comfortable and neat… and completely silent. My footsteps padde
d across the carpet like a drumbeat, and I was glad when I could stop and lean across the long marble counter.
Four sets of eyes looked back at me curiously, making me wonder if visitors might not be something they were used to. The closest was a dull grey-blonde woman, her hair straight and hanging neatly to her shoulders. Her large glasses hung on a very small nose, and she pushed them up even as I stood there.
“Ciao,” I said confidently. “I am sorry to bother you, but my uncle was supposed to meet me here.” She raised her eyebrows pointedly, allowing such a look of skepticism to cross her face that I stopped. Laughing lightly, I tried to feel like an innocent tourist as I continued. “Well, not right here, but in Ragusa.” Her expression didn’t change, and I could feel my face flush and my mouth dry like cotton. “I was just wondering if maybe I could wait in the lobby for him? I’m sure he could at least find this place. I mean, it seems to stand out impressively from the rest of the buildings.” My little bit of flattery seemed to smooth her face ever so slightly.
“Yes, CGI is a well-known landmark in Ragusa,” she continued, her dull voice matching the tones in her hair. “Of course, you would be welcome to wait in the lobby. There is one chair available. I would ask that you not make too much noise, and silence your cell phone.”
Her request sounded more like an order, and I reached for my phone obediently. When I glanced up I was surprised to see her abandoning her post. A young man nodded through her lecture before taking her place. Looking back at a teenage boy my shoulders dropped. He probably knew nothing about the company. But any conversation would be better than none. Taking advantage of his youth I smiled encouragingly, swinging my bag around to one shoulder and attempting to look bored. I drummed my fingers lightly on the countertop until I heard the boy clear his throat.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said, bringing one hand lightly to my neck. “Am I disturbing you?” Tangling that hand through my hair, I brought a few strands forward, keeping an apologetic expression on my face. He blinked, sitting up in his chair and looking around the room.