Chapter 9

Bellona scanned the underground parking lot with sharp eyes and even sharper ears. When satisfied that they were alone, she opened Rafaels door and allowed him to get out.

Bellona half expected him to complain or find it problematic that a woman was protecting him. Most men would. Instead, Rafael followed her orders without argument and a smile on his face. Suspicious.

You seem far too happy about going to work, Bellona commented.

Rafael swiped his black key card against a scanner, and the doors to the elevator opened. Bellona swallowed down her absolute loathing of the machines and walked in beside him.

Im not just going to work. Im going to work with you. And it will only be for a few hours, Rafael said, pressing the C button. Why do you hate elevators so much? Are you claustrophobic or something? If they somehow malfunctioned, Im sure, as a goddess, you would survive the fall.

Its not that. Its a death trap. A kill box. Bellona pointed to the security hatch. Blow that in, shoot whoever is inside, escape via the cables to the roof.

Sounds like youve thought about it, Rafael replied.

Bellona shrugged. Ive done it. More than once. I know how easy and effective it can be if done right. Theres nowhere they can run to, and no one can get in to help them. Its the perfect setup.

Mio Dio, youre making me nervous now, Rafael said, and his eyes went to the hatch again.

Good. It would be best if you were suspicious of everything. It pays to be paranoid when everyone is trying to kill you.

Rafael frowned at the glowing numbers that told them what floor they were on.

Are you always thinking about the best way to assassinate people? Where enemies can be hiding at any time? he asked.

There was no use lying to him. Yes. Always.

That sounds exhausting. Maybe you are the one who needs to retire and take up painting.

Its not the purpose I was created for, she said, feeling like they were on uneven ground all of a sudden.

You said there were no temples, no followers, no Bellonari left.

Bellona shifted her weight on the balls of her feet. Whats your point?

Maybe you can create a new purpose, he replied.

The elevator doors opened, and she had no choice but to follow him.

If I were the goddess of puppies and kittens, you and many other people would be dead, she muttered angrily. Maybe think about that before you try and judge me, human.

Rafael caught her arm as she tried to walk past him.

Im not judging you, Bellona. I think you are incredible, and I know killing isnt all you are. You have the power to change your fate if you want to. Most people dont have that luxury, he said. He was close enough that Bellona could smell his woodsy aftershave and see the green in his eyes. Her eyes dropped to his lips, and someone cleared their throat before she could pull away.

Is everything okay here, Mr. Asellio? an older woman asked. Do I need to call security?

Rafael quickly let Bellona go. That wont be necessary, Maria. This is Bellona. She is my new personal bodyguard. Maria is my assistant, Rafael introduced. He headed down the polished marble foyer and through the doors to a large office. Please hold my calls. I will be unexpectedly busy for the next few hours.

Of course, Maria said, though she gave Bellona a suspicious, disapproving look mastered by nonne all over the world. Bellona smiled. It was good to know Rafael had a guard dog.

She followed him into his office, which was tastefully decorated with beautiful dark wooden bookshelves, painted artwork, and photos of him and his parents. She checked the bathroom before letting him in. There were no bombs on the toilet or windows that anyone could snipe him through.

Are you going to watch me get changed too? he asked. Bellona ignored him and opened the garment bag to check the suit before passing it to him. Really? My suit too? How would anyone kill me with a suit?

Ask Medea how she killed Glauce and King Creon sometime. You would be checking all your clothes after that, Bellona replied, handing him the garment bag. He was still frowning when she closed the bathroom door. She checked the rest of his office, the hallways leading to a conference room and public bathrooms. When she returned, a man with a ladder and gear bag exited the elevator.

Who are you and what are you doing here? she demanded, striding towards him. The man froze like a startled gazelle.

Ah, Im here to install more cameras? he said, pulling out his ID.

Signora, the work order was placed by Mr. Asellio himself last night, Maria said, coming to the mans aid.

I dont care. Bag on the ground. Open it and step away, Bellona instructed. Maria opened her mouth again, but Bellonas glare made her close it. With shaking hands, he opened the bag and moved away. Bellona knelt and went through it. She even felt out the lining for hidden objects.

Lift your arms and spread your legs. Im going to have to pat you down. Bellona could see the fear in the mans eyes as he did as he was told. She checked him over until she was satisfied.

Ah, can I get back to work now?

Start in the conference room, Bellona said, and he hurried away.

Was that really necessary? He was cleared by security before coming to this floor, Maria said, hands on her hips.

Rafaels villa was firebombed last night, so you tell me if it was necessary. You are lucky Im not going through your stuff as well, Maria, Bellona replied.

The older woman paled. Firebombed? Who would do such a thing?

Cino, Tirone, and Rita Costa. Rafael has hired me to keep him safe. Im going to do it to the best of my ability. Dont get in my way, or you will regret it.

Marias eyes flared. I have known Rafael for his entire life. I was in this position with Michele. I would never do anything that would put him in danger.

Cino and Tirone have known him for his entire life too, Bellona pointed out. She wouldnt be easier on her because she was an old lady. Bellona knew one of the greatest assassins currently operating, and she was an old lady too. She liked to kill people in public and knit while she did it.

Everything okay out here? Rafael asked.

Bellona looked away from Maria to where he stood in the doorway of his office. She wasnt prepared to see him in a suit, and her brain stuttered in self-defense.

Bellona was telling me your house was firebombed. She is going to keep you very safe because there will be trouble if she doesnt, Maria replied, looking at her over the top of her glasses.

Rafael put his hands in his pockets, a boyish grin on his face. Its so nice to have such lovely ladies looking after me. Maria, can you bring Bellona the spare laptop and set her up in the conference room? She will need full access to all the servers and whatnot, he said, and his hazel eyes flicked to Bellona. Ill shout if anyone attacks.

If they are half decent, you wont get to, she replied, but she followed Maria anyway. The sooner she could find dirt on Cino and Tirone, the better.

Maria went to the cupboard behind her desk and took out a laptop.

He likes you, Maria commented.

I saved his ass once before, so he knows Im capable.

Maria hummed and led the way to the conference room. Its not that. I havent seen him smile like that since his father died. Bellona didnt ask her to elaborate. She still hadnt fully recovered from seeing him in a three-piece suit. Her job was already too personal. She didnt want to know that she made him smile in a particular way. It would only make her job harder.

Within twenty minutes,the nervous-looking man had finished installing a camera in the conference room, and Bellona was alone with all the companys files at her disposal. She started with the obvious things—strange transactions on bank statements and security logs of people entering the building at odd hours. She didnt like that Rafael seemed to work twelve to fourteen-hour days regularly. No wonder he hadnt been able to maintain a long-term relationship. After an hour, she put her headphones in and called Medusa.

Hells Bells, what are you doing calling me? Medusa answered.

I need your help with something. I can pay you— Bellona began.

You will do no such thing. I have an appointment in thirty minutes, so speak fast, Medusa replied. The Gorgon was busy running her software and media empire and the city of Styx with Asterion while Hades and Persephone were raising their twins in Elysium. Bellona was surprised Medusa still had the time to answer her phone.

Ill give you the highlights. Bellona quickly told her all about Rafael and the bounty on his head. Its too much data for me to go through alone. I know Rita has something on them thats pushing his partners to turn their backs on him like this.

Medusas end of the line was quiet except for the rapid clicking of computer keys. Okay, Im going to call in some of my girls to help with this problem. We will focus on his partners. You focus on keeping your boy safe.

Hes not my boy, Bellona replied too quickly.

Medusas laughter was wicked. If you say so. Im sure youre this overprotective of all your clients. Im in his system already. I can see photos of him. Hes hot, Bellona. I can see why you like him.

There were voices in the foyer outside the conference door, but Bellona thought it was probably the guy with the cameras leaving. Medusa had been saying something.

Sorry, what? Bellona asked.

I said that Lola will start with the money because shes got a great little program to do the heavy lifting, and then she will dig into their personal lives.

Maria came into the conference room with a concerned look on her face.

What is it? Bellona asked.

The carabinieri just came and got Mr. Asellio for questioning about the fire. They said they were going to the restaurant on the ground floor for a friendly chat, but I have a bad feeling.

Bellonas vision tunneled. What do you mean hes gone?

I couldnt stop them and not get arrested. I came in here as soon as they got into the elevator.

Bellona was on her feet and running for the stairs entrance. Medusa? Are you still in his system?

Yes, and I heard everything. Im just getting into his security camera feed, Medusa replied.

Find the restaurant and see if hes there. Im in the stairwell now, Bellona replied. Unfamiliar panic was turning her ichor to acid.

Hes not in the restaurant, Medusa said, her voice calm. I have him exiting the elevator about two minutes ago in the parking garage.

Bellona leaped over the stairs railing and free-fell the last three stories. She landed on her feet like a cat and kicked out the fire escape door. There was no sign of them, so she got into the Audi.

Medusa? You still there?

Certainly am. Im scanning back the footage in the parking lot... Okay, they got into a black Mercedes. Im going to get into the traffic system. Okay, they turned right outside.

Bellona drove out of the parking garage, determined to follow. She had left him alone, and he had been taken. Whoever they were, the fake carabinieri must have seemed convincing enough for Rafael not to call out to her. She was going to kill them all for using their position to take what was hers.

Medusas concerned voice brought her out of the rage spiraling through her. Bellona? Youre going to need to turn right at the next traffic light. I have found them. They are heading towards Valco San Paolo and going fast.

Bellona put her foot down and let her internal map of the city guide her down the fastest roads.

They are stopping on Via delle Sette Chiese? Do you know it? Medusa asked her.

Bellonas ichor went ice cold. I know it. Its one of the entrance points to the Catacombe di Commodilla. Bellona put her foot down harder on the accelerator. Hes being taken to the underground court.