13. Gia

Telling Ryder that I needed to go home last night was not easy to do. My body wanted to betray me multiple times.

He's so sweet and Chloe is the best.

Stop it, you're not in this for an actual relationship you're in this to protect them from the Sicilian Mafia.

I glance up at the clock in the kitchen. I haven't slept as I've been building an entire case and trying to figure out the exact reason the Cosa Nostra is following Ryder and Chloe.

Yes, I know because Chloe is royalty to them but are they protecting them because of who Chloe is?

Do they think Ryder killed Chloe's mom?

Are they trying to kidnap Chloe?

I sit at my makeshift desk on the couch, my laptop serving as a virtual bulletin board to put everything together.

Connect the dots, connect the people.

It"s a dangerous game I'm playing, one that could have deadly consequences if I'm not careful. Ryder is clueless about Sofia's true name and heritage, that much is obvious. He doesn't know that his house is bugged, he doesn't know that he's being followed.

For a man that served twenty-plus years in our military as a reservist it's hard to believe he doesn't notice he and his daughter are being followed.

I find myself drawn to them in ways I never anticipated. Ryder"s easy charm and unwavering determination have a way of breaking through my defenses, while Chloe"s infectious laughter and fierce loyalty tug at my heartstrings in ways I never thought possible.

I've never gotten attached before in all of my work. Why now?

Ryder Lafferty is an infuriating man with how overprotective he is. I was in the Marine Corps for goodness sake.

Oh, shit, that's my ego, isn't it?

He's protective because he cares, not because he thinks I'm not capable.

Damn, those old wounds open up easily without me even realizing it.

I try to remind myself of the truth—that this is all just an act, a means to an end—but the lines between reality and fiction blur with each passing day. And as much as I hate to admit it, a part of me longs for something more, something real.

Unable to ignore the gnawing curiosity that eats away at me, I delve into my research, scouring every available resource for answers. I reach out to old contacts, hoping to glean some insight into the mysterious forces that seem intent on watching over Ryder and Chloe.

"Dathan," I say into the phone as an old colleague answers.

"Gia, long time no hear. How are you?"

"Same old, same old," I reply with a forced laugh. "I believe I stumbled into something big, and I need some information. Can this call stay between us?"

"Of course, what is it?"

"I stumbled upon Alessandra Carusso, Don Vincenzo's daughter."

"Late daughter, she's dead or are you telling me that she's not."

"No, she definitely is but I wasn't aware that was common knowledge."

"Don Vincenzo didn't make it known because she had cut ties to the Family already. She was going by a different name."

"That's how I found her. Sofia Romano."

"Damn, what did you walk into?"

"My brother's best friend has a child with her. I've noticed some of his people following them."

"I'll see what I can dig up. If there's a child in the picture and Don Vincenzo knows, he's not hanging around as protection."

"You're thinking he'll nab her? That's where my gut went too."

"Yeah. Alessandra was the apple of his eye, and he was devastated by her leaving and her death. He'll do whatever he can to replace her with her daughter. The father will have no chance at getting her back once they get a hold of her."

"That's not going to happen. I've put myself in the loop to eliminate that."

"They put you on this job? What did you do wrong?"

"No, not working in a professional capacity. This one is personal."

"Tell me you're not attached," he sighs.

"You know me better than that."

"We all have moments of weakness."

"Not me."

"I'll see what I can find out. I got a guy on the inside; he'll know why they're following the child for certain."

"Thanks, Dathan. I appreciate your help and your confidentiality."

I reach out to a few more people. At this point, I feel as though anyone within the CIA has already heard the stories of how Allison is trying to pin her betrayal on me. The responses I receive are cryptic at best, filled with half-truths and veiled warnings that only serve to deepen the mystery. It"s clear that there"s more to this than meets the eye, but unraveling the truth proves to be an elusive task.

As the day drags on, I find myself consumed by my quest for answers, driven by a sense of determination that borders on obsession. I dig deeper, leaving no stone unturned in my search for the truth.

I receive a notification on my phone. I glance down to see a good morning text from Ryder. I leave it hanging there.

I'll respond later. No need to be so eager.

Later that afternoon, my phone rings.

Rodney? This can't be good.

"Good afternoon, Sir."

"Gia, what part of you're on an indefinite leave of absence do you not understand?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Why are you digging into Don Vincenzo Carusso?"

"I believe he's following a friend of mine."

"Stand. Down. Now," he hisses.

"I can't stand down when I fear for my friend and his daughter's life."

"It's a direct order. I don't care what kind of ludicrous story you're trying to make up, but you're making waves where we don't need them. You're interfering with an active case."

Active case?

"Is it one of our guys who is following Ryder and Chloe Lafferty?"

"Who?"

"Don't pretend that you don't know. Don't pretend that I'm not one of you."

"You're not one of us. I realize that you don't take loyalty seriously, clearly, but you're putting an operative in danger, and you need to stand down."

How dare he talk to me like this?

To attack my loyalty when I've been nothing but loyal to an organization that ditched me at the first chance.

He can lie straight to me about this, what else has he been lying to me about or keeping from me?

I gasp inwardly when a realization smacks me in the face.

"Tell me, Rodney, did you know that I had an identical twin sister?"

The line goes silent. The CIA doesn't leave any stone unturned when it comes to doing background checks. They knew my sister existed and decided to never tell me.

Have they been using her too? Without my knowledge?

"Yes, we knew about your sister."

"Is she an operative too?"

"No."

"Is she like my father? There's something off about her."

"No, if she was, she'd be arrested," he responds drily. "Stand down on your research on Carusso or I will take pride in arresting you myself."

He hangs up the phone without giving me a chance to reply.

I wonder who ratted me out?

The shrill ring of my phone pierces my thoughts, pulling me out of my trance and back into the present moment. Glancing at the caller ID, I see that it"s Talia.

"Gia, hey! How"s it going?" Talia"s cheerful voice greets me, and I can"t help but smile in response.

"It"s going well, thanks," I reply, trying to keep the weariness from seeping into my voice. "How are you?"

"I'm fantastic. I was thinking of having a Margarita Night tonight," Talia says, excitement bubbling in her voice. "Rosa, Sarah, Mia, and Ren are all coming, and I"d love for you to join us. I've never really gotten girl's nights and now that I have two official sisters and adopted ones with Rosa, Sarah, and Ren I want to make this a regular thing. Please say you'll come."

The invitation catches me off guard, and for a moment, I"m tempted to decline. The thought of spending an evening surrounded by friends sounds appealing, but the presence of Mia casts a shadow of doubt over my decision.

Use this.

This could be the perfect opportunity to learn more about her, to ask the right questions, and uncover the truth behind her motives. And besides, I could use a girl"s night—a chance to let loose and forget about the chaos that consumes my days.

"I"d love to come," I say, pushing aside my reservations. "Thanks for inviting me."

"Great! It"ll be so much fun. I"ll send you the details."

As I pull up to Talia"s house, the sound of laughter and music spills out onto the quiet street, signaling that the Margarita Night is already in full swing. Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I step out of the car and make my way to the front door.

Inside, the scene is a lively one—all the ladies gathered around the kitchen island, drinks in hand, their laughter mingling with the upbeat music playing in the background. Talia greets me with a warm hug, ushering me into the midst of the festivities.

"Hey, Gia! So glad you could make it," she exclaims, flashing me a bright smile.

I return her smile, feeling a surge of gratitude for her friendship. "Thanks for having me. This looks like fun."

As I glance around the room, I notice that everyone is already well into their drinks, their cheeks flushed with the telltale signs of alcohol. I decide to take it easy on the margaritas—I"ll need to keep my wits about me if I"m going to navigate the evening with Mia.

We settle into a comfortable rhythm, the conversation flowing effortlessly as we catch up on each other"s lives. Eventually, talk turns to work, and Mia pipes up with an unexpected revelation.

"I work in videography," she says nonchalantly, taking a sip of her drink. "I"ve worked with some pretty famous musicians, shooting their music videos and whatnot. My life is wild, let me tell you."

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued by this new piece of information. "Wow, that sounds fascinating. What"s it like working with celebrities?"

"It"s definitely an experience. Some are easier to work with than others, that"s for sure."

"What made you get into that?"

"I guess it was always easier for me to view life through a lens than my own two eyes. In high school, I dated a guy who was in the AV club. He taught me a lot."

"That's so cool."

As the conversation continues, I can"t help but notice a shift in Mia"s demeanor now that there are no guys around. The passive-aggressive fa?ade she had at dinner the other night has been replaced with a calm, loving, and kind personality instead.

So, she's one of those women.

Does she have a thing for Ryder, is that why she was so hateful to me when he was around?

Despite my unease, I push aside my suspicions and focus on getting to know the other women in the group. We exchange stories and share laughs, the banter flowing easily as we bond over shared experiences and inside jokes.

At one point, Rosa turns to me with a knowing look in her eye. "So, Gia, how are things between you and Ryder?" she asks, her tone gentle yet probing.

I feel a pang of apprehension at the question, knowing that I can"t reveal the true nature of our relationship. "Things are... good," I admit, choosing my words carefully. "He"s an incredibly sweet man, but there"s an age difference between us that bothers me sometimes. It feels like we"re in two different places in life."

Rosa nods sympathetically, her expression understanding. "I get that. But I"ve never seen Ryder or Chloe so happy, and it warms my heart. Ryder struggled with Sofia's death, and it's so nice to see him moving on with his life with you."

Ren, who has been quiet for most of the conversation, shifts uncomfortably in her seat. "Yeah, they do seem happy," she agrees, though there"s a hint of hesitation in her voice.

I glance at her, sensing her reluctance to fully agree with Rosa"s assessment.

It's normal for a sister to be hesitant to accept her brother's new relationship, right? She's just protective of Chloe and Ryder, she doesn't want either of them to get hurt.

I would be the same way, right?

"Are you sticking around Ash Cove?" Mia asks.

"I think so. It's got a certain appeal to it. Things with Ryder are so easy."

"But he'll be leaving again in what, August?" Sarah says. "Have you guys talked about that?"

"No, but it's not a deal breaker for me. I work remotely mostly, so I can go anywhere."

"That's good that you're so flexible. It's so cool that you and Mia both have such amazing jobs too. Despite your circumstances, the two of you are flourishing."

"I guess we got stubbornness from one of our parents," I joke.

"Definitely from your father considering Josh is the most stubborn man on the planet," Rosa laughs.

"I will second that."

"You know, it's really cool that you two can be friends," I say to Rosa and Sarah.

"When I realized that all she wanted was what was best for my kiddos, it was a no-brainer," Sarah says. "Not a lot of women see it that way, but I'd rather us have a really good co-parenting relationship instead of the kids suffering the awkwardness."

"And because of it I reap the benefits," Talia giggles as she raises her margarita glass in the air.

"Mia, are you seeing anyone?" Rosa asks.

"I never narrow it down to one man, I like to keep my options open."

"Yesss, girl!" Talia interjects.

"Have you found any around here?" Sarah laughs.

"Maybe a few," she shrugs.

I don't miss that her eyes flit to mine before looking away. It was an intentional glance to get into my head. I know the game well.

Who better to beat you at your own game than your own identical twin sister?

Ryder wouldn't give her the time of day, of that I'm certain.