Deception of the Heart (15 page)

‘Giovanni di Marco is here, as I said.’
Bernard didn’t seem to share his ideas, moving seamlessly to the next topic. ‘He arrived in Rome last night, just twenty-four hours after Pete. I wonder if he’s a backup for Pete’s operation or if is there another target he plans to hit at the same time. That would be a new development, unfortunately. So far we know about London, Paris, New York, and Rome. One single, synchronized attack. If Giovanni comes into the picture, the balance is totally skewed.’

‘They met today, right after Pete left
,’ Mike spoke up for the first time in the meeting. Jon watched his colleague pull out some photographs and hand them around. Like Bernard, he preferred the old-fashioned approach. Using computer images was not his first choice.

‘
He met with him in the little coffee shop just a few steps from the hotel,’ Mike continued, his blond good looks and strong Australian accent bringing to mind surfing, ocean, and fun. He was one of the top agents, though, skilled and deadly dangerous if needed. Jon was glad to have him on this case. Their paths had crossed numerous times over the years. ‘Afterward, I think Giovanni made a mistake. He walked right in front of the hotel, probably not realizing that Melanie Bennett was right there, sipping her glass of wine. She tried to get his attention, but he ignored her.’ Another picture followed and Jon found himself staring at Melanie, her face incredulous as she looked at who he guessed must be Giovanni.
Don’t think about the way she felt in your arms only hours ago
, he repeated to himself firmly, making an effort to see her as nothing but a case that needed cracking.

‘Which can mean only two things
.’ Bernard was talking again, his rough voice grating along his nerve endings. ‘She really didn’t expect to see him and got surprised, or she is a really clumsy accomplice who has no idea how discreet she should be.’

‘I really think she has nothing to do with any of this
.’ Jon was pleased he managed to speak very matter-of-factly, his voice cool and smooth. Some urge to protect Melanie had sprung to life and refused to let him go. ‘She told me Pete asked her to keep me away so he can work with Daniel here. Wasn’t very proud of it, either.’

He didn’t have to tell anyone how glad he
’d actually felt when she confessed her “horrible” sin. How much he really hoped she meant it, with no hidden motives. Or even less, how tempted he felt to tell her a bit more about himself and the agency. They would all think he’d gone crazy and probably send him for some forced time off far away from any action. The fact was, he didn’t understand himself either. He’d met plenty of beautiful women over the years, some of them much prettier than Melanie. He bedded some of them, flirted with the others, and some of them he’d even sent to jail. Still, he had never felt so close to jeopardizing everything he believed in as he did when faced with her soft brown eyes and smile that went straight to his heart.

‘Still, you should keep an eye on her for the time being,’
Bernard insisted, putting away the photographs. ‘It makes it damn easier to get into the hotel room, if nothing else. If she is clean, there is nothing for her to be afraid of, is there?’

H
e wanted to scream, ‘She could get hurt.’ Those types of operations never went down completely smoothly. Casualties and last moment mess-ups were facts of life he’d gotten used to over the years. He didn’t want her entangled in this web of treachery and crime, period. If he could send her off as far as possible, he would. Once again he surprised himself with his lack of logic. Bernard was right. Her presence made things easier and would continue to do so. Especially since she seemed to like him…

‘I am counting on you getting
into her room tomorrow.’ Bernard watched Jon, his dark eyes wise and all-knowing. ‘It shouldn’t be that difficult, if I am any judge of character. I saw the way she looked at you at the fountain, Jon. You won’t have to do much, you can trust me on that one.’

Jon fought hard to resist the urge to tell him to shut
up. Jon didn’t want to hear about how easy seducing the woman would be for him, especially in front of all those men, some of whom smirked as if they found it funny. She didn’t deserve that. His palms tightened into fists. Plus, he wasn’t so sure Bernard was right. She liked him, that much went without saying. But if he was any good at reading people, that didn’t equate to her sleeping with him on their second date. She just wasn’t that type of a woman. He searched for some words that would put things into the right perspective for Bernard.

‘
It might get trickier than you think.’ He settled on an evasive smile, nothing in his voice betraying his agitation. ‘I will try my best, though. Especially if Pete really plans to get to you in just three days.’ He turned to Spitieri, hoping he could reassure him just enough to erase some of the fear he could read in his eyes. Being the target of an assassination attempt wasn’t something to be envied. ‘I promise, Daniel, we will do our best to keep you and Sophia safe.’

The older man nodded hesitantly,
his tense features relaxing ever so slightly. ‘I know you will, Jon.’ He smiled shakily, his eyes pleading. “I trust you, you know.’

One more person
who believed in him. Jon swallowed, trying to get rid of the sudden bitterness rising in his throat, making him physically sick. People trusting him made things so much harder because he knew he couldn’t satisfy them all. Whatever trust they put into him, sooner or later they were disappointed.

Especially
Melanie. He didn’t want to think past that dreadful moment when she would finally figure out who he really was. The thought of her eyes dulling with the newly gained knowledge was unbearable.

He had to toughen up
, and fast. He was an agent before anything else. That was his life and his work, right there in front of his eyes. Anything else had to give way, he told himself for the umpteenth time, determined to get back his peace with himself and the rest of the world.

Melanie
had to give way too. He could do it.

H
is face was void of any emotions as he nodded at the other men. ‘Tomorrow might be tough, but I am pretty sure that by the evening, we will know much more and can proceed from there. Good luck to all.’ He nodded again and left the room, aware of Bernard’s eyes burning holes in his back. Jon didn’t look back. Instead he made sure his head was held high and his feet moved smoothly, nothing betraying any of the doubts and agitation eating him alive.

He was an agent and he would act like one, his goal clear.
That was all that mattered.

‘What is the plan for today, madam?’ Melanie looked up into Jon’s face, her lips stretching into a responsive smile before she even had the time to think. She watched the fine lines around his eyes, marveling once again at his masculine good looks. He seemed really glad to see her too, which was rather surprising. She didn’t consider herself very pretty or entertaining, even at the best of times. Just average, nothing more and nothing less. Ever since her breakup with Lucas, she was even less. Ever since he left her for one of her friends, she’d found it extremely difficult to consider letting another man into her life as anything more than an acquaintance, let alone a boyfriend. She’d become withdrawn and rather oblivious to the few men who had shown any interest in pursuing her as a woman.

To think that Jon found her attractive was unbelievable and
ego-stroking. She had no doubts about his ability to pick up pretty much any female, period. Still, he must like her, or why would he be so keen on spending another day in her company, even after she had told him about Pete’s little plan?

‘How about you surprise me?’
she asked, her cheeks warming as his smile deepened. ‘I mean, you’ve lived here for a while now, so you must know some of the locals’ spots tourists overlook, right?’

‘
Sounds good.’ He nodded, and his eyes went over her red dress with unnerving attention. She had chosen it because it went well with her skin that was slow to acquire some of the golden glow that seemed to be standard there. ‘There are some really beautiful spots that don’t get nearly as much attention as they deserve. Still, I am not complaining about it one bit. How do you feel about archeology?’ His question surprised her momentarily, but she composed herself almost instantly.

‘I’ve always loved it.’ History and days gone by had always held tons of appeal to her old
-fashioned personality. ‘Do you have any particular ruins in mind?’

‘
Sure do!’ He led her to the car, once again opening the door for her and waiting with a patient smile as she made herself at home in his two-seater. ‘But none of those famous tourist traps, Melanie. If you’d like, we could go to the outskirts of town, just far enough to see some of the remains of the old Christian enclave that dates back to the first and second century.’

‘Is it far?’
She held back a stubborn strand of her dark hair, blown by the wind into her eyes and making it difficult to see the road. ‘I need to do some work in the afternoon, you know. Yesterday was a total write off, I am afraid to say. I left my laptop in Pete’s room and found the door locked. Must have been the maid or something, but I couldn’t get in to retrieve my files and do anything useful. I am still surprised he didn’t seem to mind one bit.’

She smiled at the memory, Pete’s understanding ways making her congratulate herself on finding such
a great boss. She was quite lucky, to say the least.

‘Not too far
.’ Jon smiled back, his dark eyes leaving the road for a moment to meet her inquiring gaze. ‘Just enough to get away from the entire touristy hubbub. I promise you’ll like it.’

She didn’t probe any more, sudden shyness making it difficult to grill him further.
She wasn’t quite sure how to act around him. Certainly the way they’d kissed only a day earlier meant something? It must have changed the dynamics of their budding relationship. The only question was what exactly changed and how? Or did he regret it altogether, his easy friendship now a sign he wanted to draw a line between their madness yesterday and this new day.

Suddenly his hand left the wheel to touch her
hands resting in her lap. The warm, reassuring touch of his fingers told her better than any words ever could that at least her last assumption was wrong. His nails scraped gently against the soft skin on the back of her hand.

‘I was looking forward to this morning,’ he said, smiling
and returning his hand to the steering wheel. ‘For a moment I worried you might take a rain check after the way I behaved yesterday.’

Obviously b
eating around the bush wasn’t his style, and her body heated at the sheer memory of their kiss.

‘I was looking forward to it too
.’ She decided to take the leap of faith and say exactly what she felt, ignoring the warning signs going off in her head. Admitting how she felt wasn’t her style, but the constant need to protect her feelings and stay on top of things got tiresome and prevented her from enjoying the moment.

‘Good, it makes us two happy people
, then.’ Jon looked very pleased with her admission, the quick look he cast her one of pure joy and satisfaction. ‘God knows I could use a break right now,’ he added. The honesty ringing through his comment puzzled her.

He seemed to regret
saying it because the smile returned to his lips with a lightning speed, belying any tension she sensed.

‘Have you travel
ed with Pete before?’ he asked, his eyes on the road. Just a light question to keep the conversation going, she decided, before shaking her dark head.

‘No,
this is the first time. I mean, sure, we did some short trips in the U.S., when he met with some of his colleagues, but nothing as exciting as this here.’ She grinned, gesturing to the window. ‘I mean, what could be better than having a paid vacation in Italy, right? Although I do start feeling rather redundant with the way he locks himself away with Daniel, leaving me way too much free time.’

‘I’m glad
.’ Jon grinned, his eyes leaving the road momentarily to warm her with a quick glance. ‘Even though I have to admit I’ve never met a more lenient and convenient boss in my life.’

‘I know
!’ She didn’t want him to think she didn’t appreciate Pete. At the same time, she sensed some undercurrent in his voice she didn’t fully comprehend, as if his praise for Pete ran way shallower than it appeared.

‘Still, my free time is coming to an end soon
.’ She decided to share with him what she and Pete had discussed last night. ‘Pete will need me to go over the material he’s gathered so far. Still, I am amazed how much more relaxed he’s gotten in a few days. It must be the climate.’ She smiled, recalling Pete’s enthusiasm. ‘He has even been helping out with Sophia’s secret party for Daniel after his upcoming presentation. It’s a surprise, so I should really be quiet about it, but I trust you to keep it to yourself.’

‘
That sounds interesting.’ Jon took a turn off the motorway. The landscape took on a more countryside appearance. She saw fields divided by lines of somber cypresses and orchards filled with gnarled, ancient olive trees, their silvery foliage sparkling in the morning sunshine. There were fewer buildings around. Dusty side roads led to white and yellow homes with terracotta roofs and wooden shutters. Laundry hung on clotheslines, colorful patches of red, blue, green, and dazzling white cheerfully flapping when tugged by a breeze. ‘What kind of a surprise?’