Page 81 of Code Name: Michelangelo

The day following our dinner out, Nemesis suggested I bring Penelope to Shere. Given there wasn’t much going on due to the proximity to Christmas, she thought it would be a good opportunity for her to meet the team who was there.

She also suggested we have a quick private meeting.

“Wow. I’ve always wanted to visit Surrey,” Penelope said as we got closer to Shere and the coalition’s command center.

“Wait until you see the estate we’re visiting. It’s a quintessential English countryside.” My pleasant tone belied the anxiety permeating my every pore. I’d say I was hiding it from Pen, but I knew better. I was sure she felt it seeping out of me. “I’ll introduce you, then I have a quick meeting with Nemesis.”

“Is this it?” Pen gasped when we drove up to the gate. “You weren’t exaggerating. It’s stunning.”

I wondered if the site was chosen in part due to its tranquility. Inside the walls of the main house, it was often damned depressing. Each passing day without resolution meant more people were taken from their everyday lives and dumped into unimaginable horror. Each day also meant that some of them may have died at the hands of those who’d “purchased” them.

As much as I wanted my op to begin simply because the sooner it did, the sooner I’d finish it and walk away, I wondered if, when the time came, I’d be able to. Could I simply accept that I’d done my part and return to my life with Penelope? Surely, I’d be given more assignments from K19, but would they involve the fight against human trafficking?

I pulled up to the main residence, parked, then got out and opened Pen’s door.

“I’m nervous.”

Smiling, I took her hand in mine. “It was the first time I visited, too. They’re a good bunch. At times, intimidating but always friendly and welcoming when not in the midst of following an urgent lead. Here we are,” I said, opening the door and motioning for her to walk in ahead of me.

“Michelangelo, welcome. This must be Butterfly,” said Nemesis, standing when we were just beyond the foyer and found her seated at a table in the kitchen area.

The two women shook hands after Nem introduced herself first, then Ares.

“You are not expected to remember everyone’s names. I certainly do not,” I whispered after we’d made our way around the room.

A few minutes later, Typhon walked in. “Good to see the two of you again. El and I had such a nice time last night.”

Saint was in my line of sight, and I caught the scowl he quickly tried to mask. While curious about what had happened to cause such ill will between them, I was happy to remain in the dark. I had enough on my mind without knowing their story.

“I understand Eliza Fox took you to Five Hertford. It’s where we had our first date,” said Wren Whittaker when she and her husband, Wilder, joined those of us gathered in what was known as a situation room.

Penelope deserved a lot of credit for how unflustered she appeared after she’d been introduced to over twenty people. In fact, I heard her repeat each name back to the person within minutes of meeting them. Perhaps that was her trick and she’d be willing to teach me.

Nemesis signaled, and I leaned over to whisper in Pen’s ear. “Will you be all right on your own for a few minutes? I promise it won’t take too long.”

“I’ll be fine, Brand.” She smiled and returned to the conversation she was having with Bexli. At least, I thought it was her. Then again, I had a hard time remembering who was who.

“Sorry to pull you away,” said Nem when I joined her and two of the Americans in the library. “You remember Tank and Blackjack?” she said.

“Of course.” I nodded at each. Between them, it was obvious which one was Tank since he was built like one.

“We’ll bring you up to speed on our primary investigation first, then discuss your deployment,” she said, handing me a brief.

As I skimmed it, I was surprised to learn how close they believed they were to finding the final member of the target trafficking organization known as AMPS. Once they were able to dismantle it, the coalition intended to shift their focus to the Sicilian and Calabrian Syndicates, who they believed were the most likely to take over territories formerly controlled by AMPS. If Nemesis’ prediction was accurate, it was already happening.

“Your goal remains to get one of the most powerful Italian crime families to take the other down. As your history is with the Sicilians, your plan to infiltrate their organization in order to gather enough ammunition to take to the Calabrians is sound. You’ll have support from Tank and Blackjack as well as—” She stopped talking when the door opened and Typhon came in.

“Pardon the interruption. I was unaware this meeting was taking place, or I would’ve joined you sooner.”

“This doesn’t concern you,” said Nemesis, glaring at him like he was at her.

“I beg to differ. There’s vital information the coalition has not yet been made aware of.”

She sighed. “Very well. Get on with it.”

“Unit 23 has two agents already embedded in the Calabrian Syndicate—Giada Notaro, code name Luna, and Antonio Casavetti, code name Keeper.”

Nemesis raised a brow. “Shall I assume the next thing you’re going to say is you also have two who have infiltrated the Sicilians?”

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