Page 1 of The Bonventi Hitman
ANNA - 1
The soft hum of Chicago's busy streets below seems distant as I stand before the full-length mirror in the dimly lit hotel room. The city's skyline filters through the sheer curtains, a backdrop to the night's uncertainties. I adjust the strap of my black dress, taking a deep breath. The cool silk against my skin does little to calm my trembling hands, silently betraying my nerves.
Bill stands behind me, his reflection a comforting presence. At 26, fresh out of FBI training, I never imagined I'd be here, about to step into the world of the Delaney crime family.
"You look stunning, Anna," he says, his voice carrying a warmth that always seems to soothe my frayed nerves.
I attempt a smile, meeting his gaze in the mirror. "I'm more concerned about being convincing than stunning tonight," I confess.
He smiles. "You'll be both. Trust me."
Bill steps back, surveying me with a critical eye. "Remember, some of the main players will be there—from both the Irish sideand the Italians, especially Gabriel. We need to tread carefully; men like him kill for a living."
I nod, absorbing his words. To me, Bill is far more than a mentor. In every furrow of his brow and every patient sigh, I find guidance and reassurance akin to what a father might offer, at least I think - I didn't know mine.
His presence serves as a constant beacon guiding me through not only the labyrinth of the FBI from the outset of my training, but here now on my first official mission.
Back at Quantico, his patience became the foundation I learned to depend on. He didn't just teach me the ins and outs of undercover work; he possessed an firm belief in me, which gives me courage to move forward and complete my training and graduate.
Yet tonight, even with him beside me, the familiar flutter of doubt creeps into my mind.
"Bill, do you ever wonder if we're in over our heads?" The question slips out, my vulnerability put into words.
Bill's eyes meet mine in the mirror again, a depth of understanding within them. "Every day," he says with a smile. "But I also know there's no one else I'd trust more to navigate these waters with. Your sharp mind and keen eye will help us succeed , Anna."
His faith is inspiring amid the uncertainty in my thoughts. Yet, as I look at our reflections—his figure imposing yet protective behind my own—I can't help but feel overwhelmed. It's been only 6 weeks since my graduation, and here I am, about to step into a world where a single misstep could mean death.
Finishing my makeup, I recall Bill's words the day he brought this undercover assignment to me. "It's no place for the faint-hearted, Anna. It's a tangled web of alliances and betrayals, where the mafia rules." His words serve as a grim reminder of our mission—to infiltrate the mafia's inner circle, a feat that has cost many their lives. Tonight's gathering isn't just another social event; it's a chess move, and I am disguised as a pawn.
Taking a deep breath, I force myself to focus on the task at hand. "Okay, let's go over it one more time," I say, stepping into the living room with Bill close behind.
"Tonight is just about you being my eyes and ears," he begins, his voice low and steady. "We're walking into the lion's den, and you're the dazzling distraction that keeps them from seeing the hunter in their midst."
I have to remember everything I observe: people, names, times, anything that could be useful. And it isn't like those damn TV shows or movies. When you're in this deep, you can't wear a wire or have a gun, it's too risky. If they discover either in my possession, my life would end before I'd even get a chance to explain myself.
"And pretending to be your mistress... Are you sure this is the only way? It feels like we're playing with fire." It's a silly question to ask, and I know it as soon as it leaves my lips. It had been established during the briefing on the flight from Virginia the day after my award ceremony that I am to be his "arm candy."
Bill nods, "Like I've said from day one, it's the perfect cover. It keeps you close to me without raising suspicion. The Irish trust me. You being there, as Sofia, my supposed mistress, explains your presence and gives you the freedom to move and listen.More importantly, it'll give you access to speak freely to the other mistresses, something I couldn't do."
As he speaks, my mind replays our countless discussions, the strategies we've devised, and the stakes we are playing for. Bill's guidance has always been my compass, his wisdom a light in the darkest times during my training. Yet, as the moment of departure draws near, I can't shake the feeling of stepping into a vast abyss that threatens to swallow me whole.
Bill unfolds his arms and takes a step towards me. "Just relax. You're going to do fine. This is the perfect assignment for you. I wouldn't have asked you if I didn't think you were ready. Just be yourself, try to have a little fun."
"And again, if someone gets too curious? Probes a little too deeply into our arrangement?" I ask, tension woven within my voice.
Bill's gaze meets mine, a spark of mischief in the depths of his usual stoicism. "Then we give them a show. A lovers' quarrel, perhaps. Nothing draws attention away from prying eyes like a scene. You can handle that, can't you?"
A reluctant smile tugs at my lips. "I suppose I can play the part of the scorned lover if needed."
"That's my girl," he says. "Remember, just blend in, gather what you can, and stay alert. Also, do you remember the signal for trouble?"
I nod. "Two taps on my left earring."
Bill smiles. "Good, just like we practiced. I'll be close, always within reach. We're in this together, Anna. No matter what happens, we watch out for each other."
"I'll do my best. For us. For the mission."
He steps forward, closing the distance between us, and gently adjusts the earring that would serve as our lifeline. His touch is brief but filled with an intensity that leaves no room for doubt. "I know you will, Anna. You're strong. Together, we'll pull this off. Now," he says, turning away from me and grabbing his jacket, "let's go."
