Beyond What Meets The Eye

Chapter Thirteen

Mira was sitting on the couch watching TV, while Adrian read a book, when a aggressive knock from the door grabbed both of their attentions. Adrian hadn't heard anything on the Lucchese situation, so they'd been lounging around, passing time.

Adrian's brows furrowed as he stood up and made his way to the door, Matteo standing in the doorway, his arms folded over his chest, a firm expression on his face.

"We need you at headquarters. We got some of Lucchese's men to agree to talk to us, but I think you'll want to be there for this conversation." Matteo said, his tone making Mira uneasy from her spot on the couch. Adrian glanced back at her.

"Are you good staying here?" He asked, but Matteo interrupted him.

"She should come with." 

Adrian gave Matteo a confused look but then nodded. Mira waited for Adrian's approval before getting up and slipping her shoes on. Adrian disappeared into his room for a moment, returning in a blazer, a small gun in his hand. He tucked it away in a holster in his belt, the weapon hidden beneath the new piece of clothing he'd thrown on.

Mira fought to hide the shock in her expression. She didn't know why he would need a gun to talk to some guys, but then again, she assumed there were plenty of conversations that'd gone south in his line of work.

She followed Adrian as he led her to a vehicle she hadn't seen yet, a slick blue jaguar F-Type that let out a dangerous roar when he started the ignition. He didn't say anything as he pulled out, Matteo following in a separate car behind them. Her eyes drifted to the glove box, wondering if there was a gun stowed away in this car like there was in the other one.

"When we get there, I just want you to follow my lead, alright. Don't say anything, or answer any questions unless I give you the ok, got it?" He said as they drove deeper into the city. He pointed to the glove box. "There should be a pair of sunglasses and baseball hat in there, grab them and put them on." He commanded, his voice holding a sense of authority she wasn't used to. She hesitated before opening the glove compartment, thankful when a gun didn't fall into her lap. She grabbed the accessories, pulling that cap over her head and putting on the sunglasses. She wasn't really sure why she needed to disguise herself, but Adrian seemed insistent. She wasn't going to ask questions.

They had reached the heart of the city when he pulled into the parking lot of a large Bank of America. He hopped out, walking over and opening the door for her. She thanked him softly under her breath, following him as he walked into the main lobby.

There was nothing out of the ordinary about the bank, men and women in suits shuffling about, and a kind looking desk receptionist sitting behind a counter. Adrian walked past the receptionist and straight to the elevator. Matteo walked up next to them.

They got in the elevator, and instead of going up, Adrian held a keycard to the scanner and then pressed the emergency button. Instead of a blaring alarm, the doors simply shut and the elevator began shifting downwards.

The elevator doors slid open, revealing a long marble hallway illuminated with bright fluorescent lights. The people who walked by weren't dressed in suits or pencil skirts, instead, they were dressed more like Adrian, casual, but put together. 

"They're in the interrogation room," Matteo instructed, sending a chill down Mira's spine. This was some real mafia shit right here. All eyes were on them as they walked through, people sending polite nods in Adrian's direction as they passed. 

They stopped in front of a large, steel framed door where Matteo typed a few numbers into the keypad, the sound of a lock clicking signaling for them to enter. It looked like something out of a true crime show, a sitting area present on one side of the room, a large pane of glass decorating the farthest wall, a door leading into what she assumed was the actual 'interrogation room'. She could see there was already a number of people gathered in the other room.