Shielding You ("The Shadows" Series: Book II)

8.

'Do we really have to be here?' Angelo looked around, trying not to show the disdain on his face.

'Yup.'

'We don't even have to be here-'

'The guy will meet us here-'

'More like you told the guy to meet us here-'

'Details-Schmitails' Matteo waved the waiter to where he was sitting and ordered something that will not get him drunk enough. Angelo shook his head and looked at Lorenzo who was also ordering himself something light.

'Might as well be a part of this.' Angelo turned his head at Lorenzo's suggestion but agreed nonetheless. He didn't have a choice anyway.

They were supposed to meet one of their men who had information about the raid they weren't able to attempt a few months ago since everyone had already died over there. This guy had been put in charge of getting them a pen drive with the file that his team had researched on.

It was still a mystery to them...how those men had died in their hideout. They were supposed to raid the place and interrogate them about their higher ups since they had become a nuisance to the government. Because of the murders there, it had taken them longer to find the information about sex-trafficking...the mission that they had completed not long ago.

They saw their man making his way through the club and greeting them subtly.

They were at a high-end club that belonged to one of the government-officer's relative...this was the same officer who had been in contact with them throughout their previous mission.

The man sat down in front of them and ordered himself a tequila. Lorenzo didn't even glance at him while Angelo looked around the place to see if he their man was followed by anyone. Being positive that they weren't being eavesdropped, Angelo faced the man.

'We couldn't find much since a lot of the data had been vanished. But we were able to get a face. We don't know if we should worry about the guy, but he was the one who had been spotted as soon as the cameras were back in action.' saying this, the man took the glass Angelo was offering him and slid the pen drive into his hand, using the glass as the cover.

'Thank you.' He said keeping up the formalities as he took a sip of the drink and Angelo rubbed his sleeve, gently sliding the pen drive in the inside hidden pocket near the cuff of his hoodie. Matteo kept looking around lazily and they started talking about mundane stuff just to pass time until he could leave as if he was done meeting his friends.

Lorenzo was about to take another sip of his drink but abruptly stopped. The others noticed his reaction before looking in the direction he was gazing at just to curse under their breath the next second. Lorenzo tried not to smirk because of the situation as he glanced at Angelo only to see him already looking at him with a deadpanned look.

'This is why I don't like going outdoors.' Angelo stated while Matteo rubbed his forehead knowing he was going to get an earful when they go back to their house.

Lorenzo gestured the man to leave, who gave a nod in return before leaving the table and walking towards the exit as naturally as possible. Then Lorenzo glanced back at the figure who was the cause of Angelo's disdain for the place.

Eduardo Mancini, among his men, was making his way to the upper floor, the one booked only for VIPs.

'Should we leave too?' Angelo asked.

Lorenzo shook his head and kept sipping his drink. Matteo and Angelo glanced at each other, the latter throwing daggers at the former...the former being completely adapted to such reactions while Lorenzo stayed between the two and put down his glass after he was done.

Suddenly another surprise caused him to still. He coughed a little, causing the other two to focus on him.

'What is it now? For fuck's sake...give me a break!!' Matteo whispered as he glanced where Lorenzo's eyes were fixed. Angelo too saw what or specifically who they were looking at and he blanked.

'Isn't that...' Angelo nodded his head at Matteo'a query, knowing exactly what he was saying.

'The gas station girl.' He answered.

'She looks...' Angelo trailed.

'Better.' Lorenzo finished his thoughts. He couldn't help checking her out and not in a perverted or romantic way.

The last time they had seen her, she was on the verge of bleeding to her death or passing out because of her wounds...as far as the degree of injuries they had seen on her, although her strides were powerful as she had left the gas station. He had seen those injuries on people he had inflicted them on so he knew how painful they were, but the way she had carried herself out and the aura of mystery that had surrounded her had kept him thinking about her for some time he didn't want to acknowledge.

Even Matteo and Angelo had discussed about the girl from time to time since she was also part of that day when their mission had been ruined. She had become a figment of their memory of that day.

But right now...she was looking better...much better.

She was still fully clothed so they weren't able to see if she had any scars from that day but her strides were still as much powerful if not more as she made her presence known among the drunken crowd.

She made her way towards the bar and ordered something before turning and glancing around. When her drink was served, she took a gulp and let her eyes cover the expanse of the blurring chaos around the room leisurely.

'I think we're going to have company. 10 o'clock.' Angelo muttered lowly and diverted his attention away from the girl. Soon Lorenzo heard Matteo cursing under his breath as he started to look for a waiter for a refill. Lorenzo looked in the direction Angelo had called and sighed.

This day could not get any worse.

'It's been so long since I saw you kids in person!!' yelled the voice over the booming bass, making Angelo clench his fist under the table while Matteo finally got his drink delivered to him as the boy serving his glass ran away as soon as he saw the company the three were going to entertain. Lorenzo couldn't help but feel for the lad.

He wish he could leave too.

Taking a deep breath, Lorenzo put his glass back down on the table and looked up, connecting his eyes with the owner of the voice.

'Evening Eduardo.'

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Hello Lovelies!!! How have you been??

I had given a test for a job and I couldn't make it...I had lots of hopes for passing it but...yeah...

Not like I sobbed or anything...I did...a lot...

But I'm recovering since I can't change what had already happened...and I'll try to do better next time...see where it leads me...

Anywayssssss...

Did you like this chapter...click the star button if you did and share your thoughts...I'll be waiting!!!

All the Love💜 and Treat People With Kindness✌️

Alla prossima volta🤗

-R

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