Page 65 of Take Me Under

“I want you to get with Hale. Expand the background check you did on Serena to include anyone she’s had significant contact with over the past decade,” I said. “And see what you can dig up on her father’s work—specifically, anything he was working on right before he died. His medical records would be helpful, too. Also, some guy named Cade. He’s Serena’s ex. I don’t have a last name.”

Zeke stood, his expression resolute. “You got it. Anything else?”

“If I think of something, I’ll call.”

“Boss, are you that serious about this girl?”

I hesitated, not sure how to answer him. I was serious abouteverything when it came to Serena, but there wasn’t a commitment like Zeke was implying.

“Serious in a way, but not like you think. We have a financial arrangement, and I will be spending a month with her in Italy—which brings me to the other reason I called you here. Since I have no other security that I trust as much as you, I’ll need you to come with me. We’ll have to work out who is going to run Club O while I’m gone.”

Zeke reached up and rubbed his hand over his jaw. If he had any thoughts about this impromptu trip to Italy, he didn’t let on. Instead, he asked, “Does she have the Brutus Denarius?”

I shook my head. “That’s not the reason for this trip. But to answer your question, no. She said she doesn’t have it.”

“Okay, then. You’re the boss,” he added with a shrug. “I’ll start packing for Italy. The recent hires at Club O are solid, and Myla knows the business as well as we do. I think she can handle things while we’re away.”

“Perfect,” I said. Pausing, I recalled the worry I had about the press while leaving the restaurant the previous night. Add in the concern about Serena being mixed up in some sort of criminal plot, and the need to amp up security suddenly felt more real. “One more thing, Zeke. You’re right about the need for more security.”

He didn’t bother to hide his sigh of relief. “I’ve already been working on a team. Just waiting for you to give me the green light.”

I considered the time I would be spending with Serena in Italy. I wanted just a few more weeks of peace—without the presence of watchful eyes. Call it intuition, but somehow, I knew that when I returned to New York, a twenty-four-hour security detail would no longer be an option. It would be a necessity.

“Have them in place after when we get back.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

One Week Later

Rome, Italy

Serena

Iblinked back the tears glossing over my eyes as I sifted through a soil sample, trying not to dwell on the fact that today was the final day excavating the Roman Forum—or at least it would be for the foreseeable future.

I’d been blindsided that morning, the rug viciously ripped out from under my feet when I found out that what little funding we had left for the excavation had been pulled earlier than expected for unexplained reasons. I was supposed to have cash flow until the end of the month, and losing it left me in a panic. Our permits expired today, and I didn’t have thefunds to extend them. It meant I would financially need Anton sooner than expected.

I thought about him—he was never far from my mind. Despite his promises, I hadn’t heard from him since I’d left New York. He said he’d be here within a week, but seven days had passed without a word. I couldn’t count how many times I’d picked up the phone to text him. I’d type out a message, then backspace the entire thing in frustration.

A part of me thought that my days with him had only been imagined. But then I remembered my last night in the city. In his bed. His hands on my body—making me feel things I’d never before imagined. Even now, the memory of his touch caused a growing ache between my legs.

I scowled, and my face flushed, but it wasn’t from desire. I was embarrassed, wondering if he’d only used me for a cheep thrill. It wouldn’t be hard to believe I was exactly that. After all, he had no vested interest in a project like mine. Perhaps the carrot he’d dangled was just a tease meant to lure me into his bed.

The more I thought about it the more I was convinced I’d probably never see him again, but the idea of not looking into those gorgeous onyx eyes caused an unwelcomed pain in my chest. I missed him, even though I shouldn’t. Or perhaps it wasn’t him I was missing but rather the feelings he evoked. Anton made me want again, opening a part of myself that I’d shuttered long ago.

And I hated him for it.

Shaking off the unwanted emotions, I refocused my attention on the fragments appearing in the dirt as I sifted. When the sifter was nearly empty, I noticed a small, triangular-shaped stone resting on the screen. Pulling a small whisk broom from my work belt, I began to brush away the loose dirt. After careful examination, it didn’t take long to figure out I was staring at a rock. Not a long-lost relic. Not an ancient coin. Not a piece ofbroken pottery—simply a rock. At this point, I would even have settled for porphyry, but the columns of igneous rock that surrounded me didn’t want to give up any secrets today.

I looked up and scanned the Forum. The clear skies and warmer than average temperatures had made for perfect digging conditions. The frosty winter temperatures had fallen away weeks ago, clearing a path for an early spring and what was sure to be a hot summer. Tall Italian stone pines dotted the landscape, creating an umbrella canopy across the seven hills.

Despite the splendor, I felt numb, and I couldn’t bring myself to appreciate it—at least not today.

My unshed tears began to well until one slid down my cheek. Everything I’d been working for—everything my father had worked for—was likely coming to an end. I’d failed him.

“Find anything good?” said a male voice from behind me. I glanced back to see Jared Griffin walking toward me. He was a recruit from Texas who’d volunteered to be on the archeological fieldwork team.

Standing, I dusted my hands off on my jeans. I quickly brushed my tears away, not wanting to be seen having a moment of weakness in front of a team member.

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