Page 18 of Blood Debt
I recognized none of them.
“They think you killed an officer that was sent down to investigate,” the informant added. “Australia. An undercover asset.”
My jaw ticked.
I glanced back at Matteo. “Did we?”
“No,” he answered without hesitation. “We’ve never touched law enforcement. Not even by accident.”
I closed the file.
“They don’t move on mafia cases lightly,” I said. “Someone wants this to stick.”
The informant swallows hard. “So…what do you want me to do?”
I looked him in the eye. “Nothing. Let them come. But I want to see who is coming. Make it easy for them. Give them an entry point.”
He hesitated. “A weak point in your house?”
“No. A believable point. Something just open enough to tempt. Just real enough to trust. But I want control over the narrative.”
He nodded slowly. “I can create an opening. Something that passes intel checks.”
I blink out of the memory, the room sharp again.
Over the speaker, the informant speaks low and steady.
“I forged the entry. I ran it through the Italian desk myself. An internal memo suggested a new staff rotation at your estate. I submitted a requisition—domestic staff, vetted background. They bit.”
I glance at Matteo. He leans forward slightly.
“The cop?” I ask. “Male or female?”
“Woman,” he replies. “One of their best. I can’t send out pictures. I’ll be caught.”
I nod. Her profile is enough; I just need a name. “You’ve done well.”
There’s a pause. Then the line clicks. Gone.
Matteo exhales, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “This is a dangerous game.”
I push my chair back slowly. “What’s the point of a life without danger?”
The room is still humming with residual tension from the call when Matteo’s phone buzzes.
He checks it with a glance—then his brows draw together. A pause.
“What?” I ask, already bracing for another storm.
He lowers the phone slowly. “Your father’s summoning you.”
I blink. “He’s supposed to be asleep.”
Matteo nods grimly. “Yeah, about that…. He’s not in his room.”
I push up from the chair, the legs scraping softly against the hardwood. “Where is he?”
“Downstairs.”
