Queen of the Underworld

23

"A what?" I said, not having any idea what the hell they were talking about.

"A femme fatale." Veronica said, her joy radiating off of her.

Of course she knew exactly what they were talking about. She led me right into her trap.

"What the hell is that?" I snapped, letting her know I wasn't happy about her little stunt.

She didn't care though, she kept smiling like the deceiving little rat she is.

"It's a-"

"It's something you don't need to know." Lorenzo interrupted.

I glared at him and he glared right back. The tension was something you could cut with a knife. No one spoke during our little staring contest.

I didn't keep my eyes off him, "What is it Vee?"

He narrowed his eyes at me in the meanest way possible.

He really didn't want me to do this.

Which is exactly why I will.

"It's literal translation is fatal woman. A femme fatal is a woman who uses her charm and physicality to lure and seduce men. She is highly intelligent and has sex appeal, she uses her skills to manipulate men and get them to do what she wants. Like a siren, they are mysterious and irresistible and they are every man's weakness."

I quirked an eyebrow at her obvious research in this topic.

"And you want me to be that?" I asked Giovanni, feeling nervous.

Lorenzo sighed dramatically and sat down on his chair, his head hung back and his eyes glued to the ceiling. He realized he lost this fight and has given up in trying to talk me out of it.

"Yes." He said simply, making me shocked.

"Why?" I blurted out, having no idea why they decided on this.

Giovanni fidgeted with the pen in his hand, thinking of what to say.

"There is a job. We would have sent Nicolas if it wasn't for the fact that it isn't just a kill. This particular person has information that is valuable to us, but they are protected at all times."

He was clearly withholding information about whatever this job was. But I sure as hell was intrigued.

"Is it about the traffickers?" I asked.

He shook his head, "this is a more pressing matter than the traffickers."

"What is it about?" My interest was at its peak.

"Gio" Lorenzo warned.

"What is it about?" I repeated.

Giovanni looked troubled but then turned to me, "Angelo Mussolini. This person knows where he is, and what he is planning. Right now Mussolini is AWOL so if we get the information out of this man, we have a chance at stopping him."

My heart stopped.

A chance to find the man who killed my parents?

I'd take it in a heartbeat.

"I'll do it." I said immediately.

Lorenzo rose to his feet, "no you won't."

I wasn't going to argue about this. That man killed my parents and left my siblings orphans. Any chance to stop him, I'll take.

And I mean any chance.

"Yes, I will." I said, staying as calm as I possibly could.

He took a step closer to me, looking as intimidating as possible. His eyes were narrowed to slits. He was balling his fists and clenching his jaw. If I didn't know him I would have probably shit my pants by now, but I do know him. He's my father, and he wouldn't hurt me.