my online lover

as if

«What if we have a direct connection to the leader?» I ask, hoping for a good reaction from Daniele.

He takes a deep sip from his beer while I try to not feel nauseous by the smell of the alcohol at this time of the day. He gives me a deep look, thinking about it. «Which is?»

«His son,» I admit with no filters and my heart races when I catch a shine in his eyes. «Kevin Adonis,» I add lowering my voice, not wanting anyone to listen to me.

«What about him?»

«He will help to expose his father by being the bait in the whole plan. His father always wanted him to be the perfect emotionless son to push up once he has done with his role of leader but Kevin refused since the beginning, not wanting to be part of it,» I explain and touting the warm brioche in my hands. «But Joe is breathing hard on his neck, not letting him step away so...» I lift my eyes, meeting Daniele's. «I planned something where he would finally be ready to take his father's place, pretending to do whatever his father says just to make him drop all the secrets and then a hypothetical big attack.»

I take a bite of the brioche to fill my mouth, trying to be quiet to let Daniele wrap his mind around my words. I stay focused on his face while his dark eyes stay pinned on mine. He has stopped drinking, his beer firm against his crossed hands pushed on the table. My mind is walking around different thoughts and I am hoping he will say something that will make me feel good.

But he slowly shakes his head. «This is a suicide mission for you and your boyfriend.»

I choke with the brioche at the word boyfriend and shake my head fast. «He is not my boyfriend,» I fend off with an annoyed tone and control myself to not move my eyes on Kevin. He is not that far away, he put himself where he could hear some of the conversations. «I want to help him and free the city from Joe.»

Daniele leaves a loud laugh leaving his mouth. «You will never free the city from mobsters. You put Joe out of the games? A new one will take his spot. If it's not his son, it will be someone else.»

«Then I don't care to save the city, I care just to make Joe's life end,» I quickly answer. «Look, I know you are half intrigued by this. You've always wanted to catch him. I read your interviews and took a look at your work and your way to think. You want this, you're just afraid of him,» I taunt him.

Daniele's gaze now is firm and serious. No amused smile on his face. «Kid, don't call me a coward. If you have seen half of what I saw, you would understand and never put yourself in this.»

«Then I should find another way without you,» I end it by pushing my back on the chair and raising my hands.

«No one will ever help you,» he warns me. «No one is crazy enough to be hauled in this messy thing.»

«No one but you,» I try again and this time laying towards him. «Even if it is crazy and reckless, you would do it. I don't think you have anything to lose. It seems like you have passed your last days by looking back at your cases and crying over spilt beers. Give it a try. Plus, your job is not even the bigger one. You just have to direct us and then collect the proof until we have the big ones.»

Daniele is silent while my words are hitting him like rocks. I have probably marked the spot and realised that even if I am being mean, he needs to be spurred so he can feel he can do it. His beer is still untouched and his glasses are being twisted in his frenetic hands. I drink my cappuccino with confidence, trying to make myself a secure appearance even if I am totally the opposite of it.

«And are you sure his son wants to do this?» He asks and I hold myself to jump and clap my hands. «Fully sure? That's something really big and once you step in you can't go out.»