Chapter 29

HAZEL'S POV~









"Rewind."







I folded my hands watching the men in front of me staring down at each other. I didn't say anything, I just stood there silently. Whatever bad blood they had for each other was only going to be resolved by themselves and no one else.



"Jimmy is on the move, Azure just called to inform me," Mikhail said, drawing both of their attention. "He tried reaching you first but it seemed to not be connecting. Anyway, it seems he has plans of...." As if realizing something, he paused and glanced at me and Dimitri before looking at Matteo with an eyebrow raised in question.

"Uhhh.....uhhhh" he drew out scratching the back of his head. Dimitri scoffed, rolling his eyes before stepping towards him and patting his shoulders, wiping off some invincible dust from the leather jacket Mikhail was putting on.



"You know if this is an attempt to be secretive then know that you are a sorry excuse for a second in command" Mikhail's expression turned sore and offended by his statement but his only reaction to that was to step away whilst sending him a cold look.



"Markov," Matteo sent him a warning look before nodding to Mikhail.

"Carry on," he said, giving Mikhail the consent he was waiting for. All the while, I stood there listening and watching them without making any input or contribution. I saw Matteo look over at me many times with a curious gaze. Jimmy will be meeting with some Russians at a casino this evening so we will also be present. I don't know all the details because for some reason I felt like the guys were secretive, not one of them said too much yet it seemed like they all understood each other.



I pushed that thought aside, excited for the mission this evening. After a whole month without any action, I was finally going to be back in play. My role in the whole plan was crucial and I was looking forward to playing it off, especially since I was happy to be back to my usual work mode and dress style. A bright red gown and nude stilettos have already been delivered to my room and I couldn't be more excited about it.



Most especially, I was looking forward to being on the streets of Italy for the first time, I couldn't wait to visit all the beautiful places I have read about or seen in movies and I was eager to see how the Italians dealt with the gambling game. In a nutshell, this night was going to be a blast, and nothing, I mean not anyone was going to spoil that for me.



"Do you have any info on who he will be meeting?" I heard Dimitri ask, snapping me out of my daydream.



"We don't have any clear info but from what I was told I think it's someone from the Romanov although we are yet to confirm," Mikhail answered him. Matteo who was now seated quietly in front of his desk brushed his finger against his jaw in thought.



"I think it's important we know who he will be meeting, in case we need someone to trace back to," he had a point there.



"Yes that's true," Matteo nodded affirmatively. "Also, go through that footage we got from the club and see if there's anyone we can identify."



"I've been meaning to ask Castello. If you didn't attend the meeting that day. Who went in your place, Mikhail?" He asked thoughtfully.



" No, Mikhail wasn't in the states then. Someone else filled in his place," Matteo replied.



"Okay, maybe we can bring him in with us. So it's easier to point them out. Mikhail, you know what to do," I smiled at his action. This guy just didn't have a filter, there was no end to his annoying personality.



"Last time I checked I don't take orders from you" Mikhail snapped frowning at him.



" Last time I checked your opinion wasn't important and it still is not. So chop chop, call our guy in here" Dimitri finished, sending him an unamused smile. Looking at both of them now, I couldn't help but make out their similarities. They both were chill guys and unlike Matteo who is the complete opposite of them, it would take a lot of effort to make them snap. They are both funny and friendly, funny and somewhat caring even though they never show it. But their most prominent similarity is their friendship with Matteo Castello. Speaking of the devil, he chose that moment to step in and stop their bickering.



"Snap out of it guys there are more important things on hand to discuss," he reminded, bringing back their attention to the matter on the ground.



"With all due respect Castello I don't see any problem with my statement, all I did was point out the obvious," Dimitri defended.



"Very well," Matteo nodded. "But you don't speak to any of my men that way, especially not Mikhail. I will let it slide for now just don't let it repeat itself" he instructed Dimitri who only shrugged his shoulders. I was surprised he didn't have a different reaction to that but who knows what he had come right?



"The man I'm questioning is already dead anyway," Mikhail said, surprising the hell out of me. I didn't know Ermanno was dead, I mean I knew I hadn't seen him since that day he hit me and I was guessing maybe he had been fired or something.



"What? Why?" I was confused. The men in the room turned to me as if recalling I was still in the room with them. I saw Mikhail give Matteo a strange look, he smiled at me.



"What happened to him?" Dimitri asked, looking at them, he wanted to say something more but paused when Matteo sent him a sharp glare.



"Nothing you need to concern yourself with Blakey, he was in an accident. Didn't make it," my instincts were weary of that answer, and the fake smile on his lips. But I chose to remain silent, nodding my head in understanding as I believed him.



I had my suspicions about these men in front of me. I've always had this feeling that they were more than they appeared to be from their suspicious moves, and inside jokes, and don't get me started on the room full of weaponry back home which I will as yet to ask them about. The looks on their faces now confirmed my suspicions but I will not be saying anything for now.



I was offended though, by how little they thought of me. Do they think I would be with them all these while without realizing who they are? I was mostly annoyed with Mikhail for lying to my face like that and I was surely going to get back to him.



"Okay, may his soul rest in peace," Dimitri joked, making the sign of the cross with a slight smirk on his lips. I smiled at that.



I caught Matteo staring at me with a dark look, he bit his lower lip before glancing away. I was stunned by that action, I felt myself shiver and I shook it off. Don't tell me I was turned on by that little act.



"No! No!" My subconscious screamed to me. "I can't be falling this quickly for him, I'm not meant to fall for him in the first place," I thought to myself.



"Anyway, guys, whatever happens, tonight, we have to be on guard. Hazel sticks with me or one of the guys at all times. Mikhail won't be coming in with us so you will be with Byron anytime I leave, okay?" He instructed and I nodded my head.



"Castello explain to me again why she can't stay by me?" Dimitri put in jokingly but somehow, I could tell that he was offended. I was surprised at that.



"Markov, we've been over this already. I won't be repeating myself." Matteo growled out before turning to Mikhail.



"Get the men ready, we leave by six" he instructed, reclining on his seat. The men stood up to leave, Mikhail at the front with Dimitri at his back.

Just before Dimitri stepped out he turned back to Matteo with a serious stare.



"Don't forget what I told you. Your mom didn't leave on her own will, I will be proving that to you when we finally get hold of the device," he closed the door behind him leaving only Matteo and me in the silent office. I watched as Matteo breathed out rubbing his eyes with his thumb, I knew he was stressed out.



About the mission tonight but somehow I felt it had more to do with what Dimitri said earlier before leaving. I had so many questions that needed answers, questions he was not going to like hearing because they were all about his job and family but most especially about his mother.



I groaned out, I was already getting tired even though the night was yet to begin.