Fransisca's POV
Alessandro's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles turning white with rage.
"Don't play dumb with me, Agent Lopez," he growled, his voice low and menacing.
"I have a very low tolerance for lies. You're Agent Fransisca Lopez, code name Nightshade, working for the Shadow Agency's elite department, Phantom Unit. I ask you again, what are you doing here?"
My heart racing, I struggled to maintain my facade.
"Sir, I told you I'm not who you think I am! You clearly have the wrong information about me!" I exclaimed, hissing as the pain from my injured knee flared up.
Alessandro's smile was icy and calculating as he opened a compartment in his car and pulled out a card.
He tossed it to me, and I caught it, my eyes widening as I read the details.
"Alessandro Bianchi, Owner and Founder, Shadow Agency," I read aloud, my voice barely above a whisper.
Alessandro's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Not just the Shadow Agency, Agent Lopez. I run twenty other undercover agencies across the globe." His words sent a chill down my spine.
"How do you juggle these two worlds, Alessandro?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. "How do you balance being a crime lord and an undercover agent?"
Alessandro's expression shifted to one of seriousness.
"The best way to catch the bad guys is to be among them, Agent Lopez. And I didn't choose this life as a crime lord. I'm merely upholding my father's legacy."
He paused, studying me closely. "You're quite clever, Agent Lopez. I must give you credit. You think things through. I know you took something from the Gambino brothers' safe. Hand it over."
I hesitated, unsure of my next move. But there was something about Alessandro's demeanor that calmed me. I handed over the documents, and Alessandro's eyes quickly scanned them.
"Frank Hughes," he muttered, narrowing his eyes. "What's your interest in him, Agent Lopez?"
I took a deep breath before responding. "He's my uncle." Alessandro's expression shifted to skepticism.
"I find that hard to believe. Frank Hughes has been with the Gambino family for over forty years. He's the one running the child trafficking operation."
My world was turned upside down. Could it be true? Was my uncle involved in something so heinous?
Alessandro's next words sent a chill through me. "Your parents, Agent Lopez... they weren't who you believed them to be. They were involved in the crime, selling babies and pocketing the profits. That's why they were killed. They betrayed the Gambino family."
I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "You're joking... this can't be true! What are you talking about? My parents were wrongfully killed. Uncle Pedro saved me, and I'm here seeking justice! Uncle Pedro cannot be a child trafficker, I can bet my life on that, I don't even know how his identity is under the Gambino mafia, it has to be a mistake"
Alessandro's expression turned cold. "I can't stand noise, Agent Lopez. Keep quiet."
He paused, his eyes locked on mine. "The Frank Hughes I know wouldn't have let you get this far if you weren't significant. I'll take you to my place, you'll tell me where Frank is, and then he can reveal the truth about your past."
Just as Alessandro was about to start the engine, he glanced in the rearview mirror, his eyes narrowing. "We've got company, Agent Lopez. The Gambino men are right on our tail."
He let out a dark chuckle, a cold glint in his eye. "Their pride is bruised because I took you. They want you back."
Alessandro's gaze locked onto mine. "Lay flat, grab the gun next to you, roll down the window, and fire two shots behind us. Aim for the head of the target."
My heart racing, I followed his orders. I grabbed the gun, rolled down the window, and fired two shots. The car behind us flipped over, and Alessandro accelerated into the night.
"Nice work, Agent Lopez," Alessandro said, his voice low and approving.
I swallowed hard, my mind racing with thoughts of what had just happened.
I quickly pulled out my phone and sent a text to Director Rodriguez, the head of my department at the agency.
"Help! I've been kidnapped by one of the city's most notorious crime lords. I'm in grave danger. Please send backup ASAP!”
