Chapter 19

The Phoenix siblings looked at each other before Megan hurriedly changed the subject. 

"So do you have a notebook and pen that we can write about the Il Macellaio?," asked Megan, "Or photocopies of their files that we can look at in our place in our free time,".

"Yes, of course.. But please, let's all take a seat and we'll start the briefing," said Agent Ford.

They all scrambled to find a seat around the long table that was facing a screen projector and when they finally sat down, Agent Cobbs turned off the light so they could see the screen. The first picture was black and white, and there was a year when the picture was taken. 

"1937.. Damn that's old," said Sam.

"They were the founders of Il Macellaio," said Agent Caldwell, "The Leggio brothers,". 

"That one's kind of hot," said Miranda pointing at a man sitting on a chair with his hand in his pocket.

"Pretty sure he's dead too," Zara laughed. 

"Oh he is dead," said Agent Caldwell, "Murdered by a rival gang ten years after the photo was taken,". 

"So all three of them are brothers?," asked Freddie.

"Two brothers, and a cousin," said Agent Ford. 

He clicked a button on the remote and the screen showed the next slide revealing the three Leggio's with three beautiful women. 

"Damn.. They scored good," said Harvey, "That one look like she's a Victoria Secret Angel,". 

"The one that you are referring to is the wife of Joseph Leggio," said Agent Cobbs, "And she's a well trained assassin,". 

"Let me guess, she trained some of the members of the family?," asked Sienna. 

"Yeah, and there's one now in the family," said Agent Chen, "And she's really good,". 

Agent Ford pressed the button on the remote again revealing a now modern picture of a woman in jeans and a green leather jacket. There was a gun holster on her waist and she was standing against the wall with a cigarette in her hand.

"Fuck me..," Harvey mumbled. 

"Harvey's turn on again," Leon smirked.

"It's easy when you're single," Harvey retorted back.

"That's Paola Rossi, second in command, cousin to the leader, Giovanni Leggio," said Agent Chen as she hinted to Agent Ford to press the button again.

 The slide shows a group of four people, three men and a woman, including Paola and Giovanni and they were sitting together in front of a pool.

"The other three men are Giovanni Leggio, the man wearing the hat. Then there's Amadeo Leggio and Lorenzo Moretti," said Agent Chen, "Amadeo is Giovanni's brother, and Lorenzo are their other cousins,". 

"So it's basically a family business," said Theo, "Except more deadly,". 

"Yes.. And they have hundreds of members around Italy which some of them live like normal people and even pose as workers in some tourist attractions, or owners of cafes and bakeries, or some even work as a gondolier," said Agent Caldwell.

"Great, they have eyes everywhere," said Sienna. 

"Do they have their own satellite?," asked Matt. 

"Unless they have the ability to bribe NASA," said Agent Ford. 

"Or an incredibly good hacker," said Sienna.

The rest of the meeting was about getting to know the Il Macellaio, and trying to locate their base. They find out that the Italian mafia had their own nightclub where they always had a small meeting in Bologna where they own most of the territory there. 

"Where do they keep their prisoners?," asked Megan.

"Somewhere in Bologna," replied Agent Cobbs, "We suspect they have a secret underground bunker or prison,". 

"You mean, you still don't know where?," asked Ben.

"They own the city, that means it could be anywhere," replied Agent Chen looking frustrated.

Zara was lost in thought as she watched the map of Bologna on the screen. She looked at her family and an idea struck in her head.

"We need a DSLR camera," said Zara suddenly, making everyone look at her.

"Why's that?," asked Agent Caldwell.

"Because tomorrow, Karan and I are going to play a sweet married couple from Spain who were going to have a beautiful honeymoon in Bologna," she replied, calmly. 

"Did we now?," Karan grinned and wiggled his eyebrow.

"Oh yeah.. And also scouting the place," Zara wiggled her eyebrow back at him. 

"That means we need a few gadgets too," said Karan to the agents, "If you guys have it,". 

"What kind of gadgets do you want?," asked Agent Ford. 

"Really? You guys are much more expert in this," said Zara standing up and fixing her dress, "Surprise us tomorrow morning,". 

With that, the Phoenix left the meeting but not before Zara gave Theseus her temporary burner phone number that she bought at the airport. 

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Zara was already waiting at the restaurant when Theseus arrived during their dinner date and she didn't come alone. Jackson, Theo, Ezra, Sienna, and Steven were all sitting everywhere in different disguises. She declined his offer to fetch her from Dylan's villa since she doesn't want to give their location away. She gave him a smile as he reached the table and sat in front of her.

"Have you ordered the food?," asked Theseus.

"Not yet," replied Zara as she put her phone in her handbag. 

Theseus watched her as she crossed her feet and looked over to call the waiter. A young man came over carrying two menus and smiled at her. 

"Ciao, bella signora... Mi chiamo Ettore e sarò il tuo cameriere stasera," said the waiter as he wink at her and handed the menus to both Zara and Theseus which earned him a glare while Zara blushed. (Hello, my beautiful lady.. My name is Ettore and I will be your waiter this evening) 

"E come cameriere, dovresti fare il tuo lavoro. Non flirtare con la mia donna," Theseus scowled at him while Zara laughed. (And as a waiter, you should do your job. Not flirting at my woman)

"Non preoccuparti per lui, è solo per le mestruazioni," Zara chuckled at the waiter, "Ordineremo il cibo ora,". (Don't worry about him, he's just on his period. We'll just going to order the food now)

The waiter took out his notepad and pen to write down their orders. After repeating their orders, he walked back towards the counter to give their orders to the chef and went to get orders from another table. 

"You look beautiful, Zara," Theseus murmured, his eyes gaze at her longingly. 

"Well, you look dashing yourself, Mr. Balthazar," Zara replied, smiling at him. 

"You've changed," said Theseus and looking at her slyly, "You used to avoid me or glared at me and even attack me,".  

"I didn't attack you," said Zara indignantly as she remembered the pantry scene seven years ago, "It was a self defense and you had it coming,".

"I was trying to seduce you," said Theseus quietly as he leaned forward towards her. 

"But it didn't work," Zara replied back as she took a bread stick on the table to have a bite. 

"Will it work if I do it now?," asked Theseus, his hand slowly reaching hers on the table. 

"I'm trying to eat, so no, it won't work," said Zara and she pulled her hand from him. 

Theseus sighed and let her eat silently. The food starts to come and they both start to eat, with a small conversation to avoid any awkward moment. 

"So, what have you been doing for the past seven years, Theseus?," asked Zara, twisting her fork on her spaghetti.

Theseus flinched when he heard her say his name for the past time. Hearing his name coming out from her lips had stirred his desire and he could feel a pleasant warmness spread through his body. His eyes gazed on her face as she frowned. 

"Err.. Theseus? Are you alright?," asked Zara, starting to look uncomfortable with the staring.

"You just said my name," said Theseus breathlessly. 

"Well.. That is your name.. Unless it's not real," Zara narrowed her eyes, "Or do you prefer me to call you Mr. B or something,".

"What? No.. It's just that, I love it when you say my name," said Theseus quickly, turning red. 

"Uhuh.. Thought you had a seizure, I was about to call for help," Zara teased him.

"I'm happy that you care about me, love," Theseus teased back, making Zara chuckle. 

"I just don't want our plan to be ruined," replied Zara, "Besides, England is still my home and I want to be able to visit my family,". 

There was a moment of silence and Theseus put down his fork slowly on his plate while Zara continued to eat. 

"You still don't want to go back to England?," asked Theseus.

"I love my job, and I love the country that I live in," replied Zara, "And I still don't trust you, Theseus,". 

Theseus sighs and leaned back on his chair. 

"I'll do anything to make you accept me, love.. But you have to tell me what I should do," said Theseus, his eyes begging as he looked straight in her eyes. 

"Nothing, for now," replied Zara as she watched the waiter bringing another course of their dinner, "Oooo.. My Fiorentina Steak is here,".