“That’s an interesting assessment.”
What’s interesting is that he isn’t defending Adriel.
His phone beeps on the table, and he presses a button to read a message. “Matteo just sent us the passport photos.” He opens the MacBook he’d brought to the table earlier and powers it up.
I finish off my coffee and set the cup aside, finding it interesting that I feel none of the dread about these photos that I do about the ones of Niccolo’s crew. “I hope this tells us something.”
“I’m ninety-nine percent sure it won’t, but I never ignore a possibility. Which is why I’m a damn good Hunter.” He punches a couple of buttons and slides his chair over so that we are side by side. “Give them a look.”
I scan the photos on the screen that Matteo has aligned in two rows, and no one looks familiar. To be certain, I start at number one and slowly inspect all ten, one by one.
“Nothing?” Kayden asks.
I shake my head. “Nothing. What I don’t get is why he needed me, if we traveled together. Unless, maybe I met him in Italy?”
“Most likely you traveled together. Couples get less attention.” He closes the MacBook and sets it aside. “I know a guy who used to be a sketch artist for the FBI in the States. Are you okay with having him sketch David for us?”
“Yes. That’s great. When can he do it?”
“Not until Thursday. We can hit the consulate and then meet up with him.” He drags the photo album forward. “Unless, by some crazy chance, David is in these photos.”
“You think David works for Niccolo?”
“Niccolo is involved, so yes. I think it’s possible.”
“I feel like an idiot for being targeted. I can’t imagine myself being that stupid.” And suddenly my dread is far less than my need to know the truth. I open the book and start looking at the shots, each photo taking up a page. Nothing is familiar, and I’m frustrated until the last shot, which sends chills straight to my bones.
“Who is this?” I ask, pointing at the regal-looking man with thick, raven hair streaked with auburn.
“Is he familiar?”
Kayden’s tone is cautious and I look at him. “Who is he?”
“That’s Niccolo, Ella.”
“This looks nothing like the photo you showed me before.”
“Yes. It does. Are you telling me he’s familiar now, and he wasn’t then?”
“Let me see the other shot.”
He grabs his phone and hits a few buttons before bringing up the image he showed me when we were at Matteo’s house. I set the phone down next to the picture in the notebook. “They don’t look like the same man.” I tap the image on his phone. “This man has shorter, darker hair than the one in the photo.”
“They’re both Niccolo, so let’s be clear. You know Niccolo.”
“Yes,” I whisper, my chest tightening. “I know him. I might have tried to kill him.” I stand and Kayden stands with me. “I have to go. I have to leave the castle. You can’t have me here. I’ll get you all killed.”
His hands come down on my shoulders. “Deep breath, sweetheart. We already knew he was looking for you. Our plan is still good, but I need to know if it’s Niccolo who you keep having flashbacks about.”
“I don’t know, Kayden. The man in my flashbacks is still without an identity.”
“Everything is still as it should be.”
“A mobster is after me, so no. Nothing is as it should be. How do I even get out of this?”
“You don’t.” His hands frame my face. “I’ll get you out of this. I need you to trust me. Can you do that?”
“I do, but—”