The wig itched.

The lenses were dry in my eyes.

But no one could tell it was me, and that was the entire point.

“Keep your mouth shut and speak only when spoken to,” the man beside me warned in a thick accent as he adjusted the cuff of his white sleeve. He was Nico’s partner and our key to getting into the meeting unnoticed. He looked like a politician. Clean-shaven, smooth-tongued, expensive cologne. But I knew better. I had seen him rip out a man’s fingernails with a butter knife over a bag of pills. No one here was who they seemed. Including me.

I sat stiffly in the back of the armored SUV as we drove into the compound. There were men on rooftops with guns slung across their chests like accessories. At the gates, guards in black inspected our papers, then waved us through. The vehicle rolled in slowly, crunching gravel beneath the tires like bones being chewed.

I forced myself to stay calm. My dark wig fell past my shoulders, curled at the tips like fire. My hazel eyes were now a cold blue thanks to the contacts. And the scar on my wrist? It wss covered by a silk glove. The transformation was complete.

But none of it prepared me for what I saw as we stepped into the negotiation room.

The man at the head of the table looked familiar. Too familiar.

Shit. It was Mateo Morales!

Stay calm, Millie. He doesn't recognize you.

He stood there with a wine glass in his hand, making flirty conversations with a young fairskinned lady who was wearing a short dress that exposed her cleavages to Mateo’s hungry eyes.

He gave her that stupid flirty smile that he had given me the first time I visited the Morales Mansion with Alex.

He was touching her arms now and soon after, his other hand clenched her fat ass as he kissed her neck.

When the lady left, he moved around to exchange pleasantries with some other men.

This time, his smile was tight and stiff as if he was trying hard not to reveal his fangs.

He had not seen me yet but even at that, I tried my best to avoid him because one conversation with Mateo could make my blood boil and I wasn't ready to lose my temper and ruin Nico’s operation. Moreover, I was saving my energy for the final confrontation with the Morales when I'll finally have the chance to break their bones and burn their flesh.

But today, I was not Millie here. I was Mia Garza, daughter of a smuggler, niece to an investor, trained to talk numbers and move weight. And when Mateo finally turned and his eyes swept over me, there was no recognition. Just a nod.

The purpose of the meeting was to strike a deal about territory rights in the port. At least that was what all the Mafia dons thought.

Apparently someone had been stealing product during customs checks. There was tension in the air and everyone was talking over each other discussing their concerns and possible solutions all at the same time.

Rose, Nico’s agent and supervisor of his warehouse in San Francisco had flown down to accompany me on this mission.

“You want me to help you destroy the Morales?” Nico had said, sliding the file toward me across the metal table. “Then you have to play your part. Mingle with them and find out which of them is laundering my shipments through the Morales’ docks. Get me proof. Names. Codes. You do that, and I swear to do your bidding. Rose will be there to guide you.”

She gave a slight nod.

Rose was the perfect inage of a spy. She had the athletic build and the unreadable face for the job. Maybe she was just like me, hiding all her pain behind a rigid face or maybe she was born that way. I couldn't tell.

I brought my senses back to the room. Rose was seated a little far from me but our eyes connected often.

Mateo nodded again. “Quiet down everyone. We shall now discuss serious business.”

The negotiations began.

I listened to numbers that meant nothing and codes that meant everything. I kept my expression blank as men tossed around routes and safehouses and offshore accounts like they were discussing the weather. My hands were sweaty inside my gloves, but I nodded when I needed to.

Before the meeting had commenced, I had taken a cocktail or two. And maybe three glasses of champagne. But it didn't matter. Even if I had taken seven, I'd still be at alert because I had trained myself to hold my liquor well.

Unfortunately, my bladder seemed to have a mind of its own.

I made eye contact with Rose, telling her without words that I needed to use the restroom. The look in her eyes told me not to do it but I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I had to go!

I stood up to excuse myself from the room to take a pee.

"Miss Garza. What is your take on the current state of our affairs? Do you wish to make a contribution?"

Mateo asked, staring at me directly.

The room went completely silent. All heads were turned to face me as the dons stared at me, the only one who was now standing.

Fuck. Did Mateo know it was Millie and not Mia? Was he trying to expose me?