Immediately upon hearing Tzadik’s order over her headset, Nicole began typing on her keyboard. This was her cue to shut down the alarm to the warehouse. Her fingers ached from the cold, but they warmed as they flew.

“Seven,” she called when the job was done. Although the alarm was now disengaged, to anyone monitoring the system, it would appear fully armed—as normal.

“Okay. Gather your chips,” Tzadik said.

With a few more keystrokes, Nicole tapped into the warehouse’s internal cameras and began recording. As she watched her monitors, she once again shook her head at the audaciousness of what the Mossad was about to attempt. Only the Israelis would try to pull off a heist this daring. But when Nir explained the purpose of the operation to her, it made perfect sense.

She’d been home in Milan when he called to tell her he was coming to discuss Mossad business. That was unusual. Normally, her contacts from the Mossad came through encrypted emails, and only rarely did she and Nir work together—at least on this kind of business. He arrived with a bottle of wine and a bag of fresh prawns. Then later that evening, with their stomachs full and the wine bottle empty, the two leaned back on her plush linen sectional, Nicole tucking herself under Nir’s arm.

“So what brings you here, Agent?”

“Your beauty drew me like honey draws a bee,” Nir said with a stunningly poor French accent.

Nicole laughed and slapped his chest. “That was awful.”

“Yeah, not my best.”

Turning her body toward him and looking up, she said, “What best? There is no best. I’ve told you before—you have absolutely no game.”

Nir took the moment to kiss her forehead. “You are one hundred percent correct. I am utterly gameless.”

Nicole slipped back into Nir’s side. “What does that say about me? I got won over by a gameless man.”

It was Nir’s turn to laugh. “Desperate people do desperate things. But seriously, you’re right. I am here as Agent Tavor.”

“What’s my next mission should I choose to accept it, Agent Tavor?”

Nir sighed deeply and then remained quiet for a few moments. Nicole remembered running her hand up and down the contours and ridges of his arm as she waited.

Finally, he’d said, “First, you should know I fought against your being part of this operation. I understand why the team leader—Tzadik—wants you. You’re just too darn good. But I don’t like the risk.” He sighed. “I made my case. He disagreed. I’m here.”

“I don’t need your protection, Nir Tavor,” Nicole said with an edge in her voice.

“I know, I know. Duly noted. Just hear me out before you get too angry.”

“Okay, go on. I’m intrigued.”