Tag ~finding the 'it'

1.

ROME POLICE HEADQUARTERS, Rome Branch

A few officers stood gathered near the vintage espresso machine, taking a break, sipping coffee and chatting like they weren't the ones who chased criminals daily.

"I heard you've got a new recruit in your team," said a tall officer, sipping his espresso, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"Oh, news travels faster than our dispatch radio, huh?" Matteo replied with a cocky smile, leaning lazily against the tiled wall.

"Finally, something fresh. I was getting tired of the same old faces—gangsters, druggies, and psychos," grumbled Luca, rubbing his temple.

"But didn't you get someone new like... two months ago?" asked Nico, the youngest from Unit 2, eyes wide with confusion.

"Oh, rookie," the tall guy laughed. "This one's different. It's a girl. These guys hit the jackpot."

"I can see the corners of your lips kissing your cheekbones even from behind," said a calm yet commanding voice that made Nico and the tall officer freeze, choke on their coffee, and snap to attention.

Matteo and Luca both muttered under their breath, "Merda..."

They slowly turned around to see Fabio Giovanni—senior inspector and their team leader, dressed sharply and with the calm fury of a man who knew how to bring hell without raising his voice.

Giovanni accepted their salute and turned to the tall guy. "Spoiling my men now? Don't you have some papers to file or street scum to scare off? Want me to inform your team leader that you're slacking off?"

The tall guy and Nico didn't even respond—just vanished like they had teleportation powers.

Giovanni walked up to his two officers, one hand on each of their shoulders.

"You know what makes your me happy? Seeing you both grinning like idiots." His smile turned suspicious. "So let me give you a gift for that happiness."

They immediately slipped out of his hold and started pleading, "Please, we're sorry!"

"You remember the Laura Giannini case, right?" Giovanni continued, unbothered. "We need to tail her sister's movements."

Before he could finish, Luca burst out, "broo!"

Giovanni blinked, waiting.

"I mean, sorry! Sir!"

He just gave them a flat look. "You two were my juniors at the Police Academy. I love you both. Which is exactly why I'm sparing you the horrors of training a new recruit. I'm giving you a much better job: a good old-fashioned stakeout. Juuust you two and a car. Oh—Alessio!"

"Sir!" shouted Alessio, their team's youngest, saluting with pride.

"I love that enthusiasm. Let's make sure it lasts. The stakeout—"

"Already packed and ready, Sir. Just submitting the paperwork for the stalking case."

"Yeah, you're not going," Giovanni said. "Your senior officers volunteered. So I granted their request."

Alessio blinked. "I don't mind doing it, Sir."

"I didn't ask. That was an order," Giovanni said with a smirk. Alessio saluted again and left without another word.

Giovanni sighed fondly. "He reminds me of you two—back in the day. Time flies... Now why are you still standing here? MOVE."

The moment he turned, Matteo whispered behind clenched teeth, "Stronzo..." (similar to "bossy bastard")