Outside the clock tower, Francesca wore an expression of utmost seriousness as she spoke to Alex.
"I need you to understand, Alex; Marco needs to go down, but we can't possibly do this alone," she proceeded. "We need to muster a band of loyal and trusted allies."
Alex nodded vigorously, his brain flooding with options.
"Well, I have a few people," Francesca said. "People who owe me favors; people who will do as I say. But I need you to bring a bunch of your people in, people that will stand by you and you alone."
For a while, Alex pondered over the question, remembered some people with whom he had worked before, and said finally, "I have some people in mind. People who will follow my orders. People who will be loyal to me."
Francesca smiled coldly and calculatingly as only an assassin could.
"Good," she said. "Now let us get to work; we have a lot to do before Marco goes down."
Alex, as they left the clock tower, was awash with feelings of excitement and anticipation. Finally, he would get his revenge; finally, he would get to take down the man who had killed his brother.
And Francesca would be there; therefore, he could never be barred.
For the next few days, Alex and Francesca worked nonstop building their team of allies, reconnecting old contacts, making new deals, and organizing a small army of men and women that were loyal and trusted.
Along their journey, Alex noticed how Francesca always was one step ahead of him in all their dealings. A master strategist, she was always thinking many moves ahead in the game.
And there grew a certain admiration in him, a respect.
But he also knew he could not trust her; not completely. She was a player in this game, just like him, and she was going to do what it took to win.
After the last of the team's organization had been made, Alex and Francesca again took a look at what they had achieved.
"We're ready," said Francesca with a cold, calculated smile.
Alex nodded while his heart was filled with an excitement, and a thrill-bringing anticipation flowing through his veins.
"Here we go," he whispered, deadly low in his voice.
They would start it now-their plan that was going to change forever their lives.