"It was one most horrible little café they were in," Sophia said. "Perhaps one can say small or ugly, or even crummy, on the outskirts of town." While these two men were sipping their coffees, they would talk about their plans.
"Nobody wants to know Francesca and Marco right now," Sophia explained, her gaze scanning the room for signs of possible danger. "Bring one down, and the other will get stronger."
Alex was already running through every possible scenario in his mind. "I agree. But how do we do it? Just walk in and take them down?"
Sophia grinned slyly. "That's my job. I've got a plan."
Alex raised an eyebrow in interest. "What is it?"
"We're going to turn Francesca's game back against her," Sophia said, bated breath. "We'll set up a mind game where Marco allegedly betrays her, and then we'll just see where it leaves us."
"That's really brilliant," Alex said, "But how do we make Francesca think Marco is about to betray her?"
Sophia grinned again and roamed her way to the next moment. "Leave that to me. "The game is deadly, and I am hoping with Sophia perhaps their chances of winning will improve.
Alex bubbled with joy and a bit of nervous anticipation as by now they were coming out into the street from the café. Quite some deadly game they had taken on."
And as they stepped in the bright sunlight, he could not shake off the feeling that there were eyes following them. That Francesca and Marco were waiting, ready with weapons raised.
And he was right.
As soon as they turned the corner, Alex caught sight of a troop of men who stood waiting for them. Gunmen with grins that looked like they could devour a soul.
""Well, it seems as if we've acquired a few tagalongs," said Sophia in an overly mellifluous low voice.
The rushing of adrenaline to his head turned his cheeks bright red when he replied, "Let's get rid of them, shall we?"
And the fight began.
Chapter Seventeen: The Ambush
Alex stood back to back with Sophia amongst a throng of men. Glinting bright sunlight off the backs of the guns told Alex they were seriously outnumbered.
Sophia, however, seemed not to notice her fate; she simply smiled that frozen, calculating smile and began to make her way around the men.
"Mistake you're making," an irreverent one of the men said. "You actually think you have a chance against Francesca and Marco? Hardly. A couple of no-names."
Sophia's smile was broader now. "We'll see about that," she answered.
And she commenced, lashing out at the men, taking down the first with a solid kick to the stomach; yet Alex was right behind with punches and kicks taking out the others.
The fight was frantic, with punches raining and bullets exploding. Alex and Sophia seemed to be in sync through every beat, bringing the men down one by one.
At last, after what seemed like forever, a final body fell on the ground. And both Alex and Sophia stood panting, surveying the wreckage all around them.
"Nice job," Sophia said, a little smile sneaking into her words. "But we're not in the clear yet. Francesca and Marco will not let the attack on their men go unpunished."
Alex nodded, still gasping for air from the heavy workout. "What comes next?"
Sophia now bore a serious expression. "We have to strike one of Francesca's right-hand men. He has been the one coordinating her attacks."
Alex narrowed his eyes. "Who?"
Sophia now flashed him a huge smile. "Someone you know very well."
With a thumping heart, Alex asked, "Who?"
Sophia's eyes locked into his. "Vinnie."
Alex's eyes regarded her with shock as he exclaimed, "No way. The same Vinnie who betrayed me? That must mean--"
An angry wave washed over him. "Want me to assassinate him?" he sneered.
Sophia nodded; there was steel in her gaze, "Let's do it.
And so they went out to kill Vinnie, one step closer to putting Francesca and Marco down.