Page 87 of The Don's Deadly Assassin

I’ve shaken her.

She regains her composure just as fast and begins to walk towards Vincenzo.

“She’s walking towards you,” I say into my earpiece after pressing the on signal.

“Do it. Now,” he says back before the line disconnects.

My fingers deftly retrieve the retractable wire device hidden within my boot, flicking it open with practiced ease. Swiftly, I insert a hook at the base of one of the poles in the metal grid and turn to the back of my boot, where there’s a flap.

I unzip the flap and place the device back in my boot, positioned under my foot and close the flap again. Now, when I walk, the almost invisible, thread-like but strong wire will extend out against the ground in whatever direction I go.

I step out from behind the metal grid and walk towards Vincenzo. The Silent Death is ahead of me, and I walk in an arc to meet Vincenzo from another corner, crossing her path as I do so.

I look up and smile, waving at Vincenzo. Vincenzo breaks into a grin and motions me over to a quieter, less crowded spot…right next to the water spill.

I nod and begin to walk, flipping my hair over my shoulder, pretending to look back at the band for a second. Silent Death's eyes bore into me, assessing my movements as she senses something amiss. Her instincts are good, but our execution is better.

"Camela!" Vincenzo calls out to me as I’m about to reach his side. "Here," Vincenzo passes me a cold beer, his fingers brushing mine for the briefest of moments. It's a subtle signal that the plan is in motion, and Silent Death has taken the bait.

"Thanks," I murmur, my eyes flicking between him and our deadly pursuer.

"Are you ready?" He sounds concerned, but he trusts in our teamwork.

"Always," I reply, my heart pounding in my chest. I know we have only one shot at this.

This spot here is quieter, with a smaller crowd. The vendor selling the beers has gone off somewhere, to get on a call to arrange more ice, Vincenzo tells me.

I face him while he faces the crowd, the puddle of water just behind me.

"She’s coming closer," Vincenzo murmurs. "Wait for the perfect moment."

“What’s she doing?” I ask.

“She’s got her hand in her pocket,” he says, his eyes down at me.

I nod. She must have a trick, a poison to slip into his drink or under his skin.

"Almost... Now!" Vincenzo's command cuts through the noise.

With lightning-fast reflexes, I turn around, dropping my phone to the ground. I bend and watch the Silent Death’s footsteps.

Her eyes are straight on my body, and I look up, staring at her right in the eyes. She pauses and frowns, and I smile at her, giving her a little wave from where I crouch.

Good. She knows I know.

She mutters a curse under her breath and begins walking brisker towards us. I feel my muscles tense as I see Silent Death approach the puddle that’s just a few meters away from her, her steps almost soundless. The electric energy from the rock concert pulses through my veins, amplifying my every sense.

The next kill begins.

I stand abruptly, and lift my foot to scratch my other calf, as I do the wire lifts off the ground just by an inch or so. She doesn’t see it, her eyes locked on mine, ready to pounce.

As Silent Death takes another step, the taught wire gets in her way, tripping her.

"Gotcha," I think, watching Silent Death stagger, her balance momentarily lost. Before she can recover, I rush towards her.

“Oh my god!” I shriek, drawing the attention of the crowd. She fumbles on the wet substance, trying to regain her balance.

But of course, she can’t. Vincenzo had poured the most slick oil substance in the bucket of ice before he ‘accidentally’ knocked it over. She’ll never regain balance.

---