Page 20 of The Don's Deadly Assassin

“Unless we find enough coffins,” I give him a taste of my dark humor.

He and I both know that there are no ex-wives.

“I usually appreciate a woman who speaks her mind, but this time around,” he chuckles, “I might just fear it.”

How little he knows of the truth he speaks.

The violins rise in a crescendo as Vincenzo leads me effortlessly across the polished marble floor. With each step, I feel him studying me – how I react to his guidance. When I feign glee, he inches closer. When I look bored, he picks up the pace.

As the music reaches its climax, I sense the perfect opportunity. My focus must be on getting the timing right – no matter how tantalizing our interaction becomes.

After a few more dances, I begin to pretend I’m tired. I pull away from his grip and fan my face.

“Goodness,” I murmur. “It is hot in here, isn’t it?”

"If I may be so bold, I suggest we step outside for some fresh air?"

“A suggestion I welcome,” I bite my lower lip and smile at him, already knowing where this is heading.

Fifteen minutes from now, he won’t ever know what hit him.

Chapter 6

Camela

As Vincenzo and I walk through the lush gardens with our arms linked, I start a little game I like to play, testing myself. I inhale the sweet scents around me and try to identify each of them.

The musky undertones would be Jasmine, the light and airy florals would make for the roses, and the subtle citrus and spice would make for the oleanders. Which happens to be highly toxic – all of it.

"Camela, have you ever seen a rose as stunning as this?" Vincenzo stops, gesturing towards a particularly striking bloom. A soft smile graces his lips as he admires the plant, and for a fleeting moment, I find myself captivated by the sight of him.

Right from the start, I mourned the death of such a handsome face. Luckily, the poison only causes slight spasms; his face will still look fine in an open casket.

"Indeed, it is quite lovely," I reply, my voice measured.

"Are you enjoying the party so far?" Vincenzo’s eyes never leave mine as he shakes his head towards the main house. There's a warmth in his gaze that I haven't experienced in a long time, and I don’t know how to respond to it.

Is this what people do? Treat absolute strangers with such familiarity? How can he feel such warmth for me when he doesn’t even know me?

I know basically everything about him, even the brand of socks he prefers. Still, I don’t feel the same level of kinship towards him.

"Very much," I respond, forcing a smile, "though I am glad for the respite from the merriment, especially if it is in such a perfect setting." I twirl, making a wide sweeping gesture with my arms, encompassing the entire outdoors.

"Undoubtedly," he agrees, his own smile growing. "I always find solace when I’m surrounded by the beauty of nature’s blossoms and trees. Perhaps next time, we could throw a party here?"

We? Since when did this become a ‘we’?

The situation is getting out of control. As a huntress, I stalk, I pounce, I kill. That’s how a job like this gets done.

I’ve been studying this compound for the past four days using spy drones. On these three acres, there are twenty-four watchpoints, fifteen gardeners, forty-five guards, a convoy of a dozen security cars, two entry points and four secret exits. I have etched every detail into my memory.

That is how I know that this part of the garden is neither visible from the house nor from the private parking lot at the back of the house, where the valets park all the visitors’ cars.

There’s no reason to engage further with the prey, not when I have him exactly where I need him.

"Perhaps we should find a place to sit while we continue our conversation? I’m finding a sudden ache in my legs… all that dancing, you see?" I giggle and bend over to press a knee.

Vincenzo instantly looks concerned, scanning the area until his eyes settle on a nearby bench nestled between two flowering bushes. "That looks like a good spot, shall we?"

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