Chapter TWO

I turned to Vito, who stood at the door, waiting for my command. His face, though impassive, held an unspoken approval. He knew why I did it. He always knew.

"Clean this up," I said, slipping my gun back into its holster. "Make sure my uncle doesn’t find out. I want the bodies somewhere they’ll be found. Somewhere public."

Vito nodded. "Understood."

"And Vito," I added, meeting his gaze. "Make sure it makes the news."

A small smirk tugged at his lips. He liked it when I played the long game. "Consider it done, Francesca."

As I turned to leave the basement, stepping over a pool of blood, I felt lighter. I had a name. Vincenzo Lombardi. It was no longer just a shadow in my mind. It was real, tangible. And soon, it would be dead.

……….

The next day, I stood in front of my mirror, fastening the collar of my white coat. My hands trembled not with fear, but with anticipation.

I took up the remote and switched on the TV. Morning news blaring, the usual politics and scandals were displayed on the screen until the tone of the anchor shifted to announce something more serious.

"Two bodies have been found early today near the docks in a sensational case of murder.

Police are investigating the possibility that these killings may be linked to the infamous 'Red Reaper' serial killer who leaves lipstick marks on the faces of the victims.

The brutality of the crime would usually suggest a man but the lipstick mark has led us to believe the suspect is a woman. It has also been discovered that her victims are criminals that have been able to avoid serving time due to lack of sufficient evidence .

It could be said that this is vigilante murder,the suspect may believe to be fighting a wrong and saving the people

There is no additional information forthcoming from the authorities at the moment, but the underworld is already in confusion, wondering if this is an omen for a new era of terror."

I smiled. Just perfect. The seed had been planted. I had shaken the table, and Lombardi would soon be able to sense it. With all the breadcrumbs I had left for him. He might suspect that someone was coming to get him. But he'd never know it was me, not yet.

Satisfied by the turn out, I grabbed my bag and went to the hospital sure that my scheme was taking shape.

……….

The incessant beeping of the monitors and the pungent smell of disinfectants filled my senses as I finished suturing my last patient. Surgery had always been a way to calm my mind, to focus on something other than the ghosts that haunted me. But today, even while I worked, I felt the weight of what was to come.

"Dr. De Luca," my supervisor said as I made my way out of the OR, removing my gloves. "There's a special request for a surgeon. A VIP client."

I raised an eyebrow. "What kind of special request?"

"A private procedure," he explained. "You'd be doing the surgery in the patient's home. In light of your track record, I believe you're the best man for the job."

I folded my arms, incredulous. "Who is the client?"

He peered down at the file. "Alessandro Leonzio."

It didn't sound familiar. Some rich businessman, I was certain.

I shook my head. "I have better things to do. Decline it."

He exhaled. "All right, all right. But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the hospital. Are you sure about your decision?"

"I'm sure," I cut him off, heading into my office. "I've got too much on my plate."

He nodded. I knew he wasn't happy with my answer but he really couldn’t argue, I made the most money for the hospital and I was by far their best surgeon “Understood."

I slammed the door shut and breathed a sigh, rubbing my temples. I didn't want to be playing doctor to some spoiled rich kid, not when I had real work to do. I like my job but I didn’t go into surgery to be at the beck and call of the rich especially if I could be helping other people.

But fate had a twisted sense of humor.

About an hour went by before my boss rapped on the door of my office.

"Dr. Marino," addressing me with my actual last name. I hadn't liked the idea of being traced back to my mafia family, especially with my quest for revenge. Only a number of people are aware of this last name."There's someone here to see you. The high profile client."

I glared. "I just told you, I wasn't interested."

He came in, his voice low. "This is different. He requested to speak with you personally."

I stalled. Something in the manner in which he'd spoken sent a shiver running down my spine. My survival instincts told me this was no normal client.

"Fine," I said, standing up. "Let's get it over with."

He led me along the corridor, past the curious glances of the other hospital staff, and into one of the hospital's private consultation rooms. There were two men waiting inside. One was a bodyguard. I could tell by the way he stood, tense and vigilant.

And the other.

My heart nearly stopped.

It took all my training to keep me from reacting. From having my body stiffen, my face shift, my breathing change.

I had imagined getting to see him a thousand times in the last 12 hours after looking at his picture.

In my mind, it had always been with a blade to his throat, terror in his eyes, specters of my parents witnessing me taking my revenge.

Not like this. Not in some chilly white room with my boss standing over me, not realizing that he had just taken me to the lion's den.

"Dr. De Luca," said my boss, smiling, not realizing that a war was raging beneath my skin. "This is Mr. Lombardi. He's the one who's seeking your services."

Taking all he had in, I glanced back at the man in question and met his deadly gaze, but that wasn't what unsettled me, it was the deadly smile playing on his lips.