Evelina

Prologue

She tied her long brown hair into a tight bun, slid on a black cap, and adjusted her sunglasses. Her face was obscured by a black mask. She pulled her hoodie up, the fabric casting a shadow over her eyes, and waited for the signal.

"You may leave now," a voice crackled in her earpiece. She obeyed, stepping out of the house with her head down.

"They're on your tail. Your destination is Princeton Café. Don't forget that," the voice continued. She quickened her pace, her footsteps echoing in the quiet street.

"Pick up your pace, sweetheart. They are closing in." Her heart pounded as she sped up, glancing over her shoulder.

As she approached Princeton Café, she scanned the area and spotted Marco. "You've arrived. Get rid of your earpiece and pretend like you are on a date with Marco. Your money is by the fireplace," the voice instructed.

She discreetly disposed of the earpiece, crushing it under her heel as she walked towards Marco. "Sup, Marco," she greeted, forcing a smile and removing her sunglasses.

"Hey!" Marco pulled her into a hug. "They're getting closer. Stay calm," he whispered.

Her heart raced as the men closed in. They grabbed her roughly, dragging her towards their leader. "This is not the person we are looking for," the leader growled, his thick German accent cutting through the air. "This is a decoy. Get rid of her and that fool."

The leader knew their target had hip-length brunette hair, blue eyes, a round face, and an unfortunate scar on her left eyebrow. He was right. The real mastermind had orchestrated the decoy's movements while escaping through the chimney. Now, she was in a getaway vehicle, speeding towards a private jet waiting on a secluded airstrip.

"Boss, we're ready for takeoff," her pilot said nervously.

Her blood boiled. "I've heard that a million times, and yet we're still on the ground." She glared at him.

"I'm sorry," the pilot muttered, looking down.

"You'd better be. The decoy's been caught, and they'll be here soon. If this plane isn't in the air in two minutes, I'll fly it myself."

Minutes later, she was at the controls, the dead pilot slumped beside her. The jet soared through the sky, heading towards Rome. Her subordinates, eyes wide with fear, remained silent.

Who was she? Evelina Giannino, the Donna of the Italian Mafia. An A-level assassin. Known as Queen.