Evelina

(xi)

Evelina

"So good to see you again, Alexa," I say with a wink, my voice laced with a playful edge.

She rubs the back of her neck, glancing down at the lifeless body at her feet. "What do I do with this one?" she asks, almost casually.

"Pity, he's handsome," Olivia muses, her voice detached, as she steps over the body to inspect the scene.

I sigh, my mind already shifting to the mission at hand. "Alright, are we joining the rescue operation or not?" Janice's voice cuts through the air, ever the pragmatist.

Alexa Dracus, also known as King, is the infamous assassin leading our little ensemble—The Deck of Cards. She's ruthless, brilliant, and somehow still manages to keep this chaotic group of misfits in line. Olivia Marino, our hacker, goes by the name Joker. If you mess with her, you might as well kiss the digital world goodbye. Then there's Janice Carter, our weapons expert and maker, who we call Ace. And finally, the best assassin and cold-blooded killer of the group—me, Queen.

I quickly slip into my fighting suit, the familiar fabric clinging to my body like a second skin. We make our way to our transportation, where Alexa has her jeep already prepped and loaded with enough ammunition to start a small war. Being her bestie, I claim the shotgun seat without hesitation. The others pile into the back, and with a roar of the engine, Alexa speeds off toward Aiden's last known location—the very place where Antonio and the American Mafia are stationed.

"Morning, fellas," Alexa calls out as we stride into the fray behind her.

"Deck of Cards? What are you guys doing here?" Lucian's voice is laced with a mix of surprise and caution.

"Saving family, of course," Alexa retorts, her tone dripping with confidence.

"Okay, chill. We came to kill Aiden and his followers, not the American Mafia," I add, trying to soothe the growing tension.

"Well, not yet," Alexa mutters under her breath. I know there is a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips under her mask. I know her too well—she's enjoying this far more than she should.

Tony spots me and immediately hones in. "Queen, what are you doing here?"

I sigh dramatically, deciding to play along. "Saving family. Pity Evelina couldn't join us." I shake my head in mock disappointment.

Tony glares at me, and though he can't see my face beneath the mask, I know he can sense the smile curling on my lips.

"Tony," I call out, my voice dropping an octave, "When's the rest of the family arriving?"

"Ask Eve," he replies, his tone clipped.

"I did. She told me she doesn't know," I say, my voice softening as I dart toward him. I lean in close, whispering, "It's a good thing I came. This is a trap."

His eyes widen slightly. "What do you mean?"

"Call it... woman's intuition."

Tony's grip tightens on my arm as he pulls me behind a tree, his eyes searching mine. "Eve, why did you come?" he demands, concern lacing his words.

I smirk, my response laced with a teasing edge. "You can take the fight out of me, but the fight is me. So yeah."

"What?" he asks, clearly perplexed.

"Pregnancy hormones," I say with a shrug, trying to downplay the seriousness of the situation.

Tony's expression softens as he pulls me into a tight hug. "Eve, just don't get hurt, okay?"

"Chill, Tony. I'm only one month in. It's not even showing yet."

Before he can respond, a voice crackles through my earpiece. "Did I hear that right?" Olivia's voice is sharp, cutting through the silence. "Are you pregnant?"

"Mm-hmm," I hum, a small smile on my lips. "You'll be an aunt soon."

Tony holds my hand and starts leading me back to the others, but we're stopped by Lucian's sudden appearance. "Get your filthy hands off Queen before I tell Evelina," he threatens, his voice low and menacing.

I smirk, my grip on Tony's hand tightening. "You have no right to speak about her," I snap, my voice cold as ice.

Lucian's eyes narrow, but he doesn't push the issue. Good choice, Lucian.