Masked Assassin

Chapter Eleven

It took Esther and Ryan a week to get prepared. This came nice and easy due to Marco's helpfulness. Although Ryan got comfortable with the Poker Mafia Clan, Esther remained her hidden identity, using a variety of masks and party dresses. The three of them put together a small army of five, including Esther and Ryan. Two of them were Mason and Harry. One of them was also a quite buff guy called Jack Martinez. The guys were good with a gun and trained in combat skills.

On Tuesday morning, Esther prepared at her own house. She dressed in a red lace knee-length dress with red high heeled boots and her usual guns plus one black machine gun. She kept her normal hair colour, straightened this time. Her eyes were her normal colour too but with a black lace mask around her eyes. Ryan met with her at her garage. They took the Spyker again, back to the Poker Mafia's secret bar hideout. They were greeted by Mason and Harry who led the way again to the main room where Marco, Jack and Stefano. All of the men were wearing dark suits and armour, carrying guns.

"You all set up for tonight?" Marco asked them, shaking hands with Esther and Ryan.

"Of course. Shall we go through the plan?" Esther asked him. Marco nodded and gestured for them to come over to the coffee table where a spread of papers, notes, the Fire Branch's reports and blueprints were. Esther found herself squeezed in between Stefano and Ryan.

They recited the plan over and over until they could reel it off word perfect. Francesca came in at seven to give them all a quick dinner of steak and potatoes which they all tore apart, ravenous from the planning and anticipation. They then had to wait another hour while the first part came into play, the snipers were set up around the Fire Branch Club House. The report had informed Esther that the mafia gang would be within their club tonight, awaiting a woman from NYC (New York Club not New York City in this case) who would be the first person to attend from the NYC and offer the Fire Branch Club a drug deal that would cost millions both in profit for the Fire Branch Club and for the NYC. Unknown to the Fire Branch Club, the Poker Mafia had matched the amount of money to the NYC and they had switched alliance. Marco had more contacts, more associates and would be a success. They had therefore happily cooperated to not be involved in tonight's affairs and had even given Esther and Ryan false identities. Esther would be known as Bethany Harris and Ryan would be her fake bodyguard called Robert Samson.

"There's just one slight detail we have changed," Marco informed Esther and Ryan as the walkie-talkie let out the news that the snipers were in position. Esther stared at Marco in horror.

"You're telling us this now?"

"Yes well, this is one part of the deal."

"Which you could have informed us at any point before today." Ryan pointed out, frowning.

"Well, too late now." Marco did not seem bothered at all which made Esther feel more frustrated.

"Well, what is this detail?" Ryan asked.

"Stefano is coming with you." Stefano smiled reassuringly which did not reassure Esther at all.

"Why?"

"You may need an extra man. This mission is one that is going to be tricky and challenging."

"You're willing to sacrifice your son to this mission?" Esther asked before Ryan could speak. Marco opened his mouth to speak but it was Stefano who replied.

"No, I'm willing to sacrifice myself for my father and for our family here." Stefano's accent was somehow still a tint of Italian, quite different from his father's thick Italian accent. His voice was like melted honey. Esther, therefore, ignored it. It was Ryan who replied to him.

"We don't even know if you're trained kid." Stefano half smiled.

"How can I have a father who's a Mafia leader and not be trained in forms of combat?"