Marco's hideout was being condemned from every quarter. The sporadic sounds of gunfire and explosions filled the air as Alex and Francesca moved through the throng toward Marco's office.
But before reaching him, Alex had heard the voice from behind. The cold order horrified him: "Alex don't move."
Turning back, he saw one of his men holding a gun on him. Vinnie-that name was echoing in his mind.
"What the hell happened, Vinnie?" was all Alex could force out through gritted teeth to stay calm.
Vinnie laughed from his gut. "You're just Francesca's pawn, Alex. That's Sisley has been using you all along."
Horror filled Alex's facial expressions as he turned to Francesca. But she was grinning.
"It's true, Alex," she said. "I was using you to get at Marco. That does not mean that I may not be grateful to you in truth."
Internal indignation began to rise in Alex. Francesca had betrayed his trust.
Before Alex could give a proper comeback, Francesca shot Vinnie.
""I'm profoundly sorry, Alex," and kept saying this, pressing his arms, "but you couldn't foul up the plan we devised."
What was Francesca doing? Alex could hardly believe it. What on earth was this woman up to?
But just when Alex was about to pin down any possibility with that last question, Marco swaggered down the corridor, a sneer decorating his front.
"Francesca, just in time," he said. ""I have waited patiently for you."
Francesca looked straight at him menacingly. "Marco, you really are very naïve if you believe you can take me down."
Marco's amusement contorted his features. "We'll see about that."
With that, both of them faced each other and started circling each other like vultures ready to pounce.
Alex gawked as the two faced each other. What was going to happen next?
Perfectly out of nowhere, just like that, one brilliant flash jumped in-the-day went-black exactly the way it-had-started.
Now he was in a dark filthy room. With wondering coldness tortured blackness filled his mind about where he was and how he had got there.
As soon as he thought about that, through something of a haze, he became aware of another shadow-near the extreme end of the room-someone speaking.
"Welcome, Alex. I've been waiting for you."
His heart began to race. Who the hell was this?
And just what the hell was he on to?