Le Roué is the pinnacle of wealth and prestige. A palace where Venice's wealthiest and most powerful Dons and Matriarchs came to flaunt and celebrate their wealth and power. Le Roué was built atop a rare mountain in Venice known as the Mount Olympus. Only 5% of mafia families were allowed inside. It was a privileged and exclusive area where entering for a minute was considered a sign of riches and influence; after all, only gods were allowed on Mount Olympus, so it was a shock when she arrived.
She wore a simple wine cocktail dress and a plain gold locket with matching earrings, and she was not accompanied by a large entourage or bodyguards. She slipped out of the regular crowd. The guards were aware of this, and they were not interested in allowing "outsiders" through the gates into the prestigious palace.
"Commoners are not allowed," the first guard rudely reprimanded.
"Oh, really?" Scarlett smirked. She knew their proud game and was willing to play along; after all, it was her job.
She giggled, took out a pendant from her purse, and slammed it into the guard's face. The guard was stunned when he saw the initials and symbols on the pendant, so he showed it to his partner, who was stunned.
"Is there a problem?" she said mockingly.
"Of course not, Mrs. Luciano," the second guard said as he opened the guards. The first guard followed suit while bowing his head in shame. Scarlett walked into the hall, laughing through her teeth.
"Fools," Jaune mocked through the earpiece in Scarlett's earrings; stud diamonds are perfect for any occasion, especially undercover ones.
"They definitely don't make these guards like they used to." Jaune continued and continued to listen.
Scarlett chuckled as she walked towards the bar. She was too different from the rest of the crowd but she looked gorgeous either way. Her dark skin complimented her dress, which hung on her body, tracing her curves and edges. The patrons stared at her, whispering and shooting glares, but she couldn't care; after all, they weren't her target. She scanned the crowd for him—the man at the top of her list, the one who dared to challenge her family and threaten her teacher.
He was seated in the VIP private lounge. She locked eyes with him for a minute, catching his attention and drawing him close before sitting at the bar opposite the lounge as she waited for him to take the bait.
"Whiskey, if you please," she ordered , maintaining her gaze on him. Finally, he took the bait, left his companions, and came towards her. She enjoyed luring them in, seducing her prey before finally taking their lives ; it was one of the few delights of her work.
"Target locked." Scarlett reported
"About damn time," Jaune said excitedly. Unlike her best friend, Jaune actually enjoyed every part of the job. "Remember to be discreet, we don't need another bloodbath like last time."
" got it—a bloodbath like last time."
"Not that..."
Scarlett laughed. She savored her whiskey, knowing that her new toy was coming her way. Unknown to her quarry, he was about to become another check in her operation, and she was firm in completing the mission.
"Now, isn't this an odd sight? A beautiful woman such as yourself, alone tonight?" He grinned.
"Is it?" She giggled. "I hadn't noticed."
"Well, maybe you won't be alone tonight?" He smirked and sat next to her, brushing his fingers up her thigh.
"Don't try that trick with me," she retorted as she brushed his hands away, rolling her eyes in indifference.
"What act?" He chuckled. "I just want to talk."
"I know who you are." Of course she does.
"You do?" He chuckled sarcastically.
"You're Luca Asterio; multi-billionaire, heir to the Asterio dynasty, and one of the city's biggest players. Men like you can't trick me," she responded, rolling her eyes once more.
"Oh, you do know," he said, arching an eyebrow.
She knew far more than that. She knew his age, financial worth, family feuds over his riches, criminal past, and favorite perfume. She knew everything about him, including his preferred type of woman: fiery, smart yet naïve, and eventually his ideal little pawn. That's why it was so easy to play the role.
"Perhaps I should know you too," he said, his fingers stroking her thigh and his lips twisting in a smile. She sighed, attempting to avoid his gaze, but her efforts were in vain, at least in his eyes.
"Maybe we should stop," she said softly, her voice trembling. Isn't she good?
"Are you sure?" he asked, his hand inching higher up her thigh. Her breath shivered, and then she noticed that the lounge, which was previously packed with patrons, was now completely empty, making it possible to give the famous Asterio time with his new toy.
"Damn, I would never understand rich people," she thought. This was her moment.
He lifted her up on the table, with her help, of course, but he didn't need to know that.
Within seconds, they were locked in an embrace on the bar. Her left hand went beneath his shirt, tracing his muscles, while her right hand pulled a concealed blade from her right thigh.
"Good thing he didn't touch the right one," she thought, placing the blade directly underneath his neck. She was ready to finish this charade once and for all. The blade had reached the nape of his neck.
"You taste amazing," he murmured, his lips grazing her neck.
"Oh, well, you don't," she retorted.
Just as she was about to carry out her plan, a bullet flew past her head and straight at the target.
"Mia, Mia, what just happened?" Jaune's voice, full of fear and worry, echoed through her earpiece. Luca fell before her, blood spilling from his severed neck and a bullet wound to his head.
"Jaune, I think someone killed our man."
"Before you say anything else, get out of there now!" screamed a voice on the third line.
Scarlett followed suit, ran across the room and jumped out the window. Le Roué exploded into flames behind her as she crashed into the lake.
"Holy sh*t!" she exclaimed, gasping for air as she watched Le Roué burn.
"Mom, are you all right?" Panic spread on the other end of the line.
"Yeah, PJ, I'm okay." She swam across the lake, still trying to catch her breath.
"What the f*ck just happened?"