4
ENZO
Getting up,I head to the bathroom mirror. A cruel smile stretches across my face. What wouldn't I give to take a piece of glass and ruin this pretty face everyone seems so enamored of? A scar so grotesque it would make them avert their gazes instead of openly worshipping me with their eyes. My fingers trace the contour of the mirror, the thought so appealing yet so unreachable. I'd tried it once, and it had backfired. I'd learned my lesson that day—we can want certain things with all our might; it doesn't mean we're going to get them.
I shake my head, trying to shrug off those thoughts. It never does me any good when I indulge in fantasies…in the what-ifs. Because in my alternate reality, I'm the ugliest person on earth. But at least then I could see who is genuine and who is not, who loves me for who I am, or who loves me only for my face.
"Tough luck," I mutter to myself, and I go in search of a cigarette.
The following morning, I take out the briefcase and do a little swap, placing the ring in a small box instead. I do a quick inventory of my weapons, and then I check out of the hotel.
Getting in my car, I place some guns under the seat for easyreach before heading toward the airport. While this job should be easy, it never hurts to be extra safe, not only because of my line of work but also because of who I am. There are few people in Sicily whodon'tknow who I am, and it might invite enemies to play.
The car purrs to life, and I quickly shift gears until I'm skidding down the road. I'm twenty minutes into my drive when I notice another car right behind me. I monitor my side mirror and note that they are following me. Keeping a distance, they still take all the turns I take, even the dummy ones.
Interesting.
I decide to play with them a little, and I start weaving through the streets of Palermo like a madman. The thugs follow suit, and I have to give it to them. Few people can keep up with my driving.
I'm almost amused at the situation until they decide to pull guns on me, two men climbing out of the windows and aiming AK-47s at me.
Fuck!
These aren't regular thugs.
I swerve the car, barely avoiding the incoming bullets. I do a quick U-turn and I avoid their car, but they are quick to follow.
Shit!
Their car seems to have a sunroof too, and one guy is quick to climb up and aim at me.
I slam my foot on the brake, and the bullets whiz through the passenger door.
That was close!
I put the car in reverse, and instead of running away, I go toward them at full speed. We're already in a secluded part of the city, so there is little chance of casualties. I also know that if I don't get rid of them now, then I'm going to be looking over my shoulder the entire trip.
And that's something I donotwant to do.
I slip the ring into my pocket and put two guns in my lap, ready to use them. I push down on the accelerator, at the same time unbuckling my seat belt. Once the car's moving at full speed, I grab the guns, open the door, and roll onto the pavement. The car crashes into theirs, but not before a few of them jump out.
Fingers on triggers, I shield myself from any open attacks and fire.
The sound of bullets flying right and left is deafening, and the guys are holding their own pretty well. I take out two of them, and there are two more left. They've now abandoned the AKs in favor of handier pistols.
I keep shooting until I run out of ammo. I do my best to reload the guns quickly, and then I switch positions.
I need to end this fast.
I have maybe twelve bullets left in total. I'll give myself six bullets per person, but that means that by the sixth bullet, one person must be dead. Forced by the circumstances, Imusttake this seriously. I can't play anymore, which is a pity, since I needed to blow off some steam after the conversation with my father last night.
Entering a tense headspace, I tune everything out and look at my surroundings as a board game, calculating angles and distances.
Lines and squares appear all around my field of vision, and I calculate the probabilities. To make it justa littlemore fun, I challenge myself to limit the game to two bullets per person.
The moment I see an opening, I run out from my hiding place and across the street, hiding behind another car. Without giving them any time to regroup, I turn around and aim at the first guy. One bullet lodges in his leg, the other in his heart.
One down!
