"Are all the men in place?" Matilda asked, standing in the dark alley. She scrunched her face together in distaste at the foul smells that seemed to cling to the air, assaulting her senses with every breath she took.
Ken, her brother, who stood beside her, wore an even darker expression. It was mostly concealed by the darkness that enveloped the alley, but the nearby streetlights cast just enough illumination to keep their faces from being completely hidden.
"Yes, Mrs. Lowell. I can assure you that the men are ready to move the moment you give the signal," the masked man standing before her replied respectfully, his tone carrying complete submission despite the fact that he stood almost twice her height.
His muscles bulged beneath the black tactical clothing that covered him from head to toe, with even half of his face remaining hidden behind a matching mask. Standing before Matilda, he looked every bit the mercenary he was.
