5. Emilia
CHAPTER 5
“You don’t have to do this.” Cruz leaned against the doorframe, watching me do my makeup.
“You’re right. I get to.” I widened my eyes to coat my lashes with mascara.
“We were given time off. You should be resting, or at least relaxing. Another mission is too big of an ask.”
He could list all the reasons I shouldn’t go. He already had twice this morning, but there was no changing my mind.
When Rod called to ask for a huge favor, I worried it would involve going back to the Pack lands. He told me I could say no, but if he was reaching out while I was already in the middle of a high-priority case, I knew he was out of options.
Plus, the target was in Fort Lauderdale. Bringing someone else in when I was an hour away was a waste for everyone involved. It was easy. A quick takeout, one that needed to be discrete, which was why snipers couldn’t step in.
I didn’t even have to dress up. The target, likely a man who overheard a conversation he shouldn’t have last night, would be leaving his office and going to the bar he visited everyday. No family. Only a few coworkers who may notice his absence in a few days.
I didn’t even have to waste my spelled powder. Rod decided an accidental overdose fit well enough to not raise suspicion.
“It won’t take more than a couple of hours, and it’s not like I have anything else to do today.” I was already going stir-crazy and needed out of the apartment. I wasn’t used to being idle and was ready to get my hands dirty.
Alessio texted me that he had something come up and he’d be busy for a few days. Since that wasn’t all that unusual, I didn’t mind, but Marco led a beta team to tail him.
“I know, but––”
“Why don’t you come with me if you’re so worried?” I finished my lip gloss and stared at him through the mirror. A slow smile pulled at his lips.
“If you insist.”
I rolled my eyes. “Come on. I don’t want to get stuck in traffic.”
Between the stupid boat ride, walk to our car, and travel time, we barely made it to the target’s office building in time to follow him to his preferred bar.
“I can do this,” Cruz insisted for the third time.
“I never said you couldn’t.” I didn’t need or want backup, so I never asked him, but only because I spent my career training to work solo.
“Why risk something happening to you right now? Rod knows you’re invaluable to a much more important mission, so why would he––”
I waved a hand to cut him off. “He knows my capabilities more than almost anyone else. My coach might be the only one to have him beat. He is well aware of our work on the Dias case and also knows this needs to be done. He’s sending me in because of how well he knows me and my abilities.”
He was killing my buzz. I loved the buildup before a takedown. The high I got off any challenge was what I used to live for.
Now, I had more, but it was nice getting back to my roots.
He grumbled something I couldn’t make out as we parked behind the bar. At only six thirty, the place was nearly empty, but the target walked in without hesitation.
I unbuckled my seat belt and turned to Cruz. “I know you care about my safety. I appreciate that, but right now, it seems more like you’re doubting my ability to do my job, which is both insulting and unfounded given you’ve seen me work for weeks now. You know I can handle myself.”
He ducked his head. “I do.”
“Then give me a kiss and wish me luck.”
He huffed a laugh and leaned in and wrapped a hand around the back of my neck, pulling me in for a kiss before resting his forehead against mine. “I’m sorry. I know you’re more than able to kick anyone’s ass.”
“Including yours?” I challenged with a smirk.
“Any day.” He pulled away and nodded toward the back entrance. “Go on. I’ll put in an order for your favorite Thai, and we can pick it up on the way back.”
I beamed and opened the car door. “Sounds good.”
With each step, I let my assassin mask slip into place, until I reached the building, rolled my shoulders back, making my breasts more prominent, and tugged my V-neck down to showcase the cleavage I’d be using as distraction number one.
It was pathetic how predictable men were. One low-cut shirt, a plump smile, and fluttering lashes were all it ever took to lure them in.
I slipped onto a stool at the bar and waited patiently for the tatted bartender to notice me. He was chatting with my target, not in an overly friendly manner, more like this was their mundane routine. He glanced over, met my eyes, and held up a finger, letting me know he saw me.
There were more patrons than I expected for so early in the evening, about ten or so other middle-aged men spread throughout the tables. Quiet eighties rock played, the only other noise besides two guys playing a slow game of pool.
My target was a nondescript man, maybe early fifties, with thinning ashy-brown hair and a pronounced stomach. Not someone people would notice or remember. He didn’t wear a wedding ring, and from what Rod knew, he lived alone with no family in the state.
Thinking beyond that about his life was a waste of time. I wouldn’t feel bad, no matter how pathetic this human was. The Pack wanted him dead, and that was it.
If I suddenly developed a conscience, my life would be over too. A sentimental assassin was useless, even more so than a barren female wolf.
While he sipped from his beer bottle, I subtly adjusted my wig, itching behind my left ear. I hadn’t packed any of my good ones since the Dias mission didn’t call for one and was regretting that decision. At least it was a natural color—a brown bob that would keep me from standing out. I didn’t want anyone remembering me here either.
“What can I get you?” The bartender popped his knuckles while I pretended to have to decide.
“Whatever you recommend on draft.” I hated beer and wouldn’t be drinking it, but not ordering anything would be odd.
He sat an amber-filled glass in front of me. “Do you want to start a tab?”
“No, thanks.” I slid over a ten-dollar bill. “Keep the change.”
He nodded and moved back toward the front where two new men were waiting.
I could wait until the bar filled up more, but my stomach was nearly growling and demanding that Thai Cruz promised.
The target was on bottle three and showed no signs of slowing down, so I grabbed my drink and picked a table toward the back of the room. The movement caught his attention, and I smiled at him. He froze, and I raised a brow.
He glanced around like he was expecting someone to pop up behind him. No, sir, you’re the one.
I lifted the glass to my lips and pretended to drink. He watched, taking a swig of his. I sat mine down on the table and waved him over. He stared.
Seriously, dude?
I laughed and tapped the tabletop to my side with my nail, showing him exactly where I wanted him.
He gulped and looked around again—still no one behind him—before standing and slowly coming over.
“Hey.” I grinned when he was a few feet away.
“Hi?” His confusion was clear. “Can I help you?”
I shrugged. “We’re both drinking alone. I was wondering if you wanted company.”
He stared at his beer, then looked up at me before claiming the other stool and resting his elbows on the table while keeping his bottle in front of his chest like a shield.
“I’ve never seen you here before.”
“I’m only in town for the night. I’m leaving on a cruise in the morning.”
He nodded. “Sounds fun.”
“I hope so.” I kept my voice cheerful, but I was already growing bored. This wasn’t the challenge I expected. Luring men to their deaths used to be somewhat exciting. “This is my first. Have you been on one before?”
“Yeah, you can find really cheap deals last minute…”
I ignored him as he droned on. Maybe it was the highs and lows of the Dias case that ruined this for me. There were actual stakes there. Every day held the potential of a true challenge. Navigating a man like Alessio was complicated and kept me on my toes.
I should have let Cruz come in and deal with this. When this mission was over, what was I going to do?
Hopefully, I’d earn a promotion. Get more exciting cases.
“The balcony is a farce. Not worth the extra money at all.”
I nodded along as if I cared, then reached out and touched his hand. His eyes snapped to mine.
“Would you want to get out of here?”
Frozen again.
“Um?”
“My hotel is just down the street.” I pulled my hand back and started to stand.
He stumbled off his stool. “Okay.”
I put on my sweetest smile. “Come on.”
I turned and headed to the back exit, glancing over my shoulder to make sure he was following. He patted his front and back like he was double-checking his pockets, then hurried after me.
“I have my car,” he said as I pushed the door open with my hip.
“Perfect.”
He stopped next to me, and I leaned in. He tensed. I slid my hand over his forearm, piercing the skin with the syringe I palmed and pressing the plunger before he could react.
“Hey!” He jumped away from me.
“Why don’t you go to your car? You can follow me over.”
His eyes widened. “What did you do to me?” He rubbed at his arm.
“Nothing, silly.” I winked. “Let’s go.”
He didn’t move, eyeing me like he only now realized I might not be the sweet girl I was pretending to be. Funny how men never think of women as threats.
“I’m leaving.”
I sighed. “Fine.”
He hurried past me and rounded the corner toward his car. I watched as he struggled to get his keys out. Finally, after nearly a minute, he managed to get inside. He didn’t start the engine, already too far gone.
Someone would find him soon enough.
As I walked back to our car, I sent Rod a text letting him know it was done. Now, time for dinner, and if I was lucky, Cruz would be interested in dessert.
“All set?”
“Yup.” I checked Rod’s reply and frowned.
“What’s wrong?” he asked as he put the car into drive.
“Rod said that was one of Alessio’s dealers. One of the guys giving the kids drugs at the clubs.”
“Good.” Cruz pulled onto the road. “Bastard deserved it.”
“He doesn’t normally tell me anything about the targets.” Why was Rod telling me now?
“Maybe he thought you’d like to know.”
Probably. Had the guys told him I’d had a hard time thinking of Alessio as the villain? Maybe he thought I’d appreciate knowing I did the world a favor by killing that scum.