The Assassin
The rear door of the apartment complex creaked open. Footsteps accompanied the soft slam of the hinges as they hooked back into their locks.
“Was I too harsh?” I asked, reluctantly opening my eyes and looking over at my partner.
I hadn’t followed her and Simone inside when we arrived back at the safe-house.
Close proximity wasn’t going to do Simone and me any favors.
Not after the words we exchanged in the van.
I’ve been outside for the past hour or so, getting some air and recollecting myself.
I needed to be in a calmer mood before I spoke to Simone again.
I didn’t want to say anything I’d regret later.
A little, Maria signed. I should’ve taken a page out of your book and gave you the same ultimatum. Maybe we wouldn’t be standing here right now.
I rolled my eyes. “You’re not funny.”
Who said I was trying to be? She leaned her shoulder against the wall. You think she’s gonna kill him?
“Probably not.” Sighing, I rubbed my fingers against my temple. “So, we’ve got to shut him up before word gets too high up the ladder. If they know she’s alive…” I trailed off.
There was no doubt in my mind her godfather was going to finish what he started if he found out.
Since she was already presumed dead to the public, he probably won’t let the information leave his tight circle.
If he did, the questions around her death and her hit-list of FBI agents might expose his association to infamous criminals.
And if his actions told me anything: he’d do everything in his power to prevent that from happening.
“She may not like it, but I’m just trying to protect her the best way I know how,” I continued.
Why haven’t you told her that yet?
I shrugged my shoulders, averting my eyes to avoid her gaze.
Maria dramatically tilted her head, maintaining eye contact and raising a brow in disbelief.
“I’m scared, alright,” I muttered. Saying it aloud lifted some of the weight that’s been lounging on my chest, but the ache was nowhere near gone.
Maria’s eyes softened. Of what?
“That she doesn’t feel the same way. Or that she’ll leave.
I mean, we weren’t supposed to happen in the first place - let alone let it get this far.
She knows there’s another option for her once all this is over - a quiet, peaceful life in Baltimore.
What if she chooses that over one with me?
” I shook my head. “God, I sound stupid.”
You don’t sound stupid. You sound human. Feels nice having emotions for once, doesn’t it?
“Nice? Feels like torture.”
She smiled. Because you haven’t told her yet. You’ll feel better once you do.
“But what if…what if she rejects me?”
I don’t think she’s going anywhere. I mean, she’s come this far, hasn’t she? Why leave now?
“I don’t know, maybe because I threatened to kill her best friend.”
You’ve done worse, she signed with a grin. I’m sure she’ll be fine. Maria grabbed my arm and started tugging me towards the complex door.
I stayed a few steps behind her as we jogged up the steps and headed down the hall towards our apartment.
My stomach was twisting in knots as I mentally rehearsed the words I wanted to say.
I had to add some fluff onto them to make sure she’d be willing to hear them - and more for her to know they were sincere.
Being vulnerable was new to me, and I wanted to be good at it. To be good for her.
I lingered outside our closed room door for a moment, trying to reign in my racing heartbeat. This was so ridiculous. I could kill a man without blinking an eye yet here I am about to have a panic attack over telling a woman I loved her.
Swallowing my pride, I gently rapped my knuckles on the door. “Simone,” I said. “Can I come in? We need to talk.”
Silence was my response.
“Look, I know you’re mad, but I…I want to work this out.”
She didn’t reply again.
Sighing, I grabbed the doorknob and turned it. “Simone, can we please move past the silent treatment. It’s getting old at this-” I stopped at the sight of our empty room.
Simone’s black suit from the mission sat in a pile on the floor. The drawers were hanging open, the once-neat piles now knocked over and shuffled. The duffel bag with all her personal belongings had disappeared from its spot near the bed. Her burner phone sat on her nightstand.
My heart raced for a different reason as I turned away from the empty room and went to the bathroom. I listened for the pitter patter of shower water and opened the door when I didn’t hear any.
“What’s wrong?” Maria asked, her voice low but laced with concern.
“Simone,” I murmured. My chest caved in as if someone slammed a hammer onto it, barely leaving me with a breath to take. “She’s gone.”