Page 22

And this asshole is about to learn that you don’t fuck with the latter.

For an international human trafficker, he isn’t the smartest of the bunch, as he doesn’t have any security outside of the estate. He does have technical surveillance, but Hana dismantled that with ease. All of this makes my job of entering his home easy. I move towards the door but hear someone on the balcony above me.

“Fuck,” I mutter to myself. I quickly plaster my back against the wall of the corner of the house so the person above me doesn’t spot me. After a couple of seconds, the person retreats inside. My feet start to move, but I stop immediately because I hear footsteps from behind the corner. At this moment, I don’t need to make any noise and move silently. I step on the person’s foot and see that they are holding a rifle that’s strapped to their back. I yank on the rifle, and they fall forward. My hands fly to the person’s throat, and I push them against the wall while holding onto their rifle.

This isn’t someone from Sebastian’s men, no. The killer is wearing a mask, but their eyes are visible. Beautiful eyes I would recognize anywhere. The invading of each other’s personal space is making me all warm on the inside—burning up with rage. The heightened adrenaline of just seeing her eyes makes my heart race, and I’m probably flushed in the face. I need to touch her, but I’m holding on to that one small bit of restraint.

Which is about to snap any moment.

I let go of her neck and grab the mask from under her chin and start lifting. While I’m lifting it, gorgeous dark brown hair falls on her shoulders down to her breasts. My breath hitches, and I’m blinking more than I should. I let go of the rifle and grab the machete from my back, holding it against her throat.

Once the mask is gone, my resolve follows quickly. I press the handle of the machete against her throat even harder, hoping it will steady me as well. There is no way I could have predicted this would happen, so it feels like I am fading away. Hooded eyes pierce through mine, and a smirk slowly forms on her face. My chest is throbbing with anger and absence, feeling like I’m drowning. The world outside of us disappears, and I forget the mission entirely.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” My anger is noticeable in my question as my chest goes up and down, and I am talking through gritted teeth. I wish I wasn’t affected by her, but here I am. My body is aching for her touch, and I fucking hate it.

“Hello, Noa,” Lana says as she licks her lips. Not even two seconds in, and she is trying to manipulate me. I shake my head slightly and return the favor to her. My smile reaches my eyes, and I cock my head to the side. My assumptions were right about this working on her because Lana’s grin turns sour.

“Hello, Lana.” I can’t conceal the joy in my voice, and I don’t want to. The sight of this woman makes my mind spin, but I need to be clearheaded. That’s why I want to annoy her, something tangible to hold onto. As much as I am trying to ignore her effects on me, I find myself leaning forward and inhaling her scent. I bury my nose in her hair and take a big whiff—sweet vanilla tones with a hint of wood.

Delectable.

“Noa?” Lana’s seductive voice breaks the silence. I nod in her hair, and I know what she is about to do. Something hard is pressing against my groin, but I am prepared. I take a step back and grab my gun and point it toward her, while she is doing the same with her rifle.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I ask her while my thumb is toying with the trigger. I am aching to shoot her. To end this pain I am in. But I have a trafficker to handle.

“I am here to kill Sebastian. It’s best if you back off.” That’s not fucking happening, and she knows it. We don’t lower our weapons, keeping them pointed at each other.

“Negative. Get the fuck out of here, Lana. This is my hit.”

“It’s also an open hit. And I think you are going to need the help.” That makes me lower my weapon and chuckle, while my chest is moving with humor.

She retorts by lowering her rifle as well and strapping it back against her back. “What’s so funny?”

“Oh Lana, you are talking to the best assassin in the world. What makes you think I can’t do this alone and that I won’t kill you right now?”

“Because, if you do kill me, the sound of your gun will trigger everyone here and Sebastian might escape. And I will not leave.” She leans back against the wall and crosses her arms. I have to give it to her; she is a menace.

“Fine. But you will do exactly as I say. Are we clear on that?” I hope she says no. Please, say no.

“No.” In a flash, I grab my machete again and press the sharp side against her belly. Because of her professional getup, it will take a bit more strength to pierce through it.

“I was hoping you were going to say that. My body might still ache for your touch, but my mind is ready to fucking end you. Do not think for one singular moment that I won’t hesitate to kill you.” Because of my icy tone, Lana relaxes a little bit, and her face goes through a couple of emotions, even though she is trying her hardest to stay impartial. You can train yourself to cover your emotions, but you will never be able to hide them fully, especially not with someone who knows you.

“Fine. But if something goes haywire, I will butt in.” I remove the machete from her belly and hold it firmly in my right hand. Our eyes look like they want to incinerate one another and consume each other at the same time.

But there are more important things at stake right now—a French bastard needs to be taken out. Professionalism is luckily one of our strongest suits, and we set our differences aside.

“How are we going to approach this?” Lana asks as she looks out the window. I motion to my earpiece.

“Hana,” I start. “How many men are on the top floor?”

“Three. Wait, who is there with you?” Fuck, I probably forgot to turn off my earpiece. My cousin knows.

“Lana.” I brace for impact, but nothing comes through the earpiece.

“Noa.” Oh shit. Sara. “If that bitch even comes near you, I’ll kill her myself.”

“Sara, let it go. We need to do this mission together.”