Page 15 of Assassin: Part 1

Can’t be too careful.

I wash off the temporary tattoos I was trying out, unhappy with their staying power. There needs to be something better for the assignments that require me to have those. I can’t chance that they will rub off, giving them away.

My heels were a major splurge on my part, but considering the spikes they hide, they were worth every penny. I practiced in them every day for a month to make sure I can move easily, run fast, and ensure I look fabulous while doing it.

You never know when you might run into a sexy man who can help you scratch an itch.

Hmmm, I wonder what Ilya would think about this version of me? I grin. Oh, he’ll probably look right past me with my change in appearance.

My figure is healthy once more, where last time, I practically starved myself to be that slim. And with the heels, I’m adding a good three inches of height, not that I was short in the first place. Still, what man doesn’t love a tall, leggy woman? I’ve seen the pictures of the women Ilya’s kept on his arm, and all of them are tall, slim, and leggy. And extraordinarily beautiful. A fact that doesn’t help the jealousy.

Damn it, I need him out of my mind. I have a job to do.

I slam my cosmetics on the counter and stalk out of the bathroom to grab the rest of my essentials—knives, syringes, and a couple of replacement contacts just in case. Can’t have another incident like I did back when I was young and stupid.

I’m still surprised I wasn’t killed for that, but I’ve learned from my mistakes.

Backup plans for everything.

When I get to the club where Noah plans on spending his time, I see exactly why he likes to frequent it. It’s barely eleven and the amount of drunk women running around here is a buffet for creeps like him. Short dresses, loud music, drinks flowing, and none of them thinking about the people they’re around or their own safety.

I hate it all. I have no patience for all this preening, attempting to bury their woes under an alcohol haze. It would be so easy to shut the entire place down, but instead, I order a drink and wait.

Thankfully, I don’t have to wait long. My target comes in, all smiles and charm, heading for the bar. His gaze lands on me instantly, and I give him a coy smile as I sip my drink. I see it then, the dark anticipation, the sickening desire that masks itself as appreciation. Oh, this guy is good. Any other woman would see a hot man, dressed so nicely with a gold chain around his neck, exuding a confidence that makes him almost seem magnetic.

And yet none of them know that gold chain has been around many women’s necks as he strangled the life out of them. It’s his trophy. I’d bet the man is too stupid to clean all the DNA off it.

I can’t wait to burn it into his skin. I have so many great plans for him. Nothing personal, but I do love to make sure these creatures feel the pain they caused before they die. A sort of poetic justice.

He approaches and leans on the right side of me against the bar, his straight white teeth practically glowing in the low light of the bar. He leans closer and asks, “Can I get you a refill?”

“I’m afraid not tonight, sugar.” I give a soft pout and throw in a southern twang for extra effect. “I’m waitin’ on someone.”

His eyes are dark with anger, but it’s gone almost instantly. Oh, he does not like the rejection one bit. “Someone left you waiting, gorgeous? Oh, now that’s not very gentlemanly, is it?”

I nod and flip my hair. “I’ll probably break up with him. I hate to be kept waiting. But if he doesn’t get here soon, I’ll come find you. How’s that?” It’s bold, and I’m taking a chance that he won’t be turned off by it, but his smile widens and his eyes glint.

Gotcha.

“I’ll make sure to keep my eyes open for you.” Then he signals the bartender and orders a drink before adding, “And anything this gorgeous lady would like, just add it to my tab.” He winks at me, pulls out a black credit card, and hands it to the practically salivating college kid behind the bar.

“Yes, sir,” the kid says, putting the information into the system and handing it back to him.

Then he leans forward and whispers, “I’ll see you soon, gorgeous.” He heads into the crowd. No doubt to see if he can find another possible victim in case things don’t work out with me.

I spend the next couple hours feigning off men who try to charm me into a dance or going back to their place, and I make sure to keep myself out of sight of Noah, who comes back to find me once. When he realizes I’m no longer at the bar and I didn’t order a drink on his tab, a flash of fury lands on his face, but he masks it just as quick.

Someone doesn’t like that it didn’t work out.

Then he does the unexpected. He heads for the door far earlier than normal, no woman on his arm. Narrowing my eyes, I pull out my phone, looking at his calendar. With nothing scheduled, I move to his messages and find one from one of his so-called friends. Though we both know he only uses them to find his next victim for him.

Shane: Dude, you need to get over to Velvet Shadows. This place is having some kind of special or something, because this is where all the hottest women are tonight. The drinks are flowing too.

He sends a picture of two brunettes dressed in skimpy outfits, looking intoxicated.

Guess I’m making a detour. Though, I’m going to have to be very careful. That particular nightclub is owned by Ilya Romanov and is the club he’s going to be at tonight.

My blood hums with excitement. I do love a challenge.