It was almost night.

I pulled the zipper up on my jacket, adjusted the collar, then grabbed my gun. I tucked it into my jeans, the weight familiar and steady against my hip.

"Will you be back before midnight?" Mira asked, taking a seat on the bed.

"I don't know, hopefully," I replied, tucking a small dagger into my shoes.

"What type of job is it?"

I shrugged. "Angel didn't say, but I don't want to miss out on the fun."

Her face fell instantly. "You find fun in what you do?"

I stilled. "That's not what I meant. It's just a thrill you know. It's me, it's who I am."

She pursed her lips and I sighed. I took a seat beside her on the bed.

"It's the life that was chosen for me. I'm a killer. I can't go back. All I can do is keep moving forward."

I paused, swallowing down the ache.

"I feel good when I'm in action. Without that power... I'm nothing."

My voice cracked on the last part. "I'm no one."

She reached out and gently touched my hand.

"You're more than just a killer," she said softly. "You're the person who saved my life when you didn't have to. You could've walked away. Let me die there. But you didn't.

She looked into my eyes.

"You feel power because you've survived things that would've broken most people. That's not weakness, that's strength. Real strength."

I was speechless. A stray tear trolled down my cheek.

"You're so wise and you want to throw away your education?" I said jokingly, trying to lighten the mood.

She laughed. "I am wise. But please, Skai, don't think of yourself like that. Maybe one day you'll find peace within yourself. Maybe one day, when we finally leave this city, you and I will be free. Physically, emotionally and mentally."

I smiled, and ruffled her hair. "You're right. And it's me and you till the end."

She nodded. "Promise?"

I held up my pinky. "Pinky promise."

Without warning, she jumped into my arms, and I caught her, holding her tight. No matter what, I had her, and that was enough.

A car horn sounded through the air. I broke away from Mira, before placing a kiss on her head.

"Please be careful," she said, and I nodded.

"Walk me to the door," I told her as I got up.

I checked myself one last time before leaving the room. Outside, Mira gave me one last hug.

"If anything happens you call me okay?" I said, cupping her cheeks.

"I will. Tell Smith hi for me if he's in the car."

I smiled. "I definitely will."

I stayed until she closed the door and locked it. Now, it was time to get this over with.

I made my way to the car, a black Sedan. The place was basically dark, the best time to get a job done.

The door opened for me, and I hopped in.

Tyrel was in the driver's seat, with Aydin riding shotgun. Angel was on the left in the back. Guess who was in the middle?

Vaira, the same one I beat up.

"Hi, gorgeous," Aydin said, glancing over his shoulder at me.

"Hi," was my bland reply.

"I didn't know you could fight so well," he said next, and I smirked.

"Well, now you know," I replied, and Vaira groaned.

Good. She should've thought twice before messing with me.

"You got yourself a baddie, Angel," Aydin joked. I sighed.

Here we go again. There was just something about his mouth.

"Why do you assume that Skai and I are a thing?" Angel replied, his voice firm.

"Because for one, she's hot, and two, she can kick ass", Aydin stated, and I had to chuckle.

"She's not Angel's type," Vaira cut in, her eyes meeting mine.

I clenched my jaw. What was her problem, really? Out of nowhere, she'd developed a vendetta against me.

Was she jealous? There was no need. She can have Angel for all I cared.

"Vaira, stop," Aydin said, his voice turning serious.

I turned my head to look out the window. But she didn't stop.

"It's the truth. Angel likes big boobs and curves. She's got none of that."

I wanted to claw her face off, but I stayed still. I didn't flinch. Her words had no effect on me. That's what I told myself.

"Vaira, if you insult Skai again, it won't be pretty," I heard Angel say. But I didn't even give him my attention.

I've never struggled with insecurities. But her words hit something deep. It shouldn't bother me. But it kind of did.

I was slim built. Long legs, small boobs and no curves. Maybe that's why I was never taken seriously. The men just wanted a little piece of what they could get. Not because they liked my body.

I just want this night to be done with so I could go home. I shouldn't have agreed to come in the first place.

I closed my eyes, letting the silence engulf me.

At some point, the car slowed to a stop. I opened my eyes, scanning my surroundings immediately.

A building was in front of us. It wasn't anything fancy, just a small rundown motel. A place that things could go sideways really fast.

We all got out, and I grabbed my gun. The place was empty. No people. No cars. nothing. Just silence, the one that made the hairs on my neck stand up.

"Does he know we're coming?" Tyrel asked, his eyes locked on the motel.

Angel nodded. "He knows, that's why we should stay alert."

"What exactly are we here for?" I asked Angel as we started walking.

"A shipment," he replied flatly.

Silence settled between us as we made our way up the steps. I clutched my gun tighter, ready for anything.

Tyrel stepped forward and pushed the door open. But there was no one.

No voices. No movement. Nothing.

I stepped in with my gun raised.

Something wasn't right.

"Boss, isn't he supposed to be here already?" Tyrel asked.

Angel didn't answer. His face was serious, as if he knew something we didn't.

I moved to the left, scanning the room. The place was a mess, dust, and broken furniture.

Then I saw it.

Blood.

A thin trail smeared across the tiles leading towards the stairs.

"We've got something," I called out, my voice low.

Angel was at my side in seconds. He followed my gaze, eyes narrowing.

"Weapons up," he muttered. "Check everywhere!"

Angel I took the stairs, while the others went in different directions. Our feet froze at the top.

A dead body.

"Angel, is this the guy?" I asked, my eyes flicking from left to right.

He shook his head. "No, it's his brother."

I swallowed. Something was definitely wrong here.

A movement caught my eye, a figure darting out of the shadows.

My head snapped around just in time to see someone bolting to the right.

"There!" I shouted.

Without thinking, I took off after them.

My boots hit the floor hard as I rounded the corner. The figure was small, fast, but clumsy, more panic than precision.

They fumbled through a half-open door, and I was on them before they could shut it.

I shoved it open, gun raised.

"Don't shoot!"

The runner backed into the corner with his hands up. His breathing hard, sounding through the entire room. Couldn't have been older than nineteen. His face was pale, eyes wide but no weapons.

"Who the hell are you?" I demanded, not lowering my gun.

"I-I'm just the driver," he stammered. "I wasn't supposed to see anything."

Angel came in behind me, gun still drawn but not aimed.

"Then what did you see?" he asked, voice low.

"They were already dead when I got here." He swallowed hard. "I saw some men taking a large duffle bag to their car. They killed everyone. I managed to hide until they left."

I turned to Angel. His eyes cold and daunting.

"What do these men look like?" He asked, eyes fixed on the kid.

"O-One of them, who I assumed was the leader, was tall and well built. H-He looked about late thirties and he was bald. He had alot of ink and a stern face."

My breath caught.

"Did he have an eagle tattoo on his neck?" I asked, barely above a whisper.

The kid hesitated for a second before answering. "Yeah… left side. Big. Black wings."

I felt my stomach drop.

It was him.

It was Orion.

The Big Boss.

|||||