Page 5 of Agent vs. Assassin

“Kane isn’t stupid, and he loves the fuck out of you. He won’t die when you’re alive. He’ll be strategic. You might not like how he approaches solving this problem, but he wouldn’t do it if he didn’t think it was necessary, either.”

There’s an unfamiliar emotional twist in my gut, and I find myself softening in a way I prefer not to experience. With a frog in my throat, I can do nothing but offer a choppy nod and exit the vehicle. I believe Kane will fight to live, to protect me, but no one wants to die.

My cellphone rings, and I glance down to where I hold it to find my father calling, the last fucking person I want to talk to right now. I decline the call. I trudge forward to greet Enrique. “Mark Walker. What do you know about him?”

“Tell me more.”

“Weapons manufacturer who moved into the Hamptons when I was in California.”

“Right. I remember Kane having him checked out way back when. He keeps to himself and has never been a problem. Why?”

“He might have killed Murphy. I need to know what Kane’s guy knows.”

“I really don’t think there was much of a reason for us to dig, but I’ll find out.”

“Dig now, before we take off. Ghost is hunting this guy and I don’t want him dead until I kill him. Make sure he stays alive.” With that, I step around him and head inside the airport, hoping like hell that Ghost fears Kane enough to let his men live.

Fifteen minutes later, I’ve belted up, ready for the peace and quiet of a roaring engine that makes everyone shut their mouths, when my phone pings with a text from an unknown number.

You’re late, Lilah. I keep overestimating you.

A chill runs down my spine. I have no question over the identity of my texter. This is Ghost. While I was in traffic, he was on his way to Mark Walker, who I can only assume is dead. That’s what Ghost does. He makes people dead.

Chapter Three

Ghost is waiting on me.

He knows I won’t send anyone to capture or kill him. And that’s not an agreement between killers, but rather a hostage situation, and knowledge is the hostage. He knows who killed Murphy. Therefore, I must protect him.

For now.

I screenshot the number he contacted me on and consider texting it to Tic Tac to research, but think better. Ghost will cover his ass and do it well, and if anyone figures out Ghost is waiting on me, they’ll send in the cavalry, and the cavalry will end up dead.

Damn it, I think before I text Ghost:I’ll be there in an hour and a half.

So slow,he replies. I’m not sure what to make of that, Agent Mendez.

He’s throwing my new name in my face, accusing me of using it to hide. I don’t hide. Saving lives takes longer than taking them.You’re a little too fast for your own good. I bet you made a mistake I can extort, and, of course, I will.

You have no idea how much time I put into a perfect kill. I’ll show you if you want.There’s a flirty, threatening tone to the message before he adds,Should we meet here, or for strawberry pie?

I tilt my head at the question. How the fuck does he know about the pie? He follows me, I conclude. Of course he followsme, but what pisses me off is that I didn’t know that until this moment when he wanted me to know. That’s dangerous. He’s dangerous. I reply with:I only eat pie with people I like.

You like me. And I like you, too. It’s why you’re still alive.

As if, I think and respond with:Big egos make big targets.

Which one of us are you warning?

I’ll pick up a pie on my way there. We can share it, and I’ll know it’s not poisonous, but you won’t. It’s not like I have to hurry. We both know Mark is dead. I needed him, asshole.

I told you I’d take care of this for you. See you soon, Lilah.

Lilah.

Not Agent Mendez.

What kind of fuckery is this?

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