Page 3 of A Past Too Broken

When my mark heads into a store, I follow a beat after her, internally crying at the fact that they’re also playing Christmas music overhead. How anyone can work in a place like this and not go insane from the music after two seconds is a mystery to me. I’d rather let someone shoot me point blank than deal with that incessant noise for hours on end.

Lost in my thoughts, I almost miss my mark heading to the dressing room with her wares. Scanning the rack in front of me, I pull the least offensive items off the hangers and take it to the salesperson.

“Hi,” they say, giving me a wide-tooth grin. “Would you like to try that on?”

Giving my best smile, I nod. “Please, I’m just not sure if I can pull it off, ya know?”

“Oh sweetie, as long as you feel comfortable, that’s all that matters. Come on, you can try them on in here.”

They lead me into a small dressing room and close the curtain. “Let me know if you need anything,” they say before walking away.

Their shoes give away their position as they walk away, and I count their steps, even as I toe out of my boots and socks. When I’m sure they’re far enough away, I reach into my pocket, pulling out the vial and carefully peeking around the edge of the curtain.

Seeing no one around, I slip out of my dressing area and make my way over to the other side, where my mark is behind the other closed curtain.

Without giving it much thought, I slip into her dressing area. My mark jumps when she sees me in the mirror, but I’m quicker than she is. Even as she opens her mouth to scream, I close in on her and clamp my free hand over her mouth. With my other hand, I break the seal on the vial with my thumbnail.

“This will be painless, so long as you do exactly as I say,” I whisper in her ear.

She nods, and I smile at her in the mirror. Her wide, terrified eyes look back at me, and the sight of them has me grinning wider, a true smile this time.

“Onto the floor now,” I tell her in a gentle voice. Carefully, I help her down, keeping my hand over her mouth as she whimpers and tears stream down her face.

“I’d say sorry,” I whisper, “but I’m not.”

As quickly as possible, I uncover her mouth and shove the vial in, forcing the contents down her throat.

She gasps and tries to sputter. It’s futile, of course. We might be near the same height, but I’m stronger and far better trained.

Her head hits the wall of the dressing area, but I’m not concerned, it adds legitimacy to her “heart attack.” Poor dear, she really should have seen a doctor for her symptoms…

The second her breathing stops, I slip out of the dressing area and hurry back to mine. Poison is never my favorite way to kill, but I can’t deny that it’s efficient.

As I slip back into my shoes and pick up a random piece of lingerie to purchase to curb suspicion, I add to my mental tally: two down… far too many to go.

“Ihate suburbia,” I bitch. “Do you know how fucking hard it is to set up a vantage point in thesuburbs?”

“Only every time your mark lives in one,”Hollis replies sardonically.

“I’d like to see you out here trying to kill someone where any little odd noise has everyone looking out their window or standing in their front yard while they pretend to water the already lush lawn.”

Hollis, the dickhead, laughs.“I’ll admit suburban life isn’t for me, but I never understood what your problem with it was? Besides the nosy neighbors and all. Get on the wrong side of an HOA at one point?”

“One day,” I say casually, “I am going to shoot you.”

He chuckles.“Get in line. I’m all set up, by the way. Cameras in all the houses on the block have been hacked and you’re good to go.”

“Thanks.”

“Yep. No need to pay extra. I’ll just help myself after the money hits your account.”

I curse as he laughs a bit evilly. If he wasn’t so damn good at his job, I really would try to track the fucker down and shoot him, just for the principle of it all.

Not that I have any hope of actually finding him. We all take precautions with our safehouses and how many people can put a face to our name, but aside from H—another hacker—and Cash, I don’t think anyone in our acquaintance has ever seen Hollis in person. To say he’s careful is an understatement. I can understand. His skills are highly sought after, so I’m sure he has his fair share of enemies.

I also wouldn’t put my money on myself if I did manage to track him down. No one in this life got here because their hands are clean, and just from talking to Hollis on the phone, I can sense thedangerhiding beneath his quips and wit.

“The house next door should be empty,”Hollis says.“Your timetable for packing up and getting out of dodge is tight, but I believe in you.”

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