Page 38 of Descent

“Right, because a tall, gorgeous woman with exotic eyes and curly hair would blend right in. No one’s looked twice at me.”

“Where were you going to get a gorgeous woman with exotic eyes? I didn’t see one in our gear.”

“Asshole.” But I see her mouth tick up in a smile. She steps off the curb, crossing to flank the club entrance.

Our target went in two hours ago. Only three hours after I posted up here. I hate the waiting. But this is the only time Lenny Ma ever makes an appearance: his monthly trip to the strip joint-gambling den known asShuang Jiaozi.

“Heh. ‘Twin Dumplings’. Classic,” Ciro snickers.

“Not now. Please.” The last thing I need is two people heckling me.

“Hey, you thought it. I’m not even here, big guy.”

A flick of my head and a shrug loosens my growing tension. In a snap, he’s gone, replaced with precious silence. And loneliness.

“Whoareyou talking to?” Circe intones, her voice low.

“No one.”

“I’m stuck in Hong Kong with the insane man babbling to himself on the mic, holding a sniper rifle pointed at my head. How did I get here?”

“Yeah. Well, you wanted me along for the ride. You got what you asked for, sister.”

“Ew. Don’t call me that.”

“I regretted it the minute I said it,” I groan.

“I regret wearing women’s underwear to a stakeout. Silk’s riding up my crack like a motherfucker.” Ciro squirms.

I didnotjust almost laugh at him.

“Heads up. Target’s coming your way.”

“No shit?” she snips, ducking into the shadows by the corner of the building.

“The thanks I get for trying to be a good teammate.”

“You’re being a mother hen,” Circe says, “Just like Artemis.”

“Who?”

“No one. Mind your scope.”

“You’re unbearable, Circe.”

“I’m unbearable? Have you heard the sound of your own voice?”

“I can’t over your squawking.”

“Are you finished?”

“Let’s go radio silent, how about it?” I sigh, trailing the suited gangster and his entourage. “For the rest of the trip.”

“Fine by me. If you can keep your crazy thoughts to yourself.”

“I’m this close to either shooting you or giving you a piece of my mind if you don’t shut it.”

“I’d love to see you try,” she snips.

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