Page 100 of Choosing Jenny
“Who did he take of yours?” he intuitively asked.
“My girlfriend’s sister, Elizabeth. She’s a human. There are two others. Noc’s daughter, Briar, and Rasmine’s son, Tyrimap. However you decide to take out Justice, they must remain protected and unharmed, Pierce.”
He nodded. “Understood.”
“Aphonic, as well,” I added.
His brows shot up. “Really?”
“Yes.” I didn’t owe him an explanation considering what I was paying him. “Those hostages are now living in the palace, so steer clear of them. Beyond that, I don’t care who you need to take out in order to get the job done.”
Pierce’s eyes gleamed, as if he were already considering the various ways to kill off Justice. “Would you prefer a self-induced accident, or can he appear murdered?”
I thought about my options. “Self-induced accident would be preferable to keep the peace, but it must be believable in that case.”
He nodded succinctly. “Done.”
“And this must be completedbeforethe games.”
Surprise crossed his handsome features. “In a month?”
I had no choice but to share my side of things. Deacon’s idea and Longshot’s death wish. “There are plans in motion to dispose of Justiceduringthe games. Risky ones that will go badly for thousands of people, with no guarantee of success. Or…someone else might step up and kill Justice himself.”
His hand settled on his side blade. “Hiring my competition?”
“No. A friend. He’s going through some things,” I said, deciding to keep things vague. “He has access to the palace, and to Justice, and I worry that he might try and do the killing himself.”
His hand relaxed. “I’ll keep Longshot from killing himself, Malice.”
I stared at the other man, momentarily stunned into silence. Very carefully, I said, “I would ask how you knew about that plan, but I am concerned that could be my third insult.”
His lips twitched. “Longshot Griel’s injury and subsequent healing has been a topic of discussion in the community. Hedidtrain so many of us, after all.”
“Right. I forgot.” I exhaled a tense breath. “The guild.”
“I have a month to get this done,” the other man said, clearly through with our meeting. “I should go.”
“Wait. How do you plan to get into the palace?” I asked his retreating back.
He stopped and turned around to face me again. “You are treading dangerously close to third insult territory, Ripper.”
“I know youcan, I am merely askinghow. After seeing that other assassin ripped apart by a stretching rack—”
Pierced grimaced. “Bad way to go.”
I whole-heartedly agreed. “So I was curious about how you planned to get in to the palace.”
“It’s handled,” he replied in a cool tone. “Be surprised when you see me.”
See him? “You won’t be in the shadows?” I asked.
He laughed, but it was more the imitation of a laugh. Mechanical, practiced. “The best assassins don’t slip on a servant’s uniform and serve poison. The best ones are those you invite to supper.”
I was not sure what to make of that. “I selected you for a reason, Pierce.”
He inclined his head. “I suspect that reason has something to do with the last time I saw you.”
I braced my hands on my hips. “You mean when you tried to kill me and failed?”
