I throw myself back against the sofa, blowing out the exasperated breath I was holding.
Forcing down a swallow, I switch the camera view to the backyard, but the view is just as fucking terrible as it’s switched into full night vision.
There’s no light in the backyard to help, and everything is in black and white.
He enters the living space, flicking on a lamp, and to my annoyance, it still doesn’t fucking help. If anything, it’s worse; all I can see is his silhouette moving around.
This is all part of the work we put in before I take out a mark, but never in my whole time of doing this have I had so much trouble trying to identify someone.
My focus remains on the screen as I watch his movements; he’s got a lethal grace despite his size. Everything around him looks tiny compared to his brooding height.
I really hope I don’t need to tackle this fucking guy.
The only benefit I have is that I’m quick. My height allows me to duck swiftly in training sessions, and I might be small, but I can be feisty.
My past fuels my fury; at times it used to get the better of me, needing to tone it down. But with the help of my trainer, I’ve learned to control it over the years, in a way that I can switch it on, then switch it off. But this guy?
Yeah, a dart from a distance is going to need to help me.
No Oscar-worthy performance on this one, unfortunately.
I watch him as he makes his way up the stairs, heading into what I believe was the en suite during my visit.
There’s only one window on the upper floor, and the bedroom looked open plan, but the angle from the camera causes an obstruction due to the exterior walls.
Grabbing my phone again, I search the internet for the motel we spotted. Regina is going to be pissed when I wake her from her slumber, but we need to be closer, and we need to leave now.
I’ve never had an urge come over me like this. I’m breaking my self-made rule here. Diving headfirst into danger without properly learning my mark’s movements.
It’s the kid. It’s hitting a soft spot. I’ve never really had motherly instincts—not for a very long time. I keep telling myself it’s because I don’t want them to grow up knowing how cruel life is.
The other reason…was him, the thought of a mini version of us running around. I’d never wanted anything more.
A broken sigh leaves me.
Just another piece of me stolen.
14
Indie
Desperado - Rihanna
AsIassumed,Reginawas pissed when I dragged her here for the early morning drive. She’s been glaring at me from the breakfast table of our motel for the past fifteen minutes.
“This tastes like shit.” She spits out the cereal, courtesy of the guy at the front desk for ourlong journey.
I lower my spoon mid opening mouth, watching her face screw up as she reads out the sell-by date.
We gathered everything we needed and hopped in the car to get here, sliding on fake plates once we hit the isolated roads. This is the first time we’ve used them; we had no time to grab a rental, and this is only for emergencies.
I’ve booked our room for two nights under fake names, in the hope that we can wrap up this contact by tonight. Normally we wouldn’t have accommodation, it’s too risky, but I feel an immense amount of pressure with this one.
They’re never easy, but the kid needs us to get back to his mom. Who knows what this guy’s capable of?
Even if I can immobilise John, find out where the hell Callum is, we can get back to his mom with an update. Maybe we could arrange for a separate entity to rescue him.
I still need to decide what to do with this mark; he’ll need to stay drugged up in the trunk until we’re ready and know the kid’s safe.
