“Medical history,” I admit.
“Whose?”
“Who do you think?” I respond, my voice belying my anger at just how much pain Ava suffered at the hands of Ricardo.
He whistles. “There’re so many broken bones, mate.”
I nod. “Yeah. There are.”
“The little girl?—”
“Nothing,” I say before he can get the question out. “She protected her. Left before he could start in on her.”
“Thank fuck for that,” he surprisingly says.
I’ve never been jaded about what Wylan can do. Both of us work in the shadows of the world. My work makes it possible for people like him to do theirs, but I don’t pull the trigger. I’d always assumed an assassin had to lack humanity to be an assassin, but perhaps, I was wrong. Perhaps it’s because they have too much humanity. Wylan never offs anyone who hadn’t done terrible shit at least. He’s got pretty solid morals for such a high-paid assassin.
“Do you have a reason for being here or are you just here to get on my nerves?” I ask, clicking out of the medical history and returning back to the finances. I just need to find every business and connection Ric has screwed over. We’re going to need that information if we’re going to bring him down like a couple of high school girls. Jesus. This has got to be the most immature thing I’ve ever been a part of.
“I haven’t gotten on your nerves yet,” Wylan says with a grin.
“Yeah, but you will,” I reply, shaking my head.
“You need to come out of the shadows more often, mate.” Wylan laughs. “They make you stuffy.”
“Says the man who dresses like a shadow,” I point out with raised brows toward him.
He just grins. “I thought I’d just drop in to annoy you, but then figured I’d also ask for any current information. Trying to earn my paycheck, as useless as this feels. Can’t say I’m not enjoying it though.”
I shake my head. “Nothing new at the moment. Sorry to inform you of that fact.”
“How disappointing. Maybe I’ll go annoy Ava later then,” he shrugs.
I turn in my chair and meet his eyes. “Maybe. . . be careful when it comes to Ava.”
He tilts his head. “You think I’d hurt her?”
“You’re a hired assassin, bro,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“And you’re the world’s best hacker and on the most wanted list the same as I am. What’s your point?” he asks with a raised brow.
“My point is that I know Dagen spoke to you about the real plan, just as he spoke to me. This little job isn’t quite as little, and you shouldn’t fuck it up by hurting the woman that’s the catalyst for it.”
Wylan’s charming smile fades until there’s no emotion on his face at all. I imagine that’s the look he wears when he points a gun at someone. Cold. Calculated. Dangerous. He glances at my computer screen again where a picture of Ava sits, her bright eyes beautiful and still somehow dull compared to the real thing.
“I hear what you’re sayin’, hacker boy,” he finally answers, his eyes still on the picture. “Can you do me a favor?”
“What’s that?” I ask, watching him carefully.
“Send me a list of every injury she sustained while with him. Every bone. Every cut. With placement and detailed description.”
“What are you gonna do?” I ask, but I can guess.
“Nothing,” he responds. “Yet.” His hard eyes meet mine and I nod once.
“Consider it done.” Because if there’s anyone who deserves to taste the pain they put someone else through, it’s Ricardo fucking McCoy.
He slips out the door silently. I never even hear the door open and close. I’m willing to bet there aren’t even fingerprints left behind. He’s no different than a ghost.
