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“Please. You won’t get out of bed for less than fifty thousand euros,” I shoot back.

She chuckles at the truth in my statement.

At the end of the day, murder is no different than any other job in the capitalist world. Sure, it’s not “right,” but what does that matter when it pays?

Elena takes her time finishing her cigarette. Then she reaches for the envelope. “May I do the honors?”

“Go for it.”

She breaks the seal and pulls out a stack of papers.

All the usual information: the target, the dates, the goal, the rate, and all the other facts I need to finish the job.

Only I already know them all.

The target isn’t a stranger.

No, it’s the last person I expect.

My ex-boyfriend.

Matteo Locke.

Chapter

Three

JAIMIE

Without a word, Elena pours me a glass of gin. She even fishes her ice cube tray from the freezer.

The taste of lime and juniper brings me back to our first kiss. The scent of mint on his neck. The soft skin under my fingertips. The pressure of his body over mine.

We were so good there.

I try not to think about it. I try not to think about him.

But we were so fucking good there.

Elena tries to distract me with an offer of a cigarette.

I shake my head and once again motion to the no smoking sign on the fridge. “We’re inside.”

She arches a dark brow. We kill people for a living. Do you really draw the line at smoking inside?

That’s a good point.

And she’s already been smoking in here. If they’re going to charge us a fine, it’s too late. “If you pay the fee.”

She laughs you’re ridiculous. “Sure, doll.” She pulls a thick roll of Euros from her brown leather backpack and tosses a handful of twenties on the table.

I take the cigarette. Let her light it for me. Let the nicotine fill my lungs.

Smoking isn’t my thing. Sure, I light up if it helps me blend in, or if I desperately need a stimulant, but both those situations are rare these days.

I toss back a mouthful of gin I barely taste. I don’t know how she can stand turning every flavor into ashtray.

“We can trade, if you want.” She lights another cigarette for herself, takes a long drag, exhales slowly.