The Billionaire's Assassin [COMPLETE]

File 3: Business

Napa, California

*Eight years after-2018*

Mia-Amber

There are only three things Mia-Amber appreciates when doing business. The rewarding payout. The candor of her clients and associates. And the agility of getting things done the right way--her way--the first time. However, Rex was different, difficult, one might say. Since they’d first met, it’s been a cat and mouse game. Who would tug on the cord of destiny first?

Intellect made him wise enough to see a good deal but his temperament made him apathetic at getting those deals done. He had more than enough candor, which she always appreciated. Since youth, she’d always had the ability to read people like a book, their aspirations, their weaknesses, everything. Rex had noticed. He played it safe at first, blocked out a few noteworthy chapters in his life, forged his story with whatever needed to be told at the time. Then the pages peeled apart and exposed the true, manipulative, sinful creature she loved.

And the reward of having him back in her life…

She bit her bottom lip at the thought, pressing her thighs together beneath the table. It’d be a dangerous and risky venture. That’s how she liked it though, taking a chance, pulling out her prized wildcard. Rex came with a lot of strings attached. Strings that she knew he wanted to wrap around her throat and pull tightly. Watch her body convulse in his arms until she went lifeless, numb to his touch. She would allow him that pleasure.

However, he needed to hold off on killing her for the moment.

“What if he says no?” Hanna Day asked, her finger tapping on her tablet. Mia hugged the thick manila folder in her arms in anticipation.

The thought of his refusal crossed her mind multiple times since she first discovered his whereabouts in Miami. She followed him on his next mission of assassinating Samuel Ando, a ruthless drug lord with a pension for sadistic mutilation. At first, she thought it’d be an easy walk-in, walk-out assignment. Then weeks turned into months, and months turned into almost a year. Why was that? Missions, unless trying to dismantle an entire elite organization for information as she’d done in high school, didn’t last so long.

“He won’t,” Mia replied. If she’d been looking for him for the past eight years, there was no doubt he’d been looking for her. She watched the speeding cars pass by the moderately occupied bistro. They sat outside, enjoying the warmth of neverending sunshine beaming on their skin. A complete antagonistics of the daily rainfalls in Seattle.

Hanna looked down at the time then peered upwards at the building across the street. “Looks like David is getting ready.”

She didn’t need to look. David Asaka would man his position above, make sure Rex didn’t enter with the intent to kill, guns ablaze. David wouldn’t kill him though. A warning shot. That’s what she asked for and that’s what she’d receive. He was a professional, he listened, he was loyal to her. If she asked him to cut his arm off and hand it to her only to discard it in the ocean, he wouldn’t hesitate. That’s what she liked about him ever since they were broken kids, pieced back together as weapons of destruction. Hanna had entered their lives later, pretty and untamed. God, she was a beautiful mess. Disobedient. Unloyal. Never could see past her own nose. That’s probably why Mia took her under her wing. Grooming her, teaching her like a lost, untrained puppy. She wasn’t going to stay in the agency forever and she needed allies on her side.

A glossy black Cadillac rolled to an abrupt stop by the bistro, tinted windows, a few scratches indicating it’s been in the line of fire more than once. Mia’s heart soared into her throat, hitching at her oxygen. Rex. Memories of his hazel green eyes, a sultry smile that always conveyed his need for mischief, and his chilly fingertips creating steam between them. There was no denying the chemistry the first time they’d touched, the moment their eyes connected. And after eight years, she prayed that abrasive sensation was still there.

When a tall, brawny man in a dark suit and dirty blond tusses stepped out the car, Mia cursed beneath her breath.

“Mia-Amber?” Despite the deep tremor in his voice, his approach is questionless. He leans over the black iron fence separating the street from the bistro.

Mia leans back in her seat, examining him with perplexity. He’s a worker bee, she notes. One of Rex’s worker bees. The tremor in his voice earlier conveyed his beginner rankings. Still uncertain of his belonging. However, he caught himself with his certain steps towards her. Meaning he wants more than to be just another worker. If he had a weapon, he concealed it well. Potential. A moderate amount but enough to thrive on. He was no Rex though.

The bow of her lip pinched upwards. “Rex still needs time, I see.” He arched an eyebrow. “Your boss. Doesn’t matter. Give him this.” Standing from her seat, she handed him the thick manila folder. “Tell him to take his time, but not too long, or I’ll find someone else for the job.” Grabbing her purse, Hanna followed her motions, pulling out her phone to call David. “And one other thing. Those terms”--she points to the folder--“are non-negotiable. I need to see him face-to-face for this deal. Or the door will close on this opportunity.” She gestured provocatively to herself and smile beautifully. “It was a pleasure but I have other business to attend to. Ciao.”

Malcolm’s mouth gaped open, unable to find his words. Who was this small, straightforward woman? His eyes followed her curly mane heading inside the bistro with a blonde lady by her side. Whoever she was, she studied and spoke as cunningly as his boss. And it made him fearful of the both of them. Hastily, he returned to his car with the folder and sped off before she could walk out the bistro.

There was no denying the scorching resentment inside that he’d send a lackey in his place. Eight years! The least he could have done was point a gun in her face. At least she would have been able to see him in the flesh. The light tan of his skin. The gold flecks with his green eyes that constantly made her toes curl. His auburn hair that would shine autumn orange in the sunlight and mahogany brown in the moonlight. Mesmerizing. Intoxicating.

Heading to her car, she smiled at herself in confidence.

Once he read what was in the second folders, he’d be booking his flight to Seattle in no time. There was no question about that. Curiosity was like a serpent in the garden of Eden to him. He couldn’t very well ignore the temptation of knowledge. Knowledge only Mia possessed. And frankly, she blamed him for the situation she was in right now. Him and his big mouth eight years ago!

Her past was catching up to her like a bullet train and she needed something as powerful to stop it. She’d researched Rex’s new background as an elite assassin, rising in rankings in less than half the time than usual. Nonetheless, he’d become a cold, vindictive man who took on missions of any ranking just to shed blood. That was her doing, she knew. She’d broken him the moment he witnesses his father’s death at her hands and his beloved mother’s torture.

But she’d make it right this time.

He’d return as the old Rex she fell in love with, no matter how long it took.