I take the fire escape stairs down, and once I’m on the ground, I calmly walk to where I parked the unmarked car.
I shrug off the bag and climb behind the steering wheel. Once I pull away, I dig out my phone and send the message.
Contract: Closed
I drive to the small airfield where my private jet is waiting, and as I bring the car to a stop in a hanger, a message comes through showing I’ve received the payment.
All in a week's work.
Taking hold of my bag, I get out of the vehicle. I pull an envelope with the agreed amount out of the side pocket and hand it to Petro.
“Safe trip,” he says as he takes his payment for my private jet standing at his airfield and arranging the car for me. All over the world, there are people like Petro, which makes traveling easier for me.
I nod, and within minutes, I’m seated, and we’re taking off.
I message Alexei that I’ll land in seven hours and then check my emails. Not seeing anything worth my attention, I lean my head back and close my eyes.
It’s been two years since I’ve seen my brother. The realization sends a glimmer of emotion through my chest.
Emotions. I’ve lost touch with them, and it makes every day the same. Monotonous. When I’m home, my routine is set in stone. Workouts. Maintaining my collection of weapons. Watching my competitors. Visiting the bar once a week. The contracts.
My life is robotic. Detached and cold.
Hailey.
It’s been a week, but I clearly remember her smile.
I place my elbow on the armrest and rub a finger over my mouth as my thoughts begin to turn around her and that goddamn smile I can’t forget.
What would it be like to step into the light? Would everyone see the monster I am? Would it be worth the risk?
Is it something I really want? To experience the good side of life.
My phone vibrates with a message from Alexei.
Alexei: Fuck, I’m not in LA. Urgent job. Will call when the contract is closed.
Getting up, I walk to the cockpit. “Change direction to Switzerland.”
“Yes, Sir.” He checks something then says. “We should arrive at one pm.”
I head back to my seat and decide to sleep. Or at least to try to get some, seeing as insomnia comes with the job.
I manage to dose on and off until we land in Geneva. I grab my bag, and knowing my regular pilot will take care of the jet, I leave the cabin.
I walk to where my armored SUV is parked, and on the drive back to Saint Luc, I feel a glimmer of excitement.
Within a matter of hours, I’ll see Hailey’s smile again.
That’s if she hasn’t moved on to the next village.
She said she planned on spending a couple of months in every town, so she should still be in Saint Luc.
I hope.
The emotions shudder through me, and I tighten my grip on the steering wheel.
Emotions.
It’s been a long time since my heartbeat sped up. Was it with the auction when I lost Damien to Winter?
Damn, I can’t remember.
It’s roughly a two-and-a-half-hour drive before I park the SUV in front of my house that’s hidden between a pine tree forest and the mountainside. The wood used to build the house blends in with the surrounding nature. I wanted to leave the area as undisturbed as possible.
Walking on a wooden path that crosses over a stream, I head to the front door. I enter my code, and the door swings open. As soon as I step inside, it slides shut behind me. The lights flicker on as I move through the living room, and taking the stairs down to the armory, I remove my rifle from the backpack.
I clean the weapon then place it back in the case with my other rifles. I glance around the room, taking in my personal collection, then take the empty shell from the bag. Moving to the middle of the room where a box stands on a pillar, I flip it open and drop the shell with the others.
Sixty-eight contracts closed to date.
Leaving the armory, I let out a sigh. When I reach my bedroom, I begin to strip out of my clothes, my eyes locked on the scenic view of the Alps.
Silence surrounds me, and for the first time in my life, it grates against my nerves.
My eyes narrow as I walk to the ensuite bathroom, and opening the faucets, I step under the cold spray. Goosebumps spread out over my skin, but it’s soon eased away as the water warms.
I usually only go into the village on Fridays, and deviating from my routine is not something I do easily.
But…
I want to see if Hailey is still here.
You can watch from a distance. There’s no need to go into the bar.